People skills are essential for career success. Whether you are working in customer service, management, marketing, or any other field, the ability to interact effectively with people is crucial. In fact, studies show that people skills are one of the top qualities employers look for in candidates when hiring.
But what exactly are people skills? And how can you demonstrate them on your resume? In this article, we will explore the importance of people skills, provide a definition of what they are, and offer 30 examples of how you can showcase them on your resume.
Importance of People Skills for Career Success
People skills are critical for success in today’s workplace. No matter your profession, you will need to interact with people in a variety of ways. For example, you may need to communicate with customers, coworkers, or superiors. You may also need to negotiate, persuade, or build relationships with others.
Having poor people skills can be a significant barrier to career success. If you are unable to communicate effectively, build relationships, or work collaboratively with others, you may struggle to advance in your career. On the other hand, strong people skills can help you stand out as a valuable team member and leader.
Definition of People Skills
People skills refer to the ability to interact effectively with others. Some common examples of people skills include communication, empathy, active listening, problem-solving, leadership, and teamwork.
People skills are also sometimes referred to as soft skills, emotional intelligence, or interpersonal skills. Unlike hard skills (such as technical abilities or knowledge of a specific software), people skills are transferable across different industries and job roles.


Communication Skills
Effective communication skills are crucial for anyone looking to excel in their career. Communication skills encompass a wide range of abilities, including verbal, written, listening, and nonverbal communication.
A. Verbal Communication
Verbal communication is the use of words to convey a message to others. It includes speaking, tone of voice, and body language. Effective verbal communication skills involve clarity, conciseness, and understanding the audience. It is important to consider the language and expressions used as they can have different meanings in different cultures.
B. Written Communication
Written communication refers to the use of words to convey a message in writing. Effective written communication skills involve clarity, brevity, and audience understanding. It includes the ability to convey ideas clearly and concisely while using proper grammar and punctuation. The content should be relevant, organized, and well-structured.
C. Listening Skills
Listening skills are essential for effective communication. It involves paying attention to what is said, understanding the message, and providing an appropriate response. Good listening skills include maintaining eye contact, avoiding distractions, and asking questions to clarify information. It is important to note that listening involves more than just hearing the words spoken.
D. Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal communication refers to the use of body language, facial expressions, and gestures to convey meaning. Nonverbal communication can often have a stronger impact than verbal communication. Effective nonverbal communication involves awareness of body language and the ability to interpret and respond to it. It is also important to consider cultural differences in nonverbal communication.
Communication skills are essential for workplace success. Improving communication skills can help establish relationships, avoid misunderstandings, and have positive interactions with colleagues and clients. When listing communication skills on a resume, it is important to be specific and provide examples of how these skills have been utilized in the past.
Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal skills are essential for career success. These skills include teamwork, conflict resolution, empathy, and emotional intelligence. Additionally, networking and relationship building are critical for professional growth.
A. Teamwork and Collaboration
One of the most vital people skills for career success is teamwork and collaboration. Employers seek candidates with the ability to work collaboratively with others to achieve common goals. Teamwork and collaboration involve the ability to communicate effectively, build trust, and encourage open feedback.
To showcase your teamwork and collaboration skills on your resume, consider adding phrases such as “successfully collaborated with cross-functional team members,” or “facilitated productive team meetings to achieve project objectives.”
B. Conflict Resolution
Conflict resolution is another essential people skill for career success. Conflict is an inevitable part of teamwork, and the ability to resolve it professionally and constructively is critical. Conflict resolution involves active listening, empathy, and problem-solving skills.
To demonstrate your conflict resolution skills on your resume, consider including phrases such as “successfully mediated conflicts between team members to reach a mutually beneficial solution,” or “identified potential conflicts early and proactively worked to prevent them.”
C. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence
Empathy and emotional intelligence are crucial components of interpersonal skills. Empathy involves the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, while emotional intelligence involves the ability to recognize and regulate one’s emotions effectively.


