good resume examples skills

100 Good Skills to Put on a Resume [Complete Guide]

Jeff Gillis 0 Comments

By Jeff Gillis

Updated 6/4/2022.

When you’re adding skills to a resume, you don’t just want to focus on what you’re good at. Instead, relevancy has to be part of the equation. After all, every job you’re trying to land requires a very specific skill set, one that you need to show that you have.

Choosing the skills to put on a resume when you’re applying to a role isn’t something you should do haphazardly. Instead, you want to use the job description, company mission, and company values as a guide, creating a sense of alignment.

Additionally, it never hurts to have a handy list of skills by your side, making it easier to explore your options. So, if you’re on the hunt for good skills to put on a resume, here’s what you need to know.

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

There are two basic types of skillsets that a job seeker can have and include on their resume: hard skills or soft skills.

Hard skills are the skills or abilities for a resume that are easily quantifiable…that can be learned through classroom work, apprenticeships, or other forms of learning. These include things like operating tools, computer programming, speaking foreign languages, or different kinds of technical prowess.

Soft skills are more subjective and harder to quantify and are often grouped together by what we know as “people skills.” Some examples of soft skills include communication, relationship building, self-awareness, and patience.

Which Skills Are More Important?

The debate rages on about which of these two types of skills is more important.

According to executive consultant and Forbes contributor Naz Beheshti , “…There is an ongoing debate about the relative importance of soft and hard skills that imply a competition between the two. However, they are both necessary and complementary to one another.”

On the one hand, job seekers with proficiency in a specific hard skill may get hired more quickly. Many employers want to hire people that can deliver value with fewer resources (ex., the need for training, etc.), making hard skills their priority.

However, we are also seeing that many hiring managers are choosing to hire candidates with highly developed soft skills.

In the end, as Indeed puts it, “soft skills are necessary to create a positive and functional work environment.” Plus, hiring managers feel that they can always train the candidate in the hard skill that is required to complete the job, but soft skills are often skills that cannot necessarily be taught.

So, what does this mean for you? Mainly that you can’t simply just pick one or the other and cross your fingers. Instead, the best strategy is to take a balanced approach and make sure that your resume contains both hard and soft skills.

How Do You Choose the Skills to List on a Resume?

Here’s the deal; there’s a good chance you know what you’re good at in a professional sense. Often, you can use your experience, duties, training, and education as a guide, giving you a strong foundation. Then, it’s about diving a bit deeper, looking at traits that could help you stand out, and comparing it all to the job description.

By using a simple process, you can make progress faster. Here’s a quick way to get started.

1. Make a List of the Skills You Know You Have

As mentioned above, the easiest way to get a grip on your current skills is to reflect on your academic and professional experiences. Consider the tasks you’ve taken on, the training you’ve completed, and the courses you had in school. In most cases, that’ll give you some solid ideas about your hard skills.

After that, it’s time for soft skills. Here, you want to think of traits or capabilities that help you engage with others and navigate professional relationships. Often, these are reflections of your personality, so use that as a jumping-off point.

2. “Mine” the Job Descriptions for Must-Have Skills

The next step is to take a look at the job description for the position you are applying for and make a list of the required skills it includes. Then, compare it to your capabilities. Are any of the skills on both of the lists you just created? If so, these are must-haves for your resume.

Now, notice if there are any skills on the job description that you don’t have. If there aren’t any, great!

But if there are…don’t panic. There are things you can do, which we’ll dig into shortly.

If you’re dealing with a vague job description, you aren’t stuck either. Here is a link to a ton of job descriptions that can give you an idea of the skills needed.

3. Tailor Your Skills to the Company/Position

As you may have read in our other blog articles, it is always very important to “tailor” your resume to the company and position you want to land. For an in-depth look into how to make that happen, check out our Tailoring Method article. 

If you want a quick overview, the idea is to focus on capabilities the company wants to find. Every job requires a unique skill set, and you want to show you have it. As a result, it is absolutely essential that skills from the job description make an appearance on your resume.

However, you also want to dig deeper. Spend some more time researching the company, including going through all of their various web properties, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages.

Why? Because they will leave clues about the types of people they hire. That gives you more ideas about the best skills to put on a resume to land a job there, particularly when it comes to soft skills you may not find in a job description.

100 Resume Skills Examples

If you’re struggling with coming up with a list of skills based on your past experience, it can be easier if you have existing resume skills lists to work with. You don’t have to think up every possible skill; you can simply review the list and find the matches.

Here is a list of resume skills examples, divided into hard skills and soft skills, that you can use when applying for a job.

Hard Skills for a Resume

• Advanced Bookkeeping
• Appointment Setting
• Automotive Repair
• Cold Calling
• Computer Programming
• Conversion Testing
• Copywriting
• Customer Engagement
• Customer Service
• Data Analysis
• Digital Marketing
• Electrical Engineering
• Environmental Cleanup
• Forklift Operating
• Graphic Design
• Heavy Machinery Operation
• Installation
• Landscaping
• Mathematics
• Medical Coding
• Paid Online Traffic
• Patient Care
• Photo Editing
• Picking and Packing
• Project Management
• Schedule Management
• Search Engine Optimization
• Server Maintenance
• Social Media
• Spanish Fluency
• Statistical Analysis
• Systems Analysis
• Technical Support
• Telecommunications Systems
• Travel Booking
• Video Editing
• Website Design
• Word Processing

Soft Skills for a Resume

• Accountability
• Active Listening
• Adaptability
• Brainstorming
• Business Etiquette
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Conflict Resolution
• Contextualizing
• Critical Thinking
• Decision Making
• Emotional Intelligence
• Flexibility
• Goal-Setting
• Handling Pressure
• Influencing
• Insightfulness
• Interpreting
• Negotiation
• Open-Mindedness
• Organization
• Prioritization
• Problem Solving
• Relationship Building
• Reliability
• Resource Management
• Responsibility
• Self-Confidence
• Strategical Thinking
• Strong Work Ethic
• Time Management

What If I Don’t Have the Required Skill?

Whether you need to possess a specific skill depends on the job and the skill in question. Usually, here’s where you have to be honest with yourself. If the skills required are part of the core competencies of doing the job, you may want to reconsider your application.

For example, if a golf course posts a job posting for a golf pro, you probably shouldn’t apply if you’ve never swung a golf club.

However, you will come across situations where what you bring to the table is close. In this case, moving forward might be okay.

You need to be able to demonstrate, using examples from your past, that you are capable of doing the required skill, even if you haven’t specially done it. So, go over your work history with a fine-tooth comb and try to come up with a few examples of you doing something in the right ballpark.

They are going to ask about it in your interview, so don’t think you can just wing it, and everything will be fine.

Also, many job descriptions have “nice-to-have” skills on the list. If you happen to possess them, great. But if not, don’t assume you shouldn’t apply if you have the must-have skills. In the end, those capabilities aren’t outright requirements, so don’t screen yourself out based on them.

How To List Skills on a Resume

There are a few different schools of thought when it comes to deciding where to put (or how to list) the skills on your resume.

According to our friends over at online resume-builder Zety.com , “…skills are so very, very important that they should show up all over your resume. Not just in the resume skills section.” In other words, it is imperative that there are elements of your skills throughout your resume, including your resume objective/summary and experience sections.

In addition, there isn’t one right answer for where to include your skill section because that depends on the industry, company, and position you’re trying to land. For example, for a job where technical competencies are of the utmost importance, it is often beneficial to list the skills closer to the top of the resume, right underneath the resume objective or resume summary statement.

However, if through your research you determine that the hiring manager will put more weight into your experience, you may want to lead with your experience. Then, put the skills section further down your resume.

At the end of the day, the selection of the skills themselves is the most important thing. After all, most hiring managers will easily find your skill section regardless of where it is on your resume.

What About Skills for My Job Application?

When you’re looking for skills to put on a job application, you do have to treat it a little differently than skills for a resume. Usually, you’re working with a finite amount of space on an application, not just in an overall sense but in each applicable section.

Since that’s the case, you need to lean heavily on the job description. Look for any capabilities that are listed as must-haves or that are repeated through the job ad. Then, make sure those skills are featured prominently in several areas, including in work history descriptions and skills areas.

If you have to answer essay questions, discuss those skills there, too, whenever possible. Use any other relevant capability as a supplement, treating it as supporting information instead of the primary point you’re sharing.

However, if an essay question asks about a skill that’s not in the job description, feel free to dig in a bit. It’s a capability that’s clearly on the hiring manager’s mind, so touch on it occasionally to show you shine in that area.

Putting It All Together

If you were wondering, “What are some good skills to put on a resume?” you should now have a solid answer. The most important thing to remember is to select skills that are relevant to the position you are interviewing for and, more important than that, skills that your company puts a tremendous amount of value in.

Once you get your skills straightened out, you should make sure that the rest of your resume is congruent with the skills you just selected, namely, that your experience shows that you both used those skills in a work environment and developed the skill with on-the-job tasks.

Co-founder and CTO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Jeff is a featured contributor delivering advice on job search, job interviews and career advancement, having published more than 50 pieces of unique content on the site , with his work being featured in top publications such as INC , ZDnet , MSN and more.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Jeff gillis.

Co-founder and CTO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Jeff is a featured contributor delivering advice on job search, job interviews and career advancement, having published more than 50 pieces of unique content on the site , with his work being featured in top publications such as INC , ZDnet , MSN and more. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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101 Essential Skills to Put on a Resume in 2024 [For Most Jobs]

Skills make a huge chunk of a potential employer’s decision to hire you. 

You might think this section of your resume is easy - you just list your skills and you’re good to go.

But listing your skills the right way is a bit trickier.

How do you know if you’re mentioning the necessary skills for the job or if you’re just giving the hiring manager irrelevant information? 

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

In this guide, we’re going to walk you through the process of putting skills on your resume from start to finish.

You’re going to learn:

What Are the Different Types of Skills?

• Why Should You List Your Skills on Your Resume?
• How to List Skills on a Resume
• 12 Best Skills to Put on Any Resume 
• 400+ Skills to Put on a Resume for Different Professions

Let’s dive in!

Skills are the various abilities and attributes that you bring to the table when you’re applying for a job.

Your skills can be your ability to do a specific task or solve a problem with some level of proficiency, and they’re typically divided into hard skills and soft skills.

If you want to create an effective resume that catches the hiring manager’s attention, you need to mention both hard and soft skills.

Let’s break down what each means:

Hard Skills

Hard skills involve the technical knowledge or know-how one can gain through experience, training, or education. 

While hard skills are essential for completing tasks in just about any job, they’re also teachable and easily measurable. 

For example: 

• Machinery skills. Some fields require operating specialized machinery or equipment. (E.g., operating a road roller, pallet-stalker, forklift, or others.)
• Software skills. Depending on the field, you need to know how to use different software, such as the Adobe Creative Suite for designers or the Ableton Live Suite if you’re a DJ.
• Tools. If you’re a digital marketer , you’ll need to know how to use tools like Stethoscope, Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Ahrefs, and SEMrush.
• Languages. Being able to communicate in more than one language is an extremely useful skill. The more customers or teams you can communicate with, the more valuable you are as an employee. Some of the most sought-after languages today include German, Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic.
• Computer skills. Most jobs will require that you have at least some basic computer knowledge in MS Office and G-Suite, emailing, and presentations. If you’re a web developer , your hard skills will likely include more specialized software knowledge or proficiency in coding languages such as Python, C++, or PHP.
• Techniques. Different specialized techniques you’ve learned can be listed as individual skills. (E.g.: frequency analysis, crystallization, gamification, or even CPR and first aid.)
• Mathematics. A lot of professions, such as accounting and finance, require mathematical skills. If you’re applying for a position in a field that uses advanced mathematics, such as a research assistant , you should be more specific with the types of mathematical skills you have. (E.g.: statistics, trigonometry, calculus, algebra, etc.)
• Data analysis. Businesses are always looking for professionals who can gather and analyze data for various stakeholders and help make strategic decisions, making different types of data analysis a very in-demand hard skill.

…so, just about any field-specific skill is a hard skill you can list on your resume.

Soft Skills

The attributes and habits that describe how you work individually or with others are known as soft skills .

Generally speaking, soft skills aren’t job-specific, so they’re transferable skills that indirectly help you adapt to the work environment and company culture. 

Some examples of the most in-demand soft skills include: 

• Time management
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Problem-solving
• Interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail
• Emotional intelligence
• Conflict resolution
• Stress management
• Critical thinking
• Organization

Soft skills are essential for just about any job out there.

While some soft skills can be critical to doing your job well, such as communication with a customer support representative , others ensure that you get along with your coworkers and foster a positive work environment.

Like hard skills, you can also learn how to develop soft skills, but it’s significantly harder. 

While you can acquire computer skills through a technical course, you’ll need to put in a lot more effort to develop your communication skills. 

For example, you would need to practice active listening in the workplace, learn how to notice nonverbal cues and practice your oral communication skills as much as possible to improve.

What’s the Difference Between Hard Skills and Soft Skills?

There are three main differences between hard skills and soft skills.

• How you obtain them. You can obtain hard skills through work experience , education, training, and certifications. Soft skills, on the other hand, can be gained through life experience, both in and out of work.
• How you use them. While you apply hard skills directly to the job, soft skills usually come into play indirectly and may often complement your hard skills. For example, you may be a communicative marketer or an office manager with great leadership qualities.
• How you list them. Hard skills and soft skills should be listed separately on your resume, but unlike soft skills, hard skills can include your level of proficiency. You can say you’re an advanced user of Adobe Photoshop, but you can’t measure how creative you are in the same way.

When it comes to your employability, both sets of skills are crucial for your resume.

If a hiring manager is on the fence about two candidates with the same hard skills, it’s the soft skills that are going to tip the scales in someone’s favor.

Why Should You List Skills on Your Resume?

The skills section is one of the two most important resume sections , with the other being your work experience.

In fact, 41% of hiring managers notice skills on your resume first.

Let’s look at an example of a well-written skill section:

At first glance, listing some skills on your resume looks easy.

In reality, though, putting skills on your resume the right way is a bit more nuanced than that, and here’s why:

Most companies nowadays use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to help them go through the hundreds and thousands of resumes they receive every day.

This software scans your resume for keywords relevant to the job you’re applying for, and if it doesn’t find them, the ATS automatically rejects your resume.

For example, let’s say you’re applying for a job as a software engineer , and the job requires an expert level of proficiency in Javascript.

If you focus on other programming languages and don’t mention Java as a skill on your resume, the ATS will probably discard it immediately.

Resume statistics show that nearly 75% of resumes are rejected at this first screening stage, and they never make it to a hiring manager .

But let’s assume the company doesn’t use an ATS, and your resume ends up on a hiring manager’s desk.

There’s a good chance the hiring manager is only going to skim through your resume in less than six seconds , looking for the right set of skills.

So, regardless of whether you’ll need to breeze past the ATS or the hiring manager, you have to mention the right skills.

How to List Skills on a Resume (And Stand Out)

Now that you have a clear understanding of how important skills are, let’s talk about how you should list them on your resume.

We’ve divided the process into a step-by-step guide you can follow, starting with:

#1. Tailor Your Skills to the Job

The key to an effective skills section is making sure the skills you list are relevant to the job.

For example, if you’re applying for a job as a backend developer, the customer service skills you gained working as a server during college don’t belong on your resume.

So, only list skills that are useful for the job you are applying for.

Start by thoroughly reading the job advertisement to find out what skills to include on your resume.

Job ads usually list a set of requirements or skills they expect from candidates. Take note of which skills and experiences you have, and remember to write them down on your resume.

Let’s look at an example of a job ad for a line cook position in a restaurant:

At Restaurant X, we are dedicated to delivering an exceptional dining experience that reflects the heart of French cuisine. We are currently seeking a skilled Line Cook to join our team for the summer season. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced, prestigious environment under the mentorship of our acclaimed chef.

Key Responsibilities:

• Efficiently prep ingredients for service, ensuring high standards of quality and freshness.
• Execute recipes to exact standards, contributing to the creation of signature dishes that delight our guests.
• Maintain meticulous attention to detail in the plating and presentation of each dish.
• Uphold the highest standards of cleanliness and sanitation in the kitchen before, during, and after service.

Requirements:

• Proven experience as a line cook in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
• A passion for French cuisine and a strong desire to learn and grow within the culinary field.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Knowledge of best practices for food handling, safety, and sanitation.

From this job description, we can see that the restaurant is looking for someone who:

• Is committed to excellence and is highly professional
• Works well under supervision and as part of a team
• Has experience working in a fast-paced kitchen environment
• Pays great attention to detail when it comes to cooking and presentation

Based on this, some of the skills you should definitely mention in your resume include:

• Culinary Expertise
• Food Preparation
• Knife Skills
• Plating Techniques
• Time Management
• Attention to Detail
• Safety and Sanitation
• Stress Management

Don’t mention skills that aren’t directly related to the job. For example, a line cook doesn’t need to list computer skills on their resume, even if those skills are relevant for most other jobs.

#2. Create a Skills Section

Once you’ve identified all the right skills to add to your resume, create a dedicated “Skills” section to list them under.

A dedicated section will help you pass the ATS, and it makes it easier for hiring managers to find the skills they’re looking for.

Here’s an example of what a skills section can look like on a resume:

We recommend keeping your resume skills section somewhere near the top of the page so that the hiring manager can see it quickly. Usually, they should go either next to or after the work experience section, depending on your resume layout .

Next, here are a few tips you should keep in mind when listing your skills:

• Be specific. “Verbal and written communication” sounds significantly better than just “communication.” 
• Sort your skills by relevance. Order your skills based on how crucial they are for the role. The more important skills should go at the top, and the nice-to-have ones should go after them.
• Format skills accordingly. Not everyone has dozens of skills they can show off on their resume, and that’s okay. If you don’t have a lot of skills, you can list both your hard and soft skills in a single section, just like the example we used above.
• Don’t lie or exaggerate. If you don’t have one of the required skills for the role or you’re not very experienced, just be honest. It goes without saying that you should never lie about what you can do. The employer will find out you lied eventually, your professional reputation will bear the consequences, and you could even lose your job.

#3. Match Each Skill With Your Proficiency Level

While some skills are hard to measure, others can be put on a proficiency scale .

We recommend only using a proficiency scale for some hard skills, such as specific tools or software programs. Soft skills are difficult to measure objectively, so there’s no point in putting them on a scale.

Here’s how to show your proficiency level:

• Beginner. You are just starting to learn this skill, or you haven’t practiced the skill through experience. This usually applies to students with no experience who only understand concepts through theories or classroom experience.
• Intermediate. You have applied this skill in practice, and you rarely need help with it, but you still have room to grow.
• Advanced. At this level, you know your stuff. You don’t need help with this skill anymore, and you can teach beginners how to use it.
• Expert. You’re a recognized authority when it comes to this skill, and you’re the go-to person if anyone has any questions.

#4. Back-Up Your Skills in Other Resume Sections

Only listing your skills in their dedicated section will get you so far. After all, everyone else is doing the exact same thing. 

If you want to take your resume from good to great, you need your most critical skills to make an impression from the get-go.

This is where the resume headline and work experience sections come in.

Resume Headline

Your resume headline can be either a resume summary or a resume objective.

The resume summary is a short, two to four-sentence-long paragraph that summarizes your resume. When done right, it shows the hiring manager your strongest selling points as a candidate right from the start.

Here’s an example in action:

But if you don’t have a lot of experience, you can use a resume objective instead.

The resume objective is a two to three-sentence statement of your career intent that goes at the top of your resume. It can include a snapshot of your professional experience, skills, achievements, and professional goals.

Here’s what it looks like:

Both the resume summary and resume objective go at the top of your resume, either before or after your contact information section .

Regardless of which resume headline you go for, the goal of this section is to pique the hiring manager’s curiosity and make them want to read your whole resume. You should always add one or two of the most necessary skills from the job description here.

