Hard Skills vs Soft Skills: Key Differences and Examples
The world of work is becoming increasingly competitive, especially for job seekers who are still proving their worth to employers. That's why mastering both your hard and soft skills isn't just an advantage, it's essential.
LinkedIn's 2024 Global Talent Trends Report states that 92% of talent professionals believe soft skills are equally or more important to hire for than hard skills. However, as a professional talent, you have to make sure that you maximize both your hard skills and soft skills to your advantage.
As employers continuously refine their expectations, holding on to this standard will help your career. Whether you're just starting your journey or seeking a new career, a balanced skill set can set you apart during the interview phase and well into your professional life.
What are hard skills?
Hard skills are technical skills or measurable abilities that you typically learn through formal education, certification, and comprehensive training programs, or on-the-job training.
These are the specialized skills that employers list in the job description as they pertain to your technical knowledge and your ability to perform specific tasks relevant to the job position that you're applying for.
Hard and soft skills are both necessary, but hard skills are often considered the baseline requirement for most jobs. They are concrete, quantifiable, and can be taught through online courses, classroom education, and most especially, practical experience.
Hard skills examples
You'll find that hard skills examples vary greatly across different professions and industries, as each specific job may require a unique skill set. Here are some of the most in-demand hard skills for today's labor market:
| Skill group | Hard skills |
|---|---|
| Computer programming languages | Python, Java, C++, JavaScript |
| Data analysis | Statistical analysis, Microsoft Excel, data visualization |
| Foreign language proficiency | Spanish, Mandarin, French, German |
| Project management | Agile methodologies, performance tracking, budgeting, and scheduling |
| Technical knowledge in specialized skills | Mechanical engineering, computer-aided design (CAD), electrical repair |
| Digital marketing | SEO, SEM, email marketing, and content creation |
| Copywriting and editing | Blog writing, content writing |
| Machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) | AI prompt engineering, robotics |
| Accounting and bookkeeping | Microsoft Excel, QuickBooks |
| Information security | Cybersecurity, penetration testing |
| Medical and scientific research procedures | Surgical operations, cardiology |
For example, a job in IT might require hard skills such as troubleshooting, proficiency in certain programming languages, or managing databases. Meanwhile, a finance role may demand skills like data analysis, financial modeling, and knowledge of industry-standard reporting tools.
What are soft skills?
Soft skills refer to a combination of interpersonal skills, personality traits, and abilities that influence how you interact, communicate, and build relationships in the workplace.
Unlike hard skills, soft skills are less about specific task-based abilities and more about your approach to tasks, people, and challenges. Soft and hard skills are equally important: while hard skills may get you the interview, soft skills such as effective communication or emotional intelligence often determine how well you'll thrive in a new role.
Many employers now prioritize candidates' people skills because they are essential for effective teamwork across different jobs and industries.
Examples of soft skills
Here are some key soft skill examples that are highly valued for career success:
| Skill group | Soft skills |
|---|---|
| Communication | Verbal, written, active listening, and conflict resolution |
| Critical thinking | Problem-solving, strategic thinking, and attention to detail |
| Self-improvement | Time management, adaptability and flexibility, work ethic, creativity and innovation, organization, resilience |
| People skills | Relationship building, teamwork, leadership skills and mentoring, emotional intelligence, positive attitude |
For instance, a project manager's success depends just as much on their ability to communicate, motivate, and manage teams as on their technical knowledge gained from specific training programs.
Hard skills vs soft skills: What are the differences?
The most significant difference between hard skills and soft skills lies in their development and application. But to give you a clearer picture, here's a clear comparison:
| Feature | Soft skills | Hard skills |
|---|---|---|
| Acquisition | Life experience, personal habits, relationship-building, and training programs | Formal education, on-the-job training, online courses, certifications |
| Measurement | Qualitative, typically assessed through observation or feedback | Quantifiable, testable, and often industry-specific |
| Job relevance | Transferable across different jobs and professions | Tied to specific job or technical tasks |
| Examples | Leadership, critical thinking, active listening, and time management | Programming languages, data analysis, Microsoft Excel, and using certain machinery |
| Importance | Essential for workplace culture, personal growth, and effective teamwork | Foundation for meeting the requirements of the job |
| Lifespan | Stay relevant throughout your whole life and career | Can become obsolete with new technology (AI) |
Both hard and soft skills are equally important. Most jobs today require a blend of technical and interpersonal skills. The ability to demonstrate both during the interview phase is a major indicator of future performance and can be the key reason many employers choose one candidate over another.
How to include hard skills and soft skills on your resume?
A compelling resume highlights both hard skills and soft skills in a way that matches the job description and makes a strong case for your candidacy. Here are practical tips for optimizing your resume to increase your chances of career success:
1. Use a dedicated skills section
List your technical skills and measurable abilities under the "Skills" or "Technical Skills" section. Make sure to tailor this to include the hard skills examples most relevant to the specific job.
Example of Technical Skills:
- Data Analysis
- Python Programming
- Microsoft Excel
- Project Management (Agile)
- Foreign Language: Spanish
- Information Security
2. Highlight soft skills in experience bullet points
Integrate key soft skills throughout the bullet points in your "Experience" section. Align your examples to what the job requires and demonstrate metrics or outcomes when possible.
Example:
- Led cross-functional teams using effective communication and critical thinking to deliver projects ahead of deadlines.
- Utilized active listening and relationship-building to resolve client conflicts, resulting in a 15% improvement in customer satisfaction scores.
3. Reflect both hard and soft skills in your cover letter
Your cover letter is the perfect place to discuss not just what you can do, but how you work. Emphasize how soft and hard skills contributed to your past career success and how you plan to leverage them in your new career.
4. Align skills with the job description
Study the job description closely and use keywords relevant to both hard and soft skills. This makes it easy for human resources and applicant tracking systems to identify you as an ideal fit.
5. Show continual skill development
Demonstrate your commitment to learning through online courses or certifications. Employers value candidates who consistently develop hard skills and work on evolving their people skills through life experience and comprehensive training.
In summary, the difference between hard skills and soft skills isn't just semantics. It fundamentally shapes your employability and day-to-day success at work. Therefore, it's crucial to invest in developing both to build a well-rounded, future-proof career.
Whether you're listing programming languages, technical knowledge, leadership skills, or emotional intelligence-remember that it's the combination of measurable abilities and interpersonal skills that unlocks true professional growth.
Do you know what's the next step after figuring out your hard skills and soft skills? It's to level up your preparations and discover your expected salary based on your job title and location using the Personal Salary Report.
