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40+ Interpersonal Skills for Your Resume: Synonyms & Examples

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Learn how to describe interpersonal skills on a resume with examples, synonyms, and strengths to show you’re more than just a people person.

Interpersonal skills are vital for most jobs — from getting along with coworkers, dealing with customers, negotiating a good deal, or leading a team. But if these skills are so essential, why is it a red flag to say you’re a people person on your resume? 

Simply listing your soft skills in a resume has become redundant. Why? Because anyone can say they’re good at communication when there’s no degree or certification to back it up. However, there is a way to prove your interpersonal skills without literally spelling it out. 

Keep reading for it to make more sense. This guide will tell you: 

  • How to define interpersonal skills and why they’re important. 
  • All the ways you can include your social abilities in your resume. 
  • The techniques you can use to improve your interpersonal skills. 

What Are Interpersonal Skills?

Interpersonal skills is an umbrella term for a bunch of soft skills related to how well you can connect, communicate, and work with others. Think of them as your “people skills”, which could involve collaborating on a project, leading a team, or just being a good listener. 

These skills cover both verbal and nonverbal communication, including teamwork, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence. In the corporate world, they’re key for working well with others, resolving conflicts, and maintaining a positive work environment. Bottom line: they’re essential in both our personal and professional lives. 

Why Are Interpersonal Skills Important for the Workplace?

No matter how skilled you are technically, if you can't work well with others, it affects the entire team. Nobody wants to be around a bad-tempered or moody colleague every day. Employers want people who know their stuff and can communicate, collaborate, and contribute within a team. 

Good communication is at the heart of any job. If you can interact effectively, you avoid becoming a weak link in the team. Especially in people-focused roles, interpersonal skills like teamwork, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution are essential.

Strong interpersonal skills also help you navigate a workplace filled with diverse people. Think about it: you’re essentially being forced into an environment every day with people you probably wouldn’t interact with outside the office. There are bound to be different personalities and beliefs, so building trust and a solid rapport creates a supportive workspace for everyone.

Interpersonal Skills Examples

Let’s not beat around the bush — Including “interpersonal” or “people” skills on your resume is bland and generic. Luckily, there’s an easy solution. Weaving your skills into your achievements shows you have the abilities, and you can turn them into successes. Using alternative words to describe your social prowess also distinguishes you from other candidates. 

Here’s a roundup of all the different types of interpersonal skills, with some synonyms to mix it up. 

roundup of all the different types of interpersonal skills with some synonyms

Now, let’s explore why employers look for these skills and how to show them off in your resume. 

Communication

Communication skills are the unsung heroes of the office. We use them daily — answering phones, contributing to meetings, delegating tasks, or bonding over your shared hatred for the office chairs. But it’s not just about talking; it’s also about being an active listener and picking up on body language cues. 

But you don’t want to explicitly say you have “good communication skills” in your resume. That could mean anything from giving a top-tier presentation to mastering small talk around the coffee machine. The trick is showing how your skills deliver positive results. 

Here’s how to include communication skills in your resume:

Organized weekly team meetings to discuss project updates and address challenges, encouraging an open environment for feedback and collaboration. This approach improved project alignment among team members and resulted in a 15% reduction in project turnaround time.

Other words for communication:

  • Strong dialog 
  • Persuasive speech
  • Effective interaction

Learn more about highlighting your communication style: 45+ Best Communication Skills for Your Resume

Teamwork

Teamwork is all about joining forces to achieve a shared goal. We’ve all been in those group settings where one person just won’t pull their weight, someone tries to take the lead without asking, or a few folks turn it into a gossip fest. A lack of teamwork can lead to major stress and frustration.

Effective collaboration means being open to different perspectives, jumping into various tasks, and steering clear of conflicts. And the best part? It leads to smoother projects and even better results. Employers want to know you can contribute to a productive work environment.

