Soft Skills

Soft Skills are the attributes, characteristics, and abilities that differentiate you from others.

Technical or hard skills are typically linked to specific knowledge or training that one has gained through life experience, career, or education. Similar to human skills or life skills, Soft Skills are personal to you.  The development of these skills are often overlooked.

TFA Soft Skills focuses on four key skills needed to be successful at key milestones in life: Interpersonal Communication, Interviewing, Networking, and Public Speaking.  Whether you are graduating from high school, finding that first job, getting promoted to a leadership position, or transiting careers, TFA Soft Skills can help you achieve your goals. It just takes practice and confidence.

 

  • Communication is the superhero of the Soft Skills family. Everything starts with Communication, both verbal and nonverbal.  Verbal is what you say and what people hear.  Nonverbal is how you show up and what people see. 57% of what is retained after an exchange is the nonverbal. Words are 36%.  Tone is 7%.

    Do you have a hard time building relationships at school or work? Can you say what you want when you want? Are you someone who believes the myth that only extraverts are good communicators? How is your relationship with your coach, teacher, supervisor? Can you give constructive feedback to others?

    Knowing how to make a great first impression, being able to use eye contact, maintaining a conversation, and actively listening to others will differentiate you from others.  Developing communication skills is critical to your success.  

  • A successful interview requires being a good communicator and an active listener.  If you are the candidate, there is a lot more on the line for you than the potential employer. You are in the hot seat. 

    Whether you are interviewing for a scholarship, first job, new job, internal transfer, or promotion, there is value in developing soft skills.  You need to prepare and practice for an interview to convince an organization to give you an opportunity.  The job market is competitive and difficult.  Being able to interview well and articulate your value are key ingredients to a successful interview.

    The art of interviewing can be learned.  It is a skill just like any others that you spend time developing. We can give you tips on how to beat out the competition, guidance on handling mishaps and difficult interviewers as well as help you articulate your very own value prop or elevator pitch.

  • Ask any titan in industry, athletic coach, teacher, supervisor, and they will tell you that it is difficult to achieve goals and success without relationships. Effective networking is a core skill that separates you from others. Networking can lead to job opportunities, better deals, fulfilling relationships, and exposure for your creative endeavors.  It can be the difference between getting a B+ and an A or between a 3.5% and 5% pay bump. Networking has a reputation of being fake or insincere, but it is critical in all areas of life.

    How is your network? How comfortable are you connecting with your network for your personal or professional needs? How can you be more strategic and use it for your own benefit or for others? Access or admittance to prestigious programs, colleges, employers, events, all require networking ands strong relationships.

  • Glossophobia is the fear of public speaking. Approximately 73% of the population, almost 280 million people, fear public speaking.  Avoiding public speaking or being afraid to talk can significantly impact your personal and professional life. Public speaking is not just standing in front of a large group behind a podium. It can be facilitating a meeting, socially keeping the attention of a group of people, or remaining calm as the center of attention when you have to say something meaningful.  

    If you avoid public speaking or shake and tremble at the idea of getting up in front of people, then TFA Soft Skills can help.  Practice and a shift of mindset is the key to unlocking your inner speaker.  Take the time to invest in these skills and you will be fighting for opportunities to speak publicly.