5 “Soft” Skills That Make You a Hard Temp to Pass On

An increased need for soft skills is something that you may have noticed in job descriptions and in conversations with staffing agencies. Employers love temps with soft skills because these skills are transferable. For example, whether you work in information technology or in excavating, being able to communicate well goes a long way. With that in mind, here are five soft skills that will be great assets to you as a temp:

1. Flexibility

Flexibility is the middle name of many a temp; the very nature of the job demands adaptability. You must be able to adjust to a company’s culture and its way of doing things, and then for your next temp job, adapt yet again.

2. Communication

Temps must be able to communicate effectively through several mediums and with various types of people. If you can write a succinct memo, give a compelling presentation and ask for what you need in a simple, you are in a great position.

3. Collaboration

As a temp, you must be able to collaborate with a wide mix of people. One day, you might need to be a “cheerleader,” a leader the next day, and perhaps a deadline enforcer on the third day.

4. Initiative

When you show up at a different company or business, a lot of things are new to you. It helps when you already have initiative so you know how to go about common issues such as asking where essential equipment is or learning how to use a computer program.

5. Observation

Temps often have to hit the ground running, and sharp observation skills help them pick up on subtle cues and signals. For example, they can quickly determine a social hierarchy or how a business tends to run its meetings. This skill makes the adjustment period for a temp much smoother.

If you feel you need to brush up on some soft skills, your options include taking a class, such as one in international communication, psychology, business writing or public speaking. Mentors and volunteer work can also be very helpful.