Soft skills refer to interpersonal skills that reflect your personal attributes. They demonstrate whether you can fit into a company’s culture and handle adversity. With the Coronavirus pandemic rapidly changing the job market, soft skills are more important than ever to employers. Mentioning these skills in your resume can help improve your chances of securing a job interview. Read on as we discuss the top soft skills that are important for technical roles.

1. Leadership

Leadership is one of the most sought-after qualities in a candidate. Good leaders are hard to come by, and according to Elucidat, there is a leadership gap in 77% of organizations. That’s why organizations are always looking for people with the capability of taking charge, displaying ownership, and guiding others.

If you believe you have good leadership skills, make sure you mention it on your resume. You can also provide examples that showcase your ability to lead. For instance, if your supervisor put you in charge of a project, you can discuss how you worked with your team to achieve a successful outcome.

2. Multitasking

Multitasking is the ability to manage different tasks simultaneously without dropping the ball on any of them. It requires a great deal of focus and can be difficult for most people. Employees that are good at multitasking accomplish more during the day. They are more productive, so it is among the top soft skills that employers need.

When you multitask, you also feel a sense of achievement and are motivated to continue working and minimize distractions. If you consider multitasking to be one of your strengths, we recommend adding it under your skills in your resume.

3. Positivity

If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that you can’t take anything for granted. The same holds true for the tech industry. Things change very rapidly within tech organizations, and not all of these changes are necessarily good. That’s why organizations need people with the ability to stay positive and make the best of a bad situation.

This soft skill is essential for team morale too. Instead of dwelling on the negative, you need to think of a potential solution that can help. If you can stay calm and optimistic amid high-pressure situations, then make sure to mention it on your resume. You can also present examples where you helped your team cope with a difficult situation.

4. Problem-solving

As a tech professional, you need problem-solving skills to sort through issues and manage challenges. A person with problem-solving skills can also handle their responsibilities and keep moving forward without requiring constant guidance.

5. Self-motivation

Self-motivation is closely linked to positivity and problem-solving. It is one of the top soft skills employers seek in candidates. Self-motivated employees understand their goals and look for more efficient ways to achieve them. They do not need constant reminders on what they need to do and tend to dig deep to provide more value to the organization.

Self-motivated employees are also more confident of their skills and abilities and take more initiative. If you believe you are good at self-motivation, do consider adding it to your resume.

6. Time management

With remote work becoming the new normal, time management is more critical than ever for organizations. It is directly linked to employee productivity. If you are applying for a remote job, be prepared to answer questions on time management in the interview too. The hiring manager may want to know what you do to maintain focus during the workday and manage your time.

7. Work ethic

A strong work ethic is another sought-after soft skill that hiring managers look for when recruiting candidates. It refers to staying focused on your tasks for as long as required to complete them. It demonstrates your dedication to your job. You need to be focused and persistent to manage your tasks efficiently and avoid distractions.

Employers also need teams with good work ethic due to the new work-from-home model. It reassures them their employees are managing their work without requiring constant supervision.

Wrapping It Up

As far as technical roles go, the chances are that you and other candidates will display a similar competency level in terms of hard skills. Having one or more of the above top soft skills can tip the scales in your favor. It can differentiate you from other candidates and strengthen your application.

Not sure? Review the duties of the position you’re applying for, and you’ll see some of the skills mentioned in the job description. If you are applying for technical roles in different industries, we recommend creating a custom resume for each. Good luck!

Are you finding it harder to locate the good technical and IT talent? Many companies find them selves in the same situation. There are some better ways to locate and attract the right it and technical people to your company. Contact us to learn more.