Soft Skills to Boost Your Community Services Career

A combination of hard and soft skills are required to advance in a community services role. While your qualifications and experience will make up your hard skill set, you’ll need to develop a specific set of soft skills to really excel in your position.

The right set of soft skills will help you to make a big impact on the lives of those you help, and will ensure you thrive in your work environment with your colleagues.

We’ve listed the top soft skills to focus on for a successful and fulfilling career in community services.

Adaptability

You need to be adaptable in various situations. The care and support needs of your clients can change from day-to-day and you’ll need to adapt in response to your clients’ unique needs.

Creative thinking

Individuals who thrive in community services are able to apply creative thinking to solve problems and provide quality care. Creativity is key in finding the most effective way to treat your clients.

Teamwork

Teamwork is key in community services and you’ll often be working alongside others to provide care to an individual. You’ll need to be able to work alongside others, communicate effectively with your coworkers and collaboratively make decisions.

Empathy

Adopt an approach that allows you to put yourself in the shoes of others. Genuine care and empathy, and the ability to understand another person’s situation, will ensure you’re a great asset to the industry.

Patience

Community service work requires a lot of patience. You will work with people who are experiencing both highs and lows, and you will be required to keep a level head in every situation. Your clients may find it difficult to communicate their needs, and you’ll require patience in order to provide the best level of support. Patience will not only benefit your career progression, but it will also reflect positively on your clients.

A passion for helping others

To be successful in a community services role, you should genuinely love working with people and have a strong desire to support and empower them. Community service workers are required to be non judgmental and should uphold the mindset that every individual should be treated fairly.

Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is advantageous to every individual in the workplace, however when it comes to community services, this skill is a must-have. A high level of emotional intelligence gives you the ability to deal sensitively with others’ feelings. You should have a good understanding of how to deal with stress and conflict, and positively influence those around you.

Communication skills

Effective communication skills will ensure you can communicate confidently both verbally and non-verbally. This also covers your ability to be an active listener, who can understand and comprehend information.

If these characteristics resonate with you, then a role in community services could be a rewarding career path. If you’re working in the industry and looking to improve your skills, consider finding a professional mentor to guide your development. Learn more about the benefits of having a professional mentor here.

If you’re already working in the industry and looking to progress in practical areas; you could consider getting your skills and experience certified through RPL. Take our free 60 second skills check to see if you’re eligible.

In the meantime, take a look at the Community Services Qualifications offered by our partner RTOs.

FAQ'S

What makes a good community service worker?

A good community services worker is passionate about working with people, and has the hard and soft skills needed to excel in the industry. Community services is a diverse industry and there are many areas in which workers can advance.

Is Community Services a good career?

The community services sector is booming in Australia, and job opportunities will continue to increase in the coming years. Community services are renowned for being a rewarding and fulfilling career for those who possess the right qualities.

Do I need a formal qualification to work in Community Services?

In most cases you will need a formal qualification to advance in a community services career. If you have been working in the industry and you show competency in areas of a formal qualification, you may be eligible to gain your qualification through an RPL.

What formal qualifications can I get in Community Services?

Community Services qualifications in Australia range from Certificate I to Advanced Diploma. Our partner RTOs can certify you with a range of qualifications in the different sectors of community services.