What Are the Best Interpersonal Skills You Need at Work – Part Two

In our last blog, we highlighted some essential interpersonal skills that can help you in the workplace. Here are some more you should master if you want to prove yourself a true asset to your company. 

Creativity. Being creative can be beneficial to any role you may have in the workplace. It involves the ability to think laterally and find solutions to problems using ingenuity, reasoning and past experiences, coupled with information and resources. Using innovative ways to improve procedures in the workplace, or finding a new way to process a piece of work can positively change the company’s dynamics, save time and money, and even improve the quality of products or services your organisation offers.

Public Speaking. This doesn’t necessarily mean speaking at seminars or conferences in front of hundreds. This can mean heading meetings, presenting to clients, briefing a team on a new project. Public speaking is a very crucial skill to have, which requires a lot of self-confidence, practice, and accurately reading your audience.  Even though it doesn’t come naturally to some people, it is definitely a skill that can be acquired over time, and it is a skill sought after by employers.

Leadership | Management Skills. The ability to manage people is a very powerful skill. Not only do you inspire individuals to do what is right, but you can also guide them along the way, and monitor their progress in every step. Being able to lead a group and manage these individuals in a way that doesn’t obstruct their progress or insult their judgment is highly desirable in today’s workplace.

Self-Confidence. This is a hugely important people skill to master. Being self-confident exudes an air that convinces those you work for (or with) that you know what you are doing. If you do not believe in yourself, your skills and your abilities, then you cannot expect anyone else to believe in you. You need to be confident with yourself and ensure that everyone sees you as someone that has the ability to pull through whatever situation comes your way.

Ability to Wear Multiple Hats.  Theoretically, when someone is offered a job, there is a position description included in the contract. In reality, however, employees are not expected to stick just to what is in their job description. Quite the opposite, they are expected to get involved in other areas of the business, understand all the different steps, and offer help wherever and whenever necessary. At the end of the day, employers look for people who are willing to try out different things, and wear multiple hats at the same time, deal with different projects and individuals, and provide more than one sole contribution at a time to the company.

Strong Work Ethic. Employers are always looking for employees that are passionate about what they do and who are very committed to their assignments. They need to be assured that their employees will keep at a problem until it is solved, and they will do what is necessary to complete all tasks. Arriving at work on time and a willingness to work and take responsibility are basic indicators of an employee’s commitment. These factors can show whether an employee is cut out for a specific role, and will be a long-term asset to the organisation. 

Ultimately, improving your people skills will boost your ability to work with others, making you a more well-rounded and desirable applicant. A great resume will list your people skills and state how you used them in your past roles, while the best cover letters will go further by describing how your people skills helped you achieve major successes for your employers. If you haven’t already showcased your people skills on your resume, you should speak to Select Resumes today to see how we can perfectly showcase your interpersonal skills to their best advantage.  

Similarly, one of our cover letters, personalised to your needs, is just what you need to explain your people skills in depth. And don’t forget, your resume and cover letter style should match, and that’s why we have dozens of compelling design templates to choose from. That’s another effective way to catch the hiring manager’s eye.