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A resume is often the first point of connection between you and your next job, yet knowing its importance can make it feel daunting to create this document. An effective resume authentically highlights your skills and sets you apart from the other candidates. There’s a craft in creating a stand-out resume that’s genuine but distinct.
You’ll want to include both hard and soft skills in your resume. A recent study by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found that 64.9% of employers look for technical skills on students’ resumes, and soft skills like initiative, teamwork, and problem-solving ranked even higher. Let’s explore several good skills to put on a resume to get a hiring manager’s attention.
Hard skills are technical, role-specific skills you use on the job. Examples of hard skills include technical, analytical, computer, marketing, and business skills such as accounting and project management. Hard skills include knowledge of specific programs and applications like Microsoft Office Suite, QuickBooks, and Photoshop. Generally, hard skills are acquired through schooling, training, and experience.
Here are some examples of hard skills that can help get your resume noticed.
Professional project management experience or certification is a great skill to share on a resume. Detail your knowledge of project management workflow, software, and best practices. Sharing a situational example from previous work experience is a powerful way to demonstrate your project management knowledge.
List the specialized software programs and applications you’re familiar with in your resume. Be honest about your skill level, however. Don’t claim to have advanced skills in a program you’re still learning because this can backfire in an interview or, later, on the job.
Social media marketing is a vast field. Detail your specific skills and experience, such as social media strategy, online marketing campaign creation, or web analytics.
Multilingual skills can help you communicate within the organization and with clients or customers, so it can set your resume apart from dozens of others. List any foreign languages you can speak, read, or write in and share your level of proficiency in each. Multilingualism is a beneficial skill in companies across all industries.
Some business-related skills are necessary for specific jobs, such as an accountant or bookkeeper, but are also applicable in various management positions. Hard skills related to accounting, bookkeeping, human resources, and analytics are valuable to include on your resume, even if you’re not applying for a position pertaining specifically to one of those disciplines.
List your specialized technical skills and proficiencies necessary for your industry or position. Jobs with specialized hard skills include:
“Determine which hard and soft skills are most relevant to the position you’re seeking and highlight those skills with specific examples on your resume.”
Soft skills include interpersonal, social, and professional skills. Don’t diminish the value and importance of these abilities, as they can apply to all professions. Soft skills are often tied to personality traits, and most people have a variety of skills that come naturally to them. Here are some examples that are crucial in many professions:
While some people assume that soft skills are innate talents, these abilities can actually be learned and developed. Start by identifying your most vital soft skills, and then you can hone them through study and personal development.
Here are a few sought-after soft skills to put on your resume when looking for your next job:
Several methods of communication are essential on the job. Written and verbal communication skills are important aspects of many professions. In your resume, share any advanced communication-related skills you’ve developed. Identifying specific areas where you excel at communication might set your resume apart. Proposal writing, public speaking, and presentation skills are specific skill sets that fall under the umbrella of communication skills.
Adaptability and flexibility are critical skills in today’s fast-paced, dynamic business environment. Employees in any field need to be able to adapt and adjust in response to workplace needs. Hiring managers know adaptable employees will be able to accept new policies and technologies as the company evolves. Being able to adapt quickly can make an employee a valuable asset to an organization.
The ability to get along with others, especially when people have different work styles and methods, is essential in most organizations. Many managers who lead teams of people want to ensure the applicant possesses the trait of teamwork before considering them for a position.
There are many ways you can highlight your skills to help you land your next interview. Follow these helpful tips to finalize your job application:
Research the company and determine its values and culture before you create your resume. Read the “about our company” section on the website and any recent company news articles featured. You might also want to read reviews or interview a current or previous employee to learn more about the organization. During your research, look for any skills that seem especially important to the company and its employees. These may be good to include on your resume.
Your cover letter allows you to showcase your communication skills. You can also discuss your best skills in your cover letter by sharing achievements from past jobs that show proof of your abilities and reinforce your desirability as a candidate.
When applying for jobs, it’s a good idea to determine which of your hard and soft skills are most relevant to the position you’re seeking and highlight those skills with specific examples on your resume. You can review the job description to find skills the company is specifically looking for in a candidate. Use original, innovative phrasing to make your resume distinct from other applicants with similar skill sets.
After you take inventory of your hard and soft skills for your resume, look for gaps that may help you in a future position. What specific software or personal skills can you develop to improve your skill set and make you a desirable candidate? Take the time to start working on these skills so that you can include them in future resumes.
Consider asking a coworker or previous manager to review your resume and provide feedback to help you strengthen it and fill in any gaps you may have overlooked. Individuals in your industry can help you think of the most relevant skills to include.
Proofread your resume — as well as your cover letter — meticulously. A concise, well-formatted resume free of typos makes a positive first impression and demonstrates your attention to detail.
Taking the time to create an exceptional resume is worth the effort. While it might take some focus and revisions, the time you put into crafting an impressive resume will pay off for years to come when it helps you get an interview for your dream job.
After you brainstorm your best hard and soft skills, create your resume and upload it to CareerBuilder to make it easy for hiring managers to find you.
Learn more about the differences between hard and soft skills to help you prepare your job application.
Once you hone your resume, use tools like online job boards to help you find your next employer.
If you want to set yourself apart from other job applicants, learn how to use creative tactics to showcase your personality and accomplishments.
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