is critical thinking a soft skill or hard skill

Hard skills vs. Soft skills

After reading this guide, you will be able to clearly define the hard and soft skills needed for your open positions, resume, and CV.

Ivan Andreev

Demand Generation & Capture Strategist, Valamis

November 27, 2021 · updated August 13, 2024

9 minute read

Julia Kuzmina contributed

When seeking new recruits or considering internal promotions, it’s crucial to identify the specific skills required for each role. Some of these skills are innate, while others may require formal training.

For L&D and HR professionals, it’s essential to outline hard skills in the role specification, detailing the necessary technical competencies.

Equally important are the soft skills, which include interpersonal and emotional intelligence, to be included in the person specification.

Employees can also benefit greatly from this guide. By reading it, you will learn how to clearly distinguish between hard and soft skills. This knowledge will be invaluable for enhancing your resumes and effectively showcasing your top skills.

What are hard skills?

What are soft skills, what’s the difference between hard skills and soft skills, list of hard and soft skills, how to develop hard and soft skills.

Hard skills specific competencies, knowledge, and abilities required to perform particular tasks or roles. These skills can be acquired through education, training, and professional development. Typically technical in nature (though not always), hard skills are easily measurable and objectively assessed.

Evidence of hard skills can be found in educational certificates or demonstrated through practical applications.

For instance, software development necessitates proficiency in programming languages, which is essential for writing computer programs.

The level of expertise in this area is quantifiable through various metrics and assessments.

Similarly, consider the design field. Whether it’s interior design or web design, each specialty requires a unique skill set tailored to specific tasks. Mastery of design principles and tools is crucial and can be distinctly evaluated.

Another example is proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite. Skills in using tools like Microsoft Word and Excel are often indispensable for many job functions and can be demonstrated through both certification and practical usage.

Thus, each role demands a unique combination of hard skills essential for effective performance. Understanding and developing these skills are fundamental to achieving success in any professional setting.

How to conduct a skills gap analysis and what to do next

Start building your foundation for strategic workforce development.

Soft skills personality traits, social competencies, and abilities essential for performing interpersonal activities and unique tasks. Sometimes referred to as human skills , they are vital for effective interaction and collaboration.human.

Often rooted in inherent personality traits and social abilities, soft skills can also be refined through practice and professional development.

Unlike hard skills, measuring soft skills can be challenging, particularly during the hiring process, due to limited observable information. Personal interactions are key to truly understanding a person’s soft skills.

While various techniques and tests exist to assess these skills, their accuracy can be limited and may not always reflect a person’s true abilities.

Real-life situations are the ultimate test of how effectively someone applies their soft skills.

Certain soft skills are universally desirable for all team members, such as punctuality and effective collaboration. Other skills, such as leadership, communication, strategic thinking, and problem-solving, are crucial for specific roles.

Though soft skills are not accompanied by certifications, they become evident through daily interactions and work experiences.

Natural leaders instinctively take charge and guide others, while reliable team members consistently demonstrate punctuality and proactive communication.

By recognizing and nurturing soft skills, organizations can enhance team dynamics and overall performance, creating a more cohesive and productive work environment.

The primary difference lies in their nature: soft skills are closely tied to an individual’s personality and aren’t always teachable, while hard skills are learned and task-specific.

Soft skills, such as leadership and communication, can be enhanced through training, but there’s often an innate element. Some individuals naturally exhibit strong leadership qualities more than others.

In contrast, hard skills are acquired through education and training. These skills are specific to tasks and easier to teach. Employees can attend courses to learn new hard skills or improve existing ones.

As careers progress, individuals need to adapt and expand their skill sets, especially when moving into leadership roles. They require both the technical knowledge specific to their positions and the interpersonal skills to excel.

It’s important to recognize that your best employees may not excel in both soft and hard skills. While versatility is advantageous, not all roles require proficiency in both areas.

There are many hard and soft skills, so that we will list only a few.

Now that you know the difference between soft and hard skills, it’s time to analyze which ones need to be added to your organization. And what to do next?

