When reviewing job applications, many employers are strategic: they outline a range of “hard skills” or technical abilities that set a candidate apart. Yet, savvy employers also include a different set of qualifications that may appear simple at first glance: “soft skills”. These are the abilities that can truly make or break a great employee.
- Often, a lot of emphasis is placed on hard, technical skills, such as:
- Programming (Python, Java, JavaScript, C++, etc.)
- Web development (HTML, CSS, React, WordPress)
- Data analysis
- SQL & databases
- Machine learning/AI
- Cybersecurity basics
- IT support/troubleshooting
- Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
- UI/UX design
- Graphic design (Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva)
- And many, many more.
But what are soft skills? Soft skills are general, often naturally developed human abilities that make a real difference between someone who just knows what they’re doing and someone who also has desirable interpersonal and professional qualities.
Soft skills can be a lot of things, from the ability to communicate effectively to just being generally likable. Yes, being likeable is actually an amazing skill for an employee because it means they’re likely to work well within a team, even if there are various employees with different temperaments and work styles.
So, let’s go through why soft skills matter just as much as technical abilities.
What are Soft Skills and How Do They Benefit Employers?
Soft skills are talents or natural abilities an individual tends to develop that make them highly employable, likely because they make an individual likeable and easy to work with. However, it also implies that they’re highly creative people who are great at managing themselves independently and within a team. Here are some key examples of excellent soft skills:
Communication & Social Skills
- Verbal communication
- Written communication
- Active listening
- Public speaking
- Empathy
- Conflict resolution
- Negotiation
- Collaboration/teamwork
- Networking
Thinking & Problem-Solving
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Creativity
- Decision-making
- Strategic thinking
- Adaptability
- Analytical thinking
Work & Productivity Skills
- Time management
- Organization
- Prioritization
- Self-motivation
- Work ethic
- Attention to detail
- Accountability
Personal & Emotional Skills
- Emotional intelligence (EQ)
- Resilience
- Stress management
- Patience
- Confidence
- Growth mindset
- Self-awareness
Leadership & Influence
- Leadership
- Delegation
- Mentoring
- Persuasion
- Initiative
- Responsibility
As you can see, these are often skills overlooked in many job applications. While focusing on the primary hard skills required for a position (especially a highly technical one) is particularly important, these soft skills help make an employee malleable. They “jive” with other employees; they’re capable of both leading and following, and they practice the interpersonal skills that make them pleasant to work with.
While it may seem "silly" or even "overrated" to care if someone knows how to express empathy or initiative, you couldn’t be more wrong. Research conducted by Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation and Stanford Research Center found that 85% of job success comes from having well‐developed soft and people skills. This disconnection could be leading both employers and employees to lose out on serious opportunities.
To be clear, this isn’t to say that having the mandatory hard skills for the job isn’t important; it’s simply pointing out that soft skills take a regular, good employee to the next level by making them personable, responsible, capable of handling heavy pressure, and, yes, even just…being kind.
Ask yourself this: if you were put in a survival scenario, would you want someone who has all of the technical skills to build a shelter and a fire, but who is uninterested in your well-being, or someone who has these traits but is also looking out for you? Even if that means they may struggle a little more than the previous person. What matters, however, is they have the grit to not only keep trying, but to make sure you succeed alongside them; this is an amazing skill for an employee to have, because it means they’re going to be essential to the success of the entire team – not just themselves.
With the job market being so competitive, it’s easy to get lost in the idea that you need to “win” over potential competition, even if those people are teammates. While being competitive isn’t inherently a bad trait, it can create a hostile work environment where one person is too focused on “getting ahead” of their team members, instead of creating a cohesive unit where everyone succeeds.
Team success is company success. If only one person is succeeding, it means the team unit isn’t performing optimally; and there are few businesses that achieve their goals on the back of a single person.
Soft skills are now critical for success in most careers because they help to build and maintain relationships, navigate challenging situations, and achieve goals.
How to Develop Soft Skills for Maximum Job Success
Now that we’ve thoroughly explored the concept of soft skills and why they’re important, how does one go about actually learning them? Many soft skills are inherent, such as general mentorship and a willingness to compromise, but others can be learned.
But… how? There aren’t as many courses as possible that cover soft skills as the hard, technical skills you need to land the job. So, here are some key ways you can develop these essential soft skills:
Be Self-Aware: Self-awareness is a key component of developing core soft skills; this means you need to know and be confident about your strengths, as well as be aware of your weaknesses. It’s not “wrong” to say that you don’t have a particular skill, but you can also point out that you’re a quick learner or a go-getter who is willing to enhance your current skillset. Being willing to acknowledge where you’re currently at and what your capabilities are is important. It’s also important that you’re self-aware enough to admit to your wrongdoings and faults; yes, sometimes, at a job, you make mistakes. Don’t let pride get in the way. Admit to hiccups and provide solutions going forward.
Practice Communication: It’s scary to talk to people sometimes, especially if you’re sharing new ideas or challenging the status quo. You may be scared of having your vision shot down or your voice silenced by someone taking offence – you need to practice communication. But how do you do this? Simple: push your own boundaries just a little; bring up a few ideas during a business meeting; talk to colleagues around the water cooler or in the lunchroom; watch a few TED Talks about communication styles. Whatever you do, just learn to be unafraid to speak your mind, while also keeping social and professional courtesy in mind.
Improve Teamwork: As we mentioned before, a big component of developing soft skills is being a team player. A business simply can’t succeed in the efforts of a single person; your team needs to succeed alongside you for the company to achieve its major goals. Stop viewing team members as opposition, even if you’re worried someone has more skills than you. Instead, demonstrate that the company’s bottom line and the success of the ENTIRE team are what matter to you. This will surely set you apart from the rest. You can do this by shouting out your team's efforts and successes, and by helping others when you have the capacity. It also means accepting praise and receiving help when needed. At the end of the day, if you all kill it on a big project, everyone wins.
Take Criticism as an Opportunity to Improve, NOT a Personal Attack: When you get really good at something or have studied it for a long time, it can feel like a slap in the face when someone provides negative feedback. While there is a time and place to defend your work or decisions, there’s also a time to listen and understand that not all negative feedback is designed to be hurtful. Rather, it’s designed to elevate you to the next level by helping you overcome your shortcomings. Remember: it’s not always personal, it’s just business and an opportunity to improve.
Work on Confidence: Confidence isn’t the same as arrogance; a confident person can still admit to themselves that they’re wrong and when they need to improve, but they do so with an aura of trust in themselves to do better in the future. You also need to be confident when in a leadership position, where people are counting on you for guidance, no matter how simple or complex the role is.
Working with the Right People: How itec group Can Help
In today’s fast-moving workplace, technical expertise will always matter, but it’s soft skills that determine who thrives, who adapts, and who leads. By prioritizing candidates with strong communication, adaptability, and collaboration skills, you’re not just hiring today’s needs; you’re building a team that can grow and evolve with your business over time.
As a trusted recruitment partner, itec group helps organizations find talent that brings both technical ability and human skills to the table. From engineers working with cutting-edge technologies to manufacturing professionals delivering measurable results, we connect you with people who can drive performance, strengthen culture, and contribute to long-term success. Contact us today.
