Guide: How to Say Interpersonal Skills on a Resume

A well-crafted resume can make a significant impact on your job search, showcasing your qualifications and selling points to potential employers. While highlighting technical skills and experience is crucial, it is equally important to emphasize your interpersonal skills. Employers value individuals who can effectively communicate, collaborate, and build relationships. This comprehensive guide will help you articulate your interpersonal skills on a resume, both formally and informally, while providing numerous tips and examples to help you stand out from the crowd.

Formal Ways to Describe Interpersonal Skills on a Resume

When it comes to writing a formal resume, it is essential to demonstrate professionalism and clarity. Here are some effective ways to describe your interpersonal skills in a formal manner:

1. Effective Communication: Being a strong communicator is highly valued in the workplace. You can showcase this skill by mentioning your ability to clearly express ideas, actively listen, and adapt your communication style to different audiences.
2. Team Collaboration: Employers are always seeking candidates who can work well in a team environment. Highlight your ability to collaborate, mediate conflicts, and contribute to team goals by providing specific examples where you successfully worked in a team.
3. Leadership: If you possess leadership skills, mention your experiences leading projects, teams, or initiatives. Describe how you motivated and guided others, as well as your ability to delegate tasks and make sound decisions.
4. Relationship Building: Building strong professional relationships is essential for success in many roles. Discuss your ability to form connections, establish rapport, and maintain positive relationships with colleagues, clients, or stakeholders.
5. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Employers greatly value individuals who can understand and relate to others’ emotions. Showcase your empathy, active listening skills, and emotional intelligence by describing situations where you successfully navigated challenging conversations or resolved conflicts.

Informal Ways to Describe Interpersonal Skills on a Resume

Injecting a touch of informality into your resume can sometimes make it more engaging and personable. Keep in mind that the level of informality should still be appropriate for the industry and position you are applying to. Here are some informal ways to describe interpersonal skills:

1. People Skills: Highlight your ability to connect with others and create positive interactions. Mention how you easily establish rapport, engage in small talk, and make people feel comfortable in your presence.
2. Team Player: Emphasize your eagerness to collaborate and contribute to a team. Share examples of instances where you actively participated in team projects, offered assistance to colleagues, and fostered a supportive work atmosphere.
3. Master Communicator: If you have strong communication skills, playfully label yourself as a “master communicator.” Describe your ability to effectively convey complex ideas in a simple manner, making communication smooth and efficient.
4. Charismatic Collaborator: Showcase your charm and ability to work well with others by referring to yourself as a “charismatic collaborator.” Mention how you inspire and motivate colleagues to achieve common goals through your positive attitude and interpersonal skills.
5. Smooth Operator: If you have the ability to handle difficult situations with ease and grace, consider using the term “smooth operator” to convey your diplomatic approach to resolving conflicts and maintaining harmonious relationships.

Tips for Describing Interpersonal Skills on a Resume

Here are some essential tips to keep in mind when describing your interpersonal skills on a resume:

1. Be Specific: Rather than simply stating that you have “strong interpersonal skills,” provide concrete examples of situations where you demonstrated those skills. This helps employers envision how you could potentially add value to their organization.
2. Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments to give your resume more impact. For example, instead of saying you “improved communication,” mention that you “led training sessions that increased team communication and reduced errors by 25%.”
3. Use Active Language: Utilize strong action verbs to describe your interpersonal skills. Words such as “collaborated,” “negotiated,” “mediated,” and “influenced” demonstrate your ability to actively engage with others and achieve positive outcomes.
4. Align with Job Requirements: Tailor your description of interpersonal skills to align with the specific requirements of the job you’re applying for. Analyze the job description to identify keywords and incorporate them into your resume.
5. Proofread and Edit: Ensure your resume is free from spelling or grammatical errors. Review it multiple times, seeking feedback if necessary, to ensure it reads smoothly and professionally.

Examples of Interpersonal Skills on a Resume

To inspire your own resume writing, here are some examples of how you can effectively articulate your interpersonal skills:

Example 1: Led cross-functional team meetings, fostering open dialogue and ensuring effective collaboration among team members. Facilitated productive conversations that resulted in a 20% increase in project efficiency.

Example 2: Developed and maintained strong relationships with key clients, demonstrating exceptional listening skills and promptly addressing concerns. Achieved a client retention rate of 95% by effectively managing client expectations and building trust.

Example 3: Collaborated with a diverse group of colleagues to develop a customer service training program, resulting in improved communication between departments and a 30% increase in customer satisfaction ratings.

Example 4: Exhibited emotional intelligence by resolving conflicts within the team, promoting a harmonious work environment, and increasing overall team productivity by 15%.

By effectively articulating your interpersonal skills on your resume, you can demonstrate your value as a candidate and increase your chances of landing the job. Remember to balance formality and informality appropriately, personalize your descriptions to match the requirements of the job, and provide specific examples of your achievements. Best of luck with your resume and future career endeavors!