Healthcare
You are a healthcare assistant working with seniors, what type skills would be required for this role?
Soft: Empathy, patience, listening, awareness, communication
Hard: ability to lift, equipment operation (lifts), medication support, Education/training, record keeping
You are a technical support agent. You receive a call from a customer asking for support in connecting their modem.
Soft: Listening, trouble-shooting, patience,
Hard: Data entry, typing at a specific speed,
You are a line cook at a busy restaurant, what skills would you need for this position?
Soft: Multi-tasking, time management, communication skills, food/ingredient knowledge, flexibility
Hard: WHMIS, First Aid, Food Safe level 1, Serving it Right.
You've been hired as a labourer on a new building construction site. What skills will you need for this position?
Soft: Communication, agility, adaptability,
Hard: Ability to lift 50 lbs, Occupational first aid and safety,
You've recently accepted a job at a full-staffed busy soup kitchen in the DTES. What skills might you need for this position?
Hard: First aid, food safe level 1, WHMIS and mental health first aid, crisis intervention, naloxone training
You are a cleaner in hospital, you're required to shift your focus to clean a surgery room urgently.
Soft: Flexibility, adaptability, attention to detail,
Hard: WHMIS, Occupational Safety, ability to lift 50 lbs, operating a cleaning equipment.
Data Entry Clerk: You are given 500 survey responses in paper format that must be entered into a database by the end of the day.
Soft: Time management, attention to detail, focus under pressure
Hard: Spreadsheet software proficiency (Excel), fast and accurate typing, database entry skills
As a kitchen helper in a pub you're responsible for doing dishes, prepping food and cleaning.
Soft - Teamwork, Time management, communication, flexibility,
Hard - Food prep, Food Safety Certificate, knife handling, Kitchen equipment operations
A construction helper supports carpenters, electricians, or plumbers by preparing work areas and gathering tools.
Soft - Communication, Attention to detail, adaptability
Hard - safety awareness, tool handling, basic math, material handling
You are working in a shelter and a guest asks for directions to the nearest food bank, but English is not their first language.
Soft: Patience, cultural sensitivity, active listening
Hard: Knowledge of local resources and use of translation tools
Imagine you are a Medical Office Assistant, you notice a patient is getting frustrated with the long wait times. What soft skills would be useful in this situation?
Soft: Empathy, patience, and good communication, conflict resolution
Web Developer: Your supervisor asks you to update the company’s homepage banner image and adjust the text alignment.
Soft: Communication, flexibility, and adaptability
Hard: HTML/CSS editing, python, Adobe, Git
You are a server and host in a busy restaurant which serves food and alcohol
Soft - customer service, communication, Multitasking, teamwork, time management, Conflict resolution
Hard - Point of Sale System, Serving it right cert, Menu/food knowledge, Cash/Card transactions, First Aid
A flagger directs traffic around construction sites to keep workers and drivers safe.
Soft - Communication, awareness of surroundings, patience
Hard: safety signaling training,
equipment training (Radio), Flagger certification, First Aid,
A client shares that they’re feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. You need to connect them with immediate support.
Soft: Empathy, crisis de-escalation, active listening
Hard: Crisis line referral procedures, intake documentation, safety planning
As a Pharmacy Assistant, you work customers and pharmacists to ensure accurate medication dispensing, confidentiality, and pharmacy operation support
Soft: attention to detail, Communication, customer service, time management, team work
Hard: Computer literacy, Counting, Pharmacy software, Cash & POS handling
Game QA Tester: A new game build crashes when a player tries to access the multiplayer mode. You must replicate and document the bug.
Soft: Patience, curiosity, thoroughness
Hard: Bug tracking software, test case creation, system diagnostics
A head chef oversees the kitchen, manages food preparation, and ensures the quality of dishes.
Soft - leadership, communication, time management, team building/leading, creativity, problem solving
Hard - Culinary skills (professional training), inventory control, Food safety, Cost/Budget mgt, quality control
Construction Supervisor notices that a crew member is using a tool incorrectly. He needs to stop the employee to prevent an accident.
Soft Skills: Communication, Conflict resolution, leadership, awareness,
Hard Skills: Tool Knowledge, Safety Knowledge, Training,
You’re a case manager supporting a client with multiple needs (mental health, income support, and legal aid). You must coordinate services between three agencies.
Soft: Organization, advocacy, collaboration
Hard: Case notes and documentation and interagency referral systems
A nurse notices a patient becoming increasingly anxious before a procedure.
Soft: Empathy, Active listening, Communication,
Hard: Assessment, documenting reports,
IT Project Manager: Halfway through a major software upgrade, the client requests a change that would delay the project by two weeks.
Soft: Negotiation and conflict resolution
Hard: Project scheduling tools, risk assessment, budget tracking
A housekeeper ensures guest rooms and public areas are clean, organized, and well-maintained.
Soft - attention to detail, time management, confidentiality, communication, teamwork
Hard - Equipment use, ability to lift, Physical stamina, quality control/inspection, first aid, report filing
During a concrete pouring and drying on a project, an employee notices uneven spots where the cement will dry and not be level.
Hard Skills: Quality control, technical knowledge, documentation, conflict resolution
While distributing harm reduction supplies, a community member discloses they are being pressured to share their supplies and medication.
Soft: Boundaries, active listening, confidentiality
Hard: Education on safe use/storage, incident reporting, resource navigation