Hard skills vs soft skills: definitions and examples

Jobstreet content team – updated on 24 April, 2024

Job descriptions in Singapore often list the skills employers want. These skills typically fall into two categories: hard skills and soft skills. The right abilities can make you stand out from other applicants vying for the same job. Let's examine the differences between hard and soft skills. You'll see why you need both.

Here's what we'll explore: 

What are soft skills?
Examples of soft skills valued in the workforce
What are hard skills? 
Examples of hard skills valued in the workforce
Which is more important in the workforce: hard skills or soft skills?
How to highlight hard skills and soft skills in your resume
How to highlight hard skills and soft skills during an interview
How to develop soft skills at work 
How to develop hard skills at work 
Applying hard skills and soft skills in the workplace
Conclusion
FAQs

What are soft skills?

Soft skills are about how you work with others. It is interpersonal abilities that help you interact effectively with your colleagues. Soft skills include managing time, handling situations, and communicating.

Soft skills are often part of who you are, but you can learn and improve them with practice. Teamwork, leadership, and adaptability are all examples of soft skills.

Robust soft skills are vital for doing well at work. Good communication helps you share ideas. Similarly, leadership skills help manage teams better and get more done.

These skills also help you build positive relationships, making you a valuable employee regardless of your job.

Examples of soft skills valued in the workforce  

Employers value soft skills. 93% say that soft skills are important when deciding who to hire.

Some examples of valuable soft skills are:

creativity
empathy
teamwork
problem-solving
critical thinking
adaptability and flexibility
organisation
integrity
effective communication
reliability and dependability
open-mindedness
punctuality
time management
attention to detail
strategic thinking
conflict resolution
work ethic

What are hard skills?  

Hard skills, also called technical skills, are the specific abilities and knowledge needed to perform certain tasks. Examples include video editing, coding, carpentry, and teaching.

For instance, if you work in an advertising agency, you need graphic design skills. You would use these skills to create social media posts with software. And if you are a nurse, you must know how to draw blood and administer injections. These skills are crucial for doing your job well.

Individuals learn hard skills through hands-on training or professional development experience. For example, you might learn programming skills through an online boot camp.

You can learn hard skills from apprenticeship or vocational programs. It teaches skills such as carpentry or plumbing. Hard skills are easier to quantify and measure than soft skills. Employers can gauge your abilities through skill assessments, certifications, and your portfolio.

Examples of hard skills valued in the workforce  

Some hard-skills examples that employers often seek include:

data analytics 
data mining
statistical analysis
network security
knowledge of Adobe software suite
user interface design
mobile development
programming languages, such as Java, Python, Perl, and Ruby
SEO or SEM marketing
marketing campaign management
translation

Which are more important in the workforce: Hard skills or soft skills?

Both hard skills and soft skills hold immense value in the eyes of employers. Hard skills give you specific abilities to do tasks well. While soft skills enhance the use and effectiveness of these hard skills.

A good work environment also relies on employees' strong soft and hard skills. A GovInsider article says employers now prefer job seekers with these skills, no longer relying only on academic degrees.

Today's jobs demand specific technical abilities, such as cloud architecture and machine learning engineering. Employers favor candidates who possess highly specialised hard skills tailored to these positions. Standing out in these fields involves mastering intricate skills that demand specialized knowledge.

In contrast, those roles focus on interactions, including sales, HR, and coaching. These jobs value soft skills and rely on good communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution. These skills are used to build strong relationships, promote collaboration, and navigate interpersonal dynamics well.

How to highlight hard skills and soft skills in your resume

Identify your best skills

First, identify your top skills and create a list of them.

Review the job description and research the company

Next, thoroughly review the job description and note the keywords in it.

For example, the job description may say that an ideal employee should know certain programming languages or be able to work in a fast-paced environment.

Research the company by visiting its website to understand the characteristics it values in employees. You can also read reviews of previous or existing employees and any media reports to help you understand the company better.

