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Top 10 Soft Skills Employers Value The Most

Top 10 Soft Skills Employers Value The Most

If you want to rise high in your profession, you’re going to need to get the right skill set to help you along. These skills will differ for different professions, like IT skills, grammatical skills, mechanical skills, etc. There are, however, some skills that are useful across the board. These are known as soft skills and greatly valued by employers. 


At HiCounselor we know how important it is to develop and display these skills for career growth. Read on to know the top 10 soft skills that employers value most. If you need help finding the right job for you, get in touch with us and have a chat with one of our friendly mentors!


1. Communication

This is the top soft skill valued by employers. This is because almost all jobs require people to communicate with colleagues, seniors, juniors, clients, vendors, etc. To ensure we get the best results for ourselves and our company, we have to communicate properly. Being good at communication doesn’t mean merely talking well, it also involves being a good listener. It’s only when you understand what’s being said that you can respond correctly. 


2. Problem Solving

Even though most workplaces have processes and workflow already established, problems do crop up from time to time. When faced by some issue at work, employers prefer an employee who tries to fix the problem rather than give up. This is why problem solving is one of the top soft skills employers value. When you tackle obstacles, you help the company out by saving their time and resources. It makes you stand out from the crowd when you choose to contribute.


3. Teamwork

Teamwork is another top skill employers value a lot. Most jobs do require people to work with others. Often, the goal isn’t dependent on an individual but more of a collective effort. Recruiters like candidates who can get along well with others despite any differences. Remote work has gotten more popular and people find themselves working with others from different time zones and backgrounds. It’s become increasingly important to ensure we can all get along well.


4. Reliability

We’re hired to help get some work done. That’s the nature of employment. Work can often get tedious or repetitive but that doesn’t mean we shirk our responsibilities. Dependability is one of the top soft skills employers value because many employees are prone to slack off at the first opportunity. This causes delays, backlogs, and even losses for the company. Being a responsible employee who can finish their tasks on time is a huge plus point. 


5. Time Management

As we discussed in the point above, not delivering your work on time can cause problems for the company. That’s why time management is a soft skill most employers admire. Meeting all your deadlines is a great way to impress your bosses. If you feel your deadlines aren’t reasonable, discuss that with your supervisor before the deadlines. It’s much better to talk things out beforehand rather than after you’re unable to finish the work by the said date. 


6. Multitasking

There are few jobs now that require an employee to focus on just one task. Most of us have a number of different responsibilities that we have to execute daily or weekly. This is why multitasking is a soft skill employers value greatly. Being able to give your attention to different tasks while ensuring each one is done efficiently will work to your advantage in your career. Most employees mention this soft skill in their resumes to make a good impression.


7. Positivity

It might seem like an unnecessary addition in this list of workplace soft skills. After all, what does positivity have to do with a career? A lot, actually. When you have a positive mindset, you are easier to get along with, face problems directly, help motivate others around you, and complain less. All these points make positivity a soft skill that employers really value. This is more true if you’re working in a fast-paced, high-stress, or challenging environment.   


8. Critical Thinking

Every good employer wants to hire employees who can analyze a situation and then make the most informed decision. This makes critical thinking a top soft skill for employers. It doesn’t matter what kind of a job you have, you will need to understand a given problem, think about it critically, and then come up with an effective solution. Essentially, critical thinkers are also constant learners because they adapt and grow with each new challenge. 


9. Leadership

Whether or not you’re applying for a leadership role, it’ll help your case to show you have leadership skills. This soft skill involves being good at decision-making, prioritizing, training people, managing situations, etc. If a company prefers to hire candidates with long-term potential, they like to see qualities like leadership up front. Even team members admire a colleague who can step up to the plate in times of need. It’s no wonder then that employers value the soft skill of leadership.


10. Conflict Resolution

When conflicts arise in the workplace, they reduce efficiency, productivity, and employee morale. When unaddressed, this can lead to unwanted turnover and reduced profits. That’s why conflict resolution is one of the top soft skills employers value. When you help address conflict in the workplace, you save the company a whole lot of bother and help keep the workflow going. It’s a good idea to bring up your conflict resolution skills during an interview, if possible.


We hope this list of the top 10 soft skills that employers value most will help you develop your soft skills! If you’d like to get professional assistance getting yourself and your resume ready for interviews while we hunt the right jobs for you, contact HiCounselor and let our experts help you out. 



HiCounselor has forged technical advances to transform the hiring landscape for job seekers and recruiters alike. Our career accelerator program provides job seekers with coaching and mentorship from industry leaders employed at FAANG companies while recruiters ally with HiCounselor to empower their hiring strategy and hone in on the best candidates. Learn more about HiCounselor here and reach out to us on LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.