15 Essential Interpersonal Skills for Resume to Showcase

With recruiters spending up to 8 seconds reviewing a resume, claimed Forbes, it becomes essential to include and accordingly highlight significant skill sets to garner the attention of the recruiters. 

Another study by Forbes has suggested that only 3% of the resumes that pass through the ATS score result in an interview. To corroborate the study, another report by McKinsey suggests that 41% of recruiters look for skills on a resume first. But in today's competitive job market, technical prowess isn't enough. 

Employers seek candidates who can collaborate, communicate, and adapt seamlessly. Enter interpersonal skills – the key to standing out on your resume. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, these skills are your ticket to success. According to the Glassdoor survey, 91% of recruiters prefer seeing soft skills in their scanned resume. 

Therefore, explore 15 crucial interpersonal skills that can transform your resume. From communication and teamwork to adaptability and cultural awareness, we'll provide tips and examples to help you effectively showcase these skills.

What are interpersonal skills?

Interpersonal skills, often called people skills or soft skills, are a set of abilities and qualities that enable individuals to communicate, collaborate, and interact with others effectively.

These skills are crucial for building positive relationships, working in teams, and navigating various social and professional situations. Interpersonal skills go beyond technical or academic knowledge and play a significant role in personal and career success.

15 Interpersonal skills for resume you must have in 2024

Interpersonal skills are essential for effective communication and interaction in professional and personal settings. Including these skills on your resume can demonstrate your ability to work well with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.

Here are 15 important interpersonal skills you must possess in 2024 for a resume.

1. Communication

Communication is at the core of interpersonal skills. It involves conveying ideas, thoughts, and information clearly and effectively to others. This skill encompasses both verbal and written communication, as well as active listening. 

Examples of interpersonal communication skills include:

• Verbal clarity
• Nonverbal communication
• Written communication
• Presentation skills
• Teamwork

In your resume, you can highlight your communication skills by providing examples of how you've successfully conveyed complex information, resolved conflicts through effective dialogue, and ensured that your message was understood by various audiences.

In your resume you can include: "Demonstrated strong communication skills by delivering clear and concise presentations to cross-functional teams, resulting in improved project understanding and collaboration."

2. Teamwork

Teamwork involves collaborating with others to achieve a common goal. It includes being able to contribute positively to group discussions, respect others' opinions, and work cooperatively. 

Teamwork also requires interpersonal skills like:

• Cooperation
• Negotiation techniques
• Emotional control in conflict situations
• Task delegation
• Building trust
• Conflict management within a team

When listing teamwork as a skill In your resume, provide specific instances where you've collaborated with colleagues from different backgrounds, adapted to different working styles, and contributed to successful team outcomes.

In your resume you can include: "Proven track record of effective teamwork, fostering an inclusive environment by valuing diverse perspectives and coordinating efforts to achieve project milestones."

3. Conflict resolution

Conflict resolution is the ability to address disagreements and find solutions that satisfy all parties involved. This skill demonstrates your emotional intelligence, empathy, and ability to manage difficult situations diplomatically. 

Conflict resolution also requires interpersonal skills such as:

• Mediation
• Effective communication in conflict
• Active listening in disputes
• Negotiation techniques
• Emotional control in conflict situations
• Empathy and understanding
• Building consensus in disagreements

When describing conflict resolution skills In your resume, showcase instances where you've successfully managed conflicts, diffused tense situations, and achieved win-win outcomes.

In your resume you can include: "Skilled in conflict resolution, adeptly navigating challenging interactions and negotiating solutions to maintain positive working relationships among team members."

4. Empathy

Empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings and perspectives of others. It's a crucial skill for building strong relationships and fostering a supportive work environment. 

Empathy also requires interpersonal skills like:

• Understanding others' perspectives
• Compassion
• Emotional intelligence
• Supportive listening
• Acknowledging others' feelings

In your resume, emphasize how you've demonstrated empathy by actively listening to colleagues' concerns, offering support during challenging times, and adapting your approach based on the needs and emotions of others.

In your resume you can include: "Exhibited strong empathy by actively listening to team members' feedback, fostering a sense of trust and openness that led to improved collaboration and problem-solving."

