There is mounting evidence that soft skills are not only the key to success in today’s work environment, but a critical factor considered by 93 percent of employers when deciding who to hire for technical positions.
The challenge for tech job seekers is knowing which soft skills are important and then demonstrating those skills in interviews, especially when responding to questions that are technical in nature.
As an illustration, a recent analysis of job postings lists 21 soft skills that employers want tech workers to have. That’s a lot by any standard.
So let’s attempt to cut through the noise. Here are three tips for choosing which soft skills to focus on, as well as some ways to draw them out when responding to interview questions.
Decide What You Should Focus On
Start by selecting a few evergreen, high-impact behaviors, traits and competencies; for example:
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Leadership
- Teamwork
These matter across the board in every tech position, advised Larry Jacobson, an engineering manager, founder and coach at Expert Interview Prep.
To flesh out your list, go one step further by researching the company’s values, culture, and principles. Use that information to consider the biggest challenges its tech managers face on a daily basis. Then figure out which soft skills you have that align with those goals, and therefore would be viewed as an asset.
For example: if a company talks about being customer-centric or customer-obsessed on its website, emphasizing traits and soft skills such as empathy, active listening, conflict resolution and emotional intelligence when describing your prior experience or projects can set you apart.
“Put yourself in the manager’s shoes,” noted Kay Livingston Ash, CEO of The Ash Group, a staffing and recruiting company.
For instance, given the current recession concerns, budget and staff cuts, Ash says managers are looking for tech pros who have proven to be adaptable in their approach to solving problems and resilient even when faced with unexpected changes or disruptions. Her experience is supported by numerous surveys which show that being adaptable to changing environments and conditions reclaimed the top spot as an essential trait during the pandemic and shift to remote work.
Create a ‘Story Bank’
Brainstorm some examples of where you’ve married the soft skills on your list with the top technical skills in a prospective employer’s job posting to drive results, overcome obstacles and achieve goals. Ask former colleagues and managers for their opinions on your previous performances, then strategically incorporate their feedback into your vignettes.
It’s very hard to come up with a good story on the fly. Practicing well-crafted and interesting stories ahead of time that convey your strengths will help you feel more confident and seem more authentic and honest—which will help to build trust with the interviewer, Jacobson noted.
What you want to show is that you are consciously competent, meaning that you are cognizant of the role that soft skills play in driving results and creating solutions. Because of that, you have the ability to apply them in a deliberate and meaningful way.
Think of emotional intelligence (EQ) as the glue that holds people together when describing your soft skills, Ash advised. Research shows that EQ is one of the most in-demand skills in the professional world today and even leads to better performance, higher pay and promotions.
When you describe examples of how you’ve changed directions or rebounded from disappointment to demonstrate adaptability, for instance, talk about how other people were impacted and show humility.
Being able to deeply connect with people is a next-level ability that will help you be viewed as an asset today and long into the future.
Steer the Conversation Toward Your Strengths
You can demonstrate EQ and gently steer the conversation toward your strongest soft skills by asking insightful questions at appropriate times during the interview.
For instance, after answering a series of advanced Python questions or solving a problem on a whiteboard, ask the interviewer: “Can you tell me how I can use my Python knowledge to add value to the team?” or, “Now that you’ve had a chance to explore my Python skills, would you like me tell you how I used Python basics and problem solving skills to help marketing pull fresh data from the same websites?”
In that way, you go from simply responding to technical questions to adding value. Plus, you’ve gained an opportunity to share information about your intangible skills that will set you apart.
While it’s customary to weave “stories” or strategic examples of your soft skills and competencies into one of the established formats when responding to various types of interview questions, the key to making these attributes stand out is to go beyond telling the interviewer what you did. In addition, explain how you did it, in order to give your interviewer insights into your thought process and workflow.
Don't underestimate the importance of nonverbal soft skills, as well. Your facial expressions, tone and body language can help you communicate critical soft skills such as empathy, enthusiasm, listening and motivation.
If the interviewer asks you about a soft skill you don’t have, like how you’ve maintained successful relationships with external customers, simply pivot to a skill you have. For example, say something like: “I have considerable experience designing solutions for internal customers, and think of them as equally important to external customers. Here’s how I’ve met their needs by understanding their issues and earning their trust and support.”