To showcase your empathy and emotional intelligence skills on your resume, consider including phrases such as “demonstrated strong emotional intelligence by successfully managing challenging situations,” or “exercised empathy and active listening skills to understand team members’ needs effectively.”
D. Networking and Relationship Building
Networking and relationship building are essential people skills for career success. Building professional relationships is critical to expanding your network and creating opportunities for career growth. Networking involves the ability to build meaningful and lasting relationships with colleagues, industry professionals, and potential employers.
To demonstrate your networking and relationship building skills on your resume, consider including phrases such as “proactively reached out to industry professionals to expand professional network,” or “successfully built and maintained relationships with clients to increase sales and revenue.”
Incorporating examples of your interpersonal skills in your resume can increase your chances of securing a job and advancing your career. Remember to showcase your ability to work collaboratively, handle conflicts professionally, exercise empathy and emotional intelligence, and build meaningful relationships.
Leadership Skills
Effective leadership is crucial in any workplace. Demonstrating strong leadership skills can set you apart from other candidates and help you advance in your career. Here are several leadership skills that can make a big impact:
A. Vision and Strategic Thinking
The ability to think strategically and develop a vision for the future is essential for any leader. A great leader can anticipate challenges and opportunities before they arise and develop a plan of action accordingly. This requires a keen understanding of the industry, the company’s strengths and weaknesses, and the needs and preferences of customers.
To showcase your vision and strategic thinking skills, provide examples of times you have developed and executed successful long-term plans. Discuss your process for analyzing data, identifying trends, and anticipating future needs. Highlight how your strategic planning has contributed to the success of your team or organization.
B. Decision Making
Leaders must be confident and decisive when making important decisions. They need to weigh different options, consider potential outcomes, and make tough choices with limited information. They also need to communicate their decisions effectively and provide a clear rationale for their choices.
To demonstrate your decision-making skills, provide examples of times you have made difficult choices under pressure. Discuss the factors you considered when making the decision, the potential outcomes you weighed, and how you communicated your decision to stakeholders. Highlight any positive results that came from your decision-making process.
C. Delegation
Delegation is an essential leadership skill that involves assigning tasks and responsibilities to team members based on their strengths and abilities. A strong leader understands the strengths and weaknesses of their team members and can assign tasks that are challenging but also achievable.
To showcase your delegation skills, provide examples of times you have assigned tasks to your team members that allowed them to grow and develop professionally. Discuss your process for assessing your team’s strengths and weaknesses and assigning tasks accordingly. Highlight the successes of your team members under your leadership.
D. Motivation and Inspiration
Leaders need to be able to motivate and inspire their team members to achieve their full potential. The ability to inspire and motivate others requires good communication skills, empathy, and an optimistic outlook.
To demonstrate your motivation and inspiration skills, provide examples of times you have motivated and inspired others to achieve their goals. Discuss your process for identifying your team members’ strengths and weaknesses and tailoring your communication to each person. Highlight any positive results that came from your motivational and inspirational efforts.
Strong leadership skills are essential for success in any career. By highlighting your vision and strategic thinking, decision-making, delegation, and motivation and inspiration skills, you can showcase your ability to lead and inspire others to achieve their best work.
Problem-Solving Skills
One of the most essential skills required for any job is problem-solving. Employers look for individuals who can analyze, think creatively, adapt, prioritize, and manage time effectively to come up with solutions to complex problems. It’s therefore crucial to demonstrate your problem-solving skills on your resume.
A. Analytical Thinking
Analytical thinking involves breaking down a problem into smaller pieces and examining each piece effectively. It includes gathering relevant data, assessing the pros and cons, and developing a logical solution to the problem. Analytical thinking is essential for jobs that require complex technical solutions or long-term planning.
To showcase your analytical thinking skills on your resume, you can provide specific examples of how you have solved complex problems, what steps you took, and the outcome of your solution. You may also highlight any tools, software, or techniques you used to analyze the problem.
B. Creativity
Creativity is the ability to come up with unique and innovative ideas to solve a problem. It involves thinking outside the box and exploring unconventional solutions to challenges. This skill is essential for jobs that require design, marketing, or positions that need you to keep up with an ever-changing environment.
