What does 'soft skills' mean?

Feifei: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak.

I’m Feifei.

Rob: And I’m Rob!

Hey, Feifei, did you know they’re looking for a new

team leader to manage and motivate our team?

Feifei: Ooo, a promotion!

And you think I should apply for it?

Rob: No, no! I was going to ask you if you think

I’d be good for the position?

Feifei: Well, you’re sometimes friendly

and you like to chat.

Rob: Great. Well, the job description

says that they want someone with ‘soft skills’

– and that means 'the ability to communicate and work

well with other people'.

I'm basically a team player.

Feifei: You are a team player?

Well, Rob, you’re certainly ‘soft’

– not very strict

– so nobody would listen to you!

Rob: Well, we’ll see about that.

We are going to hear some examples,

and no arguing!

Examples: We’ve got to build a team that works well

together, so soft skills are vital if you want to work here.

The recruitment company are looking for

someone with soft skills to fill the vacancy.

A positive attitude, self-confidence

and being a good communicator

are the soft skills we’re looking for in this job.

Does that describe you?

Feifei: This is The English We Speak from

BBC Learning English

and we’re talking about the phrase ‘soft skills’,

which describes someone’s ability to communicate

and work well with others.

But, Rob, I’m still not sure if you’ve

got the soft skills for the new job.

Rob: Oh well! Thanks for your vote of confidence!

Feifei: Actually, maybe I should apply for the new job.

Rob: Hmmm, let’s have a think about your skills…

You’re bossy. You tell people what to do.

You take charge.

They sound like ‘hard skills’ to me.

Feifei: Hard skills?!

It sounds like I’d be perfect for the job.

So, Rob,

pop outside the studio and make me a cup of tea.

Rob: Any chance to you could ask me

using some ‘soft skills’?

Feifei: No, Rob. Just do it.

See ya!

Rob: Somehow I think she’d get the job!

Bye!