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Listing 'soft skills' on a resume
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I have been told a number of times that it is important to list some soft skills on your resume especially since, as a software developer, it is really easy to fill all the space with hard skills. While I do have soft skills I think I could list, I always feel kind of silly listing thing like 'strong leadership' because it feels like anyone can say that and everybody does!
Is it as important a people have been telling me to list 'soft skills'? If so is there any way to list them to make them seem legitimate?
software-industry resume
asked Aug 18 '14 at 12:15
Ian Holstead
1,0111230
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
8
down vote
favorite
I have been told a number of times that it is important to list some soft skills on your resume especially since, as a software developer, it is really easy to fill all the space with hard skills. While I do have soft skills I think I could list, I always feel kind of silly listing thing like 'strong leadership' because it feels like anyone can say that and everybody does!
Is it as important a people have been telling me to list 'soft skills'? If so is there any way to list them to make them seem legitimate?
software-industry resume
asked Aug 18 '14 at 12:15
Ian Holstead
1,0111230
related: How can I make the 'Key Skills' section look attractive on my CV?
– gnat
Aug 18 '14 at 12:31
Maybe it's just me, but "strong leadership" doesn't sound much like a soft skill to me. This expression brings an old style, command-and-control type leader to my mind.
– Péter Török
Aug 18 '14 at 12:58
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
8
down vote
favorite
up vote
8
down vote
favorite
I have been told a number of times that it is important to list some soft skills on your resume especially since, as a software developer, it is really easy to fill all the space with hard skills. While I do have soft skills I think I could list, I always feel kind of silly listing thing like 'strong leadership' because it feels like anyone can say that and everybody does!
Is it as important a people have been telling me to list 'soft skills'? If so is there any way to list them to make them seem legitimate?
software-industry resume
asked Aug 18 '14 at 12:15
Ian Holstead
1,0111230
I have been told a number of times that it is important to list some soft skills on your resume especially since, as a software developer, it is really easy to fill all the space with hard skills. While I do have soft skills I think I could list, I always feel kind of silly listing thing like 'strong leadership' because it feels like anyone can say that and everybody does!
Is it as important a people have been telling me to list 'soft skills'? If so is there any way to list them to make them seem legitimate?
software-industry resume
asked Aug 18 '14 at 12:15
Ian Holstead
1,0111230
asked Aug 18 '14 at 12:15
Ian Holstead
1,0111230
asked Aug 18 '14 at 12:15
Ian Holstead
1,0111230
asked Aug 18 '14 at 12:15
Ian Holstead
1,0111230
1,0111230
related: How can I make the 'Key Skills' section look attractive on my CV?
– gnat
Aug 18 '14 at 12:31
Maybe it's just me, but "strong leadership" doesn't sound much like a soft skill to me. This expression brings an old style, command-and-control type leader to my mind.
– Péter Török
Aug 18 '14 at 12:58
suggest improvements |Â
related: How can I make the 'Key Skills' section look attractive on my CV?
– gnat
Aug 18 '14 at 12:31
Maybe it's just me, but "strong leadership" doesn't sound much like a soft skill to me. This expression brings an old style, command-and-control type leader to my mind.
– Péter Török
Aug 18 '14 at 12:58
related: How can I make the 'Key Skills' section look attractive on my CV?
– gnat
Aug 18 '14 at 12:31
related: How can I make the 'Key Skills' section look attractive on my CV?
– gnat
Aug 18 '14 at 12:31
Maybe it's just me, but "strong leadership" doesn't sound much like a soft skill to me. This expression brings an old style, command-and-control type leader to my mind.
– Péter Török
Aug 18 '14 at 12:58
Maybe it's just me, but "strong leadership" doesn't sound much like a soft skill to me. This expression brings an old style, command-and-control type leader to my mind.
– Péter Török
Aug 18 '14 at 12:58
suggest improvements |Â
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
accepted
I think it is good practice to list some soft skills on your resume. I am a software developer / computer scientist and I make sure that about 25% of the skills bullet pointed on my CV are soft skills. No job is purely technical, you will have to communicate with people, so soft skills are important. You may have to mentor and lead people, so leadership skills are important. You may work on your own initiative for much of the time, so time management and project management skills are valuable. Problem solving skills are particularly relevant to software development.
