¶ … Soft Skills Necessary for a College Professor's Job
Soft skills are often called intangible skills, or skills that do not directly relate to the candidate's ability to perform the technical capacities of the job, but are still important in terms of his or her success. Some general soft skills might include a strong work ethic, a positive attitude, and the ability to multitask (Lorenz 2009). A college professor must be knowledgeable about his or her subject matter, of course and have obtained a graduate degree. But soft skills like being a strong communicator, having a caring attitude towards his or her students, and a passion for knowledge are also required. The ability to work well with others is also likely to be a bonus, because professors must participate in faculty meetings. However, professors must also be able to work independently, given that a large proportion of their time is spent researching and writing articles and books in their fields. Fitting well into the organizational culture, in terms of the priority it places on teaching vs. research is also essential. "Fit is two-way, as practicing teachers consider whether their schools and the teaching profession are the right fit for them; it is a factor in the retention of new teachers" (Waggoner, n.d.:5).
Q3. How would you do a complete background investigation on applicants to minimize concerns about negligent hiring?
First and foremost, a candidate's references...
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