The goal of soft skills training is to improve one’s interpersonal skills. Hard skills, on the other hand, refer to specific technical expertise or other professional knowledge that is specific to one’s job. Customer service, interpersonal communication, and business etiquette are examples of soft skills. Businesses have recognized that friendliness and other personal qualities are just as important to their success as hard skills in recent years, and they have embraced the soft skills training philosophy. There are several types of training, each of which is relevant to one of the three groups listed above: employees, employers, or job seekers. Online courses, training software, and in-person sessions are all available options for completing training.
A variety of soft skills training programs are designed to help employees improve their job performance. Individual skills, such as time management and productivity, may be learned. While these strategies may have nothing to do with an employee’s technical knowledge, they can help him or her become a more well-rounded and efficient worker. Interpersonal communication is another frequently taught soft skill. Employees can benefit from learning positive communication techniques because most jobs require them to work with at least one other person.
Various employee relations topics are frequently addressed in soft skills training courses for managers and supervisors. Two common areas of focus are leadership and decision-making. They also tend to address more of the sensitive issues that employers may face. Conflict resolution and dealing with sexual harassment claims are two common examples.
Individuals who work with the public can benefit from additional types of training. Business etiquette and customer service are two common examples. Some of these training programs are aimed at job seekers who are unemployed or looking for a change of career. The skills they gain from such training may come in handy during job interviews and in their new workplaces.
Many soft skills training options are available online, as well as through the purchase of a CD or DVD set. There are some free articles and other resources available online, but most consulting firms charge a fee for their training materials. For many businesses, private group training classes are also an option.
Companies frequently want to investigate the outcomes of soft skills training. They usually want to know how to calculate their return on investment to see how effective the training is at improving their business. Many human resources professionals believe that such training can increase productivity, resulting in higher profits and lower employee turnover. As a result, a company may discover that it can spend less money on new employee orientation and other costly programs.