You are correct that "anyone can say that" and so you should always be prepared to back up everything you put on your resume. If you quote soft skills, you must be able to talk about scenarios (e.g. specific projects) where you have demonstrated those skills. So, don't put skills on there which you don't have!
answered Aug 18 '14 at 12:29
Paul
33219
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
9
down vote
I've always found it best to include soft skills with an example.
Strong leadership
List here why you think you have 'strong leadership'. Have you lead a team? Do you recall a specific instance where there was a difficult situation for you to navigate? How about detailing a project where your leadership led to a positive outcome. If you put it on there, you have to be willing to demonstrate that you you actually have this quality.
Communication Skills
Is another popular one. Personally, I was appointed the role of communicating technical bulletins that affected the business because I translate business to IS very well. Maybe you have something like that you can put on there.
I think you always have to be thinking about 'What is going to make them believe I have these attributes?' because as you stated, everyone puts those on a resume.
answered Aug 18 '14 at 12:33
Bmo
1,222717
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
In the resume workshops I've been to, they always say to be specific about your soft skills, and to give concrete examples of you performing these skills. The example they gave (for a head waitress job) was "can stand for long periods of time;" instead, one should write "had several shifts at X where I stood for eight consecutive hours." Just listing a skill is something anyone can do, and since "strong leadership" is impossible to quantify or double-check in itself, anyone can write things like that. If you're able to get more specific, do so.
answered Aug 18 '14 at 13:59
TheSoundDefense
2,60231521
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
As a software development manager, I will say that I would take a list of "soft skills" on a resume with a grain of salt. It's far better to list your experiences and how you demonstrated the soft skills using specific achievements and/or responsibilities you had. Also, playing to your soft skills is possibly better addressed in the "Objective" (or whatever intro section you have at the top), or in the cover letter. Say what you want to be doing, why, and why your soft skills are important for that roll there.
Keep in mind, the goal of the resume is just to get you an interview. That's where you'll show your soft skills.
answered Aug 18 '14 at 14:51
Jared
4,87221223
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
This answer is based - although I am a software developer - on my experiences in looking at other people's resumes.
Technical CVs tend to be highly technical, and remarkably unreadable to the average person. I think this is because, as technical people, we often just don't understand that the general person doesn't have a clue what we do.
Soft skills, then, while viewed in the technical theater as "unverifiable" are something that a non-technical audience, be it a recruiter or an HR member, can identify and relate to.
This will help you a lot when it comes to job hunting.
More interestingly, putting something like "Likes", and populating it with things that you actually like - say, swimming or travelling or what have you - will also make you a relatable person.
This will, again, improve the odds of you being called in for an interview, all other things be equal.
As to "verifiable leadership" - why not start a local meetup group, or volunteer mentoring children from disadvantaged backgrounds? That way, you can both improve your leadership skills and provide an identifiable and verifiable expression of said soft skill.
answered Aug 30 '14 at 22:48
bharal
11.4k22453
suggest improvements |Â
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5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
4
down vote
accepted
I think it is good practice to list some soft skills on your resume. I am a software developer / computer scientist and I make sure that about 25% of the skills bullet pointed on my CV are soft skills. No job is purely technical, you will have to communicate with people, so soft skills are important. You may have to mentor and lead people, so leadership skills are important. You may work on your own initiative for much of the time, so time management and project management skills are valuable. Problem solving skills are particularly relevant to software development.
You are correct that "anyone can say that" and so you should always be prepared to back up everything you put on your resume. If you quote soft skills, you must be able to talk about scenarios (e.g. specific projects) where you have demonstrated those skills. So, don't put skills on there which you don't have!
answered Aug 18 '14 at 12:29
Paul
33219
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
accepted
I think it is good practice to list some soft skills on your resume. I am a software developer / computer scientist and I make sure that about 25% of the skills bullet pointed on my CV are soft skills. No job is purely technical, you will have to communicate with people, so soft skills are important. You may have to mentor and lead people, so leadership skills are important. You may work on your own initiative for much of the time, so time management and project management skills are valuable. Problem solving skills are particularly relevant to software development.
You are correct that "anyone can say that" and so you should always be prepared to back up everything you put on your resume. If you quote soft skills, you must be able to talk about scenarios (e.g. specific projects) where you have demonstrated those skills. So, don't put skills on there which you don't have!
answered Aug 18 '14 at 12:29
Paul
33219
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
4
down vote
accepted
up vote
4
down vote
accepted
I think it is good practice to list some soft skills on your resume. I am a software developer / computer scientist and I make sure that about 25% of the skills bullet pointed on my CV are soft skills. No job is purely technical, you will have to communicate with people, so soft skills are important. You may have to mentor and lead people, so leadership skills are important. You may work on your own initiative for much of the time, so time management and project management skills are valuable. Problem solving skills are particularly relevant to software development.
