NEW: English for Tech Bundle → Save 40%
Speak Tech English
Book class
Your progress…

Loading your progress…

Home
Business & Workplace Languagenoun · /sɔːft skɪlz/

soft skills

In simple English

Soft skills are non-technical competencies that complement your hard technical skills in software engineering and other tech roles. Unlike hard skills (coding languages, system design, databases), soft skills involve how you interact with people, manage conflict, listen to feedback, and lead projects. In tech companies, soft skills are increasingly valued because they determine how well engineers collaborate on teams, communicate with non-technical stakeholders, mentor junior developers, and handle high-pressure situations. Examples include communication, emotional intelligence, time management, and adaptability. During hiring, recruiters assess soft skills through behavioral interview questions and assess how you explain technical decisions to others.

Understand what soft skills are, why they matter in tech jobs, and how to develop them for career growth.

At a glanceCEFR B2
Commonness5/5
Versatility5/5
FormalityCasualFormalFormal
Spoken ↔ WrittenSpokenWrittenBoth
Directness ↔ DiplomaticDirectDiplomaticNeutral
RegionUS and UK
New app · Free lessons

Speak up in meetings. Feel confident.

Standup vocabulary, native examples, and quick practice — 100+ free lessons

Start learning freeNo card needed · Google or email
MemberMemberMember

3,000+ tech pros preparing for global tech roles

Lessons · Quizzes · Progress

Say it like this

✓Strong soft skills are essential for promotion to senior engineer.
✓We need to invest in soft skills training for our junior developers.
✓Her soft skills make her a natural leader on the team.

Real examples

in a standup

"I think we should improve our soft skills around giving feedback to each other during code reviews."

in a job interview

"Can you describe a time when your soft skills, such as communication or teamwork, helped resolve a difficult technical problem?"

in a performance review

"Your technical abilities are strong, but you should focus on developing your soft skills, especially in cross-functional collaboration."

Don't say this

Handle with care. Soft skills is not a verb and cannot be used as an action. Do not say 'to soft skill something.' It refers only to personal competencies, not technical abilities.

✕I need to soft skill this project with my team.
✓I need to use my soft skills to manage this project with my team.— Soft skills is a noun, not a verb. You cannot soft skill something. You develop or use soft skills.
✕The soft skills required for this role are Python and React.
✓The hard skills required for this role are Python and React.— Programming languages are hard skills (technical), not soft skills (interpersonal). Soft skills are communication, teamwork, etc.
✕She has excellent soft skills in JavaScript.
✓She has excellent hard skills in JavaScript.— JavaScript is a technical skill. Soft skills relate to working with people, not coding languages.

Other forms

noun (plural)

soft skills

"The job posting emphasizes both technical knowledge and soft skills."

noun (used as adjective)

soft skills training

"Our company offers soft skills workshops every month."

phrase

develop soft skills

"You can develop soft skills by taking leadership courses or mentoring others."

Often used with

strong soft skillsUsed to describe someone who is excellent at interpersonal communication and teamwork.
develop soft skillsThe common way to talk about improving your personal and interpersonal abilities.
soft skills trainingPrograms or workshops designed to teach communication, leadership, and collaboration.
soft skills gapA weakness in interpersonal or personal competencies that a person needs to address.
improve soft skillsTo get better at communication, teamwork, or other interpersonal abilities.

Similar words

interpersonal skillsMore specific focus on how you interact with people; soft skills is broader.
people skillsInformal and narrower; emphasizes ability to work with others. Soft skills includes personal qualities too.
transferable skillsBroader term that includes any skill you can use across different jobs; soft skills are one type.
professional skillsGeneral term for workplace competencies; soft skills specifically refers to non-technical ones.

Opposites

hard skillstechnical skills

Featured course

English for Developers Bundle

Full tech-English bundle for meetings, code reviews, and everyday developer communication.

500+ reviews

View

Practice

Try it

4 quick exercises

Spot the mistake

1. Which sentence uses 'soft skills' incorrectly?

Complete the sentence

2. The new hire has excellent technical knowledge, but needs to work on their _______ skills.

Pick the most natural phrasing

3. What is the best way to say this?

Rewrite naturally

4. Rewrite this in natural tech English: 'He is good at talking to people and working together with them on projects.'

Questions

Quick poll

Have you said "soft skills" in a standup this week?

Want more structured practice like this? Our English for Programmers course covers real workplace English in depth.

Your badges

XLinkedIn
← Back to home