THE POSTS

Why soft skills are important in today's workplace.


I often hear a discussion about what are 'hard' and 'soft' skills when I am at work. The best answer I have heard someone explain is that hard skills have hard proof (like certificates with grades and awards) whereas, soft skills are gained though experience.


Like knowing how to tie a shoelace, sure someone is going to help (probably for sometime when you first learn) but after a while it becomes second nature to you.


No-one is going to give you a certificate for learning how to tie your shoe lace (well maybe a gold star) but none the less if you did not have that skill and wore shoes with lases I'm sure you'd be falling over a lot more than normal.

So, lets consider why this would be important in today's workplace, well firstly today's job market is a highly competitive place, something that makes you stand out from other applicants when a recruiter is looking through piles of C.V's is only going to help you stick out.


Just as important, is to make sure that any soft skill you highlight on your C.V. or application is relevant to the position you are applying for. For example, the soft skill of feeling comfortable while doing presentations and talking to large groups of people wouldn't normally be of use to a jobbing electrician. Whereas, listening and communication skills would be ideal.


Soft skills can help enhance the hard skills you've attained, by being able to focus and draw attention to the fact that you have them, will only make you look like a better, more rounded choice for whatever job it is you are going for.


Now, have a look at how you might include them onto your C.V and see the difference it makes next time you apply.


Best of luck.

How to get started investing in property.


It's easy to dismiss it and say I'm never going to be able to do it, but the truth is it's relatively easy to start investing in property.


One of the easiest way to get a foot in the door is to have some money saved up, I know, I know easier said than done especially as cost keep spiralling out of control. But, something is better that nothing and making a small start will make a big difference in the long run.


Weigh up all of the factors and do your research, this will include what type of investment, are you buying to fix up and sell on or will you keep it and rent it out. Both have very big advantages and disadvantages you need to research and decide what suits your personal goals best.


Consider the costs, because they are many and varied. For example, second homes in Wales are charged with 4% Land Transaction Tax (LTT),(Stamp Duty Land Tax elsewhere in UK) no matter the value of the property (whereas, the threshold (the point at which the tax is charged) is £180,000 in Wales for residential property).

This is generally paid on completion by your solicitor, which in itself is another cost that can vary from firm to firm (shop around and use personal recommendation) also a fixed price that is quoted by a solicitor will not include dispersements (letters/emails etc. connected to working on the sale) and is likely to be between 10%-30% final cost in relation to the fixed fee quoted at the start.


Any works you have done at the property need to be done by a contractor (you will need to provide certificates/ guarantees for most work done) it is important that you can provide documentation otherwise the value of the property can be effected and your ability to rent it out can be hit too.


This isn't an exhaustive list of things to consider for example I haven't touched on EPC's cost and meanings nor estate agents and the signs to look for to find a good one or even the abundance of regulation the average landlord has to deal with.


The idea was to give you a brief insight into todays property investment market and to think about the broader picture, of what is a very exciting sector to be involved in.