How to cope with stress while job hunting

Job hunting can be one of the most stressful processes a person can go through. It’s a period of instability with a lot of unknowns. And this is unsettling for many people. But if you don’t manage your anxiety levels throughout your job hunt, you can end up feeling burnt out. You may even end up accepting a job offer for the wrong reasons if you’re not thinking clearly.

So try using these techniques to reduce your job search anxiety:

  • Manage your finances
  • Use power hours
  • Set up job alerts
  • Find a part-time job
  • Don’t dwell on the losses
  • Make time for you
  • Trust the process
  • Listen to motivational podcasts
  • Practice meditation

9 tangible ways to reduce job search stress

1. Manage your finances

Finances are probably one of the biggest stressors during a job hunt. If you’re out of work, you’ll naturally be worried about how long your finances will last. And you don’t exactly want to eat into your savings. But instead of putting this to the back of your mind, face your finances. Work out exactly how much money you have and what your monthly outgoings are. Find ways to cut your spending and create a weekly budget. Don’t forget, you can also apply for universal credit.

2. Use power hours

A power hour is when you use one hour to fully concentrate on the task at hand with no distractions. If done correctly, you’ll end up achieving more in your power hour than you would over 3 hours. So don’t feel like you need to spend your entire day job searching. Break it down into smaller chunks so that the job hunt doesn’t consume your day.

3. Set up job alerts

Subscribing to the best job platforms is a great way to free up some mental space. Instead of constantly checking in on job boards throughout the day, you’ll get notified when a new job goes live. Take the time to set up job alerts. This will massively reduce your time spent searching!

4. Find a part-time job

If money is worrying you, perhaps you can find a part-time job to help tie you over. This doesn’t have to be anything to do with your career. There are plenty of part-time jobs that don’t require any experience. Knowing you have some money coming in can help to take the pressure off.

5. Don’t dwell on the losses

Unfortunately, dealing with rejection is a natural part of the job search process. Try to remember that everyone goes through this. It’s nothing personal and doesn’t reflect your ability. Focus on the positives and view each ‘No’ as one step closer to getting that ‘Yes’.

6. Make time for you

It’s important not to let the job hunt process consume you. Be intentional about making time for the things you enjoy. Exercise, see friends, go for walks or spend time baking. Whatever you enjoy, make time for it!

7. Trust the process

Always remember that nobody career-driven stays unemployed forever. If you want to find a job, it will happen. Just don’t expect it to happen overnight. Sometimes the length of time to find a job can take a little while – but this is completely normal! 

8. Listen to motivational podcasts

Job hunting can be a lonely and demotivating process. So everyone needs a little boost from time to time. Try listening to one motivational podcast per day to improve your motivation levels. This will help you power through the lows and you’ll gain lots of valuable pieces of advice.

9. Practice meditation

Meditation is a fantastic tool to reboot your internal system and cope with stress. Try using guided meditations on apps like InsightTimer or HeadSpace. Just 10 minutes of meditation in the morning can transform your entire day.

Just breathe

You’re not alone in feeling the stress of job hunting. But fretting won’t help the situation. To find the right job, you need to stay in the right frame of mind. 

Use SonicJobs for a stress-free job search. With the UK’s largest database of jobs, you can manage all your applications from our app. Get browsing today!

Do you have to work your notice period?

Thinking of making a career move? Don’t forget to factor your notice period into your plans. If you’re leaving a job, you’ll usually have to give your employer a bit of warning (this is known as your notice period). This allows you to tie up any loose ends and conduct a full handover.

The length of your notice period will depend on your contract. The statutory notice period states you’ll need to work at least 1 week’s notice if you’ve been employed for more than a month and upto 2 years. But working one month’s notice is the most common scenario whether you’re full-time or part-time.

What happens if you don’t work your notice period

If you don’t work your notice period, this will likely be a breach of your contract. As a result, you won’t get paid for any time not worked. Your employer may also decide to decline a reference if contacted by your new employer.

This isn’t ideal and the best case scenario is to work your notice and leave on good terms. If you leave without working your notice, this may burn some bridges!