You are correct that "anyone can say that" and so you should always be prepared to back up everything you put on your resume. If you quote soft skills, you must be able to talk about scenarios (e.g. specific projects) where you have demonstrated those skills. So, don't put skills on there which you don't have!
answered Aug 18 '14 at 12:29
Paul
33219
I think it is good practice to list some soft skills on your resume. I am a software developer / computer scientist and I make sure that about 25% of the skills bullet pointed on my CV are soft skills. No job is purely technical, you will have to communicate with people, so soft skills are important. You may have to mentor and lead people, so leadership skills are important. You may work on your own initiative for much of the time, so time management and project management skills are valuable. Problem solving skills are particularly relevant to software development.
You are correct that "anyone can say that" and so you should always be prepared to back up everything you put on your resume. If you quote soft skills, you must be able to talk about scenarios (e.g. specific projects) where you have demonstrated those skills. So, don't put skills on there which you don't have!
answered Aug 18 '14 at 12:29
Paul
33219
answered Aug 18 '14 at 12:29
Paul
33219
answered Aug 18 '14 at 12:29
Paul
33219
answered Aug 18 '14 at 12:29
Paul
33219
33219
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
9
down vote
I've always found it best to include soft skills with an example.
Strong leadership
List here why you think you have 'strong leadership'. Have you lead a team? Do you recall a specific instance where there was a difficult situation for you to navigate? How about detailing a project where your leadership led to a positive outcome. If you put it on there, you have to be willing to demonstrate that you you actually have this quality.
Communication Skills
Is another popular one. Personally, I was appointed the role of communicating technical bulletins that affected the business because I translate business to IS very well. Maybe you have something like that you can put on there.
I think you always have to be thinking about 'What is going to make them believe I have these attributes?' because as you stated, everyone puts those on a resume.
answered Aug 18 '14 at 12:33
Bmo
1,222717
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
9
down vote
I've always found it best to include soft skills with an example.
Strong leadership
List here why you think you have 'strong leadership'. Have you lead a team? Do you recall a specific instance where there was a difficult situation for you to navigate? How about detailing a project where your leadership led to a positive outcome. If you put it on there, you have to be willing to demonstrate that you you actually have this quality.
Communication Skills
Is another popular one. Personally, I was appointed the role of communicating technical bulletins that affected the business because I translate business to IS very well. Maybe you have something like that you can put on there.
I think you always have to be thinking about 'What is going to make them believe I have these attributes?' because as you stated, everyone puts those on a resume.
answered Aug 18 '14 at 12:33
Bmo
1,222717
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
9
down vote
up vote
9
down vote
I've always found it best to include soft skills with an example.
Strong leadership
List here why you think you have 'strong leadership'. Have you lead a team? Do you recall a specific instance where there was a difficult situation for you to navigate? How about detailing a project where your leadership led to a positive outcome. If you put it on there, you have to be willing to demonstrate that you you actually have this quality.
Communication Skills
Is another popular one. Personally, I was appointed the role of communicating technical bulletins that affected the business because I translate business to IS very well. Maybe you have something like that you can put on there.
I think you always have to be thinking about 'What is going to make them believe I have these attributes?' because as you stated, everyone puts those on a resume.
answered Aug 18 '14 at 12:33
Bmo
1,222717
I've always found it best to include soft skills with an example.
Strong leadership
List here why you think you have 'strong leadership'. Have you lead a team? Do you recall a specific instance where there was a difficult situation for you to navigate? How about detailing a project where your leadership led to a positive outcome. If you put it on there, you have to be willing to demonstrate that you you actually have this quality.
Communication Skills
Is another popular one. Personally, I was appointed the role of communicating technical bulletins that affected the business because I translate business to IS very well. Maybe you have something like that you can put on there.
