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Job-Winning Computer Science Manager Resume Example & Tips

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• • Coordinated admissions processes for over 1,500 graduate program applications each year, resulting in a 15% increase in student enrollment.
• • Developed and implemented strategies to enhance student advising and support, boosting student satisfaction rates by 20%.
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• • Organized and participated in student orientation events, contributing to a 10% increase in student engagement.
• • Conducted data analysis on student feedback to improve program offerings and student services.
• • Collaborated with graduate committees to revise program policies and documentation, resulting in more streamlined processes.

Computer Science Managers are the unsung heroes making the invisible magic of technology come to life. Their leadership transforms teams into powerhouses, tackling challenges that shape the future of tech. They bridge the gap between visionary ideas and executable solutions, ensuring projects succeed against all odds.

They must wield a blend of technical acumen and leadership prowess, effortlessly guiding teams through complex projects. Whether overseeing software development or managing intricate IT infrastructures, their skills are invaluable. A Computer Science Manager resume should spotlight these abilities, showcasing a track record of successful project deliveries and team leadership.

How to Structure a Job-Winning Computer Science Manager Resume

Crafting an effective Computer Science Manager resume requires attention to key sections. Each part highlights your unique qualifications and experiences ideal for the role.

• Contact information: you need this to include your name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile if you have one. These details provide easy access to you for potential employers, making it the first stepping stone. Not being direct here can mean they might move on to someone else.
• Professional summary: write a brief paragraph summarizing your career achievements in computer science management. This is important because it gives potential employers a quick overview of what you bring to the table. It sets the tone for the rest of your resume.
• Work experience: list your previous roles, including company name, position, and dates of employment. Expand on your responsibilities and accomplishments in each role, being as specific as possible. Employers want to see a clear history of your work and relevant skills in action.
• Education: mention your highest degree first, along with the school name and graduation date. If your education is especially relevant, it can set you apart from other candidates. It shows your foundational knowledge in computer science and any specialized training you may have had.
• Skills: create a list of your key skills, both technical and managerial. This quick reference helps hiring managers see if you meet their needs at a glance. Highlighting a mix of hard and soft skills shows you're a well-rounded candidate.

In addition to these primary sections, some supplementary sections can add depth to your resume. Each additional section plays a different role in showcasing your career journey.

• Certifications: list any relevant certifications you have earned, including the issuing organization and date received. This section demonstrates your continued commitment to professional development. Employers appreciate someone who invests in their skills.
• Projects: highlight significant projects you’ve managed or contributed to, including a brief description and your role. This provides tangible evidence of your impact and success in previous roles. It gives potential employers a clear sense of your capabilities.
• Professional affiliations: include memberships in relevant industry organizations. Being part of professional communities shows your dedication to staying current in the field. It also indicates you have a network of contacts and resources within the industry.

Top Hard Skills for Computer Science Manager Resumes

• Programming
• Database Management
• Cloud Computing
• Machine Learning
• Cybersecurity
• Software Development Lifecycle
• Agile Methodology
• API Integration
• System Architecture

Top Soft Skills for Computer Science Manager Resumes

• Communication
• Problem-Solving
• Team Collaboration
• Time Management
• Decision-Making
• Adaptability
• Conflict Resolution
• Project Management

Top Action Verbs for Computer Science Manager Resumes

• Implemented
• Architected

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should my computer science manager resume be.

A Computer Science Manager resume should typically be one to two pages long. Given the managerial role's scope, you want to provide enough information to showcase your skills, experience, and achievements without overwhelming the reader. A concise yet comprehensive resume allows hiring managers to quickly grasp your qualifications and suitability for the position.

What is the best format for a Computer Science Manager resume?

The best format for a Computer Science Manager resume is the reverse-chronological format. This format highlights your most recent and relevant experience first, demonstrating your career progression, key accomplishments, and the accumulation of managerial expertise in the field. Employers can easily see your growth and the impact of your previous roles, which is critical for managerial positions.

What should I highlight on my Computer Science Manager resume to stand out?

To stand out, highlight your leadership skills, project management experience, and technical proficiency. Emphasize your ability to lead teams, oversee complex projects, and implement innovative solutions. Include examples of successful initiatives or projects you spearheaded, showcasing your capability to drive results and add value to the organization. Demonstrating a balance between technical and managerial expertise will make your resume more compelling.

What are some ways to quantify my experience on my Computer Science Manager resume?

Quantify your experience by including specific metrics and numbers, such as the size of the teams you've managed, budget amounts for projects, and percentage improvements or efficiencies achieved. For instance, detailing how you successfully led a team of 15 engineers to complete a project 20% under budget underscores your effectiveness as a manager. Numbers provide clear, tangible evidence of your contributions and the impact of your work.

For more inspiration, why not check out our free resource of job-focused resume examples?

Computer Science Technician

Think about a world without your computer running smoothly — it's a tech nightmare! Computer Science Technicians are your behind-the-scenes heroes who keep everything from your laptop to massive servers in top shape. Without them, the digital fabric of your life could easily unravel. These tech wizards possess a diverse skill set, from coding and system security to hardware repairs. Their ability to troubleshoot, optimize, and enhance systems makes them incredibly valuable in today's job market. When crafting your perfect Computer Science Technician resume, showcasing these skills and relevant experiences is paramount.

Computer Science Administrator

Computer Science Administrators are the unsung heroes behind the seamless operation of our digital worlds. They ensure that complex systems run smoothly, making it possible for everyone from students to corporations to operate efficiently. Without their expertise, the infrastructure we've come to rely on would crumble. These professionals possess a unique blend of technical acumen and strategic foresight. Whether they are managing databases or configuring networks, their skills make them indispensable. When applying for a job, your Computer Science Administrator resume should highlight your experience and technical prowess.

Computer Science Engineer

Computer Science Engineers are shaping the future with every line of code they write. Their innovations are the backbone of technology that powers our lives. Without them, our world would be very different, lacking the conveniences and advancements we often take for granted. These engineers must have sharp analytical skills, a knack for problem-solving, and a deep understanding of both hardware and software. When seeking a job, they are valued for their ability to develop efficient algorithms, create scalable systems, and troubleshoot complex issues. On your Computer Science Engineer resume, showcasing your experience, skills, and achievements effectively is key to standing out. Make sure it highlights your expertise and the impact you've made in your past roles.

CAREER & HIRING ADVICE

Top skills to put on a resume employers will actually read.

• Ryan Bradshaw
• August 30, 2024

A resume allows you to sell yourself as a professional in search of employment. It lets you showcase your work experience, academic background, and other vital credentials. However, it’s best to highlight your key skills, which is an excellent way to enhance your employability .

Why? About 70% of leaders believe there’s a skills gap in their company or organization. This gap negatively impacts employee performance and business success. As a job applicant, it makes sense to showcase the skills employers are looking for nowadays.

Fret not, as employers DO read resumes to be further discussed below. As some business experts have shared, learn what soft and hard skills to put on your resume. 

Do Employers Read Resumes?

The straightforward answer is yes! While some employers skim and scan several resumes, others read them intently from one page to another.

As you can see, a resume is sent to human resources (HR) for a job application. This professional document summarizes your employment experience, educational attainment, and other pertinent details. It often comes with a cover letter expressing your interest in an available job. Many organizations use HRM software to streamline the application process and manage resumes effectively.

But how do employers handle resumes? 

Job portals usually generate leads for recruitment and staffing companies. Whenever they post job openings, they receive a pile of resumes from potential candidates. However, many job applicants wonder if HR personnel read them.

ResumeGo conducted a survey on resume preferences among nearly 500 hiring professionals (recruiters, HR personnel, hiring managers, and C-level executives). The survey primarily aimed to uncover whether they prefer a one-page or a two-page resume. It revealed they were 2.3 times more likely to choose two-page resumes over one-page resumes.

Further, the survey surprisingly found that hiring professionals read resumes. They are willing to read even those that are two pages long. They indeed spend time reviewing them rather than scanning and skimming their content. 

Now, that gives you the confidence to add your skills to your resume since employers read them. But what soft and hard skills should you indicate? Of course, they vary from one industry, employer, and job to another. However, there are popular skills that are in demand these days.

In the next section, learn what top skills to highlight in your resume, as shared by some business experts.

What Soft and Hard Skills To Include in Your Resume

Skills are abilities developed and acquired through training, practice, and/or experience. They are usually required in the workplace for specific jobs or positions. It’s best to highlight them on your resume, whether one or two pages .

That said, discover what soft and hard skills to include in your resume below.

Soft skills

Soft skills are non-technical abilities usually needed in the workplace. Over 90% say they matter as much as or more than hard skills . Likewise, 80% believe they are vital to organizational success.

Below are essential soft skills to add to your resume:

Communication skills.

Communication skills are the ability to convey your message to others effectively. They involve relaying information, active listening, and understanding others. Whether oral or written, this skill can make a world of difference in a company or organization.

Brooke Webber, Head of Marketing at Ninja Patches , believes communication is one of the most important soft skills needed in the workplace. “This skill is crucial for promoting solid employee interactions and building good customer relationships. As they say, effective communication is almost always the key to business success.”

Leadership skills

Leaders play a critical role in a company or organization. Not only do they manage a team, but they are also responsible for motivating and engaging team members. They also set goals , delegate tasks, and make business decisions. That makes leadership an essential skill in the workplace.

Roman Zrazhevskiy, Founder and CEO of MIRA Safety , cites the value of leadership skills in the workplace. “I also have my fair share of understanding what it takes to be a good leader. I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about  getting others to work for you; it’s about serving them for the good of all.”

Emotional quotient (EQ)

EQ equates to emotional intelligence, an essential skill in the workplace. Harvard defines it as “ a set of skills that help us recognize, understand, and manage our own emotions as well as recognize, understand, and influence the emotions of others.” Simply put, EQ entails managing one’s emotions and relating well to others.

Derek Pankaew, Founder of Listening.com , underscores the importance of EQ in the workplace. “In the business world, we put too much emphasis on IQ for solving problems and accomplishing tasks. We fail to realize that an organization consists of people of different backgrounds. So we need those with high EQ, who can work well with others.”

Problem-solving skill

Intelligence quotient (IQ) is as equally important as EQ in the workplace. However, the accurate measure of IQ is the ability to identify and solve problems. That’s where the problem-solving skill comes in—a skill many employers look for!

Nothing beats employees who can see potential issues and find ways to address them. For example, one worker notices that it takes time to accomplish a particular task. He suggests automating tasks to reduce manual work and accelerate processes. That’s how problem-solving works!

Time management 

Time management is essential in everyday life, especially in the workplace. It’s the ability to organize time to get things done more efficiently and effectively. The key here is to use your time wisely without compromising your work-life balance. This skill should be reflected on your resume.

There are popular time management techniques you can employ. Think of the Eisenhower Matrix for tackling tasks based on their order of urgency and importance. Consider the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for 25 minutes, resting for 5 minutes, and repeating. Lastly, employ time blocking by setting time blocks for a series of tasks to accomplish.

Hard skills

Hard skills are specialized abilities required in the workplace. They are usually technical skills you’ve studied, undergone training for, and become certified for. The in-demand hard skills business leaders need today are data analysis (44.1%), project management (43.9%), and artificial intelligence (36.1%).

Below are the top hard skills to include in your resume:

Artificial intelligence (ai).