Are there times when you don’t have to work your notice?

There are some circumstances where you might not have to work your notice period.

Garden leave

Garden leave is when your employer decides not to let you work during your notice period. Instead, they tell you to stay home. This is usually because you’re a liability to the business. Garden leave is particularly common in sales roles and in Senior Executive roles. This is mainly because businesses don’t want you to steal any leads if you’re going to a competitor. Despite this, they’ll still need to pay your full salary as per the terms of your contract.

Mutual agreement

Sometimes you may need to put in a special request to not work your notice period. This might be because another job wants you to start working earlier. In this case, you’d need to discuss this with your manager who would have the final say. Both you and your employer would need to agree that you can leave without working your notice. You won’t get paid for your notice period.

Zero-hours contracts

Zero hour contracts have no notice period. This means that an employer can dismiss you without giving you any notice. Equally, you can leave your job without any warning.

How to hand in your notice

To hand in your notice, you need to write a formal letter to your manager. It’s best to deliver a hard copy of the letter in-person, but you can also send via email as a backup. Writing a notice letter is simple. You just need a few lines to state the facts, such as:

  • The position you’re resigning from
  • How long your notice period is
  • Your last date of employment
  • Any outstanding leave you’re currently owed

You can add in a couple of sentences thanking your employer for the opportunity and wishing them well in the future. This is a nice touch and helps to leave on a good note.

What if you’re owed leave?

If you still have leave to use up, your employer may let you use this during your notice period. But they’re not obliged to if it doesn’t suit the business’ needs. If not, you’ll just get paid any owed leave in your final paycheck before they issue your P45.

Aim for an amicable split

When leaving a job, it’s best to try and leave on as good terms as possible. So, working your notice period and conducting a full handover is in your interest.


If you’re ready to find a new job fast, getting hired just got easier. Use the SonicJobs app to apply for jobs from your phone!

The most in-demand jobs in London

Every year, almost 200,000 people move to London. And we can’t blame them. It’s The Big Smoke – the land where possibilities are endless. From theatre to finance, London has it all.

But landing a job in London isn’t always the easiest task. There’s fierce competition in the capital. So sometimes finding a job quickly can actually take some time.

To help you on your way, here are 6 of the most in-demand jobs in London.

  • Hospitality worker
  • Driver
  • Carer
  • Nurse
  • Software developer
  • Digital marketing executive

6 jobs in London that need staff NOW

Hospitality worker – £29,000 average salary

From restaurant staff to event workers, there’s no better place to work in hospitality than in London. This is where the industry is booming. Whether you want to work front of house or tucked away in the kitchen, there are lots of opportunities to choose from. And many of the jobs don’t require any experience. Let’s not forget the best bit… The tips! So long as you’re prepared to work unsocial hours and weekends, you should find a job in hospitality in no time at all.

Key skills

  • Communication
  • Working under pressure
  • Customer service

Driver – £29,000 average salary

Drivers are hot in demand right now with online shopping at an all time high. So long as you have a licence, you can get to work as a multi-drop delivery driver for companies like DPD and Hermes. As a full-time driver in London, you can expect to be earning anywhere between £23,784 and £37,500.

Key skills

  • Organisation
  • Admin
  • Reliability
  • Customer service
  • Initiative

Care worker – £23,000 average salary

Carer workers are in demand across the UK, not just in London. As a care worker, you can expect to be travelling to clients’ houses. You’ll help them with their day to day tasks like dressing, cleaning and eating. You may also need to run errands like shopping or picking up medication. Whether full-time or part-time, care companies tend to be quite flexible. So you can work around your own schedule.

Key skills

  • Good listener
  • Communication
  • Reliability
  • Caring

Nurse – £31,787 average salary

Hospitals in London are calling out for registered nurses.  The city is still trying to overcome its backlog of patient treatments. Healthcare has always been an understaffed area. So if you’ve got the right qualifications, you can be sure to find a nursing job in London.

