Working in an office requires a number of skills. These include tangible skills, such as computer literacy, accounting and technical skills, but intangible qualities, known as soft skills, are arguably just as important. In this blog, we’ll take a look at the different types of soft skills and their relevance to an office job.

What are soft skills?

Soft skills are the sort of personal qualities that most of us have in our toolkit to help us perform well in everyday situations. They encompass a range of people, social and  communication skills that can help to foster a positive work environment and enhance collaboration with colleagues. And they can make a real difference to a person’s success at work. Here are 8 of the most important soft skills that you can have in an office job.

8 Soft Skills for an Office Job

1. Effective communication

Perhaps the most important soft skill for an office job is communication. Being able to communicate well, either verbally or using the written word, can contribute to a positive work environment. Good, clear communication is also vital when working with clients and customers to portray a positive image of your company.

2. Teamwork & Collaboration

When you work in a team it is important to be able to listen to colleagues and to adapt to different ways of thinking and doing things. Offices are becoming increasingly collaborative environments, so soft skills such as being able to integrate into a team, understand diverse perspectives and work together effectively, are important.

3. Adaptability & Flexibility

Offices are becoming increasingly agile work environments where employees are expected to be able to pivot when needed. Employers will want to know that that you are able to adapt to change and that you can be flexible with the tasks you are expected to undertake. Showing resilience in the face of challenge by being adaptable and flexible are soft skills that are seen as essential in an office workspace.

4. Problem-solving & Critical Thinking

Employees who can approach challenges with a solutions-oriented mindset are valuable to any company. Likewise, if you are able to analyse situations clearly and make informed decisions to work towards solutions. These sort of soft skills show that you can overcome day to day obstacles and work towards long-term strategies.

5. Time Management & Organisation 

It goes without saying that to work in an office environment, it helps to be organised. This means being able to work to deadlines by prioritising tasks  and managing your time efficiently. This is especially important in office environments, such as client agencies, where you will be expected to multi-task and juggle several responsibilities.

6. Client & Customer Interaction

Working in an office, it is likely that you will need to speak to clients or customers at some point. Even if your main role is not customer or client-facing, you may be required to speak to someone on the phone or via email. Soft skills such as good communication, active listening and relationship-building play a crucial role in ensuring positive interactions and can help to enhance the reputation of your company. 

7. Leadership & Emotional Intelligence

You don’t have to be in a managerial position to show good leadership qualities. Being a leader is about how you positively influence and inspire the people around you. Soft skills in emotional intelligence will enable you to build strong relationships, understand and manage emotions effectively, and inspire confidence in others. Leaders with high emotional intelligence can navigate conflicts, motivate their teams and foster a positive work culture.

8. Creativity & Originality

Being creative doesn’t just mean being able to draw pretty pictures. It means being able to think in an original way thus bringing fresh ideas to the table. An effective office team is made up of people who have different ideas and opinions but who can collaborate to find a successful solution. Having soft skills in creative thinking and originality are vital to keep a company moving forwards.

How to highlight soft skills on a CV

These are just a handful of the soft skills that are important in an office environment. Chances are that you already possess a lot of these soft skills, and if so, don’t forget to shout about them on your CV and job applications. Cite examples of when you’ve used soft skills to make a difference to your company. If you need help identifying your soft skills do talk to one of our recruitment professionals. And if you need help writing your CV, take a look at our blog on How to Write the Perfect CV.