On paper, you might look perfect for the job.

You have all of the qualifications and experience necessary to fulfil the role. However, do you have the soft skills needed for professional success? Soft skills are qualities and attributes that help employees work well with others and enhance productivity. They are important to employers, but they are even more important to your professional growth.

Here are our 10 must have professional development skills:

1. Innovative Thinking

Those who try to get by, by doing the same old things, in the same old ways, will quickly find themselves left behind. Nobody is born an innovative thinker. After gaining different kinds of experiences, people develop their thinking skills and improve their ability to generate innovative ideas.

2. Actively Engage in Learning

Employers are always looking for people who prioritise professional development. You can approach this in a few ways, take on a new project, register for a class or attend seminars and workshops. Learning from your own mistakes and the mistakes of others is also a great active learning tool.

3. Creativity

Creativity just means being able to come up with something new and innovative. Often, creativity involves lateral thinking, or the ability to perceive patterns that are not obvious. It’s not only for creative industries either. Employers in all industries want employees who are creative thinkers.

4. Technology Literacy

Technology literacy is simply understanding whatever technological tools are needed for the job you’re interested in. Some jobs may demand professional qualifications. But most jobs merely require advanced skills in certain software such as accounting or operating systems.

5. Critical Thinking and Analysis

When you think critically, you weigh up all sides of an argument. And you evaluate a situations strengths and weaknesses. Conversely, analysis examines and breaks down the information into parts by identifying motives or causes. It also makes interpretations and finds evidence to support an idea.

6. Problem-Solving

Strong problem-solving skills can be hugely beneficial for your career. In every sector, problems are inevitable and will arise in one form or another as you go about your job. When problems do occur, employees are expected to use their initiative and develop suitable solutions.

7. Leadership And Social Influence

Leaders command, inspire, persuade and encourage. Much of that can be achieved through social influence. The idea of social influence is simply a change in behaviour occurring from the influence of another person, either intentionally or unintentionally.

8. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence refers to the ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions and the emotions of others. Emotional Intelligence, and our ability to draw on it, helps us to navigate the precarious world of business.

9. Reasoning

There are a variety of ways to build and improve on your reasoning skills. For example, engage in activities that encourage critical thinking, such as choosing where to focus your attention, and learn to recognise irrational thoughts.

10. Systems Analysis And Evaluation

All organisations have systems in place to help them run. You can make your skills more marketable with a deeper understanding of general operations. Then use the knowledge to understand how the systems in your current organisation can be improved.

Enhance your professional development and computer skills with live online courses at Odyssey Training. Our full-day online courses are live, which means that you can interact with our trainer or facilitator throughout the day. 

People with emotional intelligence have a head start in their lives and careers. Inner Management 1 day course will enhance your understanding of self and how this impacts your business relationships and personal relationships. Learn strategies to fine tune your inner management and strengthen your emotional intelligence.

Whether you are looking to learn a new skill or boost your current abilities with the Microsoft Suite, here at Odyssey Training, we have you covered. We offer a range of courses across the Microsoft Suite, at varying levels of difficulties to suit your needs. Discover Microsoft Courses available today.