Crafting a CV that stands out is not just about having good qualifications and relevant personal skills examples. It is just as critical to include personal skills. In a very competitive hiring environment, personal skills make the difference.
Not every hiring manager is solely focused on filling a position. They want to consider how a candidate handles work-related tasks, how they socialise with colleagues, and the overall vibe they would add to the organisation. All of this is captured by personal skills.
In this blog, we explain what personal skills are and why they are relevant. We provide a comprehensive personal skills list that you can include on your CV, including an effective way to showcase them.
What is the Definition of Personal Skills?
Personal skills are the traits and qualities that affect how a person behaves and performs in a work setting. Personal skills are not industry-specific and are thus different from technical skills.
Personal skills are often known as:
- Soft skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Core competencies
- Behavioural traits
Some of them are: Communication, adaptability, empathy, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence.
Why Personal Skills are Important on a CV
A CV is a critical document as it outlines a person’s professional life and career. In the case that an applicant included their personal skills, this would certainly benefit a potential employer because it shows:
Self-awareness
An individual is aware of their abilities, and so, would likely have a better understanding of their potential contributions and how he or she could positively fit into the organisation.
Teamwork and Collaboration
An applicant is not only focused on completing their tasks, but also takes into consideration how he or she can assist others.
Organisational Behavior
The candidate is likely to find opportunities to be socially engaged and therefore, would have increased chances of positively contributing to the firm’s culture and atmosphere.
Value
A candidate has attributes that are more valuable and useful to the organisation than mere skills and certifications.
In many situations, especially with new employees or those interacting with the public, personal attributes are of great importance when deciding the shortlist.
Top Personal Skills Examples Employers Look For
The following are the most useful personal skills that could be included in one’s CV, as well as their descriptions and most relevant examples.
1. Communication Skills
Almost every role requires having the ability to express ideas and thoughts as well as to listen to the thoughts and questions of others.
CV Example:
“Recognised a problem as “Strong communicator, able to explain complex information clearly and build rapport with colleagues and clients”, and her name.”
2. Teamwork
To be hands-on in today’s environments is essential, as collaboration is a necessary ingredient. It is an expectation from employers to source individuals who can add value to group work.
CV Example:
“Collaborated with cross-functional teams to deliver marketing campaigns on time and within budget.”
3. Adaptability
In the modern era, workplaces are known to be changing within short spans of time. Your ability to adapt to new situations shows how resilient and flexible you are.
CV Example:
“Blossomed in a dynamic workplace, adapting to shifts in responsibilities due to departmental changes.”
4. Problem Solving
A candidate who takes the initiative to resolve issues, rather than just flag problems, is valued.
CV Example:
“Resolved customer complaints by addressing the underlying problems and providing effective, permanent solutions.”
5. Managing Your Time
Deadlines, prioritisation, and staying organised are essential in any position.
CV Example:
“Executed numerous high-level assignments and achieved the desired results while upholding stringent quality benchmarks and deadlines.”
6. Effective Initiative
In any industry, proactive behaviour distinguishes candidates, notably in self-directed or leadership roles.
CV Example:
“Reduced administrative workload by 20% by implementing processes for internal systems to be self-sufficient.”
7. Empathy
Recognising, understanding, and responding to emotions is critical to healthcare customer service, management, teaching, or any role.
CV Example:
“Conducted sensitive client interactions with active sedentary empathy to ensure strong satisfaction metrics, while also being professionally responsive.”
8. Leadership
Even when not applying for a management position, displaying leadership traits is highly valuable.
CV Example:
“Managed a team of five volunteers to execute community events, providing oversight for logistics and task assignments.”
9. Detail Oriented
Employers are looking for candidates who pride themselves on being accurate.
Here’s a rewritten version with a similar structure and paragraphs:
CV Example:
“Proofread and submitted monthly reports, which improved accuracy and decreased data-entry errors by 35%.”
10. Confidence
Trusting your skills while remaining open to feedback describes confidence. However, arrogance describes a different type of trait.
CV Example:
“Confidently presented project outcomes to senior management, which approved stakeholders for project expansion.”
How to Add Personal Skills for CV
Using personal skills for a CV requires removing copied and pasted skills from a list. Here’s how:
- Focus on the skills: Pay attention to keywords and skills which matter to the employer.
- Focus on your skills: Remember instances when you employed the skills.
- Assess if the skills align with the role: Focus on skills that the employer prioritises.
- Proving the skills with context: Provide evidence to the context you provided.
Where to include Personal Skills on a CV
Here are three major areas where personal skills can be highlighted:
🔹 Personal Profile (CV Summary)
Use the summary section to emphasise key skills about the candidate.
Example:
“Motivated and adaptable graduate with competent communication and problem-solving abilities is seeking a role in project coordination.”
🔹 Skills Section
Include 5 to 8 of the most important skills that are blended from technical and personal categories.
Example:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Problem Solving
- Microsoft Excel
- Adaptability
🔹 Work Experience Descriptions
Employers often do not believe what is mentioned in your resume. Making authentic claims gives your CV credibility and makes your skills stand out.
Example:
“Worked closely with external suppliers and internal departments, demonstrating excellent negotiation and interpersonal skills.”
Tips To Make Personal Skills Stand Out
- Use active language: Words like “demonstrated,” “led,” “coordinated,” and “resolved” show initiative.
- Quantify when possible: Numbers add credibility.
- Avoid overused phrases: Everyone claims, “hardworking” or “punctual.” Be specific.
- Keep it relevant: Focus on skills relevant to the position.
Final Thoughts
Skills ranging from hiding to the foreboding, often overlooked, have the potential to transform a standard CV into an exceptional one. The more specific you can be when it comes to an employer’s recognition, the more impact you can have.
For a CV, don’t simply bombard it with overused phrases. Use personal descriptors such as kind and reliable, but also emphasise how you would add value and exceed expectations.
Need assistance polishing the CV and highlighting the skills?
For a competitive job market, visit Jobs Online for professionally tailored training, strategies, and personal marketing to improve your standing in the modern job landscape.