AI, the simulation of human intelligence into computer systems, has become all the rage nowadays. Not only is it revolutionizing the world of business, but AI is transforming the job market . While it can take over some jobs, it can also open the doorway for new job opportunities.

Thomas Medlin, Co-founder at JumpMD , suggests developing and acquiring AI skills. “These skills are in demand in business, given AI’s rapid evolution and widespread adoption. Our company, for instance, has started integrating AI into our healthcare referral management software. We need AI developers for its successful deployment and regular upkeep.”

Data analysis

It’s no secret that we live in a data-driven world. Almost all businesses across different industries deal with a vast amount of information called big data. That’s why many companies and organizations hire data specialists for data entry and management. However, acquiring data analysis skills requires a whole different level of expertise.

Volodymyr Shchegel, VP of Engineering at MacKeeper , however, recommends highlighting data analysis skills. “This skill is very much coveted in the workplace in today’s data-centric business. However, it goes beyond data collection and organization. It requires data scientists to research, analyze, and interpret information for informed decision-making. Capitalize on these skills for competitive advantage!”

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity has become a growing concern in today’s digital landscape. Think of the rising cyberattacks like phishing, malware, denial of service (DoS), and man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks. They pave the way for cybersecurity trends , such as AI-driven threat detection, regulatory compliance, quantum computing, and incident response automation.

Chris Aubeeluck, Head of Sales and Marketing at Osbornes Law , advises specializing in cybersecurity. “Many companies and organizations seek those with technical knowledge and skills in online security. If you’ve specialized in cybersecurity and acquired the necessary skills, highlight these in your resume. You’ll be hired for such a lucrative job!”

Project management

Project management is crucial to business success. However, it’s more than just managing a particular project. It involves defining goals, setting metrics, allocating resources, delegating tasks, monitoring employees, and tracking progress. The ultimate goal is to ensure a successful project accomplished on time. 

It’s easy to see companies and organizations looking for project managers. However, they have stringent screening and hiring requirements. As someone with project management skills, see what you can bring to the table. More importantly, learn how to highlight these skills on your resume for guaranteed employment.

Healthcare skills 

The pandemic outbreak caused by the COVID-19 crisis has shaken the health industry. If anything, it has compelled health organizations and professionals to reassess how they provide patients with medical care. Today, the industry seeks optimized healthcare skills to help us survive another possible crisis.

As such, Bo Cicak, a Chiropractor Doctor at Neurogan Health , recommends specializing in healthcare. “However, there’s a need to offer new and innovative solutions. For example, health professionals should not only focus on providing medical care but also offer holistic health recommendations. Having a healthy lifestyle is key to promoting overall health and well-being. As they always say, prevention is better than cure.”

Final Words

A well-crafted resume paves the way for a successful job application. Not only does it offer an employment opportunity, but it also helps carve your career path. So, as a job seeker, invest your time and effort in creating the best resume possible.

Start by showcasing your work experience, academic background, and other key credentials. Since a skills gap exists in the workplace, what better way to sell your professional self than to highlight your soft and hard skills? Doing so can help boost your employability and provide you with a job opportunity!

Don’t worry, as employers actually read resumes. You just have to put your hard and soft skills in the spotlight. Consider some of the top skills outlined above, and you’ll ultimately get the job you deserve!

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18 Résumé Writing Tips to Help You Stand Out

By  Allison Pohle

Updated May 11, 2021 2:15 pm ET

• A résumé isn’t just a list of every job you’ve ever had. It should demonstrate your accomplishments.
• Mirror language used in the job posting so your résumé isn’t discarded by an applicant tracking system.
• Use a clean and simple format. 

Companies increasingly  rely on software  to sort through applicants, which is why it is essential to tailor your résumé to ensure it makes the cut. Applicant tracking systems sort, scan and rank applicants by looking for keywords in applications. Although these programs can save time and money for employers, about 60% said such tools cause them to miss some qualified candidates, according to a 2016 survey of 1,200 job seekers and managers by CareerArc, a human-resources technology company, and Future Workplace, a research firm. Here’s how to make your résumé stand out to robots and humans alike. 

1. Highlight your achievements in your résumé. 

A common mistake job seekers make is believing a résumé is a recap of your career, when in reality, it should convey what you have accomplished, says Christy Noel, a career expert and author of “Your Personal Career Coach.” 

“I always say, spend less of your real estate describing your job, and more time describing your results,” says Ms. Noel.  

2. Customize your résumé.

Read over the job posting, and think about the work experience you have had that is most directly relevant to the position you are pursuing. You can leave out some past jobs and internships if the experience you had wasn’t related. Whatever you do: Don’t submit a generic résumé to dozens of postings. “Even if you have the best experience, if your résumé isn’t speaking directly to the position in which you are applying, there is a strong chance you’ll never even get an interview,” says Demisha Jennings, a certified professional résumé writer and founder and owner of She Assists LLC.  

The same applies to your cover letter. It is your chance to provide more detail on how your experience will help you succeed in the job.  Read our cover letter guide  for how to write one that makes you stand out.

3. Decide how to format your résumé.

Most of the time, a chronological résumé will work well for communicating your past experience. But, in some cases, a functional or hybrid résumé might be more appropriate.  Read more about résumé formats here.

4. Make your contact information easy to find.

Include your name, phone number, email address, city and state. It may also be appropriate to include the URL to your LinkedIn profile. You want it to be easy for hiring managers to reach out.

In addition to making it easy to connect with you, it is important to your job search that you grow your network.  Read our networking guide  for tips on how to do so.

5. Consider adding a summary. 

Many résumé templates leave space for an objective statement, outlining career goals, but that approach is outdated, says Ms. Jennings. Instead, consider a carefully worded summary. The summary is often the first place a hiring manager will look, and gives you an opportunity to introduce your skills high up on the page. You can also work in relevant keywords from the job description. “Recruiters are looking for what you can bring to the table and what you’ve done, rather than you saying, ‘I’m seeking a position,’” Ms. Jennings says. 

6. Great résumés should stand out to skim readers.

Most recruiters spend just a few seconds skimming through a résumé—with an average in one study of  7.4 seconds.  

To have the best chance of making an impression, ensure your job titles, company names and dates of employment are easy to read. The sections of your résumé should be adequately spaced, too, says Dana Leavy-Detrick, founder and director of Brooklyn Resume Studio. 

For additional ways to make a good impression on recruiters and headhunters, read  our guide on how to work with headhunters .

7. Make your résumé robot-friendly. 

Structure your résumé to meet the requirements of an applicant tracking system to give yourself the best chance of having it reach an actual human. Ms. Leavy-Detrick suggests the following:

• Optimize keywords.  Use the same words and language that are in the job description. For example, three different companies might describe the same role as “programmer,” “developer” or “software engineer.” 
• Use a straightforward format.  Avoid tables and text-based graphics, which might not get picked up by a scan of the résumé. Sans-serif fonts such as Arial or Helvetica are also best to ensure readability.
• Think about order.  When formatting each line item of work experience, list the company name first, followed by the job location (city, state), your job title, and your start and end dates. Some résumés can get lost if the dates are listed before the job title. 

8. Prioritize relevant keywords. 

Tailoring your skills to include language from the job posting is an important way to let both the applicant tracking system and, eventually, a hiring manager, see how your prior qualifications tie into the job requirements. But just because you have a résumé full of keywords doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get an interview. “The ATS isn’t there to help the job seeker, it is there to help the employer review your skills against their most important qualifications,” says Ashley Watkins, a career coach and résumé writer with Write Step Résumés LLC. 

9. Craft compelling and concise bullet points.

The goal of a résumé is to list your accomplishments, rather than every duty you performed in the role. Résumé-writing experts recommend including no more than five bullet points per prior job listed. 

• Don’t focus on tasks.  Many job seekers describe what they did every day, such as answering phones or creating marketing materials, Ms. Watkins says. “Simply copying and pasting the job description doesn’t account for the things you did great, that you did above and beyond your peers,” she says.
• Instead, explain what those tasks achieved.  Emphasize your results. Ms. Watkins suggests asking yourself “Did I save [the employer] money? Did I save time? Did I improve a process? Did I build a relationship?” These will help you format your bullet points.
• Use metrics.  Say what you achieved, then contextualize it—with figures if possible. You might not be able to put a monetary value on every accomplishment, but you can frame it by sharing details like the time it took or how many people were involved. “If you raised sales 50% in two months, that means a whole lot more than ‘I’m in charge of sales,’” Ms. Watkins says. 
• Don’t omit accomplishments that aren’t quantifiable.  Not every achievement will have metrics to show success. If there are figures, you might not always have access to them. But that shouldn’t stop you from including them, says Ms. Leavy-Detrick. Perhaps you had a positive impact on the culture of an organization, or improved a struggling relationship with a client. These efforts could help to demonstrate your  soft skills.

10. Focus on transferable skills if you lack experience.

If you are applying for a job in a new field or you are an entry-level applicant and don’t have much direct experience, don’t worry. Highlight transferable skills you have developed in the past that will serve you well in the position, says Ms. Leavy-Detrick. For example, you could play up leadership skills you developed participating in an extracurricular activity or time-management skills you learned in a prior job.

11. Go beyond your work history, and include all relevant experience.

If you are new to the workforce, or are job-hunting after being laid off, you could also include related experience that was outside of a traditional full-time job, says Ms. Watkins. For example, you can highlight volunteer work, consulting projects or educational training, all as part of making the case for your unique value, she says.

12. Don’t worry too much about gaps in your résumé.

The Covid-19 pandemic economy resulted in many people being laid off or furloughed. Ms. Watkins says the 2020 job market reminds her of 2008, when she worked as a recruiter. The expectation at that time, she says, was that candidates would have  gaps  on their résumés or list more short-term positions. While it isn’t necessary to directly address the gaps in your résumé, you should be  prepared to talk about them in an interview . “The focus should not be centered on the fact that you were furloughed or laid off, it should be focused on you and your skills and what you do that impacts the company’s bottom line in a positive way,” Ms. Watkins says.

While it is common to list the months and years you started and ended positions in the job history section, you could just use years. This will draw less attention to a six- or eight-month gap, says Ms. Leavy-Detrick. 

13. Highlight relevant skills.

It is common to  add a skills section to your résumé , outlining expertise relevant to the position. You can include languages you speak, technical skills or courses you have done. If you lack experience, you can also complete some trainings, which you can find on LinkedIn and elsewhere, related to the job you are applying for and add the courses in this section, says Ms. Jennings.

14. Prioritize work experience over education.

The professional experience you have had is often more relevant to the position than your education history, which is why the work experience should be listed first. In the “Education” section, you should list where you attended college, if applicable, or the highest level of education you have attained. If you graduated with honors, you can flag that, but it isn’t necessary to list your GPA.

15. If you are early on in your career, a key résumé tip is to limit it to one page. 

If you are early on in your career, you should limit your résumé to one page. It is OK to start spilling onto a second page after you have eight to 10 years of experience, says Ms. Leavy-Detrick. 

16. Add some color for a stylish résumé that sets you apart. 

Your résumé should look clean and professional and you should keep applicant tracking systems in mind when formatting the document. But, if it is appropriate, you can add subtle accents of color in the section headings or in bars that separate sections as a way to differentiate your résumé. Ms. Leavy-Detrick doesn’t overstress the need for good design with her clients. “But it can definitely help,” she says. “When I say design, I don’t mean crazy graphic design. I mean having a polished application,” she says. “Think of it the same way you would coming dressed to an interview, it is part of your presentation, and so many people overlook this on the résumé.”

