Soft skills may not be the main skills you’ll need to land a non-coding remote role. But they are relevant. They contribute to your success during the application process and when you land the role.
Soft skills are the skills you need to do the work well and relate well with others. Whereas hard skills are the expertise, competencies, and knowledge you need to get the job done.
What are Soft Skills?
Soft skills are attributes and traits that describe how you work, handle situations, and interact with others. They can be transferred from one field of work to the other.
As opposed to soft skills, hard skills are job-related and sometimes industry- or field-specific skills. They’re not always transferable.
Another difference between soft skills and hard skills is that you can get hard skills through formal education, training, or any form of learning.
However, soft skills are personality traits (usually innate) and you may be unable to acquire them through formal education. You have to experience them to master them. But there are training and professional courses for soft skills. Keep reading to find out.
Note: You cannot put soft skills and hard skills under one umbrella — SKILLS — because they are not the same. Nonetheless, they complement each other in the workspace. And employers are looking for employees who have a balance of both skill sets. Hence, the distinction is necessary.
Why do Soft Skills Matter?
In a competitive labor market, employees who demonstrate that they have a good combination of hard and soft skills often see a greater demand for their services. — Investopedia
Acquiring and demonstrating your soft skills will help you to…
- Gain a competitive edge during job interviews. And this makes you a more appealing candidate to potential employers.
- Increase your employability across different industries and positions.
- Become a well-rounded and adaptable professional when they compliment your hard skills
- Advance in your career, secure promotions and raises. Soft skills show your ability to work with others and lead teams.
- Build and nurture positive relationships with colleagues. And this can enhance your work environment and opportunities.
Top Examples of Valuable Soft Skills
Communication
Communication is the ability to clearly express ideas, thoughts, and information — verbally and in writing. It also involves active listening.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability is the skill of adjusting to changing circumstances and being open to new ideas and approaches. It involves the capacity to thrive in diverse and unpredictable environments.
Analytical Thinking
Analytical thinking is the logical way of examining and evaluating problems or situations. It includes breaking down issues into manageable components, gathering data, and drawing well-informed conclusions.
Problem-solving
Problem-solving is the skill of identifying issues and finding practical solutions. It entails critical thinking, creativity, and resourcefulness to address challenges.
Teachability
Teachability is the willingness and ability to learn from experiences, feedback, and others. It involves being open to growth, constructive criticism, and new knowledge.
Leadership
Leadership is the capacity to influence, guide, and inspire individuals or groups toward achieving common objectives. It encompasses qualities like vision, motivation, and the ability to make decisions
Curiosity
Curiosity involves a strong desire to learn and explore new information and experiences. It’s about seeking knowledge and being inquisitive to connect unrelated pieces of information.
Emotional intelligence
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognise, understand, and manage your emotions and that of others. It’s crucial for building strong relationships and effective communication.
Collaboration
Collaboration is the capacity to work well with others, share responsibilities, and contribute to achieve a common goal. It involves communication, compromise, and teamwork.
Empathy
Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings and perspectives of others. It enables you to connect on a deeper level and build more meaningful relationships.
Negotiation
Negotiation is the skill of reaching agreements or settlements in situations involving conflicting interests. It involves effective communication, compromise, and finding mutually beneficial solutions.
How Can I Acquire or Improve My Soft Skills?
Make an Immersive Environment
Surround yourself with situations and people that compel you to use and develop your soft skills in real-life scenarios.
Take Courses
Participate in specialized training programs or courses that focus on developing specific soft skills through structured learning.
An example is the McKinsey & Company Forward Program. It’s free.
You can also check out online courses on learning platforms like Coursera (apply for financial aid for paid courses), Udemy, LinkedIn Learning and edX.
Get a Mentor or Coach
Seek guidance and feedback from a mentor or coach who can provide personalized advice and support for enhancing your soft skills.
Observe
Observe how individuals with strong soft skills handle various situations and learn from their behavior and communication style.
Read
Explore books, articles, and resources on soft skills (including podcasts and videos) to gain knowledge and insights about their application in different contexts.
Experience
Gain real-world experience by putting your soft skills to use in your personal and professional life.
Workshops
Attend workshops or seminars that offer practical exercises and guidance for improving specific soft skills.
How Do I Show Soft Skills in Action on My Resume or Cover Letter?
When it comes to demonstrating your soft skills on your resume or cover letter, remember the mantra: “Show, don’t tell”.
While you may want to create a separate section for soft skills or include them in your general skills section, I recommend a more effective approach — showing these skills in action.
One way is to integrate them into the bullet points under your work experiences on your resume. This allows potential employers to see your skills in real-world scenarios.
You can also show soft skills in your professional summary on your resume.
For your cover letter, show these skills in detail by illustrating how you applied them in your previous roles and the positive outcomes that resulted.
Pro-tip: Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) method to demonstrate your soft skills in your cover letter.
Note: Based on the “Action” and “Result” you get from the STAR method, you can go a step further by optimising them for your resume bullet points.
Here’s how you can do it with the help of ChatGPT →
Next Steps
Remember, hard skills can open the doors to remote work for you.
But it’s your soft skills that will set you apart. Right from the job application process to excelling in your role.
So master new soft skills, improve existing ones, and show them in your resume, cover letter, and during interviews!
NoCode Techies 