Why Personal Qualities Matter at Work and in Life

Many employers prefer good personal qualities, also known as soft skills, over technical skills, or at least value them as much. And this makes sense. The hard skills you need to succeed at work will change and evolve as the industry and trends evolve. However, the list of personal qualities that an employer wants in their company culture generally remains the same over time. Soft skills also enable individuals to adapt effectively, contribute meaningfully, and collaborate successfully, ultimately leading to successful job performance. 

Work culture and company values have increased in importance over time. The reason the qualities of a person matter at work and in life is that employers can maintain the great work environments and positive cultures they're trying so hard to build. 

What are personal qualities? 

Human beings are inherently social creatures. Whether you're the type of person who wants a large circle of friends or you like to keep a more tightly connected group close to you, good character traits will be the thing that makes you successful in your life goals. Likewise, if you have good qualities to admire, a prospective employer will feel more at ease in bringing you into their work circle. 

Your skill set defines what you can do. Some skills are developed through education and experience. Employers refer to this type of knowledge as hard skills. 

Great personal qualities in an individual are often referred to as soft skills in the work world. They start with a “3G Mindset” – Global, Good, and Grit. 

• Global attests to your ability to think big, be open to new ideas, and understand how one thing affects other things – the ripple effect.

• Good falls into the do-what's-right category. Are you a good person? Do you care about others? Are you reliable? Can you be honest and show empathy?

• Grit is the character trait that demonstrates your ability to get things done. The world can see whether you have good grit when you strive for improvement, never give up, and remain focused despite distractions. 

Good personal qualities examples

The list of good qualities in a person is far too extensive to include in one article; however, there are some highly sought-after qualities that virtually all employers seek. Here are some of the top ones:

1. Honesty

They say honesty is the foundation of any good relationship. What some people fail to realize is that the word relationship doesn't only refer to a love bond between two people. Honest relationships can be built at work, too, and can affect how you interact with everyone - from the janitor to the executives. 

Honest people tend to be open-minded. Truthfulness and openness work together to build cultures of excellence at work. 

2. Reliability

People want to know that they can count on you to do what you say, when you say it, and in the manner you promise. This is true in life and at work. Reliability goes hand-in-hand with honesty. 

Just like your friends and family need to trust that they can depend on you, your manager wants to be able to give you a job and know that it will get done. This includes everything from meeting deadlines and staying on budget to keeping appointments and producing quality work. 

3. Accountability

Everyone messes up from time to time. As an honest and reliable person, you are also accountable for your actions. If you're the type of person who claims responsibility and works to overcome obstacles, you'll be counted as someone who is willing to be held accountable. 

The best way to show accountability on a consistent basis is not to play the blame game. Accept criticism and proactively develop solutions to problems. Then, fix the issue and move on from it. 

4. Empathy 

There is a saying that everyone is fighting some battle that you know nothing about. The cliche goes that you should put yourself in other people's shoes. Basically, you should practice mindfulness and be an effective communicator. 

When you suspend judgment and take the time to collaborate openly with others, you'll build better connections. This can be accomplished by involving others in decision-making processes, supporting the interests of others, and choosing your words carefully. These steps can also help eliminate bias, including unconscious bias, which in turn improves positive outcomes related to interacting with others. 

5. Collaboration

Merriam-Webster defines collaborate as an intransitive verb that means “to work jointly with others or together, especially in an intellectual endeavor.”

There are many lone-ranger types who prefer to work independently and thrive in self-directed environments. That's perfectly acceptable.  However, there will be times when you need to collaborate with someone else to complete a task. So, even if you prefer autonomy at work, being able to work collaboratively will serve you well. 

Collaboration is a communication skill that employers closely monitor to find the right fit for their team. With a collaborative mindset comes the notion of being a team player. Some tasks require many hands. Additionally, collaborating with others is a great way to develop new ideas to solve problems. 

6. Leading

You can be a leader without having the title. Any time you take the reins of an assignment or goal, you can demonstrate leadership. Being a leader doesn't mean you're a dictator, though. Great leaders inspire others to succeed. Not only do leaders delegate responsibilities, but they also communicate well, prioritize employee engagement, and listen to feedback. 

Arguably, the most important quality a good leader possesses is flexibility. The world changes daily. Flexible leaders stay ahead of these changes and move their team forward by fostering open communication. 

