The Power of Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
Defining a potential job candidate for a STEM job interview goes beyond merely assessing academic achievements and high intelligence; numerous essential soft skills are considered during the evaluation process, including critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Understanding Critical Thinking
Critical thinking refers to the skillful use of observations, experiences, and hypotheses to make the correct decisions. This helps people make their choices rationally and get to the depth of every situation, evaluating its truthfulness, claim, and statement. Critical thinkers are also considered a valuable asset at their workplaces as they quickly analyze myriad problems.
Understanding Problem-Solving Skills
Considered the byproduct of critical thinking, problem-solving involves navigating through unexpected situations and challenges with ease. It involves identifying the root cause of a challenge, reviewing it step by step, and creating a roadmap to reverse or correct it.
The Power of Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills go hand in hand as they require factual and theoretical knowledge. Not only in the professional world, these skills also help you reflect, react, and make effective decisions in your personal lives as well. Organizations also look forward to seeing these skills in their workforce and, therefore, set up a competitive recruitment process to hire candidates who are equipped with these skills.
Critical thinking and problem-solving are not inherent skills but are developed through constant learning and different experiences. From navigating through personal challenges and overcoming professional and academic difficulties, these skills gradually pave your way toward success.
Importance of Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Merely having information is not enough; individuals need critical thinking and problem-solving skills to add value both as a student and a professional.
- Enhances Self Awareness
Critical thinking plays a pivotal role in self-awareness and personal growth. Critical thinkers approach their failures and successes with introspection rather than self-congratulation, seeking to learn and adapt. In unfavorable situations, they explore alternative approaches, leveraging their insights into their strengths and weaknesses to make more informed decisions.
- Develops Presentation Skills
Critical thinkers and problem solvers will know multiple ways to find the solution to a matter. This makes them efficient in explaining the problem and solution to others. Such individuals are good team players as they understand that multiple ways can solve a single challenge.
- Gives Room for Creativity
Creativity is a powerful determinant of logical and analytical thinking. Although critical thinking is strictly logical and fact-based, as a problem solver, you must welcome contradicting ideologies and theories to look at a problem from all angles. Your mind should be open to unique and unconventional ideas and approaches, contrary to book-smart individuals.
- Better Leadership Skills
Since critical thinkers are not only good at problem-solving, they are also confident and far-sighted individuals. They’re capable not only in public speaking and educating but also in leading teams. These people function as a mediating authority in organizations, who listen and fuse all the ideas into one consolidated plan.
“Stem Secrets for Interviewing” by Jeffrey Harvey
Problem-solving and critical thinking may sound like normal skills in regular life, but they hold immense importance in STEM fields. Organizations actively recruit skilled individuals who can help an organization navigate through both internal and external challenges. Jeffrey Harvey explains how you can prove your worth in front of recruiters during STEM interviews in his book STEM SECRETS FOR INTERVIEWING, now available on Amazon.
Grab your copy today!