It may be appropriate to incorporate a more creative and graphic-based layout depending on the field in which you work and where you are applying. If you are applying for a position in a creative field, and you are emailing your résumé directly to a hiring manager, then it can be appropriate to use more designs, says Ms. Jennings. But if you are applying to a large company that uses an applicant tracking system or job portal, she says it is best to avoid using graphics unless you are working with a résumé writer who can help you get your resume through the system.

17. Proofread and double-check the formatting.

You may be eager to send your résumé or submit your application, but you should take the time to first check for typos and grammatical errors. You could also have a friend or family member look over it. When you are checking for errors, be sure to double-check the formatting. Sometimes the spacing can get thrown off when you save the file, so check how it looks as a saved document and, if you can, save it as a PDF before sending. 

18. Make sure the saved file name includes your name. 

Make less work for the hiring manager by including your full name in the file name of the résumé document.

What to read next

• How to Prepare for a Job Interview
• What Questions to Ask During a Job Interview
• Common Job Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
• How to Dress for a Job Interview
• How to Write a Thank-You Email After a Job Interview  
• How to Negotiate and Counter a Job Offer
• How to Negotiate Salary for a New Job: The Do’s and Don’ts
• Severance Pay: What It Is and Why You Should Negotiate a Package Before Accepting a Job

Corrections & Amplifications Ashley Watkins is a résumé writer with Write Step Résumés LLC. An earlier version of this article incorrectly said Write Steps LLC. (Corrected on Nov. 20)

Copyright ©2024 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8

Appeared in the November 23, 2020, print edition as '11 Résumé Tips to Help You Get Noticed

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How to Make Your Resume Stand Out in 2024 You can increase your chances of landing an interview in 2024 by making your resume stand out.

By John Rampton Edited by Mark Klekas Sep 1, 2024

Key Takeaways

• You have one chance to make a great first impression with your resume
• Follow these tips to create a resume that stands out from the crowd

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

A resume that stands out from the crowd is increasingly important in today's competitive job market. A distinctive resume effectively highlights your unique skills and experiences and quickly captures the attention of hiring managers amidst a sea of applications.

The good news is that you can increase your chances of making a memorable impression and landing an interview by taking a few easy steps. Here are some tips for making your resume stand out:

Related: Exploring the 6 Different Types of Resumes

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Brand Ambassador Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Joseph Corbin (123) 456-7890 [email protected] Falmouth, MA 12345 LinkedIn | Portfolio

An innovative brand ambassador with six years of experience specializing in product marketing, brand messaging, and digital advertising. A proven track record of cultivating strategic partnerships and leading rebranding initiatives to enhance sales growth for product lines within the craft brewing industry.

Professional Experience

Brand Ambassador , Cape Cod Craft Ciders, Falmouth, MA | October 2020 – present

• Lead the rebrand of a boutique cider product line to generate exposure across untapped market verticals, grow brand awareness, and increase sales by over $300,000 per year
• Conduct research on market segments and target audiences to identify opportunities and strategies to improve market share amongst craft beer customers
• Develop a strategic partnership with Total Wines and other key distributors to increase shelf space for new products, resulting in a 25% increase in blackberry cider sales

Brand Ambassador , Highland Brewing Co., Boston, MA | June 2018 – October 2020

• Served as brand ambassador for a start-up craft beer company, cultivated key partnerships with retailers, and secured digital advertising opportunities with major sites such as Untapped, contributing to over $270,000 in new revenue
• Coordinated with the marketing team to develop brand identity, marketing collateral, and packaging art for four craft beer product lines
• Brand messaging
• Digital advertising
• Marketing strategy
• Product marketing
• Competitor research

Certifications

• Certified Brand Ambassador Professional (CBAP), AMI | 2019
• Professional Certified Marketer (PCM), AMA | 2018

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Marketing Boston College, Boston, MA | 2018

This brand ambassador resume is effective because it illustrates the candidate’s comprehensive knowledge of the craft brewing industry. The bullet points feature impactful monetary figures and data to show how they can successfully introduce new products into a crowded marketplace.

Jessica Lang (123) 456-7890 [email protected] San Francisco, CA 12345 LinkedIn | Portfolio

A results-driven brand evangelist with a passion for the plant-based food industry, specializing in marketing strategy, brand messaging, and digital advertising. A strong history of securing partnerships with multinational retailers and major celebrities to support multi-million dollar sales growth for new product lines.

Brand Ambassador , Impossible Foods, San Francisco, CA | March 2019 – present

• Manage overarching marketing strategy for plant-based meat product lines generating $20 million in annual revenue and secure a television advertisement featuring vegan celebrities such as Joaquin Phoenix
• Improve annual sales for plant-based burger products by 42% by improving packaging and visual merchandising to emphasize environmental sustainability
• Coordinate with media outlets to manage public relations and press releases for new product releases and media coverage of production methods

Brand Ambassador , Morning Star, San Francisco, CA | June 2016 – March 2019

• Served as brand ambassador for a major plant-based food company, which included building and maintaining relationships with multinational retailers
• Identified opportunities to improve alignment of brand messaging and product packaging with target audiences, contributing to a 17% increase in retail sales

In this brand ambassador resume, the candidate focuses on their ability to cultivate and maintain strategic partnerships. Securing a celebrity endorsement is incredible for any brand’s growth, and featuring this type of achievement immediately sets the applicant apart from the competition.

A dynamic brand ambassador with 10 years of experience promoting innovative products within the health and wellness space. A strong history of defining high-impact marketing strategies and messaging to drive product sales and brand growth.

Brand Ambassador , Vitality Inc., New York, NY | April 2018 – present

• Serve as the brand ambassador for vitamin products, generating $8 million in annual revenue, which included attending industry trade shows and creating promotional videos to educate customers on product benefits and scientific case studies
• Develop strategic partnerships with Whole Foods, Walmart, and Wegmans, negotiate deals, and successfully increase annual sales by 400%
• Identify opportunities to enhance marketing strategies by conducting research on consumer demographics and improving social media presence for products

Brand Ambassador , Elevate Nutrition, New York, NY | June 2014 – April 2018

• Promoted innovative nutrition supplement products, identified digital and print advertising opportunities to grow brand awareness
• Led high-impact marketing campaigns, defined brand messaging, and negotiated contracts with major retailers, contributing to over $3 million in annual sales
• Certified Brand Ambassador Professional (CBAP), AMI | 2017
• Professional Certified Marketer (PCM), AMA | 2016

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Marketing University of Syracuse, New York, NY | 2016

In this brand ambassador resume, the applicant leverages sales numbers to their advantage. Illustrating this level of sales growth sends a clear message that the candidate would be an effective advocate for products within the health and wellness space.

The key to writing a great brand ambassador resume is to provide a compelling snapshot of your expertise in product marketing and brand messaging. Paint a clear picture of how you’ve successfully promoted new products using a wide range of marketing strategies. Illustrate your ability to revitalize brand images by aligning messaging with target audiences. In this guide, we’ll help translate your experience into a powerful marketing document.

1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your qualifications

Lead with a strong opening paragraph to set the tone for your brand ambassador resume and draw the reader in. Highlight your years of experience and the types of products and industries you’ve worked with in the past. Emphasize your unique talents as a marketing professional and how you’ve successfully grown brand awareness and production adoption throughout your career.

Profile Example #1

Profile example #2.

A results-driven brand advocate with a passion for the plant-based food industry, specializing in marketing strategy, brand messaging, and digital advertising. A strong history of securing partnerships with multinational retailers and major celebrities to support multi-million dollar sales growth for new product lines.

2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section

When building your professional experience section, use the same marketing approach you would for any product or brand. What is the company looking for in a brand ambassador? How have your contributions positively impacted product growth and brand awareness for previous employers? What insights should you feature to tell a compelling story? Answer these questions in your bullet points.

For example, if you led marketing campaigns to revitalize an underperforming brand, you might emphasize how your efforts contributed to an uptick in sales revenue. If you served as an ambassador for product launches, incorporate data points to show potential employers that you have a proven track record of successfully introducing new products to the market.

Professional Experience Example #1

Brand Ambassador, Cape Cod Craft Ciders, Falmouth, MA | October 2020 – present

Professional Experience Example #2

Brand Ambassador, Impossible Foods, San Francisco, CA | March 2019 – present

3. Include relevant education and certifications

In addition to your college degrees, feature relevant industry certifications in your brand ambassador resume. Although these credentials won’t guarantee you an interview, they do send a message that you’re passionate and committed to growing as a marketing professional.

Obtaining a Certified Brand Ambassador Professional (CBAP) distinction from the American Marketing Institute is a great place to start.

• [Degree Name]
• [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Marketing
• Boston College, Boston, MA | 2016
• [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]

4. List pertinent key skills

Most companies utilize some form of applicant tracking system (ATS) to identify qualified candidates during the hiring process. To get your brand ambassador resume through the initial human resources screening and into the hiring manager’s hands, feature keywords and skills directly from the job posting. For example, if a company is seeking a brand ambassador with expertise in digital advertising, you might highlight your knowledge of Google Analytics, search engine optimization (SEO) marketing, or social media strategy. Below is a list of skills to consider adding to your brand ambassador resume:

How To Pick The Best Brand Ambassador Resume Template

Selecting a template that effectively captures your personal brand can be challenging. Although flashy colors and impressive logos can work for a marketing campaign, your brand ambassador resume template should be more reserved in terms of visual elements. The goal is to keep the reader’s attention fixated on your qualifications and experience, so opt for a traditional format with a simple, elegant font and limited use of color.

Frequently Asked Questions: Brand Ambassador Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for brand ambassador resumes -.

Action verbs are a great way to infuse a dynamic and engaging element into your writing. That said, overusing the same words repeatedly may cause your bullet points to appear stale or redundant. We’ve compiled a list of action verbs to diversify your word choice and enhance the readability of your brand ambassador resume:

How do you align your resume with a brand ambassador job description? -

As a brand ambassador, you already understand the importance of tailoring your content and messaging towards your target audience. Writing a resume is no different. As you begin navigating the job market, pay attention to what employers are looking for in the job description.

How do your achievements, skill sets, and prior experience align with the company’s needs? -

For instance, if an organization needs a brand ambassador who can devise impactful PR strategies, your professional experience section should feature tangible examples that demonstrate this. If a company is looking for a candidate who can introduce new products, emphasize your ability to navigate complex market landscapes during launches.

What is the best brand ambassador resume format? -

The reverse chronological format is the only suitable approach for a brand ambassador resume. For this particular role, employers will expect you to have significant marketing achievements and knowledge, so your work history needs to be prioritized over all other considerations. A combination format isn’t a good choice because no amount of skills or certifications can substitute for hands-on marketing experience when promoting a brand or product line.

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Complement your brand ambassador resume with a powerful cover letter that explores the nuances of your marketing expertise. Emphasize how your expertise can create unique value for the company you’re targeting. For more insights, visit our brand ambassador cover letter guide.

Frank Hackett

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW)

Frank Hackett is a professional resume writer and career consultant with over eight years of experience. As the lead editor at a boutique career consulting firm, Frank developed an innovative approach to resume writing that empowers job seekers to tell their professional stories. His approach involves creating accomplishment-driven documents that balance keyword optimization with personal branding. Frank is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches (PAWRCC).

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More From Forbes

3 tips for including internship experience in a cover letter.

