Technical qualifications open the door—soft skills determine who gets the job. A good resume alone, often isn’t enough. Personal competencies (soft skills) are becoming increasingly important. Emanuel Keller, Managing Director at Stettler Consulting, reveals which soft skills companies are looking for.
The Foundation of Successful Collaboration
Stettler Consulting:
What exactly are soft skills?
Emanuel Keller:
While hard skills focus on technical abilities, soft skills are social competencies that facilitate collaboration. Examples of soft skills include teamwork, reliability, initiative, and flexibility. They are often more difficult to measure, but they make a big difference in day-to-day work.
Stettler Consulting:
How do you measure soft skills
Emanuel Keller: Soft skills cannot be measured as clearly as technical qualifications. In the recruitment process, for example, we rely on structured interviews in which we discuss specific examples of behavior. In addition, we use personality structure tests that provide scientifically sound insights into traits such as teamwork, resilience, innovation, or performance orientation. While these tests can never replace a face-to-face interview, they offer a valuable additional perspective and help us gain a more comprehensive picture of a candidate.
Prepared for Change
Stettler Consulting:
Why do soft skills play such a major role today?
Emanuel Keller:
The world of work has changed significantly. Technical expertise remains important, of course. It is more challenging to develop qualities such as reliability, a sense of responsibility, or the ability to collaborate effectively within a team.
Companies are therefore looking not only for employees who excel technically but also for those who fit into the corporate culture. In addition, application materials often look very similar these days. As a result, HR managers are paying increasing attention to the personality behind the documents.
Stettler Consulting:
Which soft skills are particularly in demand?
Emanuel Keller:
Flexibility and a willingness to learn are at the top of the list. Digitalization, new technologies, and changing markets require an openness to change.
Communication skills and the ability to work in a team are equally important. Hardly any job today is performed entirely on one’s own. Companies are looking for employees who share their knowledge, support others, and develop solutions together.
Proactive initiative is also increasingly valued. Employers want employees who recognize opportunities and actively tackle problems instead of waiting for instructions.
The Key to Success in a Job Interview
Stettler Consulting:
Can you highlight soft skills on a resume?
Emanuel Keller:
Yes. But not by simply listing terms like “team player” or “resilient.”
It’s much more convincing to demonstrate soft skills using specific examples. For example, anyone who has taken on a project leadership role, trained new employees, or worked successfully with clients should highlight this on their resume.
Extracurricular involvement should not be underestimated either. Club activities or volunteer work provide valuable insights into one’s personality.
The same applies in a job interview: Personal experiences come across as much more authentic than general statements.
Stettler Consulting:
When we talk about job interviews, what role do soft skills play?
Emanuel Keller:
A very big one. During the interview, the company wants to find out how someone works, communicates, and handles challenges. That’s why questions are often asked about specific situations, for example:
“Tell us about a difficult experience working in a team.”
Or:
“How did you handle an unexpected change?”
There’s no “right” answer here. The employer wants to gauge who can describe their own experiences in a way that’s easy to follow and remains authentic.
Soft Skills: Can Be Learned Throughout Life
Stettler Consulting:
Can soft skills be learned, or are they innate?
Emanuel Keller:
I’m convinced that soft skills can be developed. Of course, everyone is born with certain personality traits. But skills such as communication, teamwork, self-organization, and dealing with change can be consciously developed—through experience, feedback, and a willingness to work on oneself.
Conclusion:
In addition to technical expertise, soft skills are increasingly emphasized in the hiring process. Candidates who know their strengths and can convey them through specific examples in their application will improve their chances in the hiring process.
