We’ve all heard of a tech stack, the layers of software and tools that help businesses run easily. But have you ever ever considered a human skills stack?
In today’s AI-driven job market, technical skills alone aren’t enough for a jobseeker to face out. Employers across many industries are increasingly on the lookout for candidates who bring strong soft skills, or as we prefer to call them, human skills, to the table. These are the talents that make you adaptable, collaborative and effective in any workplace.
What’s a human skills stack?
Your human skills stack, as discussed in a recent LinkedIn newsletter by Hays called The Talent Blueprint, is the mix of essential interpersonal and cognitive abilities that assist you succeed at work.
Chances are you’ll see a human skills stack as a portfolio of your soft skills that go with your overall abilities and capabilities within the workplace.
Top human skills employers want in 2025
A few of the most important human skills to develop are:
- Problem-solving – Your ability to search out solutions to certain situations.
- Communication – How well you come across in written or spoken communications, but additionally your body language.
- Leadership – Your ability to encourage others and get results from them.
- Adaptability – Your willingness to vary gears when needed.
- Emotional intelligence – How well you handle and manage your individual emotions, whilst being aware of others’.
These aren’t just nice-to-haves anymore. They’re the talents that employers are struggling to search out, they usually’re increasingly becoming the differentiators in hiring decisions.
In our latest Salary Guide surveys, 1000’s of employees across the globe identified the next human skills as essentially the most valued for profession progression:
- Ability to adapt to vary
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Willingness to learn and upskill
You’ll notice a powerful overlap with the talents employers say are missing of their organisations. This presents a golden opportunity for jobseekers to face out in a competitive market.
Methods to construct your human skills stack
Constructing your human skills doesn’t require formal qualifications. In actual fact, showing awareness and a willingness to practice can often be enough. Listed here are just a few ways to strengthen your stack:
1. Communication
Marc Burrage, Managing Director of Hays Asia, shared 10 ways to enhance communication skills, including:
- Listening actively
- Checking your body language
- Projecting confidence
- Knowing your audience
These skills are especially necessary when 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 spotlight their role beyond technical tasks: “Perhaps you’re in an agile environment where you participate and even lead team groups and virtual meetings. These elements of your on a regular basis may be necessary indicators to the human skills you possess.”
3. Problem-solving and adaptableness
Volunteer for cross-functional projects, tackle latest challenges, and reflect on the way you handle change. These experiences construct resilience and show employers you’re ready for the longer term of labor.
Showcasing your skills to employers
When you’ve developed your human skills, it’s crucial to showcase them effectively, in the course of the hiring process. Here’s some suggestions to assist:
- Use real examples in your CV and canopy letter. It’s not enough to say “I’m a fantastic communicator.” You’ll want to prove it with real life examples.
- Prepare for behavioural interviews with stories that reveal communication, leadership and adaptableness.
- Highlight transferable skills from volunteer work, side projects, or team initiatives.
For more recommendations on showcasing this skills in the course of the application process, read our detailed blog.
Your stack isn’t finished
Human skills aren’t static – they grow with you. Whether through day-to-day interactions, feedback from colleagues, or online courses, there’s at all times room to enhance.
Your human skills are what make you, you. In a world where AI can replicate technical tasks, your ability to attach, lead and adapt is your profession advantage. So start constructing your human skills stack today, and keep refining it as you grow.
Additional content to assist you
Methods to show your skills in a job application
What are people skills and why are they necessary?
5 ways to enhance your collaboration skills