Incorporate relevant keywords into your resume

Last, incorporate the relevant keywords in your resume. You can place them in various sections, such as experience, education, and skills.

For example, a job description could state that applicants should know how to use certain accounting software. You can mention you used it in a university-level project or your previous role.

Create two lists under the skills section – one for hard, or technical, skills and another for soft skills. List your best skills under each one according to the requirements of the role.

Here's a sample resume template showing how to display your hard and soft skills: 

[Full name]
[Location]
[Contact number], [Email address]
[Social media handles]

Professional Summary

[Write two or three sentences summarising your years of professional experience, key accomplishments, top skills, and career goals.]

Skills

Work experience 

[Job title]
[Company name], [Employment period]

[Brief description of your responsibilities or achievements]
[Brief description of your responsibilities or achievements]
[Brief description of your responsibilities or achievements]

[Job title]
[Company name], [Employment period]

[Brief description of your responsibilities or achievements]
[Brief description of your responsibilities or achievements]
[Brief description of your responsibilities or achievements]

[Job title]
[Company name], [Employment period]

[Brief description of your responsibilities or achievements]
[Brief description of your responsibilities or achievements]
[Brief description of your responsibilities or achievements]

Education

[Degree]
[Name of educational institution], [Year of graduation]

[Honours or other academic achievements]
[Relevant coursework]
[Extracurricular activities or organisations]

Certifications

[Certification]
[Name of certifying organisation], [Year earned]

How to highlight hard skills and soft skills during an interview  

When you get an interview invitation, it's your chance to show your soft skills. You should also explain your hard skills in detail.

Here's how you can achieve this:

Provide a more in-depth explanation of your education, training, and experience: Describe how you acquired particular hard skills through coursework or projects at your university or polytechnic. Utilise the STAR technique to illustrate how you learned and utilised relevant hard skills during internships and previous employment.
Show your portfolio: Portfolios hold significant value, particularly for creative positions like modelling, photography, writing, graphic design, artistry, and videography. Consider compiling a portfolio, either in physical or digital format, which you can showcase using a portable device.
Answer technical questions: For positions like cybersecurity specialist or mathematician, where specialised expertise is crucial, employers might assess your proficiency in specific software or problem-solving skills. To perform well in these areas, dedicate time to preparing for skills tests by studying sample questions available online.
Ask follow-up or clarifying questions: Showcase your hard skills by posing targeted inquiries related to the position, such as the team's content management system. This approach underscores your expertise and demonstrates that your hard skills are up to date.
Understand the company's current situation: Inquire about the company's recent projects or future objectives. Then, discuss how you can leverage your hard skills to contribute effectively. Additionally, express your willingness to enhance your skills through advanced education, such as pursuing a master's degree or obtaining a certificate from government-sponsored programs like the SkillsFuture Level-Up Program, to support your professional growth further.

Here are some ways to prove your soft skills during the interview: 

Arrive early to the interview: This is an excellent way to show you are punctual and dependable. This would help the employer to feel confident that you'll be a reliable employee.
Show enthusiasm: Employers want to hire someone who shows excitement about working for the company. They want someone passionate about their work. Your responses and body language should show excitement about the job.
Don't interrupt the interviewer: Allowing the interviewer to finish talking highlights your active listening skills and shows respect for others.
Give real-life examples of collaborative work: When sharing your experiences, include examples of how you worked as part of a team or resolved conflicts. This will show your collaboration and interpersonal skills.

