Last updated on Jul 19, 2024

Your team is split on the value of soft skills in interviews. How do you convince them of its importance?

When it comes to interviewing, there's often a debate about the importance of soft skills versus hard skills. Soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability, are sometimes underrated in the hiring process. Yet, these are the very traits that enable individuals to navigate complex work environments, collaborate effectively, and lead with empathy. Understanding how to assess and value these skills during interviews can be a game-changer for your team, ensuring that you bring on board not just qualified candidates, but those who will thrive and contribute positively to your company culture.

1 Soft Skills Defined

Soft skills refer to a cluster of personal attributes that describe a person's relationships with other people. In the workplace, these are the skills that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with colleagues and clients. Unlike hard skills, which are about a person's skill set and ability to perform a certain type of task or activity, soft skills are interpersonal and broadly applicable across job titles and industries. Convincing your team of their importance starts with defining what soft skills are and illustrating how they complement hard skills to create a well-rounded employee.

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Manisha Arya

Human Resources Partner at IndiGo | LinkedIn Top Voice
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Start by highlighting research that shows employees with strong soft skills tend to achieve better long-term success and adapt more effectively to changes in their roles. Emphasize that soft skills like communication and empathy are crucial for resolving conflicts and fostering a collaborative work environment, which directly impacts team dynamics and productivity. Explain that these skills often contribute to innovative thinking and creative problem-solving, both of which are essential for the company's growth and competitive edge. Point out that employees with well-developed soft skills are more likely to stay with the company, reducing turnover rates and the associated costs of hiring and training new staff.

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India Epps, MHRM

Sr. Talent Acquisition Partner at Novolex
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Soft skills are characterized by interpersonal abilities like how someone interacts with others, their approach to their work in terms of problem-solving, organization, etc. and ability to contribute to a positive work environment

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Adeel Hassan

Recruitment / Talent Acquisition /Employee Branding
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Soft skills enhance teamwork, communication, and adaptability, crucial for a positive work environment. They improve problem-solving and collaboration, driving long-term success. Ignoring them risks missing growth opportunities and innovation.

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2 Interview Techniques

Effective interviewing techniques can highlight a candidate's soft skills. Encourage your team to ask open-ended questions that require candidates to discuss past experiences and behaviors. This approach, often referred to as behavioral interviewing, can provide deeper insights into how a candidate operates in various situations. By focusing on scenarios that require problem-solving, teamwork, or conflict resolution, interviewers can gauge the soft skills that a resume cannot convey.

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India Epps, MHRM

Sr. Talent Acquisition Partner at Novolex
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I believe behavioral interview questions are the best way to get candidates to describe experiences that demonstrate specific soft skills. It's important to also pay attention to how candidates interact with others during the interview process. For candidates, this is another opportunity to prepare in advance with specific examples of experiences that highlight soft skills and use the STAR method to structure responses.

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3 Team Dynamics

The impact of soft skills on team dynamics cannot be overstated. A team with members who possess strong soft skills can communicate better, resolve conflicts more efficiently, and work together more cohesively. When your team understands that soft skills contribute to a positive work environment and can actually enhance productivity, they may start to see them as equally important as technical abilities.

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4 Organizational Culture

Soft skills are the backbone of a strong organizational culture. They determine how employees interact with each other and shape the overall work atmosphere. When interviewing candidates, assessing their soft skills can help predict how well they will fit into the company culture. Your team should recognize that candidates who align with the company's values and work style are likely to be more satisfied and stay longer, reducing turnover and fostering stability.

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India Epps, MHRM

Sr. Talent Acquisition Partner at Novolex
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Soft skills are extremely important and often a key deciding factor in hiring decisions. Soft skills such as communication, teamwork, problem solving and adaptability can set a candidate apart from others with similar qualifications. By focusing on soft skills during the interview process, hiring managers can build teams that align and contribute to the overall company culture.

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5 Leadership Potential

Leadership potential is often rooted in soft skills. While technical expertise can earn someone a leadership role, soft skills are what make them successful in it. Leaders need to motivate, inspire, and guide their teams. By evaluating a candidate's soft skills during an interview, your team can identify those with the potential to lead effectively, ensuring a pipeline of capable future leaders for your organization.

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6 Customer Engagement

Lastly, soft skills are critical for customer engagement. Employees who excel at communication and empathy can provide better customer service, leading to higher satisfaction and loyalty. Highlighting this point may help your team realize that soft skills directly contribute to the company's bottom line by enhancing customer relationships and building a strong reputation in the market.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Your team is split on the value of soft skills in interviews. How do you convince them of its importance?

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3

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5

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1 Soft Skills Defined

2 Interview Techniques

3 Team Dynamics

4 Organizational Culture

5 Leadership Potential

6 Customer Engagement

7 Here’s what else to consider

Interviewing

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Your team is split on the value of soft skills in interviews. How do you convince them of its importance?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Soft Skills Defined

2 Interview Techniques

3 Team Dynamics

4 Organizational Culture

5 Leadership Potential

6 Customer Engagement

7 Here’s what else to consider

Interviewing

Rate this article

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