LinkedIn recently surveyed hiring practices and decision-making factors when looking for new employees. The study found that 92% of HR professionals and hiring managers are now focused on soft skills because they are considered more important than hard skills. 80% of surveyors said that soft skills are important to help the business grow, and 89% said that the lack of soft skills was a letdown in the bad hires. While recent years have focused on hard skills candidates possess, hiring trends are showing a change of pace, prioritizing soft skills over hard in hiring decisions.

Soft skills are the personal qualities that enable an employee to communicate effectively, work well in a team, and adapt to changing situations. Hard skills are technical skills related to your job and industry and are usually learned through education and training. Examples of soft skills include empathy, emotional intelligence, creativity, and communication skills. But, soft skills cannot be quantified by a resume or an interview like hard skills can. 68% of HR professionals and hiring managers stated they would assess soft skills through social cues during an interview. However, the true span of a candidate’s soft skills cannot be measured until they are already hired for the role and enter their probationary period.

In today’s workplace, soft skills have become increasingly important not just for individual success but also for the organization’s overall success. Soft skills like adaptability and problem-solving are particularly important in today’s fast-paced, constantly changing work environment. Strong soft skills can also enhance an individual’s career prospects, leading to greater success in their chosen field.

The Benefits of Soft Skills

There are many benefits of prioritizing soft skills when interviewing to fill a position. Here are some reasons why:

Teamwork and Collaboration

One of the primary reasons why soft skills are essential in the modern workplace is because they improve teamwork and collaboration. Effective communication and collaboration are critical for the success of any organization. Employees with strong soft skills can communicate and work well with others, leading to better collaboration and teamwork.

Productivity

Soft skills can also lead to increased productivity. Employees with strong time management skills can manage their workload more effectively, leading to higher productivity levels. Effective problem-solving skills can also lead to faster resolutions when problematic situations arise, allowing employees to focus on other tasks.

Customer Service

Soft skills are essential in customer-facing roles, especially when employees interact with customers directly. Employees that have strong communication and emotional intelligence have proven to provide better customer service, increasing customer satisfaction.

Company Culture 

Soft skills can also contribute to a positive company culture. Employees who have strong soft skills are more likely to be engaged, motivated and productive, leading to a positive work environment. This positive culture can help attract and retain top talent, leading to long-term success for the organization.

Why Prioritize Soft Skills When Hiring?

For companies that haven’t considered prioritizing soft skills during interviews and candidate selections, there are a few reasons why you should.

Hard to Teach

Soft skills are personal attributes, and they are often challenging to teach. While technical skills can be learned on the job or through training, soft skills are harder to develop. By prioritizing soft skills during hiring, managers can ensure they hire employees with these critical attributes.

Team Dynamics

Hiring employees with strong soft skills can also lead to improved team dynamics. These employees are more likely to work well with others, leading to better collaboration and teamwork. This can improve the overall performance of the team and the organization, especially if your company’s practices are centered around meeting monthly, quarterly, and annual goals.

How Staff Solve Can Help Employers and Job Seekers

As the job market continues to change, employers are looking for employees who can change and adapt to new technologies and processes. This makes it important for job seekers to know what soft skills are and how to display them effectively. 

If you are looking to enhance your soft skills or learn new ones, see if your current role can practice and hone the skills you would like to attain. If you are currently seeking employment and would like to learn new soft skills, Staff Solve helps job seekers by offering resources to enhance their abilities and be ready for the opportunities we present to you. If you are looking for an employee who already has the soft skills you require, Staff Solve can help by vetting candidates for you. As an employer and a client of ours, you will benefit from our professional recruiting process as we customize our services to meet your specific requirements.

Staff Solve continues to provide high-quality candidates and jobs in diverse markets for over 27 years. Let us take the stress off you so you can focus on your business by finding the perfect applicant for the position. If you are looking for employment, please visit our job seeker page and check out our job board for current positions. If you would like more information about the services we offer employers, visit our employer page or contact us today.