When it comes to landing a job or advancing in your career, qualifications matter—but it’s not just about what you know. Employers are constantly weighing a candidate’s soft skills against their hard skills to find the right fit. While hard skills often get the spotlight on resumes, soft skills are frequently the deciding factor in hiring and promotion decisions. So which matters more—and why?
Understanding the differences between soft and hard skills, and how to balance both, can make you a stronger job candidate and a more effective professional.
What Are Hard Skills?
Hard skills are the technical abilities and specialized knowledge you can learn through education, training, or hands-on experience. These skills are often quantifiable and easy to demonstrate or test.
Examples of Hard Skills:
- Data analysis
- Software proficiency (Excel, Salesforce, Python)
- Foreign language fluency
- Machine operation
- Accounting or bookkeeping
- Web development
- SEO or digital marketing
- Graphic design
Hard skills are usually specific to an industry or job function and are often listed in job descriptions. They show employers that you can perform the core tasks of a role.
What Are Soft Skills?
Soft skills, on the other hand, are personal attributes and interpersonal abilities that shape how you work and interact with others. These are often called “people skills” or “employability skills” and can be harder to quantify—but they are crucial to long-term success in almost any job.
Examples of Soft Skills:
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Adaptability
- Leadership
- Emotional intelligence
- Teamwork
- Critical thinking
While hard skills can get your foot in the door, soft skills help you thrive in a professional setting. They’re what make you a good colleague, a strong leader, and a reliable employee.
Why Employers Value Both
The ideal employee is a blend of hard and soft skills. Hard skills prove you can do the job; soft skills show you can do it well with others and adapt to a dynamic environment.
In-Demand Hard Skills (Based on Job Postings and Industry Trends):
| Hard Skill | Industries Where It’s Key |
|---|---|
| Data Analysis | Tech, Healthcare, Finance |
| Programming | IT, Software, E-commerce |
| Financial Reporting | Accounting, Business, Banking |
| Cloud Computing | Tech, Startups, Enterprise IT |
| Foreign Languages | Government, Education, Customer Support |
In-Demand Soft Skills:
| Soft Skill | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Communication | Essential for collaboration and client-facing roles |
| Adaptability | Needed in fast-paced, changing environments |
| Problem-Solving | Key to innovation and efficiency |
| Teamwork | Vital for group projects and cross-functional work |
| Leadership | Important at all levels, not just management |
How Employers Evaluate Hard Skills
Hard skills are easier to verify. Employers often assess them through:
- Certifications or licenses
- Educational background
- Work portfolios
- Pre-employment tests
- Technical interviews or assessments
For example, a software developer might be asked to complete a coding challenge. A marketing candidate might be asked to analyze a mock campaign.
How Employers Evaluate Soft Skills
Soft skills take more nuance to assess. Employers use strategies like:
- Behavioral interview questions (e.g., “Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult coworker.”)
- Group interviews or role-playing scenarios
- References from former managers
- Observations during interviews (tone, body language, clarity)
Soft skills can also emerge during the application process—such as how promptly you respond, your professionalism in communication, or your ability to handle multiple steps in the hiring process.
Which Do Employers Prioritize?
It depends on the job, but increasingly, employers say soft skills are the differentiator—especially in collaborative, customer-facing, or leadership roles.
According to a LinkedIn Global Talent Trends report:
- 92% of hiring managers say soft skills are just as important, if not more important, than hard skills.
- 89% of bad hires lack the soft skills needed for the job.
In high-tech industries, hard skills may get more attention, but even there, the ability to work in teams, think creatively, and communicate effectively often determines success.
The Balance: How to Showcase Both on Your Resume and Interviews
It’s not enough to simply list your skills. Employers want context and proof.
For Hard Skills:
- Include specific tools or platforms (e.g., “Proficient in Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator”)
- Mention certifications (e.g., “Certified Salesforce Administrator”)
- Add quantifiable achievements (e.g., “Improved website traffic by 60% through SEO strategy”)
For Soft Skills:
- Use examples in your work experience (e.g., “Led a cross-functional team of 6 to launch a new product”)
- Include phrases like “collaborated with,” “resolved,” “adapted to,” and “mentored”
- Prepare stories for interviews that illustrate how you’ve used soft skills in action
Tips for Strengthening Each
How to Build Hard Skills:
- Take online courses (Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, Skillshare)
- Get certified in relevant tools or software
- Attend workshops or bootcamps
- Volunteer or freelance to gain experience
How to Improve Soft Skills:
- Join team-based activities (sports, volunteering, project groups)
- Practice public speaking or take communication courses
- Seek feedback from peers or mentors
- Read books on emotional intelligence, leadership, or workplace dynamics
Final Word: It’s Not Either-Or—It’s Both
Soft skills and hard skills aren’t competing forces—they’re complementary. Think of hard skills as the foundation that gets you the job, and soft skills as the glue that helps you keep it and grow within it.
In a world where job descriptions are evolving and workplaces are becoming more team-oriented and tech-driven, a blend of both is more valuable than ever. Showcasing your technical expertise along with your interpersonal strengths puts you in a prime position to stand out to employers, no matter what field you’re in.
