23 soft skills to advance your career in 2023

Jobstreet's Decoding Global Talent report, put together with The Network and the Boston Consulting Group, confirms the resilience of Singaporeans. Whether hard or soft skills, Singaporean workers are willing to reskill to stay relevant in the current job market – a finding corroborated by the World Economic Forum. 

Updating your hard skills is straightforward enough, with the snowballing technological advancements. However, don't overlook your soft skills. A McKinsey & Company survey even shows a renewed interest in building the workforce skills to thrive after the pandemic.

• What are soft skills?
• Hard skills vs soft skills
• Examples of soft skills
• Examples of soft skills for careers
• Conclusion
• Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What are soft skills?

Soft skills or transferable skills are interpersonal and personal capabilities that help you perform your job well. They include your personality, attitude, and people skills. Are you a salesperson? Your soft skills are likely patience, persuasion, and active listening. Are you a caregiver? You must be a master of empathy, compassion, and stress management. 

You could even consider soft skills as tools to future-proof your career because you can use them whatever the industry or era. 

Hard skills vs soft skills

Hard skills or technical skills are job-specific talents that allow you to perform your duties. Sometimes they also refer to technology-related roles, such as those in IT jobs. Hard skills are usually learnable and measurable. 

Soft skills, on the other hand, refer to social and personal attributes that help you thrive in your role. If you're a chef, your technical skills should be knife dexterity, baking, or inventory management. Your soft skills should include creative problem-solving, time management, and attention to detail. 

How hard skills and soft skills complement each other 

The value of soft skills in the workplace has been well-known for over 100 years. In 1918, Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation, and Stanford Research Center published a paper about the soft skills disconnect stating that 85% of your professional success depends on your soft and people skills, while only 15 % comes from technical skills. However, the Straits Times reports that over half of Singaporean employers favour hard skills when hiring. 

Take these stats with a grain of salt. Some roles, like electricians and doctors, are highly technical, while counsellors and concierges rely more on soft skills to get by. Ideally, a healthy mix of both will help you flourish. 

For example, your company needs to create a new application to aid the human resources department in recruitment. As a software developer, you know all the suitable programming languages. However, you must talk to the HR head to assess their needs and solve their problems creatively. You'll also communicate timelines, processes, and outcomes to your team, supervisor, and other involved parties. Collaboration and time management are also essential to meet your deadlines. Hard skills make the job doable, but soft skills get the job done. 

Examples of soft skills

Learn about some of the most common soft skills to have in your repertoire.

Communication skills

Being a skilled communicator is advantageous, whether speaking to a boss or before a client. Communication skills refer to your ability to convey a message effectively and in verbal, non-verbal, and written form. Below are a few examples of how you can use communication skills in the workplace.

Public speaking 

Many people fear public speaking. Strong communication skills not only make you more confident to talk in front of others, but also turn you into a more effective speaker. You can find the ideal words and tone to captivate and persuade your audience. You know how to read your audience and adjust when you're losing the room. 

Presentation skills

Presentations are a staple in the workplace. It isn't your run-of-the-mill school book report. You have to engage, convince, and sell to the audience. It requires a certain mastery of communication skills. 

Persuasion and negotiation

You will always negotiate – whether to convince your colleagues to choose Italian for lunch or ask your boss for a pay raise. In persuasive communication, you use positive language to showcase the benefits to the other party. When negotiating, you clarify the issues involved and make it your goal to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

Empathy and diplomacy

Empathy is one of the essential values of an effective communicator. It is the ability to recognise a person's circumstances and put oneself in that situation to understand them better. 

Empathy also helps you maintain diplomacy in office politics, and understand and respect your colleagues’ ideas and opinions. When sharing your thoughts, exercise tact and find a way to still be supportive of the general sentiment of your colleagues.

Teamwork and collaboration

No employee is an island. You'll always have to work with someone else at some point in your profession and even your personal life. Moreover, the workplace is becoming highly diverse these days, making teamwork and collaboration even more of a necessity. 

