Key Points
Learn what soft skills are and how to choose what to include in your resume.
Having the right skills is essential to getting a job in radiography. You learned these skills at The X-Ray Academy. Now it’s time to go get the job of your dreams!
Skill Sets
A skillset is the knowledge, ability, and experience needed to perform a job. Specific skill sets can include human relations, research and planning, accounting, leadership, management, and computer skills. Leaders in the radiography field say there are additional skills you need beyond your technical skills you learned in school.
What are Soft Skills?
Soft skills are interpersonal or people skills. The top soft skills are as follows:
Interpersonal Skills
Otherwise known as “people skills,” interpersonal skills include building and maintaining relationships, developing rapport, and using diplomacy. You should be able to give and receive constructive criticism, exercise tolerance and respect regarding others’ opinions, and be able to empathize with others. This is probably the most important soft skill because it is crucial to building teams with a strong foundation of trust and accountability.
Leadership Skills
Leaders must assess, motivate, encourage, discipline workers, build teams, resolve conflicts, and cultivate the organization’s desired culture. Understanding how to influence people and accommodate their needs is an essential element of leadership. You need to be able to direct others efficiently and effectively.
Teamwork
Most employees are part of a team/department/division, and even those who are not on an official team need to collaborate with other employees. It’s important to demonstrate that you understand and appreciate the value of working in partnership to accomplish the company’s goals, even if you prefer to work alone.
Adaptability
Things change fast in today’s world. Companies want workers who can shift gears or change direction as needed. When new things are implemented in the field, you need to be flexible and adaptable.
Communication
Successful communication involves five components. Verbal communication refers to your ability to speak clearly and concisely. Nonverbal communication includes the capacity to project positive body language and facial expressions. Written communication refers to your skillfulness in composing text messages, reports, and other types of documents. Visual communication involves your ability to relay information using pictures and other visual aids. Active listening should also be considered a key communication soft skill because it helps you listen to and hear what others say. You need to be able to listen to understand how to best communicate with someone.
Problem-Solving
Companies hire employees to solve problems. The ability to use your knowledge to find answers to pressing problems and formulate workable solutions will demonstrate that you can excel in your job.
Additional soft skills you may consider
- Time-management
- Organization
- Critical-thinking
- Ethical decision making
- Empathy
- Positive attitude
- Encouraging
- Punctual
- Trainable
There are numerous soft skills you could include in your resume or interview. Choose words that speak to you and represent your values.
Overall
Include your top skills on your resume. About 5-10 should do it. You can bring up other soft skills in your interview if appropriate.
What can really help set someone apart from his or her peers is confidence. Point out your strengths and paint a picture of why you’re the best person for that specific job. Show your potential employer you are easy to work with, that you work hard, and that you are willing to find solutions for issues that may arise, and you’ll do just fine!