Here’s how to demonstrate that you work well with others: 

Collaborated on a marketing project, encouraging open dialogue to integrate everyone’s ideas. I participated in brainstorming sessions and mediating discussions to boost our campaign’s engagement by 30%. Our combined efforts led to a successful launch and a great team dynamic.

Other words for teamwork:

  • Partnership
  • Cooperation
  • Collaboration

Active Listening

What’s the difference between listening and active listening? Listening can be as simple as nodding along while your mind drifts to what’s for dinner. But active listening means giving your full attention to the person you’re chatting with, getting their message, and responding in a way that shows you care.

It’s not just about hearing words and planning your next move; it’s about truly processing what they’re saying and hitting them back with a thoughtful response. Employers value active listeners because they help build stronger relationships, resolve conflicts, and ensure nothing important slips through the cracks.

Here’s how to show you’re a good listener on your resume: 

Engaged with clients by asking insightful questions and summarizing their feedback, ensuring their needs were fully understood; this approach not only built rapport but also contributed to a 20% increase in overall customer satisfaction scores.

Other words for active listening:

  • Attentiveness
  • Mindful listening
  • Conscious listening 

Leadership

Have you ever had to deal with a poor leader? I’ve had past jobs with great colleagues, interesting tasks, and a nice office — but having a bad manager can put a damper on the whole experience. Leadership isn’t just about holding a managerial title — it’s about inspiring, motivating, and guiding others toward achieving results. 

Whether managing a team or simply mentoring a colleague, leadership skills show you can take ownership, drive results, and encourage collaboration. It’s an interpersonal skill that blends empathy, decision-making, and problem-solving. 

Here’s how to include leadership skills in your work experience section: 

Led a large team to streamline project processes, increasing efficiency and on-time delivery. I promoted collaboration and open communication, empowering team members to contribute ideas and take ownership of their roles.

Other words for leadership: 

  • Guidance 
  • Authority 
  • Role model

Going for a leadership position? Take a look: 10+ Leadership Skills for a Resume

Emotional Intelligence

Your work is a professional setting, so what do emotions have to do with it? Well, if you’ve ever felt stressed or seen someone have a total meltdown, you know emotions play a huge role in the workplace — both yours and those around you. 

Emotional intelligence helps you handle tough workplace dynamics, keep your cool when things get heated, and empathize with others. Whether smoothing over conflicts or picking up on a colleague’s mood, being emotionally switched on can lead to better office relations. 

Here’s how to showcase emotional intelligence in your resume:

Encouraged a positive work environment by recognizing team members’ emotional needs, actively resolving conflicts, and promoting open communication. I’m confident in my ability to improve team morale, enhance collaboration, and achieve success. 

Other words for emotional intelligence:

  • EI
  • Emotional empathy 
  • Emotional recognition 

Self-discipline

We’ve all had those days when all you want to do is throw in the towel and head back to bed (or hit up the local bar). It happens — but it’s how you deal with those tough days that make the difference to your work and those around you. 

Self-discipline is key to staying focused and productive, even when the going gets rough. In the workplace, it means managing your time, meeting deadlines, and staying calm under pressure. Employers are looking for those they can rely on — people who can tackle challenges without getting completely frazzled.

Here’s how to add your knack for self-discipline: 

Developed and maintained a personal productivity system prioritizing tasks and deadlines, leading to timely project completion. Consistently met tight deadlines while managing multiple responsibilities, resulting in improvements in my overall performance.

Other words for self-discipline: 

  • Resolve
  • Composure 
  • Determination 

Find out more: How to Describe Good Work Ethic on a Resume

Conflict Resolution 

Everyone has disagreements. It’s totally normal and often healthier to get things off your chest. But it’s how you resolve these disputes that’s a game changer. Conflict resolution involves managing those disagreements to reduce negative tension and turn things around. 

Employers get that life isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, so they want people who can keep the peace, see things from different angles, and welcome constructive feedback. It’s about staying on track and getting things done, not getting derailed by prolonged conflict. 

