What are hard skills? Here you will find the definition and everything you need to know about these verifiable professional skills.
What are hard skills? Here you will find the definition and everything you need to know about these verifiable professional skills.
Hard skills are all verifiable and measurable competencies. In contrast to the Soft skills, which are more concerned with interpersonal and social skills, they are linked to specific areas of activity. They refer to the knowledge acquired, all technical knowledge, the wealth of experience and qualifications that were acquired, for example, at school, during training or studies. The professional experience gained also counts.
The term therefore encompasses learnable and verifiable technical skills or specialist competencies. Other terms for hard skills are therefore also "key qualifications", "professional experience" or "qualifications" and can be proven, for example, by corresponding certificates, diplomas, bachelor's and master's degrees or certificates as well as aptitude tests.
Examples of hard skills are:
These skills are usually objectively measurable and can be demonstrated through tests, examinations or certificates.
The importance of hard skills cannot be overemphasized. They are the foundation for pursuing jobs in a wide variety of industries. Here are some reasons why hard skills are so important:
Fulfillment of work requirements: Many jobs require certain hard skills to perform basic tasks and requirements. Without these skills, it would simply be impossible to perform the job.
Competitiveness: The job market is highly competitive and employers are looking for candidates with the best qualifications. Having strong hard skills can increase your competitiveness and increase your chances of getting a job or promotion.
Trust and credibility: If you can prove that you have the necessary hard skills, you can gain the trust of your superiors, colleagues and customers. This increases your credibility and reputation.
Professional development: Hard skills form the basis for professional development and advancement opportunities. They enable you to take on more demanding tasks and specialize in a professional field.
Innovation: Technological changes are the order of the day in many industries. With up-to-date hard skills, you are able to develop innovative solutions and adapt to new challenges.
Developing hard skills requires dedication, time and a willingness to continuously learn and grow.
The foundation is usually laid by the formal educationDepending on your career goals, this could be a university education, a technical college degree or a professional certification.
Participation in Online courses is another way to develop hard skills, or one that builds on formal education. The internet offers a wide range of online courses. Platforms such as Coursera, edX, Udacity and LinkedIn Learning offer a wealth of courses that can be completed from the comfort of your own home. These courses are often flexible and allow you to set your own pace.
Gaining practical experience by applying hard skills in the real world is crucial. Internships, freelance work or projects in your current job can provide valuable experience and solidify skills.
In many industries, Certificates and licenses an important proof of hard skills. The best thing to do is to find out about relevant certification programs and complete them.
For the Self-study You can use resources such as books, blogs, forums and professional journals to continuously expand your knowledge. Self-motivation and initiative are crucial to deepening your skills.
The Collaboration with mentors can be helpful. Experienced colleagues or mentors can provide valuable feedback and guidance.
Many industries are constantly evolving, so it is important to keep up with new trends, technologies and developments Keep up to dateto ensure that hard skills remain relevant.
Also important, but often underestimated: The Learning from mistakesMistakes are often a valuable source of learning. Instead of being discouraged by mistakes, you can reflect on them and use them as an opportunity to improve your hard skills.
While hard skills are undoubtedly important, we cannot neglect soft skills. In the modern workplace, both types of skills are necessary to be successful. Soft skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills complement hard skills and help you work effectively with others and succeed in the workplace.
-> Back to Recruiting Glossar
(Cover photo source: https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/man-made-word-skills-with-wood-blocks_22903156.htm by @andreyoskirko)
