Top 10 Tech Soft Skills Across the Industry [Real Data]

No one hires a tech specialist without core coding or data management skills. But in today’s job market, technical expertise alone isn’t enough. Soft skills have become as crucial as tech skills for long-term success in the industry.

Based on over 6 million CVs created with LiveCareer’s CV builder from August 2023 to August 2024, I’ve identified the top soft skills that tech professionals include in their applications to stand out to employers. In this article, you'll find these skills categorised by profession, so you can discover what to prioritise for specific tech roles.

Teamwork: the ultimate soft skill for success in tech

Soft skills are the personal and interpersonal abilities that enable individuals to work with others and adapt to challenges. In the tech and IT sectors, these skills are key for fostering collaboration, driving innovation, and bridging the gap between technical expertise and human interaction.

Based on over 6 million CVs created with LiveCareer’s CV builder from August 2023 to August 2024, I’ve compiled a list of the top 10 soft skills most commonly highlighted in jobseekers’ applications.

1. Team player

It might seem unsurprising that being a team player ranks high, but its consistent importance underscores how vital collaboration remains in the tech world. The modern tech industry often involves agile teams, cross-departmental projects, and collaborative problem-solving. Employers value professionals who can seamlessly integrate with others, leveraging shared responsibility and trust to achieve results effectively.

2. Problem-solving

While problem-solving is a fundamental skill, its prominence on this list highlights tech roles' high-pressure and innovation-driven nature. Finding innovative and practical solutions is essential to meet the industry's efficiency and creativity needs. This skill’s market relevance grows as businesses prioritise adaptability and quick, effective resolutions.

3. Communication

The emphasis on communication might seem surprising in such a technically focused field, but it highlights the increasing need for professionals who can bridge gaps between technical teams and non-technical stakeholders. Effective communication ensures alignment, reduces misunderstandings and enhances collaboration in a sector that thrives on precision and shared understanding.

4. Team leadership

The high ranking of team leadership reflects the tech industry’s recognition of the need for individuals who can balance technical expertise with people management. The demand for leaders who inspire, delegate effectively, and drive innovation showcases the importance of fostering not only technical solutions but also empowering teams to achieve collective success.

5. Active listening

Active listening is less obvious but also noteworthy, as it underscores the importance of understanding diverse perspectives in a collaborative environment. In tech, this skill enables better integration of ideas across roles and disciplines, resulting in innovative and well-rounded solutions. It also aligns with the increasing focus on customer-centric approaches and interdisciplinary teamwork.

6. Multilingualism

Multilingualism’s position here speaks to the globalised nature of today’s tech industry. With teams spread across continents and clients from diverse linguistic backgrounds, this skill enhances communication and collaboration. Its relevance is especially notable in roles involving localisation, technical support, or global product development, where language proficiency directly impacts project success.

7. Multidisciplinary teamwork

The demand for multidisciplinary teamwork illustrates how vital it is to grasp the interplay of different skill sets and perspectives. In a field where developers collaborate with designers, marketers, and data scientists, this skill reflects the industry’s focus on creating holistic, user-centred solutions that meet both technical and business objectives.

8. Multitasking

Multitasking’s inclusion is a clear reflection of the fast-paced, high-demand nature of tech roles. Balancing overlapping priorities, from coding and debugging to responding to client feedback, is crucial for keeping projects on track. This skill’s prominence shows the value of maintaining quality while adapting to dynamic and often unpredictable workflows.

9. Resourcefulness

Resourcefulness stands out as a skill aligned with tech’s culture of innovation and efficiency. Its prominence highlights the industry’s appreciation for professionals who can creatively overcome constraints—be it limited resources, tight deadlines, or unexpected challenges—to deliver impactful results.

10. Calm under pressure

The value of remaining calm under pressure highlights the high-stakes environment of tech, where even minor disruptions can have major consequences. This skill resonates with market demands for professionals who can lead teams through crises, maintain focus, and ensure quality under stress. Its inclusion reflects a broader industry trend of prioritising resilience and composure in leadership and technical roles alike.

