What Employers Really Want: Soft Skills Every Tech Pro Needs

In a world where new tools and technologies are emerging faster than software updates, technical know-how is table stakes for today’s tech talent. As automation takes on more routine coding tasks, employers are increasingly looking for tech candidates who also have essential human skills, AKA soft skills.  

So, while the latest coding languages, certifications and technical experience might get you in the door, in-demand non-technical skills — communications, creative thinking, adaptability and leadership — can help you get hired and promoted.

Not convinced? Look at the latest World Economic Jobs Report, which found that among the top 10 core skills for 2025, only one was technical (technological literacy). The rest included analytical thinking, leadership, empathy, creative thinking and other soft skills.  

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How can you highlight soft skills on your resumé?  

So, what are the qualities that take a tech pro from capable to indispensable? And how can you highlight them on your resumé or in your next interview? Let’s break down the top soft skills shaping successful careers in tech — along with tips for showcasing yours.  

1. Effective Communication

As a tech professional, your impact isn’t only measured by the code you write — it’s also in how well you can explain it to others, including non-technical team members. Whether you're breaking down complex ideas for stakeholders, writing clean documentation or sharing updates in a stand-up, strong communication keeps teams aligned and projects moving forward.

Still, it’s one of the biggest gaps in the market. Nearly one-third of Canadian employers cite poor communication as a major hiring hurdle (Harris Poll via ABC Life Literacy).

On your resumé: Highlight where clear communication led to measurable results.

Example: “Created end-to-end technical documentation that reduced onboarding time for junior developers by 30%.”

In an interview: Be ready to share a story where communication made the difference.

Example: “During a cross-functional project, developers and designers had competing priorities. I brought the teams together, clarified goals and documented next steps. That alignment helped us complete the project 20% ahead of schedule.”

Skill-building resource: Communication Foundations – LinkedIn Learning

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2. Adaptability

In tech, change is part of the job description. New tools, frameworks and priorities are all part of the day to day. That’s why employers are placing growing value on professionals who can pivot quickly, stay curious and thrive in evolving environments (RBC Future Skills Report).

On your resumé: Highlight moments where you embraced change and delivered results.

Example: “Adopted new project management software mid-sprint, resulting in a 15% increase in team productivity.”

In an interview: Frame change as an opportunity, not a disruption — and show how you supported others through it.

Example: “When our team adopted a new coding framework, I took the lead on learning it, then created tutorials and walkthroughs to help my colleagues ramp up quickly. It was rewarding to help the team transition smoothly and keep momentum going.”

Skill-building resource: Managing Change and Ambiguity – Coursera

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3. Problem-Solving

As tech roles become more strategic, your ability to solve complex problems is the skill that will move you forward. Canadian employers are prioritizing professionals who can think critically, troubleshoot under pressure and drive smart solutions (RBC + Business Council of Canada).

On your resumé: Focus on results. Quantify the impact your problem-solving made.

Example: “Created an internal debugging tool that cut software errors by 25%, boosting user satisfaction and reducing QA hours.”

In an interview: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to walk through a real challenge and your approach to solving it. Keep it clear, concise and outcome driven. For more tips on how to make the STAR method work for you, check out our recent blog.

Example:
“Our support team was getting flooded with crash reports. As the lead developer, I analyzed logs, isolated a memory leak and rebuilt the backend process to prevent future issues. The result? A 40% drop in crash-related tickets, improved user satisfaction and more time for our support team to focus on high-value work.”

Skill-building resource: Critical Thinking for Better Judgment and Decision-Making – LinkedIn Learning

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4. Teamwork and Collaboration

Even in a technical role, collaboration is key. Whether you're syncing with product, design, QA or leadership, your ability to communicate, compromise and move projects forward with a team matters. In fact, 75% of Canadian employers rank teamwork as one of the top soft skills they look for (Business Council of Canada).

On your resumé: Call out the impact you had as part of a team.

Example: “Worked with a cross-functional team of five to launch a client-facing application, achieving a 98% user satisfaction rate.”

In an interview: Share how you support alignment and foster collaboration — especially when tensions run high.

