We meet by clothes, and see off by mind or what are Soft Skills?

What are Soft Skills?

Soft skills are personal qualities and social skills that help you interact effectively with others. Unlike hard skills, which refer to specific professional knowledge and skills (e.g. programming, data analysis), soft skills include:

Communication: the ability to convey your thoughts clearly and effectively.
Teamwork: ability to build relationships with colleagues.
Time management: the ability to effectively plan and manage time (especially when working remotely).
Adaptability: willingness and ability to adapt to change.
Leadership: the ability to inspire and lead others.

It was a real discovery for me that HRs start checking soft skills at the very first stage – during resume screening and initial acquaintance. Previously, it seemed that this was just a formality, a few standard questions and that's it. But in fact, the interview for soft skills has already begun.

There are methods that help employers objectively evaluate your soft skills. Let's take a closer look at them.

1. Biographical method

Interviews often ask questions that help you understand your motivations and interests. Here are some examples:

Why did you leave your previous job?
This question allows the employer to understand the reasons that influence your decision to change jobs, as well as identify potential problems you have encountered.
Tell us about your hobby?
Hobbies can show how versatile you are as a person, your interests can indirectly indicate your creativity, ability to work in a team and other soft skills.

2. Competency-based interview

These questions are aimed at understanding your experiences and reactions in different situations:

Can you tell me about a time when you didn't manage to solve a problem on time? What did you do then?
It is important to show how you cope with deadlines and stress. The employer wants to see your time management skills and ability to find a way out of difficult situations.
Tell me about a work situation where you took a big risk. What was the risk?
The answer to this question demonstrates your ability to take and manage calculated risks, which is an important aspect of leadership skills.

3. Case interview

These interviews test your problem-solving skills:

What do you do about a colleague's very toxic comments that are actually just a matter of taste?
This is where your ability to handle negativity and conflict in a team is assessed. It is important to show that you can remain calm and resolve such situations constructively.
A feature has arrived for development, you look at the design and realize that it violates the guidelines and is not suitable at all. What will you do?
This question tests your ability to make decisions under uncertainty and manage conflicts between demands and reality.