Work Experience

Once you’ve mentioned some of your top skills in your resume headline, you have to prove you actually have them.

The best way to do that is by listing some impressive achievements in your work experience section and explaining how your skills helped you.

Let’s look at what the work experience section could look like for the data entry specialist from our resume summary example:

• Achieve a 99% accuracy rate, surpassing departmental accuracy goals by 15%.
• Leveraged advanced organizational abilities to streamline data entry processes, reducing task completion times by 20%.
• Employed superior communication and interpersonal skills to resolve 95% of customer inquiries on the first contact, earning an Employee of the Month award.
• Managed and maintained a complex database of over 10,000 records, ensuring data integrity and accuracy through effective office management practices.

Hobbies and Interests

Another section where you can back up your skills is your hobbies and interests section .

If you have leftover space on your resume, you can use this optional section to list a couple of hobbies or areas of interest that relate to your skills.

For example, let’s say you’re applying for a job as a writer, and the ad says you need to be creative, collaborative, and familiar with pop culture.

In that case, if one of your hobbies is playing a popular tabletop role-playing game with your friends, like Dungeons and Dragons, make sure to list it.

A hobby like that shows that you are genuinely creative, like writing for fun, and are capable of organizing with multiple people for a mutual goal.

#5. Put Transferable Skills to Use 

If you’re looking for your first job or if you’re making a career change , transferable skills are something you should make use of.

Transferable skills are skills that aren’t directly related to the job you are applying for, but they’re still useful and likely relevant for most jobs.

For example, if you're writing a career change resume and you’re going from a role as a sales associate to a copywriter, there are several transferable skills you can list on your resume.

Some of them include:

• Written communication. Both roles involve communicating through text. A salesperson needs to send cold outreach emails, while a copywriter has to write newsletter emails.
• Persuasion. A copywriter needs to create copy that drives sales, while a salesperson needs to be persuasive in person.
• Computer skills. Both jobs require some degree of computer literacy. For a salesperson, that might mean using Customer Management Software, while for a copywriter, that’s publishing content online.

12 Best Skills to Put on Any Resume

Now that you know how to put skills on your resume, it’s time to talk about which skills you should add.

Every profession requires some role-specific hard skills. For example, a photographer needs to know how to use photo editing software like Photoshop. 

But when it comes to soft skills, a lot of them are universal across different industries.

Soft skills are the skills that define your approach to work, how well you cooperate with others, and if you can fit into a company’s culture.

And while the right soft skills for a job may be harder to point out, they’re just as essential in today’s job market. In fact, 93% of employers say that soft skills play a critical role in the hiring decision.

There are very few, if any, jobs out there that don’t require at least some level of communication skills .

So, let’s look at some of the most highly valued skills for any resume:

#1. Communication skills

Whether you’re a writer who needs to communicate a message to your readers, a marketing specialist who needs to communicate an advertising campaign to your client, or an employee who needs to communicate with a coworker to complete a task, communication skills are vital. 

Communication is a multi-faceted skill that includes several skills, such as: 

• Oral and written communication
• Non-verbal communication
• Active Listening
• Presentation
• Public-speaking
• Negotiation

#2. Problem-Solving

Problem-solving means you’re able to identify problems, find the root cause behind them, and come up with creative solutions.

Considering there isn’t a single job where you won’t face problems in one way or another, problem-solving skills are a great asset to have.

Throughout your career, you might have to troubleshoot technical glitches, resolve customer complaints, streamline processes, or drive strategic initiatives. In any of these cases, strong problem-solving skills will be crucial to your success. 

But problem-solving is a broad set of skills that can include:

• Analytical thinking
• Root cause analysis
• Data gathering and evaluation
• Creative thinking
• Decision making
• Strategic planning
• Risk assessment and management

Whether you’re an IT professional debugging code or a manager implementing operational improvements, problem-solving skills let you tackle challenges head-on.

#3. Conflict Resolution

When working with diverse groups, disagreements are bound to happen. So, having the skills to resolve conflicts in a constructive manner is extremely valuable in any organization.

Conflict resolution skills are essential for managers addressing performance issues, HR professionals mediating workplace disputes, sales teams negotiating contracts, or coworkers with clashing personalities.

This multifaceted skill involves:

• Impartiality and objectivity
• Assertive communication
• Creative problem-solving
• Persuasion and influence
• Patience and composure

#4. Computer Literacy

Over 70% of jobs require medium-to-high-level digital skills.  

This means that computer and technical skills are priceless assets, even if your job isn’t centered around technology. So, computer skills are almost always a great addition to any resume.

Here are some valuable computer skills for every professional: 

• Office suites (MS Office, iWork)
• Social media
• Database management
• Web (Internet savviness, basic HTML, CMS)
• Troubleshooting
• Equipment installation and configuration
• Fast Typing

#5. Research

Effective research abilities are essential for making informed decisions and driving successful outcomes across any industry.

Whether you’re conducting market research to identify consumer needs, gathering data to explore a scientific hypothesis, or investigating to build a legal case, strong research skills are invaluable.

Some research skills include:

• Finding credible sources
• Evaluating information objectively
• Organizing data
• Identifying patterns
• Documenting and reporting findings

#6. Teamwork

Teamwork skills enable you to work effectively with others towards a common goal.

Since teams tend to drive most major projects and workplace initiatives, learning how to work well with others is essential to most jobs. You might be part of a project team, a committee, or just coordinate across departments someday.

What you need for strong teamwork skills is:

• Active listening
• Reliability
• Flexibility
• Motivating others

#7. Project Management

Project management skills are usually associated with dedicated project manager roles, but in reality, that's not usually the case. Any type of professional can benefit from strong project management skills.

In a nutshell, project management skills involve being able to effectively handle resources, timelines, deliverables, and processes for driving projects to successful completion.

Here are some of the most in-demand project management skills:

• Resource allocation and management
• Project planning and scheduling
• Risk identification and mitigation
• Logistics and coordination
• Action planning
• Task planning and prioritization
• Stakeholder management

#8. Leadership

Leadership includes both the ability to manage and inspire others. Managers are not always great leaders, but leaders almost always make good managers. 

People who are good at leading are emotionally intelligent, good communicators, and natural-born influencers. They can motivate others to reach their full potential and work together towards common goals. This makes leadership another great skill to have for many professions out there. 

Some important soft skills related to leadership include:

• Relationship-building
• Strategic thinking

#9. Organization

Organizational skills are a set of soft skills that help you keep track of information, materials, and even your time in such a way that you can tackle short and long-term tasks efficiently.

Organizational skills are among the top skills recruiters are looking for in 2022, primarily because they help employees be more productive, save companies time and money, and facilitate a more positive work environment. 

Here is what organizational skills consist of: 

• Physical organization
• Prioritization
• Goal setting

#10. Time Management

Time management is the ability to effectively prioritize and organize your tasks and responsibilities.

Needless to say, it’s a crucial skill in nearly every job, since being able to manage your time well allows you to increase productivity, meet deadlines, and maintain a healthy work-life balance .

Time management includes:

• Task prioritization and planning
• Task delegation
• Avoiding and Ignoring distractions
• Adapting to changing priorities

#11. Customer Service

A lot of the jobs out there involve dealing with customers. 

From customer support representatives to cashiers, customer service skills are a great asset to have in 2024. Particularly, that’s because it encompasses a number of other valuable skills, such as:

• Persuasion skills
• Product knowledge

#12. Networking

Networking skills refer to how well you can build professional relationships and connections.

It goes without saying that they're extremely useful for roles like sales, business development, or entrepreneurship, as a lot of the work involves meeting and engaging new people.

However, these skills are also useful for roles where you don't expect to rely on professional networking as much.

Take, for example, project managers. To be really effective, they need to:

• Understand the needs of stakeholders
• Collaborate with various teams across the organization
• Build rapport with people at all levels

Just like most other skills on our list, networking skills are multi-faceted. They include:

400 Must-Have Skills for Different Professions

Still not sure which skills to mention in your resume? We’ve got you covered.

We compiled a list of some of the most relevant skills on the market in 2024, for all sorts of different fields!

If you happen to possess some of these skills, make sure to mention them in your resume. If not, it’s never too late to learn something new!

#1. Retail and Sales Skills

Retail and sales are at the heart of successful business interactions.

Despite the rise of technology, the essence of sales hasn’t changed much . People still need contact with each other, and even with channels of communication becoming digital, communication skills and empathy still take top priority in this industry.

So, here’s a list of must-have skills for salespeople and retail workers :

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
• Cold-calling
• Merchandising
• Product demonstration
• Public speaking
• Inventory management
• Lead generation
• Buyer-Responsive selling
• Buyer engagement
• Point of Sale (POS) proficiency
• Effective communication and sociability
• Social media and digital communication
• Listening skills
• Personalized selling
• Service-based selling
• Follow-up techniques
• Up-selling and cross-selling
• Knowledge of return and exchange policies
• Organizational skills
• Multitasking capabilities

#2. Customer Service Skills

Customer service requires a specialized skill set centered around excellent communication and problem-solving. Success in this field relies on effectively managing various communication platforms and maintaining customer satisfaction through attentive service.

Some skills crucial for any customer service representative include:

• Telephone etiquette
• Data entry proficiency
• Customer needs assessment
• Crisis management
• Multitasking
• Ticket tracking systems
• Scripted responses
• Technical troubleshooting
• Complaint resolution
• Record-keeping
• Team collaboration
• Understanding of privacy and confidentiality
• Customer education techniques
• Feedback collection
• Call center operations
• Email Etiquette
• Live chat management
• Help desk support
• Client retention strategies
• Cultural sensitivity

#3. Hospitality Skills

Hospitality is all about making guests feel welcome and appreciated, no matter the setting - whether it’s a bustling hotel, a serene resort, or a cruise ship. Professionals in this field need to create memorable experiences for guests by providing impeccable service and making sure their every need is met with a smile.

Some of the most sought-after hospitality skills are:

• Customer service excellence
• Effective communication
• Foreign languages
• Reservation management
• Event planning
• Specialized software proficiency
• Front desk operations
• Tour and activity coordination
• Guest Relations
• Guest information management
• Concierge services
• Personalized guest experiences
• Safety and security protocols
• Marketing and upselling
• Health and hygiene standards
• Loyalty programs management
• Quality control
• Emergency response handling
• Environmental sustainability practices
• Check-in and check-out procedures

#4. Food and Beverage Skills

The food and beverage industry is one of the most dynamic and fast-paced environments you can work in. Here, professionals have to continually adapt to customers’ changing preferences, stay updated on culinary trends, and provide exceptional service.

Here are some skills that would look great on any food and beverage worker's resume:

• Menu planning and design
• Recipe development
• Food safety and hygiene
• Culinary arts
• Plate presentation
• Portion control
• Cost control and budgeting
• Wine pairing
• Beverage service
• Detailed menu knowledge
• Order taking and processing
• Table setting and arrangement
• Food preparation techniques
• Dietary restrictions and allergen awareness
• Staff training
• Quality assurance
• Health and safety regulations compliance
• Event catering management
• Customer feedback management
• Upselling techniques
• Point of sale (POS) system operation
• Kitchen equipment operation and maintenance
• Communication skills

Looking for more skills? Check out our server resume example here.

#5. Marketing and Advertising Skills

With new technologies developing faster than ever, it’s essential to move beyond the basics of traditional marketing and advertising to succeed in the industry. New skills keep popping up, and even the biggest marketing executives out there need to stay up to date on the latest developments.

So, here are some  of the most important marketing and advertising skills for any level:

• Data analysis
• Web analytics 
• Email marketing
• Web scraping
• CRO and A/B testing
• Data visualization
• Pattern-finding through critical thinking
• Project/campaign management
• Social media and mobile marketing 
• Paid social media advertisements
• B2B Marketing
• The four P-s of Marketing
• Consumer Behavior Drivers
• Brand management
• Copywriting
• Storytelling
• Digital advertising
• Multichannel marketing
• Public relations
• Content strategy
• Market research
• Budget management
• Compliance and legal considerations
• Affiliate marketing

#6. Administrative Skills

If you work in an office setting, there are some skills you should know, regardless of your job. Whether you’re a secretary, office manager, or executive assistant , you can put these skills on your resume.

Some basic administrative skills include:

• Microsoft Office
• Google Suite
• Filing and paper management
• Bookkeeping
• Research and data analysis
• Office management
• Technical writing
• Cloud networking and file sharing
• Prioritization and task management
• Customer service skills
• Meeting planning and coordination
• Event management
• Travel management
• Document preparation
• Confidentiality and data protection
• Minute taking
• Report generation
• Problem-solving skills
• Calendar management
• Expense reports
• Reception duties
• Correspondence handling
• Presentation skills
• Project management skills

#7. Human Resources Skills

Human Resources is a field that needs a strategic blend of soft and hard skills.

HR specialists are essential for managing diverse workforce needs and enhancing employee and company productivity in the long run.

Here are some examples of HR skills that always come in handy:

• Emotional Intelligence
• Motivation techniques
• Technological savviness
• People management
• Business development
• Strategic management
• Negotiation skills
• Recruitment and selection
• Training and development
• Performance management
• Knowledge of compensation and benefits
• Employee relations
• Labor law compliance
• Succession planning
• HR analytics
• Diversity and inclusion initiatives
• Change management
• Employee engagement strategies
• Workplace safety
• Talent acquisition strategies
• Policy formulation and implementation
• Employee counseling and support
• HR information systems (HRIS)
• Cross-cultural communication

#8. Business Skills

Business professionals are increasingly vital to organizations since they offer operational support and strategic insights that can drive growth.

Experts in the business industry need a broad set of skills to analyze trends , optimize processes, and predict future outcomes so their companies remain competitive and responsive to changes in the market.

Here are some examples of skills any business professional could add to their resume:

• Financial forecasting
• Profit and loss management
• Market analysis
• Trend identification
• Competitive analysis
• Risk management
• Project management
• Operations management
• Leadership and team building
• Stakeholder engagement
• Supply chain management
• CRM software proficiency
• ERP systems
• Business reporting
• Compliance and ethics
• Sales and marketing strategies
• Customer service
• Business writing
• Analytical reasoning
• Cloud computing
• E-commerce management
• Social media strategy
• Digital marketing
• Innovation management

#9. Finance and Accounting Skills

The days of filing financial data and taxes by hand are long behind us, and now there are countless digital platforms and apps you can use instead.

So, it goes without saying that anyone working in finance or accounting should be familiar with the most popular skills and tools in the industry.

Some examples include:

• Microsoft Excel
• Enterprise Resource Planning 
• Big Data Analysis
• Know Your Customers (KYC)
• Cognos Analytics (IBM)
• Visual Basic
• Accounting Software
• Revenue recognition
• Anti-money laundering
• Clear communication
• General business knowledge
• Numerical competence
• Financial reporting
• Cost accounting
• Tax preparation and planning
• Financial modeling
• Investment analysis
• Credit analysis
• Cash flow management
• Portfolio management
• Compliance and regulatory management
• Audit coordination
• Project financing
• Mergers and acquisitions

#10. IT Skills

New technology is popping up every other day, and that’s a great reason for anyone working in IT to keep their skills updated.

That said, if you are proficient in a programming language or two, you pretty much have a leg up on the competition.

Here’s a list of some of the most useful skills for any IT professional out there:

• Programming languages (Python, Java, C#)
• Web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
• Frameworks (React, Angular, Vue.js)
• Mobile app development (iOS, Android)
• Database management (SQL, NoSQL)
• Cloud computing services (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
• DevOps practices (CI/CD, automation)
• Containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Network security protocols
• Cybersecurity best practices
• Data analysis and visualization
• Machine learning and AI algorithms
• Version control systems (Git, SVN)
• Agile and Scrum methodologies
• Software testing and debugging
• System architecture design
• API design and development
• Performance optimization
• IT project management
• IT support and troubleshooting
• Operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Scripting (Bash, PowerShell)
• IT infrastructure management
• Virtualization technologies
• IT compliance and governance
• UX/UI design principles
• SEO and web analytics
• Blockchain technology

#11. Nursing and Healthcare Skills

More than any other profession, healthcare professionals need to stay updated on the latest technologies, medicines, and techniques.

While the skills a registered nurse or other healthcare professional needs are countless and can be extremely specific to their specialization, the most basic skills boil down to:

• Mathematics
• Paperwork/record-keeping abilities
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Physical endurance 
• Infection control
• Surgery preparation
• Medication administration
• Emergency room care
• Psychiatric support
• Geriatric health
• Pediatric nursing
• Oncology knowledge
• Patient education
• Medical software proficiency
• Phlebotomy skills
• Vital signs monitoring
• Palliative care
• Obstetric and neonatal care
• Medical terminology
• Ethical decision-making
• Team coordination
• Cultural competency

#12. Art and Design Skills

Today, knowing the basics of art and design isn’t enough. To get hired as part of a creative team, be it as a designer or illustrator , you need to know how to create content with different tools and for different channels, like the web and social media.

Some of the most important art and design skills for your resume include:

• Graphic design
• Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop)
• Dreamweaver
• Infographics
• Web and app development (HTML, CSS, UX/UI)
• Photo Editing 
• Typography (spacing, line height, layout, choosing fonts)
• Storyboarding
• Targeting and marketing through visual communications
• Logo creation
• Digital printing
• Integration of visual communication in social media platforms
• Attention to detail and aesthetics
• Interactive media design
• Color sense and theory
• 3D modeling and animation (Blender, Autodesk Maya)
• Video editing (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro)
• Motion graphics (Adobe After Effects)
• Print design
• Packaging design
• Branding and identity design
• Environmental graphic design
• Exhibition design
• Illustration
• Sketching and conceptual visualization
• User interface design
• User experience design
• Prototyping (digital and physical)
• Content management systems (WordPress)
• Accessibility standards for design
• Composition
• Crafting and use of traditional media
• Client relations and communication
• Augmented reality (AR) design
• Virtual reality (VR) design

#13. Education Skills

You might have three PhDs and still struggle to get the latest educational programs to work in front of your classroom. You’re likely missing some crucial skills for your field.

Teaching methods have evolved, and so have the skills you need to be a teacher or professor at the top of your game. So, here are some essential skills if you want to work in education:

• Updated curriculum knowledge
• Educational platforms (Elearn)
• Technological and digital literacy
• Lesson planning
• Classroom management
• Student assessments
• Differentiated instruction
• Educational theory and practice
• Parent and community engagement
• Child psychology
• Educational policy knowledge
• Student safety and welfare
• Career counseling
• Technology integration in the classroom
• Remote learning management
• Curriculum adaptation
• Educational software proficiency

Looking for a job in academia? Learn how to write an academic CV to get started.

Bonus Infographic: Skills to Put on a Resume

FAQs About Putting Skills on Your Resume

Do you still have some questions about what skills you should put on your resume and how? Check out the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions here:

#1. What kind of skills should I include in my resume?

Your resume should include a combination of two types of skills: hard skills and soft skills.

Hard skills involve job-specific skills that are acquired through education, training, or work experience, while soft skills involve personality traits that can be indirectly useful at the workplace and help you adapt to the company culture better.

Depending on your industry, some examples of hard skills you can list on your resume include copywriting, database management, graphic design, foreign languages, public speaking, and more.

Examples of soft skills include communication, creativity, leadership, teamwork, time management, and conflict resolution.

#2. What top skills do employers look for?

Currently, some of the top hard skills hiring managers are on the lookout for include blockchain development, SEO, virtual reality development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, business analysis, Java development, affiliate marketing, UX design, machine learning, project management, video production and editing, sales, and business development .

The top soft skills hiring managers are looking for include creativity, collaboration, persuasion, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.

#3. How can I identify my skills?

If you want to identify your skills, start by considering your greatest accomplishments . Have you been recognized for a specific achievement? What skills helped you do it? You’re probably still skilled in those areas.