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How to stand out from the crowd as a new grad with internship experience

If you are a fresh graduate looking for a new job, a cover letter can help paint a helpful context of who you are and why you would be an excellent fit for the company. For seasoned professionals with considerable career milestones, resumes are often adequate to show their skillsets and how they would perform at a new job. Indicators like the type of company, pace of promotion, and scope of responsibilities paint a picture for the hiring managers of how they can expect the candidate to perform even before the interviews.

The good news for new graduates is that they are on an even playing field as they embark on a new career path with their peers. The downside is the need for additional information for the candidate to stand out from the crowd. Internship experience can be an advantage if leveraged and narrated correctly. When a company hires a new graduate, it knows the lack of experience and proof points to consider in the candidate. They are therefore looking for genuine interest, willingness to learn, and potential in new grads. If you have internship experience, including them in your cover letter is an excellent opportunity to feature these qualities. Here are a few tips on how to do this best.

Showcase Your Decision-making Process

One risk of hiring new graduates is that they may quit quickly if they find that the industry or the job function is not what they expected. If you have interned at a similar company, you can explain how that experience solidified your interest in the field and helped you narrow down the jobs you are genuinely interested in. By discussing your decision-making process and how the internship provided real-life perspective, you can demonstrate that you are a knowledgeable decision-maker rather than someone who is simply influenced by outside perspectives.

On the other hand, if you interned in an entirely different industry and position, you can use this experience to demonstrate that you discovered what you truly want to pursue. Highlight the positive lessons learned during the internship and avoid speaking negatively about past opportunities. The crucial point is to showcase what you gained from the experience and how it has strengthened your interest in the current company and role.

Be Truthful About The Scope Of Your Experience

Internship experiences can vary widely depending on the company, from simply shadowing an employee to conducting in-depth analysis or participating in structured rotational programs. However, it's important to note that internships typically don't involve holding leadership positions or having significant decision-making authority. It's essential to be honest about your role and responsibilities during an internship, as exaggerating or misrepresenting your experience will likely be noticed by hiring managers.

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In addition, you should not disclose any confidential information about the company at any time. Keep your account of the experience brief and truthful.

Highlight Relevant Skillsets And Potential

If your previous internship provided you with the skills described in the job requirements for the position you are applying for, be sure to emphasize this and explain how you used those skills, as well as your eagerness to further develop them. For example, if you gained experience in analyzing complex datasets during your internship, highlight how you enhanced the company's training through your independent learning efforts, express your enthusiasm for the skill, and illustrate how it contributed to the team's goals to demonstrate your understanding of the practical application of your work. This can show your potential for growth, desire to learn, and proactive orientation towards your job, attributes all hiring managers seek.

When hiring recent graduates, hiring managers are aware that the candidates do not have extensive pre-existing skill sets or decision-making experience. They are hired with the expectation to learn quickly, contribute enough to offset the onboarding and training efforts, and hopefully grow within the company. Including an internship experience in your cover letter can help alleviate any concerns the hiring manager may have about your genuine interest in the company and role, and your desire to learn. It also provides a context for the kind of employee you will be, in ways a resume cannot for new grads.

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20 College Grad Resume Examples and Advice for 2024

As a recent college graduate, crafting an effective resume becomes a crucial step in finding your first professional job. Your resume serves as your initial introduction to potential employers and can make or break your chances of standing out in a competitive job market.

Importance of an Effective Resume for College Graduates

An effective resume is essential because it showcases your skills, education, and experience in a concise and well-organized manner. It acts as a marketing tool for your personal brand and helps you stand out among other candidates. With an effective resume, you can present yourself as a compelling candidate and demonstrate to potential employers that you are a perfect fit for their organization.

Moreover, an effective resume can help you overcome any gaps in your experience or a lack of industry-specific skills. It shows that you have invested time and effort in customizing your application and that you are serious about pursuing a career in your desired field.

A poor-quality resume, on the other hand, can pose a significant threat to your chances of being invited for an interview. It can make you appear unprofessional, disorganized, and unprepared. As a college graduate with little work experience, you need a strong resume to make up for your lack of experience and highlight your abilities as a potential employee.

This article serves as a comprehensive guide to creating an effective resume as a college graduate. By following the advice and examples provided, you can increase your chances of landing an interview and ultimately securing your dream job.

The Basics of a Good College Grad Resume

As a college graduate, there are certain components that you should include in your resume to ensure that it appeals to prospective employers. In this section, we will explore what employers are looking for in a resume and the essential components of a college grad resume.

What Employers Are Looking For in a Resume

Employers receive hundreds of applications and resumes for each job opening, and it’s important to make sure that your resume stands out. Here are some of the things that employers are looking for in a college grad’s resume:

Relevant Work Experience:  Employers want to see that a candidate has some relevant work experience, even if it’s just an internship or a part-time job. This demonstrates to the employer that you have some practical skills that are transferable to the workplace.

Academic Achievements:  Employers want to see that you excelled academically during your time in college. This could include your GPA, academic honors or awards, or relevant coursework.

Leadership Experience:  Employers value candidates who can demonstrate leadership skills. This could include experience as a team captain, club president, or volunteer coordinator.

Soft Skills:  Soft skills are traits that are difficult to measure but are highly valued in the workplace. Examples include communication skills, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving.

Essential Components of a College Grad Resume

Now that you know what employers are looking for in a resume, let’s dive into the essential components of a college grad resume:

Header:  The header of your resume should include your name, contact information, and a professional email address.

Objective or Summary:  A brief objective or summary statement should be included at the top of your resume to give the employer an idea of your career goals and what you can bring to the table.

Education:  List your education in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent degree. Include the name of the institution, degree earned, major, and graduation date.

Relevant Work Experience:  List your work experience in reverse chronological order as well. Include the job title, company name, dates of employment, and a brief description of your duties and accomplishments.

Leadership Experience:  If you have any leadership experience, such as serving as a club president, include it in a separate section on your resume.

Skills:  Include a section that highlights your relevant skills. This could include software programs you’re proficient in, foreign languages you speak, or any other professional skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

References:  Finally, provide at least two professional references who can vouch for your skills and experience.

By including these essential components in your resume and highlighting your relevant skills and achievements, you can help ensure that your resume stands out to prospective employers.

20 College Grad Resume Examples and Advice

As a college graduate, crafting the perfect resume can be a daunting task. With so many different fields of study and industries to choose from, it can be challenging to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a list of 20 college grad resume examples across various fields, as well as some advice on how to make your resume stand out.

Example 1: Business Administration Graduate

A Business Administration graduate should focus on their leadership abilities, communication skills, and problem-solving experience. Highlight your accomplishments in previous internships, such as increasing sales or streamlining processes. Also, mention any business-related coursework, such as finance or marketing.

Example 2: Communications Graduate

A Communications graduate should highlight their experience in public speaking, writing, and social media management. Showcase work from previous internships, highlighting any writing or video projects. If you speak another language, be sure to mention it as it could be a valuable asset in the communications world.

Example 3: Computer Science Graduate

A Computer Science graduate should focus on their coding abilities and experience with different programming languages. Detail any coding projects or hackathons you’ve participated in. Also, list any technical skills or certifications that you have earned.

Example 4: Education Graduate

An Education graduate should highlight their coursework in teaching methods and their experience working with students. Detail previous teaching or tutoring experience and highlight any student outcomes, such as improved test scores. Also, be sure to mention any relevant certifications or licenses.

Example 5: Engineering Graduate

An Engineering graduate should showcase their technical skills and problem-solving abilities. Highlight any coursework or projects related to your field of study. Also, detail any internships or co-op experiences that you’ve had, including any unique projects or solutions you developed.

Example 6: Fine Arts Graduate

A Fine Arts graduate should focus on their creativity and artistic abilities. Highlight any exhibitions, performances, or publications you’ve contributed to. Also, detail coursework related to your artistic medium, such as painting or sculpture.

Example 7: Healthcare Graduate

A Healthcare graduate should highlight their clinical experience and knowledge of medical terminology. Detail any internships or shadowing experiences that you’ve had, highlighting any particular skills or procedures that you observed or assisted with.

Example 8: Human Resources Graduate

A Human Resources graduate should focus on their communication and organizational skills. Detail any coursework related to employment law or recruitment strategies. Also, showcase any previous internships or co-op experiences, highlighting any projects that you led or contributed to.

Example 9: Journalism Graduate

A Journalism graduate should highlight their writing and storytelling abilities. Showcase any previous writing experience, such as internships or freelance work. Also, detail any relevant coursework in journalism, including topics like media ethics and news reporting.

Example 10: Marketing Graduate

A Marketing graduate should focus on their marketing and sales abilities.

Tips and Tricks for Crafting Your College Grad Resume

Crafting a winning resume can be a daunting task, especially when you’re fresh out of college and have little professional experience. However, with a little effort, you can create a polished and effective document that showcases your skills and strengths to potential employers. In this section, we’ll explore some tips and tricks for creating a college grad resume that stands out from the rest.

How to Identify Your Key Skills and Strengths

Before you start writing your resume, it’s crucial to identify your key skills and strengths. These are the qualities and abilities that make you a unique and valuable candidate for a particular job. Here are some tips on how to identify your key skills and strengths:

Look at your academic record and extracurricular activities: What classes did you excel in? What clubs or organizations were you involved in? What leadership roles did you hold? These can all indicate skills and strengths that you possess.

Consider your part-time jobs, internships, and volunteer work: What tasks did you perform in these roles? What skills did you develop? What accomplishments did you achieve?

Think about your personal qualities: What are your strengths as a person? Are you a good communicator? A problem-solver? An organized and detail-oriented person?

Once you’ve identified your key skills and strengths, make sure to highlight them in your resume. Use keywords and phrases that reflect these qualities throughout your document.

Quantifying Your Accomplishments on Your Resume

One of the most effective ways to make your resume stand out is to quantify your accomplishments. This means using numbers and figures to demonstrate the impact and results of your work. Here are some examples of how to quantify your accomplishments:

Instead of saying “managed a team of interns,” say “oversaw a team of five interns, resulting in a 30% increase in productivity.”

Instead of saying “organized events,” say “planned and executed 10 successful events, attracting over 1,000 attendees and raising $50,000 for charity.”

Instead of saying “improved customer satisfaction,” say “implemented new customer service program, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction ratings.”

By quantifying your accomplishments, you show potential employers that you’re results-oriented and have a track record of success.

Using Action Words and Active Language

Finally, using action words and active language can make your resume more engaging and dynamic. This means avoiding passive phrases and instead using strong verbs and descriptive language to describe your experiences and accomplishments. Here are some examples of action words to use on your resume:

• Accomplished
• Implemented
• Coordinated

Additionally, using active language can make your resume more readable and engaging. This means using strong sentences that start with an action verb and focus on your accomplishments, rather than just your job duties.

Avoiding Common Resume Mistakes

Creating the perfect resume is a daunting task, but it can lead to tremendous results if executed flawlessly. Your resume is the first point of contact with a potential employer, and you need to make sure it is error-free and tailored to the employer’s needs.

Here are some common resume errors to avoid:

Grammatical and spelling errors – Your resume should have perfect grammar and be free of spelling errors. These errors can significantly impact your chances of getting the job.

Lack of clarity – Your resume should be clear and straightforward. Avoid using jargon, acronyms, or overly complex vocabulary.

Unprofessional email address – Your email address should be professional and not something like “ [email protected] .”

