The soft skills that get you hired

by Tan Zi Jie / Visuals by Don Tan + Gemini

1. Go for coffee chats with real curiosity

Don’t see such chats as transactional, but as a way to build relationships. 

Often called “coffee chats”, they are an opportunity to learn about a professional’s career journey, role or industry. “Networking feels awkward only if you treat the professional like an ATM machine: insert conversation and receive a job,” says NTU career coach Calvin Chan.

Reach out to someone with a clear reason, such as to find out about their career pivot, and keep the conversation light. Ask open-ended questions and avoid leading with: “Are you hiring?” After the chat, send a thank-you note within 24 hours and keep the connection warm by sharing updates or following up on points discussed during your chat.

During internships at companies such as Apple, ByteDance and PayPal, fresh computer science graduate Yu Boxuan, who starts a software engineering role in August, learnt that networking does not have to happen over expensive meals. “If you feel awkward when seniors insist on paying for lunch, suggest getting takeaway food and meeting in the office pantry instead,” she says. 

For fresh business graduate and valedictorian Sherman Sim, now an equity trader with Bank of America, these chats are not just about visibility or learning. They are an opportunity to connect with colleagues as people, not just co-workers. “Go in with a mindset of ‘How can I help you?’,” he says. “Know who’s into brewing coffee or playing golf. You’ll find buddies to grab lunch with and people who’ll make your workday better." 

2. Help hirers picture working with you 

In interviews, hiring managers are not just assessing whether you can do the job. “They are also asking themselves: ‘Will I enjoy working with this person every day?’” says Shannon Toh, a career coach at NTU.

That is why it helps to show who you are beyond polished answers. Some fresh graduates do this by weaving genuine interests or thoughtful questions that reveal more of their personality.

Max Lee, a management associate with Citi who previously interned with the bank, likes to mention an unusual ambition or new hobby, such as wakeboarding or chess, during his two-minute self-introduction in interviews. “Almost every meaningful conversation I’ve had during my internships started when someone asked what I did outside of class,” recalls the new accountancy and business graduate.

Boxuan, who received four job offers, takes a different approach. At the end of interviews, she asks one question that goes beyond the role itself: “What advice would you give your younger self?” 

“Most interviewers smile and take a moment to think about it,” she says. “Some share earnest advice while others reply with humour, and I think that makes me a memorable candidate.”

3. Turn rejection into your next step 

A rejection email after an application or interview may sting, but it is not the end of the road.

“A kind, gracious reply can leave an impression that’s even stronger than your interview itself,” says career coach Shannon.

Thank the interviewer for their time, say you’d be happy to be considered for future roles, and if it feels appropriate, ask how you can improve. Such a response shows emotional maturity, professionalism and the kind of attitude that makes people want to work with you.

You can also connect with the recruiter or hiring manager on LinkedIn to get a head start the next time you apply for a role with the organisation. 

Referrals from Sherman’s internships and industry network helped him navigate multiple rounds of interviews and eventually land his role. He also keeps in touch with peers he meets at group interviews, who become sources of support during a stressful job hunt.

“If you’re applying for many roles at once, staying in touch with other candidates can help you gauge how different hiring processes are progressing, so you can prioritise your applications,” he says. “And when my contacts joined a company, I’d ask about their roles, as well as the team’s culture.”