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Work in the tech industry isn’t for everyone. The hard skills necessary to design and run computer programs, hardware, software, networking, and system maintenance take years to master. But persistence and practice pay off when you land a high-paying job in the tech field.
Yet, as a Black tech professional, sometimes the most challenging part of your career can be getting hired. You’re competing against other highly skilled candidates in a white male-dominated field. It isn’t enough to rely on your coding intelligence and long list of tech specializations. You’ll need to boost your employee attractiveness by including some soft skills on your resumé.
These interpersonal skills are vital in high-paced environments where teamwork and critical decision-making are essential to the job. In this blog, we’ll share the top soft skills that tech hiring managers want to see and why you should have them to increase your career knowledge.
1. Analytical Thinking
Some jobs require creativity, but tech roles require someone who is logical in identifying and solving problems. With this skill, you’re more likely to spot trends in data, recognize and respond to changes in performance indicators, and handle crucial issues when they arise. Analytical thinking is an essential part of most jobs in the tech field, and having it on your resumé may be just the extra piece you need in your “advantages” side to help you get the job over someone else.
2. Forward-Minded
The technology industry is constantly changing. How are you actively staying up-to-date on the advancements around the world? The soft skill of forward-mindedness shows that you’re serious about being at the top of your profession. Employers like to see you attending professional organizations, working with mentors, and attending tech conferences. (For a list of the best Black tech conferences to attend and add to your resumé, read this article by Obsidi®.)
3. Decisive
How well do you formulate a decision when faced with possible solutions to a problem? Decision-making skills are a vital component in the tech industry. If you’re good at this soft trait, you may take it for granted and assume everyone is. However, many people freeze when faced with the responsibility of evaluating variables, determining potential consequences, and making an action-based decision. If you have strong decision-making skills, add this impressive soft skill to your list of highlighted abilities. It shows potential employers that you have leadership qualities.
4. Detail-Oriented
Some careers require holistic approaches to problem-solving. Tech work involves a more detail-oriented focus. Each project involves tasks that require you to concentrate and use extreme precision. One wrong keystroke can ruin the whole program. As a detail-oriented person, you show the hiring manager that you can handle complex projects and slow down enough to do the job thoroughly and carefully.
5. Inclusive-Minded
Complex tech projects aren’t one-person jobs. You’ll work with a team to reach the company’s goal. This aspect means you should be adaptable, open to change as needed, and willing to work with anyone on your team, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, or other demographic. Inclusive-minded people and a diverse team lead to out-of-the-box thinking and more ingenious ideas. Yet, not everyone is open to diversity, equality, and inclusivity (DEI). This factor drives many tech employers, as research has shown that diverse tech companies are more successful and profitable than their homogenous competitors.
6. Highly Resilient
Have you ever been called stubborn or obstinate because of your dogged perseverance in completing a goal? This adjective, likely used in an insulting way, is a favored soft skill in the tech industry. Those skilled in perseverance and resiliency tend to power through difficult situations, making decisions and actions when others give up. The prized skill of high resiliency isn’t achieved by everyone — but it could make an impressive bullet point on your resumé.
7. Good Communicator
Finally, your ability to communicate in oral and written form may push you over the edge as the top contender on your application. Spelling, grammar, and mechanics matter in the tech industry. Imagine coding a new program and misspelling one of the core fields or inputting a period instead of a comma in a code. Oral communication is also vital, as you’ll talk to your team and connect with stakeholders throughout your job.
Conclusion
From your ability to think analytically to your effectiveness as a communicator, soft skills matter in tech, especially when you’re a Black tech professional trying to compete in a career where you’re underrepresented. Before you submit another application, brush up on these seven soft skills and add them to your resumé when you’ve mastered them.
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