7. Courageous

Considering how quickly things change in life and at work, having courage will promote confidence and steadfastness in the face of change. Someone who is courageous acknowledges their fear and acts anyway. There is a lot of research suggesting that courageous people make effective leaders. 

8. Emotionally Intelligent

Having a high emotional intelligence means that you can regulate your own emotions in a highly charged situation. On top of that, you get an immediate sense of the emotions of other people. You understand how emotions can have a positive and negative impact on others and the outcome of any work being done. This goes hand in hand with another important soft skill: self-awareness. 

How to showcase your personal qualities

You have several opportunities to showcase your personal qualities through the job search and application process, including in your resume and cover letter, on LinkedIn, and during your interview. 

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In a resume

It’s essential to showcase your personal qualities on your resume. The Resume Summary and Work Experience sections are excellent places to do this. When you incorporate your personal qualities, or soft skills, you want to demonstrate that you possess them through specific examples. 

Let’s look at a couple of examples. 

Resume Summary

The following Accountant resume summary example emphasizes personal qualities like leadership, emotional intelligence, collaboration, and reliability.

Detail-oriented Accountant with proven track record of leading annual audits for cross-functional teams, enhancing collaboration between departments to streamline reporting processes. Known for effectively guiding coworkers through high-stakes deadlines while maintaining accuracy. Managed multimillion-dollar budgets and delivered consistent, compliant financial results.

Work Experience

Here are a few examples of bullet points you might find in an Accountant’s Work Experience section that highlight the same personal qualities as the resume summary:

• Led and coached team of 6 junior accountants through year-end close, ensuring all deadlines were met ahead of schedule. (leadership, reliability, and collaboration)

• De-escalated conflicts during audit preparations with tight turnaround times, keeping cross-department communication effective. (emotional intelligence, leadership, collaboration, reliability)

• Managed sensitive financial data and delivered accurate forecasts for $20M and above budgets. (reliability and leadership)

• Collaborated with operations and procurement teams to design and implement streamlined expense-tracking system, reducing reporting errors by 27%. (reliability, collaboration)

In a cover letter

Your cover letter is another opportunity for employers to assess your personal qualities through the style, tone, and level of professionalism you convey. 

• When you use an upbeat and positive tone, for example, it can convey that you’re personable. 

• Making sure your grammar and punctuation are correct helps to emphasize that you’re meticulous and reliable. 

• Offering up some key values you bring to the company can highlight your courage, self-awareness, accountability, and trustworthiness. 

On LinkedIn 

Employers are likely to check your LinkedIn profile before interviewing or hiring you. Use the LinkedIn About section to emphasize some of your personal qualities. 

Linked About section example

This HR Generalist example highlights leadership, empathy, trustworthiness, and courage.

I’m an HR Generalist who believes people are at the heart of every successful organization. Throughout my career, I’ve built relationships by actively listening and leading with empathy and transparency.

Whether it’s guiding employees through change management, supporting managers with employee concerns, or creating policies that support both organizational goals and employee well-being, I strive to lead by example. I’m known for my reliability, discretion, and steadfastness in high-pressure moments.

I enjoy collaborating across teams to solve problems, support workplace culture, and create environments where people feel valued and empowered to do their best work.

During the interview

Your interview is likely the first time an employer will meet you in person. This is an opportunity to showcase your personal qualities through both nonverbal and verbal communications. Your tone, the way you speak, and the way you hold your body convey a great deal about your confidence, self-awareness, personality, and professionalism. 

• A firm handshake and making appropriate eye contact, for example, can indicate your level of trust and professionalism.

• When you speak slowly and clearly, it can indicate your ability to self-regulate under stress. 

• Actively listening and picking up on cues from the interviewer can demonstrate your emotional intelligence and ability to understand and collaborate effectively. 

Personal qualities matter

The qualities of a person may not seem overly important. However, the right personal qualities can make or break your job search and subsequent lifelong work success. Just like you need to possess certain characteristics to make friends and find a significant other, you must have the right traits to land your dream job. 

Looking to add personal qualities to your resume to ensure you stand out? Submit it for a free resume review to receive personalized tips on how to do so.

This article was originally written by Marsha Hebert. It has been updated by Ronda Suder.