Here’s how to demonstrate that you can handle conflicts: 

Mediated team disputes by supporting open discussions and encouraging collaboration, which led to quicker resolutions and improved team dynamics. Addressing conflicts head-on led to fewer project delays and enhanced overall productivity among team members.

Other words for conflict resolution: 

  • Mediation
  • Peacemaking 
  • Conflict management 

Adaptability

One day you’re happily chatting with customers about the products and the next you’re battling a broken cash register during the holiday season. Adaptability is key in today’s fast-paced and rapidly evolving work environments. It’s about not only adjusting to change but making it work in your team’s favor.

Being flexible shows you can tackle shifting priorities and unexpected hiccups head-on. You want to demonstrate that you can quickly embrace new tools and processes, keeping things running smoothly even when the plan goes off track.

Here’s how to show you can adapt to different situations in your resume: 

Successfully navigated shifting priorities during a major product launch by quickly learning new software and training team members, which minimized disruptions and ensured the project stayed on schedule. 

Other words for adaptability: 

  • Versatility 
  • Flexibility 
  • Easy-going 

Problem-solving 

Problem-solving is often overused in today’s applications and job descriptions. What does it actually mean? Problem-solving is essentially spotting issues and figuring out how to fix them. And you don’t have to be a mechanic or a tech whiz to run into challenges.

When things get tough, employers want people who can think on their feet with solutions to keep things rolling. It could be reaching a compromise with a disappointed customer, finding ways to trim the budget, or simply thinking outside the box. It’s about finding answers rather than dwelling on the problems. 

Here’s how to outline your problem-solving skills: 

Assisted in revamping a struggling marketing campaign by analyzing customer feedback and adjusting strategies, leading to an increase in engagement and a 25% boost in sales within three months.

Other words for problem-solving:

  • Logical 
  • Analytical 
  • Critical thinking

Empathy 

Empathy comes in all shapes and sizes. It’s offering to grab coffee when your teammate’s drowning in deadlines, taking a few extra minutes to listen to a frustrated customer, or cutting your boss some slack when they’re having an off day. The common thread? Empathy makes the workplace more open and supportive.

Having empathy means understanding and connecting with others’ emotions, helping to build stronger relationships, and showing you genuinely care about people’s feelings. In leadership or customer-facing roles, empathy creates an environment where everyone feels valued and heard.

Here’s how to show your empathy in your work experiences: 

Spent extra time listening to customer concerns, addressing their issues with patience and understanding, and providing tailored solutions. Going the extra mile improved customer satisfaction and supported long-term client relationships, resulting in a 15% increase in repeat business. 

Other words for empathy:

  • Kindness
  • Compassion 
  • Understanding 

Negotiation

Negotiation isn’t just about sealing big deals — it’s finding that compromise where everyone wins. Whether you’re discussing salary, working with clients, or fine-tuning project details, strong negotiation skills help you reach agreements. Employers want to see you can balance needs and expectations, making sure all parties are happy with the outcome.

This skill really shines in roles like sales or finance, where making deals is your bread and butter. But even outside those fields, being able to negotiate shows you can handle conflicts, manage differing opinions, and come up with solutions that benefit everyone. 

Here’s how to talk about your negotiating skills in your resume:

Led negotiations with key suppliers, securing a 15% price reduction without compromising product quality. Built and maintained strong vendor relationships, improving delivery times and promoting long-term collaboration that boosted overall efficiency.

Other words for negotiation: 

  • Agreement 
  • Compromise 
  • Give-and-take 

Positive Attitude 

I’m not saying you have to pull a SpongeBob and be overly positive all the time — but it certainly beats having a Squidward in the office. Staying optimistic doesn’t just help you get through tough days — it lifts the whole team. And yeah, sometimes you’ve got to “fake it till you make it,” but that’s exactly what can keep you motivated when things go sideways.

Employers want to hire people who bring good energy to the workplace because it boosts teamwork and morale. Plus, having a positive attitude shows you can stay focused on solutions and not get bogged down by problems, no matter what gets thrown your way.

