7.2 LOOKING FOR A JOB 158 Write down five other examples of hard skills. What other soft skills do you know of? Write as many as you can in one minute. PROFESSIONAL SKILLS Professional skills are the set of abilities and competencies that you acquire and improve over time which enable you to perform your job efficiently. They are what makes up the core of your personal branding, the intentional and strategic representation of you as a professional to the world. They can be classified into two broad types: hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills Hard skills are abilities that can be taught and learnt at school or in the workplace. They include those skills that are specific to a particular occupation, such as patient safety or speaking a foreign language , and they are easily recognised and evaluated by a prospective employer who can then understand if the candidate is suitable to the position offered from a technical point of view. accountability: responsabilit detachment: distacco to disclose: divulgare prospective: potenziale recruiter: reclutatore to uphold: sostenere 320 WORK Soft skills Soft skills, on the other hand, are abilities that are neither taught nor learnt but rather developed in everyday situations, and they can be used in any occupation. Also called personal skills, they help individuals do their job well, manage their life, and have healthy interactions and relationships with other people. Examples of soft skills include compassion and teamwork skills, as well as qualities such as initiative and critical observation . Being able to show these abilities during an application process will guarantee the recruiter that the candidate is also competent on a personal, human level. Special skills for healthcare professions In healthcare professions, the following skills are key principles. Together, they form the foundation of ethical, compassionate, and effective healthcare delivery. Detachment enables healthcare providers to maintain objectivity, ensuring decisions are guided by professional judgment rather than personal emotions. This balance fosters effective patient care while safeguarding mental well-being. Confidentiality is vital for protecting patient privacy and building trust. By adhering to ethical and legal standards, professionals ensure sensitive information is disclosed only when necessary for treatment or required by law. Responsibility includes accountability for decisions, actions, and patient outcomes. Healthcare workers must uphold professional standards, keep informed about best practices, and prioritise patient welfare. Moreover, expertise, empathy, and professionalism, which build trust, enhance credibility, and foster meaningful connections with patients and peers, ultimately elevate a worker s impact in the healthcare system.