(ROSENBERG, Texas) – What happens when two qualified individuals apply for the same job? With the same skill set, drive to work, and even education, how does an employer decide between the two?
The answer often comes down to soft skills.
Companies use technical skills and education as a baseline when judging candidates for a job position, but the soft skills demonstrated during the interview phase of hiring can be just as important.
Jamie Jimenez, a Career Services coordinator for Texas State Technical College’s Fort Bend County campus, spends a lot of her time helping students and graduates of the college develop those skills.
“We help with resumes, interview prepping and soft skills,” Jimenez said. “Students have to know how to talk and how to address people.”
To aid in the learning process, she recommends going to events, getting to know peers and classmates, and generally just putting down the phone every once in a while to really connect with others.
Especially in technical job fields such as welding, HVAC or auto mechanics, employers often spend time training new employees to the specifics that their company operates with, regardless of the amount of education or experience they may have. Having a solid background or degree can expedite that process in a lot of cases. But a willingness to learn, ask questions and listen are all important skills that employers look for during interviews.
“Just start talking to people,” Jimenez said she tells students. “It is the best advice I can give. Go to job events, resource fairs, anywhere you can connect with others. Everything you do goes into helping you find a job later on.”
TSTC’s Career Services department hosts twice-a-year job fairs where students can talk directly with company representatives and recruiters. It also provides interview practicums to help students get experience for the hiring process.
Registration for TSTC’s fall semester is open. For more information, go to tstc.edu.