Soft Skills and Career Development: Prisma Systematic Review of Studies on Students and Employees

Abstract

This systematic review evaluates the role of soft skills in career development and synthesizes empirical evidence published between 2019 and 2024. Soft skills are interpersonal attributes such as communication, teamwork, leadership, adaptability and problem-solving are increasingly recognized as critical for employability and long-term professional success. Searches of Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar and ResearchGate following PRISMA guidelines yielded 10 eligible studies from an initial pool of 1,008 records. The included studies represent diverse countries (Vietnam, China, Malaysia, India, Romania, South Africa, Nigeria, Slovakia and the United States) and populations (fresh graduates, college students, employees and managers). Findings reveal that key factors influencing soft-skill development include generational differences, cultural expectations, personal obligations, educational exposure, and individual attributes such as self-efficacy and emotional intelligence. Sectoral variations were evident, with industries such as logistics and oil & gas prioritizing structured teamwork and communication, while educational settings emphasized adaptability and self-efficacy. Poor soft skills were consistently associated with reduced job performance, workplace conflict, limited employability, innovation deficits, and long-term career stagnation. This review highlights the need for integrated soft-skill training in curricula and organizational development programmes. Practical implications suggest embedding soft skills into higher education through project-based learning and experiential practices, while organizations must prioritize mentoring, continuous development, and performance systems that value interpersonal competence. Policymakers are urged to support nationwide initiatives to democratize access to soft-skill training. Future research should employ longitudinal and cross-cultural approaches to capture how soft skills evolve over time and across contexts. Overall, this review underscores that soft skills are not optional but fundamental to thriving in the 21st-century workplace.