Soft skills vs hard skills: striking the right balance in tech
Discover what soft skills are and why they’re vital for success in tech. Learn how communication, adaptability and emotional intelligence can future-proof your career alongside technical skills.
In the tech industry, the conversation often centres on certifications, coding languages, and technical expertise. But success in tech roles, from cybersecurity and software development to data analysis, requires more than just technical know-how. You need a balance of soft skills and hard skills to stand out and thrive.
In this article, we’ll break down the differences between soft and hard skills, explain why both matter and explore how to develop them in tandem to boost your tech career.
Written by
Chelsey Murray is a dedicated Careers Services Consultant at Learning People, bringing a wealth of recruitment experience and deep expertise in the tech and project management job markets.
Hard skills vs soft skills: what's the difference?
Hard skills are the technical abilities and specialised knowledge required to perform specific tasks. They’re often measurable and are typically learned through formal education or hands-on experience.
Examples of hard skills in tech:
- Programming languages (e.g., Python, JavaScript)
- Cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., CISSP, CompTIA Security+)
- Project management methodologies (e.g., Agile)
- Cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Microsoft Azure)
- Data analysis tools (e.g., SQL, Power BI, Excel)
These are the skills most commonly listed in job descriptions and required to get your foot in the door.
Soft skills, on the other hand, are interpersonal and behavioural abilities that influence how you work and interact with others. They aren’t tied to specific technical knowledge but are crucial for effective collaboration, communication and leadership.
They include things such as:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
- Emotional intelligence
- Critical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Conflict resolution
These skills play a critical role in team-based environments, agile workflows and when explaining complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
The ultimate hard and soft skill combinations
LinkedIn's own report on the most in-demand hard and soft skills last year in 2024 illuminated that the top five hard skills were software development, SQL, finance, Python, and Java. The top five soft skills were management, communication, customer service, leadership, and sales. A strong combination of the above would make for a strong application to a role in the tech sector.
Why both hard and soft skills essential in tech
While hard skills might land you a job, it’s often your soft skills that determine your growth and long-term success. In tech, professionals frequently work in cross-functional teams or lead complex projects. Without strong soft skills, even the most technically skilled individuals can struggle to perform effectively.
Consider these examples:
- A cybersecurity analyst needs technical skills to identify threat, but must also communicate clearly with non-technical stakeholders during a crisis.
- A developer must know how to code, but also how to collaborate, give feedback manage time across sprints.
- A project manager uses frameworks and tools, but also motivates teams and manages expectations.
Employers increasingly seek candidates who demonstrate both capabilities.
Soft skills and employability in tech
As automation and AI continue to evolve, the uniquely human attributes provided by soft skills are becoming more valuable.
For learners entering the workforce or reskilling into tech, mastering soft skills can:
- Improve job interview success
- Enhance leadership potential
- Strengthen workplace relationships
- Boost confidence and presentation skills
Hard skills vs soft skills: Which are harder to teach?
Hard skills can often be taught through structured courses and certifications. Soft skills, however, require self-awareness, practice, and real-world application. They're developed over time, through experience, reflection, and feedback.
This is why soft skills are sometimes seen as harder to cultivate. But the good news is, they can be developed intentionally.
How to develop soft and hard skills together
Here’s how you can build both types of skills in tandem:
1. Take courses that combine both
Many Learning People tech training courses embed soft skills into their curricula. Whether you’re studying cloud computing, coding or cybersecurity, our courses include elements like communication training, problem-solving exercises, and real-world scenarios.
2. Seek feedback and mentorship
Ask for input from peers, instructors, or mentors on how you communicate, lead, and collaborate. Constructive feedback helps refine both technical and interpersonal abilities. While many people wait for their formal performance reviews to receive feedback, those who proactively seek it out will sharpen their hard and soft skills faster, and in a way that's aligned with what their colleagues and teammates need.
3. Practise technical skills in team environments
Apply your hard skills in collaborative projects. Working with others gives you the opportunity to enhance communication, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.
4. Reflect regularly
After completing a project or certification, take time to reflect on how you managed your time, resolved challenges, or communicated with your team. Reflection reinforces learning.
Finding the right balance for your tech career
The ideal balance between soft and hard skills depends on your career path:
Regardless of your specialism, focusing on both sets of skills sets you apart in the job market, makes you a more competitive candidate for tech roles, and helps you build a resilient, future-ready career.
Ready to upskill?
At Learning People, we believe that true career empowerment comes from developing both technical knowledge and human-centric skills. Our tech career pathways are built to equip you with in-demand hard skills and the power skills employers are actively seeking.
Explore our tech courses in IT, project management, cybersecurity, coding and data, each designed to build not only your technical foundation but your confidence, collaboration and communication too.
