What are soft skills? (Definition, examples, and resume tips)

Introduction to soft skills

Definition and importance in the workplace

Soft skills are character traits and non-technical skills that influence how we interact with others, primarily in a work context. They include interpersonal (people) skills, time management, empathy, and communication abilities, among many others.

In the workplace, personal skills complement hard skills, which are the more technical, job-specific skills you need to perform your job duties.

According to research conducted by Harvard University, Carnegie Foundation, and Stanford Research, 85% of job success comes from having well-developed soft and people skills, with only 15% attributed to technical skills.

Research also indicates that the demand for soft skill-intensive jobs are expected to grow at 2.5 times the rate of other jobs. By 2030, such jobs will make up the majority of the job market at 63%. This underlines the substantial impact soft skills have on professional success.

Examples of personal skills

Communication skills

Having strong communication skills isn’t just about articulating ideas clearly; it’s also about active listening. It’s the difference between a team that works like a well-oiled machine and one that constantly misunderstands each other.

For example, a project manager who can clearly explain tasks and deadlines to their team while taking the team’s feedback into account is likely to see better results than one who provides vague instructions.

Leadership skills

Many think that leadership is just a managerial skill, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Leadership is about taking initiative, setting a good example, and helping guide others. Even when applying for entry-level positions, showing leadership potential can help you stand out as a candidate.

Problem-solving skills

Every job has its unique challenges, and companies value critical thinkers who can identify said challenges and develop effective solutions. Problem-solving often involves creative thinking and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

Time management skills

Effective time management is key to meeting deadlines and increasing productivity. It’s about making the most of the work hours you have by managing your workload efficiently and avoiding procrastination.

Adaptability skills

The only constant in the workplace is change, thus you must not get stuck in your ways. Whether it’s learning a new software system or adjusting to a new team structure, you need to be able to roll with the punches and remain flexible.

Teamwork skills

Teamwork is the ability to collaborate with colleagues towards common goals. It involves sharing responsibilities, contributing ideas, and supporting team members.

For instance, in a cross-functional project, teamwork is evident when members from different departments integrate their efforts seamlessly.

How to showcase soft skills on your resume

Relevant soft skills in your skills section

There should be a dedicated section in your resume that highlights your most relevant essential skills. It should be tailored to the job you’re applying for.

So, if the job description emphasizes teamwork and being able to communicate effectively, make sure these are prominently featured in your personal skills section.

Provide specific examples and accomplishments that demonstrate your personal skills

Rather than simply listing soft skills, it’s better to provide concrete examples of how you’ve applied these skills in previous roles. You can use the work experience section of the resume to demonstrate your soft skills in action.

Example: Instead of just stating “Strong leadership skills,” you could write, “Led a cross-functional team of X personnel to successfully launch a new product, resulting in a Y% increase in quarterly revenue.”

Incorporate core skills in your job descriptions and cover letter

You should use action verbs that allude to your core skills in your resume, like “collaborated,” “negotiated,” and “mediated.”

In your cover letter, you might describe situations where your problem-solving skills, for example, led to a positive outcome, or how your adaptability helped you adapt to constant changes.

The bottom line is to show, not just tell.

Soft skills vs. hard skills

Comparative analysis

Hard skills are measurable abilities that are specific to a particular role. They’re typically acquired through formal education and training programs, as well as practical experience. Examples include computer programming, web development, and technical writing.

Personal skills, on the other hand, are less tangible and harder to quantify. They’re seen as personality traits that determine a person’s ability to work well with others.

Balancing both in a professional setting

Job candidates who balance both hard and soft skills tend to excel, especially when they’re also team players who positively contribute to group efforts.

As Neil Carberry, Director of Employment and Skills at CBI, notes, “Business is clear that developing the right attitudes and attributes in people—such as resilience, respect, enthusiasm, and creativity—is just as important as academic or technical skills.”

Showcasing your personal skills in your resume

Here’s a more in-depth guide to showcasing your strong soft skills in your resume:

Self-assessment and identification

First things first, you should start by reflecting on your work and life experiences and identifying the soft skills you’ve developed thus far. It helps to consider feedback from colleagues and supervisors to form a comprehensive view of your strengths.

Concrete examples and quantification

When listing personal skills on your resume, be sure to provide specific instances where you’ve utilized these skills effectively. Whenever possible, try to quantify your achievements.

Language and action verbs

The language you use in your resume can help you convey your core skills without having to explicitly list them. Action verbs, in particular, demonstrate your abilities while making your resume more dynamic and engaging.

Just make sure to vary your verbiage to avoid sounding robotic or monotonous. You can avoid repetition by finding synonyms that convey similar skills. So, instead of always using “led,” you can try “guided,” “orchestrated,” or “directed.”

It’s also important to use industry-specific language to show your familiarity with the field but ensure the language remains accessible to non-specialist readers.

Balancing hard and soft skills

While highlighting your personal skills is crucial, remember to maintain a balance with your technical skills. The ideal resume showcases a mix of both, tailored to the specific job requirements.

Structure and format

The structure and format of your resume can play a huge role in showcasing your soft skills:

• A hybrid/combination resume that combines chronological and functional formats can be particularly effective for highlighting personal skills.
• Create a dedicated skills section and place it near the top of your resume, preferably after your contact information and professional summary.
• Bullet points can help make your resume easier to read and allow you to concisely demonstrate your soft skills in action.
• Uniform font sizes, consistent bold or italic usage, and aligned text showcase your attention to detail.
• Proper spacing makes your resume more visually appealing and easier to scan, so be sure to incorporate white space.

Proofreading and feedback

Carefully proofread your resume to ensure it’s free of errors. Also, consider asking a colleague or mentor to review it and provide feedback on how effectively you’ve presented your core skills.

Continual improvement and update

As you gain more experience or complete relevant training, be sure to update your resume to reflect the new soft skills you’ve developed or improved. This will keep your resume current and competitive in the job market.

Enhancing personal skills

Shell's initiatives in employee skill development

Shell places a strong emphasis on developing soft skills through its award-winning employee learning programs. For instance, the LEAD for Team Leaders program

, certified with a gold award, focuses on leadership skills such as offering performance feedback and building accountability.

The company’s programs offer personalized learning journeys designed by business and psychology experts to equip participants with practicable, transferable skills that improve employee engagement.

Investing in these initiatives helps Shell ensure its workforce is equipped not only with technical expertise but also the interpersonal skills needed to drive success in the energy sector.

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