Here is our list of interpersonal skills that employers value and will be looking for from job candidates. Show
Job seekers should pay particular attention to the most relevant interpersonal skills required for the job they are applying for. It is a great idea to check out the job description for the role, research the company on its website and social media, and then match up the best and most relevant interpersonal skills to mention in the experience section of your cv/resume (which should be tailored to each application), on the application form and at interview. 1. Excellent CommunicationGood communication is an important part of a normal working day, where you will be required to communicate with colleagues, suppliers, customers, managers or members of the public. Communication is as much about effective listening and understanding non-verbal cues as it is about what you say and how you say it. The most effective communicators know how to talk to people from different backgrounds, can empathize and negotiate where needed, and can convey information in the most appropriate way possible. You can improve your communication skills in several ways:
2. Management SkillsManaging people or a department needs a combination of different skills, and while some of them might be a bit more practical, the better interpersonal skills a manager has, the better their relationship will be with their team members. Managers need to be able to organize themselves and others, and effectively delegate tasks when necessary. Delegation and the completion of work needed are achievable through effective interpersonal skills – asking co-workers for help with a task or demonstrating what they need to do to complete a task effectively. You can improve your management skills in a few ways:
3. Decision MakingMaking a decision might not seem like interpersonal skill on the surface, but effective decision making needs the cooperation of different people. Not only do they need to be told about the decision that you have made, but they might also need to be consulted when you are still researching. Logical reasoning and critical thinking are two important parts of decision making, and the best way to ensure that all viewpoints are taken into consideration is to speak to the people who are likely to be personally affected by any changes that you might make. To improve your decision-making skills, you can:
3. TeamworkMore than just collaboration, effective teamwork is an interpersonal skill that demonstrates to potential employers that you are experienced in working to deadlines and helping a whole team be successful. People with excellent teamwork skills can encourage and motivate other people, utilizing the diversity of a team to get the results that are needed. Teamwork is about using the strengths and abilities of everyone in the team, especially those who have specialist knowledge. You can improve your teamwork skills by:
4. Self-ConfidenceA good level of self-confidence in a workplace can open doors and help you make an impression. It can also demonstrate how you approach various situations and deal with them both positively and effectively. To be successful, it is important to demonstrate self-confidence at every stage of your career, whether you are a graduate looking for an entry position or a more experienced member of the team hoping to secure promotion. Self-confidence at work will improve the way people see you and your views, ideas and opinions will be taken more seriously. You can improve your self-confidence by:
5. DependabilityBeing dependable means doing what you say you will when you say you will. Employers value dependable employees because they can be relied on to meet deadlines and work to the fullest of their abilities. Being dependable also means holding yourself accountable if something goes wrong – the workplace is not always smooth sailing and if problems occur a dependable employee will take responsibility and work to find a suitable solution. To improve your dependability:
6. Relationship ManagementBuilding effective relationships is one thing but managing them is something entirely different. This is an important skill in many roles, from junior posts to management. At every level in a business, you will be expected to engage with colleagues, partners and clients. The ability to manage relationships based on respect for each other and mutual trust is very important within any business environment. You can improve your relationship-building and management skills by:
7. Receptiveness to FeedbackBeing open to feedback can help you develop both personally and professionally. View all feedback as a chance to learn and never react defensively. This can take some practice, especially if the feedback is negative, but always take a deep breath and focus on how you can improve. You can improve your receptiveness to feedback by:
8. Non-Verbal CommunicationNon-verbal communication is often overlooked, but don't forget to consider how your body language and gestures could be interpreted. Factors to consider when interacting with others include:
Your body language will often determine how your verbal communication is perceived. In fact, your body language will impact your communication skills more than any other factor. Don’t forget, that as part of an effective conversation, you will need to be able to read the body language and non-verbal cues of the people you are talking to. You can improve your non-verbal communication by:
9. Active ListeningWhen improving your interpersonal communication skills, the first thing you need to learn is to listen. Failure to listen properly can have disastrous consequences, from failing to follow through on a manager’s instructions to not completing a customer’s request. Active listening is a skill that will help you understand and learn from others and respond correctly to what they are telling you. Giving non-verbal signals that you are actively listening (such as nodding or maintaining eye contact) will also build trust as the people you are collaborating with will feel heard. Improve your active listening skills in everyday conversations by:
10. AdaptabilityAdaptability is a key skill in the workplace, especially if you are in the entrepreneurial space or working in technology, finance or the public sector. For people with great skills in adaptability, being able to work in a fast-paced environment where things can change in an instant is not a hardship; they can multitask and change direction when needed, and they do not need to have hard rules to follow or need to be micromanaged. To improve your adaptability skills:
