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As opposed to hard skills - like the ability to use office software, experience welding, and/or the ability to apply OSHA regulations for lock-out/tag-out - soft skills are more subjective.
How do you measure leadership? How would you obtain valid and reliable data on work ethic?
Training in and evidence of "soft skills" are highly desired by hiring managers. Companies are spending more time and money developing internal, hard-skill training programs to adjust to changes in the labor market. That means their hiring practices are focused on people with the soft skills, who have the traits necessary to learn the trade and collaborate/communicate/problem solve with others to get the job done.