You might be the best programmer or coder in the building. But if you don’t have strong soft skills, you’re going to have a tough time advancing your career. After all, a career in IT is more than just about technical skills. Some other types of skills you should always be working on include:
Listening.
Listening is an important skill to have for a few different reasons. First and foremost, you’re going to learn more by listening than by talking. For instance, you can find out more about the “how” and “why” behind certain initiatives, so you have a bigger picture understanding. Not only that, but when you listen to the thoughts and opinions of others it can trigger and spark your own inner creativity and inspiration. Finally, being a good listener sends the message that you value what other people have to say.
Communicating.
When it comes to communicating about IT initiatives, having strong written and verbal skills is also key. There will be many times throughout the day or week when you’ll have to explain complex topics in ways that non-technical people can understand. Not only do you need to articulate your ideas to educate others, but also to gain buy-in.
Flexibility.
Once you’re on a roll with a project, the last thing you want to do is change course. However, sometimes that’s the nature of IT. Issues ranging from last-minute vendor problems to software glitches that need your immediate attention can arise at any given time. It’s therefore important to face these unexpected challenges head on and be able to move back and forth seamlessly between projects.
Leadership.
You might not be in management, but your boss likely expects you to take the lead on certain projects. And you need to be comfortable doing that. This will require you to invoke many different soft skills – from communication to delegation – with a continual focus on achieving the end goal, on time and on budget.
Collaboration.
IT projects require plenty of collaboration. It’s often never individual work that moves an initiative ahead, but rather the accumulation of the effort of many people. It’s therefore essential you’re comfortable collaborating with others, including non-tech people, exchanging ideas, and working together as a team to implement them effectively.
Ready to put your soft skills to use in a new healthcare IT position?
Contact Morgan Hunter Healthcare. We have placed thousands of healthcare IT professionals at hospitals and healthcare systems across the United States and Canada. Whether you’re seeking a contract, contract-to-hire, or direct hire position, we can help you. View our available jobs or contact us today.