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In a job market where many candidates share similar qualifications, it’s often your interpersonal skills that make the difference.
According to LinkedIn’s Global Talent Trends report, 93% of employers say skills like active listening, problem solving and emotional intelligence are key when deciding who to hire.
Interpersonal skills influence how you interact with others, including how you communicate, collaborate and contribute to team dynamics. Rather than being a bonus, they play a central role in how well you work with colleagues and fit within a company’s culture.
Employers aren’t just looking for someone who can do the job on paper, they want someone who can grow in the role, lead when needed and adapt to new challenges. Interpersonal skills not only can turn a qualified applicant into the right person for the job but can also give beginners a strong edge, helping you build trust, communicate clearly, and grow quickly in any role.
Ready to leverage your interpersonal skills? Let’s get started.
In this article, we cover:
What interpersonal skills are and why they matter
How to include interpersonal skills effectively on a CV
Tailoring your CV to highlight relevant soft skills
Real CV examples to show you can use as inspiration.
Add interpersonal skills to your CV
What are interpersonal skills?
Interpersonal skills, part of a broader group known as soft skills, help you work effectively with others. They shape how you communicate, solve problems and contribute to a team. These are the everyday behaviours that affect how well people collaborate and how smoothly tasks get done.
Examples include active listening, emotional intelligence, problem solving and written communication. You use these skills when managing a team, handling a difficult customer or ensuring everyone is heard in a meeting.
To get a better understanding of how interpersonal skills differ from technical abilities, compare them to the types of hard skills employers often list on job descriptions.
Why are interpersonal skills essential for a CV?
Interpersonal skills are among the most sought-after skills by employers today, particularly in roles that involve teamwork, communication or customer interaction. From problem-solving and active listening to clear communication skills, these qualities show how you work with others and contribute to a productive environment.
If you’re looking to achieve your career goals or aiming to step into a people-focused role, highlighting these skills can help your CV rise to the top.
These skills are especially valuable in areas like customer service, healthcare, education and hospitality, where success often depends on how you relate to others. Used effectively, they increase your chances of passing application tracking systems (ATS) and landing a job interview.
Examples of interpersonal skills on a CV
Using interpersonal skills with no experience
If you’re applying for your first job or have little to no experience, interpersonal skills can give your CV a much-needed boost. Employers know that not every candidate has an established work history, especially those entering the workforce from school. In this case, they look for signs that you can communicate clearly, work well with others and adapt to new situations.
Draw on your experience from school, volunteering, part-time jobs, clubs or sports teams, where you’ve likely used interpersonal skills like teamwork, active listening and problem solving. Don’t be afraid to include valuable personal traits, even if they weren’t gained in a traditional job setting.
Focus on weaving interpersonal skills into your personal profile CV section. Build a strong case for yourself as a person, and don’t try to fluff your experience or hard skills.
CV personal profile example with interpersonal skills
Motivated young professional with a positive, team-focused approach. Teachable character with clear communication skills, active listener with conscientious persona. Experienced in working collaboratively through group projects, school events and voluntary roles. Keen to contribute to a supportive team and develop further through hands-on experience.
Leverage interpersonal skills during a career change
On the other hand, you may be navigating a career change or rejoining the workforce after a break. In this case, you will most likely have an extended work history from a previous industry to call on. The good news is that interpersonal skills are transferable, and you should definitely use them as the basis for any application in a new field.
These versatile skills are also a good way to showcase your level of experience, leadership and personal development. The personal profile section should clearly state your professional level, core attributes and career aspirations. Go further in a well-crafted CV work experience section by attributing personal skills to tangible results using action verbs.
CV work experience entry example with interpersonal skills
Team Lead, Customer Operations | WasTech, Manchester | Apr 2021 – Present
Coached and mentored a team of eight service reps, using active listening and one-to-one feedback to lift customer-satisfaction scores from 84% to 93% in 12 months.
Facilitated weekly cross-department stand-ups that streamlined hand-offs and cut ticket-resolution time by 30%.
Mediated high-value client escalations, applying emotional intelligence to de-escalate conflicts and protect £450k in annual revenue.
Led the roll-out of a new CRM workflow, delivering peer-to-peer training that reduced average call-handling time by 22 seconds and saved 15 staff hours per week.
Key interpersonal skills for your CV
While every role is different, there are certain in-demand soft skills that apply across industries. These key CV skills show how you communicate, lead, resolve issues and work with others.
Here we define some of the most important ones to include, along with examples on how to present them. Notice how each skill is not always overtly stated but is integrated neatly into the example given:
Communication skills
The ability to share information clearly, whether in writing or speech. Strong communication skills are valued in nearly every role.
Example:“Presented monthly sales reports to senior management, improving cross-department understanding of performance goals.”
Active listening
Listening with intent to understand, not just respond. It’s a key part of building trust and reducing miscommunication.
Example:“Handled customer queries by actively listening and clarifying needs, leading to a 15% increase in satisfaction scores.”
Teamwork
Being a reliable and cooperative team member, able to share responsibility and work towards shared goals.
