Job performance is determined by a combination of “hard skills,” which are technical knowledge and practical products, and intangible “soft skills,” which are taking the American workplace by storm.
Soft skills are non-technical skills related to how you do your job.
According to personal finance website The Balance, these skills include how to interact with colleagues, solve problems, and manage work.
For example, soft skills include “interpersonal skills, communication skills, listening skills, time management, problem solving, leadership, and empathy, among others,” the official said.
Employers are looking for these skills because they improve the workplace, experts say.
“For many employers, soft skills are just as important as hard skills,” said Kelly Hall, director of recruiting at Chicago-based financial technology company Enova International.
“This is because success in the workplace often requires more than the technical ability to get the job done. It’s the soft skills that make the difference.”
Here’s how to develop your own soft skills at work.
What soft skills are currently in demand?
Online learning platform Springboard for Business recently released its 2024 State of the Workforce Skills Gap report, which surveyed more than 1,000 business professionals working at large companies.
“Our research shows that the most in-demand soft skill (also known as a durable or timeless skill) is strategic thinking,” said Chris Duchene, general manager of Boston-based Springboard for Business. It turned out that.”
“More than half (57%) of leaders say their organization needs more people with strategic thinking skills.”
With the economy in flux, Duchesne said critical thinking is essential in “this transform-or-die environment where companies have to be strategic and adapt quickly to remain competitive.” said.
In addition, soft skills such as problem solving, which 49% of leaders say their companies need, and verbal and written communication skills (46%) are also essential to keep up with a rapidly evolving landscape. This was revealed in the report.
Rounding out the list are emotional intelligence and interpersonal relationships, the report said.
Why are soft skills so important for employees?
Duchesne points out that soft skills are becoming increasingly important, as 79% of leaders say their technical skills have a lifespan of five years or less.
“As AI continues to dramatically change every industry, soft skills will become even more essential to adapt to and overcome new challenges,” he noted.
“These capabilities cannot be outsourced to AI in the same way that technical skills can. They are also important leadership skills that can be applied to any role and at any level.”
How can job hunters demonstrate their soft skills?
Employers often receive hundreds of resumes for a single position, so experts say it’s wise to highlight soft skills in resume language.
Use words like “facilitate,” “present,” “negotiate,” and “implement.”
“To stand out, candidates need to make sure their soft skills don’t get lost on the page,” Hall, Enova’s recruiting expert, told FOX Business.
“Explicitly mention your soft skills by name.”
And, according to Springboard’s Duchesne, soft skills are a way to make yourself stand out in an interview, especially when the majority of other candidates who get to this stage have similar technical skills .
“Outline your unique abilities by speaking through previous work experiences that demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills,” he recommended.
How do soft skills benefit companies?
Employees who acquire these soft skills not only excel as individuals, but also improve their teams and the organization as a whole, Duchesne told FOX Business.
“They become catalysts for innovation, efficiency and growth,” he said.
“The consistently superior performance of such employees highlights the clear correlation between soft skill proficiency and occupational success. These skills will continue to be in demand in an evolving business environment.”
