This paper deals with the importance of soft skills for getting a job and for further promotions and progress in the workplace. In this study, a survey was conducted among 50 middle to top level executives, who are either HR people involved in recruitment or the managers who are actively involved in recruiting their employees. The results were not surprising and confirmed in no uncertain terms that even in technical jobs, soft skills play an important role in getting the right job as well as also in the future progress a person makes in his/her career. All the respondents agreed to the fact that soft skills are indeed very important to succeed at the workplace. And an overwhelming majority agreed that there were gaps between the industry requirements and the products churned out by the colleges and universities of today. Similarly, when asked if they were satisfied with the current workforce available for their industry, 74% replied in the negative. The respondents were also asked to rate the top three must have soft skills to succeed at the workplace. While communication skills was rated as the most important by 72%, teamwork followed a close second with 66% and then time management with 60%.

As the educational trends and courses undergo dramatic changes, there are a multitude of opportunities and career options which are available to students today. But with the increasing options, there has been an equal rise in competition for jobs, and getting a good job is now becoming more and more difficult. With so many job applicants, it is only befitting that a person who has an extra edge over his rivals gets the job. Thus, besides the qualifications that we gain through colleges and universities or the so-called hard skills, there are other skills which are necessary to succeed at the workplace. This extra edge is what is now known as the soft skills or the so-called desirable qualifications that set apart the leader from the followers. These include, but are not limited to communication skills, interpersonal skills, time management, teamwork and cooperation, motivating subordinates, conflict management, leadership skills, etc.

It has been seen that other than the tangible factors that contribute to the growth of an individual, there are the intangible factors which contribute to the success of individuals both in getting a job and then in future growth. And this is also the most undervalued aspect in all educational organizations. But the impact of the intangible skills of an individual is far more than the impact of the tangible ones. And this can be seen by the success of the likes of Bill Gates, who either dropped out of school or never had any formal education. But does their success mean that academic excellence is not required? No! What it basically shows is that a person having good personal and soft skills can change the problems into opportunities and deal with the negatives in a more constructive and better way. These are not just skills that can be acquired from a college or a school. They are the basic life skills which help us polish our outer veneer. These help to tackle difficult situations and come out with flying colors. The test of a man is always in adversity.

Soft Skills Journal, Soft Skills, Communication Skills, Time Management, Interpersonal Skills, Conflict Management, Leadership Skills, Educational Organizations, Business Etiquettes, Emotional Intelligence, Job Market, Customer-focused Services.