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Originally posted 2/29/2012 at WorkOneIndy.com

I recently read an article titled Helping Youth Develop Soft Skills for Job Success: Tips for Parents and Families. It was published in May 2011 by the National Collaboration on Workforce and Disability (NCWD). The full article can be accessed at http://www.ncwd-youth.info/information-brief-28.

While the article is 10 months old, it contains some excellent advice and guidance regarding the importance of soft skills for job success, what those basic soft skills are and very specific action and activities that parents and others can use to help develop those skills in their children. Some of the benefits cited in the article for the youth include:

Enjoying an enhanced social life

Doing better in studies

Being more successful in finding a job

Being more successful in retaining employment

So what are these soft skills for job success? Communication Skills

Read with Understanding

Convey Ideas in Writing

Speak so Others Can Understand

Listen Actively

Observe Critically

Interpersonal Skills

Guide Others

Resolve Conflict and Negotiate

Advocate and Influence

Cooperate with Others

Decision Making Skills

Use Math to Solve Problems and Communicate

Solve Problems and Make Decisions

Plan

Lifelong Learning Skills

Take Responsibility for Learning

Reflect and Evaluate

Learn Through Research

Use Information and Communications Technology

These very skills are what many employers are looking for in prospective employees. This is especially true for entry level positions. We often hear the following comment from employers – If they (the job applicants) have the basic (soft) skills, we can teach them the technical part of the job.

The article goes on to define each of the four major categories of soft skills and then lists some “How to Help” suggestions for parents.

A simple example of a “How to Help” hint under the Communication Skill category –

Use a flip cam or cell phone to record your child giving directions for using the microwave or doing something that they are good at such as playing a computer game. Review the video with them. Did they speak clearly? Were the instructions clear? Other family members and friends can provide feedback as well.

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