5. Leadership

Leadership skills encompass guiding, motivating, and inspiring others to achieve their best performance. Even if you're not in a formal leadership position, you can still showcase leadership skills by taking initiative, setting a positive example, and helping others succeed. 

Samples of interpersonal skills in leadership include:

• Decision-making
• Visionary thinking
• Delegation
• Motivation and inspiration
• Conflict resolution in a leadership role

In your resume, provide examples of times when you've taken the lead on projects, mentored colleagues, or influenced positive change within your team or organization.

In your resume you can include: "Displayed leadership abilities by spearheading a cross-departmental initiative, guiding a team of peers to deliver results ahead of schedule while fostering a cohesive and motivated group dynamic."

6. Adaptability

Adaptability is the ability to remain flexible and open-minded in changing or uncertain situations. This skill showcases your capacity to adjust to new environments, tasks, or challenges while maintaining a positive attitude. 

Aspects of adaptability related to interpersonal skills include:

• Flexibility
• Resilience
• Problem-solving in changing environments
• Openness to new ideas
• Handling ambiguity

In your resume, highlight instances where you've successfully navigated changes, shifted priorities, and embraced new technologies or processes.

In your resume you can include: "Proven adaptability demonstrated by seamlessly transitioning between different project scopes and proactively embracing evolving industry trends to ensure continued success."

7. Negotiation

Negotiation involves reaching mutually beneficial agreements by considering the needs and viewpoints of all parties involved. This skill showcases your ability to find common ground, persuade others, and achieve favorable outcomes. 

Negotiation is one of the most powerful interpersonal skills for sales reps. It includes:

• Bargaining
• Compromise
• Assertiveness in negotiations
• Conflict resolution through negotiation
• Persuasion
  

When including negotiation skills In your resume, provide examples of how you've negotiated contracts, resolved disputes, or secured advantageous partnerships.

In your resume you can include: "Skilled negotiator with a track record of achieving win-win agreements, effectively aligning diverse interests and fostering positive relationships with clients, suppliers, and internal stakeholders."

8. Networking

Networking is the practice of building and nurturing professional relationships that can benefit your career and your organization. It demonstrates your ability to connect with others, establish rapport, and leverage your connections for mutual growth. 

Networking is another powerful interpersonal skills for sales reps. It includes:

• Relationship building
• Maintaining professional contacts
• Information sharing
• Leveraging connections
• Social etiquette

In your resume, showcase instances where you've expanded your professional network, cultivated relationships with industry peers, and leveraged networking opportunities for personal and organizational advancement.

In your resume you can include: "Proactive networker, consistently engaging in industry events and online communities to establish valuable connections, share insights, and stay updated on industry trends."

9. Cultural sensitivity

Cultural sensitivity is the ability to interact respectfully and effectively with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds. It highlights your awareness of different cultural norms, beliefs, and practices, which is crucial in today's globalized work environment. 

Cultural sensitivity is a crucial interpersonal skill for sales representatives, especially in a globalized market. 

Here are some examples of how cultural sensitivity applies to sales representatives:

• Relationship building
• Maintaining professional contacts
• Information sharing
• Leveraging connections
• Social etiquette

When listing cultural sensitivity In your resume, provide examples of how you've demonstrated respect for cultural differences, collaborated with international teams, and adapted your communication style accordingly.

In your resume you can include: "Culturally sensitive communicator, adept at fostering strong relationships across international teams by understanding and appreciating diverse perspectives, ultimately enhancing cross-cultural collaboration."

10. Influencing

Influencing skills involve persuading others to consider your ideas, opinions, or suggestions, even without formal authority. This skill showcases your ability to communicate effectively and motivate others to take action. 

Here are some key aspects of how influencing applies to sales reps:

• Persuasive communication
• Building credibility
• Inspiring others
• Leading by example
• Motivating change

In your resume, highlight situations where you've successfully influenced decision-making, gained buy-in for projects, or led teams to adopt innovative approaches.