Here’s how to demonstrate your positive mindset in the workplace: 

Consistently approached challenges with enthusiasm and a solutions-focused mindset, helping the team overcome obstacles and achieve goals ahead of deadlines. Encouraged an uplifting team atmosphere by encouraging open communication and celebrating each milestone. 

Other words for a positive attitude: 

  • Optimism
  • Enthusiasm 
  • Positive outlook

Constructive Criticism 

Giving and receiving constructive criticism isn’t something we master overnight — it’s a skill that often means putting away your pride, looking at your flaws, and being honest with yourself and others. Feedback should help people grow without tearing them down. 

Giving constructive criticism means you can openly discuss both successes and areas for improvement, without making anyone feel uncomfortable or defensive. But you also have to show that same grace when someone comes to you with feedback, being open to learning and growing. 

Here’s how to show you’re open to receiving constructive criticism: 

Actively sought feedback from my manager, which helped me focus on prioritizing tasks more effectively. By implementing their suggestions, I improved my project delivery timeline and contributed to a successful launch that exceeded our goals by 15%.

Other words for constructive criticism:

  • Advice 
  • Feedback
  • Guidance 

Respect 

Respect is a two-way street — but to earn it, you have to give it. When you show respect, you’re building trust by valuing what others think and their contributions — whether it’s your boss, coworkers, or even those challenging customers.

Being respectful also means keeping an open mind and being inclusive, especially when you’re part of diverse teams. This approach not only cuts down on conflicts but also ensures everyone feels heard and appreciated. 

Here’s how to show a respectful attitude in your resume: 

Participated in a collaborative environment by actively listening to team members’ ideas and feedback, ensuring everyone felt valued and included in decision-making processes. We experienced improvements in operations, as team members felt empowered to share their perspectives.

Other words for respect: 

  • Recognition 
  • Consideration 
  • Acknowledgment 

How to Write Interpersonal Skills on a Resume?

Short answer:

When adding interpersonal skills to your resume, focus on specific examples to highlight your abilities. Use clear, action-oriented language to describe your experiences. Instead of just stating “interpersonal skills,” mention how you effectively collaborated in team settings, resolved conflicts, or mentored colleagues. Use bullet points to illustrate your skills in action, and tailor your examples to the job you’re applying for. Including measurable results, like improved team dynamics or boosted sales, can further emphasize your skills and their impact in a professional context.

Review the job description for keywords 

Ever heard of mirroring someone’s body language to build rapport? Turns out, you can use the same idea when applying for jobs — only instead of body language, you mirror the words.

You can do this by mirroring specific phrases and keywords used throughout the job description in your resume. Dig into the job ad and look for key phrases and skills like communication, teamwork, or empathy that pop up the most. 

Once you’ve got those, it’s time to reflect them in your resume. Are they looking for someone to boost sales? Talk about your negotiation skills and how you’ve closed deals. If they want someone who can handle pressure, mention how you keep your cool in stressful situations.

By tailoring your resume this way, you’re not just throwing in buzzwords; you’re showing the employer that you understand their needs and can contribute the necessary skills. Plus, you boost your chances of getting past that initial Applicant Tracking System (ATS) screening, which scans for keywords to match the job description. 

Learn how to personalize those job ad skills for your resume: How to Put Skills on a Resume

Include real-life examples of your interpersonal skills

Proving you have excellent soft skills is tricky on your resume. There’s no degree for empathy, right? Sure, you can say you have strong emotional intelligence, but that won’t cut it. Did you really care when your coworker’s dog ate all her credit cards, or are you just tossing buzzwords around?

My point is: you can’t just list interpersonal skills — you have to show them. So, how do you do that on paper? The best way is to describe your responsibilities and accomplishments throughout your experiences and educational background. 

Think back to times when you used those people skills to make a difference. Maybe you stepped up and mentored a new hire, or smoothed over a tense situation between teammates? Those are the stories employers want to see.

Use action words like “guided,” “supported,” or “resolved” for more impact. When you show, instead of just tell, it makes your interpersonal skills stand out — and stick.