Example: “During a sprint, conflicting priorities between design and development were slowing progress. I organized a meeting to realign goals and proposed a compromise that met the needs of both sides. The result was a smoother workflow and an on-time delivery that got positive feedback from all stakeholders.”

Skill-building resource: Teamwork Skills: Communicating Effectively in Groups – Coursera

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5. Time Management

Juggling competing priorities is part of any tech role. How you manage your priorities, especially under pressure, can be the difference between just getting things done and driving real impact. Still, 42% of Canadian employers cite poor time management as a top reason for underperformance (Indeed Canada).

On your resumé: Show how you meet deadlines without sacrificing quality.

Example: “Led multiple concurrent projects, consistently met delivery timelines and reduced turnaround time by 10%.”

In an interview: Outline your system for staying on track when things get busy.

Example: “I prioritize tasks at the start of each day, break larger goals into smaller steps and use tools like Asana to keep everything on track. When priorities shift, I reassess timelines and adjust without losing momentum. It’s how I stay productive — even when things get hectic.”

Skill-building resource: Work Smarter, Not Harder: Time Management – Coursera

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6. Curiosity and Continuous Learning

In tech, standing still means falling behind, especially as AI continues to evolve and automate many tech tasks. This is why the most successful professionals are constantly exploring. Whether it’s learning a new language, digging into emerging trends or experimenting with tools that could spark the next big solution, curiosity fuels innovation — and signals growth potential and leadership readiness.

On your resumé: Highlight your initiative when it comes to self-directed learning.

Example: “Self-taught machine learning algorithms and developed a predictive analytics tool that increased forecasting accuracy by 20%.”

In an interview: Share how your curiosity has led to real improvements.

Example: “I’m always exploring new tools. I recently took on a new programming language to optimize part of our dev process. It cut build time by 15% and gave the team a faster way to iterate. Applying that learning in a real-world context was a great win.”

Skill-building resource: Learning How to Learn – Coursera

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7. Ethical Judgment and Responsibility

Tech doesn’t exist in a vacuum — it affects real people, data and decisions. That’s why ethical judgment matters. From data privacy to inclusive design, employers want professionals who act responsibly and prioritize trust, transparency and accountability.

On your resumé: Include any work that involved ethical standards, compliance or data governance.

Example: “Chaired a privacy task force that implemented data protection protocols aligned with international compliance standards.”

In an interview: Be ready to walk through an ethical decision and your reasoning behind it.

Example: “While reviewing vendors for a project, I noticed potential bias in our selection criteria. I proposed a transparent scoring system based on clear metrics. It helped us avoid conflicts of interest and reinforced fairness and integrity in the process.”

Skill-building resource: Ethics in AI and Data Science – edX

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8. Resilience and Stress Management

Tight deadlines, system bugs, surprise launches — tech can be a pressure cooker. But the professionals who stay calm, adjust quickly and keep teams moving forward under stress? They’re the ones people turn to during crunch time — and are often the ones who step into leadership roles.

On your resumé: Spotlight moments where you delivered under pressure.

Example: “Led a critical system migration under a tight timeline, completing the project ahead of schedule and with zero downtime.”

In an interview: Share how you manage stress while keeping performance high.

Example: “During high-pressure sprints, I rely on planning and mindfulness techniques to stay focused. I break complex projects into smaller milestones, which helps maintain momentum without feeling overwhelmed. This approach has helped my teams consistently hit deadlines — without burning out.”

Skill-building resource: Time Management for the Overwhelmed – Pryor Learning

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In tech, hard skills might get you in the door, but soft skills are what keep it open. The ability to communicate clearly, adapt to change, solve problems and lead with empathy is what transforms a skilled professional into a valued teammate, mentor and leader.  

Whether you're early in your tech career or eyeing your next big step, building these non-technical skills is one of the most valuable investments you can make. In fact, professionals who list both soft and hard skills on LinkedIn get promoted 8% faster than those who list only hard skills. And the best part? These are all skills you can learn — with every new project, conversation and course.

Altis connects organizations with tech professionals who bring both expertise and emotional intelligence to the table. Because it’s not just what you build — it’s how you show up while building it.

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