Soft Skills Employers Will Value – Especially During a Pandemic

At a minimum, employees must meet the role‑specific requirements needed to perform their duties — such as industry knowledge or proficiency with certain programs. However, the candidates who truly stand out during the hiring process are those who bring strong soft skills in addition to technical abilities. These qualities make someone a well‑rounded, adaptable, and reliable employee.

Below is our list of top soft skills every employee should have. These skills are especially valuable in today’s work‑from‑home environment.

1. Communication

This one is essential. With so many people working remotely, being able to communicate effectively without being in the same room is critical. Strong communication includes:

• Speaking up respectfully when needed

• Listening carefully to instructions

• Asking for help or clarification

• Keeping your team informed

2. Problem‑solving

When you’re working independently at home, employers want to know you can troubleshoot issues on your own. For example:

• Do you know who to contact if a program stops working?

• Do you have a backup plan if your laptop glitches?

• Being resourceful shows you can keep work moving even when challenges arise.

3. Decision‑making and leadership

Are you able to take initiative and make decisions when appropriate? While major business decisions require senior input, smaller day‑to‑day choices may fall to you — especially when teammates are unavailable due to meetings or conflicting schedules. Demonstrating leadership in these moments shows you’re capable of stepping up when needed.

4. Adaptability

Adaptability is just as important as communication. Employers value people who can adjust to changing circumstances — something the pandemic has made unavoidable.

Adaptability may include:

• Taking on tasks outside your usual responsibilities

• Adjusting to new work environments

• Collaborating with new team members

• This skill shows you can remain effective even when things shift unexpectedly.

5. Organization and time management

Working from home requires a high level of self‑management. Employers need to trust that you can stay productive without constant supervision.

Make sure you:

• Know your daily tasks

• Ask questions when unsure

• Come prepared for Zoom meetings or calls

• Manage your time effectively

6. Openness to criticism

Being able to accept feedback — even when it’s not positive — is a valuable skill. Openness to constructive criticism shows your employer that you’re committed to learning, improving, and growing in your role, regardless of your seniority.

7. Stress management

This skill is especially important during the pandemic. With ongoing restrictions and uncertainty, many people are feeling overwhelmed.

Ask yourself:

• Are you getting enough sleep?

• Are you taking breaks and getting fresh air?

• Can you speak up if your workload becomes too much?

• Managing stress effectively helps you stay focused, healthy, and productive.

Guhuza is created in partnership with TorontoJobs.ca.

Guhuza is the new way of recruitment — an innovative Canadian platform that goes beyond the features of a traditional job board. It uses breakthrough technology to instantly match employers and job seekers for the ultimate hiring experience. Our advanced system matches job seekers’ profiles with jobs on our site and ranks them for employers based on required skills. Once a match is made, live interviews can be conducted directly through the platform.

Visit Guhuza.com or our Knowledge Base to learn more.