Next, consider asking friends and coworkers. Sometimes, it’s easier for others to recognize your strengths . If you’re new to the job market, you can ask former professors and classmates to give you some insight, too.

#4. Where do skills go on a resume?

Your skills should go under a separate ‘Skills’ section on your resume, typically placed right below or next to your work experience section.

That said, you should further prove that you have the skills you list in this section. Weave the most relevant skills for the job in other resume sections, such as the resume summary and your work experience sections, to show the hiring manager how those skills are put to use.

#5. How many skills should I include in my resume?

The number of skills to add to your resume depends on the job you’re applying for, as well as your level of expertise and work history.

If you’re a seasoned professional with plenty of job-related skills, you should definitely include them in your resume.

As a rule of thumb, listing up to ten skills on your resume is typically a safe choice, as long as they don’t make your resume spill over to page two .

#6. What are the best skills for a candidate with no experience?

If you’re a student with no experience and few job-specific skills, you can benefit from adding transferable skills to your resume. These are skills that can be applied to many jobs across several industries.

Some examples of good skills for a no-experience resume include communication, organization, problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, and computer skills.

#7. What are the top 12 skills to put on your resume?

There are several skills that could go on just about any resume, regardless of your targeted job. These include both hard skills and soft skills that can be used in any industry.

We recommend including skills like communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, computer literacy, research, teamwork, project management, leadership, organization, time management, customer service, and networking.

#9. Does a CV need skills?

There are a few differences between a CV and a resume . But for the most part, if you’re writing a CV for a job application, the structure should be similar to a resume.

So, you should add a skills section to your CV and list skills relevant to the job you’re applying for. The only exception to this rule is when you’re writing an academic CV, in which case skills are optional or even discouraged.

#10. What’s the best way to list skills on a resume in 2024?

To really impress with your skills in 2024, don’t just list some random skills under a separate section and call it a day!

Instead, make them more credible by finding out more about the company culture, tailoring your skills to the job description, mentioning the most critical skills in your resume summary or resume objective, and using your achievements to explain exactly how you used your skills to your advantage.

Key Takeaways

And that’s all there is to putting skills on a resume!

By now, we’re sure you’re a pro and ready to impress the hiring manager with the skills on your resume.

But before you go, let’s sum up the most important things we mentioned in this article:

• One of the most important sections on your resume is the skill section, and over 41% of hiring managers check it first.
• The skill section is crucial for making it past the ATS because some of the most important resume keywords are skills you should list on your resume.
• Skills are divided into hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are technical skills you can gain through experience, training, or education, while soft skills can be attributes or habits related to how you work.
• Your resume should only list skills that are relevant to the job. Find out which skills these are by scanning through the job ad picking out the required skills that you have, and adding them to your resume.
• Some skills are universally useful across different professions, like adaptability, communication, and teamwork.

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15 Best Skills to Include on a CV (with examples)

Home » Resume Help » 15 Best Skills to Include on a CV (with examples)

The skills of your CV are arguably the most important section of all. It’s what employers will look at first and it’s what they’ll be basing their decision off of. A good skills section will be attractive to a potential employer, whilst a bad one could put them off without even reading the rest of your application.

Writing a good skills section takes a lot of thought and time. You should spend a lot of time thinking about which skills you want to include, and then writing them in an effective way. In this article, we will help you write the best CV by guiding you through how to write a good CV skills section.

So, let’s get into it… Here are a few tips and CV skills examples to help you craft the skills section of your CV.

Hard skills vs. soft skills

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Firstly, when putting together a skills section, you need to decide whether you’re going to include hard skills or soft skills.

Hard skills:

These are the specific skills that you have that relate directly to the role you’re applying for. For example: If you were applying for a job as an electrician, then hard skills would be “I’m qualified to work as an electrician” or “I am qualified to install solar power.”

Hard skills might include proficiency in things like:

• Computer programs
• Foreign languages
• Professional qualifications (e.g., degree, certificate, etc.)
• Technical skills (e.g., graphic design, Microsoft Office, etc.)

The most important thing to remember is that your hard skills should be specific and relate directly to the role you’re applying for. For this reason, you should always have a CV template so that you can plug and play different sections in depending on the job. For example, if you were applying for an engineering job , then you would include a specific CV engineering skills section.

Soft skills:

These are skills that are transferable and that you will be able to use in a large variety of different roles. For example: “I’m a quick learner” or “I have the ability to work well under pressure.”

Soft skills might include proficiency in things like:

• Communication
• Interpersonal skills
• Relationship skills
• Self-management (e.g., time management, goal setting, etc.)
• Stress management (e.g., taking time out, prioritizing tasks, etc.)
• Work ethic (e.g., ability to work long hours without complaining)

The most important thing to remember is that your soft skills should be transferable skills that you can use in many different roles. This means that these are skills that are useful beyond a specific industry or role. For this reason, it’s a good idea to have an 80/20 rule when putting together your skills section. In other words, 80% soft skills and 20% hard skills.

You should be careful about including proficiency in software programs as these can become dated quite quickly. The same goes for foreign languages.

Therefore, You should write both hard and soft skills in your CV, but more of one than the other depending on what type of job you’re applying for.

It’s important to note that not all managers will care about technical skills, and you may have to display the same soft skills on your CV as you would for a more routine type job.

A CV is a document that provides an overview of your work experience, skills, and education. When you send in your CV to apply for a job, it’s usually the first thing that the employer will see before they look at your application form. If you do not have any previous qualifications or are just starting out in the workplace, then it is likely you will include skills from vocational courses such as First Aid at Work or Emergency Life Support.

Here is how the skills should be placed in the right order with good presentation:

To identify your best skills, you need to think about the evidence you have that supports the skills that you claim. This should include official documents, awards or certificates from work or school, and examples of how you’ve used specific skills.

It could be a good idea to use some form of a mind-mapping tool like MindMeister to help put all of this together. Mind-mapping is highly effective for visualizing complex information and involves linking together different ideas through clear connections.

You can then organize your thoughts so that you can clearly see what your best skills are. This will make it easier to highlight the most important skills.

It’s also useful to create a list of the best skills you have when doing this exercise as it could help you decide which ones to highlight in your CV.

• Be realistic with your hard skills. If you are claiming to be good at something that’s completely unique to you, then other employers may find this difficult to believe.
• If your hard skills are related to the role you’re applying for, then make sure you include it in your section.
• Similarly, try to avoid claiming to be an expert at anything.
• If you’re having difficulty identifying your best skills, ask friends or family members for feedback.
• You may need to do some research on what soft and hard skills are important for the industry you want to work in.
• Try different techniques for brainstorming your best skills. For example, you could try mind mapping , mind writing , word association or drawing pictures .
• The importance of your hard and soft skills should be about the same. A good rule of thumb is 80% hard and 20% soft skills.
• Make sure you write down as many skills as possible so that you have a complete picture of your skills.
• Try to highlight your best skills in bold and most important ones in italics.

The skills section of your CV is often referred to as the “Hobbies & Interests” section. You need to be careful about how you write this, as some employers may take a negative view of people who have a large number of hobbies or interests. Therefore, it’s best to highlight the ones that are relevant.

Here are some tips for how you can write a good skills section:

• Showcase your hard skills first so they will stand out from the other items on your CV.
• If you have a hobby that involves skills, then include it in your CV. This will make it much easier for recruiters to see that you can transfer what you’ve learned in your hobbies in the workplace.
• Try to avoid writing a single line for your skills as it will look very poor on your CV. Instead, aim to write at least four or five lines.
• Try to include more than one skill in each section. This will help recruiters understand that you have a broad range of skills that fit with the role you’re applying for.
• If you’re having difficulty selecting which skills to highlight, take a look at your CV and ask yourself which things or experiences stood out to you during the process of looking for work.
• Try to avoid writing over one page as this can make it look like you’re trying too hard and not being casual about it.
• Make sure your grammar, spelling and punctuation is good. This will show that you are attentive to detail and care about the quality of your work.
• Don’t list hobbies that aren’t relevant to the job or industry you want to work in.
• Difficult to Obtain – These are the skills that are special or unique. If you can walk into an interview and tell recruiters about something you’ve done that they haven’t heard before, you’re ahead of the crowd. This could be something as simple as organizing a sports team or being on a charitable committee, but what’s important is that it stands out from other people’s experiences.
• Relevant – These are skills that a lot of people have, but not necessarily the skills you need to be successful in the job or industry you want to work in. These might include basic administration tasks, such as how to deal with a customer complaint correctly.
• Transferable – These are skills that can be used in many different roles and industries. You don’t need to be very good at something if it will allow you to apply for and go into lots of different jobs.
• Works Confidently – This is a very important skill. It shows that you are prepared to take control of a situation or project. Recruiters want to hire confident people so if it looks like you’ve been hired because of previous work experience, consider whether you are confident in your ability to get the job done and make decisions.
• Active – This is essentially the opposite of “Works Confidently”. If you’re not interested in exploring how your skills can be applied, then don’t put this skill on your CV in big letters.

You may think that if you’re a hard worker, it should be easier to pick out your best skills and highlight them. Unfortunately, this isn’t true. Some of the most important skills are the ones that you have no idea how to use or they are very different than what you’re looking for in a job. In this case, it’s much better to list the skills that you find easiest to understand. This will make it easier for recruiters to decide what skills you should highlight.

Firstly , write down all the skills that you know how to use. If you’re not sure about something, ask a friend or family member if they can help you find out more information about it.

Secondly , think about the difficulty of each skill in relation to looking after a dog and helping someone with an injury. If it’s very easy, then it may not be highlighted on your CV – perhaps place it in a skills section at the bottom of the page. If it’s very difficult, then consider putting it at the top of your skills section.

When looking for a new job, don’t make the mistake of not considering each skill that you have in the same way as Hiring Managers do. It’s true that not all skills are relevant to everything, but you can use the following tips to help you decide how important each skill is.

• Consider how easy or hard it would be for you to learn or use this skill in your next job or career.
• Consider what skills are needed for you to be successful in the job or career that you want to have.
• Think about how often this skill is used in your ideal role and industry and other roles within the same industry.
• Consider the profession that you’d like to work in and the industry that you are looking for. You might find that one skill is relevant to all industries, but that it can’t be highlighted on your CV because it’s not needed in every industry.
• Think about how useful this skill is for other jobs or careers. If it’s too specific, then you may need to narrow it down or leave it as a hobby/interest.

Here is the list of popular and most used soft and hard skills to put on a cv. A cv should show your enthusiasm, interest, and knowledge in certain skills. Check this and use them in your cv.

Effective communication is often the key to any job. Communication skills are vital in order to be successful at work. Communication skills also have been found to increase job satisfaction and contentment. Having a good ability to communicate can make a great difference between whether or not people decide to take up a job offer. A person can include his communication skills in their CV by highlighting their communication skills and how they have helped develop them in the following ways:

• Written communication
• Active listening
• Public speaking
• Listening skills
• Reading ability

Working cooperatively in a team is important for everyone, but especially so when it comes to leadership positions. In a team, you need to be able to compromise as well as motivate others, while knowing your own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to the team’s goals. Skills that you can show when it comes to teamwork include:

• Cooperation
• Adaptability
• Reliability

A successful negotiation can help you get a job or a higher salary. Knowing how to negotiate is a skill that will increase your chances of success in any career. Being able to negotiate will make you feel more confident and enable you to speak up for yourself without feeling intimidated by others. Knowing how to negotiate will also help you in situations that are outside the office. Negotiation skills are an important part of any job and could include:

• Creative problem solving
• Appropriate compromise
• Dealing with difficult people
• Decision making
• Flexibility of mind
• Leadership capabilities
• Strategic thinking

A person’s ability to manage their time well is important for both personal and professional life. Being able to manage your time effectively will lead to increased productivity and efficiency. Having good time management skills will also ensure that items are completed on time. Individuals are often faced with the challenge of learning how to manage their time well. A person can show these skills by highlighting his or her ability to manage their time and how this contributed to their success in the following ways:

• Agreeing on deadlines with work colleagues whether this is in the office or outside of work.
• Organizing projects so they run smoothly without last minute panic.
• Dealing with unexpected problems that impact deadlines.
• Planning and prioritizing daily tasks.

5. Management skills:

A person can easily demonstrate their management skills by highlighting their ability to achieve success as a member of a team. It’s important to show that you are capable of working with others and taking on the role of a leader as it shows that you have great people skills. This can be done by adding the following skills to their CV:

• Consistency
• Quick decision making

Planning and organizing skills are important components of efficiency. In order to be successful at work, planning and organizing is essential as these are key characteristics required for every work environment. Planning and organizing skills are particularly important in order to manage to-do lists effectively. This can be demonstrated by highlighting how the following skills have contributed to your success in the following ways:

• Managing your time effectively
• Planning tasks and projects
• Organizing paperwork
• Establishing a routine for daily tasks.
• Being detail-oriented
• Managing multiple tasks at once

Teamwork is often a key component in getting the job done. A person’s ability to work cooperatively with others is also important for leadership positions, as well as ensuring that tasks are accomplished among a group of people. The following skills are important for teamwork:

Problem-solving skills are an essential part of any job role. The ability to solve problems effectively can lead to the resolution of tense situations and ensure that projects are completed on time. Being able to develop solutions to problems will also make you feel more confident in your abilities throughout your day. Sometimes the best solution to a problem doesn’t come immediately, so it is essential to raise these issues with your colleagues. Problem-solving skills can also be demonstrated by highlighting your ability to ask questions and think outside of the box when it comes to solving problems or getting creative with solutions.

• Thinking outside of the box
• Collaboration
• Flexibility
• Decisiveness
• Looking for alternatives in a situation when they are needed.

One of the most important skills to have in your job is financial planning. Why? That’s because financial planning enables you to save money and make wise choices that will lead to a long and prosperous life. It teaches you how to stay away from debt, manage finances, and save for a rainy day. Here are some ways financial planning can be demonstrated in a CV.

• Using cash management systems to track your expenditures
• Budgeting and planning
• Creating a savings plan
• Paying off debt and other financial obligations on time.
• Compiling an annual financial statement and analyzing it to find ways to improve it.

First and foremost, it is important to have a computer or laptop so you can write a CV that will be accepted. The following are some computer skills that will be very helpful and will enable you to write a CV that gets you accepted:

• Using MS Word
• Basic Internet Navigation
• Microsoft Excel
• Internet research
• E-mail communication

Time management skills are not only necessary for personal life and work history, but also in a small business. The ability to manage time well will enable you to be productive, efficient, and stay on top of your emails. You will also notice that having good time management abilities can have a positive impact on your mood and attitude towards the workplace. Time management skills are a crucial skill to have and can be demonstrated by highlighting the following:

• Workload management
• Multi tasking
• Juggling a number of tasks at once
• Managing deadlines
• Overcoming procrastination
• Delegating tasks to others effectively.

Critical thinking is very important in today’s world where almost everyone is under pressure after job cuts and social security cutbacks. It is important to be able to think critically in order to solve problems and come up with solutions quickly. Critical thinking skills can be demonstrated by highlighting the following:

• Analyzing information
• Planning out a strategy
• Solving problems and finding solutions
• Dealing with difficult people.
• Making decisions that benefit the group as a whole but do not hurt yourself financially.

Customer service skills are a crucial part of any job, especially when it comes to finding a job in the customer service sector. Having these skills will enable you to handle customers with professionalism and show that you have what it takes to be successful in your chosen career. The following are some key customer service skills that should be included in a CV.

• Handling customer complaints and inquires on the phone
• Responding to emails in a timely manner
• Dealing with sales calls and getting “customer satisfaction” (being patient).

People skills are the key to success at any job and are often highlighted by people who have been successful in their careers so it is important to highlight these if you want to be successful. The following are just some of the ways people skills can be demonstrated in a CV.

• Initiating conversations in order to network professionally
• Handling groups and meetings well
• Dealing with people who may be difficult to handle.
• Dealing with difficult situations and communicating effectively with others.

Self-motivation is a key skill that will enable you to get the job done on time, despite the obstacles. Self-motivation can be demonstrated by highlighting the following:

• High level of work ethic
• Being able to keep busy when things are difficult
• Taking on extra tasks and accepting work when offered.
• Developing a drive to succeed.
• The best skills to include are those that demonstrate how you add value to and solve problems for the company.
• Because of their breadth, soft skills tend to be more impressive than hard skills on a CV.
• The best skills are those that are quantifiable, can be used in a sentence, and represent something a company is trying to do (i.e., “improving sales” is better than “sales experience”).
• The best skills to keep at the top of your CV are things that you can demonstrate within 10 seconds of being asked.

Most people have a tendency to put down what they think a company wants to see when they’re writing their CV, as opposed to what would actually benefit the company.

Interested to write a stand-out CV so please check our examples of good CV template for your reference. Also, use our free CV builder .

Some examples of skills that can be put on a CV are: 1. Communication skills 2. Organizational skills 3. Leadership skills 4. Problem-solving skills 5. Interpersonal skills 6. Computer skills 7. Foreign language skills

Some things to avoid when including skills on a CV are: 1. Listing too many skills that are not relevant to the position. 2. Including skills that are not verifiable. 3. Including too many soft skills. 4. Making the skills section of the CV too long.

Some common mistakes people make when including skills on a CV are: 1. Listing skills that are not relevant to the position. 2. Including skills that are not verifiable. 3. Including too many soft skills. 4. Making the skills section of the CV too long. 5. Not including enough skills.

Some other considerations to keep in mind when including skills on a CV are: 1. Make sure to highlight both your technical and non-technical skills. 2. Make sure the skills you include are relevant to the position you are applying for. 3. Include a mix of both hard and soft skills. 4. List your skills in order of importance. 5. Make sure your CV is not too long. 6. Avoid listing skills that are not relevant to the position or are not verifiable. 7. Avoid listing too many soft skills. 8. Make sure to proofread your CV before sending it. 9. Ensure that your CV is clear and concise. 10. Consider having someone else review your CV before you send it.

Recommended Reading:

• Hobbies and Interests to put on a CV
• CV personal qualiteis and skills
• How to write references on a CV
• How to write achivements on a CV
• Personal details on a CV
• Best CV format for freshers

Published by Sarah Samson

Sarah Samson is a professional career advisor and resume expert. She specializes in helping recent college graduates and mid-career professionals improve their resumes and format them for the modern job market. In addition, she has also been a contributor to several online publications.

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10+ Good Skills To Put On A Resume

By Christina Colclough

Last updated: March 4, 2024

Even a job market newbie is aware that a set of good skills is always the key to landing that position. When recruiters screen your CV, they assess how well your skills and experience match the job requirements. The closer your attributes align with the qualifications needed, the better your chances of advancing in the hiring process. 

So, what should job seekers include in their CVs? Scroll down my expert guide to learn examples of skills for a resume.

In this article:

2 types of skills for resume.

HR professionals like me divide your skills into hard or soft ones. The former indicates technical abilities that develop through study and on-site practice. They are often associated with a specific field or position. For example, technical requirements for a nurse include CPR and BLS , patient safety, vital signs, etc.

Employers may assess your hard skills through tests or the specific tasks you have performed. I advise you to specify your responsibilities in the past role to showcase your ability. It is also helpful to mention the program of training, degrees, and certifications. Do not forget to include the tools or programs you’ve mastered.

In comparison, soft skills are personal characteristics that reflect your unique strengths and attributes. These include qualities such as leadership, motivation, and communication, etc. It seems impossible to quantify or measure due to the lack of specific standards. In business settings, soft skills influence how you adapt to and interact with people and various situations.

To demonstrate your abilities, mention instances where you have managed to achieve goals or solve problems. Your work ethic and core values are also part of these aspects.

10 Personal Skills To Put On Resume

Problem-solving.

This skill involves identifying the root of a problem and developing effective solutions, which is essential across various professions, such as police, lawyers, doctors, etc. Most positions require the ability to handle challenges quickly and effectively as they directly impact customer satisfaction and overall success. 

