Yes, you want your employees to have the technical ability to do their jobs, but what about the interpersonal skills it takes to be all-around successful in the company? The importance of hiring for both hard and soft skills cannot be overstated. Let’s dive into soft skills vs. hard skills and why you need to ensure your agricultural candidates have both before bringing them on.
What are Hard Skills?
Most hiring managers think of hard skills when they think of qualifications for a position. Examples include:
- Row crop experience
- Ability to use farm equipment
- Ability to use production software
The list goes on and on and varies depending on which sector your ag business is in.
What are Soft Skills?
Soft skills are different from hard skills. They are personal skills that are not necessarily job-specific but can be valuable in many businesses across every industry. Examples of soft skills include:
- Effective communication skills
- Ability to work as a team
- Being a leader
- Excellent customer service skills
The Difference Between Hard Skills Vs. Soft Skills?
The main difference between hard and soft skills is that hard skills can be taught, while soft skills have more to do with a person’s personality and are much harder to teach. Hard skills are cut and dry. Either a candidate has them, or they do not. However, with soft skills, this is not the case. For example, a candidate may have communication skills, but they may not be stellar.
The Importance of Hiring for Both
When hiring for open positions, it is important to choose agricultural employees who balance hard and soft skills. A candidate who has exceptional hard skills but weak, soft skills will not thrive in the company culture. For example, let’s say you own an agriculture equipment company. You have an employee who is highly knowledgeable about the equipment but lack salesman skills. He or she has the hard skills necessary but lacks the soft skills to succeed in the position.
Find Candidates with the Perfect Balance
It is crucial to create a hiring strategy that focuses on both hard and soft skills. Keep in mind that a candidate who has a robust set of soft skills may be able to learn the hard skills needed and shouldn’t be dismissed so quickly.
You have a million things on your to-do list. Let Morris Bixby, take hiring off your plate. We specialize in agriculture recruitment and know how to find top talent to fill even the most complex positions. Whether you need to fill an entry-level opening or a high-level agriculture executive position, we have the resources and experience to find the perfect candidate to match your needs. Contact us today to get started!