When most people think of career growth or hiring top talent, their minds go straight to hard skills: degrees, certifications, and years of experience. But research consistently shows that soft skills, including communication, adaptability, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence, are what set apart thriving professionals and high-performing teams.
And September, with its back-to-business energy, is the perfect time to refocus on the human side of work.
Why Soft Skills Matter More Than Ever
According to LinkedIn’s Global Talent Trends report, 92% of talent professionals say soft skills are just as important as hard skills. Skills like collaboration, leadership, and resilience have become critical as workplaces evolve, teams go hybrid, and industries face rapid change.
- What does this mean for job seekers? Soft skills are often the deciding factor between two equally qualified candidates.
- What does this mean for hiring managers? Teams with strong emotional intelligence perform 20% better, according to Harvard research, because they communicate effectively and solve conflicts faster.
For Job Seekers: Show, Don’t Just Tell
It’s easy to write “good communicator” on a résumé. It can be harder to show it, but this can be done!
- Turn Skills into Stories
Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to share moments when your collaboration, adaptability, or leadership made a measurable impact. Check out our blog post on the STAR method! https://www.ebsrecruiters.com/news/interview-tips/ - Prepare for Behavioral Interviews
Expect questions like “Tell me about a time you had to work with a difficult teammate.” These are gold opportunities to highlight your emotional intelligence. - Practice Listening as Much as Talking
Strong listening skills make interviews more conversational and leave a positive impression.
For Hiring Managers: Hire for Growth Potential
With Q4 around the corner, the temptation is to hire quickly. But this is when looking beyond the résumé can pay off!
- Prioritize Core Competencies
Instead of hiring for a checklist of hard skills, ask: “Can this person learn quickly? Do they collaborate well?” - Use Soft-Skill-Driven Assessments
Consider adding assessments for communication style, adaptability, or leadership potential — especially for roles that require cross-functional collaboration. - Invest in Development
Even the most skilled hire can benefit from coaching or training. Create programs that build empathy, resilience, and decision-making skills.
For Job Seekers and Hiring Managers: Consider the Data
- 89% of hiring managers say when a new hire doesn’t work out, it’s because they lacked soft skills, not technical ones.
- Companies that prioritize soft skill development see a 12% boost in productivity and a 30% increase in employee engagement.
- Employees with high emotional intelligence are 4x less likely to leave a company, reducing costly turnover.
The Bottom Line
As September kicks off, it’s a great moment to shift focus from just “filling roles” or “updating résumés” to building and showcasing the soft skills that fuel lasting success. Whether you’re job hunting or hiring, putting people skills at the center of the process leads to better outcomes for careers, teams, and organizations.
