Soft skills are a key part of job success: they show how well you work with others and handle tasks. Good self-evaluation answers about soft skills can help you stand out and grow in your career. These answers show your boss what you’re good at and where you want to improve. In this article, we share sample answers for employee self-evaluations focusing on key soft skills. We also provide helpful example phrases to reflect on, which can strengthen your self-evaluation even further.
Examples for Communication Skills
You can assess your verbal communication by thinking about recent presentations or meetings.
Did you speak clearly? Were your points easy to understand? Consider asking a trusted coworker for feedback.
For written communication, review your recent emails or reports. Are they well-organized? Do they get your message across quickly?
Example phrases for communication skills:
- “I express ideas clearly in meetings and presentations.”
- “I listen actively to my coworkers’ input and concerns.”
- “I write concise and effective emails.”
- “I ask thoughtful questions to better understand tasks.”
- “I give constructive feedback to team members.”
- “I adapt my communication style to different audiences.”
- “I’m skilled at explaining complex topics simply.”
- “I keep my manager updated on project progress.”
- “I’m comfortable speaking up in group settings.”
- “I’m responsive to messages from colleagues.”
- “I create clear and organized written reports.”
- “I practice active listening in one-on-one meetings.”
- “I communicate project timelines and expectations clearly.”
- “I’m skilled at facilitating productive team discussions.” “
- I give clear and specific instructions for tasks.”
- “I’m open to feedback on my communication style.”
Examples for Teamwork and Collaboration
Example phrases:
- “I contribute actively in team meetings and brainstorms.”
- “I offer help to colleagues when they’re overwhelmed.”
- “I’m reliable in completing my part of group projects.”
- “I celebrate my teammates’ successes.”
- “I’m open to different perspectives and ideas.”
- “I communicate clearly about my workload and capacity.”
- “I pitch in on tasks outside my job description when needed.”
- “I build positive relationships across departments.”
- “I’m skilled at finding common ground in group discussions.”
- “I share knowledge and resources with my team.”
- “I’m able to compromise for the good of the project.” “
- I give and receive constructive feedback gracefully.”
- “I’m adaptable when team priorities shift.”
- “I foster a positive team spirit through my attitude.”
- “I’m good at coordinating efforts among team members.”
- “I respect diverse working styles within the group.”
- “I’m proactive in addressing team conflicts.”
- “I contribute to a culture of trust and open communication.”
- “I support new team members in getting up to speed.”
- “I recognize and leverage the strengths of my teammates.”
Evaluating Your Teamwork and Collaboration
You can evaluate your teamwork by looking at how you help reach team goals. Think about times you:
- Pitched in on a group project to meet a tight deadline
- Shared ideas that improved a team process
- Helped a coworker learn a new skill
- Took on extra tasks when a teammate was out sick
- Spotted a problem and worked with others to fix it
- Gave helpful feedback on a team member’s work
- Stepped up to lead a small group task
- Found a way to cut costs on a team project
- Helped resolve a conflict between coworkers
- Suggested a team-building activity that boosted morale
You can also assess how you create a positive team atmosphere.
Think about ways you:
- Welcome new team members and help them feel included
- Listen carefully to others’ ideas and build on them
- Offer praise and recognition for teammates’ good work
- Share credit for team successes
- Speak up respectfully when you disagree
- Ask for help when you need it
- Offer help to others without being asked
- Stay positive and motivate the team during tough times
- Organize team lunches or after-work gatherings
Examples for Problem-Solving
- “I approach challenges with a positive, solution-focused mindset.”
- “I’m skilled at breaking down complex problems into manageable parts.”
- “I gather relevant data before making decisions.”
- “I think creatively to find unique solutions.”
- “I anticipate potential issues and plan preventive measures.”
- “I remain calm and logical when facing unexpected problems.”
- “I’m able to make tough decisions under time pressure.”
- “I consider both short-term and long-term impacts of solutions.”
- “I seek input from others to gain different perspectives.”
- “I’m persistent in finding solutions to difficult challenges.”
- “I use critical thinking to evaluate different options.”
- “I learn from past mistakes to improve future problem-solving.”
- “I adapt my approach when initial solutions don’t work.”
- “I balance analytical and creative thinking in problem-solving.”
- “I communicate solutions clearly to stakeholders.”
- “I take initiative in addressing issues before they escalate.”
- “I’m able to prioritize problems effectively.”
- “I use available resources efficiently to solve problems.”
- “I follow up to ensure implemented solutions are effective.”
Examples for Creativity
- “I actively participate in brainstorming sessions and contribute unique ideas.”
- “I find creative solutions to everyday work challenges, for example […].”
