Job postings often contain a list of desired qualifications and abilities the employer deems necessary to fulfill the basic functions of the job, such as “proficiency with Microsoft® Office,” “a commercial driver’s license (CDL),” or “X years of corporate accounting experience.” “We need a truck driver. They’d better be licensed to drive for us.”
But job postings also often list things like “team player,” “ability to work in a fast-paced environment,” and “good communication skills.” These more nuanced qualities are often referred to as soft skills because they’re not as concrete as the demonstrable and objective ability to program using C++ or operate a forklift.
