This article was updated on March 5, 2026, to reflect the latest information.
TL;DR: Technical skills are the job-specific abilities you need to do your work — think coding, data analysis, or project management. Soft skills are transferable strengths like communication, leadership, and time management that apply across every role. You need both to advance your career, and the higher you climb, the more that balance matters. This guide breaks down the difference between technical and soft skills, explains why both are essential, and walks you through how to identify, build, and showcase the right skill set for your goals.
Understanding the difference between technical vs soft skills — and knowing how to develop both — is one of the smartest moves you can make for your career. According to ManpowerGroup’s 2026 Global Talent Shortage Survey, 72% of employers worldwide report difficulty finding candidates with the right skills. That's a significant gap, and it represents a real opportunity for job seekers who take skill-building seriously.
Your first step is to figure out what’s actually missing. What are the skills employers are looking for, and which ones can give you an edge? Let’s break it down.
What are technical skills?
Technical skills — sometimes called hard skills — are the specific abilities you need to perform a particular job. This includes specialized knowledge, hands-on experience, and familiarity with the tools and software your role requires.
By nature, technical skills vary from job to job. A writer’s technical skillset might include research, editing, SEO, and familiarity with publishing platforms. A web designer, on the other hand, needs to know HTML, CSS, JavaScript, UI/UX principles, and typography.
Even roles that sound similar can have very different technical skill requirements. Take web developers and web designers — they often work on the same project and may even share the same content management system, but their day-to-day technical skills look nothing alike. The developer handles back-end code and infrastructure, while the designer focuses on front-end layout and user experience.
The key thing about technical skills is that they're typically role-specific. You learn them for a particular job, and they don't always transfer directly to a different one.
What are soft skills?
Soft skills are the opposite of hard skills in one important way — they’re transferable. Their value isn't tied to a single job or industry. Instead, they serve you across every role you’ll ever have.
Examples of soft skills include time management, empathy, communication, collaboration, adaptability, and work ethic. These are the abilities that shape how you work with others, solve problems, and navigate your professional life.
Don't mistake the word “soft” for “less important.” If your technical skills are the brains behind the job, your soft skills are the heart and soul. Employers increasingly prioritize them — especially for leadership roles and team-based environments.
Why you need both technical and soft skills
It’s not a question of technical vs. soft skills — you need both, and this is true at every career stage. Whether you're in an entry-level role or preparing to step into senior leadership, a healthy balance of hard and soft skills makes you a stronger candidate and a more effective professional.
In fact, the higher you rise, the more critical that balance becomes. Effective leaders don’t just have the technical expertise that got them promoted — they also have the soft skills to manage teams, communicate a vision, and navigate conflict. Leadership itself is a soft skill.
Here’s the proof: research from DDI’s Frontline Leader Project found that 57% of employees have left a job specifically because of their manager. That’s a direct link between a manager’s soft skills — or lack thereof — and employee retention. The right technical skills may help someone climb the corporate ladder, but a lack of soft skills will prevent them from becoming a great leader.
Are you aspiring to become an inspirational leader? Make sure you're building these essential soft skills for managers.
How to identify the right skills for your goals
Before you start building new skills, take a step back and ask yourself: does this career path align with my interests, strengths, and long-term goals? At the intersection of those three things is the right job for you — and a clearer picture of the skills you’ll need to get there.
PowerToFly’s SkillMeter can help you evaluate your current abilities and pinpoint the gaps between where you are and where you want to be. It goes beyond a basic assessment — you’ll get a personalized skills framework and a development plan tailored to your career goals.
How to build and showcase your skills
Start with complementary skills
Not sure where to begin? Look at what you already know and branch out from there. If you’re a photographer, learning Photoshop or Canva is a natural next step. You’re not picking a random skill — you’re adding one that complements your existing strengths and makes your overall skill set more valuable.
Update your LinkedIn profile and resume
Skills only matter if people know you have them. Consistently update your certifications, courses, and new skills on your resume and professional profiles like LinkedIn. Platform algorithms pick up on your qualifications and highlighted skills to suggest connections, prospects, and job opportunities. AI-powered recruiting tools also scan for these skills when identifying candidates — so don’t leave them off your profile.
And while most people remember to update their technical skills, it’s equally important to highlight your soft skills. Don’t be afraid to show the person behind the professional.
Take courses with certifications
You’re never too old to learn, and it’s never too late to start. There’s no shortage of online courses, but finding the right ones matters. Courses with certifications carry more weight with employers — just make sure to check reviews and verify the credential’s value in your industry.
PowerToFly’s PowerUp platform offers expert-led courses on leadership, communication, and more — designed to help you build the skills that actually move your career forward. And for technical skills in coding, design, and data, Skillcrush provides hands-on tech training you can do at your own pace.
Test your skills
No lesson is fully learned until you’ve put it to the test. Participate in quizzes, assessments, and competitions to confirm your new abilities — and build confidence along the way. The more checkpoints you clear, the more prepared you'll feel when it's time to apply those skills on the job.
Network with intention
Networking isn’t just about making connections — it’s a skill-building exercise in itself. When you discuss your work and learnings with peers, you’ll spot gaps you didn't know you had. Sometimes the best way to solidify a skill is to teach it to someone else.
Networking also gives you a platform to showcase your new abilities. That exposure can open doors to collaboration, new opportunities, and career progression.
Apply your skills in the right context
A popular saying goes, “If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its life believing it was stupid.” In our hunt for careers, we sometimes gravitate toward paths that worked for others but might not be the right fit for us.
The good news is the world needs people with many different skill sets. When it comes to picking up the right skills, start by making sure the job is right for you. Does it align with your interests, talents, and goals? At the intersection of those three things is the right career — and the right skills to make it happen.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between technical and soft skills?
Technical skills (also called hard skills) are the job-specific abilities you need for a particular role — like programming, accounting, or graphic design. Soft skills are transferable abilities like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving that apply across all jobs and industries.
Which is more important — technical or soft skills?
Both are essential. Technical skills qualify you for a role, but soft skills help you succeed and advance in it. Most employers look for a blend of both, especially as you move into leadership positions.
How do I know which skills I need to develop?
Start by reviewing job postings in your target field and noting the skills they list. Then compare those to your current abilities. Tools like PowerToFly's SkillMeter can help you identify specific gaps and create a development plan.
Can soft skills be learned, or are they innate?
Soft skills can absolutely be developed. While some people may have a natural inclination toward communication or empathy, these abilities improve with practice, feedback, and intentional effort — just like any technical skill.
How should I showcase soft skills on my resume?
Instead of simply listing soft skills, demonstrate them through specific accomplishments. For example, rather than writing “strong communicator,” describe a time you led a cross-functional presentation or resolved a team conflict.
Ready to figure out your next move? Take PowerToFly's SkillMeter assessment to identify your strengths, uncover skill gaps, and build a personalized plan for your career growth.
