Interpersonal skills are in high demand from employers currently hiring in a wide range of industries, according to a LiveCareer analysis of job ads. In a high pressure job market, the ability to build relationships, resolve conflict, collaborate effectively, and provide great customer service can help set you apart from the competition in an extremely competitive job market.
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The list below highlights some of the interpersonal skills most frequently mentioned in the job ads analyzed by LiveCareer. Such skills are a highly prized commodity and transferable to other industries and jobs. We suggest how you can use them to land a job or transfer between industries where your skills are most valued.
Key interpersonal skills to highlight on your resume
Job seekers have a better chance of making a seamless career transition by highlighting interpersonal skills on their resume.
Here are four skills that will help you make the jump.
Customer service
The need to be friendly, courteous and sociable is expected in a wide range of positions, from customer service reps to HR professionals. When face-to-face interaction is an important part of the job, employers are watching to see that you've demonstrated patience and empathy throughout your career.
Collaboration
Teamwork is a cornerstone of the interpersonal skill set. While you need to drive home personal accomplishments on your cover letter and resume, you should also highlight your collaboration skills by explaining how your contributions helped your team meet its goals.
Relationship building
Part of being a good collaborator involves building relationships. LiveCareer's research revealed that employers in these sectors frequently include the word "relationship" in their job listings. When you apply, you could explain how you "nurtured relationships" in your previous role.
Conflict resolution
The ability to quickly manage stress while staying calm and communicating effectively is valued in virtually every job. This is especially crucial for roles in which managing conflict is central to the responsibilities (e.g., HR managers). When possible, include quantifiable successes that demonstrate your ability to de-escalate tensions and reach resolutions.
3 tips for highlighting interpersonal skills on your resume
- Identify and list the soft and hard skills in which you excelled in your previous positions.
- Examine job descriptions for the position you're seeking to see where your skill set overlaps. In the process, you may notice skills you should add to your initial list.
- Highlight those skills on your resume and cover letter using the exact wording that appears in the job description.