Not tailoring the resume – One of the most significant mistakes you can make is not customizing your resume to the job you’re applying for.

Ensuring Your Resume is Tailored to the Employer:

Read the job description – Make sure you read the job description and identify the keywords and requirements for the role.

Highlight relevant experience – Use your past experience to demonstrate how you possess the necessary skills and qualifications for the job.

Showcase your achievements – Highlight your achievements to demonstrate your capabilities and value.

Use the employer’s language – Incorporate the employer’s language, including keywords and phrases from the job posting, to show that you understand the job requirements.

Be concise – Make every word count by being concise, concluding relevant information only.

Avoiding common resume mistakes and tailoring your resume to the employer’s needs can be the difference between getting the job or not. Make sure you set yourself up for success and create a resume that showcases your skills, experience, and achievements.

Customizing Your College Grad Resume

One of the most important things you can do as a college grad looking for a job is to tailor your resume to each position you apply for. This means that you should not just send out the same generic resume to every employer, but rather take the time to analyze the job description and requirements and adjust your resume accordingly.

When customizing your resume, be sure to highlight your relevant experience and skills. This can include coursework, internships, volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and any other activities that showcase your abilities.

For example, if you are applying for a marketing position, make sure to highlight your experience in social media marketing, market research, and advertising. If you are applying for a data analyst role, make sure to emphasize your skills in data analysis, statistics, and programming languages.

In addition, consider including any relevant certifications, awards, or honors you have received. These can help demonstrate your expertise in a particular area and set you apart from other candidates.

When describing your experience, be sure to emphasize measurable outcomes and achievements. For example, instead of simply stating that you worked on a project, explain how your contributions led to a successful outcome, such as increased sales or improved efficiency.

By customizing your resume for each position you apply for, you can demonstrate your relevance and fit for the job and increase your chances of landing an interview. Take the time to thoroughly analyze the job description and requirements, and highlight the skills and experiences that showcase your abilities and make you a strong candidate.

Writing a Convincing Cover Letter

As a college graduate, you may think that your resume is the most important aspect of your job application. However, a well-crafted cover letter can be just as important in landing you an interview. In fact, some hiring managers consider the cover letter to be the most important part of your application.

A cover letter can demonstrate your communication skills, showcase your personality and highlight your qualifications in a way that a resume cannot. It allows you to demonstrate your interest in the position and the company in a way that is personal and engaging. A great cover letter can set you apart from other applicants and leave a lasting impression on the hiring manager.

Here are some tips on what to include in your cover letter:

Why You’re a Good Fit

Start by introducing yourself and stating why you are interested in the position. Then, explain why you believe you would be a good fit for the role. Provide specific examples of your qualifications and experiences that match the job description. Use this section to demonstrate your understanding of the job and the company.

Your Skills and Experiences

Highlight your skills and experiences that make you a strong candidate for the job. Use specific examples to showcase how you have used these skills in the past and how they relate to the job you are applying for. This section should demonstrate your achievements and success in your previous roles.

Your Personality and Passion

Showcase your personality and passion for the job and the company. Use your cover letter to explain why you are interested in the company and what excites you about the job. Highlight any relevant experience or skills that demonstrate your passion for the work.

Wrap up your cover letter by summarizing why you would be a good fit for the position and the company. Thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration and express your enthusiasm for the opportunity. End by inviting them to contact you for further discussion.

Remember to keep your cover letter concise, clear and tailored to the job and the company. A well-crafted cover letter can demonstrate your communication skills and showcase your personality, leaving a lasting impression on the hiring manager.

Maximizing Your Online Presence

In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial, especially for college graduates seeking their first job. Social media can be a powerful tool to showcase your skills, achievements, and personality to potential employers. It is vital to manage your social media profiles carefully and present them in a positive light.

Managing your Social Media Profiles

Firstly, it’s essential to keep your social media profiles professional and tidy. Employers often look at candidates’ profiles to gain insight into their personalities and conduct. Ensure that your profiles are up-to-date and free from any inappropriate content. This includes not only your posts but also the images you share and the pages you follow.

Secondly, it is advisable to use privacy settings to control access to your profile. Limiting access to personal information and posts is a great way to protect your privacy and stay safe on social media.

Finally, it is important to post regularly and engage with your audience. By sharing updates and interacting with others on social media, you can build a strong network and increase your visibility. You never know; your next employer or colleague might be someone you connect with on social media.

Maximizing LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a professional networking platform that has become an essential tool for job seekers. To maximize LinkedIn, here are some tips to consider:

1. Optimize your profile

Make sure that your LinkedIn profile is complete, up-to-date, and reflects your personal brand. Use a professional profile picture and headline that showcases your skills and experience. You can also add a summary of your achievements, skills, and interests.

2. Build your network

Connect with professionals in your industry or field, as well as recruiters and hiring managers. You can also join groups and follow companies that interest you. Building your network is an excellent way to increase your visibility and get noticed by potential employers.

3. Look for job opportunities

LinkedIn is a great platform to search for job openings and internships in your industry. You can use filters such as location, job function, and industry to narrow down your search. You can also set up job alerts to get notified when a job posting matches your criteria.

4. Engage with content

Engaging with content on LinkedIn is an excellent way to demonstrate your knowledge and engage with your network. You can share useful articles and insights or write your own content. You can also comment on posts and start conversations with your connections.

Social media can be a powerful tool for college graduates looking to maximize their online presence. By managing your social media profiles and optimizing LinkedIn, you can increase your visibility, build your network, and find your dream job.

Preparing for Your Job Interview

As a college graduate, preparing for a job interview is crucial to ensure you make a good impression and increase your chances of getting hired. In this section, we will discuss the importance of preparing for your interview, typical interview questions for college graduates, and strategies and tips for interview success.

The Importance of Preparing for Your Interview

Preparing for an interview is important for several reasons. Firstly, it helps you feel more confident and prepared. By doing your research on the company and the role you are interviewing for, you’ll be able to answer the interviewer’s questions more effectively and ask informed questions of your own.

Secondly, preparing for your interview shows your potential employer that you are serious about the role and the company. It demonstrates that you are willing to put in the time and effort to prepare and that you are genuinely interested in the position.

Finally, being prepared can help reduce anxiety and nervousness. Knowing that you have done everything you can to prepare for the interview can give you peace of mind and help you perform at your best.

Typical Interview Questions for College Graduates

While interview questions can vary depending on the company and the role, there are some common questions that college graduates should be prepared to answer. These may include:

• Tell me about yourself
• Why are you interested in this role?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Can you give an example of a time when you had to overcome a challenge?
• What are your long-term career goals?
• Can you tell me about a time when you worked in a team?

It’s important to prepare answers to these questions ahead of time, while also being ready to adapt your responses as needed based on the conversation.

Strategies and Tips for Interview Success

There are several strategies and tips that can help you succeed in a job interview:

Research the company and the role: Before the interview, research the company and the role you are applying for. This will help you understand what the company does, their values, and what they are looking for in a candidate.

Practice your answers: Practice answering common interview questions ahead of time. This will help you feel more confident and prepared during the interview.

Dress appropriately: Dress professionally for the interview. This shows that you are taking the opportunity seriously, and helps create a good impression.

Arrive early: Arrive early to the interview to give yourself time to check in, relax, and mentally prepare.

Stay engaged: During the interview, make sure to actively listen to the interviewer, maintain eye contact, and ask for clarification if needed.

By following these strategies and tips, you can increase your chances of interview success and landing your dream job.

Preparing for your job interview is essential as a college graduate. It can help you feel more confident, make a good impression, and ultimately increase your chances of getting hired.

Following Up After the Interview

As a college graduate, the interview process can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. You’ve spent countless hours perfecting your resume, submitting job applications, and finally landed an interview. After the interview, it’s important to follow up with the employer to demonstrate your interest and commitment to the company.

The Importance of Following Up

Following up after an interview is crucial because it sets you apart from other candidates. It shows that you are proactive, thoughtful, and polite. Hiring managers often receive hundreds of resumes and interview several candidates, so a follow-up can help them remember who you are and why you’re interested in the position.

Moreover, following up helps to maintain and strengthen your relationship with the employer. It can demonstrate that you are a dependable and responsible individual, who takes initiative and is interested in building strong relationships. This can go a long way in helping you get your foot in the door to discuss future opportunities at the company.

Communicating with Employers after the Interview

When following up with an employer, it’s important to keep in mind that professionalism is key. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Send a thank-you email within 24 hours:  This is a quick and easy way to show your appreciation for the interviewer’s time and to keep your candidacy top of mind. Make sure to personalize the message and reiterate your interest in the position.

Follow up after a week:  If you haven’t heard back from the employer within a week, it’s appropriate to send a follow-up email or make a phone call. This demonstrates your interest in the position and allows you to inquire about the status of your candidacy.

Be courteous and respectful:  Remember, the interview process can be stressful and demanding for employers. Be understanding if they’re unable to respond immediately or if the hiring process takes longer than anticipated. Stay positive and professional throughout the entire process.

Following up after an interview is an important step in the job search process. It shows your interest and commitment to the position and the company, and helps you stand out from other candidates. By following these simple guidelines, you can communicate effectively and professionally with potential employers, and increase your chances of landing your dream job.

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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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College Graduate resume examples & templates

Choosing the right resume format for a new graduate 

Include your contact information, make use of a summary, outline your college graduate work experience: a strong report card , including the most relevant skills for a recent graduate position , detail your education & relevant certifications as a recent graduate, pick the right resume layout and design for a new graduate resume.

Job hunting as a college graduate can often feel like a competitive sport. When you’re up against hundreds of other fresh graduates with the same diploma in hand, your resume needs to be sharp and professional to stand out and land your perfect entry-level position. Whether you hold a degree in computer science, business, or foreign languages, your resume serves as your professional toolkit—an essential resource for presenting the perfect blend of skills and experiences to secure your foothold in the world of your chosen industry.

As a recent college graduate, first impressions matter, and potential employers form judgments based on the initial glimpse of your resume. The challenge for recent graduates is to showcase what sets them apart, both academically and professionally via internships and extracurricular experiences. If you're ready to elevate your resume game, we're here to help you write your way to success in your entry-level job search.

Resume guide for a college graduate

Land your first job after graduation with Resume.io. Our guides and resume examples cover over 500 professions, and our resume builder makes creating a compelling resume easier than ever.

This resume guide and corresponding college graduate resume example will cover the following:

How to write a college graduate resume

• Choosing the right resume format for college graduate
• How to add your contact information
• Using summaries
• Adding your college graduate experience
• Listing education and relevant experience
• Picking the right resume design/layout
• What job prospects and salary you can expect as a college graduate

To get started writing the best resume for a recent college graduate, you’ll need to understand what sections to include. Your resume should contain the following elements:

• The resume header
• The resume summary (aka profile or personal statement)
• The employment history section
• The resume skills section
• The education section

Your new grad resume is your initial introduction to potential employers and serves as the gateway for them to get to know you better. Your objective is to show hiring managers what makes you unique and what experiences you’ve gained beyond your degree.

To construct a compelling narrative, start by thoroughly reviewing the job description. Ask yourself a few questions to help you determine the company’s ideal candidate:

• Is this role suitable for a recent grad?
• What is the work environment like?
• What is the corporate culture of this company?
• What kind of tasks and responsibilities are associated with the position?
• How large is the team you might be working with?
• What problem does the company want the person working in this position to solve?

