Soft skills are used to interact with others. Employees use them to build relationships and collaborate with colleagues and coworkers.
Including a mix of hard and soft skills on your accounting resume is essential. It shows you have the necessary skills to fulfill the job duties and blend with the company’s culture. This encourages the hiring manager to contact you for an interview.
Discover which soft skills to list on your accounting resume.
Emotional Intelligence
Your ability to manage social dynamics and help those around you feel seen, heard, and understood is essential. This enables you to relate to others and remain calm in emotionally charged situations. Positively influencing others’ behaviors is especially beneficial when collaborating, leading projects, interacting with customers, or managing teams.
Examples of emotional intelligence include:
- Self-awareness
- Self-management
- Social awareness
- Perceptiveness
- Thoughtfulness
- Consideration of others
Communication
Discussing your work with your manager, colleagues, and coworkers is essential. You also must explain complex accounting concepts in terms that your audience understands. Sharing stories helps your audience process and apply your information to their work.
Examples of communication include:
- Verbal discussions
- Facial expressions
- Body language
- Written information
- Conversations over online platforms
- Presentation delivery
Analysis
Working as an accountant involves analyzing financial data, creating budgets, and generating reports.
Examples of analysis include:
- Increasing efficiencies in accounting processes
- Conducting risk assessments
- Creating financial projections
- Freeing up money in budgets
- Reducing taxes
- Reconciling accounts
Openness to Feedback
Implementing constructive feedback improves your performance. This helps you develop the knowledge, skills, and experience required for career advancement.
Examples of openness to feedback include:
- Flexibility
- Active listening
- Humility
- Open-mindedness
- Adaptability
- Desire to improve
Customer Service
Working in accounting often requires interacting with customers. This includes understanding and meeting customers’ needs, answering questions, and resolving issues.
Examples of customer service include:
- Patience
- Empathy
- Manners
- Confidence
- Conflict resolution
- Upselling
Leadership
Employers want employees who inspire others and take charge to complete work on time. This includes strategizing, delegating, and improving performance to provide additional organizational value.
Examples of leadership include:
- Adaptability
- Organization
- Time management
- Motivation
- Conflict resolution
- Problem-solving
Conflict Resolution
Your ability to actively listen to the individuals involved and fully understand the reasons for disagreements helps resolve the issues. This shows you can manage your relationships rather than involve your manager or a member of HR. These actions increase your odds of landing a managerial or leadership role.
Examples of conflict resolution include:
- Cultural sensitivity
- Mutual respect
- De-escalation
- Negotiation
- Stress management
- Humor
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