Crafting a professional resume is all about showcasing your skills and qualifications in the best light. Whether you’re a recent graduate entering the job market or a seasoned professional looking to switch careers, knowing what skills to include on your resume can make a significant impact on your chances of landing that dream job. In this article, we’ll explore a variety of essential skills to put on your resume, along with specific examples tailored for different job roles, so that you can easily make your perfect resume.
“Hard skills” and “soft skills”: what are they?
Many of us have heard these terms, covering two types of skills: “hard skills“, which are professional competencies, and “soft skills“, which encompass human qualities.
In layman’s terms, this can be formulated as follows:
Hard skills are professional competencies that are acquired through training or career development, and are often a prerequisite for a position. (e.g. project management, foreign language skills).
Soft skills are human, relational and emotional qualities and behaviors that are specific to each individual and are acquired through training, life experience and, less often, school. (e.g. listening skills, curiosity, team spirit).
In other words, while “hard” skills are often associated with intellectual and professional abilities, “soft” skills reflect our relational and emotional intelligence. Indeed, it is these skills that are increasingly sought after in recruitment.
The top soft skills to highlight
As explained above, the soft skills highlighted in your resume must match your profile. It’s therefore important to identify those that are most consistent with the jobs you’re looking for, and that best match the offers you’re applying for.
Communication Skills
Effective communication is crucial in virtually every job. Highlight your ability to convey ideas, collaborate with teams, and interact with clients or customers.
Example: “Facilitated cross-functional team meetings, ensuring clear communication and alignment on project objectives.”
Leadership Skills
If you’ve led teams, managed projects, or taken initiative, showcase your leadership capabilities.
Example: “Managed a team of 10 sales representatives, resulting in a 20% increase in quarterly sales targets.”
Problem-Solving Skills
Employers value individuals who can identify issues and offer creative solutions.
Example: “Resolved complex technical issues, improving system efficiency by implementing a streamlined solution.”
Technical Skills
Time management demonstrates your ability to meet deadlines and efficiently manage tasks.
Example: “Effectively prioritized and managed multiple marketing campaigns, consistently delivering on time.”
Customer Service Skills
For roles involving interaction with clients or customers, emphasize your ability to provide exceptional service.
Example: “Received numerous commendations for delivering outstanding customer service and resolving issues promptly.”
Analytical Skills
Demonstrate your capacity to gather and interpret data, make informed decisions, and solve complex problems.
Example: “Conducted data analysis to identify market trends, leading to a 15% increase in sales projections.”
Adaptability
In a fast-changing world, employers value individuals who can adapt to new situations and challenges.
Example: “Successfully transitioned to remote work during the pandemic, maintaining high productivity levels.”
Teamwork
Collaboration is often key to achieving company goals. Showcase your ability to work harmoniously within teams.
Example: “Contributed to cross-functional projects, leveraging diverse skills to achieve project milestones.”
Problem-solving Skills
In technical roles, highlight your knack for troubleshooting and finding solutions to technical challenges.
Example: “Diagnosed and resolved software bugs, improving user experience and product functionality.”
Teaching/Training Skills
If you’ve been involved in training or mentoring, showcase your ability to transfer knowledge.
Example: “Conducted training sessions for new hires, ensuring a smooth transition and integration into the team.”
Research Skills
For roles that require gathering and analyzing information, highlight your research proficiency.
Example: “Conducted extensive market research, providing insights that informed product development strategies.”
In conclusion, tailoring your resume to the specific skills relevant to the job you’re applying for can significantly enhance your chances of standing out. Whether it’s communication, leadership, technical proficiency, or adaptability, showcasing the right skills can demonstrate your potential to excel in any role. Remember, it’s not just about listing skills – use proper resume format and provide relevant examples that demonstrate how you’ve effectively utilized those skills to achieve results.