Therefore, problem-solving deserves the top position on my list. Many recruiters for leading brands shared with me that they actively seek individuals who can confidently handle unexpected emergencies.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinkers can logically organize their thoughts and tend to come up with out-of-the-box ideas. They possess a deep understanding of complex problems and navigate them with well-thought-out plans. Remember to highlight this competency in your resume when applying for a management or supervisory position.

Communication

It refers to how you receive and respond to various types of information. My research shows employers look for candidates who can interact with multiple audiences, both verbally and nonverbally. 

In detail, it encompasses active listening, articulating ideas, and respecting others’ viewpoints. Effective communication plays an important role in the field of customer care, teaching, sales, or management.

Multi-Tasking

Certain job titles come with demanding schedules that require the person in charge to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously, like categorizing projects and determining their priorities. It also means working effectively under time constraints. Undoubtedly, multi-tasking is a valuable asset in today’s fast-paced work environments.

Not everyone is born with a sense of creativity; only some possess an endless treasure trove of innovative solutions or approaches. 

Through my experiences working with numerous talented individuals, I’ve come to realize that they are gifted with a distinctive perspective when facing new challenges, offering unexpected conclusions and groundbreaking solutions. Creative thinking clearly provides a competitive edge in marketing, design, or writing, where fresh ideas significantly impact.

Adaptability

When you are thrown into a new business environment, you’re in for an adapt-or-die challenge. The ability to adapt empowers you to maintain your performance during interruptions or changes at the workplace.

Moreover, it also motivates you to learn new technologies or processes that enhance your expertise. Being flexible and open-minded is an advantage when working in the marketing, purchasing, or healthcare industry.

Effective leadership involves allocating resources and motivating team members to achieve shared goals. However, the ability to provide guidance and inspiration is not solely reserved for senior roles. Don’t hesitate to show off your strengths even if you apply for an entry-level position. It leaves a good impression and highlights your potential for promotion in the future.

Attention To Detail

As you work in an environment where teamwork is at its heart, a small mistake may cause a domino effect that leads to far-reaching losses. Therefore, caution and conscientiousness are a plus point that sets you apart. In your CV, provide evidence that you’ve identified underlying errors or showcase instances where you considered every decision meticulously.

Organization

Having organizational skills signifies your ability to effectively manage work, whether it is for your team, your supervisor, or yourself. It is also synonymous with multi-tasking skills – taking on many tasks in one go. That’s a solid proof of your effectiveness and productivity in the workplace. Apply a well-structured and coherent resume to create a positive impression of your organizational ability.

Time Management

This skill ensures a healthy work-life balance, meaning you follow suit with your assigned deadlines and prioritize your responsibilities. According to my research, up to 89% of employees admit to wasting their work time, underscoring the significance of time management skills in optimal performance.

Professional Skills To Add To Resume

Not only designers but also some roles within the marketing field demand proficiency in design skills. For example, professionals in branding or construction require basic techniques to illustrate their ideas effectively. The same goes for product launches, which call for considerable designing ability to optimize the packaging.

Data Analysis

Large databases are a valuable asset but also a challenge for businesses. That’s why HR managers look for candidates with strong data analytical skills. Proficient use of analytical tools and acumen with numbers has become a solid foundation for devising innovative solutions in the face of industry changes.

Mathematics

Almost, if not all, jobs necessitate you to work with numbers. While healthcare or construction roles require basic mathematical skills, finance, administration, or logistics demand something advanced. 

For example, a business consultant cannot provide a practical and effective strategy without insights from profit margins, financial reports, and trend charts.

Project Management

The workload in a business is often organized into projects within the same department or involving multiple parties. Regardless, the ability to manage tasks plays a key role. It means you could fulfill your duties on time and contribute to the overall development. If you work in a team, managing resources, monitoring progress, or communicating with members are paramount.

Writing And Editing

Writing skills are more important than ever in the booming era of information. A great command of correct grammar, appropriate context, and the ability to cater to diverse target audiences are highly valued. 

Do not hesitate to demonstrate your abilities with social media posts, blogs, articles, or any other content that attracts the audience’s attention. Additionally, tailoring your cover letter and resume is a simple yet effective approach.

Foreign Language

Even if the job posting does not mention any language requirements, being fluent in two or more languages sets you apart from other candidates. Who knows if it will make a difference? 

Your skills certainly shine in certain situations, especially as large businesses plan to globalize their services. Depending on the industry, language needs vary. However, employers will appreciate a candidate fluent in Spanish, French, Chinese, and German.

Software Proficiency

A basic understanding of Microsoft Office applications is typically expected in today’s modern work environment. Recruiters often prioritize applicants, including entry-level positions, who can work with emails, spreadsheets, documents, and presentations.

Some fields, especially information technology or computer science, seek more advanced skill sets. It would help to highlight specialized tools such as programming languages, cybersecurity, or cloud computing in your resume to meet the standards.

This ability adds value to your resume, as most businesses want to promote their products or services. At least, it shows you can keep up with market trends and analyze them. 

At a higher level, developing social media marketing campaigns is the clearest evidence. A professional marketer works on many aspects, including content creation, public relations, search engine optimization, and more.

Sales skills involve developing strong relationships with customers and negotiating and closing deals. These attributes make sense for various job sectors. Even if you do not apply for a sales position, your experience in this field reveals good communication and problem-solving abilities.

Accounting Or Bookkeeping

Accounting skills include numerical competence, financial analysis, risk management, etc. As an accountant, your expertise expands to invoicing, bookkeeping, or account reconciliation. Your familiarity with financial management software like FreshBooks, Xero, or SAP makes your CV stand out.

Resume Skills Examples For Each Job Type

Content writer/editor.

Data Analyst

Web Developer

Customer Service Job

Graphic Designer

Accountants

Nurse/Doctor

Teacher/Coach

How To List Key Skills For Resume

Match the job description.

If you are unsure what to include in your CV, check the JD first. Read it at least twice to find target keywords, especially the “Key Skills” or “Requirements” section. 

These terms indicate major skills to shortlist the most outstanding and suitable candidate. Once done, cover them all in your application. For example, what is highlighted below are the work skills required :

Summary of responsibilities:

• Represent the brand with a positive attitude
• Interact with potential customers
• Maintain close connection with customers and provide necessary support
• Identify customer needs and develop appropriate strategies
• Raise customer awareness through campaigns

Desired skills:

• You can make informed decisions and solve problems independently
• You can show empathy for customers
• You can monitor and lead public opinion within your customer group

Separate Skills To Different Resume Sections

Recruiters receive hundreds of resumes for one position, so keep your design impressive immediately. Use two sections, “soft skills” and “hard skills,” to prove your strengths. Then, arrange your attributes into their correct categories as described above. Never add more than 10 bullets in both sections.

Show Off Skills Through Work Experience

As far as I’ve seen, modern employers appreciate achievement-based values rather than task-based ones. Therefore, describe your previous role with specific evidence. It shows how you applied your skills at work and achieved your goals.

For instance:

• Support customers in highly technical roles (⇒ technical skills).
• Work with 20+ customer service specialists to resolve concerns and feedback (⇒ collaboration).
• Train new hires to use specialized tools, including Salesforce and JIRA (⇒ software efficiency, leadership, and communication).

What Should Freshers Put In Their Resume?

Stay calm if you do not have much professional experience. Mentioning interpersonal skills, including communication, collaboration, adaptation, or problem-solving skills, makes a positive impression. However, do not miss the technical skills needed for your field.

What Are The Top Skills For The Experienced?

Professional skills come out on top when employers look for potential candidates for mid positions and above. Pay more attention to your soft skill sets. Some must-have abilities include leadership, management, decision-making, strategic thinking, etc.

See more interview tips: 50 Good Resume Headlines Examples How To Write A Follow-Up Email After Interview 3 Examples For Thank-You Email After Interview 8 Examples of Challenges You Have Overcome At Work 6 sample answers of accomplishments at work 5 Examples of Problem-Solving in The Workplace How To Ask for Feedback After Job Rejection How to Explain The Reason for Leaving a Job on Applications For Interview Question: What Do You Like To Do For Fun? What Are You Most Passionate About? What Are You Looking For In Your Next Job? Why Are You Interested In This Position? What Accomplishments Are You Most Proud Of?

Your resume represents your identity, and the skills listed are your distinctive features. Crafting a good CV has never been an easy task, whether you have a little or a lot of experience. However, make sure what you put in is truthful. Choosing special skills for a resume relevant to your future role is also good to impress employers at first glance. If you’re unsure where to start, keep your eyes on the job description.

Christina J. Colclough

Dr Christina J. Colclough is an expert on The Future World of Work and the politics of digital technology advocating globally for the importance of the workers’ voice. She has extensive regional and global labour movement experience, is a sought-after keynote speaker, coach, and strategist advising progressive governments and worker organisations.

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50 Inspiring Examples for 7 Communication Skills for a Resume

When crafting your resume, highlighting your strong communication skills is essential. Here are some top skills to consider and examples of how to showcase them on your resume.

• Active Listening: Demonstrate your ability to be receptive and engage in the conversation. For example: Successfully facilitated team meetings by actively listening to colleagues and providing constructive feedback.
• Verbal Communication: Showcase your ability to express ideas clearly and effectively. For example: Presented quarterly reports to the executive board, effectively communicating the sales team’s achievements.
• Written Communication: Emphasize your capacity to create clear, concise written documents. An example may be: Developed and maintained monthly newsletter for the marketing department, reaching over 500 employees.
• Empathy: Understanding others helps foster strong professional relationships. For example: Addressed customer concerns with compassion, resulting in significant improvements in client satisfaction.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Focus on moments where you contributed to successful team projects. For instance: Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and execute a new product launch, achieving a 30% increase in sales.
• Adaptability: Showcase your flexibility and ability to handle change effectively. Here’s an example: Adapted communication style to accommodate remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring a seamless transition for the team.
• Conflict Resolution: Resolving conflicts efficiently benefits everyone. For example: Mediated disagreements between team members, helping to create a more collaborative and harmonious work environment.

Verbal Communication Skills

Public speaking.

Mastering public speaking can be a game changer for your resume. Employers appreciate candidates who can confidently present information to groups. To showcase your public speaking skills, mention specific experiences where you have delivered presentations or speeches. For example:

• Delivered a presentation on sustainable business practices to a team of 30 colleagues
• Facilitated a workshop on effective communication for new employees

Foreign Language Proficiency

Being proficient in one or more foreign languages can set you apart from other candidates. It indicates your ability to communicate with a diverse range of people, which is valuable in a globalized workplace. To highlight your language skills, list the languages you’re proficient in along with your level of fluency. For instance:

• Fluent in Spanish and French
• Intermediate proficiency in Mandarin and German

Related: How to Include Language Skills on Your Resume (Examples)

Active Listening

Active listening is an essential verbal communication skill that demonstrates your ability to understand and engage with others effectively. Employers value employees who can listen attentively and respond thoughtfully in discussions. To emphasize your active listening skills, provide examples of situations where you’ve made a difference through attentive listening. Examples might include:

• Resolved a customer complaint by actively listening to their concerns and implementing a solution
• Improved team dynamics by being attentive during meetings and encouraging open communication among team members

Written Communication Skills

Professional writing.

In the professional world, written communication is a must-have skill. Your resume should showcase your ability to articulate thoughts and ideas with clarity and precision in different formats (reports, emails, proposals, etc.). To highlight this skill on your resume, use phrases like:

• Developed and edited company newsletters, enhancing employee engagement
• Created detailed project proposals, securing client approval and project funding
• Drafted and revised technical documentation, ensuring user-friendly clarity and accuracy

Business Correspondence

Effective business correspondence involves crafting clear and concise emails, memos, and letters tailored to various audiences. Showcasing this skill on your resume can demonstrate your expertise in professional etiquette and the ability to adapt your writing style to different scenarios. Here are some examples:

• Collaborated with international teams, sending clear and concise email correspondence to prevent miscommunications
• Generated persuasive sales emails that contributed to a 15% increase in client conversion rates
• Wrote concise and informative weekly memos to upper management, providing updates on project progress

Interpersonal Communication Skills

Conflict resolution.

When listing your conflict resolution skills on your resume, be specific about the techniques you employ:

• Skilled in using active listening to pinpoint underlying issues and complaints.
• Experienced in mediating disagreements between colleagues to find a mutual agreement.
• Proficient in providing constructive feedback and reinforcing positive communication behaviors.

Collaborative Teamwork

Highlight your ability to work effectively with others by showcasing the following abilities:

• Proven track record of successful group projects and team initiatives.
• Ability to adapt communication style based on team dynamics and members’ strengths.
• Skilled in brainstorming, group problem-solving, and co-creating ideas with diverse team members.

Showcase your ability to understand and relate to others’ feelings and emotions by including these skills in your resume:

• Empathetic and compassionate attitude to foster a positive work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to provide emotional support and encouragement to team members in stressful situations.

Digital Communication Skills

Social media.

Nowadays, social media plays an important role in promoting a company’s brand and engaging with customers. Highlight your experience in leveraging social media platforms to advocate brand values and enhance customer relationships. Include these skills in your resume with statements like:

• Managed corporate social media accounts to establish a consistent brand voice and engage with customers.
• Successfully increased follower count and engagement on various platforms by creating relevant content.

Online Meeting Management

Effectively managing online meetings is a skill that demonstrates your ability to keep participants engaged and ensure productive outcomes. Emphasize your ability to plan, host, and facilitate virtual meetings using platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Here are some examples of how to put those skills on your resume:

• Experienced in scheduling and hosting virtual meetings, ensuring timely starts and focused discussions.
• Skilled in facilitating online meetings with participants from diverse backgrounds, fostering collaboration and decision-making.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some strong examples of communication skills to include on a resume.

Consider showcasing a range of communication skills, such as active listening, clear writing, public speaking, and negotiation. For example:

• Active listening: “Consistently praised for effectively capturing project requirements through attentive listening in client meetings.”
• Clear writing: “Developed company-wide email guidelines to ensure clarity and professionalism in written communication.”
• Public speaking: “Delivered engaging and informative presentations at industry conferences, demonstrating strong public speaking skills.”
• Negotiation: “Successfully negotiated contracts with suppliers, resulting in a 12% reduction in supply chain costs.”

How can I effectively showcase teamwork and collaboration abilities on my resume?

To emphasize your teamwork and collaboration skills, think about the projects you’ve participated in and your role in those projects. Examples:

• Successfully worked on cross-functional teams to complete projects on time and under budget.
• Collaborated with colleagues to innovate and implement improvements, increasing department efficiency by 15%.
• Facilitated open and constructive conversations within a diverse team environment, fostering trust and accountability.

What are some tips for highlighting written communication skills in a resume?

When showcasing written communication skills, focus on the outcomes your writing has achieved. For example:

• Crafted client proposals that consistently resulted in increased contract value and successful project launches.
• Edited and proofread internal communications, ensuring consistent tone and style across departments.
• Authored monthly newsletter with a growing subscriber base, receiving positive feedback for engaging and informative content.

Which techniques can demonstrate strong verbal communication abilities on a resume?

To illustrate your verbal communication skills, highlight situations where your speaking abilities played a critical role. Examples:

• Delivered persuasive sales pitches, resulting in a 20% increase in closed deals.
• Articulated complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, facilitating successful project rollouts.
• Mediated conflicts between team members, fostering a positive work environment and promoting effective problem-solving.

How can one emphasize active listening skills when creating a professional resume?

To showcase your active listening skills, emphasize your ability to understand and respond to others’ ideas and concerns. Think about instances where your attentive listening has positively impacted projects. For example:

• Acted as a key liaison between departments, ensuring clear communication and understanding of project goals and tasks.
• Routinely sought input and feedback from team members, incorporating ideas into project plans and processes.
• Demonstrated a diplomatic approach in meetings and discussions, fostering open communication and maintaining team harmony.

What are some strategies to showcase problem-solving and leadership skills on a resume?

To highlight problem-solving and leadership skills, focus on examples where your actions led to positive outcomes. You might include:

• Successfully led a team through a challenging project turnaround, implementing targeted solutions to deliver on-time and within budget.
• Mentored junior employees, providing guidance and support that contributed to their successful progression within the company.
• Identified inefficiencies in work processes and implemented process improvements, resulting in a 25% increase in productivity.
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157 Computer Skills For Your Resume (+ How to List Them)

3 key takeaways

• Highlighting the right computer skills on your resume boosts job prospects by aligning with industry demands.
• Essential computer skills range from email management to advanced programming.
• You can make a free resume with relevant computer skills using the Match Score inside Teal's AI Resume Builder.

If you work in tech or a corporate office, computer skills are synonymous with skills. That's because almost every required office job skill is done on a digital device.

Whether you're applying for a job in tech, finance, healthcare, or education, showcasing your computer skills effectively on your resume can set you apart from other candidates.

This guide will help you understand essential computer skills, how to identify relevant computer skills, and how to list computer skills on your resume.

If you want to put the right skills on your resume, match your content to any job with Teal's Resume Builder for free.

What are computer skills?

Basic computer skills are the foundational skills required to perform everyday tasks using a computer. These skills are essential for almost any modern job as they enable you to handle routine digital tasks efficiently.

Software skills vs computer skills

Software skills refer to the ability to use specific software applications effectively. These skills are often focused on particular programs and their functionalities, such as Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, or programming environments like Python and Java.

In contrast, computer skills encompass a broader range of abilities that include not only software skills but also hardware skills, basic troubleshooting, operating systems, and more general knowledge of how computers and related technologies work.

While software skills are a subset of computer skills, the latter also includes understanding the overall functionality of computer systems, basic coding, network management, and cybersecurity principles.

Basic computer skills for a resume

If you want an office job, basic computer skills are a non-negotiable. Start with free communication tools like email and web calendars as these apply to every office job. By combining scheduling skills with fast typing you set a solid foundation to build on when searching for executive assistant and office manager roles.

Office and administrative skills

• Microsoft Office Suite : Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Google Workspace : Knowledge of Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Gmail.
• Scheduling tools : Using tools like Google Calendar and Microsoft Outlook for managing schedules and appointments.

Communication tools

• Email platforms : Familiarity with platforms like Microsoft Outlook, Gmail, and Apple Mail.
• Video conferencing : Proficiency in Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Skype.
• Collaboration tools : Using Slack, Trello, Asana, and other team collaboration tools.

Internet skills

• Search engines : Conducting effective searches using Google, Bing, and other search engines.
• Online security : Understanding basic online security principles to protect personal information.
• Social media : Managing personal or professional social media profiles on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

File management skills

• Operating systems : Navigating Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• File organization : Creating and managing folders and files effectively.
• Backup procedures : Performing basic data backups using external drives or cloud storage.

Basic software skills

• Productivity software : Using tools like Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Web browsers : Navigating and using browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
• PDF tools : Creating and editing PDFs with software like Adobe Acrobat

Intermediate computer skills for resume

Once you master Word and Google Docs, adding spreadsheets, graphic design software, and project management applications can significantly enhance your efficiency and productivity in office roles.

Data management and analysis

• Spreadsheets : Advanced skills in Excel and Google Sheets, including formulas, pivot tables, and data visualization.
• Database management : Experience with SQL, Microsoft Access, and other database management systems.
• Data analysis tools : Proficiency in using software like Tableau, R, and Python for data analysis.

Creative and design skills

• Graphic design software : Proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Video editing : Using tools like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, and iMovie.
• Web design : Knowledge of HTML, CSS, and web design platforms like WordPress and Wix.

Project management tools

• Software proficiency : Using project management tools like Trello, Asana, and Microsoft Project.
• Resource management : Managing resources and timelines using project management software like Asana, or Jira.
• Collaboration : Coordinating team projects and tasks using shared tools and platforms like Miro, or Google Drive.

Advanced communication tools

• Customer relationship management (CRM) : Using tools like Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho CRM.
• Email marketing : Proficiency in MailChimp, Constant Contact, and SendinBlue.
• Social media management : Advanced skills in managing social media campaigns with Hootsuite, Buffer, and Sprout Social.

