Know-How and Interpersonal Skills: Differences, Importance, and Tips

Valuing and developing one's practical and behavioral skills is therefore essential, whether during recruitment or throughout one's career, as at Club Med.

What is know-how?

It is defined by the set of skills acquired through professional experience as well as training. We also talk about hard skills to refer to this famous operational ability to accomplish tasks specific to one or more professions. In other words, your expertise corresponds to your technical skill and mastery:
• processes;
• professional tools;
• or more generally of a position.

For example, a Head Chef demonstrates his expertise by creating gourmet dishes and managing a brigade. Mastering a foreign language or a software program is also a typical example of hard skills. When applying for a job, keep in mind that your practical knowledge enriches your CV and helps you stand out from other candidates. Being able to highlight this knowledge also means preparing for potential questions during a job interview.

Childhood educator sitting next to two kids

What are soft skills?

Interpersonal, also called soft skills, refer to personal qualities and behavioral characteristics of an individual. Shaped by several factors, including your personality, education, and values, it directly influences how you work and interact with others. These soft skills are becoming increasingly important in the job market because they play a key role in the performance of companies. Emotional intelligence, leadership, and active listening are among the key professional skills for team cohesion. When facing a recruiter, it is therefore essential to highlight your behavioral skills, as they demonstrate your uniqueness compared to other candidates.

What is the difference between know-how and interpersonal skills?

These are two different but complementary concepts. Know-how encompasses all the technical skills specific to a function, while soft skills relate to the human qualities that promote understanding with colleagues and hierarchy. The balance between behavioral and operational skills allows for successful integration within teams. For example, at Club Med, the Baby/Petit Club Animator demonstrates his expertise by following the Club's standards, including the safety and hygiene guidelines specific to the Baby/Petit Club. He also demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills through his kindness in establishing secure relationships and offering a professional and friendly welcome.

How to highlight skills and interpersonal skills in a job interview?

Valuing one's skills is first and foremost about knowing oneself. As a candidate, it is important to clearly identify your professional skills before . So, arm yourself with a sheet of paper and a pen to list everything you have practiced or learned during your professional experiences. To prove your expertise, use concrete examples of successful projects, technical knowledge, or achievements. Also highlight your interpersonal skills by showing how you have collaborated with your teams or handled complex situations brilliantly. Whether you are undergoing a career change. Whether you are simply looking for a seasonal job or not, these tips will make all the difference to recruiters. And remember, all skills have value!

The importance of know-how and interpersonal skills in a team

In business, know-how and interpersonal skills go hand in hand. An effective manager thrives through their leadership, just as a receptionist excels by demonstrating patience and kindness. Technical skills are necessary to accomplish tasks and ensure quality of work and productivity. Soft skills, meanwhile, strengthen team spirit, communication and good conflict management, thus contributing to a healthy working environment. At Club Med, employees use these two dimensions to offer an exceptional customer experience.

A bartender behind a bar, in front of two clients.

How to develop your skills and interpersonal skills?

Continuing education and professional experience are two essential levers for developing know-how and interpersonal skills. Learning on the job helps to broaden one's technical skills. A culture of feedback, active listening, and interaction also help to develop talent. At Club Med, we cultivate an environment conducive to the personal and professional development of our employees. We welcome more than 1 200 trainees in France each year. We also run training programs in Asia, North and South America. To enhance the skills of our teams, we offer more than 200 training courses and diploma programs dedicated to our G.Os & G.Es.

Know-how and interpersonal skills are the key competencies for professional success. In an environment like Club Med, these skills are essential to provide quality service, collaborate effectively with teams and advance in one's career. So, develop your skills and transform your knowledge into real assets!

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