Should You Include Personality Traits on a Resume?
The Debate on Including Personality Traits
When it comes to crafting a compelling resume, the traditional advice often emphasizes the importance of including verifiable achievements and skills. However, the debate over including personality traits has sparked a lively discussion among professionals and recruiters. In this article, we explore the pros and cons of adding personality traits to your resume and provide guidance on how to create a standout application that aligns with job requirements and company culture.
Why Include Personality Traits?
Some professionals argue that including relevant personality traits can boost your resume by highlighting important soft skills and characteristics. Traits such as adaptability, teamwork, and leadership are essential for many job roles and can be directly linked to the job requirements and company culture. For example, if you are applying for a team leadership position, mentioning your ability to inspire and motivate team members can make you stand out.
Scientific Perspective on Personality Traits
From a scientific viewpoint, personality traits alone are not a reliable predictor of job success. Many individuals still include vague claims about their personality traits, such as being conscientious, hardworking, or driven. However, these claims are largely unverifiable, and hiring managers tend to skip over them.
Instead, it is recommended to use the space on your resume to describe specific achievements that demonstrate your capabilities. For instance, if you led a successful project, highlight the project’s impact and the metrics associated with its success. This approach not only adds credibility to your application but also emphasizes your practical skills and contributions.
Why Not Include Personality Traits?
The primary purpose of a resume is to present a factual account of your professional skills and work history. Including subjective personality traits may dilute the focus on your verified accomplishments and qualifications. Hiring managers are typically more interested in verifiable achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform specific tasks effectively.
Furthermore, including personality traits can be risky. If you highlight certain traits in your cover letter or resume, a reviewer or hiring manager may assume that there are other traits you did not mention, which could be even more negative. Additionally, during a job interview, you may be expected to provide more detailed information about any negative traits, potentially leading to an unfavorable impression.
Integrating Personality Traits in the Right Way
While it is not advisable to include personality traits directly on your resume, you can indirectly incorporate them through relevant accomplishments. If you are applying for a customer service role, for example, a trait like "patience" can be effectively integrated by mentioning a specific achievement. Instead of simply stating that you are patient, you could describe a situation where your patience led to a successful resolution of a difficult customer issue, and then provide metrics to quantify the positive outcome.
Another approach is to incorporate character traits through recognition or awards. For instance, if you have received a commendation or an award for bravery, mentioning this in your resume can speak to your admirable qualities without explicitly stating them as personality traits. This provides a more compelling and trustworthy narrative that complements your professional achievements.
Conclusion
Deciding whether to include personality traits on your resume depends on the specific job you are applying for. If you believe a particular trait is crucial and can be demonstrated through a relevant accomplishment, it might be worth considering. However, if the trait is not directly tied to your job responsibilities or achievements, it is generally best to avoid including it.
Ultimately, focus on presenting a clear and concise record of your professional skills and experiences. This approach will ensure that your resume stands out for the right reasons and increases your chances of landing the job you desire.