There’s a lot more that goes into finding the right candidate for your company’s opening than just a block of text. That’s why the interview process exists and why learning how to recognize soft skills is so important.
What Are Soft Skills?
The term “soft skills” refers to the attributes that an applicant can bring to your company that might not show up on a resume, such as:
- Communication • Emotional Intelligence
- Conflict Resolution • Creativity
- Dependability • Flexibility
- Problem-solving • Leadership
- Accountability
These soft skills can demonstrate a candidate’s ability to be a positive presence in the workplace outside of, or alongside, their official job description. For example, communication, conflict resolution and problem-solving are integral to helping your workplace function smoothly. Critical thinking and creativity are important for contributing new ideas and solutions that other employees might not think of.
Candidates in High Demand
According to LinkedIn’s 2019 Global Talent Trends report, 92 percent of talent professionals reported that soft skills are equally or even more important than hard skills.
A report from the International Association of Administrative Professionals, OfficeTeam and HR.com noted that 67 percent of HR managers said that they would hire an applicant with strong soft skills even if they were lacking in technical skills. Meanwhile, only 9 percent of those same responders said that they would extend an offer to a candidate with strong technical skills but weak soft skills. Many business schools are now offering courses that focus specifically on soft skills.
Conclusion
Filter out candidates before beginning the interview process. Applicants are required to go through an online assessment using software programmed to analyze, among other things, soft skills.
Regardless of the steps you and your company might choose to take, it’s easiest to assess these kinds of qualifications in person. The interview process is when it becomes more apparent which candidates have the soft skills you seek.
Rose Bruno, PHR, SHRM-CP,
is an HR consultant at The MBA. Contact her at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or rbruno@mbausa.org.