Presentation software

• PowerPoint : Creating advanced presentations with animations and multimedia.
• Prezi : Designing interactive and dynamic presentations.
• Keynote : Using Apple’s Keynote for creating professional presentations.

Advanced computer skills for a resume

Once you master spreadsheets and project management tools, adding high-income skills like programming languages, cybersecurity, web development technologies, and advanced data analysis can open doors to in-demand positions in tech, finance, and other lucrative industries.

Programming skills

• Programming languages : Proficiency in languages such as Python, Java, C++, and JavaScript.
• Web development : Skills in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks like React and Angular.
• Software development tools : Familiarity with Git, GitHub, and other version control systems.

IT and technical skills

• Networking : Understanding of network configurations, protocols, and security.
• Cybersecurity : Knowledge of security principles, threat analysis, and protection mechanisms.
• Technical support : Skills in troubleshooting and providing technical support for software and hardware issues.

Advanced data analysis

• Big data tools : Experience with tools like Hadoop, Apache Spark, and NoSQL databases.
• Machine learning : Implementing machine learning algorithms and models using libraries such as TensorFlow and Scikit-learn.
• Data visualization : Creating complex visualizations and dashboards using tools like Power BI and Tableau.

Advanced project management

• Agile methodologies : Implementing Agile project management techniques and tools like Jira.
• Risk management : Assessing and managing project risks using specialized software.
• Resource allocation : Advanced skills in allocating and optimizing resources in project management.

Systems administration

• Server management : Managing and maintaining servers using Linux, Windows Server, and cloud platforms.
• Virtualization : Using tools like VMware and Hyper-V for creating and managing virtual environments.
• Cloud computing : Proficiency in cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

How to choose the best computer skills for your resume

Highlighting the most relevant computer skills can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed by employers and passing through applicant tracking systems (ATS).

Tailoring your computer skills to match the job description not only showcases your qualifications, but also demonstrates your attention to detail and your commitment to meeting the specific needs of the role.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Research the industry

Research the specific skills required in your industry, especially if you're looking to pivot. Different industries prioritize different computer skills, so understanding what is essential in your field will help you highlight the most relevant abilities on your resume. Familiarize yourself with industry standards and commonly used tools to ensure you present yourself as a well-equipped candidate.

Pro tip: Explore career paths and career roadmaps for 600+ roles.

2. Study the company

Learn about the company's preferred tools and technologies. Each organization may have its own set of preferred software and systems, and knowing these can give you an edge in the application process. The most critical company systems and software are often outlined in the job description.

Pro tip: Use LinkedIn to network with current and former employees at the company to learn about their tech stack.

3. Review the job description

Analyze job descriptions to identify the most frequently mentioned skills, or use Teal's Matching Mode to automate this process.

Teal's Matching Mode helps you find relevant keywords, including computer skills, to mention on your resume. This feature tailors your resume to match job descriptions, ensuring your skills align with what employers want. By leveraging Teal’s AI-driven insights, you can optimize your resume for the hard and soft skills required for each application, saving time and improving your chances of landing interviews and job offers.

Pro tip: Aim for a score of 60% or higher.

How to list computer skills on a resume

Effectively listing your computer skills on a resume can showcase your technical expertise and make you a more attractive candidate to potential employers.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to list computer skills effectively on your resume:

How to add computer skills to a Professional Summary

Incorporate computer skills in your professional summary, or short professional bio , to complement your most notable accomplishments and technical expertise. This provides a high-level view of your abilities right at the top of your resume.

For example, if you're an IT specialist, one sentence of your professional summary could look like this:

"As a proficient IT specialist with over 8 years of experience, I excel in network management,

Pro tip: To add computer skills to your professional summary using Teal's AI Resume Builder, scroll to Professional Summaries, click the drop-down button, then "Add Professional Summary." You can create one from scratch or click the "Generate With AI" button.

How to add computer skills to the Skills section

Create a dedicated resume Skills section to highlight your computer skills related to the job description. This section should list your most proficient and in-demand computer skills to catch the employer’s attention quickly.

A well-organized list draws attention to your diverse range of abilities and highlights the unique qualities you bring to the table. For example, you could group your computer skills into categories like this:

• Programming Languages : Python, Java, JavaScript
• Database Management : SQL, MongoDB, Oracle
• Project Management : Trello, Asana, Microsoft Project, Google Drive

Pro tip: To add computer skills to your "Skills" section in Teal, scroll to Skills, click the drop-down button, then "Add Skills." Here you can list your skills individually in addition to incorporating them into a summary or bullet points.

How to add computer skills to the Work Experience section

Including computer skills in your work experience bullet points can illustrate how you effectively applied these skills to achieve impact. This shows employers your practical expertise and how you’ve used your skills to benefit past employers.

For example, a computer skill in the Work Experience section of your resume might look like these:

Implemented a new cybersecurity protocol using Cisco, reducing security breaches by 30% and ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Redesigned company marketing materials using Adobe Creative Suite, resulting in a 25% increase in client engagement and a 15% boost in lead generation.

Pro tip: To add computer skills to your work experience, from the Resume Builder, scroll to Work Experience. Click the drop-down button, then "Add Work Experience" to create a new section or "Add a Bullet" to incorporate computer skills into an existing work history.

Teal’s Resume Skills Management feature can simplify the process of ordering, grouping, and managing computer skills for your resume, so you can add or remove individual or grouped skills on certain resume versions.

Computer skills for a resume examples

It's critical to tailor computer skills to each job as the same role could require different computer skills depending on the company's tech stack. Do some research to find out if the tech skills you have are transferable.

Here 's how to group and list specific computer skills for five common roles:

Example 1: Accountant

• Financial software : QuickBooks, SAP
• Spreadsheets : Advanced Excel functions and macros
• Data analysis : Using SQL for financial data analysis
• Tax software : Proficiency in TurboTax, H&R Block
• ERP systems : Experience with Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics

Example 2: Digital marketer

• SEO tools : Google Analytics, SEMrush, Adobe Analytics
• Content management systems : WordPress, HubSpot
• Social media platforms : Facebook Ads Manager, Hootsuite
• Email marketing : MailChimp, Constant Contact
• Account-based marketing: Adobe Marketo, Adobe Campaign, Adobe Audience Manager
• Graphic design tools : Canva, Adobe Spark

Example 3: Administrative assistant

• Office software : Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Scheduling tools : Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook
• Communication tools : Slack, Zoom
• Database management : Microsoft Access, FileMaker Pro
• Document management : Google Drive, Dropbox, Adobe Acrobat

Example 4: Software developer

• Programming languages : Python, Java, C++
• Web development : HTML, CSS, JavaScript
• Version control systems : Git, GitHub
• Frameworks : React, Angular, Django
• Database management : MySQL, MongoDB

Example 5: Project manager

• Project management software : Trello, Asana, Microsoft Project
• Communication tools : Slack, Microsoft Teams
• Documentation tools : Confluence, Notion
• Budgeting tools : Excel, QuickBooks

Using Teal’s Resume Skills Management feature, you can easily add skills to your resume, ensuring they're presented in a clear and compelling manner.

For more tips, visit this guide on hard skills for a resume .

Jobs that require computer skills

Computer skills are integral to many jobs. Here are ten popular roles where key computer skills are crucial, with varying use cases:

Data analyst : Analyzing data sets using tools like Excel, SQL, and Python.

Graphic designer : Creating visuals using software like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

Digital marketer : Managing digital marketing campaigns through tools like Google Analytics and social media platforms.

Software developer : Writing and testing code in various programming languages.

Administrative assistant : Handling office software for scheduling, communication, and document management.

Customer service representative : Using CRM software to manage customer interactions.

Financial analyst : Building financial models using Excel and specialized financial and accounting software used.

Human resources specialist : Managing HR information systems and recruitment tools.

Project manager : Using project management software like Trello or Asana to track project progress.

Medical records technician : Managing patient records with EHR software.

Importance of computer skills in various industries

Computer skills are critical in many industries. Here’s how they translate into five popular sectors:

• Managing electronic health records (EHR)
• Using medical billing software
• Telemedicine platforms
• Financial modeling using spreadsheets
• Online banking systems
• Investment tracking accounting software software
• Online learning platforms
• Classroom management software
• Creating digital lesson plans
• Social media management tools
• SEO software
• Email marketing platforms
• Coding and software development
• Network management
• Cybersecurity tools

Research future job trends to understand how to adjust to the changes in your industry.

How to learn computer skills

Learning computer skills is essential for staying competitive in today's job market. Whether you're looking to enhance your existing skills or acquire new ones, there are numerous resources and strategies available to help you expand your computer knowledge for the workplace.

Here are some effective ways to learn and improve your computer skills:

Online courses and tutorials

Online courses and tutorials are a convenient way to learn computer skills at your own pace. Many platforms offer comprehensive courses on a wide range of topics, from basic computer literacy to advanced programming and data analysis.

Here are some popular platforms:

• Coursera : Offers courses from top universities and companies. Topics range from basic Microsoft Office skills to advanced data science and machine learning.
• edX : Provides access to courses from institutions like MIT and Harvard, covering a broad spectrum of computer science and IT skills.
• LinkedIn Learning : Features a vast library of courses on software skills, project management tools, and other workplace-relevant topics.
• Udemy : Offers affordable courses on specific software applications, programming languages, and other technical skills.

Certifications

Earning certifications can validate your skills and make you more attractive to potential employers. Many organizations offer certification programs for various computer skills:

• Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) : Demonstrates proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• CompTIA A+ : Validates foundational IT skills, including hardware, operating systems, and troubleshooting.
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) : Recognizes advanced cybersecurity skills.
• Adobe Certified Expert (ACE) : Certifies expertise in Adobe Creative Suite applications.
• Google Workspace Certification : Validates proficiency in Google's productivity and collaboration tools, including Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
• Google Analytics Individual Qualification : Demonstrates proficiency in Google Analytics.

Pro tip: When listing certifications, also be sure to highlight your practical skills. For example, you might say: "Experienced in utilizing Google Drive for efficient document sharing, real-time collaboration, and maintaining organized digital workspaces."

Hands-on practice

Practical experience is crucial for mastering computer skills. Here are some tips for gaining hands-on experience:

• Work on personal projects : Create your own projects to apply what you've learned. For example, build a website, develop a small application, or analyze a dataset.
• Volunteer : Offer your skills to non-profits or local organizations. This can provide real-world experience and build your portfolio.
• Internships : Look for internships that offer opportunities to work with the software and technologies you're learning.

Free resources

There are many free resources available to help you learn and practice computer skills:

• Khan Academy : Offers free tutorials on various computer science topics.
• Codecademy : Provides interactive coding lessons in several programming languages.
• YouTube : Features countless tutorials on almost any computer skill you can think of, from basic tasks to advanced techniques.
• MIT OpenCourseWare : Offers free course materials from MIT's computer science and engineering courses.

Online communities

Participating in online communities can provide support, resources, and networking opportunities:

• Reddit : Subreddits like r/learnprogramming, r/dataisbeautiful, and r/sysadmin offer advice, resources, and discussions on various computer skills.
• Stack Overflow : A question-and-answer site for programmers, where you can ask for help and contribute to discussions.
• GitHub : A platform for hosting and collaborating on coding projects. It's a great place to learn from others' code and contribute to open-source projects.

Books and eBooks

Books can offer in-depth knowledge on specific topics. Consider these options:

• "Automate the Boring Stuff with Python" by Al Sweigart : Teaches practical programming skills using Python.
• "The Pragmatic Programmer" by Andrew Hunt and David Thomas : Offers valuable insights for software development and problem-solving.
• "Excel 2019 Bible" by Michael Alexander and Richard Kusleika : A comprehensive guide to mastering Excel.

By leveraging these resources and tips, you can effectively learn and improve computer skills that are valuable in the workplace. Investing in your computer skills not only enhances your current job performance but also opens up new career opportunities.

Tips for expanding your computer knowledge

• Set specific goals : Identify which skills you want to learn and set clear, achievable goals.
• Create a learning schedule : Allocate regular time for learning and practice to stay consistent and make progress.
• Stay updated : Technology evolves rapidly, so keep up with the latest trends and updates in your field.
• Apply your skills : Look for opportunities to use your new skills in your current job or seek out projects that require them.
• Seek feedback : Ask for feedback from peers, mentors, or online communities to improve your skills and understanding.

Why are computer skills important for your career?

Computer skills encompass a broad range of abilities and knowledge that enable you to use computers and related technology efficiently.

These skills can include anything from basic tasks like email management to advanced programming.

Here’s a deeper look at why they matter:

Versatility : Computer skills are applicable across various industries and roles, making them universally valuable.

Efficiency : Proficiency in computer skills can significantly increase your productivity and efficiency at work.

Marketability : Highlighting strong computer skills can make you more attractive to potential employers.

Gaining and improving computer skills can also dramatically impact your earning potential. As the demand for tech-savvy professionals continues to grow, those with advanced computer skills often command higher salaries and have access to a wider range of job opportunities.

Computer skills are essential in today's job market. By investing time in learning and mastering key computer skills, you position yourself for career advancement, ultimately enhancing your overall career trajectory. But honing skills is only half the equation, marketing your skills is just as important.

By using Teal’s Resume Skills Management feature, you can effectively manage and showcase your most relevant computer skills for every application, without the headache.

Optimize each resume to the job description using recommended keywords from Teal's Match Score

Using Teal you can quickly identify with jobs you're most qualified for and proceed accordingly. Analyze your resume against job descriptions to highlight the best matches so you don't waste any time on roles that aren't a good fit. Get your Match Score now and take the next step in your career journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the basic computer skills for a resume.

Basic computer skills include email management, word processing, and internet research.

How do I describe my computer skills?

Describe your computer skills by listing them in a dedicated skills section on your resume and indicating your proficiency levels.

What are the top 10 computer skills?

Top computer skills include word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, database management, programming, data analysis, cybersecurity, AI and machine learning, automation, and virtual collaboration tools.

Do people still put computer skills down on a resume?

Yes, computer skills are still essential and should be included on your resume, especially for roles that require technical proficiency.

How can I list my software skills on my resume?

List your software skills in a dedicated Skills, Work Experience, Professional Summary sections, and be sure to tailor them to match the job description. Indicate your proficiency levels and provide context or examples where possible.

Camille Trent

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Best Sales Skills to Put on a Resume

Highlighting the right sales skills on your resume can make a significant impact on your job search. Sales professionals need to have a unique set of skills to succeed in their role, including communication, negotiation, and problem-solving. Knowing which sales skills to emphasize on your resume can help you stand out to potential employers and showcase your expertise in the field.

In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best sales skills to put on a resume, providing examples and tips on how to highlight them effectively.

Table of Contents

What are Sales Skills?

Sales skills are a set of abilities and competencies that are necessary for effectively selling products or services. These skills include both technical and interpersonal skills that are essential for building rapport with customers, understanding their needs, and persuading them to make a purchase. Here are some examples of sales skills:

Jobs That Require Sales Skills

Sales skills are highly valued in many industries, as they are essential for driving revenue growth and building strong customer relationships. Here are some examples of jobs that require such skills:

• Sales Representative
• Account Manager
• Business Development Manager
• Customer Service Representative
• Marketing Manager
• Real Estate Agent
• Financial Advisor
• Insurance Agent
• Retail Sales Associate
• Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
• Advertising Sales Representative
• Event Planner
• Travel Agent
• Car Salesperson
• Business Owner
• Stockbroker
• Freelance Writer
• Public Relations Specialist

Top Sales Skills for a Resume

Hard sales skills, prospecting.

Prospecting is a critical sales skill that involves identifying and qualifying potential customers or clients. Successful prospecting involves a combination of research, communication, and relationship-building skills. Employees must be able to identify potential prospects through various channels, such as social media, industry events, and referrals.

Example: Consistently exceeded monthly sales targets by generating 50+ new leads per week through cold calling and networking events.

Google Analytics

Google Analytics is a valuable sales skill that involves the ability to analyze complex data and use it to improve customer experience and boost revenue. Hiring managers often value applicants who have strong Google Analytics skills as it can give businesses a competitive edge in understanding customer behavior, identifying trends, and making informed decisions.

Example: “Leveraged insights gained from data analysis to develop targeted sales strategies, resulting in a 25% increase in conversion rates and a 30% increase in revenue.”

CRM Systems

Recruiters value Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems such as Salesforce, Hubspot, Monday, Zendesk, Sendinblue, Pipedrive, and others because they are powerful tools for storing and managing customer data. Essentially, these systems function like a digital diary, containing all the information needed to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction. By leveraging the data stored in CRM systems, sales professionals can identify opportunities to increase revenues. Additionally, to streamline this process further, sales professionals can utilize sales pipeline software , enabling them to manage leads and conversions efficiently, ultimately maximizing revenue potential.

Example: “Expertly utilized CRM systems such as Salesforce and Hubspot to manage customer data, track leads, and improve customer satisfaction.

Microsoft Office Skills

While some people may think that showcasing MS Office proficiency is uninteresting and discouraged by recruiters, and instead advocate for emphasizing less apparent abilities — but this viewpoint may not be entirely accurate.

This is because many firms employ applicant tracking systems (ATS) that filter resumes based on specific keywords. Thus, neglecting to include MS Office on your resume may sometimes decrease your chances of being invited for an interview.

Example: “Developed and delivered sales pitches and presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint, resulting in a 20% revenue increase”.

Product Knowledge

Product knowledge is a crucial sales skill that allows the team to understand the features, benefits, and competitive positioning of the products or services they are selling. By possessing in-depth knowledge of the products, employees can provide accurate information to customers, answer questions, and address any concerns or objections.

Example: “Leveraged product knowledge to create customized pitches and presentations that addressed the unique needs and preferences of each customer, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and sales.”

Lead Generation and Nurturing

Generating and nurturing leads to convert potential customers into loyal clients requires more than just a simple approach. It can be a challenging task to undertake, and it’s important to showcase your exceptional skills in this area to potential recruiters.

Example: “Successfully closed a high number of deals by utilizing effective lead generation and nurturing techniques, resulting in consistent financial growth and revenue targets achieved.”

Soft Skills

Emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence is an important sales skill that allows people to understand and manage their emotions and those of others to build stronger relationships with customers. By leveraging emotional intelligence, sales professionals can communicate more effectively with customers, address their needs and concerns, and provide personalized solutions.

Example: “Demonstrated emotional intelligence by developing a deep understanding of customer needs and effectively managing challenging customer situations, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and retention.”

Negotiation Skills

Negotiation skills are crucial for finding mutually beneficial solutions for both the customer and the company. By effectively negotiating, salesmen can build strong relationships with customers, establish trust, and close more deals.

Example: “Leveraged negotiation skills to establish and maintain strong relationships with partners and internal stakeholders, resulting in effective collaboration and partnership development.”

Active Listening

Active listening is an essential skill that allows the team to understand their customers’ needs, concerns, and preferences effectively. By actively listening to their customers, sales professionals can build trust, establish rapport, and provide personalized solutions.

Example: “Effectively clarified information and addressed customer concerns by actively listening and asking probing questions, resulting in increased sales and customer retention.”

Problem Solving

Problem-solving is a valuable skill that enables sales professionals to identify and analyze complex problems and develop effective solutions that meet customers’ needs. Effective problem solving lets the team understand and address customer pain points, develop unique value propositions, and tailor their sales approach to meet specific customer needs.

Example: “Identified and addressed customer pain points through the use of problem-solving skills, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and retention.”

Leadership is an essential sales skill that empowers the team to inspire and motivate teams towards achieving target revenue and creating an environment of constant improvement. By leveraging leadership skills, sales professionals can mentor and guide team members, devise effective merchant strategies, and provide direction and counsel in a dynamic trade landscape.

Example: “Developed and implemented effective sales strategies by leveraging leadership skills to foster collaboration, innovation, and accountability among team members.”

