Personal Skill #1: Professionalism Professionalism is acting in a responsible and fair manner in all of your personal and work activities. It’s seen as a sign of maturity and self-confidence.

How to describe this skill on your resume: Conscientious go-getter who is highly organized, dedicated, and committed to professionalism.

Personal Skill #2: Honesty and Integrity Employers probably respect personal integrity more than any other value, especially in light of the corporate scandals that have become so commonplace.

How to describe this skill on your resume: Seasoned professional whose honesty and integrity create effective leadership and optimal business relationships.

Personal Skill #3: Adaptability Adaptability deals with openness to new ideas and concepts, to working independently or as part of a team. It also refers to the ability to pivot between assignments and carry out multiple tasks or projects.

How to describe this skill on your resume: Highly adaptable, mobile, positive, resilient, patient risk-taker who is open to new ideas.

Personal Skill #4: Problem-solving Employers look for jobseekers who love what they do and will keep at it until they solve the problem and get the job done.

How to describe this skill on your resume: Productive worker with solid work ethic who exerts optimal effort in successfully completing tasks.

Personal Skill #5: Dependability There’s no question that all employers desire employees who will arrive to work every day on time and ready to work, and who will take responsibility for their actions.

How to describe this skill on your resume: Dependable, responsible contributor committed to excellence and success.

Personal Skill #6: Loyalty Employers want employees who will have a strong devotion to the company (even when the company is not necessarily loyal to its employees).

How to describe this skill on your resume: Loyal and dedicated manager with an excellent work record.

Personal Skill #7: Positive Attitude The jobseekers who get hired and the employees who get promoted are the ones with drive and passion. They demonstrate this enthusiasm through their words and actions.

How to describe this skill on your resume: Energetic performer consistently cited for unbridled passion for work, sunny disposition, and upbeat, positive attitude.

Personal Skill #8: Self-Confidence Self-confidence is very important to landing a job. Look at it this way: if you don’t believe in yourself, in your unique mix of skills, education, and abilities, why should a prospective employer? Be confident in yourself and what you can offer employers.

Medical students in Canada must make career choices by their final year of medical school. Selection of students for a career in neurosurgery has traditionally been based on marks, reference letters and personal interviews. Studies have shown that marks alone are not accurate predictors of success in medical practice; personal skills and attributes which can best be assessed by letters of reference and interviews may be more important. This study was an attempt to assess the importance of, and ability to teach, personal skills and attitudes necessary for successful completion of a neurosurgical training program.

A questionnaire was sent to 185 active members of the Canadian Neurosurgical Society, asking them to give a numerical rating of the importance of 22 personal skills and attributes, and their ability to teach those skills and attributes. They were asked to list any additional skills or attributes considered important, and rate their ability to teach them.

Sixty-six (36%) questionnaires were returned. Honesty, motivation, willingness to learn, ability to problem solve, and ability to handle stress were the five most important characteristics identified. Neurosurgeons thought they could teach problem solving, willingness to consult informed sources, critical thinking, manual dexterity, and communication skills, but honesty, motivation, willingness to learn and ability to handle stress were difficult or impossible to teach.

Honesty, motivation, willingness to learn, ability to problem solve and handle stress are important for success in a neurosurgical career. This information should be transmitted to medical students at “Career Day” venues. Structuring letters of reference and interviews to assess personal skills and attributes will be important, as those that can't be taught should be present before the start of training ¹⁾.