In your resume you can include: "Effective influencer, skilled at articulating compelling arguments and rallying cross-functional teams around shared goals, resulting in increased project adoption and successful implementation."

11. Time management

Time management is the skill of effectively allocating and prioritizing your time to complete tasks and meet deadlines. This skill demonstrates your ability to organize your work efficiently and deliver results in a timely manner. 

Here are interpersonal time management skills for sales reps:

• Prioritization
• Goal setting
• Task scheduling
• Productivity techniques
• Meeting deadlines

In your resume, provide examples of how you've successfully managed multiple tasks, met project deadlines, and maintained productivity even under pressure.

In your resume you can include: "Proven time management skills, consistently delivering high-quality work within tight timelines and effectively balancing competing priorities to ensure project success."

12. Stress management

Stress is a common experience for everyone at some point. Yet, when stress becomes so overwhelming that it hinders your ability to work, it becomes a significant concern, affecting both you and your employer. Excessive stress can result in burnout and depression. In today's world, it's crucial to learn effective methods for managing stress.

Examples of stress management as an interpersonal skill encompass:

• Responding to stress proactively
• Maintaining composure in high-pressure situations
• Employing de-escalation strategies
• Utilizing relaxation techniques

In your resume you can include: "Proven ability to maintain composure under pressure: Consistently met or exceeded sales targets during high-stress periods, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in a dynamic sales environment."

13. Mentoring and coaching

Mentoring and coaching involve guiding and developing others to reach their full potential. This skill demonstrates your ability to provide constructive feedback, offer guidance, and help colleagues enhance their skills.

Mentoring and coaching skills include:

• Providing constructive feedback
• Goal setting with mentees
• Developing others' skills
• Career guidance
• Building confidence in others

In your resume, highlight instances where you've mentored junior team members, provided valuable insights, and contributed to their professional growth.

In your resume you can include: "Skilled mentor and coach, fostering the professional development of team members by providing targeted guidance, sharing industry knowledge, and empowering them to excel."

14. Customer relationship management

Customer relationship management is the ability to build strong connections with clients or customers, understanding their needs, and delivering excellent service. This skill highlights your customer-focused approach and your capacity to maintain positive, long-lasting relationships. 

Interpersonal customer relationship management skills include:

• Building customer trust
• Responding to customer feedback
• Problem resolution for customers
• Customer retention strategies
• Maintaining long-term customer relationships

When showcasing customer relationship management In your resume, share examples of how you've exceeded customer expectations, resolved issues, and contributed to customer loyalty.

In your resume you can include: "Exceptional customer relationship management skills, consistently delivering exceptional service, resolving inquiries promptly, and building lasting client partnerships."

15. Collaborative problem-solving

Collaborative problem-solving involves working with others to analyze complex challenges and develop innovative solutions. This skill demonstrates your ability to contribute constructively to problem-solving discussions and leverage collective expertise. 

Collaborative problem-solving also requires interpersonal skills like:

• Team brainstorming
• Creative problem-solving
• Consensus building
• Synergy in group decision-making
• Sharing and evaluating ideas as a team

In your resume, detail instances where you've collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify creative solutions, overcome obstacles, and drive successful outcomes.

In your resume you can include: "Strong collaborative problem-solving skills, leveraging collective insights to analyze intricate challenges, formulate effective strategies, and drive cross-departmental problem resolution."

As you incorporate these additional interpersonal skills into your resume, remember to provide specific examples and accomplishments that illustrate your proficiency in each skill. Customizing your resume to reflect a well-rounded set of interpersonal skills can showcase your versatility, adaptability, and effectiveness in various professional scenarios.

Conclusion

In the competitive realm of careers, mastering interpersonal skills is your distinct advantage. These 15 vital attributes go beyond words on a resume; they represent your potential to thrive in any professional setting

Whether a fresh graduate or a seasoned pro, integrating these skills into your resume creates a compelling narrative. It's not just about what you can do, but how you connect, collaborate, and adapt that truly sets you apart.

As you embark on your journey, remember that your resume is more than a piece of paper – it's a showcase of your interpersonal finesse. With these skills at your disposal, you're equipped to craft a promising future in any role you choose.