Five must-have soft skills for 2026

Stand out from the crowd of candidates by demonstrating the soft skills that strengthen good working relationships with others – and are in high demand by recruiters. Recent research suggests soft skills, such as adaptability and emotional intelligence, can contribute strongly to career progression. This is likely to become ever more important as generative AI like ChatGPT brings major changes to the way we work and takes on more tasks currently performed by humans.

Where and how can you most effectively improve your soft skills? Here are five areas to focus on to be well-equipped for new challenges in the year ahead. Think how you can best demonstrate them at work.

Adaptability

The world of work is constantly changing. For example, take theEU’s focus on the green and digital transitions where workers with relevant skills are in high demand. Consider how you can upgrade your existing skills to take up new opportunities, and how you can set that out in job applications and on your CV. By showing that you’re skilled in the latest technology in your field, or that you have experience managing projects, you can demonstrate that you are the right person for the role.

Emotional intelligence

During high-pressure projects, it’s important to show that you can manage your own emotions – and those of your co-workers. Mental health experts suggest self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy and social skills are at the heart of emotional intelligence. People with these attributes can understand how others feel and how best to work well with them, making them feel appreciated and valued. To develop these skills, think about your own strengths and weaknesses, make the effort to understand how others are thinking, and use that information to communicate effectively with them.

Critical thinking

Recruiters say that critical thinking is now a key skill they look for in candidates because these are the people who get things done. Critical thinkers ask questions, are self-aware, and consider a range of viewpoints, while thinking through the full consequences of decisions. While this may not come naturally, these are certainly traits that can be developed through practice. Be prepared to explain how you showed critical thinking when discussing projects you have worked on.

Digital fluency

Understanding individual digital systems and how they work is valuable, but learning how different systems best work together in order to achieve business aims is invaluable. The digitally fluent can use technology to allow companies to adapt to new aims – and are in high demand as theEU prioritises the digital transition. The Digital Europe Programme has invested more than EUR 294 million to support skills, upskilling and reselling initiatives, while the Digital Skills & Jobs Platform offers open access to a wide range of digital jobs.

Ethical judgement in the context of AI

AI may well make our working lives easier by helping us to complete more complex tasks, and faster. But the technology is no replacement for human decision-making. Boost your own skills by learning to think through the ethics of decisions – and be prepared to set out your thinking to others. UNESCO says that while the rise of AI has created many global opportunities, it has also raised profound ethical concerns. Its Global AI Ethics and Governance Observatory offers a variety of tools for organisations to assess whether their own approach to AI meets ethical standards.

Want to know more? Here are more soft skills that are worth taking time to develop.

Related links:

The Digital Europe Programme

The Digital Skills & Jobs Platform

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