The Importance of Soft Skills: Why Employers Value Emotional Intelligence in 2025
As we step into 2025, one thing hasn’t changed in our tech-driven world: the value of strong soft skills. Technical skills might land the job, but emotional intelligence (EQ) ensures teams thrive. Our conversations with business leaders and top talent reveal a clear trend: employers want more than impressive resumes. They’re seeking candidates who can navigate team dynamics, communicate effectively, and stay calm under pressure. The robot revolution may be here, but empathy, adaptability, and good old-fashioned human connection? Those are irreplaceable.
Why EQ matters more than ever
Hybrid environments, diverse teams, and advancing AI are transforming workplaces. It’s not just about what gets done—it’s about how. EQ fuels collaboration, resolves conflicts before they escalate, and fosters the trust that drives innovation and efficiency.
Research shows EQ accounts for 67% of the skills essential for top job performance, especially in leadership roles. High-EQ employees are more engaged, productive, and resilient under stress—exactly who you want in a crisis or a brainstorming session.
So, how do you measure a candidate’s soft skills?
When evaluating candidates, focus on their interpersonal skills as much as their technical expertise. Behavioral interview questions are a powerful tool to assess these qualities. Here are some real-world examples for how to incorporate these into your interviews:
If you’re hiring an administrative assistant:
Beyond organizational skills, an administrative assistant’s success often hinges on their ability to handle sensitive situations with tact and communicate effectively across teams. Try asking:
“Tell me about a time when you had to manage competing priorities for different stakeholders. How did you keep everyone informed and satisfied?”
This reveals their ability to juggle tasks while maintaining clear communication.
If you’re hiring a sales representative:
Emotional intelligence in sales is critical for understanding client needs and building relationships. A great question might be:
“Can you share an example of a challenging client interaction and how you turned it into a positive outcome?”
This probes their ability to empathize, negotiate, and adapt under pressure.
If you’re hiring a software engineer:
While technical skills clearly dominate in this role, collaboration is equally crucial, especially in agile environments. A key question may be:
“Tell me about a time you worked closely with non-technical team members on a cross-functional project. How did you ensure everyone was aligned and understood the project goals?”
This uncovers how well they communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences, bridging technical to non-technical functions.
No matter the role, emotional intelligence is essential for building a successful team. And remember, EQ doesn’t stop at hiring. Invest in training programs that nurture these skills in your current team. After all, emotional intelligence is like a muscle—it strengthens with use.
Here at Juno, we believe that the future of work is human, no matter how advanced the tools become. As you build your teams for 2025 and beyond, don’t underestimate the power of emotional intelligence to transform your workplace culture. (We’ve seen firsthand how prioritizing it can transform workplaces.) Because in the end, it’s the people—and their soft skills—that truly make the magic happen.
Meet the Author
Carly Hines
Director, Brand & Marketing
We know good talent good talent when we see it.
When we say, “Ultimate Connectors,” we mean the best at the talent acquisition game. Our expertise extends across industries, and verticals, with a broad network of professionals at all levels. Whatever your talent needs, we deliver a solution in a way that best fits your unique organization.