Key skills

  • Working under pressure
  • Caring
  • Reliability
  • Nursing qualification

Software developer – £62,500 average salary

Software developers can always find a job in London. As companies continue to innovate, the possibilities are endless. All you need is a software development background. Even if you have no experience,  that’s okay. Anyone with a software development qualification should find graduate jobs in London.

Key skills

  • Critical thinking
  • Problem-solving
  • Attention to detail
  • Computer languages
  • Computing qualification

Digital marketing executive – £32,500 average salary

If you’re a social media whizz with a creative eye, you could find yourself very in demand. London’s digital marketing scene is buzzing. The quality of digital marketing is evolving rapidly. So companies will pay big bucks to marketing whizzes that can produce results. Don’t worry if you lack experience. Display the right qualities and you’ll be able to climb the ladder from a junior digital marketing role.

Key skills

  • Creativity
  • Results-driven
  • Technical and analytical ability
  • SEO, social media, paid ads

London’s calling

Feeling the call to London? Let SonicJobs help you! Using our app, you’ll be able to find full-time and part-time jobs in London based on your location. And the best part is that you only need to tap once to apply! Let’s go!

How to accept a job offer

Dealing with interview rejection is one part of the job search process. But what about the other side of the coin? Have you thought about the best way to accept a job offer? Yes, that’s right. There’s a knack to accepting a job offer. Just because you receive an offer doesn’t mean you should accept it right away. 

There are a few pit stops to make before sealing the deal!

4 things you must do before accepting a job offer

Don’t be hasty

Don’t feel pressured to accept the job offer on the spot, especially if you’re not 100% sure about the role. It’s perfectly reasonable to ask for a day or two to consider the offer. Just be sure to show lots of enthusiasm and thank the employer for the offer at the same time!

Check in with your other applications

Chances are you’ve been attending several job interviews at the same time. Don’t feel you need to accept this job offer because it’s the first one. If there’s another job you’re more interested in, call the employer. Tell them you’ve had an offer elsewhere, but you wanted to see if they were interested in hiring you before you accept the offer. This may prompt them to make you an offer. Sometimes employers just need a little nudge!

Understand the salary/package

Be sure to understand the salary, package and any bonus schemes before accepting the job offer. Although money shouldn’t drive your decision, it’s still an important part of accepting a job offer. Ideally, you’ll have already asked about salary during your interview. If the salary isn’t what you expected, you may have to negotiate. But always check your salary to make sure it’s competitive first.

Resolve any outstanding questions

Finally, make sure you resolve any major outstanding questions. It’s important to feel sound in your decision to accept a job offer. So be sure to pop the hiring manager an email or phone call to clarify your queries.

How to accept a job offer

Once you’ve made the decision to accept a job offer, it’s time to let the hiring manager know!

Verbal acceptance

You can accept a job offer verbally over the phone. This is most common when you receive a job offer over the phone. A verbal job offer is usually followed by a written job offer to make the offer more official. So you’ll usually have to follow this step with a written acceptance letter.

In writing

Whether you received your job offer verbally, by post or by email, you can accept the offer via email. Be sure to send the acceptance letter directly to the hiring manager.

Example job acceptance email

Dear [Name],

Thank you for extending a job offer to me for the position of [job title]. It is with great pleasure that I will be accepting your offer.

To confirm, my starting salary will be [£amount] and my package includes [X] days of annual leave and private healthcare.

I am very much looking forward to joining the team and getting started on [DATE].

Please let me know the next steps and what documentation you will need to see.

Kindest regards,

[Your Name]

Onto higher peaks

Getting a job offer is a fantastic feeling. It means someone is recognising you for your skill and potential. They know your worth. Just make sure the job offer also meets your expectations before sending through your acceptance!

Ready to climb the ladder? SonicJobs lets you apply for jobs with one tap – making a career move has never been so easy!

How to end a cover letter

Writing a cover letter is a great way to make your job application stand out. They give you the opportunity to add extra information. The stuff that you couldn’t fit in your CV. Sometimes employers can’t make a decision based on your CV. So they use cover letters to help them decide whether to invite you to an interview.