How to develop hard skills

For HR and L&D professionals (If you are the one responsible for developing employees’ HARD skills):

• Identify skill gaps : Conduct skill gap analyses to determine the hard skills necessary for various roles within the organization. Use assessments and performance reviews to pinpoint areas for development.
• Design training programs : Develop and implement targeted training programs within your LMS and workshops tailored to the specific needs of your team. Utilize both internal and external resources.
• Encourage certifications : Promote and facilitate access to professional certification programs relevant to your industry. Support employees in obtaining these credentials.
• On-the-job training : Create opportunities for employees to gain practical experience through job rotations, special projects, and cross-training.
• Continuous learning culture : Foster a culture of continuous learning by providing access to educational resources, including online courses and industry conferences.

For employees (if you are the one developing your own HARD skills):

• Self-assessment : Identify the hard skills required for your current role or desired career path. Use self-assessment tools and seek feedback from supervisors.
• Enroll in courses : Take advantage of courses offered by universities, community colleges, or online platforms like Valamis , Coursera, Udemy, or LinkedIn Learning to gain new skills or enhance existing ones.
• Professional training : Attend workshops and seminars to gain hands-on experience and learn from industry experts.
• Certifications : Pursue relevant certifications to validate your expertise and enhance your professional credibility.
• Practical application : Regularly practice new skills in real-world scenarios to build proficiency and confidence.

How to develop soft skills

For HR and L&D professionals (If you are the one responsible for developing employees’ SOFT skills):

• Identify key soft skills : Determine the essential soft skills required for various roles within the organization. Focus on skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork, and emotional intelligence .
• Create development programs : Design and implement development programs that include workshops, mentoring, and coaching to enhance employees’ soft skills. Download the career development plan template and use it as a starting point.
• Foster a feedback culture : Encourage a culture of continuous feedback where employees can receive constructive input on their soft skills from peers and supervisors.
• Role-playing and simulations : Incorporate role-playing exercises and simulations into training programs to allow employees to practice and refine their soft skills in a safe environment.
• Networking opportunities : Facilitate networking events and collaborative projects to help employees build and improve their interpersonal skills.

For employees (If you are the one developing your own SOFT skills):

• Self-assessment and feedback : Reflect on your current soft skills and identify areas for improvement. Seek regular feedback from peers, mentors, and supervisors to guide your development.
• Enroll in soft skills courses : Participate in courses and workshops focused on developing soft skills such as communication, leadership, and teamwork. Utilize online platforms, your company’s LMS and local training providers.
• Mentorship and coaching : Engage with a mentor or coach who can provide guidance, model effective soft skills, and offer constructive feedback.
• Practice in real scenarios : Use role-playing exercises and simulations to practice soft skills in a controlled environment, building confidence and improving techniques.
• Networking and collaboration : Actively participate in networking events and collaborative projects to enhance your interpersonal and communication skills.
• Read and learn : Read books, articles, and blogs, listen podcasts on personal development and effective interpersonal skills. Authors like Dale Carnegie and Stephen Covey offer valuable insights.
• Mindfulness and emotional intelligence : Practice mindfulness techniques to improve self-awareness and emotional regulation. Developing emotional intelligence is crucial for effective interpersonal interactions.
• Continuous improvement : Make a conscious effort to improve your soft skills by seeking feedback, reflecting on interactions, and adapting based on the input received.

By consistently working on both hard and soft skills, HR professionals can create a more capable and adaptable workforce, and employees can enhance their overall competence and career prospects.

Further reading:

• You can check our article about employee development methods , we have mentioned what methods work best for different skills sets and particular skills.
• Regarding leadership skills check our leadership development plan guide because it is a unique skill set and it requires specific training.
• One way to map, manage, and track the required skills and skill gaps of your employees is to use a skills matrix .