I think you always have to be thinking about 'What is going to make them believe I have these attributes?' because as you stated, everyone puts those on a resume.
answered Aug 18 '14 at 12:33
Bmo
1,222717
answered Aug 18 '14 at 12:33
Bmo
1,222717
answered Aug 18 '14 at 12:33
Bmo
1,222717
answered Aug 18 '14 at 12:33
Bmo
1,222717
1,222717
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
In the resume workshops I've been to, they always say to be specific about your soft skills, and to give concrete examples of you performing these skills. The example they gave (for a head waitress job) was "can stand for long periods of time;" instead, one should write "had several shifts at X where I stood for eight consecutive hours." Just listing a skill is something anyone can do, and since "strong leadership" is impossible to quantify or double-check in itself, anyone can write things like that. If you're able to get more specific, do so.
answered Aug 18 '14 at 13:59
TheSoundDefense
2,60231521
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
In the resume workshops I've been to, they always say to be specific about your soft skills, and to give concrete examples of you performing these skills. The example they gave (for a head waitress job) was "can stand for long periods of time;" instead, one should write "had several shifts at X where I stood for eight consecutive hours." Just listing a skill is something anyone can do, and since "strong leadership" is impossible to quantify or double-check in itself, anyone can write things like that. If you're able to get more specific, do so.
answered Aug 18 '14 at 13:59
TheSoundDefense
2,60231521
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
In the resume workshops I've been to, they always say to be specific about your soft skills, and to give concrete examples of you performing these skills. The example they gave (for a head waitress job) was "can stand for long periods of time;" instead, one should write "had several shifts at X where I stood for eight consecutive hours." Just listing a skill is something anyone can do, and since "strong leadership" is impossible to quantify or double-check in itself, anyone can write things like that. If you're able to get more specific, do so.
answered Aug 18 '14 at 13:59
TheSoundDefense
2,60231521
In the resume workshops I've been to, they always say to be specific about your soft skills, and to give concrete examples of you performing these skills. The example they gave (for a head waitress job) was "can stand for long periods of time;" instead, one should write "had several shifts at X where I stood for eight consecutive hours." Just listing a skill is something anyone can do, and since "strong leadership" is impossible to quantify or double-check in itself, anyone can write things like that. If you're able to get more specific, do so.
answered Aug 18 '14 at 13:59
TheSoundDefense
2,60231521
answered Aug 18 '14 at 13:59
TheSoundDefense
2,60231521
answered Aug 18 '14 at 13:59
TheSoundDefense
2,60231521
answered Aug 18 '14 at 13:59
TheSoundDefense
2,60231521
2,60231521
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
As a software development manager, I will say that I would take a list of "soft skills" on a resume with a grain of salt. It's far better to list your experiences and how you demonstrated the soft skills using specific achievements and/or responsibilities you had. Also, playing to your soft skills is possibly better addressed in the "Objective" (or whatever intro section you have at the top), or in the cover letter. Say what you want to be doing, why, and why your soft skills are important for that roll there.
Keep in mind, the goal of the resume is just to get you an interview. That's where you'll show your soft skills.
answered Aug 18 '14 at 14:51
Jared
4,87221223
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
As a software development manager, I will say that I would take a list of "soft skills" on a resume with a grain of salt. It's far better to list your experiences and how you demonstrated the soft skills using specific achievements and/or responsibilities you had. Also, playing to your soft skills is possibly better addressed in the "Objective" (or whatever intro section you have at the top), or in the cover letter. Say what you want to be doing, why, and why your soft skills are important for that roll there.
Keep in mind, the goal of the resume is just to get you an interview. That's where you'll show your soft skills.
answered Aug 18 '14 at 14:51
Jared
4,87221223
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
As a software development manager, I will say that I would take a list of "soft skills" on a resume with a grain of salt. It's far better to list your experiences and how you demonstrated the soft skills using specific achievements and/or responsibilities you had. Also, playing to your soft skills is possibly better addressed in the "Objective" (or whatever intro section you have at the top), or in the cover letter. Say what you want to be doing, why, and why your soft skills are important for that roll there.
Keep in mind, the goal of the resume is just to get you an interview. That's where you'll show your soft skills.
answered Aug 18 '14 at 14:51
Jared
4,87221223
As a software development manager, I will say that I would take a list of "soft skills" on a resume with a grain of salt. It's far better to list your experiences and how you demonstrated the soft skills using specific achievements and/or responsibilities you had. Also, playing to your soft skills is possibly better addressed in the "Objective" (or whatever intro section you have at the top), or in the cover letter. Say what you want to be doing, why, and why your soft skills are important for that roll there.
