Example of Skills of a Person: Personal Skills and Professional Skills

An example of skills of a person can say far more than just a job title or degree. In today’s competitive job market, simply listing your qualifications is no longer enough. Employers want to understand who you are and what you can actually do — not just on paper, but in real-world situations. That’s where your skills and qualities come in.

But what exactly are skills? This guide will answer key questions such as: what are personal skills, what are professional skills, and how do you identify your own professional strengths? More importantly, how do you present them effectively on a CV, in interviews, or at work?

In this guide, we’ll walk through:

• What are personal skills, and what are professional skills
  
• How they differ — and where they overlap
  
• Real-life skills and qualities examples
  
• Tips to help you discover and showcase your own strengths
  
• How to build your own list of skills and qualities and tailor it for your skills and qualities CV
  

Whether you’re a student, a job seeker, or simply trying to understand yourself better, this blog will give you the clarity and confidence you need to speak about your skills, skills and qualities, and professional strengths with purpose.

What Are Personal and Professional Skills?

Before you can show off your strengths, you need to understand what they mean. Let’s break it down by looking at the different types of skills and qualities, including both personal skills and professional skills. Understanding each type, along with an example of skills of a person, will help you recognise and express your own abilities more effectively.

Understanding Personal Skills

Personal skills — often called soft skills — are the qualities and behaviours that shape how you interact with others and respond to different situations. They’re part of your personality, habits, and attitude. You don’t usually get a certificate in a personal skill. Instead, you build them through everyday experiences — at school, home, work, or even while volunteering.

Some classic personal skills examples include:

• Communication
  
• Teamwork
  
• Time management
  
• Empathy
  
• Adaptability
  

These skills and qualities are crucial because no matter how technically brilliant you are, you still need to work with others, manage your workload, and solve problems on the fly.

Understanding Professional Skills

Professional skills — also known as hard skills or technical skills — are the abilities you learn and develop through education, training, or experience. These are typically measurable and role-specific.

Examples include:

• Data analysis
  
• Accounting
  
• Programming
  
• Marketing techniques
  
• Operating machinery or equipment
  

Professional skills are often tied to your industry or job role. They’re what allow you to perform your core tasks and responsibilities.

Key Differences Between Personal and Professional Skills

Still, these two types of skills are not separate worlds. They work together.

Why You Need Both

Let’s say you’re a brilliant web developer. You can write flawless code, but if you can’t communicate with your team or manage deadlines, your work suffers. This is a clear example of skills of a person needing to go beyond technical ability.

Now flip it: you’re a great people person, but if you lack the technical skills needed for the role, you’ll fall short there too.

Most employers are looking for candidates who bring both technical capability and human skills and attributes. They want someone who can do the job and contribute positively to the workplace culture.

So instead of focusing on one or the other, your goal should be to develop both — the professional skills that prove you can handle the job, and the personal skills for CV success that show you’re a well-rounded team player. Learn how they connect, and use strong professional skills examples and soft skills to show them off with clarity.

Examples of Personal Skills in Everyday Life and Work

Personal skills, also known as soft skills, are often what separate a good employee from a great one. They define how well you communicate, solve problems, manage time, and interact with others — all essential traits in both personal and professional skills settings.

Let’s look at some of the most important personal skills, how they appear in real life, and how you can describe them when applying for a job — whether in interviews, CV personal skills sections, or even personal resumes. These are all excellent examples of skills and qualities employers value, and each one can serve as an example of skills of a person in action.

1. Communication

This is about more than just talking. It’s how well you listen, write emails, express ideas, and adapt your message for your audience.

Real-life example: You clearly explain a group project’s plan to your classmates, ensuring everyone understands their role.
CV example:
“Delivered clear and confident presentations as part of university coursework, receiving top marks for clarity and engagement.”

2. Problem-Solving

This skill reflects your ability to think critically, evaluate options, and make sound decisions under pressure.

Real-life example: The printer breaks 30 minutes before a major meeting — and you find a workaround to present the documents digitally.
CV example:
“Resolved scheduling conflicts during work placements by coordinating with staff and adapting the workflow to meet deadlines.”

3. Time Management

Time management is all about prioritising tasks, setting goals, and making the most of limited time.

Real-life example: You successfully balance university coursework, part-time work, and volunteering commitments without falling behind.
CV example:
“Managed competing academic and work responsibilities, ensuring timely submissions and consistent performance.”

4. Teamwork

Whether you’re working in a café or a corporate office, teamwork means collaborating, contributing, and supporting others to reach a shared goal.

Real-life example: You help a teammate who’s falling behind so your group project stays on track.
CV example:
“Collaborated with a five-member team to plan and deliver a charity fundraising event, exceeding donation targets by 30%.”

5. Empathy

Empathy is your ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It’s vital in roles involving customer service, leadership, and caregiving.

Real-life example: A colleague is upset after a critical review, and you listen without judgment and offer support.
CV example:
“Provided compassionate care and emotional support to residents while volunteering at a local care home.”

6. Adaptability

Adaptability is the capacity to stay flexible and thrive when circumstances change — a skill highly prized post-pandemic.