While this may seem like a mundane exercise, understanding the nuances of the prospective workplace allows you to tailor your resume to position yourself as the ideal candidate. Identify the employer's objectives and illustrate how your skills and experiences align seamlessly with their goals—this is the key element that sets your application apart.

On your resume, aim to emphasize achievements rather than just responsibilities. While many recent graduates possess fundamental skills, can you showcase instances where you went beyond the basics? Have you contributed to the success of previous professional endeavors like internships? How have you enhanced the overall experience for those you worked with? Let your resume reflect your track record of success in your college and extracurricular activities.

Consider the ATS (Applicant Tracking System)

If you’re a recent college grad, you’ll likely be applying to positions using online application portals. You should be aware of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Algorithms built into these portals that scan resumes for specific keywords outlined in the job description. Resumes that don’t rank high enough can get filtered out before ever being reviewed by a hiring manager. 

Follow these steps to increase your chances of making it to the employer’s desk:

• Closely align your resume with the employer's language, incorporating keywords strategically, especially in the summary and skills section.
• Keep your resume format clear and straightforward to facilitate easy scanning by ATS, avoiding excessive graphics or elements that may confuse the system.
• Don’t engage in keyword stuffing—adding misleading, hidden, or excessive keywords on your resume just to beat the bots. Hiring managers frown upon this practice.

Selecting the best format for your recent graduate resume largely hinges on your level of professional experience. Whenever possible, we recommend the reverse chronological resume format with a focus on the employment history section as this is the format hiring managers expect to see from professional candidates. If your work history is limited, you can include internships and college jobs (related to your field of study) as part of your employment history. 

If your work history is limited or predominantly consists of jobs outside of your field of study, the functional resume format could be advantageous. This format places a greater spotlight on your skill set, allowing you to highlight your competencies and capabilities instead of past roles. It can be a good option for fresh grads or those transitioning to a new field.

For a head start, check our resume examples tailored to the reverse chronological format to guide you through the process. You can easily modify them for your own experience inside of our intuitive resume builder .

For more ideas, inspiration and direction, check out our hundreds of resume samples in categories like retail , hospitality and administration, and those for the following education-related occupations.

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Your contact information is an essential part of your fresh grad resume, but one that many recent graduates get wrong. Your contact details should be prominently displayed in your resume header so that potential employers can easily reach you to set up an interview. Here are the essential pieces of information:

• Full name and professional title . As a fresh grad, it’s OK to use the professional title of the entry-level role you are applying to.
• Phone number . This should be a number you check regularly and is accessible during business hours. Make sure you have a working voicemail so a hiring manager can leave you a message.
• Email address . You’d be surprised how many recent graduates are still using silly email addresses. Your email address should be professional and include some part of your name. Make a new email account once you graduate as you should not include a .edu address on a job application.
• LinkedIn or portfolio website . An up-to-date LinkedIn profile is one of the best ways to signal to a potential employer that you take your career seriously. In some fields such as design or journalism, you will also want to include a link to your professional portfolio website.

Your contact information is key to landing an interview and the job. Make sure it is easy to find and easy to read.

• Jamie Johnson
• Research assistant
• 000-080-0600
• [email protected]
• Jamie “Da Best” Johnson
• Recent graduate

On a recent college graduate resume, a well-written summary is a superpower. In just a few concise sentences, you have the opportunity to present yourself as an outstanding candidate who has both the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to contribute to their organization and enhance the overall workplace experience.

A well-crafted summary extends beyond a mere listing of your previous roles—that information can be detailed further down your resume. The primary aim of the summary is to spotlight your skills and your professional personality which makes you a rising star. Make sure to write with energy and use verbs such as "applied, implemented, optimized, increased, and led," and quantify your accomplishments and present yourself as motivated and responsible.

Your summary should emphasize your strongest skills as a recent graduate and explain why you are the perfect fit for the specific job to which you are applying. Again, refer to the job description to develop a picture of the company’s ideal candidate. Embrace your distinctive strengths, and allow your summary to paint a vivid picture of the value you bring.

Keep in mind that hiring managers are busy people. Your summary is your initial opportunity to capture their attention and encourage them to read the rest of your resume. Keep it concise, focused, and positive to show why you’re the candidate the company has been looking for.

You can find our resume example summaries for recent graduates below:

Motivated and dynamic marketer with a recent Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, equipped with a solid foundation of key digital marketing principles and a proactive mindset. Possesses excellent analytical and problem-solving skills honed through rigorous coursework and internships, contributing to successful project outcomes. Eager to apply academic knowledge and practical experiences to a corporate role, bringing a fresh perspective and dedication to achieving organizational goals.

Motivated and creative graphic designer with a recent degree in fine arts, with a passion for visual storytelling and innovative design concepts. Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, with a keen eye for aesthetics and attention to detail. A proactive and collaborative team player, I have successfully translated conceptual ideas into visually appealing designs during internships and coursework projects. Eager to contribute a fresh perspective and creativity to a dynamic creative team, leveraging a blend of academic knowledge and practical skills.

Energetic recent graduate seeking a part-time role in the retail sector. Holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, providing a solid foundation in customer service, inventory management, and business operations. Possesses strong communication and interpersonal skills, cultivated through coursework and previous experiences. Excited to apply business principles and enthusiasm to contribute to the success of a major fashion retailer.

Your recent academic journey is a valuable asset for potential employers but it can’t be the only experience listed on your resume. To compete among other grads and established professionals, you’ll need to create a strong employment history section tailored to the specific job you're applying for.

Begin by highlighting your most recent academic experiences at the top and work backward, capturing your educational background over the last few years. We recommend finding at least three “professional” experiences which can include student jobs, leadership positions, internships, and any other relevant experiences that directly align with the position you are pursuing. 

For each role, create a subheading with the job title, employer or school name, dates worked, and location. Then, construct 3-4 concise, results-based bullet points outlining your responsibilities and achievements in that role. Begin each point with an action verb and aim to incorporate quantifiable data and statistics whenever applicable. This structured presentation ensures that your resume will make you look like a qualified candidate, even as a recent grad.

Who works for whom?

One mistake commonly found on new graduate resumes is the sense that the employer’s job opening would be a big opportunity for the recent grad. When writing your resume, remember that your goal is to show how your skills and experience would benefit the employer and not how getting the job would be a great stepping stone in your career. Even if you don’t have much professional experience yet, your work ethic and fresh ideas can be a vital asset to a company.

You can find even more sample sentences in our college resume example below:

Marketing Intern at LA Athletic Company, Los Angeles  June 2020 - August 2020 

• Supported 5-person marketing team on seasonal email campaign which resulted in 2x higher than average open rate.
• Conducted market research on competitors by synthesizing data from 20 sources to inform 2021 strategy.

Waitress/Hostess at Champions Sports Bar and Grill, Los Angeles  September 2017 - March 2020 

• Ensured high quality customer service leading to various positive online reviews and comments.
• Trained 3 new team members on opening and closing procedures resulting in higher restaurant efficiency.

Your skills section is a crucial step in beating the automated resume scanners and getting reviewed by a hiring manager. While this section may seem like a simple list, it’s important to craft it carefully based on the job description and include a mix of hard and soft skills.

First, let’s look at the difference between hard and soft skills. Hard skills encompass concrete, technical proficiencies specific to your college degree and field of study, such as data analysis, programming languages, or project management. Conversely, soft skills involve interpersonal qualities and attributes contributing to effective collaboration and communication. These may include adaptability, communication, leadership, and teamwork.

As a recent college graduate, your resume should strike a balance, showcasing both the technical proficiency (hard skills) learned in your coursework and relevant to your field and the interpersonal strengths (soft skills) crucial for effective professional interactions. Make use of the employer’s exact language from the job description when presenting your skills, ensuring alignment with the employer's expectations. For instance, if the job posting emphasizes "team collaboration," incorporate this exact phrase in your skills section rather than using a more general term like "team player." This precision not only optimizes your resume for automated scans but also resonates more effectively with hiring managers.

You can find our adaptable skills resume sample below.

Key Skills and Proficiencies 

As a recent grad, your education is one of your strongest selling points. This is also the only time in your career where your education section can sit on top of your experience section. Make sure to list your degrees in reverse chronological order (most recent to oldest) and include the degree name, school, dates attended, and location. You should also include one or two bullet points with academic achievements that are relevant to the job you are applying for.

The education section is also the best place to add memberships, organizations, clubs, scholarships, and certifications you hold. Check out our adaptable education resume sample below.

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, University of Southern California, Los Angeles  September 2019 - May 2021 

• Relevant Coursework: Marketing Research Methods, Consumer Behavior Analysis, Advertising Campaigns

Your professional presentation as a fresh grad extends beyond the writing of your resume to the layout and design of your application. To create a strong first impression, you’ll need to pay attention to the spacing, fonts , and color used on your resume. As with your writing, your layout should be tailored to the job you are applying for. A professionally designed resume template makes it easy to test out different styles.

Above all, remember to keep a balance of white space to text on your resume so that your resume is easy to digest at a glance. Make sure your name appears in a larger font size and your contact information is prominently displayed in your header. We recommend choosing just one accent color and font style and using bold or italic text for emphasis. Remember, when in doubt, less is more. A dialed-down resume won’t impact your chances of landing the job the way an eccentric, colorful one will.

Key takeaways for your college graduate resume

• Your fresh graduate resume is the key to unlocking your first career opportunities.
• While writing your resume, make sure to think about how your skills and education can serve an employer’s needs.
• Your education section is a great place to add clubs, scholarships, and academic achievements.
• Don’t overlook your resume layout. Our adaptable recent grad resume sample can help you get started.

Beautiful ready-to-use resume templates

The New Grad Resume Guide: Everything You Need to Get Started

How to approach a resume as a new graduate, with everything you need to get you started.

Ready to show your future employer what you can do?

There’s no better way to do it than with a neat, concise, strongly written resume that clearly lays out your accomplishments, accolades, and skills for competitive employment. As a recent grad looking for work, there are certain attributes you’ll want to prioritize on your resume, especially if applying to an entry level position that focuses heavily on educational requirements and graduation dates.

What your resume needs

• Personal information : This includes your full name, address, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile link (if you have one). Make sure the email you include is professional.
• A strong objective.
• An updated education section : You might have written a resume before for a part- or full-time job while in college. For those of you who have, this might be the first time you add that bachelor’s degree to your resume.
• Relevant work experience .
• Honors and achievements : Because you want to sell the best version of you that you can!

Picture what you want your resume to look like. Having a format in mind will make it easier to organize your information in a concise, attractive way. You can find free resume templates everywhere from Google Drive to Microsoft Word, or you can create your own using Canva or with the Adobe Creative Suite. You can even buy unique resume and cover letter templates on Etsy!

No matter which design you choose, your personal information should always go at the top in first name last name format. Your name should serve as the title, so to speak, and is generally bolded or in a larger font when compared to the rest of the text. Include the rest of your personal information below. Don’t forget to include any relevant portfolio links if you’re applying for a creative job.

The objective

A typical entry-level resume may include either an objective or summary. However, summaries are best saved for applicants who have more extensive work experience. Objectives are best suited for new grads and anyone starting their career.

Objectives are formal in tone, and should be written specifically for each employer. Use these one to three sentences, max, to convey what you are seeking in a professional role.

