Applying for a job is an exciting moment for many, and, in most cases, the job seeker’s first step is to add personal qualities for CV, or resume application, through which the seeker hopes to capture the attention of the hiring manager and showcase all of their qualifications and previous experiences.
Haven’t received a call for an interview? It is possible that the reason is that, in most places, your application is as good as dead without a personal touch. Personal traits make an employee unique, and in this case, make you as a candidate stand out. Communicating through a CV is a complicated, and, in many cases, a vague and out-of-the-box process, which is why to many, the question remains – how do I showcase personal traits without sounding vague and redundant?
In this blog, we’ll show you how to showcase and demonstrate traits more in the personal parts of your CV to make it more engaging and demonstrate to the hiring manager why you truly care.
Why Address Personal Qualities for CV?
In earlier times, a job seeker with a particular skill set always stood to benefit, and that is no longer the case. Employers in this current job set create a perception set by the job seeker as a whole persona, which drastically changes the standards and personal qualities.
In the list below, we will cover particular aspects that will help employers make a hiring decision:
- Your approach and personal finesse in pressure-sensitive situations
- Collaboration efforts and employee relations
- Your drive, and if you are a reliable employee
- The capability to adapt and your devotion to the team
- Potential to grow and take on a leadership position in the future
Whether working with the team of their culture is possible for you or not, it is seamless.
Meeting all the above criteria allows an employee to stand out and demonstrate their personal sophistication, which in this current job market is a necessity. Failing to do so is an absolute crime and a mark against you as a candidate, so try to showcase your resume in the best light possible, no matter the situation.
1. Match Your Traits to the Job Description
Take a look at the advert’s details because the instructions include a checklist of qualities to look for.. Sometimes, every job posting includes basic qualities of the applicant, which can be an “effective communicator with excellent creative skills” or “possesses qualities of a self-directed leader who can learn and implement new skills.”
As an example, “working under tight deadlines” can highlight traits of resilience or effective time management. “Collaborate with cross-functional teams” strengthens communication and collaboration skills.
Tip: Ensure every word counts when crafting a CV, and rather than repeating the job description verbatim, use those words.
2. Integrate Your Traits into Your Professional Summary
CV summaries and personal profiles can be crafted to share specific traits and, therefore, should be aligned with your top qualities.
Less effective:
“Hardworking and motivated individual.”
Better:
“Adaptable and motivated fresh graduate who is an excellent communicator. He possesses a proactive mindset and the ability to multitask under pressure.”
Those first few statements set the tone for the rest of your CV. Emphasising adaptable skills can greatly impress the applicant.
3. Show, Don’t Tell: Offer Proof From Your Work Experience
Instead of the statement “I’m a team player”, showcase evidence of team-powered projects. Replace vague statements with powerful evidence and showcase specific traits.
Instead of
“Great at solving problems.”
Use
“Fixed a client data issue in under 24 hours through interdepartmental collaboration, securing a critical contract for the company.”
This approach illustrates how employers made an impact and what actions were taken. Every employer is interested in what you did, how you did it, and what the outcome was.
4. Showcase Qualities in Accomplishments and Results
Reflect personal qualities such as creativity, leadership, or even initiative in the key achievements section or in bullets under the roles.
In the past, I have:
“Took initiative in the automation of monthly reports, which cut down the workload by 30%.”
“Managed a team of 5 from multiple disciplines to execute a product demo ahead of the planned date.”
The most important thing is to associate the personal qualities you want to communicate with actions and outcomes that suggest those attributes.
5. Add Soft Skills in a Dedicated Section
If there is enough space, adding sections like “Core Competencies” or “Key Personal Skills”, where 6 to 8 personal traits relevant to the position can be listed, is advisable.
Sample:
- Communication
- Time Management
- Problem Solver
- Flexibility
- Emotional Intelligence
- Detail-Oriented
- Leadership
- Takes Initiative
These words shouldn’t be chosen randomly. Your past experiences and achievements must support these claims in the rest of the CV.
6. Utilise Volunteer and Extracurricular Work
As a new graduate or someone in the early stages of their career, you might not have a lengthy employment record. In such cases, volunteering, extracurricular activities, or even personal projects can showcase your character.
Here’s a personal example:
“Organised a community fundraiser for a local shelter, and efficiently raised £2,000 in 3 weeks through outreach and teamwork.”
This example demonstrates powerful personal attributes like initiative, planning, and collaboration.
7. Use Action Words That Define You
Bulleted sections of a CV or a report can be modern and engage the reader. You can start them using powerful action words which convey personal attributes.
Here is what you can attribute to the right action verb:
- “Led.” = Leadership.
- “Improved.” = Initiative.
- “Managed.” = Organisation.
- “Collaborated.” = Teamwork.
- “Adapted.” = Flexibility.
- “Developed” = Creativity.
This strategy provides the employers with a descriptive understanding of your actions between the words you chose and the interpretation from the use of the action words.
8. Maintain Your Personal Authenticity
Make sure that only the attributes you highlight are personal traits that reflect your actual self. The moment you list something untrue, you are bound to be caught right away, and you put yourself in a situation where, if you are offered the role, you have to scrutinise your actions to somehow fit the traits you surrounded yourself with.
Use expressions that are simplistic and familiar to you. In a situation where you are wondering about a trait, pose the question to your colleague or a friend. Ask them how they would use their words to describe their strengths.
9. Back It Up in Your Cover Letter
The CV should display your personal attributes through relevant examples and the tone employed. Your cover letter gives you the opportunity to explain in detail.
Use your cover letter to link your attributes with the company’s mission and values, or tell them how your personality will help you fit in with the team.
Final Thoughts
If done correctly, using the personal attributes section of your CV will make you memorable, likeable, and more hireable. It is not about bombarding the CV with catchphrases and buzzwords. It is about showcasing elements of the role and backing them up with relevant evidence.
So for your CV to grab attention,
- Pay attention to the job description.
- Demonstrate the attributes through achievements.
- Use the right words and tone.
- Avoid generalisations.
- Stay true to yourself.
Employers are purchasing a service, but they want to see the complete package. Make them see you.
How about enhancing your CV right away?
Enrol in our online career courses and, with CV writing workshops, examples, and templates, learn to describe your skills and attributes in the right words. Take a confident career step today.