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What Are Critical Thinking Skills? (Example List Included)

Mike Simpson 0 Comments

By Mike Simpson

Ah, critical thinking skills. As a candidate, it’s vital to understand that pretty much all employers are on the hunt for job seekers with critical thinking skills. Why? Because it’s universally helpful on the job.

When employees know how to think critically, they are more effective in their positions. They’ll be more productive and self-sufficient. In the eyes of employers, that matters a ton.

But what are critical thinking skills exactly? And, if you don’t have them, what can you do to improve your ability to think critically?

If you’re asking yourself questions like those, you’re in luck. After all, you’re here, and we’re about to tell you all about the characteristics of critical thinking and how to get better at it. So, if you’re ready to dig in, here’s what you need to know.

What Are Critical Thinking Skills?

If we’re going to talk about critical thinking skills, it’s best to begin by answering a crucial question: what are critical thinking skills?

Well, to figure that out, it’s helpful to know what critical thinking means. According to the Cambridge Dictionary , critical thinking is “the process of thinking carefully about a subject or idea, without allowing feelings or opinions to affect you.” That’s actually a pretty solid place to start.

In many ways, critical thinking is a two-fold process. First, it focuses on information-gathering and fact-analysis. It’s all about understanding a subject thoroughly.

Second, it’s about setting your feelings aside. With critical thinking, it isn’t about what you want the facts to say; it’s about the reality of the situation. It’s a very Vulcans-from-Star-Trek approach to topics. Emotions and personal preference simply aren’t part of the equation in the vast majority of cases. Instead, objectivity reigns.

Alright, so what are critical thinking skills then? Well, critical thinking skills are the soft skills and hard skills that help you assess situations, collect data, analyze information, identify solutions, determine the viability of solutions, and make decisions without letting your emotions run the show. Any capability or trait that makes it easier to do those things can qualify.

In many cases, thinking critically plays a bigger role in your day-to-day than you’d expect. When you approach any task, you usually spend a moment analyzing it. That way, you can find the best path toward success.

When a task is simple, it doesn’t take much time to do a quick critical thinking once over, so you probably don’t even notice you’re doing it. It’s only when an activity is challenging or when something unexpected occurs that your thought process really stands out. As a result, you probably spend far more time thinking critically than you realize.

How Are Critical Thinking Skills Relevant to a Job Search?

Okay, we’ve given you a solid overview of what critical thinking skills are. Now it’s time to talk about the importance of critical thinking during a job search.

When you’re hunting for new opportunities, critical thinking skills are immensely valuable. For example, they can help you figure out if a job opening is genuinely a good fit for your capabilities and career.

When you find a job ad, do you just apply without seeing if it matches your skills and aligns with your goals? Of course not. Instead, you take a look at the requirements, examine the job ad for potential, and decide whether or not that opportunity really fits. That’s critical thinking.

But that’s not the only way these skills make a difference during your job search. They may also help you identify what points to include in your resume and cover letter to stand out to a hiring manager or what to talk about when you’re answering specific job interview questions.

How can it do all of that? Well, when you decide what to list in your resume or cover letter, or add to an interview answer, you have to do some analysis. You consider the hiring manager’s needs. Next, you find a matching accomplishment that highlights what they are after. Then, you figure out present it in an engaging way. That’s all critical thinking, too.

Plus, thinking critically can also make a difference post-interview. You’ll have an easier time assessing your own performance, allowing you to identify areas for improvement. Good stuff, right?

When it comes to why hiring managers prefer candidates with these skills, there are actually several reasons. The biggest is that employees with strong critical thinking skills tend to be more self-sufficient and productive. They are better equipped to assess situations and find their own solutions, and that matters, particularly in faster-paced environments.

Plus, workers that know how to think critically may have an easier time collaborating. They can separate their emotions from the situation, allowing them to focus on what’s best for the team and company.

So, which critical thinking skills are they after? Well, that can depend on the hiring manager. However, most want to see you possess capabilities in four core areas: information-gathering, analysis , problem-solving, and creativity. If you tap into all of those, you usually have what it takes to think critically.

