Five Non-technical Skills To Look for When Hiring Technical Employees

Introduction

According to Stanford Research Institute International, non-technical skills account for nearly 75% of an employee’s success, while technical skills account for only 25%. Thus, when it comes to hiring technical employees, it is important to have an understanding of the skills and qualities necessary to succeed in the role. Companies often seek out employees who can think critically and solve problems, have an eye for detail, and possess strong technical and organizational skills. To ensure they find the right fit for technical positions, hiring managers should consider skills such as problem-solving skills, creativity, attention to detail, and the ability to learn quickly and adapt to changing technologies when hiring technical employees.

Essential Non-technical Skills To Look For in Technical Candidates

Technical employees should possess some essential skills to succeed in their roles. Listed below are some essential skills recruiters should look for while hiring technical employees:

Communication Skills

In addition to technical skills, candidates must possess excellent communication and problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively. Communication skills are an absolute necessity for any technical job. Effective communication is paramount for technical employees to effectively convey their ideas and solutions to technical and non-technical colleagues. The ability to effectively explain complex technical concepts in an understandable and concise manner is also essential.

Communication is also necessary for a technical employee to form clear and concise instructions for colleagues, customers, and supervisors. The ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical teams is a highly valued and sought-after skill for any technical job. Furthermore, technical employees must be able to effectively gather and interpret feedback from colleagues and customers to properly assess and address any technical issues.

Analytical Thinking

Analytical thinking is a vital skill for any technical employee. It involves evaluating data, recognizing patterns, and making informed decisions based on available evidence and data. Additionally, analytical thinkers think critically and develop creative solutions to complex problems. This skill is essential to ensure a successful and efficient work process, and it can help identify problems quickly and develop effective and efficient solutions.

Furthermore, analytical thinking can help identify trends in data and determine what strategies should be used to build products that would maximize success. With the use of analytical thinking, technical employees can become more effective in their roles and help in the growth of their organizations.

Problem-Solving Abilities

Problem-solving abilities are essential for any technical job role. Technical candidates must be able to identify and analyze problems and find solutions. They must possess the ability to troubleshoot and debug complex issues and come up with effective solutions on time. They should be able to think critically and come up with creative solutions to deal with difficult problems or issues.

In addition, they need to be able to independently research and understand new technologies and solutions to stay up to date with the latest developments in their field. Problem-solving abilities are a must-have for any technical job, as they can significantly improve the efficiency of any organization.

Team-Oriented Attitude

A team-oriented attitude is essential for any technical job, as it fosters an environment of collaboration, feedback, and constructive criticism. Technical employees should be able to work independently and collaboratively, taking the initiative and responsibility for their assigned tasks. They must also be open to learning from others, actively seek feedback, and work together to achieve the desired outcome.

Additionally, they should be able to communicate their ideas and technical designs effectively, ensuring that all parties are on the same page to enhance team performance. In fact, according to a McKinsey report, well-connected teams can increase productivity in work by 20-25%. Thus, a team-oriented attitude can prove to be a valuable skill for technical employees, and they can become strong contributors to the success of their organization.

Adaptability

Adaptability is an essential skill in the workplace that is highly valued. Professionals need to be able to adapt quickly and respond to changes as the work process is prone to changes. Professionals must be able to process and react to changes as effectively as possible, as frequent changes are starting to become the norm across a variety of industries. The degree to which professionals can adjust their work plans and schedules to meet project requirements and how well they get along with others depends on their capacity for adaptability and flexibility.

Conclusion

Employers should look for candidates with the appropriate knowledge and skills when hiring a technical employee. Technical expertise, effective communication skills, analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, adaptability, and a willingness to work in a team environment are qualities that ideal technical candidates should possess. Technical workers will be able to perform their jobs effectively and efficiently if they have the appropriate skill set. They ought to be able to detect issues as they arise and proactively offer the organization solutions. In order to guarantee that projects are finished on schedule and within budget, they should also be able to work cooperatively with others.

By having a well-rounded technical knowledge base  along with some essential non-technical skills, technical employees can ensure success in their field. Above all, technical candidates should demonstrate a commitment to learning and continuously developing their skills in order to stay up to date with the latest industry trends and technologies. Businesses can use Interview-as-a-service to outsource their technical interviews, which can help evaluate the technical as well as essential non-technical skills of their tech candidates. HireHunch, helps businesses assess the core technical skills, problem-solving, analytical skills, and communication skills of their tech candidates.

FAQs

Q. What are the 5 essential workplace skills?

Five essential workplace skills that are necessary for employees to succeed in their job roles are:

• Problem-solving 
• Communication 
• Collaboration
• Adaptability
• Leadership

Q. Which non-technical skills are indispensable for tech roles?

Tech employees should possess some essential non-technical skills to be successful in their roles. Some non-technical skills that are indispensable for tech roles are:

• Communication skills
• Adaptability
• Analytical thinking
• Problem-solving abilities
• Team-oriented approach
• Leadership

Q. Does an interview as a service help assess the non-technical skills of tech candidates?

Interviews as a service can help businesses evaluate the technical expertise as well as the essential non-technical skills of their tech candidates. HireHunch is a tech interviewing platform that can assist businesses in assessing the fundamental technical skills as well as problem-solving abilities, analytical skills, and communication abilities of their tech candidates.