Soft skills most valued across different tech roles

The UK's tech industry has experienced remarkable growth, solidifying its position as Europe's leading tech ecosystem, with a market valuation of $1.1 trillion as of early 2024.This expansion has led to a surge in demand for skilled professionals across various tech sectors.

Our analysts have also examined the data to highlight the essential soft skills for specific tech roles. Below, you'll find various tech niches and the most commonly mentioned soft skills in their applications.

Software and Applications Developers and Analysts

For software developers and analysts, the following soft skills are particularly important:

1. Team player: Collaboration with other developers, designers, and stakeholders is essential for creating cohesive software solutions.
2. Problem-solving: Developers frequently encounter bugs or design challenges that require innovative thinking to resolve.
3. Communication: Clear communication helps ensure that requirements are understood and met throughout the development process.
4. Team leadership: As developers grow in their careers, they may lead projects or mentor junior team members.
5. Project planning: Effective planning helps ensure that software projects stay on schedule and within budget.
6. Advanced critical thinking: This skill enables developers to analyse complex problems thoroughly and identify effective solutions.
7. Active listening: Understanding user feedback or team suggestions is crucial for refining software products.
8. Strategic planning and review: Developers must align their work with broader business objectives.
9. Multidisciplinary teamwork: Working with cross-functional teams enhances innovation through diverse perspectives.
10. Multilingualism: In global teams, being multilingual facilitates better collaboration.

Software developers and analysts also emphasise key skills like time management, resourcefulness, and motivating others. These abilities allow them to collaborate smoothly with cross-functional teams, manage complex projects, and deliver effective software solutions.

The O'Reilly 2024 Tech Trends Report points to a growing emphasis on soft skills among developers. Compared to previous years, the importance of project communication skills increased by 23%, professional development grew by 22%, and project management rose by 13%. This highlights the industry's recognition of the key role these soft skills play alongside technical expertise.

Electronics and Telecommunications Installers and Repairers

For professionals in electronics and telecommunications, these soft skills matter the most:

1. Multitasking: Installers often juggle multiple installations or repairs simultaneously.
2. Issue resolution: Quickly diagnosing problems ensures minimal downtime for clients.
3. Problem-solving: Technical issues require immediate attention and creative solutions.
4. Communication: Clear communication with clients about technical issues builds trust.
5. Staff education and training: Continuous training guarantees high-quality service and keeps staff up-to-date with the latest technologies.
6. Risk management: Identifying potential hazards during installations protects both workers and clients.
7. Team player: Collaborating with other technicians enhances efficiency while working on large projects.
8. Active listening: Understanding client needs ensures satisfaction with the services provided.
9. Calm under pressure: High-stress situations require technicians to remain composed to find effective solutions quickly.
10. Team leadership: Leading staff members ensures that projects stay on schedule and meet quality standards.

Electronics and telecommunications installers and repairers also often highlight skills like time management, quick learning, and confidence. These abilities help them to resolve technical issues efficiently and maintain excellent service delivery.

Information and Communications Technology Operations and User Support Technicians

For ICT operations and support technicians, key soft skills include:

1. Problem-solving: Addressing user issues quickly minimises disruptions in workflow.
2. Effective communication: Translating technical jargon into understandable terms for users is essential for delivering successful support.
3. Team player: Working collaboratively with IT teams enhances overall service delivery.
4. Active leadership: Taking initiative in resolving issues demonstrates leadership potential within support roles.
5. Multitasking: Handling multiple support tickets simultaneously requires strong multitasking abilities.
6. Calm under pressure: Remaining calm during high-stress situations allows technicians to think clearly when resolving urgent issues.
7. Crisis management: Effectively managing crises minimises downtime for users or systems.
8. Quick learning: Adapting quickly to new technologies or processes improves overall efficiency in support roles.
9. Multilingualism: Supporting users from diverse backgrounds enhances service quality across different regions or demographics.
10. Time management: Prioritising and resolving support requests quickly ensures timely assistance and smooth workflows.

