Skills and qualities are becoming increasingly vital in today’s competitive world, where qualifications alone aren’t always enough to stand out. Employers, educators, and team leaders are placing greater emphasis on something less tangible but equally powerful — personal skills. These are the soft skills and behavioural traits that shape how we work with others, respond to challenges, and carry ourselves in professional and everyday environments.
Whether you’re writing your CV, preparing for an interview, or simply focusing on self-improvement, understanding your personal skills and qualities can give you a genuine edge. They’re the attributes that build trust, enhance communication, strengthen resilience, and help people thrive in teams or under pressure. In many cases, they’re what tip the scales in your favour when everyone else has similar credentials.
But what exactly are personal skills? How do they differ from professional skills, and where do personal qualities come in? What are the key differences between skills and qualities, and how can you recognise and improve them in yourself?
In this blog, we’ll explore a detailed list of personal skills and qualities — complete with definitions, examples, and practical tips — so you can start identifying your professional strengths, improving your professional skills, and showcasing them with confidence in your career and beyond.
If you’ve ever wondered what are personal skills, or wanted a clear skills and qualities list to refer to, this guide will offer the clarity and structure you need.
Personal skills, often referred to as soft skills or people skills, are the behaviours and interpersonal abilities that influence how you interact, communicate, manage, and adapt in various situations. These skills and attributes aren’t tied to a specific job or industry. Instead, they apply across the board, whether you’re working in healthcare, IT, education, construction, or hospitality.
These essential skills and qualities can be developed over time through practice, feedback, and real-life experience. Unlike hard or professional skills (such as coding, data analysis, or operating machinery), personal skills are harder to quantify — but no less important.
Think of them as your human tools — the skills and qualities that help you lead, listen, resolve issues, manage time, and support others.
UK employers frequently cite personal skills as a key factor in hiring decisions, often ranking them equal to or higher than technical or professional skills. According to a report by the CBI (Confederation of British Industry), skills and qualities such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving are among the most sought-after in today’s job market.
Why? Because technical knowledge can often be taught. But the ability to stay calm under pressure, speak with clarity, or collaborate respectfully? That’s much harder to instil. In the long term, individuals with strong personal skills tend to be more productive, more adaptable, and more impactful in their roles.
Whether you're trying to lead a team, launch a business, build better relationships, or succeed in interviews, developing your personal skills is essential.
If you're unsure where to start, reviewing personal skills examples and identifying your current skills and attributes is a great first step toward growth and professional success.
Below is a comprehensive list of core personal skills and qualities that are highly valued across a wide range of industries and roles. For each, we’ll explore what it means, why it’s important, and how you might demonstrate it in real-life situations — including how to highlight it effectively on your personal resume.
Whether you're looking to improve your personal and professional skills or simply need strong examples of skills and qualities to include in applications or interviews, this guide provides practical insights and skills and attributes examples to support your development.
Definition: The ability to convey ideas clearly and effectively through speaking, writing, listening, and non-verbal signals.
Why it matters: Strong communication helps avoid misunderstandings, promotes collaboration, and ensures your ideas are understood.
Example:
“Presented weekly project updates to team members and managers, improving alignment and reducing unnecessary follow-up meetings.”
Definition: Working collaboratively with others to achieve shared goals, valuing diverse opinions, and supporting group success.
Why it matters: Nearly every role involves teamwork. Team players create positive dynamics and contribute to better outcomes.
Example:
“Collaborated with a cross-functional team of designers and developers to deliver a product launch on time and within budget.”
Definition: The ability to guide, inspire, and motivate others, while taking responsibility for outcomes.
Why it matters: Good leadership supports team focus, boosts morale, and navigates uncertainty confidently.
Example:
“Led a student volunteer group, organising two successful fundraisers and mentoring three new members.”
Definition: Organising and prioritising tasks effectively to meet deadlines and manage workload without burnout.
Why it matters: Efficient use of time increases productivity and reduces stress.
Example:
“Balanced part-time employment with full-time study by creating a structured weekly timetable, improving productivity, and reducing late submissions.”
Definition: Identifying issues, analysing possible solutions, and implementing effective strategies to resolve them.
Why it matters: Problem-solving is essential in any environment where challenges arise — which is virtually every workplace.
Example:
“Redesigned an inefficient filing system that improved access speed by 60% and reduced data errors.”
