Soft skills, also known as interpersonal skills, are people-centred abilities that enable individuals to work and communicate effectively with others.
There’s an increasing emphasis on these skills in job ads for IT contracting roles, highlighting the value and importance of these capabilities for organisations.
IT contracting involves offering specialized IT services on a temporary basis, either to complete a specific project or to fill a role that requires specialist skills. While technical expertise remains fundamental to the role of an IT professional, soft skills such as effective communication, adaptability and collaboration are equally important in achieving successful outcomes for both tech professionals and organisations.
In this blog, we explore why soft skills have become indispensable in IT contracting, outline five soft skills that New Zealand tech employers frequently seek, and provide practical advice for contractors on how to develop and showcase these capabilities in a competitive market.
Why Soft Skills Matter in IT Contracting
Contracting within IT presents unique demands that significantly elevates the importance of soft skills.
Given the project-based nature of this work, IT professionals need interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with new colleagues and stakeholders. The fast transition into a new environment requires a high degree of emotional intelligence and adaptability, requiring contractors to quickly understand workplace dynamics and communication styles to foster productive working relationships.
Without these skills, even the most technically skilled IT professionals may struggle to connect, communicate and collaborate within a team. Ultimately, technical expertise enables delivery, but soft skills provide value to both the employees and the workplace.
Five Soft Skills Employers Value Most
1. Effective Communication
What is it?
Effective communication is the ability to convey information, instructions, and ideas with clarity and precision across a range of formats. It is a highly valued skill that ensures the core message, and its intention, is understood by all parties.
For IT contractors, this involves translating complex technical concepts into accessible language for non-technical stakeholders. It requires a collaborative approach, facilitating two-way dialogue and feedback.
Why it’s essential
Effective communication provides significant value to any workplace. It enables IT professionals to articulate their concepts and ideas while demonstrating a clear understanding of their team members’ perspectives. This fosters greater engagement and ensures everyone involved feels supported and understood.
2. Adaptability
What is it?
For an IT professional, adaptability means responding effectively to changes in projects, timelines and team structures with a flexible and positive attitude. It involves a proactive mindset, adjusting strategies or approaches in response to unforeseen challenges or opportunities.
Why it’s essential
Employers often seek contractors who can seamlessly transition and perform under high pressure. Adaptability is a highly valued skill, and demonstrating it showcases personal resilience and a strong focus on delivering project success, regardless of shifting requirements.
3. Emotional Intelligence
What is It?
Emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive and respond effectively to the emotions of yourself and others.
For an IT professional, this is a crucial skill for building strong relationships with colleagues and stakeholders. It involves both managing your own emotions and identifying the emotions behind others’ behaviour.
Why it’s essential
Emotional intelligence is crucial for IT contractors as it helps them navigate new team dynamics, respond thoughtfully to emotional and interpersonal pressures, and build positive relationships in the workplace.
4. Collaboration
What is it?
Collaboration is the ability to work effectively with others to achieve a shared goal. It requires setting clear goals and expectations to meet objectives.
For an IT professional, this involves actively participating in team discussions, providing constructive feedback and sharing your knowledge.
Why it’s essential
Collaboration is crucial for IT contractors who typically work within established teams to deliver specific projects or outcomes. By taking a collaborative approach, contractors can build trust faster, ensure project knowledge is shared, and solve challenges more efficiently within teams.
5. Networking and relationship building
What is it?
Networking and relationship building is the ability to establish professional relationships with colleagues, stakeholders and industry peers.
For IT professionals, it requires a mix of experience, communication, and the willingness to proactively reach out to build industry relationships.
Why it’s essential
Networking and relationship building is the foundation to a sustainable career for IT contractors. Contractors often secure new job opportunities through the success and referral of previous placements.
Maintaining positive relationships with past clients and colleagues is invaluable, as it can lead to repeat engagements, referrals, and a strong professional reputation.
Developing and Showcasing Soft Skills as a Contractor
Building soft skills is an ongoing process that requires self-awareness and deliberate practice. Investing time and effort into improving these skills leads to better job performance, stronger relationships and a positive reputation.
Practical Advice for Development
- Seek specific feedback: Actively engage in giving and receiving feedback throughout the contract and be open to new approaches. This demonstrates a commitment to personal growth and provides clear guidance on areas for improvement.
- Practice in new environments: Look for new opportunities to improve your soft skills. This could involve leading in a team sport, participating in group activities or taking on a mentorship role. These experiences foster collaboration, communication and leadership skills.
- Engage in self-reflection: After reaching a project milestone or navigating a challenging timeline, take time to reflect on your approach. Consider what went well and identify areas for improvement. This type of self-assessment builds emotional intelligence and insight into your professional behaviour.
Showcasing your Capabilities
When showcasing your soft skills, provide tangible evidence of your abilities.
Leverage your network
Your network is a powerful way to demonstrate your soft skills. In contracting, the most effective method is to show your collaborative and relationship-building abilities through referrals and testimonials. A strong professional network is a clear indicator of strong soft skills.
Integrate skills in your profile
Naturally incorporate soft skills into your CV and LinkedIn profile. Since soft skills are most effective when implied rather than explicitly listed, describe specific examples that demonstrate these abilities instead of simply stating you have communication skills.
Mastering and demonstrating these capabilities not only enhances job performance but also lays the foundation for building strong professional relationships and sustaining long-term career growth in the competitive IT contracting market.
Are you new to contracting? Check out our helpful Contracting page here for helpful information and advice.
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