How to Highlight Critical Thinking Skills for Job Search

Okay, at this point, you probably understand the importance of critical thinking skills. Now onto the next part of the equation: how to show off your capabilities during a job search.

Let’s start with the earliest part of the job search: your resume and cover letter. When you’re writing a resume or creating a cover letter , the best thing you can do is focus on achievements.

Highlighting accomplishments where you put your critical thinking skills to work lets you “show” the hiring manager you have what it takes instead of just telling them. After all, anyone can say, “I’m an excellent critical thinker,” even if they aren’t. By having examples, you prove that you have those capabilities. That matters.

How do you pick the right achievements? By using a winning strategy, like the Tailoring Method . The Tailoring Method focuses on relevancy. It helps you choose accomplishments that showcase the skills the hiring manager wants to see, increasing the odds that they’ll view you as an excellent match for their needs.

Now that your resume and cover letter are squared away, it’s time to talk about the interview. Luckily, you can use the Tailoring Method here, too. It’s a great technique for straightforward job interview questions , as well as behavioral interview questions .

When you’re dealing with behavioral interview questions, couple the Tailoring Method with the STAR Method . That way, your answers are engaging and relevant, making them even more impactful.

How to Develop Critical Thinking Skills If You Don’t Have Them

Some people may think that they don’t have any critical thinking skills. In reality, that probably isn’t true.

Nearly everyone develops some critical thinking capabilities over the course of their lives; they just may not realize it. Luckily, that’s a good thing. It means you probably have a solid foundation, even if you don’t know it.

Why does that matter? Well, it means you can focus more on developing what you have. You aren’t actually starting from scratch, which can make it easier.

Ready to take your critical thinking skills to the next level? Great! Here’s how you can.

Understand the Critical Thinking Process

When it comes to how to think critically, there is actually a core process involved. By understanding the steps, you can make sure you approach situations properly.

Usually, the critical thinking process involves:

• Observation
• Information-Gathering
• Brainstorming

Typically, you start by observing the issue at hand. Next, you do some research, helping you gather more information. After that, you focus on brainstorming ideas on how to proceed. Then, you consider each option, identifying the best one. Finally, you decide to proceed, taking actions based on what you’ve learned.

It’s a systematic way to address a range of scenarios. By learning the process, you can put it into use more often, allowing you to increase your skills.

Take Up a Hobby

Many hobbies actually require quite a bit of critical thinking. For example, if you want to have a thriving garden, you need to take several factors into account. Soil condition, water availability, the amount of sunlight, aesthetics… those are just some of the points you need to analyze if you want to succeed.

Arts and crafts can also help you boost critical thinking. When you’re making something, you have to evaluate your options for materials, techniques, and more, ensuring you choose a path that leads to the best final product.

Join a Debate Club

If you’re looking for possibly one of the best critical thinking examples around, debate is probably it. That means, if you want to take your skills up a notch, joining a debate club can be a great option.

You have to support a position – at times one that doesn’t align with your personal beliefs – and try to convince others that your side is correct. You’ll dive into unfamiliar topics, gather data to support the perspective you’re assigned, and choose how to present information in a convincing way.

While you might think that, if you aren’t in high school, that this isn’t an option, that isn’t the case. There are many meetups that focus on debate, giving people of all ages a place to boost their skills.

List of Critical Thinking Skills

There are quite a few characteristics and capabilities that support critical thinking. By knowing which skills fall into that category, you can decide what to showcase during your job search.

So, let’s dig in. Here is a quick list of critical thinking skill examples:

• Self-Reliance
• Decision-Making
• Open-Mindedness
• Deductive Reasoning
• Problem-Solving
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Attention to Detail
• Pattern Recognition
• Interpretation
• Active Listening
• Conceptualization

Now, these aren’t the only skills that can help you think critically. Practically anything that enables you to navigate the process can count.

Additionally, you don’t have to fit all of these skills on your resume to show that you know how to think critically. Instead, you want to highlight a range, demonstrating that you have what it takes to navigate situations effectively and accomplish your goals.

