Communication and software tool expertise rank as the most valued soft and hard skills respectively for 2026, according to a November survey of more than 1,000 U.S. hiring managers.
ResumeTemplates.com surveyed 1,005 hiring managers between Nov. 19 and Nov. 23 to identify which technical and interpersonal abilities will matter most in the coming year. The survey required participants to be at least 30 years old, hold manager-level positions or higher, earn at least $75,000 annually, and work at companies with 11 or more employees.
Hard skills show continued evolution
Software tool proficiency topped the list of technical skills, followed by data analysis and cybersecurity awareness. Project management ranked fourth, with quality assurance and testing in fifth place.
Automation and workflow optimization, product management, technical writing and documentation, data visualization, and AI tools rounded out the top 10 hard skills.
“Hard skills continue to change and evolve based on industry needs and trends. Even so, certain skills, such as project management and quality assurance, consistently appear year after year,” said Julia Toothacre, chief career strategist at ResumeTemplates.com.
Toothacre noted AI tools landed at the bottom of the top 10 list despite strong corporate emphasis on artificial intelligence. “It shows that while AI matters, it still doesn’t outweigh the technical skills required to actually perform your job,” she said.
Communication leads soft skills rankings
Communication emerged as the top soft skill, followed by professionalism and time management. Accountability ranked fourth, with resilience in fifth place.
Problem solving, critical thinking, attention to detail, collaboration, and adaptability completed the top 10 soft skills list.
When asked which skill type matters more in 2026, 62 per cent of hiring managers said both hard and soft skills are equally valuable, while 24 per cent ranked soft skills as more important and 14 per cent prioritized hard skills.
“Soft skills tend to be underrated, but they’re often the most valuable throughout your career. Communication is especially critical,” said Toothacre. “You need it to articulate ideas, show your value to decision-makers, and work effectively with your team.”
Toothacre said professionalism’s second-place ranking was unexpected. “Critical thinking and collaboration usually land higher. To me, this signals that younger generations are entering the workforce with a more laid-back attitude,” she said.
