By Dylan Sullivan, Managing Director at Landing Point
In today’s competitive market, especially as an increasing number of companies return to fully in-office environments, hiring managers are looking beyond resumes to assess how candidates think, communicate, and collaborate. A candidate who appears perfect on paper doesn’t always translate into success, while those with strong interpersonal skills and the right mindset often exceed expectations.
This shift is redefining what it means to be a “great hire.” It’s no longer about checking every box, but about identifying individuals who bring adaptability, awareness, and the ability to contribute meaningfully to a team.
In this video, Dylan Sullivan, Managing Director on Landing Point’s Accounting & Finance team, shares his perspective on the overlooked soft skills that drive impact and why they’ve become essential to hiring success.
[Dylan Sullivan discusses overlooked soft skills like empathy, curiosity, and decision-making that drive long-term success in hires.]
Key Takeaways
A common misconception in hiring is that the most technically qualified candidate will be the strongest long-term fit. Many organizations are finding the opposite. Candidates with impressive resumes may struggle to integrate, while those with slightly less experience may excel due to how they approach their work and interact with others.
This is where soft skills make a measurable difference.
Soft Skills That Drive Impact
Empathy
In conversations with clients, empathy consistently ranks as a priority for hiring managers. As collaboration increases in in-person settings, the ability to understand perspectives, communicate clearly, and contribute to a positive team environment is critical. Employees who demonstrate empathy tend to build trust, navigate challenges effectively, and strengthen workplace culture.
Intellectual Curiosity
Intellectual curiosity signals a willingness to grow. Professionals who actively seek to learn and improve are more adaptable and better positioned for long-term success. Even without mastering every technical requirement, this mindset reflects strong potential and resilience.
Organization
Organization creates consistency. Individuals who bring structure to their work help teams stay aligned, maintain clarity, and execute efficiently. This reliability often has a direct impact on productivity and overall performance.
Strong Decision-Making
Decision-making is often overlooked but highly impactful. Thoughtful decision-makers approach both their careers and responsibilities with intention. Hiring managers value candidates who assess situations carefully, take ownership, and act with confidence and purpose.
Looking Ahead
Building a high-performing team requires more than evaluating technical skills alone. At Landing Point, we work closely with hiring managers to identify candidates who not only meet role requirements but also bring the soft skills necessary for sustained success.
If you’re focused on hiring individuals who will create long-term impact, connect with our team to learn how we can support your strategy.
Transcript
Dylan Sullivan:
We’ve been having a lot of conversations with our clients about what they’re looking for in a candidate. While there are certain factors that are non-negotiables that someone would need in a hire, one of the biggest things we talk about with our clients is the soft skill component of every candidate.
There are certain characteristics and qualities that every company feels their culture has, and having that in a candidate is just as important—if not more important—to the long-term success of a hire.
We’ve seen times where the perfect hire on paper doesn’t work out a year from now, but maybe somebody that you took a little bit more of a shot on lasts five, ten years because they have the right mix of culture fit. They get along with everybody, and they bring a hard-working energy that can make up for gaps on their resume.
It’s becoming more and more important as we get back into an in-office mindset. When talking to hiring managers, empathy is super important—I think that’s probably the one that gets brought up the most.
But also people who are organized, intellectually curious, and strong decision-makers. You need good decision-makers at every level, from early-career hires to more experienced professionals.
Every move you make in your career—if it’s thoughtful—shows a soft skill that companies really appreciate. It signals that you’re coming in with the right mindset and for the right reasons.
About Dylan Sullivan
Dylan Sullivan is a Managing Director at Landing Point and a leader within the firm’s Accounting & Finance practice, where he oversees executive search and advisory work for asset management, private equity, and family office clients nationwide.
With more than a decade of experience in finance leadership recruiting, Dylan partners with CFOs and COOs to help them design and scale their teams. Notable searches include CFO and Controller placements for alternative investment and growth-stage financial services firms.
Before joining Landing Point, Dylan spent four years in Audit at Deloitte’s New York office, providing him with technical accounting expertise and insight into financial operations that inform his consultative approach today. He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Villanova University. Dylan lives in Florida with his wife and two daughters and is a dedicated sports fan who enjoys basketball and travel.