How to Sell Your Soft Skills
Five Soft Skills Employers Value (and How to Prove You Have Them)
Recent research shows that soft skills are now a top priority for companies when hiring. Communication, teamwork, and time management feature in almost every job description - yet candidates often fail to highlight these in their CVs or demonstrate them effectively in interviews.
There’s been criticism of governments, businesses, and schools for not doing enough to promote or develop soft skills. As a result, many candidates still overlook them when applying for jobs.
After speaking with recruitment experts, we’ve identified five of the most valuable soft skills employers look for - along with tips on how to showcase them throughout the application and interview process.
1. Time Management
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin
Time management is a skill every employer wants, and many interview questions are designed to uncover how well you manage your time. Don’t just say you’re good at it - show it. Think about times when you’ve worked to tight deadlines, delegated effectively, or prioritised conflicting tasks.
Have you created schedules or kept a well-organised diary? If so, bring examples to your interview - they can help illustrate your approach.
2. Communication
Good communication is obvious in an interview, but harder to show in your CV. Use your application to mention the kinds of people you interact with regularly, any presentations you've given, or meetings you’ve taken part in. This shows your ability to communicate with different audiences.
Don’t forget written communication either. If you’ve written reports, emails, or professional documents, mention them.
In the interview, listen as much as you talk. Make eye contact, use positive body language, avoid interrupting, and keep your answers clear and to the point.
3. Teamwork
Anyone can say they work well in a team, but the best examples come from high-pressure situations. Think of a time when you had to collaborate under stress - maybe to meet a tight deadline, complete a big project, or organise an event.
Focus on how you supported others and contributed to the team’s success. Show appreciation for your colleagues while also highlighting your individual impact.
4. Work Ethic
Work ethic is important to every employer, but it’s one of the hardest soft skills to prove.
Rather than saying you’re “hardworking,” give examples of times when you went the extra mile or took initiative. One effective way to support this is through LinkedIn. Keep your profile active, share updates on your industry, and include recommendations from past colleagues or managers. Employers do check social media—use it to your advantage.
5. Problem-Solving
Most roles come with challenges, it's how you respond to them matters. Whether it’s an unhappy customer, a project going off-track, or a technical issue, employers want to see how you approach and resolve problems.
One method you can use to structure your answer is the IDEAL model:
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Identify the problem
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Define it clearly
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Explore possible solutions
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Act on the best strategy
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Look back and evaluate what you learned
Use this structure to give a clear, logical example in your interview.
Final Tip: Get a Recruiter’s Help
It can be hard to fit all of this onto a CV - and employers don’t want to read a four-page essay. A good recruiter will know what specific employers are looking for and can help you shape your CV to match.
If you work in the Built Environment, FM, or IT, we’d love to help you find the right role and showcase your strengths.
Call us on 0333 323 0733 or email us - our sector-specific consultants will be in touch.