But to really write an effective cover letter, you need to make sure you end it strongly. This will leave a lasting impression and bag yourself an interview.

How to end your cover letter

The first part of your cover letter will talk about your achievements, skills, background and qualities. In the main body of your cover letter, you give specific examples of your success. This includes some impressive facts and figures to wow the hiring manager.

But don’t make the mistake of letting the final part of your cover letter fizzle out. Avoid any and all generic or cliche endings.

Examples of generic cover letter endings

“Thank you for taking the time to consider my application and I hope to hear from you soon.”

“I appreciate your consideration of my application and welcome any further questions you may have relating to my experience.”

Best way to end a cover letter

Your final lines of your cover letter should stand out from the crowd. It should show the hiring manager that you’ve poured a lot of effort into the letter. This is your final chance to impress and land an interview.

  • Make reference to the specific company
  • Be enthusiastic
  • Show vision 
  • Drop in a final wow moment

Make reference to the specific company

Your final lines should talk about this specific company or opportunity. For example, talking about the company’s achievements or plans. This is your chance to show the hiring manager that you want to work for their company specifically.

Be enthusiastic

Don’t let the end of your cover letter fall flat. Make sure it conveys a strong sense of enthusiasm and passion. You want the hiring manager to know how badly you want the role.

Show vision

Paint a picture for the hiring manager about what you can bring to the company. Envision yourself flourishing in the role – what would success look like?

Drop in a final wow moment

The main body of your cover letter will contain most of the juicy details. But you want to save one final nugget for the end of the letter. This makes sure you leave a lasting impression.

Example of cover letter ending

“Having played a key role in growing our team from 3 to 30 members in the last 3 years, I am extremely confident that I can bring about new levels of growth to Green Motive as you enter your fifth year in business. Furthermore, I am excited by the prospect of working with a company that is setting itself apart with its innovations, and would cherish the opportunity to be a key player in propelling this business into its next phase of growth.”

Finish strong

Just remember, the end of your cover letter isn’t a time for generic cliches. This adds no value to the letter and employers read many generic endings that all blur into one. If you really want to stand out, you need to make sure the ending is tailored to the company. And be sure to show bags of enthusiasm too!

Need help writing a CV? The SonicJobs app can build a professional CV for you in minutes, saving you the time and headache!

How to write a resignation letter

Are you gearing up to leave your job? Well, as part of the process you’ll need to give some warning and write a notice letter (although there are some cases where you don’t need to work your notice). Your resignation letter will be handed to your line manager in person. But handing in your notice can be a nerve-wracking experience. That’s why we’ve created some resignation letter templates for you to use!

Notice letter pointers:

  • Write the date
  • Include addresses as with a traditional letter
  • Address it to your line manager
  • Keep the body of the letter short (85-120 words)
  • Use a professional tone
  • Express thanks
  • Hand it over in person (where possible)

Resignation letter example 1: found a new job

Dear [Manager’s Name],

I am writing to inform you that I have accepted a new job offer. I am therefore resigning from my position as [job title] and hereby give you [notice time frame e.g. one month’s] notice. My contract will be due to terminate on [date].

During my notice period, I will ensure that I conduct a thorough handover. I will also continue to perform my role to the best of my ability.

I would like to express my sincere thanks for the opportunity to work for [company name] over the past [time spent at company]. I have gained an invaluable amount of experience and will miss the team.

Best regards,

[Name]

Resignation letter example 2: the role isn’t right

Dear [Manager’s Name],

After much deliberation, I have decided to resign from my position as [Job Title] and hereby give you my [notice timeframe] notice. My employment contract will therefore end on [date].

As much as I appreciate the opportunity to work for [company name], I have realised the role is not the right fit for my career aspirations.

Nonetheless, I would like to thank you for the opportunity and support. I will continue to provide as much value as possible for the rest of my time here.

Thank you for your understanding.

Yours sincerely,

[Name]

Resignation letter example 3: retirement

Dear [Manager’s Name],

Please accept this letter as notice of my retirement from the position of [Job Title]. 

