The Soft Skills Employers Want and How To Get Them

Key Takeaways

• Employers increasingly value soft skills like communication and problem-solving as much as technical expertise.
• A liberal studies degree program can help you build these transferable skills through human-centered interdisciplinary learning.
• Graduates who cultivate adaptability, creativity, and collaboration are better prepared to thrive in any workplace.

When navigating fast-changing job markets, it’s not just what you know that sets you apart; it’s also how you think, communicate, and lead. As technology rapidly evolves, industries adapt, and the world becomes more globalized, employers are placing greater emphasis on soft skills to drive innovation.

Whether you’d like to advance in your career or explore a new direction, developing the soft skills employers want can open doors and help you make a lasting impact in any field.

What Are Soft Skills and Why Do They Matter?

Soft skills—also known as transferable skills or durable skills—are the interpersonal and cognitive abilities that enable people to work effectively with others, navigate complex challenges, and creatively solve problems.

While hard skills, such as graphic design or accounting software, are learned through technical training, soft skills reflect how you apply that expertise in real-world contexts. For example, a graphic designer might have advanced proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, but their ability to collaborate across teams and communicate clearly with clients helps determine their long-term success.

Many employers consider soft skills as important as hard skills. While certain hard skills can quickly become outdated due to rapid technological advancements, soft skills—such as creativity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence—remain timeless. They shape how you approach challenges, lead teams, and contribute to a positive, productive workplace culture.

What Soft Skills Are Employers Looking For?

While every job requires a unique blend of abilities, many employers value certain soft skills in the workplace to build effective teams:

• Communication: The adage rings true: “communication is key” for expressing ideas clearly, listening actively, and bridging differences across teams and cultures.

• Critical thinking: It’s important to evaluate information objectively to make thoughtful, evidence-based decisions.

• Problem-solving: Employers need people who can approach challenges with creativity, persistence, and logic to find solutions.

• Collaboration: Many teams are composed of diverse individuals with unique personalities and talents. Knowing how to balance everyone’s strengths and weaknesses is essential for achieving shared organizational goals.

• Adaptability: With constant technological advancements, uncertain economic markets, and more, employers need people who can remain open-minded and agile.

• Ethical judgment: It’s crucial to apply empathy and integrity when making decisions that affect others.

• Conflict resolution: Conflict is inevitable; it’s how you handle it that matters. Harmonious teams know how to respectfully address differences of opinion, take accountability, and compromise.

• Leadership: Effective leaders inspire trust, resolve conflict, and galvanize others to work toward a shared purpose.

How Can a Liberal Studies Degree Program Develop Soft Skills?

A liberal studies degree program helps students cultivate soft skills through an interdisciplinary education. By drawing connections between the humanities, social sciences, arts and culture, and organizational dynamics, students learn to approach challenges from multiple perspectives.

This kind of learning strengthens intellectual agility, allowing students to adapt, synthesize information, and think critically about society’s most pressing issues. Students gain a deeper understanding of the human condition while honing their expertise in communication, collaboration, problem solving, ethical leadership, and more.

Through courses that explore everything from philosophy and literature to behavioral science and human rights, students develop the transferable skills that employers value. This holistic approach nurtures creativity and adaptability while preparing graduates to apply their insights, drive innovation, and make real-world impact.

Invest in Your Future With SMU’s Graduate Liberal Studies Programs

In addition to an academic achievement, earning a liberal studies degree is an investment in how you think, communicate, and lead. At Southern Methodist University’s Simmons School of Education, we offer Master of Liberal Studies (MLS) and Doctor of Liberal Studies (DLS) programs designed for curious and values-driven professionals who want to make a deeper impact in their careers, communities, and beyond.

Whether you’re a career-changer or seeking to advance in your current field, the MLS and DLS programs combine academic rigor and flexibility, allowing you to curate your own curriculum while exploring diverse ideas that inspire personal and professional growth.

Below are some examples of available courses:

For a deeper dive into how you can develop soft skills valued in every industry, download our free resource: Exploring the Human Condition: A Guide to Pursuing Your Master or Doctor of Liberal Studies Degree.