Additional soft skills highlighted by these professionals include resourcefulness, responsibility, and reliability, as well as self-discipline. These qualities enable technicians to provide excellent support while handling multiple user requests.

Database and Network Professionals

Database administrators and network professionals benefit from the following soft skills:

1. Written and oral communication: Articulating technical information clearly helps bridge gaps between IT departments and non-technical stakeholders.
2. Risk mitigation: Identifying potential risks associated with data security or network integrity protects organisational assets.
3. Team leadership: Leading database or network projects requires strong leadership capabilities to guide teams through complex implementations.
4. Critical thinking: Analysing data patterns or network performance requires deep critical thinking abilities for optimisation purposes.
5. Collaboration: Working closely with software developers ensures seamless integration between applications and databases/networks.
6. Active listening: Understanding user needs helps tailor database/network solutions accordingly.
7. Multilingualism: Communicating effectively across diverse teams enhances collaboration efforts globally.
8. Time management: Balancing multiple database/network projects requires efficient scheduling practices.
9. Calm under pressure: Responding promptly during system outages demands composure under stress.
10. Resourcefulness: Finding alternative solutions when faced with unexpected challenges demonstrates adaptability.

Database and network professionals also emphasise soft skills like team coordination, problem-solving, and quick learning. These competencies are vital to maintaining data integrity and security, fostering effective team communication, and driving successful project execution.

Electrical Equipment Installers and Repairers

These are the top soft skills mentioned by electrical equipment installers in their applications:

1. Active listening: Understanding client needs leads to better service delivery.
2. Strong work ethic: Commitment towards completing tasks efficiently builds trust among clients.
3. Quick learning: Staying updated on new technologies ensures relevance within this field.
4. Multitasking: Managing several installations simultaneously requires adept multitasking capabilities.
5. Calm under pressure: Handling emergencies calmly allows technicians to make informed decisions swiftly.
6. Team supervision: Overseeing installation crews ensures adherence to safety protocols while completing jobs efficiently.
7. High responsibility & reliability: Consistently meeting deadlines establishes client credibility.
8. Self-discipline: Maintaining focus during long hours contributes towards completing tasks efficiently.
9. Organisation: Keeping tools organised facilitates smoother workflows onsite.
10. Flexible worker: Adapting schedules based on client requirements demonstrates commitment towards customer satisfaction.

Installers also highlight confident communication, self-assurance, and a positive attitude. Thanks to them, they work efficiently while strictly adhering to safety standards.

Physical And Engineering Science Technicians

For technicians in physical and engineering sciences, essential soft skills include: 

1. Multilingualism: Enhancing communication with international teams facilitates smoother collaboration.
2. Analytical problem-solving: Breaking down complex issues enables efficient, data-driven solutions.
3. Hard-working: Consistently putting in effort ensures project goals are met.
4. Teamwork: Collaborating across disciplines improves overall project outcomes.
5. Resourcefulness: Finding creative solutions helps navigate limited resources.
6. Strong work ethic: Maintaining high standards demonstrates reliability in tasks.
7. Multidisciplinary teamwork: Collaborating with professionals from various fields fosters innovative solutions.
8. Team oversight: Overseeing teams ensures smooth operations and timely delivery.
9. Confidence: Approaching tasks with self-assurance builds trust among peers.
10. Verbal communication: Clearly conveying information improves collaboration across teams.

Technicians also mention team coordination, a positive attitude, and politeness and friendliness. These abilities contribute to smoother project execution, stronger relationships with colleagues and clients, and overall job satisfaction.

