Gone are the days when a well written CV was all you needed to get a plum job.Contrary to popular belief, recruiters these days are not really looking out for graduates with top ranks and degrees but professionals with transferrable soft skills, disruptive ideas, pleasing behaviour and flexible work standards.
In short, they want young professionals who are "job ready".
It is one thing to be an extrovert and another to be an introvert.
In a corporate set up, you need to be an ambivert because it brings the best of both worlds. Very few aspiring professionals know how to balance their personalities knowing when and whom to speak to and when to stay silent is a great skill
Ambiverts are assertive and enthusiastic. At the same time, they tend to stay calm and focussed under pressure. They channelize their energy in the right direction at work and do not get stressed at the drop of a hat all signs of a thorough professional.
There is no better trigger for an organisation than having a self-motivated employee in a team. Employers get instantly attracted to enthusiastic candidates who are willing to learn, adapt and bring disruptive ideas to the table. They come with a lot of energy which is addictive and beneficial for the team.
Considering that a lot of money is spent in grooming and training freshers, it makes practical and economic sense for organisations to hire candidates who are self-driven.
Being adaptable to people, surroundings and work is crucial.
You may come across people with contrasting personalities and work styles.
Irrespective of your personal likings and preferences, a successful professional learns to work around differences.
If the need arises and your job demands it, you must be willing to work beyond your comfort zone.
You may have to relocate, adapt to a new lifestyle, work with senior or junior colleagues who have different opinions and maybe take on additional responsibilities.
Effective networking is perhaps one of the "most overlooked and under-utilised soft skills. Networking is as important to your career as water is to your body.
Simply adding new contacts on your social media and LinkedIn will get you nowhere. You have to nurture your network every day -- talk to them, stay connected, stay relevant. You will never be able to guess which contact(s) will lead you to your dream job. Your junior from school might turn out to be your manager someday.
We live in the age of the internet where time is money.
Needless to say, organisations are on the lookout for individuals who are disciplined and can do more in less time.
Recruiters like to know how much time you've spent on a previous project and how well you manage your time. Some organisations require you to appear for an online test as part of the interview process just to see how well you manage and perform under a deadline.
Recruiters check for personal presentation and grooming skills.
Candidates are advised to understand the profile they've applied for and dress accordingly for the interview.
A candidate in formal attire with a pleasing personality always attracts positive attention.
It is equally important, that you shake hands, acknowledge a contradicting opinion and maintain eye contact with the recruiter.
If you have handled a team before in college or in your previous organisation highlight that in your resume.
The ability to lead a group, take initiatives, make decisions, work and inspire a team to meet deadlines, handle crises are all part of team management skills. These soft skills are not taught in college but rather learnt working as a team for college events, group projects and even during internship.