In today's job market, technical expertise alone won't land you the job. While hard skills are essential, employers are increasingly prioritizing soft skills—those intangible abilities that shape how you interact with colleagues, adapt to change, and handle conflict.
In fact, according to a LinkedIn report, 91% of Learning and development professionals and employers consider soft skills as important as hard skills—if not more important!, as they're key to determining whether you'll be a good cultural fit for the organization.
In this article, we'll explore the soft skills definition, what soft skills employers are looking for right now (with insights from CEOs), and how you can effectively showcase them on your resume.
Highlight your soft skills in your next interview—check these amazing open jobs on The Muse and find the perfect fit for you »
What are soft skills?
Soft skills, also known as interpersonal or people skills, refer to traits that enable you to interact effectively and harmoniously with others. Unlike hard skills, which are specific, teachable abilities (like coding or accounting), soft skills are more about how you work rather than what you do.
These essential soft skills are particularly valuable because they’re transferable across industries and roles. Whether you're an engineer, marketer, or nurse, having solid soft skills will help you excel in any team or workplace.
Soft skills examples include attributes such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. Some are more desired than others, so let’s explore the top soft skills employers want and look for in their employees.
Top 10 examples of soft skills employers want in 2024
Here's a deep dive into each of the most wanted soft skills for the workplace:
1. Communication
Communication is more than just articulating ideas—it's about understanding and responding to others effectively. This includes active listening, clear writing, and nonverbal skills. As hybrid work continues to be popular, being able to clearly convey thoughts across various channels (email, video calls, etc) is crucial.
Effective communicators can break down complex ideas, ensuring team collaboration and minimizing misunderstandings. According to LinkedIn, communication consistently ranks as a top skill that employers look for.
Great communication skills can serve individuals and teams beyond just conveying business ideas effectively. “These skills are the glue for our teams,” says Rafi Friedman, president of Coastal Luxury Nocatee Pool Builders. “Those chats by the water cooler or in the parking lot, catching up on life events, talking about sports, and all the little off-topic conversations that happen when people work in the same space are what build the relationships that make our team function.”
How to highlight communication skills on your resume:
Emphasize your ability to present complex information, give examples of times you led meetings or resolved conflicts through effective communication, and tailor your communication style to suit diverse audiences.
2. Emotional intelligence (EQ)
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is about recognizing your own emotions and managing them, as well as understanding and empathizing with others. A high EQ can lead to better teamwork, conflict resolution, and leadership. In fact, 90% of top performers have high emotional intelligence, according to research presented in Emotional Intelligence 2.0, by Travis Bradberry and Jean Greaves.
“There’s a growing emphasis on emotional intelligence,” says Chris Sorensen, CEO of PhoneBurner. “I find this skill typically helps manage relationships, navigate conflict, and foster more cohesive teams.” With EQ, employees can navigate interpersonal relationships and maintain a positive work environment, especially in high-stress situations.
How to highlight emotional intelligence on your resume:
Mention examples where you resolved conflicts, demonstrated empathy in team projects, or used emotional awareness to lead teams through challenging situations.
3. Adaptability
With constant technological changes and evolving work environments, adaptability is a must-have skill. Employees who are quick to learn new tools, adjust to changing roles, or adapt to a fast-paced work culture are more likely to thrive. Employers want candidates who can pivot without losing focus.
“This often-underrated skill is increasingly in high demand,” says Harrison Tang, CEO of Spokeo. “The rapid pace of change in the business landscape necessitates adaptability. For instance, with new technologies emerging every year, I need my employees to be flexible enough to adapt quickly.”
How to highlight adaptability skills on your resume:
Showcase times when you embraced new tools, and processes, or took on new responsibilities. Be specific about how you handled change and stayed productive.
4. Problem-solving
Employers value those who can think critically and navigate complex problems without relying on constant supervision. Strong problem solvers can break down challenges, look at problems from different angles, and implement practical solutions efficiently. This is especially important in roles that require independence or leadership.
“I would much rather have an employee who made a mistake by trying to handle something on their own than one who sat there helplessly and waited for someone else to fix things,” says Andre Kazimierski, CEO of Improovy.
How to highlight problem-solving skills on your resume:
Provide examples of times when you solved complex issues, streamlined processes, or overcame project hurdles through innovative thinking.
5. Time management
With many employees working remotely, time management has become more essential than ever. Employers look for candidates who can handle multiple projects, manage deadlines, and deliver high-quality work without micromanagement. “Especially in fast-paced industries, knowing how to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines is invaluable,” says Daud Grewal, CEO of Tripshepherd.
