Updated February 2, 2023. The information contained in this blog is current and accurate as of this date.
A resume can be a wonderful opportunity to help potential employers or schools get to know you a little better. Applicants might include sections on education, work history, and awards to demonstrate their aptitude. A skills section can also go a long way in showing a hiring manager why the resume they're reading represents a valuable candidate.
Regardless of the specific career you'd like to pursue, listing impressive resume skills is key to getting noticed in the recruitment process. Most applicants have plenty of impressive skills already, but recognizing which ones to include can help them gain attention in the application process. Here are eight impressive skills to consider listing on a resume:
Do you enjoy interacting with others? Almost every type of professional needs to communicate with colleagues, clients, or patients at one point or another. This makes communication skills one of the most important to list on a resume. What's more, many job descriptions include communication skills in their requirements. Adding this skill to a resume can demonstrate to reviewers that the applicant is aware of the importance of communication, both as a skill and within the context of the particular role to which they are applying.
Do you have a knack for computers? Many careers rely on various types of technology and computer programs, so showing off computer skills on a resume can be a great way to get noticed. Even those who don't think their career relates directly to computer systems might take time to reflect on the programs they have used in school or in the workplace. If you have learned to use any complex technologies, especially those relevant to the field, be sure to include their names and your number of years of experience.
Even an understanding of simple programs like word or number processing programs can be helpful to name in your skills section. You can even just list "computer skills" and leave it at that, to show potential employers that you're technologically savvy.
Are you a natural with a pen or keyboard? If so, definitely list writing skills on your resume. The ability to express yourself through the written word can be very important in a wide variety of careers. It might help individuals create effective reports, draft grant proposals, write clear emails to colleagues, or devise attention-grabbing marketing content. Writing skills can also allow professionals to communicate with large or small audiences and adjust their style to fit their professional setting.
Do you consider yourself to be good at math? Whether you answered yes or no, you likely have some math skills you can list on your resume. For those who want to express a high level of general mathematical understanding, consider listing "math skills" or "advanced mathematical reasoning." You can also list more specific math skills, including computer programming languages, finance knowledge, or mathematical problem-solving. Even time management can be a useful math skill to include.
Have friends or colleagues ever described you as thoughtful, kind, or empathetic? This type of emotional intelligence can make a great item on a skill list. Emotionally intelligent employees may be more likely to get along well with managers, support customers, and empathize with colleagues. It can also help those in stressful work environments, like the medical field, handle difficult situations with poise and a thoughtful consideration of everyone's feelings.
Does helping others fill you with joy? Consider adding customer service skills to your resume. This can tell employers that you excel at helping customers solve problems with an unwaveringly pleasant attitude. For any customer or patient-facing role, this type of skill can prepare individuals to represent their employer well, even in the face of challenging situations. Applicants can also consider listing more specific customer service skills like active listening, friendliness, patience, quick thinking, and conflict resolution.
Do friends or colleagues look to you for leadership? Many employers may be glad to hear it. By listing leadership skills on a resume, applicants can assure potential employers that they can take charge when necessary. It might also help the employer see the applicant as a candidate who has the potential to grow and develop into a leader within the organization over time.
Leadership skills also suggest a certain level of ability in communication, management, teamwork, strategy, and initiative. By listing leadership skills in general, or any of these specific abilities, applicants might help reviewers notice their value.
Do you have a certain organizational system that you just can't live without? Whether it's a calendar, a filing system, or the way you manage your email, the ability to stay organized can be a major draw for employers of all types. Organized individuals may be more likely to be on time for meetings, handle multiple tasks at once, and complete work in a timely manner. Being organized can also help professionals keep cool during times of stress at work and become more productive, as they focus time and energy on vital tasks rather than on correcting disorganized mistakes.
Deciding which skills to include on a resume and listing them effectively can be a challenge. Here are some tips that may help you decide which to include and how to do so:
Most abilities can be categorized as either soft or hard skills, and employers may look for both when reviewing applications. Soft skills are abilities that relate to personal attributes.
When creating a resume skills section, consider adding both hard and soft skills so you can portray yourself as a well-rounded candidate to employers.
Every time you submit a resume, consider updating your skills list to align with the requirements for that specific job. To do this effectively, read over the job description and note what skills they are looking for in a candidate. Individuals who include those specific skills might gain attention during the application review process.
Applicants can also look at the organization website or the "About Us" section of the job description and use them to find out more about the central values of that organization. Then, they can include skills that align with those values. For example, if an organization mentions on its website that they believe in collaboration above all else, an applicant might include teamwork as a skill on their resume.
The way in which individuals present their skills might have a major impact on how easy it is for the reviewer to review them. This means that a clearly organized skills section is important. Consider listing your skills in one or two lines of text, and separating them with vertical lines. Here's an example you can reference:
Data analysis | Customer service | Computer programming | Teamwork | Written and verbal communication skills | Empathy | Attention to detail
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are computer programs that allow hiring managers to process, sort, and respond to resumes more quickly than they might by reviewing each submission manually. This can save the organization time, effort, and money, so individuals applying for jobs are likely to encounter an application process that involves ATS. Luckily, there are some things applicants can include in their skills section to make sure their resumes stand out:
A resume is an important tool in the application process. Once applicants know how to wield it correctly, it can help them gain attention and find their dream job. Whether you're looking for your first job after graduation or you're in the midst of a career shift, we hope this guide to the resume skills section has been helpful.
If you'd like to learn more useful strategies for finding and landing the perfect health care job, we at Concorde Career Colleges are happy to help. You can browse our healthcare career training programs, check out our locations, contact us at 1-800-693-7010, or contact us online to find out more.