Keep in mind, the goal of the resume is just to get you an interview. That's where you'll show your soft skills.
answered Aug 18 '14 at 14:51
Jared
4,87221223
answered Aug 18 '14 at 14:51
Jared
4,87221223
answered Aug 18 '14 at 14:51
Jared
4,87221223
answered Aug 18 '14 at 14:51
Jared
4,87221223
4,87221223
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
This answer is based - although I am a software developer - on my experiences in looking at other people's resumes.
Technical CVs tend to be highly technical, and remarkably unreadable to the average person. I think this is because, as technical people, we often just don't understand that the general person doesn't have a clue what we do.
Soft skills, then, while viewed in the technical theater as "unverifiable" are something that a non-technical audience, be it a recruiter or an HR member, can identify and relate to.
This will help you a lot when it comes to job hunting.
More interestingly, putting something like "Likes", and populating it with things that you actually like - say, swimming or travelling or what have you - will also make you a relatable person.
This will, again, improve the odds of you being called in for an interview, all other things be equal.
As to "verifiable leadership" - why not start a local meetup group, or volunteer mentoring children from disadvantaged backgrounds? That way, you can both improve your leadership skills and provide an identifiable and verifiable expression of said soft skill.
answered Aug 30 '14 at 22:48
bharal
11.4k22453
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
This answer is based - although I am a software developer - on my experiences in looking at other people's resumes.
Technical CVs tend to be highly technical, and remarkably unreadable to the average person. I think this is because, as technical people, we often just don't understand that the general person doesn't have a clue what we do.
Soft skills, then, while viewed in the technical theater as "unverifiable" are something that a non-technical audience, be it a recruiter or an HR member, can identify and relate to.
This will help you a lot when it comes to job hunting.
More interestingly, putting something like "Likes", and populating it with things that you actually like - say, swimming or travelling or what have you - will also make you a relatable person.
This will, again, improve the odds of you being called in for an interview, all other things be equal.
As to "verifiable leadership" - why not start a local meetup group, or volunteer mentoring children from disadvantaged backgrounds? That way, you can both improve your leadership skills and provide an identifiable and verifiable expression of said soft skill.
answered Aug 30 '14 at 22:48
bharal
11.4k22453
suggest improvements |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
This answer is based - although I am a software developer - on my experiences in looking at other people's resumes.
Technical CVs tend to be highly technical, and remarkably unreadable to the average person. I think this is because, as technical people, we often just don't understand that the general person doesn't have a clue what we do.
Soft skills, then, while viewed in the technical theater as "unverifiable" are something that a non-technical audience, be it a recruiter or an HR member, can identify and relate to.
This will help you a lot when it comes to job hunting.
More interestingly, putting something like "Likes", and populating it with things that you actually like - say, swimming or travelling or what have you - will also make you a relatable person.
This will, again, improve the odds of you being called in for an interview, all other things be equal.
As to "verifiable leadership" - why not start a local meetup group, or volunteer mentoring children from disadvantaged backgrounds? That way, you can both improve your leadership skills and provide an identifiable and verifiable expression of said soft skill.
answered Aug 30 '14 at 22:48
bharal
11.4k22453
This answer is based - although I am a software developer - on my experiences in looking at other people's resumes.
Technical CVs tend to be highly technical, and remarkably unreadable to the average person. I think this is because, as technical people, we often just don't understand that the general person doesn't have a clue what we do.
Soft skills, then, while viewed in the technical theater as "unverifiable" are something that a non-technical audience, be it a recruiter or an HR member, can identify and relate to.
This will help you a lot when it comes to job hunting.
More interestingly, putting something like "Likes", and populating it with things that you actually like - say, swimming or travelling or what have you - will also make you a relatable person.
This will, again, improve the odds of you being called in for an interview, all other things be equal.
As to "verifiable leadership" - why not start a local meetup group, or volunteer mentoring children from disadvantaged backgrounds? That way, you can both improve your leadership skills and provide an identifiable and verifiable expression of said soft skill.
answered Aug 30 '14 at 22:48
bharal
11.4k22453
answered Aug 30 '14 at 22:48
bharal
11.4k22453
answered Aug 30 '14 at 22:48
bharal
11.4k22453
answered Aug 30 '14 at 22:48
bharal
11.4k22453
11.4k22453
suggest improvements |Â
suggest improvements |Â
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related: How can I make the 'Key Skills' section look attractive on my CV?
– gnat
Aug 18 '14 at 12:31
Maybe it's just me, but "strong leadership" doesn't sound much like a soft skill to me. This expression brings an old style, command-and-control type leader to my mind.
– Péter Török
Aug 18 '14 at 12:58