Definition
Skills are social and professional competencies or abilities. These are examined particularly closely in the area of personnel management, and are also decisive factors in applicant management.
Based on skills, employees are assigned to specific positions because they bring the necessary requirements and qualifications. During the application process, an applicant’s skills can be decisive in determining whether they get the position or not. The HR department is particularly interested in hard and soft skills.
Difference Between Hard Skills & Soft Skills
Hard Skills
Hard skills classically refer to the competencies that one would also list in a curriculum vitae. This includes everything related to professional knowledge, for example:
- Professional experience
- Training / Vocational education
- Further education
- Academic education
- Specialisations
Language skills
- IT skills
- etc.
Soft Skills
Soft skills are interpersonal abilities. These can be further divided into three categories.
Social competencies:
Social competencies refer to the ability to, for example, communicate well and persuade others.
Personal competencies:
Personal competencies describe the self-image one has of oneself, e.g. self-confidence, reflection, and handling criticism.
Methodical competence:
Methodical competencies are skills for solving complex tasks or problems. Among other things, the term also encompasses stress resistance and resilience.