Real-life example: You switch from in-person classes to online learning with minimal disruption to your studies.
CV example:
“Quickly adapted to remote work and maintained productivity by learning new tools like Zoom and Google Workspace.”

7. Leadership

Leadership doesn’t require a title. It’s about stepping up, guiding others, and taking responsibility.

Real-life example: You take charge of a disorganised group project and lead it to success.
CV example:
“Led a team of peers to create a university newsletter, coordinating design, content, and publication schedules.”

8. Emotional Intelligence

This includes self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills — all rolled into one.
Real-life example: You recognise that you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a break, and return to a task refreshed instead of snapping at others.
CV example:
“Recognised and managed group tensions during collaborative tasks, ensuring open communication and cooperation.”

9. Resilience

Resilience is your ability to bounce back from setbacks or challenges without losing motivation.

Real-life example: You receive a job rejection, reflect on feedback, and improve your application for the next opportunity.
CV example:
“Continued applying for internships despite early rejections, eventually securing a competitive role through perseverance and reflection.”

10. Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is about assessing information logically to make informed decisions.

Real-life example: You compare course options carefully before choosing your degree path, weighing pros and cons.
CV example:
“Conducted detailed research and critical analysis for a dissertation exploring the economic impact of climate policy.”

These are just a handful of skills and attributes examples — but you probably use many of them every day without even realising it. The key is learning how to recognise them and then articulate them clearly when applying for jobs. Including both professional skills for CV success and strong personal skills for CV value will help you stand out.

By understanding and showcasing these skills and qualities for a CV, and using the right CV skills and qualities language, you can present a well-rounded profile that employers are actively looking for.

Examples of Professional Skills in Action

Professional skills — often referred to as hard skills — are the practical, teachable abilities you need to carry out specific tasks in a job. Unlike personal skills and qualities, these are usually learned through education, training, or work experience and are often tied to particular roles or industries.

When you’re applying for a role, combining your personal qualities for CV success with a strong list of professional skills can help you stand out. A well-rounded example of skills of a person might include both interpersonal abilities and technical expertise, depending on the job.

Here are some of the most valuable professional skills, complete with real-life examples and how to present them effectively on your CV or during interviews.

1. Digital Literacy

Almost every job today involves technology. Digital literacy means knowing how to use computers, common software tools, and online platforms confidently.

Real-life example: You use Google Drive and Zoom to coordinate with classmates on a group assignment.
CV example:
“Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and collaborative platforms such as Zoom and Slack.”

2. Data Analysis

This involves collecting, organising, and interpreting data to make informed decisions. It’s especially important in roles related to finance, marketing, logistics, and research.

Real-life example: You track online sales trends using Excel and produce insights for your small business.
CV example:
“Analysed customer data using Excel and created pivot tables to identify purchasing patterns, boosting repeat sales by 20%.”

3. Project Management

Project management skills include planning, organising, delegating, and delivering work efficiently and on time. It’s essential for leadership roles and collaborative environments.

Real-life example: You organise a university event and manage everything from budgeting to scheduling.
CV example:
“Led the planning and execution of a university conference attended by 100+ students, managing logistics and timelines effectively.”

4. Technical Proficiency (Job-Specific Tools)

Whether you’re a graphic designer, web developer, or lab technician, you’ll need job-specific tools to succeed.

Real-life example: You edit photos using Adobe Photoshop for a client’s social media campaign.
CV example:
“Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator) for designing promotional materials and social content.”

5. Marketing and Sales Skills

This includes both digital and traditional methods of promoting and selling products or services.

Real-life example: You create social media posts for a local bakery that increase foot traffic.
CV example:
“Developed and implemented a social media strategy that grew Instagram followers by 40% in three months.”

6. Technical Writing

This skill involves writing clear and structured documents, manuals, instructions, or reports — often for users who are not specialists.

Real-life example: You prepare user guides for a software you helped develop.
CV example:
“Authored step-by-step manuals for internal software tools, reducing onboarding time for new staff by 30%.”

7. Research Skills

Being able to locate, evaluate, and use information effectively is valuable across many industries — not just academia.

Real-life example: You gather reliable sources and evidence for your final year project.
CV example:
“Conducted independent research for dissertation, analysing primary and secondary sources to support key arguments.”

8. Language Proficiency

Speaking more than one language, especially in global industries, can be a major asset.

Real-life example: You translate marketing emails for international customers.
CV example:
“Fluent in English and Spanish; provided live translation support during client meetings with international partners.”

9. Accounting and Bookkeeping

Many administrative and financial roles require you to handle invoices, budgeting, and tracking expenses.

Real-life example: You manage your student society’s budget and keep records of all expenditures.
CV example:
“Maintained accurate bookkeeping for student society, ensuring timely reporting of expenses and adherence to funding guidelines.”

10. Programming and IT Skills

Whether it’s writing code or managing a website, IT and development skills are increasingly in demand.

Real-life example: You build a simple website for a friend’s start-up using WordPress or basic HTML/CSS.
CV example:
“Created and maintained a personal portfolio website using HTML, CSS, and WordPress; integrated contact forms and blog features.”