Example:“Collaborated with five colleagues across departments to deliver a new training programme on schedule.”
Problem solving
The ability to assess challenges and find workable solutions. Often used in both technical and interpersonal contexts.
Example:“Identified gaps in the shift rota and introduced a shared calendar, reducing last-minute staffing issues.”
Emotional intelligence
Recognising and managing your own emotions, as well as understanding others’. This helps in conflict resolution and people management.
Example:“Resolved a team conflict by facilitating open discussion and helping colleagues agree on shared priorities.”
Customer service
The ability to support and respond to customer needs professionally and empathetically.
Example:“Maintained a 95% positive rating through consistent, solution-focused customer service.”
Leadership skills
Taking initiative, guiding others, and being accountable, regardless of your job title.
Example:“Led a project group of four peers during university, achieving top marks and positive feedback on team coordination.”
Dependability
The ability to consistently follow through on tasks, take responsibility, and be trusted to deliver high-quality work.
Example: "Received a staff recognition award for consistently being on time and reliable across all shifts, setting a positive example for the team."
Job-specific interpersonal skills
Interpersonal strengths shift slightly from role to role, so focus on the qualities that matter most for the job you want. This tailoring is crucial if you’re aiming for one of today’s in-demand jobs.
Customer-facing roles (retail, hospitality, support)
Key skills: active listening, customer service, emotional intelligence
How to show them: “Resolved 40 + daily queries while maintaining a 4.8/5 satisfaction rating.”
Project or operations roles
Key skills: problem solving, communication skills, leadership skills
How to show them: “Facilitated daily stand-ups that cut delivery delays by 25 %.”
Technical or data-driven roles
Key skills: written communication, cross-team collaboration, ability to simplify complex ideas
How to show them: “Created plain-English dashboards so non-technical teams could spot risks sooner.”
Management and senior leadership roles
Key skills: coaching, conflict resolution, strategic thinking
How to show them: “Mentored six new team members, reducing turnover to 4%.”
Sales Assistant, RetailCo, Leeds, June 2022 – Present
Supported customers on the shop floor and at the till, ensuring a friendly and helpful experience at every interaction. Worked closely with team members during busy periods to keep queues moving and shelves restocked, maintaining a positive atmosphere under pressure. Praised in monthly team reviews for consistently showing empathy and clear communication, contributing to a 15% increase in positive customer feedback.
Explore our CV examples and writing guides for further guidance:
Tips for including interpersonal skills in your CV
Lead with relevance. Mirror the language of the advert and place the most important skills near the top of your skills section.
Show, don’t list. In the experience section, pair every skill with a concrete result: “Mediated supplier dispute, saving £15k.”
Quantify whenever possible. Percentages, time saved and satisfaction scores listed in achievements make people skills feel measurable.
Use action verbs. Words like facilitated, coached, negotiated and collaborated highlight initiative.
Prep for the next step. Examples you include here become stories you can expand on in a job interview, so choose ones you can discuss confidently.
Common mistakes to avoid
Listing buzzwords with no proof. “Great communicator” means little without evidence.
Over-stuffing the CV. Five targeted skills beat ten generic ones.
Ignoring written communication. Typos undermine claims of attention to detail.
Copy-pasting every application. Tailor skills to each role; what impresses in sales may be irrelevant in IT.
Using clichés. Swap “people person” for a precise skill, such as active listening or stakeholder management.
Next steps?
Polish your job search toolkit with our intuitive AI CV maker, offering 20+ professional CV templates to help you create a standout CV effortlessly. To complement your CV, explore our range of expertly designed cover letter templates. Need extra support? Our professional CV Writing Service is here to ensure you put your best foot forward.
For more guidance, visit our career blog. Discover practical advice on tracking job applications efficiently, fine-tuning your CV, and making a strong impression on potential employers. Take the next step with confidence and set yourself apart in the job market.
FAQs
Should you list interpersonal skills on a CV?
Yes. Even in highly technical roles, employers value candidates who can collaborate, communicate and resolve issues. Add the skills that match the advert and back each one with a concise result or metric. For more guidance, see our overview of soft skills on a CV.
How do I choose the right interpersonal skills to add to my CV?
Start with the job description. Note the traits it mentions, such as communication, teamwork or problem solving, and mirror that wording in your skills section. Then pick two or three examples from your experience that prove each skill in action.
How do I professionally say I am a people person?
It is important to underscore your people skills, but don’t be generic. Avoid the cliché and use a precise skill instead. For example:
“Skilled in active listening and conflict resolution.”
“Trusted relationship-builder with stakeholders across departments.”
How do you write interpersonal skills in a cover letter?
Begin with a professional cover letter template. Then select one or two skills that align with the role, and then illustrate them with a brief story: “By coaching new starters and streamlining hand-overs, I reduced onboarding time by 20 % and improved team morale.” This shows both the skill and its impact, making your claim credible.
What skills do employers want?
Beyond role-specific expertise, surveys list communication, teamwork, adaptability, problem solving and emotional intelligence among the most sought-after skills. Prioritise those that help you meet the company’s goals and demonstrate them with results.