Conflict resolution 

Disagreements happen among colleagues – they might even escalate into full-blown conflicts. Proper communication skills can help you read tense signals and react accordingly, alleviating emotions. You could call for a break to cool heads, or speak calmly. 

Consensus building

The Harvard Law School's Program on Negotiation suggests the following steps for effective consensus building: setting expectations, delegating, engaging in group problem-solving, reaching agreements, and holding people to their commitment. Each step requires a level of communication skills.

Mentoring and coaching

Mentoring can offer a tremendous boost to your career. However, you need superb communication skills to maximise its benefits. As a mentee, you must express your intentions clearly and learn to ask questions. As a mentor, you must practise active listening and give proper explanations. Both parties also have to be on the same page.

Networking

Networking requires meeting people and maintaining relationships. You must know how to introduce yourself in an impactful and memorable manner. You must show respect, confidence, humour, and friendliness, among other things.

Relationship-building

Building relationships with your team and clients to establish rapport is crucial, whether you work remotely or in an office. Many careers, such as public relations and financial planning, are built on relationships.

Problem-solving and critical thinking

Problem-solving and critical thinking refer to your ability to solve issues and concerns using facts, data, and observation. Being adept at these soft skills doesn't mean you have all the answers instantly. It means you can assess problems and find solutions on the fly. 

Systems thinking

Systems thinking is looking at issues as a whole, and how their details relate to each other.

For example, you run a food courier service that delivers meals to offices daily. You have a smooth system where you log orders the previous day and appoint delivery people by area. 

One day, three of your couriers call in sick. As you rearrange your available resources, you think of how the entire operation is affected by this bump on the road, formulating solutions that would benefit everyone.

Systems thinking helps promote efficiency and spur innovation.

Strategic thinking

Essentially, strategic thinking refers to how well you can plan for the future. You take details, patterns, and observations from the past to predict potential outcomes and develop solutions based on these hypothetical scenarios.

Design thinking

Design thinking is a problem-solving technique popularised by design consulting firm IDEO. This skill involves an empathic way of observing how people interact with their environments, and then creating innovative solutions afterwards.

Risk assessment

Risk assessment is the ability to identify possible hazards and accurately analyse the consequences when they happen. Those skilled at risk assessment can also control and review the risks to refine potential solutions further.

Innovation

Innovation is about developing novel, more efficient ways of doing things. This skill is usually a combination of critical thinking abilities and risk management. Someone who wants to innovate must be consistently curious and open to possibilities.

Adaptability and flexibility

According to Forbes, adaptability refers to being agile and open to changes. On the other hand, flexibility is your willingness to compromise or meet others halfway. Here are some ways you practise these soft skills.

Change management

Change management means you are adept at overseeing and facilitating organisational changes. You can develop this skill by finding ways to help prepare people for new circumstances and encouraging them to be more agile.

Multitasking

Multitasking has its fair share of detractors, but the skill can still be essential, especially if you are a working mum based at home. Multitasking means you can juggle at least two tasks at once, either simultaneously or quickly switching from one to another.

Time management

Time management is being able to manage your tasks within a time period. It involves careful planning, energy management, and prioritisation.

Prioritisation

Speaking of prioritisation, it's the ability to rank your tasks according to importance, helping you allocate your time and energy more efficiently. In the workplace, someone with good prioritisation skills displays strong logical and strategic decision-making.

Self-motivation

Self-motivation is how you persevere and continue towards a goal, especially when circumstances get challenging. Think of it as your internal cheerleader. Self-motivation is a driving force in being passionate and satisfied with your job.

Leadership

One word that encapsulates leadership is "influence." It is the ability to rouse people towards a shared goal. A skilled leader empowers people to do what is necessary, ideally making the task or challenge enjoyable. Leadership means listening to your team and bringing out the best in them. You can also display your leadership skills through the following:

Visionary thinking

Visionary thinking means being forward-thinking. Visionaries are creative and have ideas that are ahead of the times. They think outside the box and beyond conventions. In a way, visionaries are also innovators.

