Soft skills are non-technical abilities that help you work well with others and deliver results. Listing the right ones on your resume—and backing them with examples—helps recruiters see your fit.
Top 10 Soft Skills for Resumes
- Communication: Written and verbal. Show it in bullets: "Presented to executives," "Wrote training materials."
- Teamwork: Collaboration and cooperation. "Collaborated with cross-functional teams," "Led team initiatives."
- Leadership: Leading projects or people. "Led team of 8," "Mentored junior staff."
- Problem-solving: Analyzing and resolving issues. "Resolved customer escalations," "Identified root cause and reduced errors by 20%."
- Adaptability: Handling change. "Adapted to new systems," "Pivoted strategy under tight deadlines."
- Time management: Prioritizing and meeting deadlines. "Managed multiple projects," "Delivered on time and under budget."
- Attention to detail: Accuracy and quality. "Reduced errors by 15%," "Ensured compliance with standards."
- Customer focus: Serving clients or users. "Improved NPS by 10 points," "Handled high-volume customer inquiries."
- Conflict resolution: Handling disagreements. "Mediated team conflicts," "Resolved vendor disputes."
- Initiative: Taking ownership. "Launched new process," "Proposed and implemented improvement."
How to Show Soft Skills
Do not just list "communication" or "leadership." Back them up in your experience bullets with specific examples and outcomes. Use the job description to pick the most relevant soft skills and mirror their language.