Gone are the days when skills and competencies are solely based on resumes and technical qualifications. While these are important in determining who can perform a job, they don’t necessarily help you predict how well an employee can do the job or fit your team. In today’s fast-paced environment where change is constant, soft skills have become as much or even more crucial than technical skills. In this blog post, we’ll explore the three reasons why you should prioritize soft skills over resume hiring.

89 percent of recruiters say when a hire doesn’t work out, it usually comes down to a lack of soft skills.

1. Soft skills are the foundation of a strong team

When building a team, you want to ensure everyone works well together and fits your organizational values. Technical skills may getthe job done, but cohesion within the team is essential to maintain momentum and ensure that everyone is working toward the same goal. Managers need to look at individuals’ personalities and how the soft skills they bring to the table – such as open communication, dominant vs non-dominant personalities, open-mindedness, flexibility, and empathy – can help create a cohesive and collaborative team environment. These skills are not easily learned from a degree or years of experience; they are traits that someone has that guide their workstyle and more.

TalentClick Team Reports allow you to plot all team members on a single report to see where they align, spot strengths AND areas of conflict that may arise, and allow team members to understand one another better for improved team effectiveness and harmony

2. Soft skills improve employee retention

Top-performing employees tend to have soft skills and personality traits that are a good fit for the role they are in. For example, an accountant may be regimented and conventional, whereas a sales representative is more likely to be outgoing, open-minded, and flexible. These skills allow employees to thrive in their roles.

By valuing soft skills and understanding how different personalities fit different roles, managers create a work environment that feels more cohesive and supportive, making employees feel more invested in their roles. With personalized coaching development tips based on each employee’s individual results, managers can connect, coach and deliver feedback that will connect in the right way with each employee. By personalizing employee development approaches, employees will be more reluctant to leave.

‍3. Soft skills help with predicting long-term success

Hiring based solely on resumes can lead to short-term success, but prioritizing soft skills can lead to long-term success. In a world where technological advancements are making some skills obsolete, employees who possess skills that adapt to the changing circumstances of their role will help both your organization and employees to thrive.

Research conducted by Harvard University, the Carnegie Foundation and Stanford Research Center has all concluded that:

85% of job success comes from having well‐developed soft skills and people skills, and only 15% of job success comes from technical skills and knowledge (hard skills)

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TalentClick’s employee behavioral assessments help employers see beyond the resume to help hire, train, and retain top-performing employees who will help your organization grow over time.

Emphasizing soft skills and how an employee’s personality fits a job promotes a culture of collaboration and engagement that is the foundation of employee retention and long-term success. It is necessary to prioritize soft skills alongside technical skills because they are traits that translate into higher productivity, better performance, and ultimately, better lasting results.

This article was originally published on TalentClick. Read here