How to Assess Soft Skills in Technical Interviews

Author: Katie Sechrist November 2, 2024 4 min read

When hiring for technical roles, assessing a candidate’s hard skills is only half the battle. While coding, engineering, and IT prowess are vital, soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are just as important for long-term success in technical environments. The challenge lies in how to effectively evaluate these competencies during the interview process. In this guide, we’ll walk you through strategies to assess soft skills in technical interviews and ensure you’re selecting candidates who will thrive in your team dynamic.

Why Soft Skills Matter in Technical Roles

In tech-driven environments, employees rarely work in silos. They must collaborate with other teams, clients, or stakeholders who may not have the same technical background. Having solid communication and interpersonal skills ensures smoother workflows, fewer misunderstandings, and a more productive team.

Furthermore, problem-solving and adaptability are crucial in technology roles where challenges can arise unexpectedly. A candidate who can navigate these situations with a calm demeanor and collaborative spirit is an asset to any organization.

Key Soft Skills to Assess

1. Communication Skills
   • Why It’s Important: Even the most technically proficient candidates need to be able to communicate their ideas clearly, both verbally and in writing.
   • How to Evaluate: During the technical interview, ask the candidate to explain a complex problem or concept they’ve worked on. Pay attention to how clearly they explain technical details and their ability to make it understandable to a non-expert. Additionally, observe how well they listen and respond to feedback during the discussion.
2. Teamwork and Collaboration
   • Why It’s Important: In tech environments, developers, engineers, and IT professionals must work in teams to deliver complex projects. The ability to collaborate effectively is essential for maintaining a harmonious and productive work environment.
   • How to Evaluate: Include behavioral interview questions like, “Tell me about a time when you worked on a team project. How did you contribute, and how did you handle disagreements?” You can also simulate a group task or role-play scenario to observe how they interact and respond to input from others.
3. Problem-Solving and Adaptability
   • Why It’s Important: In fast-paced tech roles, the ability to troubleshoot and pivot when things go wrong is a critical skill. Candidates need to be adaptable and resourceful in finding solutions.
   • How to Evaluate: Present the candidate with a hypothetical but realistic technical problem. Rather than focusing only on the correct answer, observe how they approach the problem. Do they ask relevant questions? Do they think critically and consider multiple approaches before settling on one?

Techniques for Evaluating Soft Skills in Technical Interviews

1. Behavioral Questions: Ask candidates to provide examples of past experiences where they demonstrated key soft skills. For instance, ask how they handled a disagreement with a coworker or adapted to a last-minute project change.
2. Pair Programming or Role-Playing: Use collaborative tasks like pair programming to see how candidates work with others in real-time. This helps assess not only technical ability but also how well they communicate, adapt to feedback, and cooperate with a team member.
3. Situational Judgement Tests (SJTs): Present candidates with specific scenarios they might encounter in your workplace and ask them how they would handle it. This helps reveal their thought processes, communication style, and ability to manage interpersonal challenges.
4. Mock Presentations or Reports: Ask candidates to present their technical solution to a problem or write a brief report explaining a technical concept. This will allow you to assess how well they can communicate complex ideas in a clear, concise, and accessible manner.

Conclusion

When hiring for technical roles, remember that a well-rounded candidate needs more than just technical expertise. Evaluating soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving will help ensure the person you hire can thrive in the dynamic and collaborative environment of tech. By incorporating these strategies into your technical interviews, you’ll identify candidates who bring not only the right skills but also the right mindset for long-term success.