How to List Sales Skills on a Resume

When listing sales skills on a resume, it’s important to customize the skills section to the specific job description and requirements of the role you’re applying for. Here are some tips on how and where to list these skills on a resume:

• Create a separate skills section: Start your resume by creating a separate section that lists your sales skills, highlighting the most relevant and important ones that match the job description.
• Use bullet points: Use bullet points to organize your skills section, making it easy for recruiters to scan and identify the skills they are looking for.
• Order your skills by importance: List your most important skills first, based on the job description and requirements of the role you’re applying for.
• Be specific: Be specific when describing your sales skills. Use numbers, percentages, or examples to demonstrate your achievements and impact.
• Use keywords: Use keywords from the job description in your sales skills section, as many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes for specific keywords.
• Include sales skills in your experience section: In addition to your skills section, highlight your skills and accomplishments in your experience section, describing how you applied them to achieve specific goals and results.

Overall, by highlighting your sales skills on your resume, you can demonstrate your expertise and stand out to potential employers, ultimately increasing your chances of getting hired.

Example of a Sales Resume

John Doe 123 Main St., Anytown USA | 555-555-5555 | [email protected] Objective: Results-driven sales professional with over 5 years of experience in B2B and B2C sales seeking a challenging position in a dynamic company. Skills: – Strategic account management – New business development – Relationship building – Consultative selling – Sales forecasting – Lead generation and nurturing – Negotiation skills – Active listening – Emotional intelligence – Problem-solving skills – Leadership and team management Experience: Senior Sales Representative XYZ Corp, Anytown USA March 2018 – Present – Utilized strategic account management skills to maintain and grow relationships with key clients, resulting in a 20% increase in revenue. – Developed and implemented effective lead generation and nurturing strategies, resulting in a 35% increase in qualified leads and a boost in sales revenue. – Demonstrated expert negotiation skills in closing complex deals with key customers, resulting in increased revenue and customer satisfaction. – Utilized active listening skills to understand and address customer concerns, resulting in increased customer loyalty and retention. – Led a team of 5 sales representatives, providing mentorship and guidance in achieving revenue targets and cultivating a positive and productive work culture. Sales Representative ABC Inc, Anytown USA January 2016 – March 2018 – Prospected and developed new business opportunities through cold calling, networking, and referral programs, resulting in a 25% increase in revenue. – Demonstrated consultative selling skills by understanding customer needs and providing personalized solutions, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and retention. – Effectively utilized forecasting skills to predict and plan for future sales opportunities and trends, resulting in improved financial performance and revenue growth. – Collaborated with marketing teams to develop and execute lead generation campaigns, resulting in a significant increase in leads and conversions. Education : Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Anytown University, Anytown USA Graduated May 2015

How to Improve Sales Skills

Improving sales skills is an ongoing process that requires continuous learning, practice, and feedback. Here are some tips on how to improve such skills:

• Learn from others: Observe successful sales professionals and learn from their techniques and strategies.
• Attend sales training: Attend training courses, seminars, and workshops to improve your skills and gain new insights and ideas.
• Read sales books: Read books, blogs, and articles to gain knowledge and stay up-to-date on sales trends and techniques.
• Practice active listening: Develop your active listening skills to understand your customer’s needs and preferences, and provide tailored solutions.
• Seek feedback: Seek feedback from customers, colleagues, and mentors to identify areas for improvement and develop an action plan.
• Role-play scenarios: Practice role-playing different sales scenarios to build confidence and develop effective communication and persuasion skills.
• Utilize technology: Utilize technology to track and analyze your sales performance, identify areas for improvement, and automate manual tasks.
• Stay motivated: Stay motivated and focused on your goals, and maintain a positive attitude even in the face of rejection or failure.

What Skills Can I Add to a Sales Resume With No Experience?

If you have no experience in sales, you can still add relevant skills to your sales resume that demonstrates your ability to succeed in a sales role.

For example, you can highlight your strong communication skills, ability to work in a team, problem-solving abilities, and customer service experience . You can also showcase any relevant coursework, certifications, or extracurricular activities that demonstrate your interest in sales or develop skills relevant to the field.

Additionally, you can highlight any transferable skills from other jobs or experiences, such as leadership or project management skills. By emphasizing your skills and potential, you can show potential employers that you have what it takes to succeed in a sales role, even without prior experience.

What Are Some Good Resume Skills to Add for Different Sales Positions?

Tailoring your resume skills section to the specific job description and requirements of the position you’re applying for is important. Some good resume skills to add for different sales positions include consultative selling, strategic account management, new business development, lead generation and nurturing, sales forecasting and analysis, negotiation skills, relationship building and management, active listening, emotional intelligence, problem-solving skills, leadership and team management, product knowledge, time management and organization, communication and presentation skills, and technical skills such as proficiency in CRM software or other tools.

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19 Skills a Teacher Should List on a Resume (A to Z List)

Chris Drew (PhD)

Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. He is the former editor of the Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. [Image Descriptor: Photo of Chris]

Learn about our Editorial Process

Examples of teaching skills needed to be successful in today’s classrooms include: leadership, communication, multitasking, patience, and reflectiveness.

When adding these skills to a teacher resume, you can list these in two categories: ‘soft skills’ and ‘hard skills’. We’ve listed which type of skill each is below.

Be sure your teaching resume highlights some of the skills listed below, and discuss how they will benefit the students in your classroom.

For content specifically about soft skills, see soft skills for teachers .

A to Z List of Skills for a Teacher Resume

1. communication.

Type: Soft Skill

Teachers need to be able to communicate in the classroom as well as with colleagues, parents, and administration.

Show prospective employers that you are able to effectively communicate with parents in-person.  Examples of communication skills include your ability to speak professionally and articulately, as well as your ability to be an empathetic listener. 

Teachers will also be required to communicate through different media formats such as Google Classroom, Canvas, Edutopia, or any other required website by your district.

Be sure you are informing prospective employers that you are savvy in communicating your class objectives, standards, and assignments in an easy-to-use media format for parents and administrators.

A teacher who has dynamic communication skills will stand out as a candidate that school districts can trust to effectively reach all members of a learning community.

You Might Also Like: Teaching Philosophy Statement Examples

2. Computer Skills

Type: Hard Skill

Technology is here to stay in education. Feature how you use technology in your classroom to make yourself stand out on a resume.

If you use a smart board, projector, online classrooms, or technology in general to drive your instruction, make this stand out on your resume.  In the real world your students will be using computer skills in any or all future job opportunities. 

For example, a student might have to access google classroom in order to access a text and assignment for the day. In math, a group might be working on a shared online document to create a graphing presentation. In Science, students could be using project-based learning to demonstrate their understanding of skills or concepts taught in your class.

A resume that doesn’t highlight a teacher’s ability to incorporate and promote computer skills in their classroom will simply be overlooked.  It is no longer a skill you can go without in the classroom.

3. Creativity

Administrators love hearing new ideas for successful lesson planning and teaching. Demonstrating how you provide a creative spin to older teaching practices is a fantastic way to stand out on your resume.

Creativity can be highlighted in many different parts of your teaching style : how you develop unique lessons, how you informally assess students during class to drive your instruction, innovative solutions you have to common behavioral problems in your classroom, how you support students in sharing ideas and communicating, etc. 

Any way you can offer new insights for common practices in the classroom that lead to student success will highlight your ability to be creative.

For example, a teacher who uses a peer learning strategy that allows their students to read multiple examples of their classmates would showcase that you understand that exposure to multiple examples increases student understanding of writing skills. 

Provide specific examples of how your teaching practices go beyond normal expectations in a classroom setting and highlight the benefits of those examples for your students. This will prove your ability to be creative on your resume.

You Might Also Like: Teacher Vision Statement Examples

4. Cultural Competence

Diversity in education cannot be overlooked.  Your resume needs to prove you can connect with and include to a multitude of cultural backgrounds in your classroom.

An English teacher might discuss the multicultural literature they use during their lesson plans to allow their students to see themselves within the stories and topics they are discussing, for example.

Any teacher can include cultural competence by promoting and respecting dynamic cultural differences of their students in the classroom.

Your resume should highlight how you allow your students to share their personal stories and how you, as their teacher, both formally and informally recognize those differences.

One tip would be to outline how you reach out to students at the beginning of the year and allow them to share their cultures and experiences before diving into any given curriculum.

Cultural competence cannot be overlooked on your resume.  You need to prove your ability to be culturally aware, and how you encourage students to be aware and accepting of their peers’ cultural differences. 

5. Goal Setting

Goal setting for teachers involves making sure you have short-term and long-term plans, as well as knowledge of the steps required to get there.

This is required because teachers need to be able to create a coherent unit of work to get students from their prior knowledge to mastery of a topic.

Your resume should outline how you set goals for yourself and your students, the tasks you need to accomplish, how you minimize distractions, and your overall plan for accomplishing your daily activities successfully.

6. Leadership

Teachers are leaders inside the classroom and in the school community. 

In the classroom, teachers lead groups all day long . They need a leader’s negotiating skills with students while also being able to assert their authority in the classroom.

They might also train and mentor younger and less experienced teachers and help parents with child development information that can help them raise their children.

In the school community, teachers participate in school committees where they develop educational programs and school policies. will usually be more sought after than a candidate focused solely on their classroom instruction.

School districts also have many leadership positions that need to be filled outside of the classroom, including:

• school improvement plans,
• curriculum planning,
• policy and procedure development,
• behavioral programs, etc. 

Market your leadership skills on your resume by showing times when you have been a leader in and outside of the school context. Showcasing these leadership skills are sure to get you closer to securing an interview spot.   

7. Lesson Planning

Lesson planning is a skill specific to our profession. It involves the ability to lay out not just what you will teach but how you will teach it.

Many employers now ask to see samples of lesson plans appended to resumes. If this is required, make sure you list your teaching strategies and be aware of the layout of the classroom. Your lesson plan should answer questions like:

• Where is the teacher standing?
• Are the students in groups or working independently?
• What will be the pacing of the lesson?
• How will you transition into and out of phases of the lesson?
• What education theories are you relying on while executing this lesson?

8. Math Skills

Even if you are not a math teacher you can still easily highlight your math skills on a teaching resume.

Data-driven instruction is a major theme in successful classrooms.  Be sure to demonstrate how you collect data from your students in regards to skills they are working on in class. Questions you might get in an interview may include:

• How do you organize student data?
• How do you interpret data to drive your instruction for your next lesson plan or unit? 

Outlining these components on your day-to-day data collection and assessment will showcase your math skills, even if you are an English teacher.

You can even provide an example of your data collection on an anonymous student and describe how you might interpret that data to a parent or guardian so they can better understand their child’s progress in your class. 

Even if you aren’t a math or science teacher, math and data collection should still be a driving force in your teaching.  Prove this on your resume and you’ll easily showcase your math skills!

9. Multitasking

Your resume should lay out your ability to facilitate the many roles teachers play in their classroom.

In a single class, a teacher will take attendance, engage students, provide materials, introduce assignments, give directions, document behaviors, informally assess student understanding, reteach, and the list goes on!

There is no end to the amount of tasks a teacher may or may not perform in a single class period, let alone an entire day. 

Your resume needs to display your ability to handle the ever-changing needs of your students on a daily basis.  This includes both instruction and social emotional needs of your students. 

Be sure your employer knows that you understand the complexity of what happens in a classroom on a daily basis by giving examples of your ability to handle and adapt to the ever-changing environment of your classroom.

See More: 25 Examples of Multitasking

10. Patience

Teaching is the most patient of professions. Often times, you need to sit patiently with a student for a long time before they finally have the ‘light bulb’ moment they need.

A patient educator needs to be able to change up their pedagogy to match the needs of the student. For example, they should identify when a student is struggling with your teaching modalities and switch them up to a modality that is more beneficial for the student.

If you can, provide examples of past experiences where you’ve demonstrated patience and the positive outcomes that came from those experiences.  Real examples of how you can be patient in an academic setting will set you apart from other candidates.

11. Problem Solving

Being able to identify a problem, determine the cause of the problem, and initiate possible solutions to a problem are a prominent skills for any teacher and should be showcased on your resume.

Problems will appear throughout a teacher’s day. Problems with technology, problems with parents, problems with student behaviors, and student learning difficulties are all examples of issues teachers will need to face. 

‘Putting out fires’ and finding solutions for both your own problems and the problems of your students are therefore central skills. 

Showcases this to employers as a way to enhance your resume. Make sure you demonstrate you are capable of finding solutions for a variety of situations that could occur in any teacher’s day-to-day encounters.

Be sure your resume discusses your problem-solving skills with simple examples and solutions to ensure your prospective employer understands you fully acknowledge that all competent teachers can problem solve.

12. Punctuality

A classroom full of unsupervised students can lead to catastrophe. So be sure your employer is aware of your ability to be on time.

Being punctual to your classes at the start of the school day is necessary for the wellbeing of the students within the school. Teacher presence is often seen as one of the most important aspects of keeping students’ good behavior.

Beyond student supervision, you should be demonstrating to your employer that you are a candidate that they can count on to show up. Nothing is worse for administration than scrambling to find a last-minute substitute for a teacher who doesn’t show up on time to work.

Furthermore, nothing is worse for one of your colleagues than being called out of their planned period to substitute because you were a no-show! No one wants a colleague like that.

Your resume should prove you are accountable and that you will be present every day for your colleagues and your students. 

13. Reflectiveness

A reflective teacher is one who pauses at the end of the lesson and reflects on how it went. By being reflective, they can continually learn from their experiences and improve.

One way teachers show reflectiveness is to discuss how the use students’ formative assessments to plan future assessments.

Once learning is assessed teachers then need to plan their next lessons based on student mastery and determine whether they require interventions for greater understanding or enrichment opportunities for continued growth within a skill. 

One way you can accomplish this is discussing how you might incorporate reteaching strategies when students are not yet reaching mastery for a task that you previously planned to move on from.

14. Resilience

Teachers need to be able to quickly recover from difficulties in their day-to-day jobs. 

Things aren’t going to go right for you. There will always be issues that you could have solved better, and prickly parents who you need to deal with regularly.

Much like a teacher’s ability to problem solve and find solutions, teachers need to quickly bounce back after handling problems.

For instance, a teacher may receive an email in the middle of day outlining a parent complaint where their practice or skills are put down or diminished. Oftentimes, teachers must quickly adapt and continue meeting the needs of their students after facing such scrutiny.

Your resume could include a glimpse into how you might recover from such situations and your plan for growth and improvement. If you have specific examples of your previous resilience in your teaching experience, be sure to highlight these on your resume.

15. Social and Emotional Intelligence

Demonstrating your ability to be are aware of your own feelings, including your strengths and weaknesses, will prove your social and emotional intelligence.

Incorporating social emotional intelligence on your resume is simple. It can be outlined in your ability to communicate, problem solve, and self-assess your work.  

Be sure that you offer examples of both what you excel at in the classroom and what you need to work on.  When discussing what you need to improve on, be sure to include how you will make those improvements and the benefits they will have in your classroom and for your students.

Another way to include social emotional intelligence is your ability to be responsive to your students’ social emotional status within your classroom.

Provide examples for when you understood a student was struggling and provided them with resources needed to support them.

A student who may have struggled to pay attention might be struggling with hunger.  As a teacher, you were able to find them resources for free breakfast and lunch at school is a dynamite way to highlight your social emotional intelligence.

Highlighting your own social emotional intelligence and your ability to recognize social emotional cues in your students will give you an edge on your resume.

See More: Examples of High Emotional Intelligence

16. Subject-Specific Knowledge

Subject-specific knowledge is the hard skill of knowing not how to teach, but what you’re teaching .

A math teacher needs to have excellent math skills, a physics teacher must be excellent at physics, and a woodworking teacher needs excellent skills with a lathe!

One way to demonstrate excellent subject-specific knowledge is to show how you’ve used your subject-specific knowledge in your work prior to becoming a teacher.

17. Teamwork

Being a skilled team member is one of the most crucial parts of being a stellar educator. 

In order to efficiently meet the needs of diverse learners, teamwork is crucial.

Current trends in teamwork for schools include just that: teams of teachers who teach the same group of students.

One example is a school who has all core teachers (Math, Social Studies, Science, and English) overseeing the education of the same group of students.

These teachers will communicate on a daily or weekly basis on the needs of individual students including:  their success in classes, behavioral issues, social emotional needs, special education needs, etc. 

Teams of teachers should be able to observe and provide interventions for students struggling when they work together to meet student needs.  A greater impact can be made on a students’ success in the classroom when there’s a team of teachers in that student’s corner.

Exemplifying your ability to work on a team in an educational setting is a great way to increase merit on your teaching resume.

18. Time Management

In teaching you will not be seen as a viable potential employee if you cannot demonstrate your ability to organize and plan your time.

We live in a time where the crowded curriculum means we need to leverage every moment of the day. If we don’t, we’ll never get through all the teaching we need to get done by the end of the school year.

19. Writing Skills

There’s nothing worse than a teacher who sends home a newsletter with spelling mistakes all over it. It undermines your credibility as an educator!

Your resume is the first look your potential employer has of your writing skills. Make sure it’s impeccable.

You could also explicitly discuss your writing skills. For example, you could provide examples of how you model writing in your classroom, regardless of your discipline. Writing is, after all, a general academic skill that all students need. 

Remember, your resume itself will showcase your writing skills.  Be sure you have proofread your resume and that your writing is grammatically correct, formatted efficiently, and is easy to navigate for potential employers.

Go Deeper: Writing Skills Examples

Soft Skills vs Hard Skills

Soft skills are generalizable skills that are difficult to measure whereas hard skills are specific skills required in a profession, which are generally quantifiably measurable.

1. Soft skills are skills that are general in nature and can be transferrable across different professions. They are usually not quantitatively measurable. Examples include communication and leadership skills.

Soft skills also often require use of emotional intelligence to get them done. In other words, they often involve navigating complex social situations (although not always).

2. Hard skills are skills that are specific for tasks rather than generalist. They’re usually quantifiable and relate directly to your profession. For example, creating lesson plans is a measurable skill (you produce something at the end) and one that is specifically for the teaching profession.

Common Interview Questions for Teachers

• How would you handle a disruptive student? I would answer this by highlighting the important to stay calm and patient, show concern for the student’s needs, and work together with the student, parents, and support staff to ensure the student is comfortable in the learning environment to minimize disruptive behavior going forward.
• What is your teaching style? Most teachers would answer this with reference to active learning , placing an emphasis on situated learning , or achieving differentiation (see: examples of differentiated instruction ).
• How do you plan to contribute to the learning culture at our school? Emphasize your ability to support other teachers, demonstrating high-standards to be a good role model to all students, and your enthusiasm to participate in co-curricular and extracurricular activities.

While the skills included in this article can seem overwhelming, remember that many of these skills are layered within each other and can be incorporated together in different aspects of your resume. 

Time management, patience, resilience, and problem solving are all skills that piggyback off of one another.  You likely won’t have one without touching on some of the others.

Work to group or highlight skills included in this article together.

Most importantly, remember to always make the forefront of your resume about the students.  Highlight how your skills enhance their learning.

The focus should always be on how you can increase student success in your classroom both academically and as citizens.  Teaching is really about the skills you have that make your students thrive!

• Chris Drew (PhD) https://helpfulprofessor.com/author/chris-drew-phd/ 10 Reasons you’re Perpetually Single
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Excellent Article! Thank you for sharing. Fred

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How to write the “About Me” section in a Resume? (11+ examples)

Published on September 2nd, 2024

While building your resume, the "About Me" section in a resume is that golden opportunity to showcase who you uniquely and professionally are. It is in this section that you get to tell them who you are beyond titles and skills. But how do you know this section hits the mark? Let's dive into some tips and examples to help you write an "About Me" section worth reading.

Why is the “About Me” Section Important?

