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How to develop soft skills that make you more hirable

Published on: Nov 15, 2018
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Soft skills, the attributes that make it easier to work well with others, are in high demand in the medical field. Possessing these traits can give you a great advantage in your job hunt.


Teamwork


The ability to work well as a member of a team is critical to any medical profession. Modern medicine is a combined effort, requiring the skills and talents of many individuals. From the administrators who check in patients to the specialists who treat rare conditions, it takes many people to care for a single patient.

To develop this skill, consider volunteering in your local community. You'll encounter people from all walks of life, allowing you to get outside your comfort zone. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to interact with people who are older and younger than you, as well as people from different cultures and backgrounds.


Critical thinking


Medical providers need to be quick on their feet and logical in their thought. Physicians and nurses must be able to assess a situation and make a decision in a timely manner. The ability to remain calm and utilize your training is vital to any medical role.

To improve your critical-thinking skills, try to actively listen to others in your daily life. Talk less and listen more. Make sure you truly understand what the other person is saying before you respond. Take time to think about your opinions and why you hold them before you make a statement.

The ability to work well in a team is essential to any medical profession.The ability to work well in a team is essential to any medical profession.




Empathy


The first rule of medicine is to do no harm. To ensure every patient receives the best possible treatment, you need to be able to actively listen to each person's needs. For your responses to be empathetic, you must be able to put yourself in the patient's shoes.

To hone your empathy skills, consider this exercise: Take a view that you hold and try to argue against it. Explore the topic from your opposition's point of view and try to understand why someone may disagree with you.


Attention to detail


Modern medicine requires everything to be documented. Every bandage given and pill taken must be noted somewhere, typically within an electronic health record. Any mistakes could potentially harm a patient. Therefore, it's imperative that everyone involved in the caregiving process is highly attentive to details.

You can start to develop this soft skill in your daily life. Organize your household chores using a list or diary. Set priorities and follow through on them in a timely manner. Practicing this skill in a low stress environment will make it easier to do so on the job.

Are your soft skills ready for team- and patient-oriented communications? Are you ready to advance your medical career? Sign up for free job alerts on myHealthTalent.com today. Soft skills, the attributes that make it easier to work well with others, are in high demand in the medical field.