Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills
You might have heard these two terms before — and if you’re still wondering how they differ, this section is for you. Both hard and soft skills can help you stand out from others when applying for jobs and are critical for long-term success, but some positions prioritize one more than the other.
Hard skills are often acquired through education, training programs, certifications and on-the-job experience. Hard skills include:
- Technical skills (ex: coding, copywriting, digital drawing)
- Mathematical skills (ex: data modeling, interest calculations, quantitative analysis)
- Mechanical skills (ex: machine operation, welding, auto repair)
- Analytical skills (ex: pricing strategies, market research, data analysis)
- Scientific skills (ex: research, data collection, scientific writing)
- Management skills (ex: project management, strategic planning, team leadership)
Soft skills are personality traits, social skills and communication abilities that relate to how you interact with colleagues, solve problems and manage your work. These are skills that can be carried forward in any profession or vocation. Soft skills include:
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Problem-solving
- Leadership
- Critical thinking
- Emotional intelligence
Improving Your Communication Skills
Communicating with others is a skill that can be learned and fine-tuned like any other. If you’re curious about where to start, some of the communication skills fundamentals can include the following:
- Observing and responding to nonverbal cues
- Adapting your communication style to your audience
- Being empathetic
- Being clear and concise
- Being aware of your own body language
- Actively listening