Developing Soft Skills: The Key to Integration and Success in the Canadian Job Market
In a dynamic and multicultural work environment like Canada’s, soft skills have become a critical differentiator. These are the personal and social abilities that allow us to communicate effectively, collaborate, adapt, and solve problems as a team. They include empathy, teamwork, creativity, time management, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking.
While the concept is shared across both North America and Latin America, how soft skills are valued can differ. In Canada, these abilities are considered just as important as technical knowledge. Professionals are expected to demonstrate them from the early stages of their careers. A report by the Conference Board of Canada highlights human skills such as communication, adaptability, and critical thinking as essential for the future of work (Conference Board of Canada, 2020).
In contrast, many Latin American countries still prioritize technical knowledge in hiring processes. However, this view is rapidly evolving. According to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), soft skills are increasingly valued in recruitment, especially in international or multinational companies (IDB, 2021).
One of the most powerful — and often underestimated — soft skills is the art of selling. This doesn’t just refer to selling products, but also to the ability to communicate ideas, pitch projects, influence others with empathy, and build trust. Selling your skills in a job interview or presenting a proposal with clarity and persuasion are concrete examples of this valuable skill.
Are soft skills innate or can they be developed? The answer is clear: they can be practiced. Just as one can learn to code or operate a tool, you can also learn to lead a team, communicate with empathy, or resolve conflict. The key lies in intentional practice, constant feedback, and exposure to diverse situations.
Today, there are innovative tools to support this development. For instance, RolPlay is an AI-based training platform that allows you to practice soft skills in realistic simulations like interviews, presentations, or difficult conversations. When combined with the guidance of a professional coach, learning becomes holistic: the coach helps develop emotional and strategic depth, while RolPlay provides real-time feedback and data-driven insights.
For newcomers to Canada, mastering soft skills is essential to secure a job that matches their previous experience. Here are some recommendations:
Improve your conversational English beyond the technical level. Join conversation circles or use simulators like RolPlay to practice interviews and meetings.
Understand the Canadian workplace culture, where autonomy, clear communication, and collaboration are highly valued. (TRIEC and Job Bank Canada offer free cultural orientation resources.)
Practice interviews and networking in English, using coaching platforms or attending local events.
Find a mentor, through programs like Hispanotech Mentorship or TRIEC Mentoring Partnership, which provide guidance, connections, and job market insights.
Engage in volunteering or side projects, which are excellent for applying soft skills in real Canadian environments, showing commitment, and growing your network.
In summary: having technical experience is not enough. What makes the difference is knowing how to communicate that experience and adapting it to the new context. Soft skills not only boost your employability — they accelerate your professional and personal growth in Canada.
Mario Zenteno
Founder and CEO RolPlay
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
https://rolplay.ai/en/
