6 answers
Abi
Student
Fairfield, Connecticut
2
Questions
Asked
1703 views
What is the difference between hard and soft skills on a resume?
One resume asked me for hard skills and soft skills, and I want to know the difference. #resume #interviews #general
6 answers
Dominika Kowalska
Career Expert, Certified Professional Resume Writer
9
Answers
Warsaw, Masovian Voivodeship, Poland
Updated
Dominika’s Answer
When you're sprucing up your resume, it's key to nail the mix of hard and soft skills to showcase all you can bring to the table.
Hard Skills: Think of these as your technical toolkit. They're your teachable, measurable abilities like programming languages, software proficiency, or even speaking a foreign language. You usually pick these up through courses, training, or on-the-job experience. They’re essential because they're often the specific skills needed to get the job done.
Soft Skills: These are all about your vibe and how you mesh with others. Soft skills cover your ability to communicate, work in teams, solve problems, and adapt. They might be tougher to measure but trust me, they're gold for thriving in any workplace.
You can find more examples in the guide I recommend: Hard Skills vs Soft Skills (Examples)
Hard Skills: Think of these as your technical toolkit. They're your teachable, measurable abilities like programming languages, software proficiency, or even speaking a foreign language. You usually pick these up through courses, training, or on-the-job experience. They’re essential because they're often the specific skills needed to get the job done.
Soft Skills: These are all about your vibe and how you mesh with others. Soft skills cover your ability to communicate, work in teams, solve problems, and adapt. They might be tougher to measure but trust me, they're gold for thriving in any workplace.
You can find more examples in the guide I recommend: Hard Skills vs Soft Skills (Examples)
Crystal Rodwell
Educator, Leader, Writer
12
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Crystal’s Answer
Hard skills are technical and functional skills like degrees and certifications like computer programming, proficiency in a foreign language, and the ability to operate a specific machine.
Soft skills are personal traits and practices as well as interpersonal skills like: flexibility, being a team-player and or a problem-solver, and having a commitment to learning.
A combination of hard and soft skills are desired in most careers.
Jordan Whitmer
Senior Manager, Enterprise Sales Development at PagerDuty
18
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jordan’s Answer
Hard skills are definitive attributes (like cold calling, or understand how to use Word or Salesforce) whereas soft skills are personality traits (like being empathetic, or competitive). Both are valuable to a hiring manager!
Emitom Hillsman
Global HR Strategy
10
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Emitom’s Answer
Hi Abi!
I think these first two responses provided great definitions for hard and soft skills. Unless the job posting requested you list out hard and soft skills separately, I would recommend incorporating both throughout your resume. It's common to communicate your work experience on your resume through descriptions of your responsibilities, tasks, and achievements. While writing this part of your resume, try to demonstrate some of your hard and soft skills throughout your descriptions.
I think these first two responses provided great definitions for hard and soft skills. Unless the job posting requested you list out hard and soft skills separately, I would recommend incorporating both throughout your resume. It's common to communicate your work experience on your resume through descriptions of your responsibilities, tasks, and achievements. While writing this part of your resume, try to demonstrate some of your hard and soft skills throughout your descriptions.
Gina Cabrera
EC
130
Answers
Hernando, Florida
Updated
Gina’s Answer
Hard skills and soft skills are two different types of skills that you can include on your resume. Here's the difference between the two:
1. Hard skills: Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities that are typically acquired through formal education, training programs, or work experience. These skills are often technical or job-specific and can be easily measured and quantified. Examples of hard skills include proficiency in a programming language, data analysis, graphic design, accounting, or proficiency in a foreign language.
2. Soft skills: Soft skills, also known as transferable skills or interpersonal skills, are non-technical skills that are more related to your personal attributes and how you interact with others. These skills are often harder to measure and quantify but are highly valued by employers. Examples of soft skills include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, adaptability, time management, and critical thinking.
While hard skills are important for performing specific tasks or functions, soft skills are essential for effective collaboration, communication, and overall professional success. Both types of skills are valuable and should be included on your resume to provide a comprehensive picture of your abilities.
When listing your skills on a resume, it's a good idea to include a mix of both hard and soft skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Tailor your skills section to highlight the most important and applicable skills for the specific position, and provide examples or achievements that demonstrate how you have utilized these skills in previous experiences.
During interviews, employers may ask about both hard and soft skills to assess your fit for the role and the company culture. Being able to effectively communicate and demonstrate your skills in both areas can greatly enhance your chances of success.
1. Hard skills: Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities that are typically acquired through formal education, training programs, or work experience. These skills are often technical or job-specific and can be easily measured and quantified. Examples of hard skills include proficiency in a programming language, data analysis, graphic design, accounting, or proficiency in a foreign language.
2. Soft skills: Soft skills, also known as transferable skills or interpersonal skills, are non-technical skills that are more related to your personal attributes and how you interact with others. These skills are often harder to measure and quantify but are highly valued by employers. Examples of soft skills include communication, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, adaptability, time management, and critical thinking.
While hard skills are important for performing specific tasks or functions, soft skills are essential for effective collaboration, communication, and overall professional success. Both types of skills are valuable and should be included on your resume to provide a comprehensive picture of your abilities.
When listing your skills on a resume, it's a good idea to include a mix of both hard and soft skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Tailor your skills section to highlight the most important and applicable skills for the specific position, and provide examples or achievements that demonstrate how you have utilized these skills in previous experiences.
During interviews, employers may ask about both hard and soft skills to assess your fit for the role and the company culture. Being able to effectively communicate and demonstrate your skills in both areas can greatly enhance your chances of success.
Sarah Zimmerman
Management
9
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Hard skills are specific and technical and generally related directly to the position. Soft skills are things such as communications, leadership, ect that aren't position specific
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