You do not need to be a brilliant writer, but you should be able to express yourself well.  Weather it’s writing a memo, persuading others with a presentation, or being able to explain your needs to a team member.

Teamwork and collaboration

Employers want to know if you can effectively work as part of a team.  Can you work with others in the organization to achieve a common goal?

Adaptability

To succed at most organizations you need to have a passion for learning, the ability to continue to grow and add skills to adapt to the changing needs of the organization.  Explain on your resume the ways you’ve continued to learn and grow throughout your career.

Problem solving

Always be prepared for the interview question “how did you solve a problem?”  Be able to give a specific example of when you solved a tough business problem.  Explain what you did, how you approached the problem, and how you involved others.

Critical observation

Have the ability to collect, manipulate, analyze and interpret data and use it to tell a story.  Instead of just a spreadsheet, give your boss a business summary, highlight the key areas for attention, and suggest possible next steps.

Conflict resolution

If you are hoping to advance your career, you need the ability to persuade, negotiate and resolve conflicts. Focus on developing mutually beneficial relationships in the organization so you can negotiate win-win solutions for both the individuals involved and the company.

Show – Don’t Tell

How do you persuade the hiring manager that you have what they need?  Write an accomplishment statement on your resume that shows your actions persuaded a positive company outcome instead of listing concrete accomplishments.

Learn

Soft skills can be learned.  Practice leading small discussions.  Do tasks without being asked by someone else.  Seek more challenging work.  Display a positive attitude during difficult situations and manage conflict in a healthy way.  Pay attention to other people’s body language.  Don’t interrupt others in a conversation.  Working on your soft skills can give you a leg up on a new job or a promotion and also in your personal life.  Practice active listening skills.  Join your local Toastmasters.