Looking for your personal best “list of skills on a resume?” In this article, we break down how to pick the essential skills you need to catch the attention of employers. Whether you’re in tech, customer service, or other fields, find out which skills to include and how to present them effectively.
Key takeaways
- Highlight relevant skills: Focus on showcasing core, signature, and transferable skills to stand out in a competitive market. Enhance your resume by quantifying achievements and using industry-specific terms, guided by the job description.
- Include diverse range of skills: Add a mix of soft skills (like communication and teamwork), technical skills (such as programming languages), and personality strengths (like assertiveness and critical thinking) to present a comprehensive profile.
- Include skills in the Experience section: Bolster your presentation of skills by quantifying results and providing specific examples of your skills in action.
Types of resume skills
Core skills are the foundational abilities and knowledge directly related to your specific job or industry. These skills enable you to perform essential tasks required in your role, such as programming, data analysis, or proficiency with specific software tools. Demonstrating core skills on your resume highlights your capability to fulfill the primary responsibilities of the position you are applying for.
Signature skills are unique abilities and attributes that set you apart from other candidates. These skills are often personal strengths and qualities that reflect your individual style and approach to work, such as leadership, innovation, and strategic thinking. Including signature skills on your resume helps employers understand what makes you uniquely suited for a particular role and how you can contribute to their organization in a distinctive way.
Transferable skills are versatile skills that can be applied across different roles and industries. These include interpersonal skills and personal traits such as communication, teamwork, and adaptability. Transferable skills are valuable because they demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues and manage workplace dynamics, regardless of the specific job or sector. Highlighting transferable skills shows potential employers that you have the capability to excel in diverse environments and can bring value to their team beyond the technical requirements of the job.
By highlighting these different types of skills on your resume, you can provide a well-rounded picture of your qualifications and demonstrate your potential to succeed in the role you’re applying for.
What are hard skills vs. soft skills
Both soft and hard skills play significant parts in your resume. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities that are job-specific, such as programming, data analysis, and foreign languages. These skills can often be quantified and are usually learned through education or training.
The latter however, are personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively with others. These include communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. While these skills may be harder to quantify, they are equally important as they determine how you work within a team and handle workplace dynamics.
Maintaining a balance between hard skills and soft skills on your resume is vital for career progression. Managers look for candidates who not only have the technical know-how but also the soft skills and personality attributes to fit into their work culture, as outlined in the job description.
Three universally sought after soft skills
Communication. Teamwork. Problem-solving. Three soft skills that almost every job requires.
Effective communication skills are universally valued and should always be included on a resume, to the extent you possess them. Whether written, verbal, or interpersonal, strong communication is vital in almost every role. Highlighting how your communication skills have achieved results can significantly boost your resume.
Teamwork and collaboration are also highly sought after. Demonstrating your ability to work well in a team and lead projects shows that you can contribute to the collective success of the organization.
Problem-solving skills also hold significant value. Providing examples of how you’ve used creative thinking or critical analysis to solve problems can make your resume stand out. The skills on your resume show your ability to tackle challenges and find effective solutions.
Highlight your unique skills on your resume
In today’s dynamic job market, simply possessing job skills isn’t sufficient. You need to present your transferable, signature, and core skills compellingly to make your resume stand out. Highlighting your unique skills not only sets you apart but also demonstrates your ability to excel in your desired role. It’s valuable to quantify your achievements and use industry-specific terminology when exhibiting any skills on your resume.
Creating a skills summary section can make your resume more readable and impactful. For example, you should consider:
- Hard or technical skills
- Soft skills
- Additional job-specific skills listed in the job description
Remember, the goal is to craft a resume that not only passes through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) but also catches the hiring manager’s eye.
Types of skills to include on a resume
Comprehending the types of relevant skills to incorporate becomes pivotal when filling out the resume Skills section. These are the interpersonal abilities that help you work well with others and navigate the workplace effectively. Think about adding as many skills as you actually possess including active listening skills, which show your ability to understand and respond to others’ needs effectively.
Tech skills are job-specific abilities that demonstrate your proficiency in certain tasks or technologies, including computer skills. For example, a software developer might list programming languages like Python or JavaScript. Such abilities are vital since they showcase your proficiency in executing specific job tasks.