- “I’m willing to take calculated risks with new approaches.”
- “I look for ways to improve existing processes.”
- “I’m open to unconventional ideas from others.”
- “I use creative thinking to overcome resource limitations.”
- “I’m skilled at adapting ideas from other industries to our work.”
- “I seek inspiration from diverse sources outside my field.”
- “I’m comfortable with ambiguity in the creative process.”
- “I balance creativity with practicality in my ideas.”
- “I’m persistent in refining and improving creative ideas.”
- “I create an environment that encourages creative thinking.”
- “I challenge assumptions to find innovative solutions.”
- “I’m skilled at reframing problems to find new angles.”
- “I’m able to improvise when faced with unexpected situations.”
Examples for Leadership
- I motivate team members to do their best work.
- I delegate tasks effectively based on individual strengths.
- I lead by example through my work ethic and attitude.
- I mentor junior colleagues to support their growth.
- I take initiative on projects without being asked.
- I make tough decisions when necessary.
- I stay calm under pressure and keep the team focused.
- I give credit to others for their contributions.
- I set clear goals and expectations for my team.
- I’m able to build consensus among diverse viewpoints.
- I inspire trust through my actions and words.
- I provide constructive feedback to help others improve.
- I’m comfortable taking calculated risks.
- I advocate for my team’s needs and resources.
- I create a positive and inclusive team environment.
- I’m able to see the big picture and communicate it effectively.
- I empower others to take on leadership roles.
- I’m skilled at conflict resolution within the team.
- I hold myself and others accountable for results.
- I adapt my leadership style to different situations.
- I take responsibility for my mistakes and learn from them.
- I actively seek feedback on my leadership style.
- I am skilled at building and maintaining strong relationships.
- I am open to new ideas and approaches from team members.
- I support the professional development of my colleagues.
- I consistently follow through on my commitments as a leader.
Example phrases for other soft skills:
Time management:
- I prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency to meet deadlines.
- I manage my time effectively by minimizing distractions and focusing on essential tasks.
- I plan ahead and allocate sufficient time for each task to ensure quality work.
Adaptability:
- I embrace change and adjust my approach as needed to succeed in new situations.
- I am open to feedback and use it to improve my performance continuously.
- I learn quickly and apply new knowledge and skills to enhance my work.
Emotional intelligence:
- I demonstrate empathy and consider others’ feelings and perspectives.
- I manage my emotions effectively, even in challenging situations.
Conflict resolution:
- I address conflicts proactively and work to find mutually beneficial solutions.
- I remain objective and avoid personal attacks or blame when resolving disputes.
- I actively listen to all parties involved and facilitate open and honest communication.
Networking:
- I build and maintain professional relationships with colleagues and industry contacts.
- I seek opportunities to connect with others and expand my network.
Identifying Areas for Professional Development
Write down 2-3 goals that excite you and benefit the business.
For example, if you’re in sales, you might aim to increase your monthly sales by 10%. This helps you earn more and pushes the company toward higher revenue. Or if you’re in customer service, you could set a goal to resolve 95% of issues on the first call.
Examples of goals:
- Get better at public speaking
- Take a leadership course
- Learn a new language to help with international clients
- Improve your time management skills
- Master advanced Excel functions
- Network more at industry events
- Write articles for the company blog
- Cross-train in another department
- Develop stronger problem-solving skills
- Improve your work-life balance
Learn more:
15 Employee Goal Setting Examples (Smart Goals)
5 Smart Answers to โWhat Areas Need Improvement?โ
Q & A
Can you provide examples of self-assessment for communication skills?
You might say: “I give clear instructions to my team and ask for feedback to make sure everyone understands”; or “I’ve improved at active listening by taking notes in meetings and asking follow-up questions.”
What are effective ways to describe teamwork skills in a self-evaluation?
Focus on how you support others and contribute to group goals. For example: “I volunteer for extra tasks to help my coworkers meet deadlines.” Another example: “I make sure everyone’s ideas are heard during team discussions.”
What should I include in a self-evaluation of problem-solving abilities?
Describe your approach to tackling challenges. You could say: “I break big problems into smaller steps and research possible solutions”; or “I look at issues from different angles to find creative fixes.”
How can I highlight my adaptability skills in a self-appraisal?
Give examples of times you adjusted to changes. You might write: “I quickly learned new software when we switched systems”; or “I took on new duties when a coworker left, helping our team stay on track.”
What is the best way to reflect on time management skills in a self-evaluation?
Share how you prioritize tasks and meet deadlines. For example: “I use a daily to-do list to stay organized and focused”; or “I finish my most important work first thing in the morning when I’m most productive.”