As a job seeker browsing job descriptions and taking note of the preferred skills and qualifications for a position, you’re bound to come across a list of technical skills and relevant expertise that you can prove through work samples or assessments. While you might be able to showcase this experience with a portfolio or in a job interview, there’s a universal skill set that consistently proves to be more important in actually receiving an offer letter: soft skills.

92% of hiring managers value soft skills over technical skills and find that 89% of bad hires lack soft skills.

What are soft skills? Soft skills display your ability to collaborate effectively as part of a team and show leadership, emotional intelligence, time management and creative aptitude. Companies are now placing more value on these qualities than any other skill set or prior work experience.

Why? These are the interpersonal, human skills that the rise of AI and automation can’t replace and can’t be taught as easily as technical skills.

According to a Harvard study, 85% of job success comes from having well-developed soft skills, and only 15% of success comes from technical skills and knowledge (NationalSoftSkills.Org).

Based on LinkedIn research, the most in-demand soft skills sought by employers are creativity, persuasion, collaboration, adaptability, and time management. Curious about how strong your soft skills are? Consider the following:

Creativity‍

Are you able to think critically and comfortably develop new, progressive concepts to improve the status quo as necessary?

Persuasion

How effectively are you able to communicate thoughts, ideas and views in a manner that aligns with company goals and resonates with your audience?

Collaboration

Are you able to work with team members in a harmonious way that produces results and growth despite varying personality types, views and preferences?

Adaptability

Do you have the flexibility to comfortably handle change of pace and sudden change in priorities as needed?

Time Management

How do you manage your time to ensure you’re using it to the fullest potential? Do you prioritize time-sensitive tasks and properly allocate the time needed for short-term and long-term projects?

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While soft skills may come more naturally to some people than others, they can be practiced and developed similar to any other skill. The ability to demonstrate these attributes throughout the interview process is not only fundamental to your career success, it is often the determining factor between two candidates with equally sufficient technical skills and work experience.

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Want to figure out how to take those soft skills and find your perfect career? Download our PathMatch app today for companies that match your interest, strengths, goals, and yes, your soft skills too!