Spend some time reflecting on your work history or educational experiences. Then, identify moments where you used critical thinking to accomplish something noteworthy. Once you have, think about the skills that came into play, and make sure to mention them as you describe what led up to the achievement.

If you’re looking for more skills to put on a resume , we’ve actually taken a deep dive into that topic before. Along with various critical thinking skills, we tap on a ton of other areas, making it easier for you to figure out what you should feature during your job search.

Putting It All Together

In the end, critical thinking skills are essential for nearly every member of the workforce. By elevating yours as much as possible and showcasing them during your job search, you won’t just be a stronger candidate but also a more capable employee. That’s all great stuff. It’ll help you have your ideal career and, ultimately, isn’t that what it’s all about?

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com.

His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Mike simpson.

Co-Founder and CEO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Mike is a job interview and career expert and the head writer at TheInterviewGuys.com. His advice and insights have been shared and featured by publications such as Forbes , Entrepreneur , CNBC and more as well as educational institutions such as the University of Michigan , Penn State , Northeastern and others. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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What Are Critical Thinking Skills?

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In the workplace, we’re constantly bombarded with new information to sort through and find solutions. Employers want to hire people who are good at analyzing these facts and coming to rational conclusions — otherwise known as critical thinking skills. Critical thinking skills are a type of soft skill that describes how you process information and problem-solve . In this guide, we’ll cover critical thinking examples, how to improve your critical thinking skills, and how to include them in a job application.

Critical Thinking Skills Defined

What are critical thinking skills? Critical thinking skills help you process information and make rational decisions. 

“Critical thinking skills allow us to analyze problems from multiple angles, come up with various solutions, and make informed decisions,” says Bayu Prihandito, self-development expert and certified psychology expert. “This not only saves time and resources but also develops innovation and adaptability , skills that employers highly value.”

There’s data to back up Prihandito’s point, too. In top industries like technology and finance, critical thinking skills are even more important than some technical and digital hard skills . According to PwC , 77% of employers in financial services say that critical thinking skills are crucial for their business, compared with digital skills at 70%. Critical thinking is one of the top five skills employers in technology are looking for, too, according to Forage internal data , preceded only by communication skills , data analysis, and Python.

>>MORE: Learn the differences between hard and soft skills .

But why do so many employers want you to have these skills? Critical thinking skills make you a more effective, productive, and efficient employee.

“By questioning assumptions, evaluating evidence, and exploring alternative perspectives, individuals with strong critical thinking skills can make well-informed decisions and devise creative solutions to complex issues,” says Matthew Warzel, certified professional resume writer and former Fortune 500 recruiter . “This leads to improved problem-solving and decision-making processes, fostering organizational efficiency and productivity. Critical thinking skills also empower individuals to identify and mitigate potential risks and pitfalls, minimizing errors and enhancing overall quality in the workplace.” 

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Critical Thinking Skills Examples

Critical thinking examples include a wide range of skills, from the research you do to understand a problem to the collaboration skills you use to communicate with others about a solution. Other examples include:

Critical Thinking Skills Examples at Work

What does critical thinking in the workplace look like? Here are some critical thinking examples for different roles:

• A software engineer anticipating potential challenges with a new feature and making plans to mitigate them before integration 
• A marketer evaluating historical user data to identify channels to invest in 
• An investment banker performing due diligence on a potential merger
• A product manager making a hypothesis of why a product change will drive more engagement
• A sales manager considering the risks and outcomes of modifying the company’s pricing model 
• A consultant gathering initial data and information on current company processes, costs, and organization to synthesize challenges

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Whether you’re in a technical field, creative one, or somewhere in between, critical thinking skills can help you be a better employee — and therefore are highly valuable to all different types of employers.

“Critical thinking is essential to success in both white and blue collar jobs,” says Dr. Nathan Mondragon, chief industrial and organizational psychologist at HireVue. “Consider the school bus driver who must maintain constant vigilance and practice some critical thinking skills in the moment during an ever changing road or traffic situation. No parent will argue against the importance of a bus driver’s ability to quickly and critically analyze a situation to make an informed, albeit, rapid decision.”

