Employers look for more than just technical abilities; they value personal skills that contribute to workplace success. Highlighting your best personal skills on your resume can set you apart from other candidates and demonstrate your ability to work well in diverse environments. In this article, we cover the seven best personal skills to include on your resume, with examples of how to showcase them effectively.
Why Include Personal Skills on a Resume?
Personal skills, also known as soft skills, are crucial because they demonstrate your ability to work well with others, solve problems, and adapt to different work environments. These skills are especially important in customer-facing roles, management positions, and team-based workplaces.
Including personal skills on your resume can:
- Show employers your ability to collaborate and communicate effectively.
- Demonstrate your problem-solving and adaptability skills.
- Highlight your leadership and decision-making capabilities.
- Improve your chances of landing a job by showcasing well-rounded abilities.
- Provide examples of how you can contribute positively to a company’s culture and success.
- Enhance your ability to work in diverse teams and handle different personalities.
- Make you a stronger candidate for promotions and career advancements.
- Show your ability to manage workplace conflicts and build strong professional relationships.
- Highlight your ability to take initiative and show responsibility in various work settings.
- Help bridge the gap between technical expertise and workplace effectiveness.
7 Best Personal Skills to Include on Your Resume
1. Communication Skills
Employers value candidates who can communicate clearly and effectively in written and verbal forms. This skill is essential for teamwork, leadership, and customer interactions. Example: “Delivered clear and concise presentations to management and team members, improving overall project efficiency.”
2. Leadership and Teamwork
Leadership and teamwork skills show your ability to work well with others and take charge when necessary. Employers seek individuals who can lead projects and collaborate with different teams. Example: “Led a team of five members to successfully complete a high-priority project within deadline.”
3. Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
Employers want candidates who can analyze situations, think critically, and propose effective solutions. Example: “Identified inefficiencies in the workflow and implemented a new system that increased productivity by 20%.”
4. Adaptability and Flexibility
Being adaptable means you can adjust to changing work environments, company needs, and unexpected challenges. Example: “Quickly adapted to new remote work policies and successfully maintained team engagement during virtual meetings.”
5. Time Management and Organization
The ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and stay organized is highly valued in any industry. Example: “Managed multiple projects simultaneously while consistently meeting tight deadlines.”
6. Emotional Intelligence
Understanding and managing emotions, both your own and those of others, is key to effective teamwork and leadership. Example: “Resolved customer complaints professionally by showing empathy and understanding, leading to a 95% satisfaction rate.”
7. Work Ethic and Reliability
Employers want to hire dependable individuals who take initiative and consistently perform their job well. Example: “Recognized as Employee of the Month three times for consistently exceeding performance targets.”
How to Showcase Personal Skills on Your Resume
- In the Skills Section – List personal skills along with technical skills for a well-rounded resume.
- In the Work Experience Section – Provide specific examples of how you applied personal skills in previous roles.
- In the Summary Section – Highlight key personal skills that align with the job description.
- In the Cover Letter – Expand on personal skills with real-life scenarios to strengthen your application.
- During the Interview – Be prepared to discuss your personal skills with examples of how you’ve used them effectively.
- In Professional References – Ask references to emphasize your key personal skills when speaking with potential employers.
Personal skills play a significant role in making your resume stand out to employers. By effectively listing and demonstrating these skills, you increase your chances of landing your dream job. Focus on skills that align with the role you’re applying for and provide clear examples to showcase your strengths.
