Job interview:
Soft skills
JOANNAESL
LES
SON E AS
PLANS & ID
Divide the words below into two categories.
What do you think the categories are?
bilingual programming
creativity problem-solving
database management SEO marketing
dependability statistical analysis
empathy teamwork
organisation typing proficiency
Category 1 Category 2
Adapted from indeed.com
JOANNAESL
LES
SON E AS
PLANS & ID
Check your answers. What's the difference
between hard and soft skills?
bilingual creativity
database management dependability
programming empathy
SEO marketing organisation
statistical analysis problem-solving
typing proficiency teamwork
HARD SOFT
SKILLS SKILLS JOANNAESL
Adapted from indeed.com LES
SON E AS
PLANS & ID
Hard skills Soft skills
Hard skills are technical knowledge or training that you have Soft skills are personal habits and traits that shape how you
gained through any life experience, including in your career or work, on your own and with others. They are essential to your
education. Every job will require certain technical skills specific career and as you search for jobs. While hard skills are
to that industry. If you want to work as an architect, for necessary to successfully perform technical tasks in a job, soft
example, you will need to know how to use drafting software. skills are necessary to create a positive and functional work
Many other industries have such tests in place, requiring prior environment. Employers often seek individuals who possess
knowledge and skills essential for career success. Other proven soft and hard skills. Some employers may prefer to select
employers may have the availability to teach certain technical candidates who have a stronger set of soft skills over hard skills,
skills on the job. as soft skills are at times more difficult to develop.
Adapted from indeed.com
JOANNAESL
LES
SON E AS
PLANS & ID
Decide which actions highlight
soft skills and which highlight
hard skills.
Showing up on time or early to the
1
interview.
2 Providing a portfolio.
3 Maintaining eye contact.
4 Asking follow-up questions.
Answering technical questions related
5
to the work.
6 Working through skills tests.
Adapted from indeed.com
JOANNAESL
LES
SON E AS
PLANS & ID
The most effective
way to showcase
your hard and soft
skills is the
technique.
Decode the acronym.
Adapted from indeed.com
JOANNAESL
LES
SON E AS
PLANS & ID
ituation: introduce what happened
ask: describe what you had to do
ction: describe what you did
esult: say what you achieved
Adapted from indeed.com
JOANNAESL
LES
SON E AS
PLANS & ID
Read a sample interview question
and an answer. Identify the STAR
techniques.
Can you discuss a time when you had to
manage your team through a difficult situation?
"I worked for a web development company, and our team
needed to complete the design for a client's website by the
end of the month. The UX designer and the senior web
developer disagreed on the final changes to the landing
page. Our team fell one week behind on the project. I
scheduled a meeting the next day, and they both came to
an agreement on the design and we delivered it to the
client on time. Addressing problems quickly is an
important part of being a manager, and I think I can use
my judgment from this situation to excel in this role."
Adapted from indeed.com
JOANNAESL
LES
SON E AS
PLANS & ID
Check your answers.
Can you discuss a time when you had to
manage your team through a difficult situation?
"I worked for a web development company, and our team
S needed to complete the design for a client's website by the
end of the month. The UX designer and the senior web
T developer disagreed on the final changes to the landing
page. Our team fell one week behind on the project. I
A scheduled a meeting the next day, and they both came to
an agreement on the design and we delivered it to the
R client on time. Addressing problems quickly is an
important part of being a manager, and I think I can use
my judgment from this situation to excel in this role."
Adapted from indeed.com
JOANNAESL
LES
SON E AS
PLANS & ID
EX
AM
PL
Read the question and plan your answer E
following the STAR technique and the example
below.
What is the most significant problem you solved in the
workplace?
Situation: One of the biggest problems I've faced occurred when
two top clients decided not to re-sign with the company.
Task: This situation put a lot of pressure on me and the rest of
the sales team to increase our production.
Action: I hired two sales interns to make cold calls to local
prospects and update our lead generation software. I spent the
next quarter working later and making sure each employee had
a full sales pipeline.
Result: We ended up signing four new clients and made up for
revenue losses from losing our previous clients.
Adapted from indeed.com
JOANNAESL
LES
SON E AS
PLANS & ID
Write your answers to the following
job interview questions.
How do you prioritize your tasks
01 when you have multiple deadlines to
meet?
How do you explain new topics to
02
coworkers unfamiliar with them?
Adapted from indeed.com
JOANNAESL
LES
SON E AS
PLANS & ID
Answer the following questions.
Describe a situation where results
Highlight a situation where you had
1 went against expectations. How did
to make a decision without
you adapt to this change?
4 managerial supervision. How did
What are your actions if employees you approach this situation, and
2 who else did you speak with?
disagree with your decision?
5 When have you performed a task
Name three of your most important
3 without preexisting experience?
considerations when working for an
employer.
Adapted from indeed.com
JOANNAESL
LES
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PLANS & ID