How to Improve Critical Thinking Skills

If critical thinking skills are crucial to being an effective (and hireable!) employee, how can you improve yours? 

Practice Active Reading

OK, maybe you know what active listening is, but what about active reading? Active reading is when you read challenging material and reflect on what you read. It can help you engage with information and build your critical thinking skills.

Pick an article on a topic you’re interested in. While you’re reading, write down thoughts you have about the author’s arguments and follow-up questions you have. Even better, get someone else to read the same material and start a conversation about what you wrote down!

“By reading diverse and challenging material, such as books, articles, or academic papers, students can expose themselves to different perspectives and complex ideas,” Warzel says. “Following this, students can engage in reflective writing, where they articulate their thoughts and opinions on the material, while incorporating logical reasoning and evidence to support their claims. This process helps develop clarity of thought, logical reasoning, and the ability to analyze and synthesize information effectively.”

The exercise might seem a little like homework at first, but that’s why professors have you answer comprehension questions and participate in discussions for school — they want you to think critically about the material. 

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Play With Puzzles …

Building your critical thinking skills doesn’t just have to be reading a bunch of articles. It can be fun, too! Regularly engage with puzzles like logic puzzles, riddles, and word games. These puzzles practice your reasoning skills while keeping you intellectually stimulated.

… and People, Too

Critical thinking isn’t done in a bubble. You’ll need to collaborate with others, especially in the workplace, to understand past projects, roadblocks, what resources they have, and their opinions. Participating in group activities like debates, academic clubs, and academic discussions can help you practice listening to and processing different viewpoints.

Stay Curious

Good critical thinkers are open to a range of answers and ideas. They want to take in all of the evidence to understand why something is (or isn’t) happening.They also know going into a problem with an open mind is the best way to solve it. 

You can practice this open-mindedness by staying curious. 

“Adopt a curiosity mindset, learn how to ask good questions, and practice unraveling something from end to beginning and vice versa,” says Arissan Nicole, resume and career coach and workplace expert. “Critical thinking is about being reflective, not reactive. Put yourself in situations that are uncomfortable and challenge you, be around people that have different viewpoints and life experiences and just listen.”

How to Demonstrate Critical Thinking Skills in a Job Application

We know employers value critical thinking skills, but you don’t just want to add “critical thinking” in the skills section of your resume. Instead, your goal should be to show employers that you have these skills.

On Your Resume

On your resume , highlight experiences where you used critical thinking skills.

“Include relevant experiences or projects that demonstrate your ability to analyze information, solve problems, or make informed decisions,” Warzel says. “For example, you can highlight academic coursework that involved research, critical analysis, or complex problem-solving. Additionally, you can mention extracurricular activities or volunteer work where you had to think critically or exercise your problem-solving abilities.”

In the Interview

In the interview , elaborate on your experiences using the STAR method to frame your answers. The STAR method helps you clearly and concisely describe the situation, what you did, and what results you found.

Beyond speaking to your experience, you can also show your critical thinking skills in how you answer questions. This is especially true for more technical interviews where the interviewer might ask you to solve problems.

For example, let’s say you’re interviewing for a data analyst position. The interviewer might ask you a hypothetical question about how you’d figure out why company sales dipped last quarter. Even if you don’t have an answer right away (or a full one!), speak your thought process out loud. Consider:

• Where do you start?
• What resources do you rely on?
• Who do you collaborate with?
• What steps do you take to uncover an answer?
• How do you communicate results?

“Emphasize your ability to think logically, consider multiple perspectives, and draw conclusions based on evidence and reasoning,” Warzel says. 

This is the time to get specific about exactly what steps you’d take to solve a problem. While on a resume you might keep it short, the interview is the time to elaborate and show off your thought process — and hopefully show why you’re the best candidate for the role!

Ready to start building your critical thinking skills? Try a free Forage job simulation .

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