When employers think about hiring, qualifications and experience often take centre stage. But in today’s workforce — especially across industries like healthcare, construction, education, warehousing, and community services — technical skills alone are no longer enough. Australian employers are increasingly recognising that soft skills such as communication, teamwork, adaptability, and reliability are equally, if not more, important for long-term success.

At Surematch, we see every day how candidates with strong soft skills outperform others in job performance, culture fit, and retention. This is why hiring for attitude, not just experience, is becoming an essential strategy in modern recruitment.

What are soft skills and why do they matter?

Soft skills are the interpersonal abilities and behavioural qualities that influence how someone interacts with others and responds to workplace situations. These skills — sometimes called “people skills” or “employability skills” — apply across all jobs, regardless of industry.

Crucial soft skills include:

• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Teamwork
• Adaptability
• Time management
• Reliability
• Emotional intelligence
• Positive attitude
• Work ethic

While technical skills can be taught, soft skills reflect mindset and behaviour — qualities that often determine whether a candidate succeeds or struggles in a role.

The changing expectations of Australian employers

Across Australia, employers are shifting their hiring priorities. Industries facing talent shortages, high turnover, or demanding work environments have discovered that the right attitude makes a real difference.

Employers are asking:

• Will this candidate work well with our team?
• Can they communicate clearly with customers or colleagues?
• Are they adaptable when things change?
• Will they show up reliably and consistently?

These questions go beyond resumes. They highlight the importance of soft skills, which often drive better performance and long-term engagement.

Soft skills improve workplace culture

Team dynamics matter. A workplace built on collaboration, respect, and communication functions more smoothly and experiences fewer conflicts. Candidates with strong soft skills contribute to:

• Positive team morale
• Stronger collaboration
• Better customer interactions
• Fewer workplace misunderstandings
• Greater trust between colleagues

In industries like healthcare, aged care, disability support, or customer-facing roles, soft skills can directly affect service quality and client satisfaction.

Soft skills lead to higher retention

One of the biggest challenges facing employers today is staff turnover. Hiring candidates solely based on qualifications often results in mismatches between personality and workplace culture.

Soft skills recruitment helps reduce turnover because candidates are more:

• Aligned with organisational values
• Able to handle challenges
• Resilient in high-pressure situations
• Motivated to learn and grow
• Likely to build meaningful relationships at work

When people feel they fit into the team, they stay longer — saving employers significant time and recruitment costs.

Attitude influences job performance more than experience

Experience can get someone through the door, but attitude determines how they perform once they’re in the role. A candidate with limited experience but strong motivation can often outperform someone experienced but disengaged.

This is especially true in industries supported by Surematch such as:

• Warehousing and logistics
• Construction and trades
• Healthcare and aged care
• Community and social services
• Education and support roles
• Administration and customer service

These environments rely heavily on teamwork, communication, and the willingness to learn.

An employee who is coachable, reliable, and proactive can quickly become invaluable.

How employers can assess soft skills effectively

Hiring for attitude requires deliberate evaluation. Employers can strengthen their recruitment approach by:

• Asking behavioural interview questions (“Tell us about a time you solved a problem…”)
• Using role-play or scenario-based assessments
• Involving team members in interviews
• Looking for consistency, reliability, and communication strength throughout the process
• Considering references that highlight behaviour, not just tasks

This ensures a fuller, more accurate assessment of how a candidate will perform on the job.

How Surematch supports soft-skills-driven recruitment

At Surematch, our recruitment process is designed to uncover both technical ability and soft-skill capability. We take a people-first approach by:

• Assessing communication and attitude in early screening
• Matching candidates to roles based on values and culture fit
• Preparing candidates with job-readiness support and training
• Offering employers clear insights into both strengths and development areas
• Supporting placements with ongoing communication and feedback

This approach leads to placements that are more stable, more productive, and more aligned with workplace expectations.

Final thoughts

Soft skills are the true differentiator in today’s job market. While technical skills are essential, they can be taught — attitude cannot. Employers who hire for communication, resilience, teamwork, and willingness to learn experience better retention, stronger teams, and improved workplace culture.

At Surematch, we champion recruitment practices that focus on people, potential, and long-term success. By helping employers recognise the value of soft skills, we create better matches, better workplaces, and better futures for jobseekers across Australia.