I am sincerely grateful to have spent the past [number of years] working at [company name]. I have enjoyed the challenges and have learnt many skills, not to mention the many friends I will miss.

I will provide a full and detailed handover to ensure a seamless transition when my contract terminates on [date].

Please let me know what I can do to support this process.

Best regards,

[Name]

Notice the difference

It’s always best to leave your job on the best possible note. So handing in your notice in a professional manner is a great starting point. By expressing thanks and continuing to work hard, you’re setting the tone for a positive ending.

Ready for your next career move? Let SonicJobs be the bridge to take you from A to B! Browse over half a million live vacancies and apply from your phone!

How to prepare for competency-based interviews

Not all interviews are born equal. Depending on the employer and job role, interviews can take different layouts. It’s not just a question of practising the answers to interview questions. You need to pay attention to the type of interview. For example, your interview could be:

– an informal interview

– a group interview

– a phone interview

– an assessment day

– a trial shift

– a competency-based interview

In today’s blog, we’re covering all the tips you need to prepare for a competency interview.

What is a competency-based interview?

Competency-based interviews are a structured style of interview. They assess a particular set of skills. This is decided before the interview. The interviewer will have decided exactly what skills the right candidate needs. This will be a set criteria that you’ll need to do the role.

In competency interviews, the questions are structured differently. Regular interviews might ask questions like, ‘Why do you want this job’ or ‘What do you know about our company?’. Instead, competency interviews are situational. They ask you to describe specific experiences where you applied specific skills.

The idea is that your past experiences are the best way of assessing if you’re suited to the role. 

Common skills assessed

Below are a list of common skills assessed during competency-based interviews:

  • Problem-solving
  • Initiative
  • Working under pressure
  • Organisation
  • Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Decision-making
  • Leadership
  • Assertion

How to prepare for a competency interview

Highlight key skills in the job description

When it comes to preparing for your interview, the job description is going to be the biggest clue. The interviewers shouldn’t ask you about anything that’s not in the job description. So go through it with a fine tooth-comb and highlight all the skills mentioned in the description.

Think of examples

Once you’ve identified all the required skills, think of examples. These should be specific times when you’ve demonstrated each of these skills. Ideally, you’ll pick a couple of workplace examples for each skill. But if this isn’t possible, examples from your studies and personal life work too.

Practice

Once you’ve got your examples, it’s time to get used to talking about them out loud. But don’t just wing it. Make sure you use the STAR method. This will help you structure your answers properly so you can stand out in your interview.

Examples of competency-based interview questions

  • Working under pressure – Describe an occasion where you worked under pressure? 
  • Innovation – When have you put forward an idea in the workplace? How was it received? 
  • Taking feedback – When have you received constructive feedback from a manager? How did you apply it?
  • Initiative – Can you think of a time when you resolved a workplace issue? Try to think of something that was outside of your normal duties.
  • Problem-solving – Tell me about a time where you had to deal with a customer complaint. What was the outcome?
  • Personal growth and accountability – Can you describe a time where you didn’t achieve what you sought out to do? What did you learn?
  • Assertion – Has there been a time where you’ve had to decline the request of a customer or client?

Feeling competent?

If you’re still reading, you should now be more confident in your ability to ace a competency interview. Just remember, this interview style is focused on examples. So the more examples you can prepare, the better!

Ready to land a new role? The SonicJobs app contains the UK’s largest database of jobs… and you can apply straight from your phone!

Can you stay in the same job for 10 years?

In today’s job-hopping culture, it’s not uncommon for people to change jobs every 2-4 years. This has become so common that it almost leaves you doubting yourself if you’re not job-hopping. 
“Is there something wrong with me?”.
But job-hopping isn’t the right solution for everyone.
In some cases, it’s better to stay in a job for 10+ years instead of switching employers every few years. Especially if your employer can provide you with continued growth, development and progression. This can be just as beneficial as changing jobs to climb the ladder.

Is it good to stay in the same job for a long time?