Your "About Me" section is the elevator pitch of your resume. This is the summary of your professional journey, your skills, and the value you can bring to the table. If it's done correctly, it will grasp the recruiter's attention and set the tone for the remainder of your resume.

Tips for Writing an Engaging “About Me” Section

• Keep it short: Your "About Me" section is supposed to summarize, not be a biography. Try to keep it within 3-4 sentences that highlight your career and what sets you apart.
• Be real: This is your opportunity to shine as you. Stay away from jargon and clichés and get to the root of what makes you different from every other candidate out there.
• Personalize it for the Job:  Tailor-make your "About Me" section for each application. Highlight those skills and experiences that best fit the job you are applying for.
• Achievements: Just listing your responsibilities isn't saying enough; show how well you can do it. Mention significant achievements or milestones that prove the impact.
• Industry Keywords:  Sprinkle relevant industry keywords naturally in your "About Me" section. It will not only help with the ATS but also do wonders for the human reader.
• Enthusiasm: Convey that you are very excited to be hired because you love the work involved in the field.

What to Put in the “About Me” Section of a Resume?

Knowing what to put in the “About Me” section of a resume can be challenging, but it's important to strike the right balance between professionalism and personality. Here are some key elements you should consider including:

Professional Summary: In the resume summary, write a small introduction about yourself regarding your designation, experience, and key skills. This gives the reader a snapshot of your professional background quickly.

Core Skills:  List some of the most important skills that you master for the job you are applying for. These would range from technical expertise to soft skills such as leadership or effective communication.

Career Achievements:  Highlight some of the greatest accomplishments or milestones of your career. This will go a long way to show the impacts you have brought to previous roles and can further enhance your profile.

Personal Traits:  While it’s important to focus on professional attributes, including a few personal traits can help humanize your resume. For example, you might mention your enthusiasm for problem-solving, creativity, or passion for continuous learning.

Career Goals:  If space permits, briefly mention your career goals or what you’re looking for in your next role. This can show potential employers that you’re thoughtful about your career trajectory and how their role fits into your plans.

11+ Resume About Me Examples

For a Marketing Professional:  

Passionate marketing strategist with over 5 years of experience in developing data-driven campaigns that drive brand awareness and sales growth. Skilled in social media management, content creation, and analytics.

For a Software Engineer:  

Innovative software engineer with 7+ years of experience in full-stack development. Adept at solving complex problems and building scalable applications that improve user experience.

For a Graphic Designer:  

Creative graphic designer with a knack for visual storytelling. Expert in Adobe Creative Suite with a proven track record of delivering compelling designs that captivate audiences.

For a Human Resources Specialist:  

Experienced HR professional with a passion for fostering a positive work environment. Specializes in talent acquisition, employee relations, and implementing effective HR policies.

For a Sales Manager:  

Results-driven sales manager with a decade of experience in leading high-performing teams. Adept at crafting strategies that boost sales and enhance customer satisfaction.

For an Accountant:  

Detail-oriented accountant with a strong background in financial reporting and analysis. Committed to delivering accurate and timely financial information to support business decisions.

For a Content Writer:  

Versatile content writer with a flair for crafting engaging copy across various platforms. Specializes in SEO content that drives traffic and enhances brand visibility.

For a Project Manager:  

Seasoned project manager with a proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and deliver projects on time and within budget. Skilled in Agile methodologies and risk management.

For a Data Analyst:  

A data-driven analyst with a passion for uncovering insights from complex datasets. Proficient in SQL, Python, and data visualization tools to support strategic decision-making.

For a Customer Service Representative:  

Dedicated customer service professional with a strong focus on customer satisfaction. Experienced in resolving issues efficiently and building long-term customer relationships.

For a Teacher:  

A passionate educator with over 8 years of experience in creating engaging learning environments. Committed to fostering student growth through innovative teaching methods.

How HireQuotient AI Resume Builder Help In Creating an About Me Section?

The HireQuotient AI Resume Builder simplifies creating the "About Me" section by generating personalized, keyword-optimized summaries. It analyzes your skills, experience, and achievements to craft a compelling and concise profile, ensuring you make a strong first impression on potential employers. The tool tailors the content to match the job description, enhancing your chances of standing out in the hiring process.

Ready to create a standout 'About Me' section effortlessly? Give AI Resume Builder a try – visit now and craft your perfect resume in minutes!

Instead, the "About Me" section is not just a resume filler, but it's your ticket to making a lasting impression. Whether you're a seasoned pro or fresh off the career boat, a well-crafted "About Me" section can make all the difference. Keep in mind to keep it short, real, and relevant for the job one applying for. With these few tips and examples, you're off to a great start in writing that "About Me" section, representing yourself with the real deal of what you bring to the table.

By following these guidelines, you’ll ensure your “About Me” section is not only engaging but also optimized with the keyword "About me" naturally integrated throughout the content. Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you introduce yourself in a resume?

The first words of your professional introduction should include your name, job title, and employer.

What is a good line about me for a resume?

A strong line should summarize your professional identity and key skills. Example:  “Results-driven project manager with 7+ years of experience leading successful teams and projects.”

How do I write about me?

Summarize your career highlights, skills, and unique qualities in a concise, engaging way relevant to the job.

How do I tell about myself?

Briefly cover your professional background, key skills, and personality traits that align with the role you’re applying for.

How to write a personal profile?

Write a short, focused summary of your career goals, skills, and accomplishments that align with the job and capture attention.

Soujanya Varada

As a technical content writer and social media strategist, Soujanya develops and manages strategies at HireQuotient. With strong technical background and years of experience in content management, she looks for opportunities to flourish in the digital space. Soujanya is also a dance fanatic and believes in spreading light!

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More From Forbes

How to prove you're a good leader on your cv.

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In the competitive job market, showcasing leadership skills on your CV can set you apart as a senior professional, and understanding how to present your leadership qualities effectively can make a significant difference.

Here’s 5 ways you can prove you're a good leader on your CV.

Highlight leadership roles and achievements

To demonstrate your leadership capabilities, it's essential to highlight specific roles where you have led teams or projects.

Begin by identifying positions where you held leadership responsibilities and describe your achievements in these roles.

For instance, instead of simply stating that you were a "Project Manager", elaborate on your accomplishments such as "Led a cross-functional team of 15 in delivering a £2 million project on time and within budget."

Use quantifiable metrics to substantiate your achievements, showcasing the tangible impact of your leadership. Mention awards or recognitions received for your leadership, as these serve as external validations of your capabilities.

Emphasising your leadership roles and achievements provides concrete evidence of your ability to lead effectively.

Demonstrate effective communication

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Effective communication is a cornerstone of good leadership.

On your CV, illustrate how your communication skills have contributed to successful outcomes. This could be through examples of presentations to stakeholders, leading meetings, or managing conflict within your team.

Describe situations where your clear and concise communication facilitated project success or improved team dynamics. For example, "Presented quarterly business updates to the executive board, resulting in the approval of a £500,000 budget increase."

Highlighting your ability to convey ideas clearly and persuasively can reassure potential employers of your competence in managing and inspiring teams.

Additionally, showcasing any public speaking engagements or published articles can further underline your strong communication skills.

It’s also beneficial to note any multilingual abilities, as these can be advantageous in global or multicultural settings.

Proving you're a good leader on your CV involves more than just listing your job titles.

Showcase problem-solving and decision-making abilities

Leadership often involves making tough decisions and solving complex problems.

To illustrate these skills, include examples where your problem-solving and decision-making abilities have led to successful outcomes.

Describe scenarios where you identified issues, analysed options, and implemented effective solutions. For instance, "Resolved a major supply chain issue by developing a new logistics strategy, reducing delivery times by 20%."

This not only demonstrates your analytical skills but also your capacity to remain calm and decisive under pressure.

Providing specific examples of challenges faced and the strategies you employed to overcome them can vividly portray your problem-solving prowess and strategic thinking.

Additionally, emphasising your involvement in strategic planning sessions or your role in crisis management can further bolster your leadership credentials.

Provide evidence of team building and mentoring

A key aspect of leadership is the ability to build and nurture effective teams.

Highlight instances where you have successfully mentored colleagues or fostered a collaborative team environment.

Mention any structured mentoring programmes you initiated or participated in, and the positive outcomes of these efforts. For example, "Mentored five junior analysts, all of whom were promoted within a year due to improved performance."

Discuss how your leadership contributed to team success, such as improving morale, increasing productivity, or facilitating professional development.

Emphasising your role in team building and mentoring can demonstrate your commitment to developing others and your ability to lead by example.

Don’t forget to mention any team-building activities or initiatives you spearheaded that resulted in improved team cohesion and performance.

Emphasise adaptability and resilience

In today's dynamic work environment, adaptability and resilience are crucial leadership traits, and you should use your CV to showcase how you have navigated change and overcome adversity.

Provide examples of how you adapted to new challenges, whether through leading organisational change, managing crises, or transitioning to new technologies. For instance, "Led the transition to remote work during the pandemic, ensuring seamless operations and maintaining team productivity."

Highlighting your ability to remain resilient and effective in the face of setbacks can reassure potential employers of your capacity to handle future challenges.

Demonstrating adaptability and resilience underscores your preparedness to lead in an ever-evolving professional landscape.

Additionally, showcasing your continuous learning efforts, such as new certifications or skills acquired during challenging times, can further illustrate your proactive approach to leadership.

Proving you're a good leader on your CV involves more than just listing your job titles. It's about detailing your leadership experiences, showcasing your communication prowess, demonstrating your problem-solving skills, highlighting your team-building efforts, and emphasising your adaptability and resilience.

By weaving these elements into your CV, you can present a compelling narrative that portrays you as an effective and dynamic leader, ready to take on senior professional roles with confidence.

Remember, your CV is not just a document but a powerful tool to market yourself and your leadership capabilities to potential employers, and the next step to your dream role.

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Functional Resume: Writing Guide, Examples, & Template

11 min read · Updated on August 28, 2024

What is a functional resume, and is it suitable for your job search?

Submitting the best resume possible is essential regardless of the job you're applying to. Selecting the proper format for your unique circumstances is one aspect of ensuring that's the case. Many turn to the common chronological resume format. But what happens if your work history and skills don't fall neatly within that format? Then, a functional resume might be an option.

Below, we answer, “What is a functional resume?” and share tips with a template, as well. 

What is a functional resume?

The functional resume format emphasizes your skills over your work history. The goal of a functional resume is to craft your carer history in such a way that proves how the skills you've acquired align with the job you want. It's these skills that will stand out first and foremost to the hiring team. 

You still include your work history in a functional resume, though you don't go into detail about your accomplishments for each specific position. Instead, you include your accomplishments within each skill category. 

FORESHADOWING: We have a functional resume example at the end of this post you can refer to and see how this works. 

A functional resume tends to be a last-resort format for a couple of reasons:

Applicant tracking systems sometimes have a difficult time reading a functional resume format. 

Since the functional format is not that common, it can be more difficult for recruiters and hiring managers to find the information they're seeking quickly.

Still, if you don't have a traditional work history but have many skills relevant to the job you're applying for, a functional resume could be the best choice for you. 

What is a functional resume vs. a chronological resume?

The chronological resume, also referred to as a reverse chronological resume, is the most commonly used resume format. This format focuses on your work history instead of skills like the functional format. 

In the chronological format, you will include your most recent job first, with the rest of your experience in reverse chronological order. Each position will have a set of bullets that flesh out your achievements in that role. 

A chronological resume is an ATS-friendly format when it's written correctly. It also tends to be the most popular among hiring teams since they're familiar with the format and can easily locate the information that matters to them. 

Related reading: How to Use a Reverse Chronological Resume Format

What is a functional resume vs. a hybrid resume?

A hybrid resume, also called a combination resume, blends aspects of the chronological and functional resume formats. The goal of a hybrid resume is to equally emphasize your skills and work history. 

The hybrid resume has become a popular format choice for candidates since it gives the opportunity to emphasize the skills you have in combination with your work history. It's also a format that tends to be easily read by ATS and human readers. 

Related reading: The Best Resume Format to Get You Hired

When should you use a functional resume?

Now that we've answered “What is a functional resume?” let's discuss when you should and shouldn't use this format option.

A functional resume might work well for you if:

You have been out of the workforce for a while. Suppose you're reentering the workforce after some time. In that case, you might not want that fact to be the first thing prospective employers notice about your resume. Instead, you'd prefer they see your impressive categories of skills. 

You have a large gap in your employment history. Similar to being out of the workforce for a while, a functional resume helps to emphasize your relevant skills first to give a positive spin on your resume, helping to take the emphasis off of your employment gap(s). 

You have held jobs that span a lot of different types and industries . If your employment record is all over the place regarding the industries and types of jobs you've held, it might not be easy for a hiring team to connect your experience to the job you're applying for. A functional resume will allow you to emphasize that you have the skills necessary for the job first, so your diverse employment record isn't called into question (hopefully) as much. 

You have little to no work experience. You might not have much work experience if you're right out of college. You do likely, however,  have a lot of skills you've acquired through school activities, sports, part-time work, or school clubs. A functional resume allows you to be creative in the skills you represent first, helping to grab the attention of hiring teams with what's most relevant.

Your skills have been acquired through means other than traditional work experience. Suppose you have relevant skills acquired through things like hobbies, interests, or volunteer experience over conventional work experience. In that case, a functional resume will allow you to emphasize these skills so they stand out better than they would in a chronological format. 

When should you not use a functional resume?

If any of the following pertain to you, then it's likely in your best interest to choose a hybrid or chronological resume format:

You have a traditional employment career trajectory. If you have plenty of work experience related to the job with a typical career growth path, then a chronological or hybrid resume is the way to go. 

You're changing careers and want to emphasize transferable skills. If you've gained a lot of transferable skills and are making a career shift, a hybrid resume is an excellent way to highlight your transferable skills first, with your work experience coming in second. 

Your most recent employment history is relevant. If your most recent employment is relevant to the job, even if some of the rest of your work history isn't, you'll likely do better with a hybrid or chronological format over a functional one. 

What to include in a functional resume

Here are the sections to include in a functional resume:

Start with your contact information

Regardless of the format you select, you'll start it off with your contact information. This includes your name, cell phone number, email address, and location (city, state, zip code). You can also include your LinkedIn or professional website URL. 

Kick it off with a resume summary

Another common element across all resume formats is starting it off with a resume summary . Your summary should encapsulate what your resume is about. You want to grab the reader's attention enough for them to want to learn more. Include three to five essential skills and one to two accomplishments, with some powerful adjectives to describe you. 

Categorize your skills

The bulk of your resume for a functional format will be your Professional Skills section. Here's where you'll categorize your skills and include key accomplishments from your experience to showcase how you applied those skills successfully in the past. 

Incorporate your work history

Following your Professional Skills section, include your work history. Here, include the name of the employer, your position, and the dates you were employed. Where you would include bullet points of your accomplishments below each position for a chronological and hybrid format, you will leave those off in the functional format. You've already covered key accomplishments within your categories of skills.

Close it off with education

Like other resume formats, your functional resume will end with your Education section . An exception to this is if you are a new hire with little to no work experience and a few skills to highlight. In that case, you'll emphasize your education by listing it first, followed by your Skills section and then your work history. 

Your Education section should include your degree and where you obtained it. You can also include any honors you might've achieved. 

Many also choose to include any relevant certifications in their Education section. Or, you can opt to include a separate Certifications section if you have more than one to highlight.

Include additional sections as appropriate

You may include additional sections on your resume depending on your unique circumstances. Additional sections could include Volunteer Experience, Hobbies and Interests, Certifications, Special Projects, and Technical Skills.

Tips for writing your functional resume

Here are a few additional tips to help you craft a job-winning resume:

Tailor your resume to each job. Refer to the job description and tailor your resume to include keywords and information that aligns with your skills and experience. 

Use power verbs. Begin each work accomplishment bullet point with a power verb . 

Include as much quantifiable information as possible. When describing your accomplishments, include results and use data to quantify those results as much as possible. 

Example of a functional resume 

Here is an example of a functional resume for someone pursuing an HR-related job. You'll see this individual has a brief employment gap and a bit of an unconventional career path, making a functional resume a suitable option.

Kendra Smith

555.555.5555 | [email protected] | Morgantown, WV 26250 

Intuitive professional with multi-dimensional expertise in Human Resources for diverse group of industries, including oil & gas, finance, Internet marketing, and real estate. Timely and efficient with the ability to work with all levels of staff within an organization. Influential in working with leadership teams to support the best interests and wellbeing of employees. Expertise includes recruiting, employee relations, training and development, and performance management. 

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Staffing & Recruiting

• Partnered with recruiters to rebuild workforce after a 40% reduction due to Hurricane Katrina relocation
• Counseled management while going through a reduction in force for 150+ positions
• Recruited for over 500 positions in multi-faceted environments
• Utilized applicant tracking system (ATS) software, including Taleo, JobVite, and SAP, to monitor resume submissions and data
• Designed a one-stop shop website to assist new hires in assimilating to the community and company

Employee Relations & Performance Management

• Managed employee relations for global and domestic client groups totaling 500-700 employees for multi-million dollar companies
• Designed and implemented new company-wide Service Award Program
• Developed new Performance Management process resulting in more effective employee development, documentation, and communication
• Directed relocation project and successfully transferred 300+ positions from Austin to Houston, TX

Communications & Policy Design

• Prepared and administered 40+ HR-focused policies, including performance management, non-solicitation, harassment, education reimbursement, annual MVR reviews, and discipline for $4.5B start-up company
• Partnered with HR & Legal departments to develop and present materials for pertinent employee communications, including Austin relocation, benefits open enrollment, and policy updates
• Presented HR updates, including goals and projects, for monthly Leadership staff meetings
• Drafted and wrote 200+ employee, HR, and CEO communications

Training & Development

• Developed 30+ training modules focused on HR Foundational skills for supervisors and managers, including union avoidance, effective communication, performance management, employment law, recruiting, and employee development
• Spearheaded culturally sensitive technical and professional career development plans for 100 international and domestic employees
• Trained HR colleagues on I-9 government compliance

WORK EXPERIENCE

HR SME Copywriter:  IESquared, LLC, Houston, TX, 6/2020 - Present 

Public Relations Specialist:  PrimeWay Credit Union, Houston, TX. 4/2017 - 6/2020 

HR Recruiter:  HighMount E & P, Oklahoma City, OK, 11/2012 - 5/2013

HR Operations Manager:  Dominion E & P, Houston, TX, 9/2010 - 10/2012

EDUCATION   

West Virginia University – Morgantown, WV

• Master of Science in Human Resources and Industrial Relations
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Is a functional resume right for you?

Now that you know the answer to “What is a functional resume?” it's time to decide if it's the right option for you. If you have a traditional work history, recent relevant work, or are applying for a job where your work history is necessary to include in detail, then you should forgo the functional resume format. If you fall into any of the other categories above where a functional resume could be of value, then go for it. And, when in doubt, you can always hire a resume writer to help. Good luck!

Are you using the right format for your resume? Find out by submitting it for a free resume review . Our experts will review it and provide specific tips to help improve it and get past an ATS!

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Understanding Personal Skills: Definition, Examples, and Improvement Techniques

Your career success depends on more than just technical expertise. You also need soft skills such as communicating well with people and motivating yourself. Whether you are trying to find a job or advance your career , developing strong personal skills can help you achieve your goals.

We answer the question “What are personal skills?” and provide useful tips on improving them.

The topics we will cover include:

What are personal skills?

Why are personal skills important, personal skills examples, how to display personal skills in the workplace.

Also known as soft skills , personal skills can make you a good communicator, strong team player, or effective leader. They can improve your ability to thrive in your workplace. They increase your value as an employee. These skills are important in today's fast-paced, competitive work environment.

A survey found that 73% of Singapore professionals think companies are more willing to hire based on skills alone. So, if you want to land the desired job or boost your career growth, improving your personal skills is essential.

