In the competitive landscape of scientific recruitment, formal training and technical abilities alone are no longer enough to secure the ideal candidate for a particular job role. Soft skills have gained significant importance in recent years as companies recognise that finding the right fit goes beyond technical qualifications in job applications. Hard skills merely prove that job seekers meet the baseline requirements.

Hard skills may guarantee that someone can do the job, but they don’t necessarily guarantee that they will excel or apply their skills and knowledge effectively throughout your organisation.

Understanding Soft Skills

Soft skills are non-technical skills that promote productivity, efficiency, and effective communication in the workplace. They refer to a set of interpersonal and behavioural attributes that allow individuals to work well with others. Some soft skills can also be part of your personality traits or work ethic, and some can be considered transferable skills across different roles and industries in one’s career path.

While technical proficiency is essential, soft skills contribute to a harmonious work environment, efficient collaboration, and long-term success.

Soft Skills Examples to Look Out For

Effective Communication and Collaboration

Communication is more than having social skills around others. Scientific professionals often work in multidisciplinary teams where effective communication, collaboration, and listening skills are vital for success. Through active listening and clear articulation, scientists can engage in meaningful discussions, bridge the gap between different scientific disciplines, foster a productive environment, and help with conflict resolution.

Adaptability and Problem-Solving

The scientific landscape is dynamic, with new discoveries, technologies, and challenges emerging constantly, and scientists must navigate these changes with ease. Adaptable employees are more likely to embrace innovation, readily learn new techniques, and tackle complex problems. Both critical and creative thinking within problem-solving skills allows scientific professionals to overcome obstacles and contribute to scientific advancements.

Leadership and Teamwork

Leadership skills enable individuals to guide projects, mentor junior colleagues, and inspire others to achieve their best. People that can potentially take leadership roles can foster a positive work culture, nurture talent, and provide guidance in achieving collective goals, all while being a team player. Also, strong teamwork skills are necessary for collaboration, especially when scientists from different backgrounds come together to solve complex problems.

Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is not just about using familiar digital tools or programs; it relates to how someone understands technology and their approach to navigating new tools. Technology is transforming the industry at a fast rate, and thus professionals must be able to adapt to these changes.

Organisation and Project Management

Everyone in a team has their own responsibilities and deliverables they need to manage. New candidates have to demonstrate how they go about project and time management. How do they plan, prioritise tasks, and manage multiple projects simultaneously? What tools and techniques do they use to stay organised?

Stress Management

Everyone experiences stress, but how you handle situations under pressure makes all the difference. Rather than looking for candidates who never stress, ask them what practical tools they use to manage pressure with some examples.

Attention to Detail

Since this industry relies on communicating accurate data across all fields to create safe, effective, and efficient advancements, attention to detail is vital for scientific roles. People must be thorough, consistent, and accurate in all their work, regardless of the task or project they’re working on.

Finding the Right Fit

Finding candidates that fit your company culture and values is not something restricted to other industries. Soft skills can play a pivotal role in determining whether a candidate aligns with your entire team’s mission, vision, and working style. Not only will their relevant skills enable them to find career success at your company, but their different types of skills could contribute positively to the team’s dynamics and, therefore, towards your company’s success.