What employers want: Soft skills and hard skills in the application process
- What are hard skills?
- What are soft skills?
- Why are both important?
- Which skills should you highlight in your application?
- The perfect balance in your resume
- Soft skills in the future: Increasingly important
What are hard skills?
Hard skills are technical, job-specific abilities that you acquire through education, training, or work experience. They are measurable and objectively assessable. Examples of hard skills include:
- Programming knowledge
- Languages (e.g., English or Spanish)
- Project management
- Machine operation or technical skills
- Accounting and finance
These abilities are specific to certain jobs or industries and can be verified through certificates, degrees, or other qualifications. Hard skills are, in many cases, the "ticket" into many professions as they demonstrate your ability to meet the technical requirements of a position.
What are soft skills?
In contrast, soft skills—often referred to as interpersonal or social competencies—are harder to measure but equally important. They involve how you interact with people, your personality, and how you approach work. Examples of soft skills include:
- Communication skills
- Teamwork
- Empathy
- Time management
- Problem-solving skills
- Adaptability
These skills are important in nearly every job and influence how well you work with others, how efficiently you complete tasks, and how you handle new or stressful situations.
Why are both important?
It’s not easy to say whether soft skills or hard skills are more important, as the answer depends on the specific position and industry. However, the fact is: It’s all about balance.
For technical professions like engineers, IT specialists, or medical professionals, hard skills are essential. You need to master the necessary tools and techniques to do your job well. However, even in these areas, employers expect you to bring soft skills with you.
In today’s workplace, which is often characterized by teamwork and agile structures, having only technical knowledge is not enough. Companies are looking for employees who are flexible, communicate well, and can handle conflicts—all of which fall into the realm of soft skills.
Which skills should you highlight in your application?
1. Analyze the job requirements
Before drafting your application, carefully analyze the job posting. Many employers explicitly list both hard and soft skills they expect from applicants. Technical positions naturally emphasize hard skills more, while positions in marketing, sales, or customer service may place a stronger focus on soft skills.
2. Hard skills as the foundation
In many cases, hard skills are the "must-haves" in your application. Clearly outline your education, certificates, and experience, and back them up with examples. Use specific numbers or projects to make your hard skills measurable.
Example: "Led a project to implement a new CRM system, which increased customer satisfaction by 15%."
3. Soft skills as a differentiating factor
Soft skills, on the other hand, are often the deciding factor that sets you apart from other candidates. They are especially important when multiple applicants have similar professional qualifications. The employer will then choose the person who fits better into the team, shows leadership potential, or can handle stressful situations better.
Support your soft skills with examples from your professional practice. Instead of saying, "I am a team player," describe a concrete situation where you worked successfully in a team.
Example: "In my last project, I worked closely with an interdisciplinary team and significantly contributed to success through clear communication and an open feedback culture."
4. Focus on the industry
Different industries and companies place more value on certain skills. A startup might prioritize adaptability and independence, while a large corporation might focus more on project management experience and process optimization. Always tailor your application to the company's specific culture.
The perfect balance in your resume
Both types of skills should be evident in your resume. Here are some tips on how to achieve this:
- Integrate hard skills into the experience section: List your hard skills specifically under your work experience and provide concrete examples of when and how you applied them.
- Showcase soft skills in the cover letter or summary: Use your cover letter or a brief summary at the beginning of your resume to present your soft skills. Share short stories from your work experience that illustrate your interpersonal skills.
Soft skills in the future: Increasingly important
The importance of soft skills is growing in the modern workplace, especially due to the trend towards remote work and interconnected teams across borders. In a work environment that requires flexibility, quick adaptation, and close collaboration, these interpersonal skills are often the deciding factor.
Conclusion: The right balance makes the difference
Hard skills are undeniably important and form the foundation of any application—without them, it would be difficult to even make it to the shortlist. However, it is often the soft skills that ultimately decide who gets the job. Applicants who fulfill the technical requirements and also work well with others are particularly attractive to employers.
For your next application, focus on striking the right balance. Present your hard skills as indispensable qualifications, but don’t forget to highlight your soft skills—because they show who you really are and how you will operate in the team and in everyday work.