To showcase your creativity on your resume, you may include examples of how you developed and implemented creative solutions to solve a challenging problem. You may also showcase any awards or recognition you received for your innovative solutions.
C. Adaptability and Flexibility
Adaptability and flexibility involve the ability to adjust to changing circumstances and situations effectively. It means being able to adapt to different work environments, handle multiple tasks, and perform well under pressure. These skills are essential for jobs that require multi-tasking, teamwork, and working in a fast-paced environment.
To showcase your adaptability and flexibility on your resume, you can provide examples of how you have adjusted to new work environments, managed challenging situations, and taken on additional tasks outside of your job description.
D. Time Management and Prioritization
Time management and prioritization are essential skills necessary to work efficiently and effectively. It involves planning, organizing, and managing time effectively to meet deadlines and achieve targets. Time management and prioritization skills are crucial for jobs that require managing projects, meeting deadlines, and working under pressure.
To showcase your time management and prioritization skills on your resume, you may provide examples of how you have managed your workload, met your deadlines, and completed projects efficiently. You may also highlight any relevant tools or software you used to manage your time effectively.
Problem-solving skills are essential for career success, and they provide a competitive edge in the job market. By showcasing your analytical thinking, creativity, adaptability and flexibility, and time management skills on your resume, you increase the chances of getting hired by top employers.
Customer Service Skills
Good customer service skills are essential for any career that involves interacting with people, whether it be in retail, hospitality, healthcare, or any other industry. Employers look for candidates who possess strong customer service skills, and it is important to highlight these skills on a resume. Here are four key customer service skills to include on a resume:
A. Patience and Tolerance
Patience and tolerance are among the most important skills for any customer service representative. Dealing with challenging customers who may be upset, angry, or frustrated can be a draining experience, but it is important to remain calm and patient in order to successfully resolve the issue. This requires a level of emotional intelligence and self-control, but it also requires a willingness to see things from the customer’s perspective and to empathize with their frustrations.
B. Problem Solving and Conflict Management
Effective problem solving and conflict management skills are essential for handling customer issues in a timely and effective manner. When a customer comes to you with a problem or complaint, it is important to be able to assess the situation quickly, identify the underlying issue, and come up with a solution that satisfies the customer. This may involve working with other team members or departments, but it is important to stay focused on the customer’s needs and to communicate clearly throughout the process.
C. Customer Retention and Loyalty
Building rapport and fostering a positive relationship with customers is an important aspect of customer service. Happy customers are more likely to return and to recommend your product or service to others, which is why it is important to focus on customer retention and loyalty. This requires a combination of excellent communication skills, a friendly demeanor, and a willingness to go above and beyond to meet customer needs.
D. Understanding of Customer Needs
Finally, a strong understanding of customer needs is essential for providing excellent customer service. This may involve conducting market research, gathering feedback and data from customer interactions, and continuously updating and refining your approach based on customer insights. By understanding what your customers want and need, you can tailor your products, services, and interactions to better meet their expectations and deliver a superior customer experience.
Strong customer service skills are essential for a wide range of careers, and it is important to highlight these skills on a resume. This includes skills such as patience and tolerance, problem solving and conflict management, customer retention and loyalty, and understanding of customer needs. By showcasing these skills, candidates can demonstrate their ability to excel in a customer-facing role and differentiate themselves from other applicants.
Sales Skills
Sales skills are essential for any job that involves selling products or services, building relationships with customers, and achieving business goals. Some of the key sales skills that can significantly boost your career include persuasion and negotiation, communication skills, attention to detail and product knowledge, as well as closing skills and follow-up.
A. Persuasion and Negotiation
Individuals who possess excellent persuasion and negotiation skills can make a significant contribution to the growth and success of their organization. These skills involve being able to convince potential customers about the value of your product or service and deal with objections or criticism effectively. Good negotiators know how to communicate their needs while also listening to others, compromising when necessary, and finding solutions that benefit both parties.
