Differentiating Yourself with Soft Skills and Character Skills
by Pauline Fournier
I’ve seen a lot written recently about soft and/or character skills. Many job seekers struggle to demonstrate such skills. Being able to listen and speak about your soft and character skills could give you a competitive advantage over candidates who list only the technical skills required to do the job.
Soft skills and character skills are essential to career development and advancement.
Soft skills are typically defined as interpersonal and social skills facilitating effective interaction and communication. They are about how you work rather than what you know. Soft skills include communication, problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and emotional intelligence.
Character skills relate to a person’s moral and ethical attributes. They reflect who a person is, influence behavior and decision-making processes, and focus on an individual’s values and ethical conduct. Character skills include integrity, respect, resilience, empathy, and humility.
Soft skills can be developed through coaching and practice, whereas character skills are often deeply ingrained and reflect your core values.
Soft skills and character skills often complement one another. Honesty (a character skill) is essential for effective communication (a soft skill). Empathy (a character skill) enhances your ability to build relationships (a soft skill).
Why are soft and character skills important to an employer?
A hiring manager looks for candidates who can do the job and are a good fit with the rest of the team. They look for candidates whose character aligns with the organization’s values or mission.
Employers value soft skills such as communication, empathy, and teamwork because they can lead to collaboration, reduced conflicts, and a more cohesive work environment. Employees with character skills like respect, integrity, and humility contribute to a more positive and ethical workplace culture.
Character traits like perseverance and resilience show that a candidate can handle setbacks, remain motivated, and will continue striving toward goals despite challenges. Soft skills like adaptability and problem-solving are essential in today’s ever-changing work environments. Employers need employees who can quickly adjust to new challenges, learn new skills, and remain effective under pressure.
Why use soft and character skills to market yourself?
Candidates can differentiate themselves by using various skills on their resumes and LinkedIn profiles. It is critical to have technical skills listed, and most resumes do. What is often lacking are soft or character skills. It isn’t just about a list of words. It is also about how you excel at those skills. The goal is to show, not tell, by letting your experience speak for itself.
Instead of describing yourself as “a project manager who successfully collaborates with team members, adapts to changing priorities, and resolves conflicts efficiently,” give an example of a project where you collaborated with a team to achieve a specific goal.
Candidates often ask how to find the right keywords or skills for their resume or LinkedIn profile. Most employers incorporate the technical, soft, and character skills they seek in a job posting. Sometimes, they are spelled out clearly; other times, they may not be as clear, but there are strong hints. For example, if a job posting says you must be able to identify issues and develop innovative solutions, they are looking for a problem-solver with critical thinking skills. Make sure you address this in either your summary or accomplishment statements. Consider the skills required to do the job and ensure you are marketing those skills with specific examples.
As you prepare to network, ask those who know you and your work well to name your top 3-5 soft or character skills. People are willing to help you. I’ve suggested this assignment to many candidates who return and tell me they are overwhelmed by the response. It is often easier to see these skills in someone else than in ourselves.
LinkedIn recently increased the number of skills you can list from 50 to 100. That’s a lot of skills! Again, ensure you list all required skills in your profile – if you have them. It’s OK to be redundant because employers will use different versions of keywords. One job posting may say problem-solving, whereas others may use critical thinking or innovative solutions to mean the same thing.
Other ways to demonstrate soft and character skills in your job search
Behavioral interviews: Use your soft and character skills to prepare your STAR stories. Rather than simply listing the skills, take the opportunity to demonstrate them by providing an example of how those skills led to a positive outcome.
Networking or informational interviews: Ask your network for recommendations or testimonials of your work, including soft skills. When asking someone to be a reference, let them know which skills to highlight. When attending a networking meeting or informational interview, actively listen and ask thoughtful questions. After the meeting, send a thank you letter further reiterating your soft and character skills as well as your technical skills.
Cover letter: When writing a cover letter, tailor your language to the job posting to show your skills and impact in previous roles. Choose an accomplishment or two that highlights the many skills they seek.
Volunteer work: Participate in activities to develop and demonstrate soft skills in a practical setting and include them as appropriate in your STAR stories.
The bottom line: Showcasing your soft and character skills can set you apart in a crowded job market. While technical abilities are essential, your interpersonal skills and core values often make a lasting impression. By integrating these into your resume, LinkedIn profile, and interviews, you’ll demonstrate your qualifications and potential to be a valuable contributor to any team. Remember, it’s not just about what you know but how you work and who you are. These qualities can be the key to landing your next opportunity and thriving in your career.
