You may be educated, but can you apply that knowledge to solve problems? (“I have a great pen, good paper, and excellent spelling skills… but I can’t write.”) We’ve come a long way since the century-old Industrialization era, when a job meant doing the same thing as a thousand other people.

We frequently overestimate the value of technical/core skills while underestimating the value of soft skills. They are inextricably linked.

Fundamental abilities.

Transitioning from a problem-oriented to a solution-oriented mindset.

Do you have the analytical skills to figure out what’s causing a problem? Or are you unable to see beyond your own point of view?

-When you’re complaining to your friends about something, don’t stop at “What’s the problem?” Consider, “What could be the solution?” Why would anyone hire you to solve their problems if you can’t think of anything?

Change your focus from “What will I get?” to “What can I give?”

We frequently act as if graduation is a ticket to a good life. “How can they pay me so little?!?” “That job will allow me to travel abroad,” “This job can be a great launchpad for my post-graduation,” “What’s the point of graduating if they won’t hire me?” We spend very little time thinking about “How can I help?”

-Remember that the company that hires you is INVESTING in you. Don’t consider a ‘Job that will give you XYZ.’ Consider ‘XYZ you can do in this career.’ What qualifies you for this position? What have you done in your life to demonstrate this? Have you decided to work only 9:5 hours? Are you even remotely interested in the position? If not for the sake of commitment, then for the sake of passion? No one will offer you a package or an appraisal in this manner! Have you considered it? You are merely a clerk at an IT firm. What unique value do YOU bring? People will not pay you for your degree. They compensate you for the contribution that your degree is supposed to compel you to make. “Why should we hire you?” is more than just another interview question.

Change your focus from “proving that you are good” to “being good.”

We frequently have an ‘exam-oriented’ perspective on life. Why bother understanding if memorising is sufficient? Why should I do research when I can study from a book? Why study for six months when six weeks will get me a passing grade? Why should I put in more effort if I’m not going to get a higher grade? In short, the emphasis is on “telling me what is required to prove I am good enough,” and then coming up with shortcuts to get there. This is a strategy for avoiding failure rather than achieving success. We then have a certificate but no skills.

-In college, you can relax all you want, but consider whether you’re doing anything useful. Is it for anyone? Are you studying music instead of studying? Or do you enjoy sports? Are you getting better, failing, or learning? Do you despise exams but enjoy programming? Are you taking part in any contests? Maybe you think some subjects are pointless, but are you good at others? You have the freedom to make mistakes. Use it. You should always have a ‘story’ rather than a ‘checklist.’ So, tell me about your experience. That is the prologue to your professional story. In a nutshell, learn sincerity.

Teamwork abilities.

Real-life projects, no matter how great you are, cannot be completed by one person. You must collaborate with others. Your skills are meaningless if no one wants to work with you. This is grossly understated.

How do you deal with egos, conflicts, different points of view, convey your ideas, and reach a consensus?

-Do something, even if it’s not an academic project. Participate in team sports. Organize a festival in your community. Work on your teamwork muscles. Or you can learn from others. This single aspect involves numerous other factors:

Person vs. Issue: Do you always start with “Who is at fault?” or move on to “What is the problem?”

Responsibility vs. blame: Do you believe that “it’s OK to fail as long as it’s not MY fault” or that “what can WE do now to make it succeed?”

Conflict Resolution:

You might not agree on everything. We cannot be friends. Can you, however, collaborate? Working toward a common goal?

Can you transition from ideas to execution?

In the real world, there is no distinction between failing to execute an idea and failing to have any ideas at all. Do you keep talking, or can you put together a team to do something? What exactly have you done? Who benefited from this? What was the result? Was there another way to go about it? It sounds excessive. But you’re just getting ready to be useful in the real world. Having a hammer (qualification) is useless if you are unwilling or unable to use it!

Do you know the difference between an entitlement mentality and a meritocracy mentality?

We believe we do. But, if a junior in your company is more skilled, would you mind being led by him?

-Recognize that meritocracy is based on results rather than effort or experience. Working hard is not a bad thing; it is the norm. Laziness is not acceptable. And if you work extremely hard but produce nothing – let alone praise – you may have a productivity problem! Are you capable of producing results? Do you judge yourself based on the outcomes? Or do you say, “Tell me the bare minimum I need to get my appraisal!!”?

Goal alignment: Do you care about the people for whom you work?

How can you assist someone if you don’t know what they need? Have you done any research on the company? Have you studied what they do? Have they identified their problems? Have you considered where you fit in? What can you do to help? Or are you simply there because they have the best pay package? The interview then becomes a discussion rather than a ‘exam.’

-These are not ‘frequently asked interview questions’ that must be answered. This demonstrates that you CARE! This is true for any project you undertake. Who are you attempting to assist? What do they desire? What can you offer? If you are rejected in an interview, it is not because you gave the incorrect answer; it is because you never cared enough. Isn’t that right?

Influence (Leadership Skills).

This isn’t about delivering speeches (oration skills). You can be an outstanding orator but deliver nothing. You can deliver great things on time and with integrity…but you don’t have great oratory skills. Building trust is central to leadership. It is much easier to get people to work for your cause if they trust you. Consider it your ‘personal brand.’

Clarity of thought: “What exactly do I mean?”

Take note that I classified this as a leadership skill. Understanding our own thoughts is the first step toward communicating them to others. Articulation comes naturally after that.

What we mistake for a lack of language skills and fluency is often a lack of clarity of thought.

Try expressing yourself in your native language. If you’re still slow, it’s because your clarity is lacking. If you speak clearly, your English will gradually improve. And no one will mind!!!! Would you lose a guy with all of the above skills and crystal-clear thoughts if he lacked English speaking skills?

Integrity entails saying what you mean and meaning what you say.

These fosters trust. Attending a meeting on time, or informing others about a delay. People are not looking for perfection. They are content if you give it your all. However, many do not. Credibility, jobs, careers, and businesses are all in jeopardy.

Failure is an opportunity to learn.

Accept making mistakes and allowing others to do the same. This frees you up to try new ideas rather than relying on tried and true ones. Encourage new mistakes while assisting in the avoidance of old ones.

Don’t get caught up in the ‘Identity’ trap.

There are no such things as good and bad jobs or projects. ‘HOW do you do it?’ is a far more important question than ‘WHAT do you do?’ YOUR distinct flavour comes from your actions, not your title. Are you attempting something new? Or are you still learning from an older source? Then it’s sufficient. Stop worrying and get to work!

Promote yourself.

Many people look down on this (“I let my work speak for itself”). Real marketing says, “I’ve learned more new skills; how can I assist?” to your team captain, project manager, or direct boss/manager How can you grow if you keep using the same old skills after 5 years? How are you making a bigger impact?

Proactivity: Can you make it happen?

Do you keep justifying “Why did I get left behind?” or do you keep wondering “How do I get ahead?” Do you ask, ‘Can someone tell me what to do?’ or ‘What do I need to make it happen?’ before going out and getting it? Companies would rather invest in individuals who can make things happen on their own. Take the initiative.

In conclusion, your academic performance is secondary to your core skills and attitude toward work. People want to work with you if you have good team skills. You can help more people if you have good leadership skills. When your skills and leadership begin to outperform your opportunities, bigger opportunities and responsibilities will follow. You are not required to beg for it. People give them to you in order to get more bang for their buck! That is how real growth occurs. It’s a win-win situation, not a struggle!