Interpersonal Skills: What They Are, How to Improve Them, and How to Highlight Them on Your CV

Interpersonal skills are the backbone of any successful career. Whether you’re collaborating with teammates, leading a project, or simply navigating day-to-day tasks, strong interpersonal skills ensure you can effectively communicate, build relationships, and handle challenges. These skills are highly valued by employers because they create smooth workflows, build stronger teams, and help businesses grow.

In this guide, we’ll explore:

• What interpersonal skills are
• How to improve these skills
• How to showcase them on your CV and in your cover letter

What Are Interpersonal Skills?

Interpersonal skills, sometimes called “people skills,” refer to the abilities you use when interacting and communicating with others. They’re essential in both personal and professional environments, covering a wide range of behaviours, from verbal and nonverbal communication to emotional intelligence and teamwork.

Think of interpersonal skills as the tools that help you connect with others, adapt to different social situations, and handle conflict or collaboration smoothly.

Some key interpersonal skills include:

• Active listening: Focusing fully on the speaker, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully.
• Empathy: Understanding and sharing the feelings of others, allowing for stronger emotional connections.
• Communication: Clearly and effectively exchanging information, whether verbally or nonverbally.
• Teamwork: Collaborating effectively with others to achieve common goals.
• Leadership: Guiding, motivating, and influencing others in a positive way.
• Dependability: Being reliable and trustworthy, ensuring tasks are completed on time and to a high standard.

Why Are Interpersonal Skills Important?

In today’s fast-paced and collaborative work environments, technical expertise alone isn’t enough. Employers seek candidates with strong interpersonal skills because they can effectively communicate, lead teams, and create positive workplace cultures. These skills are crucial across all industries, whether you’re in a customer-facing role or working behind the scenes.

For instance, a marketing manager needs to communicate clearly with clients and team members to ensure campaigns run smoothly. A software engineer, even if working independently most of the time, must collaborate with other programmers or departments to ensure successful project delivery.

Companies also value interpersonal skills because they can reduce workplace conflict, improve team efficiency, and drive innovation through better collaboration.

Examples of Interpersonal Skills

Here are some key interpersonal skills that can set you apart in the workplace:

1. Active Listening

Active listening involves paying close attention to what others are saying, engaging with their message, and providing thoughtful responses. It’s more than just hearing words—it’s about understanding the meaning behind them.

Why it matters: Active listening helps avoid misunderstandings, builds trust, and makes others feel valued. It’s essential for smooth teamwork and customer interactions.

2. Teamwork

The ability to work effectively in a team is a critical skill in any workplace. Teamwork involves clear communication, conflict resolution, and adaptability.

Why it matters: Being a team player makes you reliable and shows you can work towards common goals, even in challenging situations.

3. Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It’s a vital skill in roles that require frequent human interaction, such as customer service or management.

Why it matters: Empathy improves workplace relationships, fosters better collaboration, and helps in managing conflicts sensitively.

4. Communication

Whether it’s written or verbal, clear communication is key in any role. Good communicators can articulate ideas, delegate tasks, and provide feedback effectively.

Why it matters: Strong communication reduces errors, increases productivity, and ensures that all team members are aligned.

5. Leadership

Leadership is about inspiring and motivating others, even if you’re not in a managerial role. Effective leaders guide teams toward success by making informed decisions and solving problems efficiently.

Why it matters: Leadership shows initiative and the ability to take responsibility, which employers highly value.

How to Improve Interpersonal Skills

Improving interpersonal skills takes time and conscious effort, but the rewards are worth it. Here are actionable steps to get started:

1. Seek Feedback

Ask colleagues, friends, or mentors for honest feedback on your interpersonal interactions. Understanding how others perceive you can help identify areas for improvement.

2. Practice Active Listening

In conversations, focus on truly listening instead of planning your response. This shows others that you value their input and can improve communication overall.

3. Join Collaborative Activities

Take part in group projects, team sports, or other collaborative activities that force you to engage with others and develop better teamwork skills.

4. Attend Workshops

There are many online and in-person workshops that can help you enhance skills like communication, conflict resolution, and leadership. Taking courses shows you’re serious about personal development.

5. Observe Role Models

Identify people in your life or workplace who excel in interpersonal skills. Observe how they interact, and try to emulate their behaviours in your own interactions.

6. Set Personal Goals

Create specific, achievable goals to develop particular interpersonal skills. For example, aim to improve your public speaking confidence by practicing presentations in smaller groups first.

How to Highlight Interpersonal Skills on Your CV

Highlighting your interpersonal skills on your CV shows employers that you’re more than just technically capable—you’re a well-rounded candidate who can thrive in collaborative environments. Here’s how to effectively showcase these skills:

1. Skills Section

Include a dedicated “Skills” section on your CV where you can list key interpersonal skills, such as teamwork, communication, and leadership. Tailor this section to the job you’re applying for by focusing on the skills most relevant to the role.

2. Experience Section

In your experience section, mention specific examples of how you used interpersonal skills in previous roles. For instance: “Collaborated with cross-functional teams to launch a new marketing campaign, increasing website traffic by 30%.”

3. Cover Letter

Use your cover letter to dive deeper into one or two key interpersonal skills. For example: “In my previous role, I often led collaborative projects, ensuring that all team members’ strengths were utilised, which resulted in a 20% boost in team efficiency.”

How to Highlight Interpersonal Skills in an Interview

Your interpersonal skills will likely be on full display during the job interview. Use these strategies to demonstrate them:

• Maintain eye contact: This shows confidence and attentiveness.
• Practice active listening: Nod or verbally acknowledge what the interviewer is saying to show you’re engaged.
• Share specific examples: When asked about your experience, use examples that highlight your interpersonal skills, such as resolving conflicts or leading a team.

Conclusion

Strong interpersonal skills are vital in today’s workplace. They not only help you build better relationships with colleagues but also increase your value as a well-rounded employee. By improving your interpersonal skills and effectively showcasing them on your CV, cover letter, and in interviews, you can significantly boost your chances of career success.

Make interpersonal skills your secret weapon—they may just be the key to landing your next big opportunity.