As you can see, this list of professional skills covers a wide range of roles and responsibilities — and they don’t have to be advanced to be relevant. What matters most is how well they match the job you’re applying for, and how effectively you apply them in real-world situations.

To make the strongest impression, pair these with relevant personal skills and qualities, and highlight your most relevant personal attributes for CV success. This well-rounded combination offers a compelling example of skills of a person ready to thrive in today’s dynamic workplace.

How to Identify and Showcase Your Skills

Understanding the difference between personal skills and professional skills is one thing — but recognising your own strengths and communicating them effectively is what truly matters. Whether you’re building a personal skills CV, preparing for an interview, or updating your professional skills for resume success, learning to describe your strengths with confidence is essential.

Let’s look at how you can identify your skills and make them work for you on your CV, during interviews, and even on the job.

1. How to Identify Your Personal and Professional Skills

A. Reflect on Your Experiences

Think about your academic background, jobs, internships, volunteer work, and even hobbies. Ask yourself:

• What tasks do I enjoy and excel at?
  
• When have I been praised or relied upon?
  
• What do I bring to group settings?
  

These questions often reveal a mix of strengths. For instance, a classic example of skills of a person might include time management (a personal skill) and budgeting (a professional skill). These reflections contribute to your own list of personal skills and technical abilities.

B. Gather Feedback

Don’t be afraid to ask others. Former managers, colleagues, friends, or mentors can often spot strengths that you might overlook. Ask:

• What do you think I do well?
  
• What are my standout strengths?
  
• Where do you think I’ve improved the most?
  

Their responses can help validate your own personal skills list and reveal qualities to include in your personal skills CV or interview responses.

C. Use Skills Inventories and Tests

Tools like skills audits or online assessments can help uncover hidden talents. Use these as guidance rather than fact — they’re a good starting point for reflection and may highlight key professionalism skills or core personal attributes.

D. Review Past Job Descriptions

Look back at roles you’ve applied for or held. What were the most common requirements? Which did you already have, and which did you grow into?

These comparisons help build your professional skills list, while also showing how your personal skills definition evolves through experience.

2. How to Match Skills to Roles You’re Applying For

Once you’ve got a clear sense of your skill set, align it with the job you want.

A. Read the Job Description Carefully

Most job ads clearly outline the desired qualifications — including hard (professional) skills and soft (personal) skills.
Make a list of:

• Technical or professionalism skills
  
• Interpersonal or behavioural traits (your list of personal skills)
  

Then match these with your own experience.

B. Prioritise Relevance

You don’t need to list every skill you’ve ever used. Choose the most relevant ones — particularly those supported by strong examples.

C. Use the Language of the Job Posting

Mirror the employer’s language. If they request “excellent problem-solving skills,” be specific and use those exact words. This applies whether you’re writing a professional skills for resume or preparing for an interview.

3. How to Showcase Skills on Your CV and in Interviews

Now it’s time to show your skills in action.

A. In Your CV

• Personal Statement: Mention 2–3 top traits that fit the role — pulled from your personal skills list.
  
• Skills Section: Combine technical abilities with personal skills where appropriate.
  
• Work Experience: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to highlight outcomes.
  

Example CV entry:
“Handled high-pressure customer interactions, using emotional intelligence and conflict resolution to de-escalate complaints and maintain satisfaction levels above 95%.”

B. In Your Cover Letter

Go beyond the CV — tell a short story. This is where your example of skills of a person becomes a compelling case.

Example:
“During my internship, I led a small team to redesign our internal newsletter, improving readability and engagement by 40%. This experience honed my leadership, collaboration, and communication skills.”

C. In Interviews

Be ready for questions like:

“Tell me about a time you worked under pressure.”

Prepare 2–3 stories showing a blend of personal and professional skills. Keep them concise and always end with a result or takeaway.

4. Keep Building Your Skills

Whether you’re starting out or climbing the ladder, growth is continuous.

A. Improve Personal Skills

• Take on roles that test your teamwork or empathy
  
• Seek informal leadership opportunities
  
• Practice presenting and writing in different formats
  

B. Develop Professional Skills

• Take online courses (e.g. Excel, Canva, coding)
  
• Attend industry events or webinars
  
• Build personal projects (blogs, portfolios, apps)
  

As you gain experience, you’ll expand both your professional skills list and your soft skills — a powerful mix that helps you stand out.

Final Thoughts: The Real Value of Knowing Your Skills

Identifying your skills — both personal qualities and skills as well as professional ones — is one of the most empowering steps you can take in your career. Understanding an example of skills of a person, including good personal skills and personality skills, helps you:

• Write a stronger, more personalised CV, highlighting a relevant list of key skills for a CV
  
• Perform better in interviews by confidently discussing your examples of personal skills
  
• Choose jobs or careers that match your strengths and skills and personal attributes
  
• Build self-awareness and confidence through recognising your unique qualities for resume
  

It’s not about ticking boxes or trying to be someone else. It’s about recognising what you already bring to the table — and showing it clearly and confidently. So take the time. Reflect. Write it down. Own your skills. Because they might just be the difference between getting overlooked and getting hired.