Customer service skills are particularly relevant if you’re applying for roles that involve direct interaction with clients or customers. Abilities like problem resolution and empathy can notably enhance your resume. Highlight how you’ve used these skills to improve customer satisfaction or resolve conflicts.
Lastly, personality traits, including attributes like reliability and a strong work ethic, can also enhance your resume. These traits might not be specific to any job but show your overall suitability as a dependable employee.
How to list resume skills
Creating a dedicated “Skills” section on your resume is a strategic way to highlight your abilities.
For tech, list specific proficiencies such as programming languages, software tools, or technical methodologies. For instance, presenting ‘Python, JavaScript, SQL’ lucidly displays your technical prowess.
Soft skills should be listed to showcase your interpersonal and personal traits. Examples like “ Communication, Problem-Solving, Teamwork” highlight your ability to work well with others and navigate complex situations. If pertinent to the job, incorporating customer service abilities like ‘Customer Communication, Problem Resolution, Empathy’ can be advantageous.
Weave your resume skills through your document
Specific examples of skills can enhance the appeal of your resume. For instance, instead of simply stating that you have project management skills, you could say, “Successfully managed a portfolio of 10 projects, each with budgets exceeding $500,000, consistently delivering on time and within budget while leading cross-functional teams of up to 20 members.” This not only shows your expertise but also quantifies your achievements.
Soft skills are equally important. A statement like “Strong leadership abilities, demonstrated by managing a team of 15 employees” can effectively showcase you. Providing tangible examples helps potential employers understand how you can contribute to their organization.
Listing qualifications on a resume
Including your qualifications on a resume is a key component that can set you apart from other candidates. This section should include a well-organized list of your most relevant qualifications, tailored to the job you are applying for. Start with broad qualifications such as educational degrees and professional certifications, then narrow down to specific skills and experiences that align with the job requirements. For example, a sentence like this, “Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with 10+ years of experience in managing large-scale IT projects” might appear in your Summary section. This structured approach helps hiring managers quickly identify your qualifications for a job listing and assess your fit for the role. Including a resume qualifications list in this section can make it easier for employers to see your strengths at a glance.
Areas of expertise on a resume
The “Areas of Expertise for Resume” section, or Skills section, can allow you to highlight the specific fields or industries in which you excel. This is particularly useful for candidates with specialized skills or knowledge that go beyond general qualifications. For instance, a marketing professional might list areas of expertise such as “Digital Marketing Strategy,” “SEO Optimization,” and “Content Development.” This section can be formatted as a bulleted list or a brief summary and should be placed prominently on your resume to immediately convey your expertise. Tailoring your areas of expertise on a resume to align with the job description can significantly increase your chances of catching the hiring manager’s attention.
Including specialized training and certifications on a resume
Including specialized training and certifications on a resume can greatly enhance your profile by demonstrating your commitment to professional development and your expertise in specific areas. Mention certifications like “AWS Certified Solutions Architect” or “Lean Six Sigma Black Belt” to showcase your technical abilities and specialized knowledge. This is especially important for roles that require niche skills or industry-specific qualifications. For example, healthcare professionals might list “Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)” to indicate their advanced training and qualifications. Clearly presenting your specialized training for a resume can position you as a highly qualified candidate for roles that demand these specific credentials. Providing special training and highlighting specific areas of expertise examples can make a strong impact on your resume, showing potential employers that you have the advanced training necessary to excel in the role.
Summary
A well-crafted resume should highlight core, signature, and transferable skills. Quantifying your achievements and using industry-specific terminology can make a significant difference. Including a dedicated Skills section can make your resume more organized and impactful.
Remember, in today’s competitive job market, showcasing both hard and soft skills is essential for a well-rounded resume. Highlighting your unique skills effectively can set you apart from the competition and help you land your dream job.
Frequently asked questions
What are core skills for a resume?
When writing your resume, remember to include fundamental technical or hard skills and project management or soft skills, required for the role.
How do I quantify my skills on a resume?
Quantify your skills on a resume by using specific metrics or examples, such as “Managed 10+ projects with budgets exceeding $500,000” instead of vague statements, such as “Managing multiple projects with various budgets.” This will make your skills more tangible and impressive to potential employers.
Why are soft skills important on a resume?
Soft skills are important on a resume because they showcase your ability to work well with others and handle various workplace situations effectively.