The most important thing to ensure when you’re staying in the same job for a long time is that you’re able to progress. When it comes to finding a new job, employers will want to see that you’ve been able to develop your skills over the years. They want to know you haven’t stayed in the same position with the same responsibilities. In their eyes, this could show a lack of motivation and skill.

When should you stay in a job for a long time?

Staying in a job for a long time isn’t always the best decision. Sometimes you should cut cords quickly. But here are some signs that you might be onto a good thing!

You’re on a competitive salary and package

Whilst salary isn’t the be all and end all, it is an important factor. One of the benefits of job-hopping is that it’s usually the quickest way to gain a pay rise. So it’s important to ask yourself if your employer is paying you enough. And if not, are you able to negotiate a higher salary? If your employer is able to compete with other companies then you’re onto a good thing!

Your employer values your input

Whatever company you’re working for, you want your voice to be heard. If you’re working for a company for a long time, you need that company to value your opinion. This gives you the opportunity to make a real impact on the organisation. This will be a huge talking point when it comes to changing jobs. You can show prospective employers all the ways you’ve changed the company.

You have opportunities for progression

When staying with a company for a long time, it’s important to ensure you’re progressing through the ranks. If there are opportunities for you to receive a promotion, this is a promising sign. But if there’s no sign of progression, it may be time to jump ship. Prospective employers will question why you’ve not progressed if you’ve been at a company for so long. And this could end up backfiring on you later down the line.

You’re excited about the company mission

Without a doubt, you have to be excited about the company mission. There’s no point in staying with one company if you’re not passionate about the vision. If you’re lacking passion, you risk spending several years feeling unfulfilled. 

You’re exposed to different aspects of the business

One of the benefits of staying with one company for a long time is the ability to learn the business inside out. But this only works if the business is willing to expose you to different areas of the business. Generally speaking, this is easier in smaller companies that have more flexibility. Larger companies tend to be divided into small sections, making it harder to learn the ins and outs.

Should you stay or should you go?

Staying in the same job for 10 years isn’t always a bad thing. Often, it can be a fantastic asset. Employers will be able to see you’re a stable and loyal employee. And they know you won’t be handing your notice in as soon as a higher salary comes your way from a competitor. But at the same time, always make sure you’re progressing. This is a must. Prioritise your own career progression and development.


Time to land a new stint? Browse over half a million live vacancies on the SonicJobs app to find a job near you!

How to use the STAR interview technique

Most people find the concept of attending an interview rather daunting. If it isn’t enough having your every move analysed, you’re also expected to answer some tough interview questions. It’s enough to put anyone on edge.
But instead of resigning to the interview gods, there are proven interview tips to control the situation. And one of those ways is with the STAR interview technique. In today’s article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about this method!

What is the STAR interview method?

The STAR interview technique is a structured way of answering competency-based interview questions. It stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result. Instead of just blurting out the first thing that comes to mind, the STAR method provides a framework. If you follow this framework, your answers will be well structured.

  • Situation
  • Task
  • Action
  • Result

Situation

Begin your answer by describing the situation at the time. Perhaps you need to detail what company you were with and the position you held. This helps to set the scene in your answer.

Task

The next part of your answer should describe the task or problem. What was the challenge you faced? Were there any time constraints? Make sure you go into detail about the most challenging parts of this situation.

Action

This is the part of your answer where you describe the action you took to resolve the task at hand. Whether you worked as part of a team or solo, explain the key points in how you completed the task.

Result

The final part of your answer is to describe the outcome. What did you achieve? What benefit did this have for the organisation, the customer or your department? Perhaps you managed to streamline a process by 15%. Or maybe you were able to create a new filing system or hit a sales target. If you can use any facts or figures when describing the result, it will make your answer more powerful!

Sample STAR interview questions

  • Describe a time where you used your initiative
  • Can you give an example of when you’ve worked as part of a team?
  • When have you worked to a target?
  • Have you ever overcome a difficult situation in the workplace?
  • Tell me about a time where you worked under pressure
  • Can you describe a time where you failed? What did you learn from the situation?

Example of a STAR interview answer

Sample question:
Can you describe a time where you hit a target?


