The business environment in the modern era is witnessing numerous Intellectual Changes, Technological developments, and increasingly Complex Situations, which has led to a need for effective Leadership in the Business Sectors. This leadership plays a role in transforming companies into giant corporations that serve as a true foundation for enhancing and improving Job Competencies (JC)., The study aimed to analyze the impact of the Soft Skills approach in Human Resources (analytical and critical thinking, decision-making and problem-solving, planning and organization, teamwork) on developing Job Competencies (productivity, technical, managerial) in Petroleum Sector Companies in Egypt. The researchers employed the descriptive-analytical method to study the phenomenon, conducting the study on stratified random samples consisting of 379 managers and a sample of 382 employees from Petroleum Sector Companies. The study utilized the SPSS and AMOS Software Programs. The study found statistically significant differences at the (0.01) level between the average scores of managers and employees regarding soft skills in human resources and job competencies, with managers scoring higher. Additionally, the study revealed a statistically significant direct causal effect at the (0.01) level of Human Resources Soft Skills on Job Competencies in Petroleum Sector Companies., Finally, a proposal was developed for enhancing Job Competencies in Petroleum Companies in Egypt based on the application of human resources Soft Skills, alongside future research directions and practical implications.

This study investigates the critical skills required for new entrants to succeed in today’s workforce, focusing on both soft and hard skills. Through a comprehensive systematic review of existing literature using the PRISMA method, we analyzed 12 selected journals from an initial pool of 870, sourced from major databases such as Scopus, Science Direct, and Emerald Insight. Our research uncovers four key insights. First, we provide a clear and precise definition of employability skills, establishing the foundation for what competencies are essential for workforce readiness. Second, our analysis identifies a distinct separation between soft and hard skills, with soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, ethics, and leadership being universally critical across all industries. Third, while soft skills have broad applicability, hard skills are highly specialized, varying significantly depending on industry and job role. To simplify their understanding and application, we categorized these hard skills into specific groups. Finally, the study highlights the urgent need for further empirical research to validate these findings in real-world settings, as the current conclusions are drawn solely from literature. This potential gap between academic preparation and industry expectations underscores the necessity for ongoing collaboration between educational institutions and employers, which will be a primary focus of our future research.