What general strategy separates the roles of hard skills versus soft skills in securing employment?
Hard skills are used to get seen, but soft skills are relied upon to get hired and promoted.
The text suggests a strategic hierarchy for leveraging different skill sets during the job acquisition and advancement process. Hard skills, particularly specific keywords for technical roles like SQL or software names, serve the initial purpose of getting the candidate noticed, often by passing automated applicant tracking systems or initial resume reviews, effectively getting them 'seen.' However, the successful interview—the phase where the hiring decision is finalized and long-term fit is assessed—tends to pivot toward behavioral skills. Therefore, soft skills, such as demonstrating critical thinking and the ability to solve unique business problems, are the skills that ultimately lead to getting 'hired' and are instrumental in securing subsequent promotions.