Example answer:


Situation:

“Two years ago I was working as a sales consultant for Volkswagen selling brand new cars.”


Task:

“The annual target for our team of 3 was £500,000 in sales. But by the end of November, we were short by £60,000 with just 1 month to hit our annual target.”


Action:

“I split our team into 3 areas to cover the entire city. We spent days calling through every customer who had recently left their details. We made sure we followed up with every new customer within 24 hours, and booked in as many new viewings as possible. We held team meetings everyday, twice a day to boost morale and help each other where possible.”


Result:

“With 3 days to spare, we had hit our annual target and received a bonus commission to reflect our hard work. We were the only team in the UK to hit our target.”

STAR for the win!

Whether a phone, video or face to face interview, you’ll be able to use the STAR method for all your competency-based questions. Just be sure to prepare answers to these questions ahead of the interview to give you the best shot of success.


To find a job you love, browse the SonicJobs app and apply with one tap!

Interpersonal skills you need to succeed at work

Being successful at work isn’t just dependent on how good you are at your job. Sure, you could be the most qualified worker in your department, but if you can’t work well with others, you can’t expect to climb the ladder.

Let’s take a look at some examples of interpersonal skills you need to be successful at work, and to include on your CV:

  • Teamwork
  • Communication
  • Problem solving
  • Listening
  • Taking criticism
  • Persuasiveness
  • Assertiveness
  • Positivity
  • Patience
  • Trust

What are interpersonal skills?

Interpersonal skills are the soft skills needed to work and communicate effectively with others. This could be on an individual basis, or even as a group. In a workplace setting, it relates to everyone you come into contact with including your colleagues, managers and customers. 

10 essential interpersonal skills to succeed at work

Teamwork

Being able to work well as part of a team is critical to your career’s success. It’s very rare that you’ll find a career that doesn’t require any teamwork. To truly shine, you need to work in unison with others, recognising their strengths and contributing your own.

Problem solving

Problems arise all the time at work, whether you’re dealing with colleagues or customers. So it’s a real bonus if you can be the type of person who finds solutions to problems when they crop up, rather than making the matter worse. 

Communication

Having the ability to clearly communicate your ideas is a key interpersonal skill. Not everyone is able to communicate ideas clearly and in an engaging way – so this is a real asset!

Listening

Listening is one of the most important interpersonal skills you can have, and is often overlooked. But great communication starts with the ability to listen properly. That means devoting your attention solely to whoever is speaking, therefore being able to respond in a direct and relevant way. 

Taking criticism

We all have our flaws, and we all have areas we can improve on. But being open to that feedback is a different thing. Often, employees can become defensive if they’re challenged. But it’s important to always remain open to feedback, and to be able to acknowledge your weaknesses. That’s a real sign of strength!

Persuasiveness

Having persuasive skills is a great interpersonal skill to have under your belt. Being persuasive isn’t just for salespeople. It’s for anyone who needs to work with others, especially for people wanting to take on a leadership role. If you have a new idea to bring to the table, you need to be able to present it in a compelling way that highlights the benefits and gets others excited about your idea too.

Assertiveness

Being assertive is a real skill – and one that many people struggle with. But in business, there are always moments when you need to assert yourself. From negotiating important deals to resolving workplace conflicts, there are several moments throughout the working day where an assertive personality is needed.

Positivity

Having bags of positivity is crucial in the working world. We encounter problems everyday, and it’s only by adopting a positive mental attitude that we can overcome these problems. That’s not to say you can’t be realistic about any challenges, but there’s always an opportunity to boost morale by bringing a positive spin.

Patience

Patience is a great interpersonal skill to have, particularly if you’re aspiring to a leadership position. Not everyone works at the same pace, and not all projects go to plan. So you need to have patience when things don’t go as you planned rather than losing your composure and creating friction within the team.

Trust

Trust is a key soft skill when it comes to interacting with colleagues. Without trusting your colleagues to perform certain tasks, you’ll never be able to work as part of a team and you’ll end up trying to manage everything yourself – this will inevitably lead to burnout and disaster.

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