Here’s how to list your duties and achievements in your work experience section: 

Customer Service Representative, ABC Retail (2021–2024)

• Resolved customer issues efficiently, leading to a 20% increase in positive feedback and higher customer satisfaction ratings.
• Assisted in training new hires, providing hands-on support and guidance to help them adjust to the role and company culture.
• Collaborated with team members to improve the return process, reducing customer wait times by 10%.
• Regularly communicated with management to relay customer feedback and suggest service improvements, contributing to a boost in overall store performance.

Take a look: All the Best Soft Skills on a Resume and How to Prove Them

Focus on positive and measurable results 

Once you’ve added your experiences, make sure they center on your accomplishments. There’s nothing worse than a list of duties — how does that translate into success? It’s not enough to say you’re great with people; you’ve got to prove it with real results.

Think about situations where you’ve led a brainstorming session, trained a new colleague, or even resolved a conflict. Are you the go-to person for advice? Or the one people lean on for motivation? These are all examples of your interpersonal skills in action.

Don’t know where to begin? Try using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to outline your experiences — just like how you’d answer questions in an interview. Describe a specific situation, what you needed to do, the actions you took, and the results that followed. Just keep it concise and punchy using bullet points

Here’s how to use the STAR method to describe your experience: 

Sales Associate, XYZ Electronics (2020–2023)

• Situation:
Faced high customer dissatisfaction due to product returns.
• Task:
Worked on improving the return process to enhance customer experience and reduce complaints.
• Action
: Collaborated with team members to create a streamlined return system and personally engaged with customers to provide tailored support.
• Result:
Reduced return-related complaints by 30% within three months and increased customer retention. 

To take it a step further, add quantifiable results to create a concrete picture of your successes. Saying you helped customers is vague — for all employers know, you could have simply pointed them to the checkout. Instead, you could impress (not lie) by saying “Boosted customer satisfaction by 20% through personalized support”. 

Discover how to let your skills shine in your accomplishments: How to Describe Your Work Experience on a Resume

Mention any relevant volunteer work or extracurriculars 

Talking about your achievements is easy when you’ve got years of experience under your belt, but what if you’re just starting out? The good news is, you’ve probably gained more interpersonal skills than you realize through volunteer work, school projects, or extracurriculars. 

Been part of a sports team or volunteered at a local shelter? Highlight how you worked with others to achieve a shared goal. Teamwork is a great way to show you know how to collaborate effectively.

Don’t forget things like public speaking, events, or clubs. These activities show you’re no stranger to connecting with different perspectives. Plus, they reveal your communication skills — expressing yourself effectively is a major asset in any job.

Remember: when listing these experiences on your resume, describe what you did and how it relates to the skills the job requires. You don’t need to detail how you perfected your slam dunk — employers care more about how you shared ideas and problem-solved with your team to win the game.

Here’s how you can include volunteer work in your resume: 

Volunteer Coordinator, Animal Shelter (Summer 2023)

• Helped organize several adoption meet-and-greets, ensuring smooth collaboration and communication to make the events successful. 
• Improved adoption rates by creating better social media strategies and interacting with the public during events.
• Coordinated schedules and encouraged teamwork, leading to more efficient daily operations and a positive volunteer experience.

Learn more about bulking up your resume with less experience: How to Look More Competent With Extracurricular Activities

Add any courses or workshops connected to your skills

If you’re fresh out of college, adding courses or workshops that tie directly into the job requirements is a huge plus. Employers appreciate seeing that you’ve taken the time to develop yourself beyond the classroom.

And don’t worry — you don’t need to have taken a course specifically on empathy or communication (though if you have, go for it). Instead, think about experiences like networking workshops, team-building activities, or presentation training that helped boost your interpersonal skills.

You can add these under your education or create a separate section called “Professional Development” or “Relevant Courses.” Add a short description explaining how the course ties into the role you’re applying for and what skills you gained. This tells employers you’re keen to grow and learn. 

