Finding a Job? Focus on soft skills, says Jobstreet

Metro Manila, Philippines - A job applicant's so-called "soft skills" can make or break their chances of employment, according to the job-finding platform Jobstreet.

"What we are seeing as a trend is that soft skills, especially around communication, collaboration, and empathy, are of even higher priority for our hires," said Jobstreet Managing Director Danah Marajocon.

Marajocon emphasized that employers are increasingly looking for candidates who are eager to learn, grow, and upskill.

"Kung baga, gaano po tayo kabilis makapag-adapt dahil ever-changing na po ang mundo natin. So kung kailangan natin matuto kung paano gamitin ang ChatGPT, ang reaction nyo po ba ay 'Ayoko dyan, hindi ko alam yan,' o 'Matututunan ko yan kasi marami naman akong pwedeng resources para mabasa, maintindihan, at malaman at magagamit ko yan sa trabaho ko?' That skill is a make-or-break factor for employers right now," she added.

[Translation: In other words, how quickly can we adapt because the world around us is constantly changing? So, if we need to learn how to use ChatGPT, will your reaction be 'I don’t want that, I don’t know how to use it,' or 'I’ll learn it because I have plenty of resources to read, understand, and apply it in my job?' That skill is a make-or-break factor for employers right now.]

Soft skills, as defined by the Cambridge Dictionary, refer to people's ability to communicate effectively and work well with others. These include teamwork, communication, and emotional intelligence—qualities that are now more critical than ever in the modern workplace.

Marajocon also offered practical tips for job applicants looking to improve their resumes before submitting them to prospective employers.

"Employers spend an average of 28 seconds reading a CV. What that means is, the information you place at the top, especially in the first few lines, will really help you stand out," she advised.

IT-BPM jobs still in demand

The Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector continues to be one of the most in-demand job sectors this year, according to Jobstreet.

However, Jobstreet clarified that IT-related jobs today are no longer limited to answering calls and texts.

"The evolution of growing jobs is still happening. We still have our evolving IT-BPM industry. It's no longer just about call or chat support. We actually have financial services and medical services now being supported by the IT-BPM industry," said Marajocon.

She further highlighted that manufacturing, engineering, retail, and education industries are also seeing significant growth.