Soft skills are more difficult to learn and often mature with time

Soft skills are more challenging to develop, since they have little to do with knowledge or expertise, but are closely linked with a person’s character.

It takes a conscious effort, ongoing practice, and a commitment to self-development to improve your soft skills.

Hard skills may look impressive on your CV, but the soft skills are what will set you apart from the many candidates who have similar expertise to you.

The development of soft skills provides a student with a different balance and it is arguable that they are then more able to create coping strategies when dealing with the stress and pressures of key examinations and the work environment, leading to improved well-being and mental health.

Employers will develop you in time, but you need a headstart now

As you start to enter your career phase and are employed by a business, either part-time or full-time, you will no doubt receive soft skills training as well as technical skills training that the role requires.

Many businesses have competency frameworks that you must demonstrate and work to in order to progress, with senior roles having leadership frameworks to aspire to.

These are important paths to follow once employed, but you need to win the race to get the offer in the 1st place.