B. Communication Skills
Communication is key to any successful sales career. Whether speaking with customers, colleagues, or vendors, interpersonal communication can have a significant impact on the outcome of a sale or the ability to build rapport. Effective communication includes the ability to listen actively, ask good questions, and put forth ideas or information clearly and concisely. Moreover, a competent salesperson must know how to modify their communication style based on the audience to ensure that their message reaches its intended target.
C. Attention to Detail and Product Knowledge
Attention to detail and expert knowledge of your product or service is crucial in the sales process. Knowing the ins and outs of your product and staying up to date on any changes or upgrades can help you convey confidence and credibility to your prospects. Additionally, paying close attention to customer feedback and preferences can aid the sales process by providing insights that help you identify potential opportunities for upselling or cross-selling.
D. Closing Skills and Follow-Up
Closing skills and follow-up are key to securing a sale and maintaining strong relationships with customers. A good salesperson must effectively guide prospects through the sales process, providing any necessary information and anticipating any objections or roadblocks. Once a sale is closed, following up with customers to ensure they are satisfied with their purchase and deal with any issues that arise is equally essential. This is especially important for building loyalty and gaining repeat business.
Sales skills are essential in many industries and can significantly boost your career. Effective salespeople possess skills such as persuasion and negotiation, communication skills, attention to detail and product knowledge, as well as closing skills and follow-up. By developing and showcasing these skills on your resume or job application, you can help distinguish yourself from other applicants and demonstrate why you would be an asset to any organization.
Diversity and Inclusion Skills
Diversity and inclusion skills have become increasingly important in today’s globalized world. Employers are looking for candidates who can effectively navigate and value differences in the workplace. These skills can be listed on your resume and demonstrated during the interview process.
A. Understanding and Appreciation of Differences
Having an understanding and appreciation of differences refers to the ability to recognize and respect diversity in various forms, such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, and socioeconomic status. It involves being open-minded and tolerant towards others who may come from different backgrounds and have different beliefs.
To demonstrate this skill on your resume, you can highlight experiences where you worked effectively with people from diverse cultures or participated in diversity initiatives. During an interview, be sure to emphasize your ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of people and your willingness to learn about and appreciate differences.
B. Multicultural Competence
Multicultural competence is the ability to understand, appreciate, and effectively communicate with people from different cultures. It involves being aware of cultural norms, values, and traditions and utilizing this knowledge to build strong relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
On your resume, you can showcase your multicultural competence by highlighting experiences where you successfully navigated cultural differences or worked on international projects. During an interview, demonstrate your cross-cultural communication skills and ability to build relationships with people from different cultures.
C. Bias Awareness and Eradication
Bias awareness and eradication refer to the ability to recognize and eliminate unconscious biases that may impact your interactions with others. It involves examining your own beliefs and attitudes and being willing to challenge and change them.
On your resume, you can indicate your commitment to bias awareness and eradication by showcasing experiences where you actively sought to eliminate bias in the workplace or participated in diversity training. During an interview, be prepared to discuss how you address bias in your work and personal life.
D. Etiquette and Sensitivity
Etiquette and sensitivity refer to the ability to communicate and interact with others in a polite, respectful, and appropriate manner. It involves being aware of cultural and social norms and adapting your communication style to fit the situation.
To demonstrate this skill on your resume, you can highlight experiences where you effectively communicated with people from different backgrounds or were recognized for your professional or interpersonal etiquette. During an interview, emphasize your ability to adapt your communication style to fit different situations and cultures.
Diversity and inclusion skills are essential for career success. They demonstrate your ability to effectively navigate and value differences in the workplace. By highlighting your understanding and appreciation of differences, multicultural competence, bias awareness and eradication, and etiquette and sensitivity, you can demonstrate your proficiency in these skills to potential employers.
Emotional Intelligence Examples
Emotional intelligence, or EI, is a critical set of skills that can help individuals navigate the social and emotional complexities of the workplace. There are four key components of EI, and each one plays an essential role in career success.
A. Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand your emotions, strengths, and weaknesses. This skill is vital for career success because it allows individuals to take control of their emotions and improve their relationships with colleagues.
For example, an individual with high self-awareness may realize that they tend to get defensive when criticized. With this knowledge, they can work to regulate their emotions and respond in a more productive and constructive way.
B. Social Awareness
Social awareness is the ability to pick up on emotions and cues from other people. This skill is essential for building relationships and working effectively with others.
For example, an individual with high social awareness may be able to read the room during a meeting and adjust their communication style accordingly. They may also be able to empathize with colleagues who are going through a difficult time and offer support.
C. Self-Regulation
Self-regulation is the ability to control your emotions and impulses. This skill is crucial for maintaining professionalism and avoiding conflict in the workplace.
For example, an individual with high self-regulation may be able to remain calm and composed when dealing with a difficult client. They may also be able to take a step back and assess their emotions before responding to a challenging situation.
D. Motivation
Motivation is the drive to achieve goals and persist in the face of obstacles. This skill is essential for career success because it helps individuals stay focused and productive.
For example, an individual with high motivation may set challenging goals for themselves and work tirelessly to achieve them. They may also be able to find meaningful and fulfilling work, which can lead to greater job satisfaction and career success.
Emotional intelligence is a critical set of skills that can make a significant difference in career success. By developing strong self-awareness, social awareness, self-regulation, and motivation, individuals can navigate the complex social and emotional landscape of the workplace and achieve their goals.
Time Management Examples
Time management is a critical people skill that can make or break your career success. Whether you’re working on a tight deadline or juggling multiple tasks, the ability to manage your time effectively can help you stay productive and achieve your goals. Here are four examples of time management skills that you can include in your career skills section on your resume:
A. Setting Priorities and Goals
Setting priorities and goals can help you stay focused on what’s important and avoid getting distracted by less critical tasks. When setting priorities, it’s essential to consider factors such as urgency, importance, and impact on the overall project or goal. You can prioritize tasks by creating a to-do list or using a matrix, such as the Eisenhower matrix, which categorizes tasks based on their urgency and importance. Setting clear goals can also help you stay motivated and track your progress as you work towards achieving them.
B. Planning and Scheduling
Planning and scheduling involve breaking down your work into manageable tasks and allocating time to each task. This process can help you ensure that you have enough time to complete each task without overworking yourself or falling behind schedule. When planning and scheduling, it’s essential to consider your energy levels and schedule tasks that require more focus or creativity during your peak hours. You can also use scheduling tools, such as calendars or project management software, to keep track of your tasks and deadlines.
C. Avoiding Time-Wasting Habits
Time-wasting habits, such as procrastination or multitasking, can be detrimental to your productivity and success. To avoid wasting time, it’s crucial to identify your habits and take steps to address them. You can set specific times for checking emails or taking breaks rather than constantly interrupting your work. You can also break larger tasks into smaller, more manageable ones to avoid getting overwhelmed.
D. Delegation and Outsourcing
Delegating tasks or outsourcing projects can help you free up your time and focus on more critical tasks. It’s essential to identify tasks that can be delegated or outsourced and find reliable people or services to handle them. Delegating tasks can also help develop the skills of your team members and increase their engagement and motivation.
Time management is an essential skill that can help you achieve your career goals and improve your productivity. By setting priorities and goals, planning and scheduling, avoiding time-wasting habits, and delegating and outsourcing tasks, you can manage your time effectively and succeed in your career.
Leadership Examples
In order to succeed in any career or profession, it is imperative to possess strong people skills, including effective leadership abilities. Leadership comes in various forms, and there are several different types of leadership styles that individuals can adopt depending on the situation and desired outcomes. In this section, we will explore some leadership examples that can be included in a professional resume.
A. Visionary Leadership
Visionary leadership is a type of leadership that focuses on creating a clear and compelling vision of the future for an organization or team. This type of leader is able to communicate their vision in a way that inspires others, and they work to align the team’s efforts with the overall goals and objectives. Visionary leaders can be found in a variety of settings, from the business world to non-profit organizations to political leadership roles.
