Job seekers often struggle with how to represent their capabilities on a resume. A common uncertainty is whether to include soft skills. While their value is widely acknowledged, the correct method for presenting them on a formal document is not always clear, leading many to question if they should be listed at all.
Understanding Soft Skills vs Hard Skills
To construct a resume, it is helpful to distinguish between soft skills and hard skills. Hard skills are specific, teachable, and quantifiable abilities that can be easily demonstrated. Examples include proficiency in a programming language, operating specialized machinery, or fluency in a foreign language. They are acquired through education, training, and direct experience.
In contrast, soft skills are interpersonal attributes that describe how you work and interact with others. These traits, such as communication, teamwork, and leadership, are linked to your personality and are transferable across roles. While hard skills define what a person can do, soft skills illustrate how they will perform their duties.
The Importance of Soft Skills to Employers
Employers place a high value on soft skills when evaluating candidates. While hard skills can get a resume noticed, soft skills often secure the job offer and predict long-term success. A study revealed 93% of employers consider these skills an important factor in their hiring decisions, as they indicate how an individual will integrate into a team and navigate workplace challenges.
Hiring managers seek individuals who can collaborate effectively, lead projects, and resolve unexpected issues. A candidate with strong soft skills is viewed as a lower-risk hire because they are more likely to adapt to the company’s environment. One survey found that 67% of HR managers would hire a candidate with strong soft skills even if their technical abilities were lacking.
These interpersonal abilities are difficult for a company to teach, so employers prefer to hire individuals who already possess them. When a resume successfully demonstrates these qualities, it signals that the candidate is not only qualified but is also likely to be a valuable member of the organization.
How to Showcase Soft Skills on Your Resume
The most effective way to present soft skills on a resume is to demonstrate them through concrete achievements rather than simply listing them. The guiding principle is to “show, don’t tell.” Instead of a standalone list, these skills should be woven into your professional experience, providing context and evidence of your capabilities.
Integrate Skills into Your Work Experience
Your work history section is the primary area to provide evidence of your soft skills. Each bullet point should be crafted to reflect these attributes in action, providing tangible proof of your abilities and making your claims more credible.
For example, instead of stating you have “problem-solving skills,” describe a situation where you used them. A weak bullet point might read: “Responsible for handling customer complaints.” A stronger alternative is: “Resolved an average of 15 escalated customer inquiries per day, developing a new tracking system that decreased issue resolution time by 20%.” This revised statement demonstrates problem-solving and initiative.
Similarly, to showcase leadership, provide a specific example. A less effective description is: “Led a team of sales associates.” A more compelling version would be: “Mentored and coached a team of 5 junior sales associates, resulting in a 15% increase in the team’s overall sales figures within one quarter.” This phrasing quantifies your leadership and illustrates its impact.
Use a Professional Summary
A professional summary at the top of your resume offers an opportunity to highlight your most defining soft skills. This brief section should encapsulate your professional identity and value proposition. It allows you to frame your experience by drawing attention to interpersonal strengths relevant to the job you are seeking.
For instance, a project manager could write: “A highly adaptable project manager with over ten years of experience leading cross-functional teams to deliver complex projects on schedule and under budget.” This statement highlights adaptability and leadership.
A customer service professional might state: “A client-focused and empathetic customer service specialist dedicated to fostering positive relationships and ensuring high levels of client satisfaction.” This summary emphasizes empathy and communication.
Tailor to the Job Description
Tailor your resume to the specific requirements of each job you apply for. Analyze the job description to identify the soft skills the employer is seeking. Companies often explicitly list desired attributes like “strong communication skills,” “ability to work in a collaborative environment,” or “proven leadership abilities.”
Once you have identified these key terms, incorporate them into your professional summary and work experience descriptions. If a job posting emphasizes teamwork, your bullet points should feature words like “collaborated” or “partnered.” This alignment demonstrates you possess the desired skills and have considered the employer’s needs, making your application more likely to pass through applicant tracking systems.
Examples of In-Demand Soft Skills
Certain soft skills are consistently sought after by employers across nearly every industry. Understanding what these skills are can help you identify and articulate your own strengths more effectively.
- Communication is the ability to clearly convey and receive information, whether written, verbal, or nonverbal.
- Teamwork and collaboration refer to your capacity to work productively with others to achieve a common goal.
- Adaptability is your flexibility and resilience in the face of new challenges or changing priorities.
- Problem-solving involves using analytical and creative thinking to find effective solutions to complex issues.
- Leadership is the ability to motivate and guide others toward a shared objective.
- Time management demonstrates your proficiency in prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines efficiently.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most frequent errors is creating a dedicated “Skills” section that lists generic soft skills. Phrases like “team player” and “good communicator” are clichés that lack substance without proof. Hiring managers see these lists on countless resumes, and they do little to differentiate a candidate, wasting valuable space.
Another mistake is listing soft skills that are not substantiated by the achievements in your work experience section. If you claim to be a “strategic planner” but provide no examples of planning, the claim appears empty. Every soft skill mentioned should be supported by a corresponding accomplishment to create a cohesive document.