Learn soft skills

What are soft skills?

Soft skills are the non-technical abilities necessary for thinking clearly and collaborating well with others in the workplace.

They are transferable skills and traits that can help you succeed in a variety of contexts. Some soft skills, like writing and time management, involve concrete techniques, while others, like leadership and teamwork, involve your attitude and mindset.

Examples of soft skills include:

• Communication
• Writing
• Teamwork
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Adaptability
• Time management
• Leadership

Most jobs that require you to work require soft skills. Careers in leadership and management, social work, and public relations rely especially on these competencies.

Why learn soft skills?

• Candidates with soft skills are more adaptable in changing markets.
• Technology can make some hard skills obsolete, but can't replace the need for soft skills.
• Soft skills like adaptability and critical thinking help professionals learn and grow in their roles.

Hard skills vs. soft skills

Hard skills are specific, narrow, and often measurable abilities acquired through technical training. Examples include proficiency with manufacturing equipment, coding languages, and project management software.

Soft skills, on the other hand, involve broad attitudes, traits, and high-level strategies that influence the way you approach your work. Communication, leadership, and critical thinking, for example, fall under the category of soft skills. They often seem subjective and difficult to measure, but they are just as valuable as hard skills.

How to include soft skills on your résumé

Don't ignore soft skills on your résumé.

If you have a section of your résumé dedicated specifically to skills, consider providing a mix of hard and soft skills. While the relevant hard skills may change from role to role, soft skills tend to apply widely.

For example, while a hard skill like automotive diagnostics applies to a narrow set of professional roles, a soft skill like problem-solving remains broadly relevant.

In your job history, highlight the importance of soft skills in your previous roles. By demonstrating ways that you have applied your soft skills in the past, you can give prospective employers a better idea of your capabilities.

For example, if you worked as a project manager, you might mention some ways that you practiced time management, active listening, and communication.

Jobs that require soft skills

Building soft skills can help you in various careers. However, there are certain careers in which these skills are especially important. Below, find common jobs you can pursue with strong soft skills, including salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.