Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions

1. Employers stress the need for responsibility, adaptability, and dependability. Why are these three in particular so important?

2. Which are more valuable: job-specific skills or soft skills? Why? Are there some occupations were job-specific skills are more important? Which soft skill is the most important in your particular line of work?

3. Soft skills come in handy when dealing with difficult customers or clients. What are the most important soft skills for workers who deal directly with the public? What are some effective strategies for calming irate customers and making sure they are satisfied?

4. Because employers are looking for them, it is important for job seekers to showcase their soft skills on resumes and in interviews. What are some strategies for persuading potential employers that you have the required soft skills for a job?

5. Many soft skills allow us to deal effectively with others, to appreciate their strengths and respect their differences. How have globalization and the increasing diversity in the workforce changed the need for soft skills? What soft skills are more important now than they were ten years ago?

Quick Quiz

Note: You may read these questions out loud, allowing time for students to respond, or copy and hand this out as a written exercise.

Directions: Indicate whether each statement is true or false, according to the video.

1. Like talents, soft skills are innate and cannot be learned or improved.

2. Soft skills easily transfer from one job to the next.

3. Employers would rather have workers who are dependable, reliable, and adaptable than workers who had the necessary job-related skills.

4. It is okay to make fun of people at work sometimes, as long as they don't find out.

5. Both supervisors and the employees need to use soft skills to work as an effective team.

6. Patience and professionalism are the keys to dealing with difficult customers.

7. Your actions and behaviors at work affect only you and nobody else.

8. You are expected to like all of your coworkers and agree with them all of the time.

9. Having good manners is important in the business world.

10. Possessing strong soft skills can help you in any career you choose.

Homework Option

Have students keep a "Soft Skills Journal" in between this and the next class. Have them make note of situations where they use the soft skills discussed in class, both effectively and ineffectively. Tell them to come prepared to share some of their experiences with the rest of the class.

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