Hard skills vs soft skills
Discover the key differences between hard skills and soft skills and learn how each plays a crucial role in your CV. Explore examples of both skill types and understand how to showcase them effectively on your CV. Including the right skills on your CV will set you apart from the competition.
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When applying for jobs, you’ll often come across the terms soft skills and hard skills. So, what exactly is the difference between hard skills and soft skills? In simple terms, hard skills are teachable and measurable abilities, like coding or project management. In contrast, soft skills refer to personal attributes such as communication or leadership that help you interact effectively with others.
Both skill sets are crucial to your career, but knowing how to highlight them on your CV can make all the difference.
Soft skills vs. hard skills: How they differ
| Hard skills | Soft skills |
|---|---|
| Job-specific, not transferable | Transferable |
| Measurable and often validated with tangible proof | Relatively unmeasurable, their assessment is subjective |
| Acquired through learning and experience | May result from character traits |
- Hard skills are the specific, technical abilities you learn through education or training. These are often measurable and can be directly related to the job. For example, if you’re a graphic designer, skills like Adobe Photoshop, HTML, or AutoCAD are considered hard skills. They’re things you can learn through courses or practice and can be tested or demonstrated in the workplace.
- Soft skills, on the other hand, are personal qualities that affect how you interact with others and approach your work. They include things like communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. Soft skills are harder to measure, but they are equally important, as they help you collaborate effectively with colleagues, manage stress, and adapt to new challenges in the workplace.
What are soft skills?
Soft skills are often referred to as interpersonal or people skills. These include qualities such as emotional intelligence, communication, adaptability, teamwork, and leadership. While hard skills demonstrate your technical expertise, soft skills showcase your ability to work effectively with others and manage various workplace challenges.
Employers highly value soft skills in the workforce because they help build a positive work environment and increase productivity. For instance, a strong communicator can effectively present ideas, while a problem-solver can help navigate challenges in daily work.
Examples of CV soft skills:
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Empathy
- Networking
What are hard skills?
Hard skills refer to technical, job-specific abilities that are learned through education or training. These are measurable skills that employers look for to determine your capability to perform a particular task. Examples of hard skills include software proficiency, foreign language skills, coding, or operating machinery. Hard skills can vary from one job to another.
For example, if you’re applying for a job in web development, coding languages like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript would be essential hard skills to showcase. If you’re applying for a marketing position, expertise in data analysis and SEO could make your CV stand out.
Examples of hard skills for CVs include:
- Coding (e.g., Python, JavaScript)
- Project management software (e.g., Trello, Asana)
- Graphic design (e.g., Adobe Photoshop)
- Knowledge of HTML/CSS for web development
- Expertise in SQL for database management and querying
- Strong understanding of Google Analytics and SEO tools
- Certified in AutoCAD for technical design and drafting
Not sure which skills to highlight?
Our CV builder automatically suggests relevant soft and hard skills tailored to your specific job title.
Why you need both soft and hard skills on a CV
When writing your CV, it’s essential to showcase both hard skills and soft skills. While they serve different purposes, both are important in demonstrating your qualifications and suitability for a role.
In today’s job market, employers are looking for candidates with a combination of soft and hard skills. A professional who can demonstrate technical expertise while also possessing excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills is much more likely to succeed in a dynamic work environment.
Why hard skills matter:
- Measurable: Hard skills are typically more quantifiable, meaning they can be easily assessed by employers.
- Industry-specific: Many industries require specific hard skills, such as coding for software development or CAD software for engineering.
- Showcase your expertise: These skills prove you can perform the core tasks of the role.
Why soft skills matter:
- Workplace success: Soft skills contribute to how well you interact with colleagues, clients, and managers.
- Cultural fit: Employers look for candidates who can integrate well into their company culture.
- Long-term growth: Soft skills are crucial for career development, as they allow you to adapt and excel in evolving roles.
Recommended balance:
- Aim for 4 to 5 hard skills and 3 to 4 soft skills on your CV.
- Tailor your hard skills to the technical requirements of the job.