The growing importance of soft skills in the future workplace

Are soft skills a new trend in the workplace? Definitely not. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report, the top five core skills for 2023 were predominantly soft skills. Here are the 5 core skills indicated by surveyed organisations:

1. Analytical thinking
2. Creative thinking
3. Resilience, flexibility, and adaptability
4. Motivation and self-awareness
5. Curiosity and lifelong learning.

Based on the report, these are the 5 skills considered the most growing in importance:

1. Creative thinking
2. Analytical thinking
3. Technological literacy
4. Curiosity and lifelong learning
5. Resilience, flexibility, and agility.

According to the report, cognitive skills are increasingly important, highlighting the growing need for complex problem-solving in the workplace. Interestingly, creative thinking expands faster than analytical thinking, showing a strong demand for innovation. Technology literacy ranks as the third-fastest-growing core skill, underlining the ongoing demand for tech-savvy professionals in the digital field.

It is also worth mentioning that the shift toward developing soft skills is largely driven by emerging technologies like AI, which demand adaptability, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. These are skills that AI cannot replace and are crucial for enabling effective collaboration with AI systems. According to the Global State of the Skills Economy Report 2024 by Cornerstone, human skills are in demand twice as much as digital skills globally, while in the UK, this ratio stands at 2.4 times.

How to develop soft skills and stay competitive in the tech job market

The global soft skills training market is projected to reach $60.89 billion by 2031, with significant growth driven by UK demand. Companies increasingly invest in soft skills development programs to help employees adapt to today's dynamic workplaces. Consider these ways to develop soft skills in tech beyond formal training:

1. Workshops and training: Enroll in courses focusing on communication, leadership, and emotional intelligence. Several UK-based training providers, such as Flexbee, Reed, and iHasco, offer these courses.
2. Mentorship: Find a mentor with experience in your industry to work on skills like problem-solving, adaptability, and leadership. Mentors offer personalised guidance and give constructive feedback to help refine your approach.
3. Collaborative projects: Engage in cross-functional teams or collaborative projects to build key interpersonal skills such as communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution. Working with diverse perspectives improves your ability to collaborate, share ideas, and achieve common goals, all of which are essential in modern workplaces.
4. Feedback: Regularly request feedback from supervisors and colleagues to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Reflecting on this feedback encourages self-awareness and supports continuous growth. Addressing constructive criticism proactively develops your adaptability and improves interpersonal interactions within the team.

A report by McKinsey shows that employees with excellent soft skills earn much more and report higher job satisfaction.Moreover, these employees often experience greater job satisfaction, as they are more equipped to adapt to changing workplace demands and perform well in collaborative environments.

Employees with strong soft skills offer significant benefits to companies, too. According to McKinsey, organisations that prioritise emotional intelligence and teamwork experience a 25% increase in employee retention. These findings demonstrate that both employees and companies greatly benefit from investing in soft skills development, making it one of the key drivers of success in today's tech field.

Conclusions

• Different tech roles prioritise different soft skills: While teamwork is vital across all tech roles, specific sectors emphasise different abilities. For instance, software developers focus on problem-solving and leadership, while database and network professionals highlight communication and risk mitigation.
• Soft skills are essential to complement future job roles: With the rise of automation and AI, soft skills such as adaptability, emotional intelligence, and creativity are becoming more crucial. These uniquely human skills are harder to automate, making them must-haves for professionals looking to remain competitive in the future job market.
• Teamwork and collaboration are among the most critical soft skills in tech. As tech roles become more integrated across departments, tech professionals must develop multidisciplinary teamwork and excellent communication skills to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
• Employers are investing more in soft skills training: The global soft skills training market is projected to grow, reflecting the rising demand for these competencies across industries, including tech.

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Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.

Sources

• UK Tech in the Age of AI - Tech Nation Report 2024
• Breaking Down the O’Reilly 2024 Tech Trends Report
• Performance through people: Transforming human capital into competitive advantage
• Report reveals demand for human 'soft' skills outpaces need for digital skills
• Soft Skills Training Market
• The Future of Jobs Report 2023