Definition: Keeping tasks, documents, schedules, and responsibilities in order to maintain structure and clarity.
Why it matters: Organised individuals help reduce chaos and keep work flowing smoothly.
Example:
“Created and maintained a digital filing system for client contracts, reducing document retrieval time by half.”
Definition: The ability to analyse information objectively, evaluate arguments, and make reasoned decisions.
Why it matters: Critical thinking helps avoid rash decisions and enhances overall judgement.
Example:
“Assessed three marketing strategies based on ROI potential and recommended the most effective one, resulting in a 20% increase in engagement.”
Definition: Being flexible and open to change, whether it's a new process, technology, or environment.
Why it matters: In today’s fast-paced world, adaptability is key to staying effective during change.
Example:
“Quickly adapted to remote working during the pandemic, using digital tools to maintain collaboration and productivity.”
Definition: The ability to address and resolve disagreements constructively while maintaining professional relationships.
Why it matters: Addressing conflict respectfully keeps teams functioning and relationships strong.
Example:
“Mediated a dispute between two team members, facilitating a solution that satisfied both parties and improved team dynamics.”
Definition: Understanding and managing your emotions, while recognising and responding appropriately to others' feelings.
Why it matters: Emotional intelligence supports effective communication and contributes to a healthy, respectful workplace culture.
Example:
“Handled customer complaints with patience and empathy, turning negative experiences into positive reviews.”
Definition: The ability to evaluate options, anticipate outcomes, and choose the best course of action in a timely manner.
Why it matters: Effective decision-making reduces delays, boosts confidence, and helps teams move forward with clarity.
Example:
“Made quick purchasing decisions based on real-time sales data, improving stock availability and reducing customer complaints.”
Definition: Paying full attention to the speaker, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully without interrupting or assuming.
Why it matters: It builds trust, avoids misunderstandings, and strengthens communication, especially in customer service and teamwork.
Example:
“Listened carefully to client concerns during review meetings and adapted project deliverables accordingly, resulting in a 95% satisfaction rate.”
Definition: Managing more than one task at a time efficiently without compromising on quality or deadlines.
Why it matters: Multitasking is essential in busy roles with shifting priorities, especially in administrative or service sectors.
Example:
“Simultaneously handled phone queries, appointment scheduling, and invoicing in a busy dental practice without delays or errors.”
Definition: Reaching agreements that satisfy all parties involved through compromise, persuasion, and communication.
Why it matters: Negotiation is vital in securing deals, resolving conflict, and aligning expectations across teams.
Example:
“Negotiated a new supplier contract that reduced costs by 15% while maintaining delivery standards.”
Definition: The ability to present ideas clearly and confidently to an audience, whether it’s a small team or a large conference.
Why it matters: Public speaking builds influence, improves confidence, and ensures your message resonates.
Example:
“Presented quarterly results to the executive board, clarifying complex data and answering stakeholder questions confidently.”
Definition: Thinking outside the box to generate original ideas, solve problems, or find innovative solutions.
Why it matters: Creative thinkers contribute to innovation, improvement, and business growth.
Example:
“Developed a fresh campaign concept that increased engagement on social media by 40% within a month.”
Definition: The ability to prepare and deliver clear, engaging, and visually appealing presentations.
Why it matters: Strong presentations are crucial for training, pitching ideas, and supporting strategic decisions.
Example: “Designed and delivered a training session for new employees, receiving positive feedback for clarity and usefulness.”
Definition: The internal drive to take initiative, set goals, and stay productive without constant supervision.
Why it matters: Self-motivated people are dependable, goal-focused, and proactive in overcoming obstacles.
Example:
“Took initiative to learn new project management software, reducing team planning time by 25%.”
Definition: Assigning tasks effectively to others based on their strengths and workload, while maintaining oversight.
Why it matters: Good delegation builds team capacity, avoids burnout, and improves productivity.
Example:
“Delegated administrative duties to interns during a busy campaign period, allowing the core team to focus on strategy.”
Definition: The ability to define, plan, and work steadily towards realistic personal or professional objectives.
Why it matters: Clear goals help individuals stay focused, organised, and accountable for results.
Example:
“Set and achieved quarterly sales goals by tracking metrics weekly and adjusting tactics based on performance trends.”