For example:

Dedicated nurse in top 5% of graduating class seeking an opportunity to work at Allies’ Pediatric Nursing Unit, fostering healthy and stable recovery utilizing advanced knowledge of human growth and development.

Notice how much weight a strong objective can pull. It should describe your value, attributes, educational accolades, and desire to work at the particular company you’re working for. When applying to several jobs, you must remember to tweak this every time.

Your education

The education section of a resume is standard. But, if you’re a recent grad, you’ll want to pay closer attention to this section to include your academic achievements. Note that you should place it right below your objective, listing your bachelor’s degree and any other relevant certificates. Do not include your high school information.

This section should include:

• The full name of your college or university
• Your degree
• Dates in school, including the date of graduation
• GPA (if 3.0 or higher)

Nebraska BSN University

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Aug. 2010 - May 2015

Honors and achievements

It’s worthwhile to note where your honors and achievements should go.

If you have one or two great achievements you want to list, it may be best to include it within your education section. But if you have several achievements, especially if they can help you get the job, keep it as a separate section to avoid convoluting the education section.

No special formatting is required. Feel free to include any of the following:

• Any societies you were a member of
• Any honors you earned upon graduation (e.g. Cum Laude)
• Any leadership activities you participated in

Your work experience

Intern , volunteer, full-time employee… whichever it may be, include as many relevant experiences as possible. Relevance is the key, though. You might be tempted to fill this space with whichever experience you have just to add to your resume.

But if you don’t have any relevant experience… It’s okay. Analyze which transferable skills can apply to the job. For example; if you volunteered at a hospital that required data entry and you familiarized yourself with Microsoft Excel, include that.

Be precise in how you articulate your experiences, too. Keep your statements about your experiences and skills short, impactful, and actionable. When listing them, include the place of employment, your title/position, dates employed, and accomplishments for each, in descending order.

Here is an example for someone with transferable skills applying to a nursing position:

ADDT Homeless Shelter and Clinic, Feb. 2017 - Jan. 2019

Soup Kitchen Volunteer

• Helped serve thousands of patients, with dietary restrictions, food suited for their needs and recommended by their doctor
• Participated in biweekly outreach to promote free medical services
• Ideated the transition from soup kitchen to restaurant to improve patient mood when dining on site

As you can see, this applicant is highlighting their customer service, health, initiative, and leadership knowledge and skills in an exciting way. Include about three to four experiences that yield results (e.g., an idea coming into fruition or how many times you helped a company succeed), and you’ll have a strong work experience section on your resume!

Additional sections

If you haven’t filled up your one-page resume by now, consider adding these sections:

• Skills : Does the job ask for your expertise in Adobe Creative Suite or Microsoft Office? Articulate your skills with these programs by listing them in a skills section. You can also include soft skills such as communication, time management, problem-solving, etc. You can also include any additional languages you speak.
• References : Do you have a great recommendation from your internship supervisor? List them as a reference! Though, don’t feel compelled to write a reference section if you’re straight out of school.

Once you’ve got your resume set, make sure to upload it through Handshake. If your college has a career services center, you may have access to feedback for your resumes and cover letters, too!

Find the right jobs for you. Get hired.

Related stories, most recent stories.

146 Key skills for your CV

If you want to land job interviews, your CV needs to be packed with valuable skills.

Skills show recruiters and employers that you have the ability to perform tasks well, and you have expertise in your profession, as well as soft skills.

This guide will show you 146 CV skills that employers love to see, and a guide on how to add them to your own CV

CV templates 

Soft skills

Soft skills are personal attributes which are not specific to a particular profession and can be applied to any job or industry. They are just as valuable as hard skills, but they are more common and harder to measure and prove in a CV.

• Adaptability – The ability to quickly adjust to new situations and environments whilst maintaining a high level of performance
• Attention to detail – Spotting small details that could have big consequences to your employer and dealing with them accordingly
• Communication – Delivering information to others so that they receive and understand your ideas – This can be written (emails, letters, messaging systems) spoken (conversations, meetings, presentations) visual (videos, posters, images)
• Creativity – The ability to generate new ideas such as new marketing campaigns, staff initiatives or images for adverts
• Decision making – Choosing to take actions that could have big effects on colleagues and customer, especially in pressured situations
• Diplomacy – Dealing with people sensitively and tactfully whilst trying to reach agreements that satisfy differing needs as closely as possible
• Flexibility – willingness to make sudden changes when unexpected circumstances arise
• Initiative – The ability to think independently and make responsible decisions, without asking management for guidance
• Motivation – The ability to stay driven and focused to achieve targets, especially during difficult times
• Organisation – Putting systems and order in place to ensure routine tasks are carried out efficiently
• Planning – Preparing how tasks will be delivered, putting processes into place
• Problem solving – Dealing with situations that pose threats to the running of your organisation, and providing solutions to combat them
• Reliability – Being trusted to complete tasks and deliver results without being checked on
• Team work – Working collaboratively with colleagues and external individuals to achieve common goals
• Time management – Being aware of time limitations ensuring deadlines are met

Quick tip: Try to show your soft skills, rather than simply stating them.

Instead of writing “ I am a good written communicator ” give examples of how you apply your communication skills in the workplace, such as; “ Providing management with accurate email updates on team activity ”

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Admin skills

Efficient administration is vital to the smooth running of an organisation, so whether you work directly in admin or not, you are likely to need some administration skills .

• Business software – Being a confident user of business IT tools such as Outlook, Gmail, Excel, Windows etc.
• Business support – Assisting senior business figures with ad hoc tasks such as note taking, diary management etc.
• Communications – Creating and distributing messages internally to keep colleagues informed of news and changes within the organisation (usually via email)
• Data analysis – Taking raw data sets and using the information to spot trends and make predictions
• Data entry – Inputting information into databases to keep organisation records up to date
• Diary management – Organising schedules for a team or senior staff members
• Document management – Creating, updating and formatting important business documents such as staff lists or HR records
• Email management – Managing the organisation and distribution of emails for a company, department or individual
• Post distribution – Collecting incoming post and delivering to relevant people or teams
• Process management – Ensuring admin processes are completed correctly, such as customer onboarding or invoice input.
• Query handling – Providing accurate answers to questions from internal staff, suppliers and customers
• Reporting – Creating and distributing reports containing business figures such as sales, profits and costs
• Typing – Creating Word documents, emails and other typed information

Creative skills

Whether you work directly in a creative role ( graphic design etc.) or not, creativity can play vital role across any business, helping to drive marketing initiatives or solve internal problems.

• Attending briefs – Meeting with clients to understand their requirements and asking effective questions to extract the information needed to carry out the work correctly
• Brainstorming – Meeting with team members to discuss new ideas for a project – contributing ideas and providing feedback
• Branding – Contributing to a company’s look and feel by providing input on logos, copy, product design etc.
• Designing – Creating effective looks and functions for anything from advertising material to buildings
• Idea generation – Thinking of new approaches for marketing campaigns, office designs, company slogans and more
• Collaboration – Being able to work closely with co-workers or other departments on projects that benefit you both, for example, the sales and marketing teams working together on ad campaigns
• Idea generation – Producing and sharing new and innovative ideas that drive the business forward, be that a new product, service, strategy or internal process
• Digital tools – Proficiency with popular digital tools like social media, design software, instant messaging and video conferencing tools
• Versatility – Seamlessly adapting to changes or switching from one task to another to keep the workplace running smoothly and projects on track
• Innovation – Fostering growth, sharing new ideas and ensuring the business stays competitive
• Visual communications – Communicating information in a visual way, whether that’s an internal presentation, marketing materials, floor plans or 3D models
• Imagination – The ability to think up new ideas, respond to problems in a creative way and handle unexpected situations

Customer service skills

In any customer facing role , strong customer service skills are essential if you want to keep customers happy and maintain a good reputation for your employer.

• Complaint resolution – Dealing with complaints from customers in a retail environment, and providing solutions to rectify their issues
• Customer service – The ability to deal with customers on a regular basis to fulfil their requirements in line with business goals
• Identifying opportunities – Listening to customer and spotting opportunities to recommend products or services
• Meeting and greeting – Welcoming customers and making them feel comfortable, whether in person, via phone or email
• Product/service knowledge – Having a solid understanding of company products and services in order to explain features and benefits to customers
• Promoting – Making customers aware of offers and deals to promote sales
• Query handling – Answering question from customers and providing  accurate answers and advice
• Transaction processing – Taking payments for goods via cash or card and providing customers with receipts
• Self-Control – The ability to communicate calmly and professionally at all times, particularly in the face of challenging customers
• Listening – Actively listening to customers, showing that you value what they are saying and taking it onboard to ensure the best possible experience
• Attentiveness – Checking in with customers, listening to what they say and going the extra mile to ensure repeat business and positive outcomes for the business
• Empathy – Creating positive interactions between you and your customers, whether over the phone, email or in person, making them feel heard and valued
• Patience – Dealing with challenging situations like difficult or irate customers with ease and professionalism

Education & training skills

Whilst education skills are most frequently used in teaching roles, they can also be applied utilised in business within areas such as training or learning & development.

• Assessments – Evaluating student’s ability and learnings in exams and observations
• Coaching – Working one-to-one with students, providing advice and guidance to support their development
• Lesson planning – Preparing how individual lessons will be delivered to students, including topics and lesson structure
• Performance tracking – Monitoring student performance over long-term periods
• Resource planning – Preparing learning resources required for lessons such as handouts, tests and checklists
• Teaching – Delivering lessons to students, ensuring information is correctly received and handling questions
• Active listening – Encouraging meaningful conversations with students to find out more about their strengths, weaknesses and interests
• Conflict resolution – Settling issues or disputes between students to reach a fair solution
• Classroom management – Keeping students under control and introducing effective classroom management strategies
• Commitment – Taking accountability for student’s education, encouraging them and motivating them to keep working hard
• Public speaking – Delivering lessons to a full classroom, as well as occasionally speaking to larger groups at assemblies or school events
• Subject matter expertise – Understanding the curriculum or your subject matter in great detail; learning more about it whenever the opportunity presents itself

Finance skills

The following roles apply to finance and accounting roles, or any roles which involve an element of financial responsibility.

• Account preparation – Preparing company financial accounts for public records and management
• Auditing – Checking company accounts for anomalies and reporting findings
• Bookkeeping – Recording company income and expenditure for records and taxation purposes
• Budgeting – Managing funds on behalf of an employer and allocating spending effectively and responsibly
• Cost saving – Using multiple methods to reduce employer spending whilst maintaining or even improving standards
• Credit control – Managing records of customers owing money to the business and communicating with them to ensure prompt payment
• Financial reporting – Creating reports to inform stakeholders on varying aspects of business performance
• Forecasting – Using past data, trends and analysis to predict future revenue streams for products and services
• Investing  – Placing company funds into assets such as stocks and property in order to generate profits
• Payroll – Calculating and processing staff payment and ensuring correct amounts of tax are levied
• Profit and loss responsibility – Overall responsibility for the profitability of a business or business unit
• Spending – Purchasing goods and services for an employer, ensuring the price is beneficial for the business
• Taxation – Handling tax issues such as advising on tax saving methods and submitting tax returns to HMRC

Technology is present in the vast majority of workplaces nowadays, so  even if you don’t have a technical IT role, you will probably still need some IT skills to perform it well.