Here’s how to add a workshop to your education section: 

Public Speaking Workshop — University of California

Improved confidence in presenting to diverse groups, practiced active listening techniques and enhanced persuasive communication strategies.

Highlight your interpersonal skills in your resume summary

Your resume summary is like that first handshake — it’s where you make the all-important first impression. This 2-3 sentence summary at the top of your resume is where you grab attention and highlight the qualities that make you a great fit for the role.

Don’t just say you’ve got “interpersonal skills”. Swap it out for more specific examples, like “leadership,” “emotional intelligence,” or “conflict resolution.” These terms paint a clearer picture of how you interact with others and add real value to a team.

For example, if you’re going for a leadership role, mention your ability to mentor and coach others. If you’re customer-facing, highlight your knack for resolving conflicts or handling difficult conversations with empathy.

The goal is to show, not just tell — summarize how your people skills make you a strong candidate and tie them into your achievements or experiences. 

Here’s how to write a summary to show off your interpersonal skills: 

Results-driven customer service specialist with strong active listening and conflict resolution skills. Proven ability to build relationships with clients and maintain high satisfaction rates through clear communication and empathy.

Not sure where to start? Try our Rezi AI Resume Summary Generator. Just enter your job title and skills, and our tool will instantly craft a personalized resume summary for you.

How to Develop Your Interpersonal Skills

If you’re about to send off your resume, it might be too late to start honing your interpersonal skills. But trust me, your future self will thank you if you start now. Better communication or empathy could mean a promotion down the road — and that’ll look great on your next resume. 

Take a look at these simple tips to level up your interpersonal skills and score some extra points at work.

Focus on building your relationships 

Putting your interpersonal skills into practice is pretty tricky if you don’t get along with those around you. When you build your relationships, connecting and communicating will naturally follow. And even if you weren’t born to be a social butterfly, you can still build trust and strengthen those relationships.

Here’s what you can do: 

  • Push yourself outside your comfort zone and join a group or team. Whether it’s a virtual meetup or a local hobby club, working toward a common goal with others helps you practice effective communication and teamwork.
  • After conversations or meetings, reflect on your interactions and think about how you could’ve communicated better. Focus on your tone, body language, and how you respond to others.

Ask questions and seek feedback 

Asking for feedback can feel intimidating, but it’s all about shifting your perspective. Instead of taking it as criticism, look at it as a tool to help you become a better version of yourself. Plus, asking for feedback shows you’re willing to learn and improve, strengthening your connections with others.

Here’s what you can do: 

  • Be specific when asking for feedback. Speak with a mentor, boss, or peer about how you interact with others and what you can do to improve. Make it clear that you’re looking for honest input.
  • Giving feedback isn’t easy, so accept what they say with grace. Listen openly without getting defensive, and use it as an opportunity to learn and grow. 

Practice empathy and change your perspective

Some people are naturally empathetic, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work on growing your emotional intelligence. When you can see things from someone else’s perspective, you’re better equipped to handle situations with compassion and respect.

Here’s what you can do: 

  • Put yourself in others’ shoes and try to understand your coworkers’ emotions, beliefs, and challenges. This will help you approach conversations and conflicts with more empathy.
  • Ask how you can help. Simple questions like “How are you feeling?” or “Is there anything I can do to support you?” show you care and help you see things from their perspective.

Own up to your mistakes 

If you’ve ever had siblings, you know the struggle of being forced to admit you were wrong. But (hopefully) as adults, owning up to your mistakes can feel more like a relief than a gut punch. It shows maturity, accountability, and a genuine desire to improve. 

Here’s what you can do: 

  • Instead of pointing fingers, just admit when you’re wrong to show you’re willing to learn and take responsibility.
  • Once you’ve acknowledged your error, learn from it and avoid making the same mistake in the future — a step that’s key to self-improvement. 

