Definition and content of the concept of future specialists' Soft-Skills

In the modern era of informatization, future specialists' soft skills are their important competitive advantage. The article reveals the essence of soft skills as universal skills, which, together with personal qualities, determine students' ability to solve complex tasks, make effective decisions, manage and lead people, develop personally and professionally, conduct negotiations, manage time, work in teams, be good communicators, etc. Soft skills have a universal nature and can be effective in any profession and in any aspect of everyday life. Definitions of soft skills in foreign and Ukrainian scientific literature are analyzed. The existing definitions of the concept are partially interconnected and interdependent. Soft skills don't have a rigid structure, nor a fixed set of components, nor a universal classification. Soft skills are non-technical competencies, refer to a set of personal traits, are difficult to measure (their assessment is often subjective), promote work performance, are not mandatory (although in combination with workers' special skills determine professionalism), are valuable in any workplace and are helpful not only at work, but also in everyday life. The problems in the development of students' soft skills include: professors' lack of care for the development of students' extra-professional competencies during making educational programs, poor involvement of employers in educational program making, difficulties in observing and measuring students' skills, discrepancy between employers' expectations and students' skills developed during their studies, etc