These examples of skills and qualities demonstrate not only what individuals can do but also how they think, adapt, and contribute to success. When included in personal resumes, these skills and attributes examples provide employers with a clearer picture of who you are beyond your qualifications, highlighting the personal and professional skills that truly make a difference.
While personal skills are typically learned and developed through experience, personal qualities are the core traits that often come naturally, although they can certainly be nurtured and enhanced over time. These are the inner personal attributes for a job that influence your behaviour, shape your decisions, and affect the way you interact with others and the world around you.
Think of skills and qualities as working hand in hand. The qualities form the foundation that supports and strengthens your skills. For example, you might have strong communication skills (a key item in any list of professional skills), but without the quality of empathy, your message might fail to connect. Likewise, you may be excellent at problem-solving (another common example of skills of a person), but without resilience, you may struggle to persist through setbacks.
Strong personal attributes for a job enhance your ability to apply both personal and professional skills effectively in real-world situations. That’s why employers value both, and why you should reflect both in your CV and interviews, alongside clear examples of professional skills.
Let’s explore 15 essential personal qualities that underpin great personal skills, with insight into how they appear in everyday life and how they contribute to professional success.
Definition: Being truthful, transparent, and ethical in your words and actions.
Why it matters: Honesty builds trust, maintains professional integrity, and fosters respect in any relationship.
In practice:
A team member openly admits to a mistake during a project review, allowing the team to address it quickly and move forward with a solution.
Definition: Acting consistently with your values, even when it's inconvenient or unobserved.
Why it matters: Integrity is essential in leadership and teamwork. It signals reliability and moral strength.
In practice:
A manager sticks to agreed terms with a client even though a better offer arises, protecting the company’s reputation.
Definition: Believing in your abilities without arrogance; expressing ideas or taking action with assurance.
Why it matters: Confidence supports effective communication, decision-making, and leadership.
In practice:
A candidate speaks clearly and calmly during an interview, explaining their achievements with pride and clarity.
Definition: The capacity to remain calm and composed in challenging or delayed situations.
Why it matters: Patience helps with conflict resolution, learning, and building strong, long-term relationships.
In practice:
A teacher calmly explains a concept multiple times to struggling students without showing frustration.
Definition: Maintaining a positive outlook and expecting favourable outcomes, even in tough situations.
Why it matters: Optimism improves morale, problem-solving, and resilience, essential in high-pressure environments.
In practice:
After a failed pitch, a team lead reassures the group and encourages them to refine their ideas for the next opportunity.
Definition: A strong desire to learn, explore, and understand more about people, systems, and ideas.
Why it matters: Curious individuals are innovative, open to growth, and often spot solutions others miss.
In practice:
A junior employee explores AI tools in their spare time and later introduces them to improve team productivity.
Definition: The ability to understand and share the feelings of others.
Why it matters: Empathy enhances communication, reduces conflict, and creates stronger workplace relationships.
In practice:
A team member notices a colleague is withdrawn and checks in privately to offer support, strengthening trust.
Definition: Commitment to continue striving toward goals despite setbacks, difficulties, or delays.
Why it matters: Perseverance drives long-term success, especially in competitive or evolving environments.
In practice:
A small business owner continues refining their product after three failed launches, eventually securing a loyal customer base.
Definition: Willingness to consider new ideas, perspectives, and approaches.
Why it matters: Open-minded people are more collaborative, adaptable, and willing to learn from others.
In practice:
A team leader encourages junior staff to pitch new approaches, even if they differ from the usual method.
Definition: Acknowledging your limitations, valuing others’ contributions, and remaining teachable.
Why it matters: Humility creates space for collaboration and continued growth
In practice:
A department head credits the team — not just themselves — during a company-wide recognition ceremony.
Definition: Communicating your needs or opinions clearly and respectfully, without being aggressive.
Why it matters: Assertiveness helps maintain boundaries and address issues constructively.
In practice:
An employee addresses a persistent workload imbalance with their manager and proposes a fair solution.
Definition: The emotional strength to recover quickly from challenges, stress, or setbacks.
Why it matters: Resilient individuals stay calm and productive even when facing adversity.
In practice:
After a project cancellation, a freelancer quickly regroups and pitches to new clients rather than dwelling on the loss.
Definition: Taking full ownership of your actions, responsibilities, and results.
Why it matters: Accountability promotes trust, consistency, and strong team performance.
