Building Soft Skills: Your Secret Weapon for Career Success

By Paige Marley, Employment and Training Consultant, Youth and Young Adults

When you're brand new or have little experience in the workforce world, stepping in can feel both exciting and a little overwhelming. Whether you're applying for your first job, starting an internship, or exploring career paths, there’s one thing that can give you a major edge: soft skills.

Soft skills are the personal and social abilities that help you work well with others and handle real-world challenges. Think communication, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving. These aren’t just nice to have; they’re what employers are really looking for. In fact, many hiring managers say they value soft skills even more than technical skills, especially for entry-level roles.

So how do you build them? It starts with practice. Join a youth employment program, volunteer, take on leadership roles at school, or participate in group projects. These experiences help you learn how to collaborate, manage your time, and adapt to different situations. Even showing up on time, being respectful, and asking questions are all part of developing strong soft skills.

The best part? These skills grow with you. Whether you want to be a nurse, coder, entrepreneur, or artist, soft skills will help you succeed in any career. They’re the foundation for building confidence, making connections, and standing out in a competitive job market.

So don’t underestimate the power of soft skills! Start building them now, and you’ll be ready not just for your next job, but for a lifetime of opportunities. And we’re here to help! If you’re a Frederick County resident, you can access SkillUp, a free online learning platform with tons of courses on soft skills (in addition to hundreds of other topics). We also offer various workshops, classes, and on-on-one support.

Check out our Events Calendar to see what we have going on.