While global development is known for valuing high levels of education and technical expertise, when it comes down to actually succeeding in a role, many human resource professionals and managers say soft skills matter most.
Jobs in global development often involve working with multiple teams and stakeholders, adapting to different cultures and contexts, and making decisions in challenging situations. Skills such as empathy, diplomacy, and flexibility are critical to navigating and making an impact in such a dynamic sector. However, soft skills can be hard to demonstrate, particularly early on in the recruitment process, when the emphasis is on the CV.
“Marketing your soft skills can feel impossible because they are difficult to quantify,” says Siobhan Brooks, a former senior recruitment specialist at Tetra Tech who is now a talent acquisition manager at Haley & Aldrich. “However, your soft skills can also be what sets you apart from the competition,” she adds.