In practice:
A sales manager owns up to missing a target and works with the team to develop a realistic action plan for recovery.
Definition: Showing genuine interest, energy, and positivity in your work and interactions.
Why it matters: Enthusiasm is contagious — it boosts team morale and drives better results.
In practice:
A new hire brings energy and fresh ideas to team meetings, lifting the entire group’s motivation.
Definition: Understanding your own emotions, behaviours, and how they impact others.
Why it matters: Self-aware individuals communicate better, adapt more easily, and build stronger professional relationships.
In practice:
A team member realises they’re becoming defensive during feedback and takes a moment to refocus the conversation productively.
Personal skills and personal qualities aren’t just standalone traits — they work best in combination. When aligned effectively, these skills and qualities enhance each other and become even more powerful in practice.
For example, communication (a personal skill) becomes far more impactful when paired with empathy (a personal quality). Likewise, the ability to manage time efficiently — often listed as a top quality for a resume — doesn’t rely on technique alone, but also on traits like self-discipline and accountability to follow through.
Understanding how personal qualities and skills interact helps you make the most of your strengths — and reveals areas where further development might be needed. Whether you're refining your soft skills or asking what is a professional skill in today’s context, it's clear that success relies not only on what you can do, but also on how you do it.
Let’s look at a few common pairings of skills and qualities:
| Skill | Supporting Quality | Why They Work Together |
| Communication | Empathy | Helps you tailor your message to others’ needs. |
| Problem-Solving | Resilience | Keeps you going when the solution isn’t obvious. |
| Leadership | Integrity | Builds trust and earns respect from the team. |
| Negotiation | Confidence | Helps you stay firm while remaining open to compromise. |
| Time Management | Accountability | Encourages follow-through and meeting deadlines. |
| Teamwork | Patience | Makes collaboration smoother, especially in stressful situations. |
When your qualities are strong, your skills become more authentic, consistent, and effective.
In real-world situations, people don’t evaluate your abilities in isolation. They notice how you behave under pressure, how you treat others, and whether you follow through on your responsibilities. This is where your skills and qualities work together to form a complete picture of your capability and character.
Here’s how personal skills and attributes appear in practice:
In interviews or performance reviews, employers often seek evidence of how your personal skills and qualities have worked together to deliver results. That’s why showcasing both in your personal skills CV is essential — they reinforce each other and offer a well-rounded impression of who you are and what you bring to the table.
The good news? Both skills and qualities can be improved with intention and effort. While qualities are often seen as “inherent,” they are not fixed. You can build empathy by practising active listening and putting yourself in others’ shoes. You can develop resilience by reflecting on setbacks and learning from failure.
The same applies to skills development — they grow through practice, feedback, and training. Whether you're focusing on communication, time management, or other core professionalism skills, growth begins with honest self-assessment. If you're willing to look at where you're strong and where you need improvement, you can make meaningful progress.
Building a strong list of personal skills — and aligning them with the right personal qualities — is one of the most effective ways to grow personally and professionally.
Personal development is an ongoing journey. Whether you're entering the job market, shifting careers, or simply striving to be more effective in daily life, understanding your existing skills and qualities — and knowing where you can grow — is essential.
If you’re wondering what is personal skills, they are the abilities and behaviours that help you interact effectively and adapt in various situations, forming the foundation for success in both personal and professional settings.
Here’s how you can start developing your personal skills and qualities in a focused and practical way:
Improvement begins with awareness. Ask yourself:
Use reflection tools like:
This process helps highlight both your standout strengths and areas for development.
Tip: Reflect on recent situations — job interviews, presentations, group projects — and note what went well and what felt challenging.
Sometimes, others can see us more clearly than we see ourselves. Seeking feedback is one of the fastest ways to get insight into your personal effectiveness and growth.
Try asking:
Be open to their responses — even the uncomfortable ones. Growth often begins where your comfort zone ends.
You don’t need a formal course to build personal skills. Every day life is full of opportunities to practise:
Approach these moments as informal training, and aim to respond with intention, not just habit.
Tip: Treat mistakes as feedback. For example, if you mishandled a disagreement, reflect on it and decide how you'd respond differently next time.
While experience is key, structured learning can also accelerate your growth. There are many resources available — some free, some paid — that help you develop specific skills.
