Softskills is the key to career opportunities in technology
In the tech world, it's not all about writing code, knowing languages or programmes. That's only part of it, what we would call technical skills or hardskills. The other is the softskillswhich play a fundamental role. Many tend to focus exclusively on the technical, neglecting these skills that are fundamental to professional success.
According to Harvard Business Review, the 58% of technology managers have dismissed technically sound candidates for lack of communication skills.
What are softskills?
- Common Softskills: those that we can all learn and improve, such as communication, time management, teamwork, critical thinking, adaptability, problem solving, flexibility, feedback, strategic thinking, crisis management, empathy, etc.
- Inborn Softskills: those that are unique and non-transferable because they relate to our character. They are the favourites of headhunters, because they predict our behaviour in the company. They are, for example, analytical thinking, conceptual thinking, self-confidence, achievement orientation, information seeking and understanding of the organisation.
They are more than just a means to get a job. It is the key to our professional self-knowledge. If we know what we excel at, we will know what sectors and roles we should focus on. our professional career. For this reason, we make available the softskills in technology more valuable in each role.
Softskills in Cybersecurity
The world of cyber security is not just about detecting vulnerabilities or responding to incidents. It requires a critical thinking The role is also a strong one for analysing threats, identifying suspicious patterns and making decisions under pressure. In addition, a fundamental part of this role is the communication. Risks often need to be explained to non-technical people, such as managers or customers, so the ability to translate complex information into simple terms is key.
A softskill innate fundamental in this field is the self-confidence. Cybersecurity professionals must rely on their judgement to make quick decisions at critical moments and take responsibility for protecting sensitive data.
Softskills in DevOps
DevOps is the union of development and operations, which is why the teamwork is at the heart of the discipline. DevOps practitioners collaborate with multiple teams, from developers to system administrators, which demands a communication and the ability to facilitate working together. In addition, the DevOps environment is constantly changing, with new tools and methodologies emerging all the time, so that the adaptability is crucial.
This is in addition to the success orientationa softskill innate that enables DevOps professionals to stay focused on continuous improvement, process optimisation and efficient task automation.
Softskills in Software development
Software development is, at its core, the problem solving through the code. Having the flexibility The ability to approach challenges from different perspectives is what differentiates a good programmer from an exceptional one. In addition, receive feedback is part of day-to-day work, whether in code reviews or team retrospectives, so the ability to accept and apply constructive criticism is indispensable.
The conceptual thinking is key for frontend developers, as it allows them to visualise how different pieces of software fit together in a larger system and to develop innovative solutions. While the analytical thinking is highly valued by backend developers because it allows them to decompose complex problems, optimise code performance and design efficient architectures that ensure system scalability and stability.
Softskills in Data Analytics and Data Science
In the field of data analysis, it is not enough to obtain valuable insights; you need to know how to communicate them effectively. A good analyst does not just present graphs and numbers, but tells a story with the data so that decision-makers understand the information and act on it. In addition, the analytical thinking is essential for accurately cleaning, interpreting and modelling data; and the ability to search for information is what allows analysts to delve deeper into data beyond the obvious, identifying hidden patterns and creating effective predictive models.
Softskills in Cloud Computing and Software Architecture
Software architects and cloud professionals must design solutions that are scalable and sustainable in the long term. This implies a strategic thinking to anticipate potential problems and optimise resources from the outset. In addition, when infrastructure failures do occur, it is crucial to remain calm and crisis management effectively to minimise the impact on the business.
A softskill innate key in this field is the understanding of the organisation. Understanding how business structures work, the power dynamics and the interests of different teams allows you to design solutions that truly align with the needs of the business. In addition, the empathy will be a good ally in this process.
Now that we know our skills, how do we transfer them?
It is important to explain technical concepts in a clear and accessible way. Not all recruiters are going to have the range of technical terms that we have mastered as tech specialists. A good method for structuring responses in interviews is the STAR framework (Situation, Task, Action, Result), which allows us to talk about concrete data and increase the impact of our communication. For example, instead of saying "we optimised the code", you can explain "we reduced the load time by 30%, improving user retention".
Communication, as well as all the common softskills, It gets better with practice. You will see your growth as you accumulate interviews, but you can put it into practice by participating in activities such as hackathons or class groups, even with your friends or sports environment. And get used to receiving constructive feedback and collaborating effectively with others.
These skills will not only help you excel at work, but also help you build lasting professional relationships.
Boost your Technology Career with the Right Softskills
Success in the tech world depends not only on the mastery of tools and languages, but also on the ability to communicate, adapt and solve problems effectively.
If you want to stand out in the labour market and learn how to apply these skills in real environments, IMMUNE Technology Institute offers you innovative training programmes in cybersecurity, software development, cloud computing and data science.
📍 Find out more about our programmes and take your career to the next level: tech.immune.institute
🔹 Which softskills do you think are most valuable in your sector? Let us know what you think in the comments! 👇