Developing personal skills is acquiring and improving personality traits. They make your interactions better and help you do your job well. One example of a personal skill is time management. This skill can help you meet deadlines and complete tasks according to expectations.

Personal skills are different from technical skills in that they are intangible. Employers can assess hard skills based on educational qualifications and practical experience. Since personal skills are harder to define, they can be more challenging to learn.

Personal skills play a vital role in your professional growth and success. They can help you talk to team members, colleagues, supervisors, and customers. This results in better communication and collaboration. It fosters a sense of unity and collaboration among workplace colleagues. Good personal skills can make a positive impression and help you advance in your career.

Employers value job seekers and employees with strong personal skills. Such individuals can be valuable assets to their companies. They can help an organisation operate smoothly, adapt to changes, and deliver better project outcomes. They are also generally more confident and passionate about their work. They can motivate themselves to maintain high levels of performance.

Communication

Communication is a critical personal skill determines how well you share and receive messages. An effective communicator exchanges information and ideas to help reduce misunderstandings and inefficiencies. This can improve teamwork and productivity and contribute to a positive work environment. To become a good communicator, you must simplify complex topics and make them as easy to understand as possible. You can highlight your communication skills in your resume summary, a separate skills section, or professional experience.

Collaboration

Collaboration is the ability to work with others to achieve a common goal. It includes sharing responsibilities, supporting team members, and ensuring tasks are completed efficiently and on time.

Showcase collaboration skills in resumes by detailing successful team projects or cross-functional initiatives where your contribution led to positive outcomes. In interviews, discuss specific examples of how you facilitated teamwork, resolved conflicts, or contributed to achieving team objectives through collaboration.

Time management

Effective time management is essential for maximising productivity and meeting deadlines. It involves prioritising tasks, planning schedules, and staying organised. Highlighting strong time management skills in your resume by showcasing achievements where you successfully managed multiple tasks within tight deadlines. During interviews, provide examples of how your time management skills contributed to project success or enabled you to handle challenging situations effectively.

Motivation drives individuals to set goals, take initiative, and strive for continuous improvement. It involves maintaining enthusiasm, self-discipline, and a proactive approach to tasks. Demonstrate motivation in resumes by highlighting accomplishments driven by personal initiative and determination. In interviews, discuss how your intrinsic motivation and commitment to achieving results have positively impacted your work performance and contributed to personal and professional growth.

Problem-solving

Problem-solving skills involve gathering information, evaluating options, and implementing effective strategies. They are critical for analysing issues, identifying solutions, and making informed decisions.

Showcasing problem-solving skills in resumes can be achieved by describing instances where you successfully resolved complex challenges or implemented innovative solutions. During interviews, explain your problem-solving approach, including how you analyse problems, collaborate with others, and achieve positive outcomes through strategic decision-making.

Critical thinking

Critical thinking involves reasoning, evaluating information, and making informed decisions. This skill is essential in the workplace as it helps solve complex problems and improve processes. To enhance your critical thinking skills, research thoroughly, analyse data, manage risks and rewards, and consider all possible options and outcomes.

Showcase this skill on your resume by highlighting instances where your critical thinking led to successful problem-solving. In interviews, discuss specific examples of how you used critical thinking to overcome challenges.

Active listening

Active listening ensures that you fully comprehend messages, preventing confusion and misunderstandings. This skill is vital for smooth workflows and effective communication. Improve active listening by focusing on what the speaker is saying, retaining information, and asking follow-up questions to confirm your understanding.

Highlight this skill on your resume by mentioning roles where effective communication was crucial. In interviews, provide examples of how active listening led to successful collaborations or conflict resolutions.

Leadership involves managing teams and projects, guiding them to achieve the best possible outcomes. Effective leaders provide guidance, delegate tasks, lead by example, and take accountability when necessary.

To improve your leadership skills, develop self-awareness, enhance communication, build trust within your team, and strengthen decision-making capabilities. On your resume, emphasise leadership roles and successful project outcomes. In interviews, share examples of how your leadership contributed to team success.

Adaptability

Adaptability means embracing change and facing new challenges positively. This skill is valuable in the workplace as it helps companies adopt new processes and technologies. Improve your adaptability by stepping outside your comfort zone, shifting priorities, and staying positive when plans change.

Showcase this skill on your resume by highlighting experiences where you successfully adapted to change. In interviews, discuss specific instances where your adaptability led to positive outcomes.

Teamwork involves the ability to relate, communicate, and collaborate effectively with others to achieve shared objectives. This skill is useful in the workplace as it enables you to complete group tasks, support teammates, and resolve conflicts.

To improve teamwork skills, respect everyone's opinions and ideas, assist others with their work, contribute to group decision-making, and offer constructive feedback. Showcase this skill on your resume by highlighting team projects and in interviews by providing examples of successful collaborations.

Management skills can help you oversee and guide people and projects effectively. These skills are crucial for an organisation's success, leading to increased productivity and profitability. To improve your management skills, cultivate self-awareness, enhance your communication abilities, build trust with your team, and strengthen your decision-making capabilities.

Highlight these skills on your resume by detailing leadership roles and successful project outcomes. In interviews, discuss specific instances where your management skills made a significant impact.

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, acting tactfully in challenging situations. This skill helps maintain good relationships among co-workers, resulting in a healthy work environment. To develop empathy at work, improve your listening skills, challenge your biases, consider problems from different perspectives, and be willing to offer help.

Showcase empathy in your resume by mentioning instances where you supported colleagues and in interviews by sharing examples of empathetic actions that contributed to team harmony.

Attention to detail

Attention to detail means carefully considering the specifics and completing tasks accurately. This personal skill is crucial in the workplace as it helps improve productivity, efficiency, and the quality of work. To improve this skill, practice double-checking your work, setting aside time for thorough reviews, and staying organised.

Highlight this skill on your resume by mentioning specific projects where your meticulousness led to successful outcomes. During interviews, provide examples of how your attention to detail helped solve problems or prevent errors.

Being respectful to others

Showing respect towards your colleagues is essential for fostering a positive work environment. Make it a point to compliment them when they do their jobs well and thank them when they help you. Respect can also be shown in challenging situations.

For example, if you disagree with a teammate during a brainstorming session, thank them for their input and provide constructive feedback. This approach maintains respect while addressing the disagreement.

Being empathetic

Workplace empathy involves understanding and sharing the feelings of your colleagues, which strengthens teamwork and collaboration. Show genuine interest in their well-being, listen to their problems, and offer support.

For instance, if you notice a teammate struggling with their workload, take the time to offer help or even make them a coffee to lift their spirits. These small acts of empathy can make a significant difference in creating a supportive work environment.

Staying calm under pressure

Composure under pressure is vital for effective problem-solving and team leadership. Staying calm in stressful situations can help create a positive work environment. To maintain calmness, try moderating your emotions, communicating clearly, and prioritising tasks.

For example, if an unexpected project issue arises, stay calm, assess the situation, communicate the problem clearly to your team, and prioritise tasks to address the issue efficiently. This approach helps keep the team focused and solutions-oriented.

Engaging with your colleagues

Engaging with colleagues is crucial for fostering positive relationships and building a strong team dynamic. You can actively engage with your colleagues by chatting during breaks, participating in discussions, and offering constructive feedback.

For instance, during a team meeting, you can contribute to discussions, acknowledge others' ideas, and provide thoughtful feedback. This helps create an inclusive and collaborative work environment.

Strong personal skills can help you stand out in today's tough Singapore job market . These skills can make you more valuable to the company if you are employed. continuous learning and skill refinement are essential to improve performance and stay relevant at work. Set goals, identify resources, and actively develop your personal skillset to take your career to the next level.

The following is a list of questions people often ask about personal skills:

• What are personal skills, and why are they important on a resume? ⁠ Personal skills are intangible traits that can help you communicate, complete tasks, and solve problems more effectively. Include these skills in your resume, as they can improve your job prospects. Singapore employers favour job seekers with strong soft skills .
• How do I identify my personal skills? ⁠ To create a list of your personal skills, think about what helped you succeed in your previous jobs, review your most recent performance appraisal, or use an online soft skill assessment tool.
• Can you give me examples of personal skills for my resume? ⁠ The personal skills listed on your resume may include communication, active listening, problem-solving, time management, leadership, critical thinking, teamwork, adaptability, and attention to detail.
• What's the best way to describe personal skills in a resume sentence? ⁠ When writing about your personal skills in your resume, use action verbs and quantifiable metrics. For example: ⁠“Streamlined digital communication processes, resulting in a 35% reduction in email overload.” ⁠“Led a remote team of eight, improving overall project efficiency by 30% through strategic use of online collaboration tools.”
• Are there specific keywords I should include when listing personal skills on my resume? ⁠ If you want to get your resume noticed, include soft skills and action verbs that match the job description. Also, avoid using vague or generic phrases such as “team player” or “good communication skills.” Instead, make sure your keywords are specific and descriptive, such as “collaborative leader” or “persuasive speaker.”
• Can you show me a sample  resume  with personal skills included? ⁠ Check out this article to find out how to include personal skills in a resume.
• Do employers value personal skills more than technical skills? ⁠ Many employers prefer job seekers with good personal skills, even with less experience or fewer technical skills than other applicants. That is because soft skills are usually inherent and harder to develop.
• What are the most sought-after personal skills in today's job market? ⁠ According to Singapore Management University , the four skills to fast-track your career growth are data analytics, design thinking, digital literacy and leadership.
• How can I stand out from other job applicants by showcasing my personal skills? ⁠ You can stand out from other job seekers by including relevant keywords about your skills in your resume. In your cover letter, mention how you previously showed strong soft skills. Also, highlight your skills during interviews.

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How to build retail skills

Philippine retail has many chances to advance and grow skills. Working in this industry can help you build transferable skills for different careers. This guide looks at what retail skills are and the essential abilities for a retail job. Here's what we'll cover:

What are retail skills?

Essential skills for a retail job.

Retail skills are abilities you need to excel in the retail industry. They help achieve top-notch customer service and create a seamless shopping environment. Developing important retail skills can help with career advancement. This includes skills such as customer service and inventory management. Soft skills such as organization and time management help you complete tasks efficiently. These skills enable better retail store operation.

Here are some retail industry skills you can develop.

Communication skills

Effective communication is a key customer service skill. It helps foster teamwork among staff members and address customer needs. It also helps resolve customer complaints for a positive shopping experience. Improve your communication skills with customers and colleagues through active listening. Try role-playing exercises with colleagues to simulate customer interactions.

Make sure to highlight positive customer interactions and teamwork on your resume. Mention how you used digital tools to improve customer engagement. Describe how those tools helped you create a positive store image.

Interview question : How have you used your communication skills to resolve customer complaints?

Answer : "I once handled a customer complaint about a purchase. I listened carefully to understand their concerns and empathize with their frustration. After acknowledging the issue, I explained our company policies. I also offered to help them find a suitable replacement."

Interpersonal communication

Interpersonal skills in the retail industry help you interact with people. They include active listening, empathy, and building rapport. These communication skills can help you improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. Enhance your interpersonal skills by focusing on body language and cues. Learn to interact with customers with empathy and understanding.

Emphasize building strong customer relationships and issue resolution skills on your resume. For instance, mention building strong relationships with loyal customers. You can share instances of these sales skills with your interviewers, too. Include your ability to collaborate, resolve issues, and build positive work relationships.

Interview question : Describe a situation where you resolved a difficult customer issue.

Answer : "As a retail associate at MS Stores, I listened to a frustrated, unhappy customer. I empathized with their concerns and suggested alternative products. I also ensured an easy return process. The customer left satisfied. They felt heard and appreciated."

Sales skills include in-depth product knowledge, objection handling , prospecting, business acumen, and upselling. Sales associates use these skills to provide accurate answers and informed recommendations. Develop these retail skills by attending product training sessions and seeking supervisor feedback.

Showcase these skills on your resume by tailoring them to the specific retail sales role. For instance, if you're applying for a sales associate role, mention how you handled customer concerns. Highlight your ability to convert potential lost sales into successful transactions.

Share examples that align your sales skills with the job requirements and company needs in your interviews.

Interview question : Can you give an example of how you used your sales skills?

Answer : "In my previous role, I upsold a customer from a basic kitchen appliance to a higher-end model. I highlighted its features and suggested complementary items relevant to their cooking habits. This resulted in positive feedback and good customer service."

Adaptability

Adaptability helps with retail management and working in a fast-paced environment. This skill includes adjusting to ever-changing customer needs, sales trends, and store operations. Employees who can adapt efficiently can manage these fluctuations better. Adaptability also helps you maintain a calm demeanor during high-pressure situations.

You should also be willing to be flexible with scheduling and working different shifts. You can learn adaptability through employee training programs. Keep up with industry trends to spot changes and challenges.

Highlight this retail skill by mentioning your ability to learn new tasks quickly. You can also mention how you handle unexpected situations calmly. For example, highlight how you maintain your composure during peak shopping times. Share instances of flexibility and responsiveness with your hiring manager.

Interview question : Can you provide a situation when you adapted to a change at work?

Answer : "I was a retail sales associate at my previous workplace. I adapted to being short-staffed by taking on several roles during a holiday sale. I assisted customers, managed the checkout line, and restocked items. Despite the chaos, I remained calm and focused on improving customer engagement."

Teamwork in retail involves employees collaborating to achieve common goals. Teamwork can cover customer service, store operations, and sales targets. It requires effective communication, cooperation, and mutual support.

You can develop this skill by engaging in team-building exercises. Having open communication with sales staff and other team members helps as well. Mention teamwork skills on your resume by highlighting effective collaboration with colleagues. For instance, mention how you helped with store promotions. Talk about coordinating with different departments to achieve common goals during peak season.

Share instances with the hiring manager of when you communicated and coordinated with team members.

Interview question : Can you provide an example of how you have worked effectively in a team?

Answer : "In my previous role as a retail manager, I led preparations for a major sales event. I coordinated with my team to set up displays and manage inventory. We also ensured adequate staffing. We achieved our sales goals and provided positive customer service through teamwork."

Conflict resolution

Conflict resolution in retail involves addressing and resolving disputes with customers and colleagues. This includes understanding the problem, communicating effectively, and finding a mutually acceptable solution. It's essential to maintain a positive and productive work environment.

Develop conflict resolution skills by engaging in role-playing exercises with colleagues. This activity can help you understand different perspectives. Role play helps provide hands-on, experiential learning for real-world scenarios.

Add conflict resolution to your resume. You can highlight specific examples of handling conflicts with customers or co-workers. You can mention how you mediated disagreements between other retail associates. This helped to foster a peaceful work environment. You can show your ability to resolve conflicts with hiring managers.

Interview question : Have you ever resolved a conflict with a customer or colleague?

Answer : "I once handled a situation where a customer received a wrong product in their online order. I listened, empathized, and quickly resolved the issue with a discount. The customer left satisfied and appreciative of the prompt resolution."

Product knowledge

Product knowledge in retail requires a thorough grasp of products and services. This includes details on features, benefits, uses, pricing, and availability. It also includes an awareness of related products, competitor offerings, and sales trends. It helps employees offer precise information to assist customers in making informed decisions.

Join company-provided training sessions. Engage with customers to answer queries. You can also experience using the products to learn about their features.

Highlight relevant product experience on your resume. Show how you incorporated it into your role. You can mention how you developed extensive product knowledge through ongoing training. Describe how it helped you with upselling.

Interview question : Has your knowledge of the products affected a customer's buying decision?

Answer : "I helped a customer choose the perfect laptop for their graphic design business. I listened to their needs and explained the benefits of different models. My recommendation greatly improved their work efficiency."

Organization

Organizational skills for retail involve prioritizing tasks, inventory, schedules, and resources. This helps with smooth store operations. Organized employees ensure products are always available to prevent overstocking and stockouts. You can develop this skill by using inventory management systems. These software programs can help you keep track of stock and orders.

You can also use digital tools and planners to stay organized. Emphasize your experience in managing inventory levels and tracking stock on your resume. Mention how you organized a store to improve customer flow and attract new customers.

You can give specific examples of how your organizational skills benefited previous employers.

Interview question : How have you used your organizational skills to improve a business?

Answer : "In my last position, I identified inventory restocking delays. This led me to create a digital tracking system. I reorganized the stockroom to improve inventory control. I also reduced restocking time by 40% and decreased stock discrepancies."

Persuasion means influencing purchases through effective communication. This helps you understand customer needs and highlights product benefits. Persuasion skills drive increased revenue through upselling and cross-selling . Listen to customers and understand their needs to develop this skill.

Know your products and highlight their benefits. Make sure to include the impact of your persuasion skills on your resume. For example, you can mention how you increased add-on sales by 20% through targeted recommendations.

In an interview, give examples that helped you achieve results in previous roles. These could be significant sales, resolved customer issues, or improved customer satisfaction.

Interview question : Describe a time when you persuaded a hesitant customer to buy something.

Answer : "I once convinced a reluctant customer to buy a pricey coffee machine. I discussed its durability, advanced features, and cost savings. I also shared positive reviews from other customers and emphasized its long-term value. They later thanked me for exceeding their expectations."

Multitasking

In retail, multitasking means managing a lot of responsibilities at once. This could include assisting customers, restocking merchandise, and maintaining digital catalogs. It also enhances efficiency. Multitasking skills allow employees to handle various tasks in a fast-paced retail setting.

Multitasking is important for reducing wait times and providing attentive customer service. You can improve your multitasking skills with experience in different retail roles.

Highlight examples of your multitasking abilities to showcase this skill on your resume. Mention how you can handle several customer interactions while keeping the store organized.

In interviews, mention how you managed several tasks and their positive results.

Interview question : Provide an example of when you had to multitask effectively.

Answer : "During the busy holiday season, I managed the cash register. I also assisted customers and stocked shelves. This ensured smooth operations."

Time management

Effective time management in retail involves prioritizing tasks and managing schedules efficiently. It also includes allocating enough time to various responsibilities to complete the job.

This skill enhances employee efficiency and boosts store productivity. It also reduces wait times and improves the customers' shopping experience. To develop this skill, you can use scheduling apps. These can help you learn to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.

Highlight your ability to manage time and deliver results on your resume. For instance, mention implementing effective time management strategies to improve store productivity.

In an interview, share details that illustrate your ability to manage time effectively. Highlight the outcomes of your efforts.

Interview question : Can you describe a situation when your time management skills helped you handle a challenging situation?

Answer : "I successfully managed a major sales event once. I created a detailed schedule and prioritized it. My actions made the event a success. I also helped manage stress levels for my team."

To thrive in the diverse retail industry of the Philippines, you need strong hard and soft skills. This includes strong customer service skills. These skills help you gain retail experience and are transferable to other sectors. Key retail skills include teamwork, communication, empathy, and a strong knowledge of products. As you prepare for a career in retail, research the industry and its requirements.

Let's look at some questions people often ask about retail skills.

• What skills do you need for retail? ⁠ Here are some essential retail skills: -⁠product knowledge -⁠sales skills -⁠customer service skills -⁠leadership skills -⁠time management -⁠communication skills -⁠teamwork -⁠attention to detail
• What skills should I put on my retail resume? ⁠Here are the key retail skills for a resume: ⁠-excellent customer service -⁠communication -⁠IT skills -⁠teamwork -⁠adaptabilit -⁠attention to detail
• What are retail sales skills? ⁠ Retail job skills include hard and soft skills. These qualities help provide great customer service, build relationships, and increase sales. Some sales skills include tech literacy, time management, industry expertise, and empathy.
• What are the three most important things in retail? ⁠Three key things in retail are inventory management, a good checkout, and store productivity.

5. Why are retail skills important? ⁠ Retail staff with strong skills can provide an excellent customer experience. These ⁠ skills help the staff sell products and increase sales opportunities.

6. What does a good retail resume look like? ⁠ A resume for a retail job should have skills, experience, and qualifications that ⁠ match the job description. Make sure to list relevant skills that are crucial for a ⁠ retail position.

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