How to highlight time management skills on your resume:
Detail how you've juggled multiple priorities, met deadlines consistently, or used organizational tools to manage your tasks efficiently.
6. Collaboration and teamwork
Even with the shift toward remote work, collaboration is still critical to success. Employers need team players who can work well with diverse groups, contribute to collective goals, and share ideas. Whether in-person or virtually, being a collaborative team member can significantly impact a company’s success.
“In our increasingly globalized and diverse work environment, the ability to understand, respect, and work effectively with individuals from various cultural backgrounds is paramount,” says Jason English, CEO of CG Tech. “Employees with cultural competence can navigate cross-cultural interactions smoothly, fostering a more inclusive workplace. As an employer, I want team members who can bridge cultural gaps and enhance collaboration within our diverse workforce.”
How to highlight collaboration and teamwork skills on your resume:
Mention specific projects where teamwork was key, the role you played, and how your collaboration contributed to achieving team objectives.
7. Leadership
Leadership isn't just for managers; each of us should feel comfortable taking initiative and inspiring others to achieve common goals. Employers value candidates who can lead by example, motivate their peers, and drive projects forward—regardless of their formal job title.
A Harvard Business Publishing survey revealed that skills like leading authentically, developing others, championing inclusion, and leading through uncertainty are critical for enhancing team engagement.
“Many people are looking at enlisting leaders who are able to not only handle stress but also build relationships and navigate workplace dynamics well,” says Aurelija Gintaliene, COO and co-founder of Breezit. “Leadership and persuasion are beneficial skills, even for non-management roles. People who can take on leadership stances regarding projects and within the team are valuable as well.”
How to highlight leadership skills on your resume:
Provide examples of when you led a project, mentored a colleague, or took charge in a critical situation to achieve a positive outcome.
8. Creativity
In an era where automation and AI are taking over routine tasks, creativity is a differentiator that can’t be replicated. Employers value individuals who can think outside the box, offer fresh perspectives, and innovate in ways that boost business performance.
“Employees who can generate innovative solutions to complex problems are invaluable,” English says. “I value team members who can combine analytical thinking with creativity to drive projects and initiatives forward.”
How to highlight creativity skills on your resume:
Include times when you introduced a new idea, solved a problem creatively, or developed a unique solution that led to improved outcomes.
9. Resilience
Resilience is about maintaining a positive attitude and bouncing back after setbacks. Given the uncertainty in today’s business landscape, employers seek individuals who can stay motivated, learn from failures, and maintain productivity even under pressure.
How to highlight resilience skills on your resume:
Provide examples where you overcame obstacles, demonstrated persistence in a tough situation, or adapted after experiencing a setback.
10. Negotiation
Negotiation is one of the soft skills that employers want, critical for reaching agreements, whether in contracts, project scope, or team conflicts. Successful negotiators can find common ground, advocate for their needs while considering others, and ensure smooth project progression.
How to highlight negotiation skills on your resume:
Share examples of times when you negotiated effectively, whether in securing a contract, resolving a dispute, or managing stakeholder expectations.
Beyond this list of soft skills: How to showcase any soft skill during your job search
Highlighting top soft skills on your resume can be challenging because they’re not as tangible as technical skills. However, with the right approach, you can effectively showcase them. In addition to the specific tips we've covered, here are some general strategies to help you highlight soft skills—and any skills, really—on your job search:
- Use examples in your experience section: Instead of just listing soft skills, integrate them into your job descriptions. For instance, instead of simply stating, “Strong communication skills” say, “Led cross-functional team meetings that improved project timelines by 15%.”
- Include them in your summary or objective: Your resume summary is a great place to mention your top soft skills. Focus on a few key skills that are highly relevant to the job you're applying for and back them up with results.
- Tailor your soft skills to the job description: Now that you know what soft skills employers are looking for, review the job posting carefully and identify which ones are mentioned or implied. Customize your resume to highlight the soft skills that align with the company’s needs.
- Leverage your cover letter: Your cover letter is an ideal place to expand on how your soft skills make you the perfect fit for the role. Share a specific example of how you've used these skills to achieve results.
- Demonstrate soft skills in your interview: An interview is where your soft skills really come to life. Be sure to demonstrate active listening, engage with enthusiasm, and ask thoughtful questions to showcase your interpersonal abilities.
By understanding the in demand soft skills and knowing how to effectively highlight them on your resume and during interviews, you’ll increase your chances of landing your next great role.