“"Soft skills" is a term originating from the English language, widely used by recruiters to describe what skills are essential to a person's abilities. behavioral and socio-emotional skills What qualities a candidate must possess to secure a position at a particular company?.

Knowing how to handle adverse situations, communicating well, and having the ability to work in a team are some of the... most sought-after personal characteristics in the job market, regardless of the professionals' field of work. Therefore, this concept can be applied to any career.

But it's not only in professional life that developing soft skills makes a difference. These skills can help students throughout their entire academic journey, including... pre-university period.

Want to know more? Then keep reading to better understand what soft skills are, the importance of this type of skill for the academic and professional success of individuals, and how you can develop this type of competence.

What are soft skills?

Soft skills can be defined as social, emotional, and behavioral characteristics that help us overcome daily challenges, regardless of the context in which we find ourselves – that is, regardless of whether the adversities are related to the academic, personal, or professional sphere.

“These skills comprise a set of personal attributes that define each individual's response to everyday situations. Some classic examples of soft skills include communication, creativity, empathy, ethics, flexibility, emotional intelligence, leadership, and resilience,” explains Marcel Dallaqua, coordinator of the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Center at ESEG College, part of the Etapa Group.

Read more: Soft Skills: what they are and how to acquire them

Unlike hard skills, Personal skills cannot be analyzed or measured through certificates or degrees. Typically, this type of attribute is related to individuals' personalities and life experiences. Therefore, we can say that these skills are subjective.

What is the importance of soft skills?

Now that you know what soft skills are, you might be wondering why it's important to develop this type of skill. One study conducted by LinkedIn – the largest social network connected to the corporate world – indicated that more than 901,300 of the executives interviewed at the time believe that soft skills are as important as, or even more important than, technical knowledge. And this perception is shared by other professionals.

“According to Marshall Goldsmith, one of the most respected American executive leadership coaches, people are hired for their hard skills and fired for a lack of socio-emotional skills. This is because, increasingly, recruiters at large corporations are looking for professionals who, in addition to being technically well-qualified, are collaborative and proactive, as well as having empathy and resilience. In other words, soft skills are currently a fundamental part of candidates' resumes, since they are integrated into their training,” highlights João Pitoscio Filho, pedagogical coordinator of the Etapa Course.

“And the demand for well-developed soft skills grows as professionals progress in their careers. Imagine a balance scale where hard skills are on one side and socio-behavioral characteristics on the other. At the beginning of professional life, the demand for technical knowledge has a greater weight. To enter the job market, individuals need to present certificates or take tests that prove they are proficient in a language or a programming language, for example,” points out Dallaqua.

“As professionals progress in their careers, the demand for soft skills becomes increasingly important. This is because, to occupy leadership positions, they need to demonstrate that they can work well in teams, manage projects and people, and seek creative solutions to everyday problems,” adds the professor from ESEG College, part of the Etapa Group.

For those preparing for university entrance exams, improving soft skills can be the key to achieving their dream of passing. "Managing time effectively when answering questions, thinking critically, and knowing how to handle adverse situations are among the most important behavioral and socio-emotional skills for those preparing for these exams," says Dallaqua.

“"Spending hours studying in a disorganized way, without focus and discipline, is usually not productive at all. Furthermore, knowing how..." controlling pre-college stress "It's important to do well in all subjects," adds Pitoscio.

How to develop soft skills?

After understanding what soft skills are and their importance, you're probably curious to discover how to acquire them. The good news is that these skills can be developed and improved throughout your academic and professional career.

While hard skills are acquired through technical, university, and postgraduate courses, or through individual work experience, soft skills involve other types of learning processes. A first step in developing this type of skill is to seek out... self-knowledge.

Read more: Hard skills, soft skills, and people skills: why knowing and developing these skills is essential in the job market?

Getting to know yourself, reflecting on your behaviors and understanding your emotions, is a good start. This will help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to seek and develop the right strategies for continuous improvement.

“If the focus is on resilience and empathy, it’s essential to put yourself in situations that typically demand these kinds of skills, such as volunteer work, for example. Participating in extracurricular activities "At school or college, it can also help students and future professionals improve their communication, become more creative, and develop a leadership profile," suggests the professor from ESEG College, part of the Etapa Group.

Furthermore, it is advisable to seek specialized help from professionals trained to provide pedagogical and professional guidance. “Students can find a support program at school, in preparatory courses, or at university. In these meetings, young people usually receive individual guidance that allows them to get to know themselves better and find ways to fully develop themselves,” concludes Dallaqua.

Did you like this information about soft skills? The Etapa Course offers... full support For students to maintain balance during the year of preparation for the exams, developing all the necessary skills to do well on the tests – from the specific knowledge required by the subjects, through the behavioral attributes that will help them with their study routine, to the emotional control to deal with the pressure of pre-university entrance exams.

ESEG College, part of the Etapa Group, has several initiatives aimed at helping students develop the technical, socio-emotional, and behavioral skills most sought after by the job market. Skills Factory It includes a series of theoretical and practical activities, such as:

• Simulate ESEG, in which students participate in simulations of selection processes and the daily work routine in their areas of interest;
• Excellent training, through which they can develop strategies to make their more efficient study plans;
• ESEG Debates, which offers opportunities for students to discuss their topics of interest with professionals recognized by the market.

Study at ESEG! See how to participate in our selection process with scholarships and other admission options.