Pay attention to others and their body language

Having strong interpersonal skills isn’t just about talking to the talk, it’s about understanding others and diving into meaningful conversations. A big part of this is body language. Is someone avoiding eye contact? Try to make them feel more at ease. If they seem excited about the topic, give them the floor to share their thoughts. 

Here’s what you can do:

  • Observe nonverbal cues like facial expressions, posture, and gestures to better understand how someone feels beyond their words.
  • Practice active listening by focusing on what the other person is saying without interrupting or planning your response.

Summary 

Here are all the key points to remember when including interpersonal skills in your resume:

  • Match your interpersonal skills to the job description. Highlight those that are most relevant to the position you’re applying for.
  • Instead of listing generic phrases like “good interpersonal skills,” use specific terms like “team collaboration,” “active listening,” or “conflict resolution.”
  • Illustrate your interpersonal skills with concrete examples from past experiences to show how you’ve successfully applied them.
  • Start bullet points with strong action verbs like “collaborated,” “mentored,” or “negotiated” to convey your contributions and create more impact. 
  • Whenever possible, include measurable outcomes. Give numbers, statistics, or percentages to add more weight to your achievements.
  • Consider including a dedicated “Skills” section where you can list specific interpersonal skills alongside other relevant abilities.
  • Only include interpersonal skills you genuinely possess and can back up with real examples, as authenticity is key to impressing potential employers.

FAQ

What are interpersonal skills in the workplace?

Interpersonal skills are the abilities that help you interact effectively with others. They include everything from how you communicate and collaborate with your coworkers to how you resolve conflicts and build relationships. 

In the workplace, strong interpersonal skills are essential for creating a positive work environment, boosting team morale, and improving overall productivity. It’s the glue that holds teams together, allowing for better collaboration, understanding, and trust among colleagues. 

Interpersonal vs. communication skills: What’s the difference?

While the terms “interpersonal skills” and “communication skills” are often used interchangeably, there are some distinctions. Communication skills refer specifically to how effectively you express yourself and convey information, both verbally and non-verbally. 

Interpersonal skills encompass a broader range of abilities, including how you relate to and interact with others. So, while communication is a key part of interpersonal skills, the latter also involves empathy, teamwork, and negotiation. 

How do you describe interpersonal skills on a resume?

When describing interpersonal skills on your resume, be specific and give examples. Instead of just listing “good interpersonal skills,” highlight particular abilities, like “effective collaboration,” “conflict resolution,” or “active listening.” You can incorporate these skills into your experience section by sharing real-life situations where you demonstrated them. 

What are examples of interpersonal skills?

Interpersonal skills include active listening, empathy, teamwork, conflict resolution, and effective communication. Being adaptable and open-minded also falls under this umbrella. 

We often demonstrate these skills in various situations, like helping a colleague with a project, resolving a disagreement, or participating in team meetings. Even skills like giving constructive feedback or knowing when to offer support can show your interpersonal prowess.

What are some interpersonal communication techniques? 

Active listening can make a big difference; it involves focusing on what the other person is saying without interrupting or thinking about your next response. You can also use open-ended questions to encourage dialogue, which helps people express their thoughts more freely. 

Non-verbal cues, like maintaining eye contact and using appropriate gestures, can also reinforce your message. Additionally, practicing empathy, like trying to see things from the other person’s perspective, can help you respond more thoughtfully. 

How to say you have good interpersonal skills on a cover letter?

When mentioning your interpersonal skills in a cover letter, it’s best to weave them into your narrative rather than just stating them outright. For example, you could say, “In my previous role, I built strong relationships with team members and effectively resolved conflicts by encouraging open communication.” 

This shows you have the right interpersonal skills and have applied them in real situations. It’s all about demonstrating your ability to connect with others and work collaboratively, making you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

Lauren Bedford

Lauren Bedford is a seasoned writer with a track record of helping thousands of readers find practical solutions over the past five years. She's tackled a range of topics, always striving to simplify complex jargon. At Rezi, Lauren aims to craft genuine and actionable content that guides readers in creating standout resumes to land their dream jobs.

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