Building your human skills stack: the soft skills that will future-proof your career – Viewpoint

We’ve all heard of a tech stack, the layers of software and tools that help businesses run smoothly. But have you ever considered a human skills stack?

In today’s AI-driven job market, technical skills alone aren’t enough for a jobseeker to stand out. Employers across many industries are increasingly looking for candidates who bring strong soft skills, or as we prefer to call them, human skills, to the table. These are the skills that make you adaptable, collaborative and effective in any workplace.

What is a human skills stack?

Your human skills stack, as discussed in a recent LinkedIn newsletter by Hays called The Talent Blueprint, is the combination of essential interpersonal and cognitive abilities that help you succeed at work.

You may see a human skills stack as a portfolio of your soft skills that compliment your overall abilities and capabilities in the workplace.

Top human skills employers want in 2025

Some of the most critical human skills to develop are:

• Problem-solving – Your ability to find solutions to certain situations.
• Communication – How well you come across in written or spoken communications, but also your body language.
• Leadership – Your ability to inspire others and get results from them.
• Adaptability – Your willingness to change gears when needed.
• Emotional intelligence – How well you handle and manage your own emotions, whilst being aware of others’.

These aren’t just nice-to-haves anymore. They’re the skills that employers are struggling to find, and they’re increasingly becoming the differentiators in hiring decisions.

In our latest Salary Guide surveys, thousands of employees across the globe identified the following human skills as the most valued for career progression:

• Ability to adapt to change
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Willingness to learn and upskill

You’ll notice a strong overlap with the skills employers say are missing in their organisations. This presents a golden opportunity for jobseekers to stand out in a competitive market.

How to build your human skills stack

Building your human skills doesn’t require formal qualifications. In fact, showing awareness and a willingness to practice can often be enough. Here are a few ways to strengthen your stack:

1. Communication

Marc Burrage, Managing Director of Hays Asia, shared 10 ways to improve communication skills, including:

• Listening actively
• Checking your body language
• Projecting confidence
• Knowing your audience

These skills are especially important if you’re aiming for leadership roles, where motivating others and resolving conflict are key.

2. Leadership and collaboration

Shane Little, Managing Director of Hays Enterprise Solutions APAC, advises candidates to highlight their role beyond technical tasks: “Perhaps you’re in an agile environment where you participate or even lead team groups and virtual meetings. These elements of your everyday can be important indicators to the human skills you possess.”

3. Problem-solving and adaptability

Volunteer for cross-functional projects, take on new challenges, and reflect on how you handle change. These experiences build resilience and show employers you’re ready for the future of work.

Showcasing your skills to employers

Once you’ve developed your human skills, it’s crucial to showcase them effectively, during the hiring process. Here’s some tips to help:

• Use real examples in your CV and cover letter. It’s not enough to say “I’m a great communicator.” You need to prove it with real life examples.
• Prepare for behavioural interviews with stories that demonstrate communication, leadership and adaptability.
• Highlight transferable skills from volunteer work, side projects, or team initiatives.

For more tips on showcasing this skills during the application process, read our detailed blog.

Your stack is never finished

Human skills aren’t static – they grow with you. Whether through day-to-day interactions, feedback from colleagues, or online courses, there’s always room to improve.

Your human skills are what make you, you. In a world where AI can replicate technical tasks, your ability to connect, lead and adapt is your career advantage. So start building your human skills stack today, and keep refining it as you grow.

Additional content to help you

How to show your skills in a job application

What are people skills and why are they important?

5 ways to improve your collaboration skills

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