Soft skills can be just as critical as technical competencies. Conveying them in your resume, cover letter, and responses to interview questions will surely capture the attention of potential employers. Let's look at our top 12 soft skills and how to illustrate them during a recruitment process.

1. There’s no doubt that, when you’re applying for a new
role, your technical competencies are the first to be
considered by a potential employer. This is
understandable, especially when certain positions
demand highly specialized skill sets. Coming shortly
behind hard skills are your soft skills. These are the
abilities and traits that don’t have degrees or certifications
associated with them (unfortunately). They’re ones that
have been ingrained in you (sometimes when you weren’t
even aware of it). But, they have become who you are,
both professionally and personally.
Even though soft skills are important, and they capture
attention from potential employers, candidates often
overlook them when it comes to their resumes, cover
letters, and interviews. To stand out among candidates,
include content in your resume that illustrate these traits
and assimilate them into your responses to interview
questions. Trust us – potential employers will notice.
Let’s take a look at soft skills that we, as search
consultants, hold valuable in candidates we are
considering for our clients and what they exactly mean.
1. Communication
Yes, we all know what communication is. But, we have to
elaborate on this soft skill because it is the most important
quality a prospective employee, or really anyone, can
have. Let’s face it, while there are many variations of
communication skills, verbal communication trumps
others because it’s usually the first impression you make.
Believe it or not, there are job candidates who go into
interviews and barely speak, and they provide the bare
minimum when responding to questions. Note: Don’t be
one of those people. Instead, exude confidence and a
positive attitude (hopefully you have both). Articulate your
thoughts, and provide depth in your responses. A
potential employer wants to know more substantial
information than what is listed on your resume, and they
want to see how you convey it verbally. Strong
communication skills relay to many different qualities of an
employee, such as abilities to build rapport easily, get
along with co-workers, be a team player, and maybe even
take the lead on projects.
Other types of communication abilities are writing and
conducting presentations. Not everyone is proficient in
these so, if you have them, be sure to find ways to
demonstrate them.
2. People skills
How well do you get along with others on your team,
direct reports, superiors, and customers? How do you
build rapport? How do you influence people?
3. Leadership
Have you been responsible for a team? If so, describe that
experience and your managing style. How do you
motivate and empower your team and colleagues?
4. Innovative and progressive mindset
Do you stay abreast of trends in your industry and/or
career specialization, and how? Are you always thinking of
new and better ways of doing your job, or how your
organization can excel? Are you afraid of change, or do
you welcome it?
5. Adaptability
Are you flexible and resilient? Are you adaptable to
changing market and workplace conditions?
6. Self-regulation
This can tie in to adaptability. How do you respond to
stressful or challenging situations? Do you readily assume
responsibilities for your actions and work?
Highlighting Soft Skills to Get the Job You Want
Sami L. Barry

2. 7. Self-awareness
Are you aware of your strengths and weaknesses? What
do you do to improve upon them? How do you respond
to constructive criticism?
8. Decision-making
How do you typically make decisions? Are there
situations in which you feel comfortable making quick
decisions and others in which you gather the appropriate
information first?
9. Problem-solving
How do you process challenges and difficult problems,
and develop solutions?
10. Attention to detail
Do you excel at details? Do you have a process for
ensuring you are paying attention to specific information
and procedures?
11. Ability to hire and mentor a team
If you are experienced in hiring employees, what are the
recruitment methods you utilize, and how do you
evaluate candidates? Once they are hired, are you
responsible for training them? If so, how do you typically
train co-workers and direct reports? Do you enjoy hiring
and training others?
12. Self-motivation
Would you consider yourself ambitious? If so, what
motivates you? Do you hold high standards for yourself
and others? What are your career goals, and how do you
work towards them?
After considering the above, we are confident you will
agree with us that soft skills are important. That is why it
is essential to communicate them during a recruitment
process. In doing so, you will certainly differentiate
yourself among candidates, and maybe even your future
co-workers. Make no doubt about it, these are the
qualities that will help you to excel in your career and
achieve your goals.
Highlighting Soft Skills to Get the Job You Want
w w w . h e l b l i n g s e a r c h . c o m
Helbling & Associates is a retained executive search firm specializing exclusively in facilities
management, construction, engineering, and real estate development.