Driving Innovation: Mechanical and Optical Processes During Rigid-flex Production
It’s Only Common Sense: Your Biggest Competitor Is Complacency
The Chemical Connection: Onshoring PCB Production—Daunting but Certainly Possible
Hiring for Soft Skills in Technology
August 16, 2023 | Brian Wallace, HR Strategies NowEstimated reading time: 1 minute
In the age of digital transformations and disruptions, many technology companies continue to amaze us with ever increasing capability and the breakneck speed of development. But beneath the surface, nearly every one of those organizations is made up of teams of employees who are tasked with delivering better results year after year. Technical capability is no longer enough to achieve long-term success. Soft skills are now a key factor in distinguishing high performing organizations from those that struggle, and their effect is far reaching.
In this article, I’ll explore the role of soft skills as they relate to technology-focused positions and investigate strategies for integrating these skills into the hiring process.
Many technology companies create a major challenge for themselves in that they focus so heavily on identifying and honing the technical skills that they lose sight of these soft skills. This can lead to information disconnects, dysfunctional behavior, and broken chemistry within the team. Missed opportunity often follows.
Initiatives that move the needle for an organization don’t happen within a vacuum. They require interdisciplinary teams to work together effectively and efficiently. Soft skills like communication, collaboration, emotional intelligence, and problem solving (among many others) are the capabilities that an individual possesses that enable them to do so. They are central to high team performance and the ability to create raving fans as customers.
At one level or another, technology employees must interact with internal and external clients and stakeholders who may not have technical backgrounds. Soft skills such as empathy, patience, and the ability to explain complex concepts in non-technical terms are crucial in building rapport, managing expectations, and ensuring their satisfaction.
To read this entire article, which appeared in the July 2023 issue of PCB007 Magazine, click here.
Share on:
Testimonial
"Your magazines are a great platform for people to exchange knowledge. Thank you for the work that you do."
Simon Khesin - Schmoll MaschinenSuggested Items
LPKF Delivers Key Strategic Technology to Fraunhofer's Glass Panel Technology Group
10/29/2025 | LPKFLPKF Laser & Electronics SE is one of the initiators of the Glass Panel Technology Group (GPTG), a consortium encompassing the entire process chain for advanced semiconductor packaging with glass substrates.
On the Line With… Ultra HDI Podcast—Episode 7: “Solder Mask: Beyond the Traces,” Now Available
10/29/2025 | I-Connect007I-Connect007 is excited to announce the release of the seventh episode of its 12-part podcast series, On the Line With… American Standard Circuits: Ultra HDI. In this episode, “Solder Mask: Beyond the Traces,” host Nolan Johnson sits down with John Johnson, Director of Quality and Advanced Technology at American Standard Circuits, to explore the essential role that solder mask plays in the Ultra HDI (UHDI) manufacturing process.
Nvidia’s Blackwell Chips Made in Arizona Still Head to Taiwan for Final Assembly
10/27/2025 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamNvidia has begun production of its next-generation Blackwell GPUs in the United States, but the company still depends heavily on Taiwan to complete the process, The Register reported.
American Standard Circuits Launches 50th 77-Second Webinar
10/27/2025 | American Standard CircuitsAnaya Vardya, President and CEO of American Standard Circuits/ASC Sunstone Circuits is pleased to announce that they have recently unveiled their 50th 77-second webinar.
KYZEN Brings Reliability to Life at productronica 2025 with ANALYST² Process Control Demos
10/22/2025 | KYZEN'KYZEN, the global leader in innovative environmentally responsible cleaning chemistries, will exhibit at productronica 2025, November 18–21 in Munich, Germany, where the company will put a spotlight on its award-winning KYZEN ANALYST² process control system in Hall A4, Stand 450.