• Cyber security – Defending networks and websites from malicious attacks using modern defence tools and techniques
• Data analysis – Using large data sets to spot trends and provide valuable insights to business leaders
• Database administration – The management and maintenance of a set of data within a company database
• Development – Coding using programming languages to develop web sites, pages, or applications
• Installation – setting up new hardware or software systems and tailoring them to business needs
• IT support – Dealing with IT issues from employees or customers and providing workable solutions
• Programming – writing sets of rules to inform computer systems to carry out automated tasks
• Recommending – Assessing an organisation’s IT requirements and suggesting suitable technology solutions
• Requirements gathering – Speaking with colleagues to collect an understanding of what they require from an IT system before a build or upgrade
• Software/tool knowledge – The ability to use software or tools specific to your role such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, or Photoshop
• Testing – Trying out features of a system to ensure they work before going live
• Troubleshooting – Diagnosing issues with hardware and software to determine causes and suggests fixes
• Cloud Computing – Proficient use of popular cloud platforms, with the ability to develop software that operates in the cloud
• Mobile Development – Using popular programming languages to develop innovative new apps for mobile devices

Management skills

Whether you manage a team of people or simply have to manage your own time or company resources, management skills should be present in your CV.

• Delegation – Alleviating suitable responsibilities to junior staff to aid their progression whilst freeing up your time to perform more demanding activities
• Goal setting – Planning targets for a business, team or individuals in order to meet long-term objectives
• Leadership – Providing direction to staff on an ongoing basis to ensure they perform at the best of their abilities and achieve organisational goals
• Leading meetings – Creating agendas for staff meetings and directing the topics and flow
• Motivating – Instilling staff with confidence and enthusiasm to carry out their jobs effectively
• Process improvement – Identifying under-performing procedures within the business and changing them to become more efficient
• Resource management – Allocating roles to staff and setting time scales for tasks to be completed
• Staff development – Ensuring that staff receive sufficient progression throughout their career in order to gain promotions and grow professionally
• Strategy – Developing a long-term plan to achieve overall business goals
• Training – Teaching staff vital skills and system knowledge to improve their ability to perform in their roles
• Positive Reinforcement – Recognising workers and providing praise and feedback to boost morale
• Multi-tasking – Overseeing multiple members of staff, ensuring that all deadlines are met and delegating tasks where required
• Team building – Encouraging individuals to work together to improve efficiency and achieve shared goals
• Digital communication – Utilising digital tools like instant messaging to keep the team connected and increase productivity
• Recruiting – Reviewing applications and interviewing candidates to find the best fit for the team and company culture

Marketing skills

Marketing is the process of making customers aware of a service or product and moving them closer to a sale – so marketing skills are extremely valuable to employers .

• Advertising – Buying paid media placements, creating images and text, driving customers to websites, shops, restaurants etc.
• Campaign management – Devising and carrying out marketing campaigns through various channels, measuring performance
• Content creation – Creating marketing content in the forms of articles, videos, landing pages, podcasts and more
• Copywriting – Writing engaging content to inform, entertain and persuade customers to buy
• CRM tools – Knowledge and confident use of popular Customer Relationship Management tools
• Email marketing – Creating email campaigns to build relationships with customers and generate leads and sales
• Market research – Investigating audiences and buying trends to determine demand for products and services
• Outreach – Contacting potential partners to promote content and suggest mutual deals
• SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) – The process of driving organic traffic to websites by making them search engine friendly
• Social media management – Managing social profiles of organisation accounts (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn)
• UX (User experience) – Optimising web pages to make them easy for users to navigate and lead them towards making a purchase.
• Content management – Using CMSs to create, edit, publish and manage content, allowing for multiple contributors across the team
• Strategic planning – Identifying opportunities and developing marketing strategies that align with the company’s wider goals
• Statistical analysis – Using data from social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook to assess the effectiveness of existing campaigns and make changes accordingly

Project management skills

Project management is prevalent across all industries, and even if you aren’t a dedicated project manager , you could still find yourself supporting or leading projects in your role.

• Delivery – Ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget whilst producing all of the pre-determined goals
• Gaining buy-in – Persuading senior business figures to back initiatives and provide permissions and funding
• Leadership – Managing people and guiding them towards the completion of a common goal
• Presenting business cases – Building strong cases to get sign-off for projects, explaining the business benefits to senior management
• Risk management – Identifying potential project risks and putting procedures in place to minimise their impact on project delivery
• Scheduling – Planning a succession of activities and monitoring progress to ensure the overall project is delivered on time
• Stakeholder management – Managing the expectation of senior business figures and keeping them updated on project progress
• Productivity – Setting realistic deadlines and monitoring progress throughout to ensure these are met
• Critical thinking – Identifying new challenges or issues and using this information to solve the problem as quickly and effectively as possible
• Change management – Assessing current business operations and making adjustments to ensure best practices
• Project Tracking – Utilising project management software to track and manage tasks to ensure deadlines are met
• Task management software – Using management tools to handle tasks across multiple projects, organising and prioritising as required

Sales skills

Private sector business are driven by sales , so sales skills are vital in the workplace – even if you are not in a direct sales position.

Some of these skills are also valuable when dealing with colleagues in internally also.

• Influencing – Persuading others to agree with your opinions and back your ideas
• Lead generation – Providing a business with a pipeline of potential customers who are likely to buy products or services
• Negotiation – Holding discussions with colleagues and clients to reach favourable outcomes and agreements
• Networking – Growing your list of personal contacts by seeking out valuable connections and building relationships with them
• Presenting – Delivering presentations to clients to explain the benefits of products and services
• Relationship management – Building and maintaining relationships with customers (or even colleagues) to foster positive outcomes for employers
• Sales closing – Generating sales of products and services by obtaining final agreements from clients
• Target achievement – The ability to reach and exceed targets set by your employer (usually sales targets but could cover other areas)
• Confidence – Giving sales presentations and pitching products in a clear and persuasive way to make the sale
• Emotional intelligence – Listening to customers or prospects to understand their needs and offer the best solutions

More skills

Transferable skills – CV adjectives – Leadership skills – CV buzzwords – Hard skills – Marketing skills – Digital skills – Student skills – Creative skills – Hospitality skills

How to list skills on your CV

Now you have a good idea of the types of skills that need to be present in your CV ( curriculum vitae ).

But, how you demonstrate those skills can make the difference between a winning CV, and a losing one.

Soft skills VS hard skills

Skill is defined as the ability to do something well, or having expertise in a particular area.

So, it’s understandable that employers want to hire candidates with plenty of skills.

At a high level, skills can firstly be categorised into 2 main categories ; hard skills and soft skills .

Type 1) Role specific skills – also called hard skills

Type 2) Generic skills – also called soft skills or personal skills .

Role specific or hard skills are specific profession-related skills that are needed to carry out particular job functions (e.g. speaking a foreign language , budgeting for finance roles or negotiation for sales roles)

Generic skills or soft skills are common skills that are required for most roles, such as communication , teamwork and problem solving .

Now that you understand the main types of skills available to use in your CV , it’s important to understand how to add them both to your CV

Many modern roles will require you to have skills from more than one of these categories.

For example, a sales role could require skills from sales , customer service , marketing and management + a range of soft skills

Always research your target roles thoroughly to determine which in-demand skills you need to  include in your CV .

How to add hard skills to your CV

It’s crucial to highlight role specific skills in your CV (or resume if you are in the USA) because they are normally what recruiters are briefed to look for above all else.

For example, a hiring manager will often tell a recruiter…

“I need you to find me somebody with 5 years sales experience who can generate leads, build relationships, lead negotiations and close deals”

They won’t usually give a soft skill brief like this…

“I need somebody who is a well organised, team-player with good communication skills”

Although those soft skills may be needed for the role, they are needed for most roles, so they won’t help recruiters find the right candidate – that brief could be applicable to thousands of jobs.

Role specific skills are so important to your CV because …

a) Recruiters search for hard skills only on job site CV databases, internal CV databases and LinkedIn

Therefore, the more relevant role specific skills you have in your CV, the more searches you will appear in.

The more searches you appear, the more times your CV will be opened – which will increase your chances of being called in for interviews.

b) Recruiters scan your CV for hard skills when they open your CV

When a recruiter opens your CV, they will firstly look to pick out some of the most important hard skills they’ve been asked to look for ( sales , negotiation , deal closing etc.)

Initially they won’t be looking for soft skills like planning and organisation – that will come later in the screening process.

So these two reasons make it vital for you to pack your CV with role specific skills, and make them easy to spot

So, how do you do this?

1) Add hard skills to the top quarter of your CV

The first few seconds of a recruiter or hiring manager opening your CV are crucial to the success of your CV.

If a busy recruiter with hundreds of CVs to review doesn’t see the skills they are looking for in the top quarter of your CV, they may close it down without even reading it in full.

So pack the area above the fold in your CV ( the areas visible without scrolling down ) full of in demand hard skills and relevant action verbs – to create a powerful first impression.

Quick tip:  If you struggle with spelling and grammar, try our quick-and-easy CV Builder

Add hard skills to your headline , profile or personal statement , and your core skills section .

As always, research your target roles thoroughly to determine which of your skills should be featured at the top of your CV.

See our best CV templates for more examples of CV profiles.

2) Add hard skills to your roles… with results

To show hiring managers how you apply your skills in the workplace, you need to weave them into your roles descriptions.

But simply listing the skills you use will not be enough.

You need to explain how you apply them, and what positive results they achieve for employers, clients and colleagues.

For example,

Don’t just write:

“Negotiating with customers”

Expand to say,

“Negotiating with customers to increase purchase values and boost monthly revenue for the business”

Expanding to show your results tells employers how valuable your skills are, and what impact you could bring to a new workplace.

Check out this example CV role description for inspiration.

How to add soft skills to your CV

Generic/soft skills are a little more difficult to express in your CV because they need to be implied rather than stated.

If you fill your CV up with terms that plainly state your soft skills, no recruiters will be able to understand what you do.

For example, look at the CV profile below.

It’s impossible to establish what this person does without any hard skills in the profile.

They could be a doctor, pilot, accountant , footballer …. Anything

Also, as I mentioned earlier, recruiters aren’t searching for soft skills, so you want to keep them to a minimum and save space for your hard skills.

So, how do you demonstrate your soft skills without simply writing them down on your CV?

You show them, rather than tell them.

So, rather than simply writing…

“I am organised”

“I am motivated”

“I am a team player”

(Tired phrases that recruiters have seen thousands of times and are meaningless on their own)

Instead, you should prove that you are an organised, motivated team player – by giving real life examples of this in your role responsibilities and achievements .

• Leading a team of 10 to generate a target pipeline of leads over 3 months with regular check ins, progress updates, and supporting under-performers

By writing a sentence like this, you prove a multitude of soft skills such as motivation and team work , (without having to write them down) and demonstrate your role specific skills at the same time.

Junior candidate tip: If you have little or no work experience, you can use your hobbies and interests section to demonstrate soft skills. For example captaining a sports team can show elements of team work , leadership and motivation .

Key skills for your CV

Adding skills to your CV is absolutely essential if you want to get noticed and land job interviews.

But you must ensure that you understand the core skill requirements of your target roles so you can reflect them throughout your CV.

It’s also important to understand the difference between hard skills and soft skills, and how each should be added to your CV.

Hard skills are arguably more important to get down in writing, whereas soft skills should be implied throughout your role descriptions.

You can also check out our sample CVs for more inspiration, and our cover letter guide to ensure your CV gets opened.

Good luck with the job hunt!