Define Behaviours That Matter
I build a shortlist of behaviours using the OECD skills outlook and the APS behavioural indicators. This mix keeps the skills & competencies set grounded in research and local hiring standards.
Selection Filters
- Business impact: Does the behaviour move revenue, risk, or experience metrics?
- Observability: Can a stakeholder or system confirm it happened?
- Repeatability: Can you show it across roles or projects?
If a soft skill fails any filter, it stays off the page until you gather proof.
Turn Behaviours into Evidence
In my own portfolio, I transformed “collaboration” into specific achievements: co-designing a sprint demo that cut rework by 18% and launching a cross-team retro that lifted engagement scores. Those specifics convert a soft skills resume into a results resume.
Evidence Menu
- Quantified improvements such as defect reduction, cycle time, or customer NPS.
- Artifacts like facilitation decks or decision logs shared with reviewers.
- Third-party signals—testimonials, LinkedIn recommendations, or awards.
Pair each item with a short description and link to your cover letter or LinkedIn summary for consistency.
Package Skills for Different Channels
A strong skills & competencies hub lets you repurpose content quickly. I use a one-sentence proof for job ads, a carousel for LinkedIn, and a 60-second YouTube explainer when pitching contractors.
Channel Playbook
- Resume snapshot with five high-proof soft skills plus supporting bullets.
- Interview cheat sheet with STAR mini-stories to avoid rambling.
- Portfolio link with screenshots or diagrams showing the behaviour in action.
This approach keeps the story aligned while matching the format expectations of each platform.
FAQs
How do I prove soft skills on a resume?
Pair each soft skill with a scenario, your action, and a metric that improved—like engagement scores, defect rates, or cycle time reductions.
How many soft skills should appear in a skills & competencies section?
Highlight five to seven soft skills with evidence-rich bullets so hiring managers see depth without feeling you are listing traits.
Where should soft skills sit in a resume?
Include a dedicated soft skills resume snapshot near the top and thread the same behaviours through each achievement for consistency.
Next Steps
Build your evidence list tonight, slot it into our templates, and book a free resume review so we can stress-test your soft skills resume against current briefs.
