"Using 'Interpersonal Skills' On Your Resume" The term 'Interpersonal Skills' is a broad yet crucial concept that encapsulates the ability to interact effectively with others. It's about understanding and connecting with people, fostering relationships, and navigating social situations with ease and tact. It's a term that embodies empathy, communication, and collaboration. When used on a resume, 'Interpersonal Skills' is often a way to convey your ability to work well in a team, build strong relationships, and resolve conflicts. It's a term that hiring managers frequently look for as it indicates that the candidate can thrive in a team environment, adapt to different personalities, and contribute to a positive work culture. It communicates that you can not only perform your tasks but also enhance the dynamics of the workplace through your interactions with others. However, while 'Interpersonal Skills' is a valuable term, it may not always be the most effective language to use on your resume. The term is so widely used that it can sometimes become generic, losing its impact. Moreover, it may not fully encapsulate the range and depth of your social abilities. Therefore, it's beneficial to consider using other synonyms or more specific terms that can better articulate your skills. For instance, instead of simply stating 'Interpersonal Skills', you could use terms like 'Conflict Resolution', 'Team Collaboration', or 'Effective Communication'. By doing so, you can make your resume more compelling, and give potential employers a more detailed understanding of your social competencies.
Tailor Your Resume Content to the Job Description
Excellent Interpersonal Skills
This statement is too broad and doesn't provide any context or specific examples of how these skills were applied. Instead, try to provide examples of situations where you demonstrated these skills, such as "Used excellent interpersonal skills to resolve conflicts and foster a positive team environment."Interpersonal Skills in Various Settings
This phrase is vague and doesn't give any indication of what these settings were or how your skills were used. Instead, specify the settings and how your interpersonal skills were beneficial. For example, "Utilized interpersonal skills in customer service and team project settings, resulting in improved customer satisfaction and team productivity."Strong Interpersonal Skills
While this statement may seem positive, it lacks specificity and doesn't provide any evidence to back it up. Instead, provide examples of how you used these skills to achieve a specific outcome, such as "Leveraged strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain relationships with key clients, leading to a 30% increase in repeat business."Interpersonal Skills with All Levels of Management
This statement is too generic and doesn't provide any specific examples of how you interacted with different levels of management. Instead, provide examples of how you used your interpersonal skills to influence or collaborate with different levels of management, such as "Used interpersonal skills to effectively communicate and collaborate with all levels of management, resulting in more efficient decision-making processes."Good Interpersonal Skills
This statement is not only vague, but it also doesn't set you apart from other candidates. Instead, highlight specific instances where your interpersonal skills led to positive outcomes, such as "Applied good interpersonal skills to facilitate open and effective communication within the team, leading to a 15% increase in project completion rate."Building Relationships:
Instead of using "Interpersonal Skills," job seekers can use phrases like "Relationship Building," "Networking Abilities," or "Collaborative Skills." These alternatives highlight their ability to establish and maintain professional relationships, work effectively with diverse groups, and contribute to a team-oriented environment.Conflict Resolution:
When describing their ability to handle conflicts, job seekers can replace "Interpersonal Skills" with terms such as "Conflict Resolution," "Mediation Skills," or "Problem-Solving Abilities." These terms emphasize their skills in resolving disputes, mediating between parties, and finding solutions to problems, showcasing their ability to maintain harmony in the workplace.Communication:
In place of "Interpersonal Skills," job seekers can use "Communication Skills," "Verbal and Written Proficiency," or "Presentation Skills." These synonyms highlight their ability to effectively communicate ideas, present information clearly, and interact professionally with colleagues and clients.Find the Right Synonyms for Any Job
Frequently Asked Questions
A great alternative to 'Interpersonal Skills' on a resume could be 'Communication Skills'. This term encompasses your ability to effectively convey information, listen, and collaborate with others. For example, you might say, "Leveraged strong communication skills to facilitate team meetings and resolve conflicts, leading to a 20% increase in project completion rate."
It's appropriate to use 'Interpersonal Skills' on your resume when you're applying for a job that requires a lot of team collaboration, client interaction, or stakeholder management. This could include roles in sales, customer service, project management, or leadership positions. For example, you might say, "Leveraged strong interpersonal skills to build productive relationships with key clients, increasing repeat business by 20%."
To gauge if 'Interpersonal Skills' is relevant for your resume, consider the job role you're applying for. If the role involves teamwork, client interaction, or any form of communication with others, then showcasing your interpersonal skills is crucial. For example, if you're applying for a sales position, mentioning your ability to negotiate, build relationships, and communicate effectively would be beneficial.