Great places to start:
Tip: Choose one skill at a time to focus on, and practise it consistently before moving to the next.
Just like any form of growth, personal skills development benefits from clear goals and accountability.
Use SMART goals:
Track your efforts and reward small wins to stay motivated.
Personal growth is easier when you’re surrounded by people who model the traits you admire. Look for:
Observe how they behave. Ask for their insights. Let their example elevate your standards.
Tip: Don’t just copy what they do — understand why they do it. This deepens your own development.
If you're uncomfortable with a particular skill (like giving feedback or negotiating), start in smaller, safer environments.
Each time you stretch outside your comfort zone, you strengthen the quality behind the skill — such as confidence, resilience, or patience.
Personal development doesn’t happen overnight. Skills and qualities take repetition and reinforcement. You may not see immediate changes, but consistency will pay off over time. Focus on progress, not perfection.
Tip: Instead of asking, “Am I good at this yet?” ask, “Am I better at this than I was last month?”
What is professional skills? These refer to the specific technical or job-related abilities needed in the workplace — often listed in a professional skills list. Combining these with strong personal skills and qualities creates a balanced, effective professional profile.
By understanding what is personal skills and their importance alongside professional skills, you can take intentional steps toward continuous growth in your career and personal life.
Knowing your personal skills and qualities is only half the battle — the real impact comes when you can confidently demonstrate them to others. Whether you’re crafting a CV, preparing for a job interview, or developing your personal brand, presenting these traits the right way is essential.
Let’s look at how to bring your personal skills and attributes to life so that employers, clients, and collaborators can clearly see what you bring to the table.
Rather than listing skills and qualities for CV in isolation, weave them into the fabric of your experience.
Where to include personal skills and qualities:
Examples:
Less effective: “Good at time management and leadership.”
More effective: “Led a remote team across three time zones, coordinating schedules and meeting all project deadlines ahead of time.”
In job interviews, you’ll often be asked behavioural questions like, “Tell me about a time when you faced a challenge at work.” This is your moment to highlight your good personal skills.
Use the STAR method:
Example:
“In my last role, our marketing team was behind on a campaign launch. As the lead, I organised daily stand-up meetings (initiative, organisation), delegated tasks effectively (leadership), and motivated the team to meet the revised deadline. We launched on time and exceeded engagement targets by 20%.”
This approach gives structure and proves your skills and qualities in action.
Avoid a generic list. Match your personal attributes for CV to the job description or sector.
Examples:
Use language that reflects what employers are asking for — if a job calls for someone “comfortable in a fast-paced environment,” mention your resilience, time management, and adaptability.
It’s easy to list good personal skills, but what sets you apart is the evidence behind them. Use real examples — through CV bullet points, testimonials, LinkedIn endorsements, or measurable results.
Tip:
Instead of saying:
“I’m a great communicator.”
Say:
“Presented quarterly reports to senior stakeholders, translating complex findings into actionable insights and securing buy-in.”
This highlights both communication and influence.
Your cover letter is the perfect place to highlight personal qualities for CV that don’t always come through in bullet points. It gives you room to explain your motivation and character.
Example:
“What sets me apart is my perseverance. When we lost our biggest client unexpectedly, I helped the team restructure our service packages, personally secured two new accounts, and rebuilt our pipeline within six weeks.”
Many good personal skills are developed in non-work contexts. Think volunteering, hobbies, or personal projects.
Examples:
Include these experiences — especially useful for early-career professionals or career changers.
If your CV claims you’re detail-oriented and professional, your LinkedIn, emails, and presentation should reinforce that. Employers often check across platforms, so ensure your skills and qualities are reflected consistently.
Check that:
Consistency helps build trust in your professional brand.
Personal skills and qualities aren’t just extras — they’re essential tools for life and work. They shape how you show up in a team, how you lead, how you manage time, and how you solve problems. When nurtured and showcased properly, they elevate your performance and open doors to new opportunities.
Whether you’re a student entering the job market, a professional aiming for a promotion, or an entrepreneur building a brand, personal skills and qualities, as well as strong skills and personal attributes, will be central to your success.
Take the time to:
The more you invest in developing your personal self, the more effective, trustworthy, and impactful your professional self will become.
Looking to build your personal skills and qualities even further?
Explore our range of online development courses — from communication and leadership to emotional intelligence and time management — and take control of your personal growth journey today.