Decision-making

When leaders make decisions, they don't just choose whatever they want. They weigh the pros and cons, evaluate possible consequences, study every alternative, and consider how it affects everyone involved. They also know how to buckle down and make hard decisions that don't necessarily please everyone. 

Motivating and inspiring others

Motivating others and inspiring them may sound like the same thing, but they have key differences. Motivation can imply an external factor, such as pushing an employee to reach a deadline to win Employee of the Month. Inspiring is more internal. It means getting someone to see for themselves that the task is necessary.

Self-awareness

Another Forbes article says that outstanding leadership starts with self-awareness. Leaders who are in touch with their emotions and are aware of their needs manage stress well and make better decisions. They lead with more empathy and give better feedback to subordinates and peers.

Examples of soft skills for careers

You can use most transferable skills for a variety of careers and roles. However, some are more appropriate for specific jobs. Find your industry below to see which soft traits you need to brush up on. Remember, these are just some of the soft-skill examples you can use. 

1. Technology

Tech professionals need problem-solving and communication skills, as well as enough curiosity to help them innovate. 

• Software development: Besides problem-solving skills, developers must exercise collaboration, time management, and even patience.
• Cybersecurity: Workers in this field must pay attention to detail, think on their feet, and be adaptable.
• Data analytics: Data analysts need top-notch communication skills to deliver their findings. They must also have reasoning capabilities and critical thinking.

2. Healthcare

Healthcare isn't the easiest field emotionally. Caring for others and managing their health can take a toll. Empathy, patience, determination, communication skills, and emotional intelligence are crucial in this industry.

• Nursing: Empathy allows medical professionals to understand their patients' (or their families') feelings. 
• Medicine: Doctors must employ critical thinking and problem-solving skills to analyse symptoms, identify health conditions, and provide suitable treatment. They must also clearly explain diagnoses and solutions to patients. 
• Clinical research: Patience can help research professionals soldier through their time-consuming tasks. They must also be adaptable if hypotheses don't work out, utilising their problem-solving skills to help them pivot.

3. Creative arts

Writing, design, and music are technical jobs that require an equal level of soft skills. Apart from creativity, people in this field must be detail-oriented, curious, confident, ethical, and more.

• Art: Imagine a fine artist. They need communication to understand the commission. The artist and the client also need to be clear when they discuss and give feedback to each other throughout the creative process. 
• Music: Think of a songwriter creating a song for an event. They need to utilise time management skills to finish the composition and recording on time.
• Writing: Following deadlines requires time management. You must also be patient, disciplined, and curious to finish a book or an article.

4. Education

To be effective, educators must connect with their students. This allows for better communication, comprehension, and trust.

• Teaching: Teachers need patience and empathy when they interact with students and co-workers.  
• School administration: Running an institution requires problem-solving skills, organisation, and systemic thinking.

5. Business

Communication, leadership, and adaptability will help enhance your university business degree. 

• Marketing: Communication skills will help you connect and communicate with your demographic.
• Management: Leadership skills will enable you to create rapport, delegate properly, and motivate your team towards a goal.
• Sales: Adaptability can help you deal with different personalities and situations. You must also be resilient and patient when on the sales floor.

6. Social services

Social work is one of those fields that rely heavily on soft or people skills, such as empathy and emotional intelligence.

• Counselling: Counsellors use empathy to identify and understand others’ points of view or experiences. 
• Social work: People in social services need patience to work through the details of demanding cases and complex situations.

7. Hospitality and tourism

If you are eyeing a career in hospitality and tourism or are already in the industry and would like to get ahead, develop crucial soft skills like communication, patience, and organisation to make you stand out. 

• Travel agency: Being a good listener will help you note and book your clients' requirements accurately. 
• Restaurant service: Problem-solving skills allow you to manage irate customers when this situation comes up. You must also exercise systemic thinking, strategic thinking, teamwork, and leadership.
• Customer service: You must practise patience when dealing with customers, from their questions to their complaints. Moreover, customer service reps should be positive, enthusiastic, and empathetic.

8. Finance

The finance industry emphasises hard skills, evident in the number of certifications required to get into the field. However, you still need soft skills to succeed, especially since thr wokr often involves high-pressure situations. 