An example of visionary leadership might be a CEO who has a clear vision for their company’s future, and is able to communicate this vision to employees, customers, and other stakeholders. They work to inspire others to share their vision, and create a sense of purpose and direction for the company.
B. Team Leadership
Team leadership is focused on building and maintaining effective teams through effective communication, collaboration, and cooperation. This type of leader works to create a positive team culture and encourages open communication and feedback among team members. They are also able to identify each team member’s strengths and weaknesses, and provide resources and support to help everyone succeed.
An example of team leadership might be a project manager who is responsible for guiding a team of developers to create a new software product. The project manager is able to effectively communicate the project goals and expectations to the team, and fosters a collaborative environment where everyone feels valued and supported.
C. Strategic Leadership
Strategic leadership involves the ability to anticipate and analyze future challenges and opportunities, and develop effective strategies to address them. This type of leader is skilled at identifying trends and patterns in the business environment and adjusting their plans and strategies accordingly. They also work to align the organization’s resources and capabilities with their overall goals and objectives.
An example of strategic leadership might be a senior executive who is responsible for developing a long-term strategy for their company. They carefully analyze market trends and customer needs, and develop a comprehensive plan to ensure the company’s future success.
D. Transformational Leadership
Transformational leadership is focused on creating positive change within an organization or team. This type of leader works to inspire and motivate their team members to reach their full potential, and encourages innovation and creativity. They are able to create a sense of purpose and direction, and work to empower their team members to take ownership of their work.
An example of transformational leadership might be a school principal who is responsible for transforming a struggling school into a high-performing institution. The principal is able to create a vision for the school’s future, and inspires teachers, students, and parents to work together to achieve this goal.
Customer Service Examples
The success of any business largely depends on how well it can serve its customers. Therefore, people skills are essential for anyone who wants to build a career in customer service.
Here are some examples of people skills that can make a difference in customer service:
A. Phone and Email Etiquette
Communication is key when it comes to customer service. Employees who work in customer service must possess excellent phone and email etiquette skills.
When answering phone calls, customer service representatives should always identify themselves and their company. They should speak clearly and professionally, using a friendly tone that conveys respect and empathy to the customer. If the customer is upset or angry, the representative should remain calm and patient, listening carefully to understand the customer’s issue and offering a solution.
Email etiquette is another crucial aspect of customer service. Representatives should respond to emails promptly, using proper grammar and punctuation. They should address the customer by name and use a friendly tone, just as they would over the phone. Email responses should be helpful and provide a clear solution to the customer’s problem.
B. Problem-Solving and Resolution
Customers often reach out to customer service when they have a problem or complaint. Therefore, customer service representatives must possess excellent problem-solving and resolution skills.
The first step in resolving a customer’s issue is to listen carefully to the problem. Representatives should ask questions to clarify the issue and work with the customer to find a solution. If a solution cannot be reached immediately, the representative should explain the steps that will be taken to resolve the issue and keep the customer informed throughout the process.
Representatives should also have the authority to make decisions and provide solutions. Customers trust that their issues will be resolved quickly and efficiently, and representatives must deliver on that promise.
C. Relationship Building
Building relationships with customers is essential to customer service success. Representatives should try to get to know their customers, their needs, and their preferences. They should be friendly and personable, treating customers like they are valued members of the company.
Representatives can also follow up with customers after an issue has been resolved to ensure their satisfaction. This not only shows that the company cares about its customers, but it also provides an opportunity to gain feedback and improve the customer experience.
D. Empathy and Listening Skills
One of the most crucial people skills for customer service is empathy. Representatives should be able to put themselves in the customer’s shoes and understand their perspective. This requires active listening and asking questions to understand the customer’s feelings and concerns.
Representatives should also show empathy when dealing with difficult or upset customers. They should acknowledge the customer’s frustration or anger and work to find a solution that satisfies both parties. By showing empathy and listening skills, representatives can create a positive experience for the customer, even in the midst of a difficult situation.
Customer service requires a variety of people skills to be successful.
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