In every office, the people who make up the various teams possess a wide array of skills and personalities. While technical specialists like R&D engineers, data scientists, and analysts show their value through their technical expertise and domain knowledge, others glue teams together with their indispensable soft skills. Soft skills are non-technical abilities and traits that have to do with professional relationships like project management, collaboration, and partnership building. These soft skills directly impact inner-office relationships, client management, sales practices, and crisis- and change-management.
Too often, soft skills are undersold by business school applicants. Going into 2025, 69% of recruiting leaders surveyed by LinkedIn said that they would be seeking out soft skills. This post will take a look at some ways that MBA applicants can highlight their soft skills in ways that will make their profile more appealing to admissions committees by projecting future adaptability and success.
You Are Always Learning
Having a growth mindset and being seen as teachable are traits that business schools highly value. Admissions teams know that a growth mindset can be a flywheel driving and unlocking other soft and hard skills. A hunger for knowledge gives the impression that someone is self-motivated and curious, which are common characteristics of good problem solvers. Don’t miss the chance to share stories of skills growth on your resume or in essays. Maybe you’ve taken the initiative to enroll in certificate courses online or you learned a new quantitative skill while covering for a colleague who was away on maternity leave. That proactive attitude suggests that you will be a helpful and dynamic team member going forward.
You Are a Team Player + Collaborator
MBA programs incorporate team-based projects in their curriculum because companies will always need people who can seamlessly work together. Being known as an approachable team member and reliable collaborator elevates one’s value within a company and creates greater job security. In certain roles these skills are especially valuable, so be aware of that if targeting roles in product management or human resources, for example. Use your resume, essays, and interview answers to show that you contribute in team settings and work well with others.
You Are Leadership Material
Leadership is a topic that intimidates some applicants, especially when they have never managed people and therefore feel they can’t persuasively display leadership experience or potential. However, leadership is not limited to people management and leadership potential can be expressed in many ways. For example, successfully managing projects or stepping up to identify and solve a problem that helps a team are strong evidence of leadership potential. Leaders often possess a mix of skills and traits that enable them to succeed in their careers, and not every leader is the same. Identify the key traits and skills that you have that demonstrate your capacity for leadership.
You Make Valuable Connections
Relationship building is an underappreciated skill, but it is essential in fostering in-office camaraderie, developing trusting client relationships, and reducing friction during project management or negotiations. A demonstrated ability to connect with people and solve problems in professional settings will help the admissions committee envision your future success, regardless what industry or role you are targeting. To prove that you have these skills, point to experiences that directly involve working with others, such as having a role on your Employee Wellbeing Committee or negotiating with vendors as an event planner.
Soft Skills Are Transferable
Possessing a range of soft skills suggests that someone can be very adaptable and has the potential to fit in an array of different workplace settings and cultures. Skills like communication and project management are universally valuable, whether one is working in finance or healthcare or civil engineering. Candidates aiming to pivot into a new role and/or industry will benefit from demonstrating the ways that their soft skills will buoy them as they move into a new space, professionally. Find ways to connect the dots from your current soft skills to your future role.
[Conclusion]
As we pointed out in a recent blog post, “Achievements alone do not paint a complete picture of a career.” This is why it is crucial to communicate your unique blend of strengths, technical and soft skills, and potential for continued career success. Each applicant has the opportunity to highlight their soft skills as a way to differentiate themselves in a crowded field of competitive applicants. Taking advantage of that opportunity could be the difference between receiving an acceptance letter and a less desirable outcome.