- Choose soft skills that reflect the workplace culture and job expectations.
- If possible, provide examples of how you’ve used both types of skills in previous roles.
Having a strong balance of soft and hard skills is especially important when passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Many ATS are designed to scan resumes for relevant keywords, including both soft and hard skills, to ensure you’re qualified for the role.
Struggling to combine both skill types? Let our CV builder create a tailored, ATS-friendly CV for you.
Hard skills and soft skills: CV examples
This section presents two CV examples that effectively highlight a blend of hard and soft skills. Both CVs demonstrate how to showcase your technical expertise and personal qualities, creating a well-rounded profile for potential employers.
Example 1: Nursery teacher CV
Below is an example of a CV for a nursery teacher. As you might guess, this profession requires a combination of solid educational knowledge and a nurturing, patient attitude.
Hard skills
- Early Years expertise
- Inclusive learning techniques
- Hygiene control
Soft skills
- Enthusiastic communicator
- Behaviour management
- Positive reinforcement
- Diligent supervision
- Parent and caregiver relations
- Well-organised
- Good listener
Example 2: Engineering manager CV
Below is an example of a CV for an Engineering Manager. In this role, a combination of hard and soft skills is essential. Technical expertise is crucial for overseeing complex projects and making informed decisions, while strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills are key to managing teams effectively and ensuring successful collaboration across departments.
Hard skills
- Compliance understanding
- Technology integration
- Resource evaluation
- Expenditure control
Soft skills
- Persuasive communication style
- Networking
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Strategic planning
Testing soft skills and hard skills in the interview
In addition to showcasing your skills on your CV, interviews are another crucial step where your soft and hard skills will be tested. However, these skills are often assessed differently in the interview process.
How your soft skills are tested
Soft skills are typically evaluated more indirectly during the interview. While you may not be directly asked to demonstrate skills like communication, adaptability, or teamwork, the interviewer will be paying close attention to how you interact with them and respond to situational questions. For example, you may be asked how you dealt with a difficult team situation or how you prioritise tasks.
How your hard skills are tested
Hard skills are often tested directly during interviews. For example, candidates for technical roles might be asked to complete a task or problem-solving exercise to showcase their expertise. Additionally, your past achievements and the outcomes of your previous roles can prove your technical abilities.
The work experience section of your CV is the ideal place to highlight how your skills contributed to tangible results. Using specific metrics and examples can demonstrate the impact of your skills and set you apart from other candidates.
FAQs for CV hard and soft skills
What are the main differences between soft skills and hard skills?
Hard skills are technical abilities that are learned through training or experience (e.g., programming, data analysis). Soft skills are personal traits that influence how you work and interact with others (e.g., communication, problem-solving).
Can soft skills be tested in an interview?
Yes, soft skills are typically tested indirectly during an interview through behavioural or situational questions that assess how you handle real-world challenges.
How can I highlight hard skills on my CV?
Be specific and quantify your achievements. For example, if you have expertise in project management, mention how many projects you successfully led.
Why are both soft and hard skills important for my CV?
In today’s job market, employers seek candidates who bring a balance of both hard and soft skills. Professionals who can showcase technical expertise alongside strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving abilities are better equipped to thrive in an ever-changing work environment.
Is it important to tailor my CV to the job role in terms of skills?
How can I improve my soft skills?
Key takeaways
- Hard skills are measurable technical abilities, while soft skills are personal traits that help you work effectively with others.
- A balanced mix of both soft and hard skills is key to creating a well-rounded CV that stands out to both employers and ATS.
- Use your work experience section to demonstrate how your skills have produced tangible results.
- Include 6-8 total skills on your CV in bullet point form.
- Hard skills can be directly tested in interviews, while soft skills are typically evaluated through your responses and interpersonal interactions.
Create your cv today
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Andrew Smith
Senior Content Writer
Andrew Smith – an accomplished English copywriter with a strong background in SEO optimisation. Passionate about producing engaging content, Andrew has written across various fields, including health and fitness, security, travel, and tourism.
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