11. Conflict Management/Conflict ResolutionA key interpersonal skill for those working in teams is conflict management, especially for those looking at leadership roles. Conflict in the workplace can reduce productivity and cause negativity. Good conflict management skills include diplomacy, empathy, negotiation, assertiveness and compromise. Being able to communicate your views, or defend the views of others, professionally and respectfully is a key skill in the workplace. Developing skills in conflict management comes from experience, although you can take courses and get opportunities for learning and development in conflict resolution too. 12. Leadership SkillsMore than just basic management skills, a leader is someone who inspires their team and helps them grow and develop. Leadership skills are important for those who have responsibility for the work of others, and a good leader has empathy, can negotiate when there is a problem and can encourage employees to work harder. Improve your leadership skills by:
13. Public SpeakingCommunication isn’t always on a personal level, and if you can speak confidently in public you will be able to deliver presentations confidently and might even be able to give speeches or become a keynote speaker at conferences. Public speaking combines self-confidence, charisma and knowledge as a skill that allows you to be able to speak about a subject in public. You can improve your public speaking skills by:
14. Self-AwarenessMuch like self-confidence, self-awareness is a recognition of your abilities – but it also requires a deep understanding of your limitations. Being self-aware means understanding what you can do, while also knowing where you might struggle or need some extra help and support to be successful. People who have great self-awareness are not afraid to admit that they might not have the skills to complete a task, and these are the people who will be able to delegate when necessary. If they cannot delegate, then they are more likely to seek training or find someone with the right abilities to show them what to do. You can improve your self-awareness by:
15. Positive AttitudeShowing positivity, even in difficult situations, is important. Be positive from the moment you fill out the application form or write a cover letter through to the interview, your first day at work and beyond. Never say anything negative about your current or past employer, even if you feel strongly. Employees with a positive attitude are more likely to treat others positively, which creates a more harmonious working environment. Here is how to improve your positive attitude:
16. Workplace EtiquetteHow you come across to others can speak volumes. Learning workplace etiquette is a great way to leave a lasting impression on those you meet. Check your posture, ensure that you stand straight and make eye contact, turn towards people when they are speaking and smile genuinely at them. Follow the dress code of the company and make sure that your accessories such as ties, bags and jewelry are suitable for the workplace. Also, ensure that you demonstrate kindness and courtesy and arrive in good time every morning. This ties in with being dependable and professional, and you can improve this interpersonal skill by:
17. AssertivenessBeing assertive is related to being confident, but in many ways, it includes being a bit more aggressive to get results. An assertive person is not afraid to put their thoughts and feelings across in each situation, and they can be relied on to have an opinion. There is a difference between being assertive and being rude, so it is important that when you are making a point you are still being respectful, and you have data and research to back up any points you are making. You can improve your assertiveness skills by:
18. ProfessionalismAs an interpersonal skill, professionalism is about treating people with respect and being aware that you are a representative of the company your work for and for yourself whenever you are dealing with customers, potential clients, suppliers, managers or even other colleagues. Being professional means taking pride in your work, your appearance and your ability to get the job done, treating everyone in the same respectful manner, and taking the role you are in seriously. Developing professionalism as a skill is something that comes with the experience of being in a professional environment, but you can improve your professionalism by:
19. EmpathyThis is an interpersonal skill that important to help develop relationships and is very important for leaders. People with great empathy skills are good at developing relationships, can help their colleagues grow and can use their skills for problem solving. Empathy is the understanding of the way a situation might affect someone, or how they might be feeling. It differs from sympathy as you do not have to put yourself in the same position to understand someone’s feelings. You can improve your empathy skills by:
20. PatienceWhether you are working with colleagues, members of the public or customers, patience is a sometimes-undervalued interpersonal skill that can have a profound effect on relationship development. People who have excellent patience skills can communicate effectively, can deal with problems and conflicts without escalating, and make their colleagues and customers feel listened to and that their opinions are valid. You can improve your patience skills by:
Being patient can pay dividends when you are working on building new relationships. How to Emphasise Your Interpersonal Skills in Your ResumeNow that you understand what interpersonal skills are and the industries in which they are most useful, you should be able to identify which ones you possess. Once you have, be sure to emphasize them in your application documents and then, if successful, at interview. Here are a few tips to help you emphasize the right interpersonal skills in your job application:
Can I Learn/Improve My Interpersonal Skills?Interpersonal skills are so vital for both work and personal relationships that they are worth developing. Remember, everything that you have learned when interacting with people over your lifetime will have given you a good foundation, but there is always room to improve. Here are some tips to help: Decide Which Areas You Need to ImproveMaybe you are aware of certain areas that you are weak in, or there are specific requirements for a job you are applying for. It isn't always easy to self-analyze, so don't be afraid to ask those who are close to you for their feedback. Learn From FeedbackConsider the relationships you have with your colleagues. Are there ever any conflicts? Have you ever had any feedback from your boss on your interpersonal skills that you could review? Thinking about the feedback you have been given, either directly or indirectly, will help you develop. Look for Online TrainingOnce you have identified the areas you need to improve, look for some online courses that will help you learn certain interpersonal and social skills that would be useful in the workplace. Try searching on Coursera or OpenLearn. There are also many books and articles on this topic you could review. Develop Your Emotional IntelligenceInterpersonal skills rely on reading others correctly and having empathy. Good emotional intelligence will help you accept others' differences and understand their point of view. Practice Communicating (and Listening)If you are normally reserved at work, try to put yourself out there and practice your newly learned communication skills. This will give you the confidence to keep improving. |