Women Boomers: Promote Your Unique Soft Skills And Win the Interview or Promotion
Women Boomers: Promote Your Unique Soft Skills & Win the Interview or Promotion – Part 1
Dumont Gerken Owen, Ph.D.
What are Soft Skills?
They are the nontechnical skills that consistently rate high with employers…and Guess What? They’re the skills in which Baby Boomer Women excel! Sometimes, however, you have to make those skills clear to the interviewer by knowing how to promote the knowledge and wisdom you’ve gained from your experience.
I recently read and article by Katharine Hansen, Ph.D., Creative Director and Associate Publisher of Quintessential Careers. In it she identifies some of the “soft” skills most sought by employers, the skills in which Boomer Women excel. She also demonstrates how to present these highly sought after skills to employers on a resume. This got me thinking. How can you promote your soft skills to promote your candidacy during an job search or promotion during an interview?
So what are these skills that are so important to employers and how can you demonstrate them?
1. Communications Skills:
These skills have been consistently rated in the top three skills most often cited as critical to success by employers. (National Association of College and Employers)
Example: When I started my last job, they were having difficulty opening sales markets with unions. By using my exceptional presentation and negotiation skills, I connected with union leaders. As a result our market share increased by 23% in one year.
2. Analytical/Research Skills:
These skills relate to your ability to assess an issue from differing perspectives, identify key issues, conduct related research and identify potential solutions.
Example: We needed to assess and streamline a complex delivery process. Under my leadership we researched, planned and evaluated possible solutions. As a result we exceeded annual projections by 13%.
3. Ability to multitask assignments:
This refers to your ability to manage multiple assignments, set priorities, and adapt to changing conditions while keeping your cool.
Example: My ability to thrive in new environments, prioritize assignments and move forward on many fronts at the same time contributed to the launch of several projects successfully and under time.
4. Interpersonal Abilities:
This is the ability to relate to co-workers of all ages, motivate others, and build the team cohesion essential to accomplish goals.
Answer: As a team builder, I revitalized an underproductive marketing team to become the leader in the division. Our plan became the blueprint for success by several other divisions
5. Leadership/Management Skills:
This is your ability to inspire and manage others to achieve program goals.
Answer: As a leader I have maintained a productive and supportive environment, inspiring my team to achieve the productivity award two years in a row.
This is the first of a two part installments. In this article we have covered five of the interview skill highly sought skills valued by employers and how to answer questions to promote your master of these skills.
- Communication Skills
- Assessment/analytical Skills
- Ability to Multitask
- Interpersonal Skills
- Leadership Skills and Management Skills
The next post will cover soft skills possessed by women Baby Boomers and how to answer questions including:
- Cross-generational and multicultural understanding
- Planning/Organizing
- Problem-Solving/Reasoning
- Creativity
- Dependability/Reliability/Responsibility
