The Need for Soft Skills Based Recruitment
In the modern workplace, it is not enough to hire an employee with only technical skills or hard skills. Soft skills have now become an important part of the recruitment process. It plays an important role not only in recruiting employees, but also in retaining them in the long term. In this article, we will learn the importance of soft skills based recruitment. We will discuss in detail its implementation method and how to retain employees through it.
What are soft skills?
Soft skills are some personal qualities or skills that are not related to any technical knowledge. It is the ability of a person to behave, communicate, and build relationships with others. For example, communication skills, teamwork, problem solving, and leadership are included in soft skills. These are difficult to teach, but their impact in the workplace is immense.
Hard skills vs. soft skills
Hard skills are the technical knowledge or skills required for a specific job, such as programming, data analysis, or accounting. Soft skills, on the other hand, are a manifestation of a person’s social and emotional intelligence. They come in handy when it comes to working with a team, managing stress, or maintaining good relationships with colleagues. While hard skills can be taught, soft skills often depend on the personality of the person.
Some common examples of soft skills
- Emotional intelligence: Understanding the emotions of others and controlling one’s own.
- Time management: Prioritizing work and using time wisely.
- Conflict resolution: The ability to resolve conflicts or disagreements.
- Adaptability: The ability to adapt quickly to new situations and environments.
Why are soft skills important for employee retention?
Suppose an employee is technically proficient, but is unable to get along with the team or is breaking down under the pressure of work. Then that employee will not be able to stay in the company for a long time. In this case, soft skills play a key role here.
Behavioral stability
Those who have good soft skills can handle pressure at work and maintain a positive attitude. This increases their mental stability and has a positive impact on the company’s environment.
Teamwork and tolerance
In the workplace, one has to work with people of different mindsets. If an employee’s soft skills are weak, then he cannot adapt to that environment. As a result, there may be disagreements or inattention to work. Later, it becomes difficult to retain employees. Employees with soft skills can blend in with any team very quickly. They can improve the work environment through tolerance.
Ways to hire based on soft skills
Create a clear job description
During hiring, the job description should mention not only the technical skills, but also the necessary soft skills. For example, “A team player who can work effectively under pressure.” This helps candidates understand that the company values soft skills.
Soft skills priority in the screening process
Language analysis of resume
Some keywords can be found in the candidate’s resume, such as “collaborated with a team” or “resolved conflict”. These indicate that the candidate has soft skills.
Importance of reference check
Feedback from previous employers or colleagues can provide a lot of information about soft skills. They can give a good idea of the candidate’s behavior, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities.
Techniques for verifying soft skills in interviews
Behavioral questions
Questions should be asked in interviews that reveal the candidate’s previous experience and behavior. For example:
- “Tell me about a situation when you resolved a disagreement within a team.”
- “How do you keep yourself calm under pressure?”
Role-play and situational tests
A candidate’s problem-solving skills can be verified through role-play or fictional situations in interviews. For example, “How do you calm a client down when they are upset?”—observe their reactions with a scenario like this.
Modern techniques for tracking soft skills
Psychometric tests
AI and machine learning-based psychometric tests are now being used to assess soft skills. They measure a candidate’s personality, emotional regulation, and social skills.
Group discussions and case studies
Group discussions can test candidates’ communication skills, leadership, and ability to work in a team. Case studies can be used to test their problem-solving skills.
AI-based screening tools
AI tools now analyze biodata and interview videos to provide a candidate’s soft skills score. This makes the hiring process more efficient.
Employee retention strategies based on soft skills
Onboarding and training
New employees should be given a soft skills focused training program in the first 30 days. This helps them adapt to the company culture.
Soft Skills Development Plan
Create a personal soft skills development plan for each employee. This can identify their weaknesses and provide guidelines for improvement.
Strategic Performance Review
Emphasize soft skills in performance reviews. For example, include scores on communication skills, team coordination, and problem-solving.
Successful examples of soft skills-based hiring
Google uses a criterion called “Googleyness” in their hiring process, where soft skills such as collaboration, innovative thinking, and adaptability are assessed.
Patagonia
Patagonia prioritizes soft skills such as environmental awareness and empathy. This helps them hire employees who are consistent with their brand values.
Local Startup Experience
Many startups in Bangladesh hire with an emphasis on soft skills. They prioritize candidate behavior and team-building skills, which are key to employee retention.
Challenges and Solutions
Limitations of Manual Screening
Manually screening soft skills can be time-consuming and sometimes incomplete. Using AI-based screening tools or psychometric tests can solve this problem.
Ways to Reduce the Chances of Wrong Candidates
Repeated interviews, group discussions, and long-term observation can reduce the risk of hiring the wrong candidate.
Conclusion
Soft skills-based hiring is not just a modern trend, it is a secret strategy for long-term employee retention. Technical skills can be taught, but soft skills are related to the personality and behavior of the person. Therefore, emphasizing soft skills in the hiring process improves the company’s work environment and increases employee retention rates. Soft skills should be taken seriously in hiring. They are needed to create a thriving workplace.
FAQs
- Is soft skills screening so important?
Yes, because soft skills determine an employee’s behavior and ability to adapt to a team, which is essential for long-term retention. - How to test soft skills in an interview?
Soft skills can be tested through behavioral questions, role-plays, and situational tests. - Can soft skills training increase a company’s ROI?
Absolutely. Soft skills training increases employee effectiveness and satisfaction, which increases company productivity. - Which soft skills are most valuable?
Emotional intelligence, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership are most in demand. - Can soft skills be measured with AI tools?
Yes, AI-based psychometric tests and screening tools are effective in assessing soft skills.