Job Search Soft Skills 101: Time Management

A study conducted by the Carnegie Foundation, Harvard University, and Stanford Research Center found that a full 85% of career success boils down to soft skills. With ever more powerful AI programs gobbling up traditionally skilled labor tasks, it's become increasingly important to invest in your soft skills.

What are soft skills? They encompass a wide variety of transferable abilities that relate to domains like attitude and communication. A willingness to learn and problem-solving expertise are both examples of soft skills. So is effective time management. In fact, many employers look for self-directed workers who are able to prioritize job duties and meet deadlines.

Why Are Time Management Skills Important?

Virtually every job requires some amount of time management skills. Whether you're conducting inventory in a warehouse, coding a new smartphone app, overseeing a marketing campaign, or completing a client's taxes, you will have to work effectively to meet deadlines. 

Even a highly skilled worker is only useful to an employer if they're able to stay on task or produce deliverables. Fortunately, the following techniques can transform your time management skills and boost your overall productivity.

Techniques for Developing Solid Time Management Skills

Good time management boils down to a set of techniques and best practices. Use the following steps to become more efficient with your time.

Track What You're Already Doing

When it comes to effective time management, precision is key. If you don't have a clear idea of what you're already doing during your workday, you'll have a difficult time planning your schedule and allocating your time.

Consider creating a diary. Track everything that you do during the workday in 15-minute increments. You can use an online calendar, a Word document, or a simple spiral-bound notebook. The important thing is that you're consistent. After keeping tabs on yourself for a week or two, patterns should start to emerge.

Jot down when you feel most productive and when your energy lags. While it's unreasonable to expect detailed notes for every quarter-hour increment, dashing off a few lines here and there will come in handy for the next step. 

Create a Schedule

Routines make us naturally more efficient. When we create strong habits, tough tasks become easier. Psychologically, our brains expend less energy maintaining long-standing habits than starting completely new tasks. Use the information you gathered in step one to create a schedule that works for you.

Block Time for Deep Work

As you create your schedule, consider blocking off several two to three-hour stretches for deep work. During these periods, commit to a single task. Deep work sessions should leave no room for meetings, replying to emails, or pop-in sessions.

Studies have shown that multitasking makes us less efficient. To get the most out of your schedule, do your best to focus on just one task at a time.

How to Show Off Your Time Management Skills 

We've already established that managers love to hire employees with strong time management skills. But how can you show time management skills in an interview? What about communicating time management skills in a resume?

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Putting Time Management Skills on Your Resume

Soft skills are trickier to list on a resume than hard skills. That's because there's a layer of subjectivity involved. If you can code in Python or speak in French, those skills can be fairly easily assessed. However, it's harder to prove that you're a self-starter with drive, discipline, and a commitment to efficient time management.

Fortunately, there's a workaround. Use the summary section at the top of your resume to elaborate on your time management skill set. Throughout your resume, highlight specific accomplishments that relate to your time management skills. You can point out specific instances when you accomplished a project ahead of the deadline. 

Finally, list effective time management and related skills under the skills section of your resume.

How to Show Time Management Skills in an Interview

Compared to resumes, job interviews are relatively free-flowing. Many interviewers will ask you directly about your work habits, ability to meet deadlines, and how you prioritize tasks. Begin by outlining your time management strategies. Then illustrate each skill with a relevant story demonstrating how you've used effective time management skills in one of your past roles.

Time management skills are both highly sought after by employers and useful for workers in nearly every industry and position. Communicating your knowledge and commitment to effective time management techniques can help you land that coveted next job.

Ready to learn more about the hiring process? Take advantage of iHire's comprehensive resource library to gain the knowledge you need for a successful job search.