Interpersonal Skills

Summary

This video script emphasizes the importance of interpersonal skills in career success, contrasting them with technical skills. It highlights that while technical skills are often IQ-based and rule-following, interpersonal skills require emotional intelligence and adaptability. The script provides guidance on how to showcase these soft skills on a resume and cover letter through storytelling. It also offers practical advice for improving interpersonal skills, such as monitoring body language, practicing active listening, and projecting confidence, to enhance one's corporate finance career.

Takeaways

• 🤝 Interpersonal skills are essential for effective communication and are critical for career success.
• 🗣️ People with strong verbal and nonverbal skills are often seen as being good with people.
• 💼 It's important to be efficient at getting along with others to advance your career.
• 📚 Technical skills usually require a high IQ and are about following rules and being specific.
• 🧠 Soft skills require a high EQ and are related to changing rules, being subjective, and are harder to assess.
• 🏫 Technical skills can be learned in school, while soft skills are learned through life experiences.
• 📈 Both technical and soft skills are important for career advancement and can be developed.
• 📋 When adding interpersonal skills to a resume, select the most important traits and provide examples that demonstrate these skills.
• 📝 Use stories and examples to show how you possess the skills, ensuring they are relevant to the job you're applying for.
• 💡 To improve interpersonal skills, monitor body language, practice active listening, engage in conversations, and work on public speaking.
• 🌟 Project confidence and approachability to enhance your interpersonal skills in the workplace.

Q & A

What are interpersonal skills and why are they important for career success?

Interpersonal skills are the abilities required to effectively communicate and interact with others. They are critical for career success because they help individuals get along well with others, which is essential for building strong professional relationships and advancing in one's career.

How are technical skills different from soft skills?

Technical skills usually refer to specific, measurable abilities that require a high IQ and are often learned in school. They are about following rules and guidelines and are testable. Soft skills, on the other hand, require a high EQ and are more subjective, related to changing rules, and are harder to assess. They are often learned through life experiences.

Why are both technical and soft skills important for most jobs?

Both technical and soft skills are important for most jobs because they complement each other. Technical skills provide the necessary expertise for specific tasks, while soft skills enable effective communication, teamwork, and adaptability, which are crucial for workplace success.

What are some examples of interpersonal skills that can be added to a resume?

Examples of interpersonal skills that can be added to a resume include communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, adaptability, and customer service. These skills are often valued by employers and can demonstrate a candidate's ability to work well with others.

How can one effectively showcase interpersonal skills on a resume or cover letter?

To effectively showcase interpersonal skills, one should identify key traits, recall relevant stories or examples that demonstrate these skills, and ensure they are connected to the job requirements. It's important to use specific anecdotes rather than just listing skills to provide evidence of one's abilities.

What is the significance of using stories and examples when describing interpersonal skills?

Using stories and examples is significant because it provides concrete evidence of how one has applied their interpersonal skills in real-life situations. This helps employers understand the candidate's capabilities and makes the skills more relatable and memorable.

How can one improve their interpersonal skills?

Improving interpersonal skills can be achieved by monitoring body language, practicing active listening, engaging in conversations with colleagues, leading meetings or presentations, and projecting confidence and approachability. These practices help in enhancing communication and interaction with others.

Why is it important to connect interpersonal skills to the job being applied for?

Connecting interpersonal skills to the job being applied for ensures that the skills are relevant and valuable to the position. It shows the employer that the candidate has the specific abilities needed for the role and can contribute effectively to the team.

What is the role of body language in improving interpersonal skills?

Body language plays a crucial role in improving interpersonal skills as it can convey confidence, attentiveness, and interest in the conversation. Being aware of and controlling one's body language can help in establishing better connections and understanding with others.

How can practicing active listening enhance interpersonal skills?

Practicing active listening enhances interpersonal skills by showing that one is engaged and attentive during conversations. It involves fully focusing on the speaker, responding appropriately, and asking clarifying questions, which fosters better communication and understanding.