Ask an Expert: What Soft Skills Should Energy Companies Look for in Candidates?

Employees in the energy sector need top-notch technical skills – and a lot more.  Working in a team, meeting deadlines, and communicating the details, results, and benefits of their work all require that energy sector talent possess a strong range of soft skills as well as the “hard” skills needed to do the work.

Here are some of the most important soft skills to look for in your candidates:

Adaptability

Plans, processes, ideas, and methods are constantly changing in the energy industry.  To excel at their work, energy sector employees need to be able to accept new ideas, embrace change, and bend where necessary in order to respond.

Time Management

Work in the energy industry moves quickly.  The best candidates – and the ones most suited to grow into a future leadership position – are those who can multitask, prioritize their tasks appropriately, and delegate when needed.

Teamwork

Team settings are ubiquitous in the energy industry, which means that most or all workers will need to understand how to function on a team.  Conflict resolution and communication skills are a must, as is the ability to assess what is being accomplished and to coordinate one’s own efforts appropriately.

Communication

Communication is essential within a team – but it’s also a necessary and under-represented skill for those who specialize in technical work.  Engineers, programmers, and other professionals need to be able to communicate about their work in clear, focused language for nontechnical audiences.  The best energy sector candidates are those with a strong track record of communication both within the team and across the organization.

Enthusiasm

Passion, interest, and dedication to the work and enthusiasm for working with your company are a must.  If you must choose between two candidates with outstanding soft skills, choose the more enthusiastic candidate.  This person will bring an extra “shot” of optimism and energy to the team, boosting productivity and engagement.

At FootBridge Energy Services, we know that finding the best people for the job means more than merely matching a skill set.  That’s why we take the time to understand our clients’ internal cultures and needs so we find better candidates in less time.  Contact us today to learn more about our energy staffing and recruiting services.