Employers value soft skills during the hiring process. Many hard skills are teachable and specific, but soft skills are equally, if not more important to employers during the hiring process.
A 2016 study conducted by LinkedIn surveyed 291 hiring managers in the U.S. The research revealed the most in-demand soft skills:
Communication
Delivering and receiving messages with clarity and precision.
Organization
Managing yourself, time, and resources efficiently.
Teamwork
Helping co-workers reach their potential.
Punctuality
Always arriving on time.
Critical Thinking
Thinking outside the box and turning data into information.
Social Skills
Being able to fit in.
Creativity
Generating ideas to improve processes and operations.
Interpersonal Communication
Communicating your message while making those around you feel comfortable.
Adaptability
Willing to change and remain flexible.
Friendly Personality
Being someone who is enjoyable to work with.
The research listed the following as the least in-demand soft skills:
- Business planning
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Emotional intelligence
- Team building
- Coaching
- Management
- Analysis
- Team management
- Resume writing
- Business