What Makes a Good Employee? Hard Skills vs Soft Skills.

Crawford Thomas Recruiting Blog

When it comes to being a strong candidate for a new job, both hard skills and soft skills are important to consider. Hard skills are teachable abilities and knowledge that are specific to a certain industry or job function, while soft skills are more personal attributes that are often transferable to various roles and industries. Here are five examples of each:

Hard Skills:

  1. Technical skills: These are abilities related to the use of technology and software, such as programming, web design, or using specific software programs. These skills are important in fields such as engineering, computer science, or digital marketing.
  2. Data analysis: This is the ability to analyze, interpret and draw conclusions from data. It is important in fields such as business, finance, and marketing.
  3. Project management: This involves planning, organizing, and leading projects to completion. It is important in fields such as construction, software development, or event planning.
  4. Language proficiency: This refers to the ability to speak, write, and understand one or more foreign languages. It is important in fields such as international business, translation, or diplomacy.
  5. Sales and marketing: This involves the ability to identify customer needs, create sales strategies, and execute them effectively. It is important in fields such as retail, advertising, and public relations.

Soft Skills:

  1. Communication: This involves the ability to express ideas and information clearly and effectively. It is important in almost every job, from customer service to management.
  2. Teamwork: This involves the ability to work effectively with others towards a common goal. It is important in almost every job, from administrative assistants to engineers.
  3. Time management: This involves the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. It is important in almost every job, from entry-level positions to executive positions.
  4. Leadership: This involves the ability to motivate and guide a team towards achieving a goal. It is important in management and leadership positions.
  5. Adaptability: This involves the ability to adjust to changing situations and environments. It is important in fields that require flexibility, such as healthcare or emergency services.

Overall, both hard skills and soft skills are important for being a good candidate for a new job. While hard skills are often specific to a certain job or industry, soft skills are transferable and valuable in many different roles. Employers look for candidates who possess a combination of both types of skills, as they will be able to contribute to the company in a more well-rounded way.

Crawford Thomas Recruiting:

Crawford Thomas is a team of leading HR recruiters. We not only fill staffing needs, we partner with organizations to find out how their recruiting needs tie into their business objectives. Through this, we are able to meet your staffing needs in a way that achieves organizational success.

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Crawford Thomas RecruitingWhat Makes a Good Employee? Hard Skills vs Soft Skills.