The 8 Most Important Soft Skills to Include on Resume

March 21, 2021
In Resumes & Cover Letters

The soft skills you put on your resume should be thought out. Why? Many hiring managers agree that soft skills can often outweigh hard skills. Hard skills are quantifiable job-specific abilities gained through training or education. On the other hand, soft skills are harder to measure and learn but can be applied in any position.

But which soft skills do hiring managers usually look for in a candidate? Most often, it is those that portray the applicant’s personality as pleasant and aligned with the company culture. Here are the 8 best soft skills for a resume that you should consider including.

1. Communication

Whatever your career path is, communication will always be one of the vital skills for success. This includes verbal, written, and non-verbal communication. Especially for jobs in sales or management, communication is crucial. As an excellent communicator, you can speak and write to get your point across. Also, you can listen to others’ opinions and ideas. Finally, you can be professional and respectful in all situations. If you include this amongst your soft skills for a resume, make sure also to show it during the interview.

2. Leadership

Leadership is one of the critical skills for a resume for managerial positions. Yet, almost every job can benefit from a leader-type employee. Leadership is the ability to inspire and guide a team towards the realization of goals. Think of the times when you took charge of a project or a task. Then, present this instance to prove your leadership nature.

3. Teamwork

Teamwork is essential to almost any position. Thus, being able to collaborate is an invaluable skill for any job. Resolving problems, leading others, and working in diverse teams are all a part of collaboration. Including this as one of your soft skills for a resume says a lot about your personality as well. It shows that you are willing to listen to others’ opinions and learn from your colleagues. Don’t forget to include examples of when you led a team or resolved a problem. Some examples of teamwork skills include:

4. Adaptability

No matter how much experience you have, each company will have different expectations. Thus, being trainable and adaptable to change is one of the best soft skills for a resume. Because each company has different expectations, being adaptable will always be useful. It will allow you to fit into new environments and adopt the ways of your employer without any trouble. In other words, being able to learn and embrace change is a skill that all hiring managers will be happy to find.

5. Problem-solving

Problem-solving skills are valuable whenever problems arise and need quick, sufficient resolution. Being able to find solutions and think out of the box is a critical skill. For both interpersonal and technical problems, smart solutions are vital. Thus, being a problem-solver is one of the best soft skills for a resume. Make sure to explain how you have resolved problems in your previous jobs and why it was helpful.

5. Interpersonal

Interpersonal skills refer to the everyday interactions you have with the people around you. These include communicating, teamwork, or active listening. Interpersonal skills allow you to understand and collaborate with others on your team. This is one of the best skills for a resume because it includes many other positive skills that every employer looks for in a candidate.

6. Creativity

Being creative is useful in any position and in any industry. Creativity allows you to see solutions and ideas that others don’t think of. In turn, this can give your employer a competitive advantage in the market. Approaching projects and problems creatively can lead to better, faster solutions. Obviously, creativity is a crucial skill for industries like design or writing. However, it can be a bonus in a candidate for jobs in technical industries as well.

8. Time management

Being able to manage your time is vital for both your professional and personal success. Time management refers to the ability to find balance and deliver results on time. For example, finding a balance between work and personal life. Also, delegating tasks, defining priorities, or staying on top of deadlines. All these attributes make a great employee; thus, it is good to include this soft skill on your resume.

Remember: When deciding which soft skills to include, compare your skills to the job description. Then, select those skills that align with the job description. Apart from that, you can add ones that you believe could be valuable to the company. Your soft skills will help the interviewer decide if you are the right fit for the company. So, make sure to focus on your best attributes to leave a stellar impression.