• Investment banking: Attention to detail is crucial in any financial role. Bankers with multiple clients in different time zones need skills in time management, communication, and stress management.
• Financial analysis: You must be able to explain economic and financial terms to a broad audience. You must also tap into your analytical skills to assess financial instruments, markets, and records.

9. Law

Knowledge of the law, writing abilities, negotiation skills, and thorough research competence will help you thrive in the legal field.  

Litigation: Organisational skills go a long way, since you have to juggle different clients, cases, and details. You also need to prioritise, think critically, and communicate well. 

Paralegal work: Knowing how to organise information, managing time, staying determined, and being patient are some of the traits paralegals need.

10. Engineering

The emergence of new technologies is impacting the number of career opportunities in engineering. It makes adaptability a must in this highly technical field. 

• Mechanical engineering: Good problem-solving skills and curiosity will help mechanical engineers innovate and improve mechanisms.
• Electrical engineering: Engineers under this category are usually part of a team specialising in designing electrical systems. Hence, you must work well with others and be highly collaborative.

11. Science

Yes, the scientific method consists of rigid steps, but you need soft skills to get through them all. In research, gathering information, crafting questions, and analysing results require perseverance, attention to detail, and critical thinking. 

12. Journalism and media

The journalism and media industry has changed quite a bit since the internet. You must be faster, more agile, and much more resilient. While writing and producing content are technical skills, media practitioners need research skills, adaptability, and creativity. 

• Journalism: Journalists must possess above-average research skills. They must pay attention to details, employ curiosity and critical thinking, and have superb people skills to gain credibility.
• Content creation: Adaptability and creativity are the hallmarks of a content creator. They look for ways to keep up with the industry's developments and maintain engagement and relevance.

Conclusion

Imagine a group of highly technical workers. You're all in front of a computer, typing away. You don't interact or solve problems. You're just working. It sounds like a scene from a dystopian film, but this could very well be your professional life without soft skills. 

Soft skills add colour to your work. They make you believe in yourself, go outside your comfort zone, and build relationships. They make you not just a better worker, but a better person, too. 

When you have soft skills, like a knack for communication, critical thinking, leadership, and perseverance, you can avoid many issues and turmoil in the workplace. They're also great assets, since you can find use for them at any time and in any industry.

If you want to know more about which soft skills and traits to work on in your industry and role, check our Explore Careers page. Love our advice? visit Career Advice for more! 

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. What are some examples of soft skills?
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   ⁠The most crucial soft skills would be communication, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, and creativity. Adaptability, leadership, and being highly organised can also help you in any workplace.
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2. How can I improve my soft skills?
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   ⁠⁠First, be more self-aware. Do an audit of your current soft skills. Get feedback from people you work with and do self-reflection to figure out which ones you need to work on. The best way to polish up these skills is through experience, so be open to signing up for things you believe could help you.
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   ⁠Do you want to improve your leadership skills? Volunteer to organise an office project. You can start small then work your way up until you're more confident
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3. How do I demonstrate my soft skills in a job interview?
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   ⁠Like with any skill, the best way to show your interviewer what you're made of is through past situations. Talk about that time you had to single-handedly launch a new product – how you exercised your problem-solving skills and agility. Mention how your sales team helped increase your company's profit by five per cent. Detail the strategy you formulated, and how you emphasised teamwork.
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4. Can soft skills be taught, or are they innate?
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   ⁠They are a mix of both. A person born in an environment of empathy would likely be more empathetic growing up. Someone who grew up playing sports would likely be a natural team player. However, this isn't to say you can't develop your soft skills. Be open to new experiences and go outside your comfort zone bit by bit to sharpen your personal and interpersonal capabilities.
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5. Are soft skills more important than hard skills in the workplace?
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   ⁠Hard skills and soft skills are equally important in the workplace. Whether or not you believe the 85%t – 15%theory, you need both to thrive at work regardless of the ratio. Think of it this way: Hard skills let you do your tasks, but soft skills help you flourish at work.