Showcasing both your hard skills and soft skills is essential when writing an effective job application. This can make it easier for the hiring manager to identify the key differences between you and other applicants that could persuade them to invite you to an interview.
What are hard skills vs soft skills and how can you highlight these in your job application and during an interview?
What are hard skills?
Some potential employers will want to know that you have the technical skills required for the job you're applying for. These job specific skills can be referred to as hard skills. These are often skills that you have developed from a qualification, licence, certification, or on-the-job training. Examples of hard skills include:
- Advanced skills with specific word processing or spreadsheet software
- Ability to use Point-of-Sale (POS) equipment
- Intermediate skills in coding using HTML, CSS, or Javascript
- Proficiency with Customer Relations Management (CRM) software
- Speaking and/or writing in a foreign language
- Typing (include a speed) and proofreading skills
- Accounting and bookkeeping skills
- An industry licence, such as a forklift licence
- A certificate, diploma, degree, or other qualifications
What are soft skills?
Many employers are now looking for what soft skills job seekers have. These skills can be of more value to a potential employer than your hard skills. They will want to know if you can work in a team, communicate effectively, are organised, and will contribute to the workplace. These skills can also be called employability skills and are a major component of your transferable skill set. Soft skills can be influenced by your personality traits, personal habits, and life experience, but soft skills can also be developed through soft skills training. Being able to quickly learn on-the-job and develop new skills is in itself a great soft skill to have.
Here are some soft skills and why an employer might be interested in them:
- Teamwork skills are your ability to work generally with others or work more specifically with a group on a project. This will demonstrate to an employer that you can communicate, listen, and understand the needs of others.
- Communication skills range from written, verbal, and body language to listening skills. People who communicate effectively work well with others. In a customer service role, these skills can help you create a positive customer experience.
- Problem-solving is your ability to resolve issues effectively and in a timely manner. An employer will value that you can research, consult with stakeholders and colleagues, and develop sustainable solutions to problems.
- Critical thinking is a process of assessing and analysing a situation or process. People who think critically, ask questions, think about things from different perspectives, make suggestions for improvements, and make a positive contribution to the workplace.
- Time management skills demonstrate to an employer that you will be productive and complete your work on time. You will be able to show that you can plan and prioritise tasks, set goals, and follow work processes efficiently. You may also be able to showcase to a potential employer your great organisational skills which enable you to manage your time effectively.
- Emotional intelligence is the ability for you to recognise and manage your emotions. This shows a high degree of self-awareness, self-regulation, and motivation. You will have an excellent understanding of how your actions impact others and display strong social skills.
How to highlight your skills in your job application
It is important to recognise what skills you have and highlight these on your resume and cover letter. To include these on your resume or curriculum vitae (CV), you can list your licences and qualifications in sections titled “licences” and “qualifications”, or you could simply group them together under an “education” section. For the specific technical knowledge you have, you could consider listing these in a dedicated skills section. This skills section could also include your soft skills.
You could also highlight these skills when you write about your responsibilities and achievements for your work experience.
Examples for hard skills with specific technology or software:•
- Store assistant: Served over 50 customers per shift and successfully completed the transactions using POS equipment.
- Website content developer: Redeveloped a business website using WordPress within 2 months which included affiliate marketing plugins with great feedback from the business owner.
Examples for soft skills that demonstrate strong communication skills:
- Waitperson: Ensured high customer satisfaction through greeting customers in a friendly manner, taking their orders, and answering any questions they had.
- Training manager: Delivered effective compliance training for over 50 store managers with great feedback around my communication and presentation skills.
Make sure you tailor you resume and cover letter to highlight the hard skills and soft skills that are mentioned in the job description. Many job descriptions will not only list the job function but also include the specific skills the employer is looking for.
How to highlight your skills in an interview
Many interview questions will focus on your skills, including your soft skills. You can highlight your communication skills, organisational skills, and social skills throughout the interview. Make sure you turn up on time, consider the impact of your body language, speak clearly, clarify information by asking questions, and do your research to show that you are prepared for the interview.
In your answers to the interviewer’s questions use examples to demonstrate the skills that you have and how this can benefit the employer. A great approach is to answer questions using the STAR technique. That is, describe the situation, explain the task and actions you took, and let them know about the result. By using examples, you can highlight many of your soft skills.
For example, in a role for a retail store manager, you had an upset and irate customer (situation) that you needed to calm down (task), you apologised to the customer and listened to their concerns (action) which de-escalated the situation (result). The customer mentioned to the business owner on their way out that you had excellent customer service skills (bonus result). This example highlights your customer service skills, your conflict managements skills, and your communication skills, particularly your active listening skills.
Through highlighting all your relevant skills hard skills and soft skills in your job application and during an interview you put yourself great place to succeed in gaining that new job.
For more interview tips and resources to help you with your job, or to find a job, get started with Employable Me.