How to develop soft skills at work 

Start strengthening your soft skills by following these tips: 

Communicate often: Utilise various communication channels like face-to-face conversations, emails, and presentations. Pay attention to your tone, body language, and the message you convey. Adapt your communication style based on the individual and the context of your interactions.
Get out of your comfort zone: Challenge yourself to develop new soft skills or enhance existing ones. If you struggle with decision-making or conflict resolution, take on leadership roles to cultivate these skills and become more adept at handling disagreements.
Be more observant of those around you: Pay attention to how those around you communicate, manage conflicts, and fulfil their responsibilities. Identify behaviours you admire, such as constructive feedback from a manager, and those you wish to avoid, like intrusive questioning from a colleague. Use these observations to refine your soft skills and behaviours. 
Be proactive in working with others:  Approach your colleagues for help when you face challenges at work. Contribute actively during team meetings. These can help you develop your teamwork skills.

Measuring soft skills is tricky because it lacks concrete benchmarks or universal standards. But you can monitor your progress. Just ask for feedback from your manager and colleagues.

This feedback can give you valuable insights into your development. It covers areas such as teamwork and people skills and will help you find areas for improvement.

Soft skills can be challenging to develop because they require time and risk-taking. Some soft skills may also be hard to acquire due to your personality. For example, if you are shy, it may take much effort and time. But, eventually, you will become a successful public speaker.

How to develop hard skills at work 

Consider these strategies to develop new hard skills:

Seek feedback and constructive criticism: Request input from your supervisor on areas for improvement. For instance, if you are a writer, your employers might suggest diversifying your word choice and enhancing conciseness.
Enroll in a course: Explore in-person and online courses to stay updated on technical skills. For instance, you might enrol in a course to learn the latest video editing techniques.
Obtain certifications or pursue further education: Identify the hard skills necessary for career advancement. For example, you could pursue a Master of Nursing Science to acquire advanced nursing skills.
Practice regularly: Dedicate time to honing your hard skills to enhance speed and proficiency. For instance, as a carpenter, you could focus on mastering more intricate joints and techniques.

Enhance your current hard skills through regular practice and incorporating feedback into your work. Utilise online educational platforms to develop and refine your technical abilities. Stay updated by subscribing to online resources such as SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and podcasts.

Applying hard skills and soft skills in the workplace

As you strengthen your hard and soft skills, apply them in professional settings. For example, take an online course to learn the latest SEO techniques. Then, make plans to increase traffic to your company's website.

Use your recently acquired leadership skills to mentor new employees. Show your skills in resumes and job interviews. Back them up with accomplishments.

You can advance to higher positions by showing your ability to handle stress. You must also manage conflicts well and do highly specialised tasks.

Conclusion

Hard skills, like technical abilities, and soft skills, such as communication and teamwork, are essential for success. Hard skills demonstrate your expertise in specific tasks, while soft skills show how well you work with others.

Both are crucial for personal and professional growth. Highlighting them on your resume and discussing them in interviews can improve your chances of landing your desired job.

Regularly assessing and improving your skills ensures you remain competitive in today's job market.

FAQs

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about hard skills vs soft skills: 

Why are soft and hard skills important?
⁠Both soft and hard skills are key to effective communication.It is also vital for working well with colleagues and efficiently performing job duties.
⁠Combining these skills boosts productivity. It also fosters a positive contribution to the work environment.
⁠
How can I balance the development of soft skills and hard skills in my career?
⁠Create a list of hard and soft skills you aim to enhance and devise strategies for enhancing each. This will serve as a reminder to actively work on improving both skill sets.
⁠
What role do soft skills play in leadership and management positions?
⁠Strong soft skills are crucial in leadership and management roles. Good people skills are needed to address performance issues. Clear communication is also needed to brief the team on projects and delegate tasks.
⁠
Are soft skills or hard skills more important?
⁠Effective leadership and management rely heavily on strong soft skills. People skills are vital for addressing team members' performance issues. Clear communication is essential. It's for briefing the team on projects and giving them tasks.
⁠
How can I effectively communicate my soft skills on my resume and during interviews?
⁠Highlight your teamwork experience on projects. Also, mention any accolades from the company. Also, discuss how you've secured contracts with clients. This will showcase your negotiation and persuasion skills.