In today's competitive job market, knowing how to make your resume stand out is crucial knowledge. Highlighting the right skills to put on a resume can make all the difference.
Want to catch an employer's eye? Ensure your application doesn't get overlooked? Keep reading to learn what kind of skills companies are looking for right now.
In this article, you’ll learn about the 15 great skills to put on a resume. We’ll teach you how to stand out by showcasing tailored skills that align with job requirements and make you more memorable as a candidate.
The Importance of Tailoring Your Skills to the Job Description
Understanding the specific requirements of the job you are applying for is fundamental to creating a CV that stands out. Tailoring your skills to match the job description not only shows that you have taken the time to understand the role but also helps address how you stand out from other applicants.
Begin by carefully reading the job description and noting the skills that are repeatedly mentioned to list on your curriculum vitae (CV). Ensure these are prominently featured while using similar language and terms.
This approach increases the likelihood that your resume will catch the attention of hiring managers. It also improves the odds that your CV passes through automated screening systems (more on that later).
Top 5 Technical Resume Skills Employers Are Looking For
In many industries, technical skills to list on a resume are highly valued and can significantly make you stand out. Staying updated with the latest technological advancements and obtaining relevant certifications can make you a more attractive candidate.
Highlighting your proficiency with specific tools, programming languages, or technical methodologies can set your resume apart from others. These skills are often specific to the job or industry and include expertise in the following five areas.
Data Visualization
This has become a cornerstone skill to put on a resume across industries. Employers value candidates who can transform complex data into clear, actionable insights.
When listing this among your resume skills, include specific tools you've mastered, such as Tableau or Power BI. Resume skills examples might include quantifying your impact with metrics like "Created dashboards that improved decision-making efficiency by 40%.
Automation Tools
Expertise in this area shows employers you can drive efficiency. Whether it's RPA tools like UiPath or workflow automation platforms, this skill to add to resumes proves you can help streamline operations. Include specific examples of processes you've automated and the resulting time savings.
Digital Security Awareness
Among technical skills to list on resumes, this has become non-negotiable in our connected world. Even if you're not in IT, understanding basic security protocols and best practices makes you a more valuable team member. Mention any security certifications or experience implementing security measures in previous roles.
CRM System Experience
This rounds out our list of technical skills to put on a resume. Modern businesses run on customer relationships, and proficiency with CRM platforms shows you can manage crucial connections. Specify which systems you've used and how you've leveraged them to improve customer engagement or sales processes.
Programming Language Proficiency
This rounds out our list of technical skills to put on a resume. Don’t just list the languages that you know. Specify your level of proficiency with each programming language (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced) and potentially add a project section to demonstrate practical application of that language.
Top 5 Soft Skills to Add to Your Resume
While technical skills are essential, soft skills for resumes also play a crucial role in your overall effectiveness and adaptability in the workplace. Here are five soft skills to put on a resume that are highly valued by employers.
Emotional Intelligence
This stands out among skills to list on your resume because it impacts every workplace interaction. Emotional intelligence includes self-awareness, empathy, and relationship management. Demonstrate this skill to add to your resume through examples of successfully managing team dynamics or resolving interpersonal challenges.
Cultural Competence
It’s become increasingly vital to be cross-culturally aware in our global workplace. When listing resume skills, highlight experiences working with diverse teams or international projects. Include specific instances where you've bridged cultural differences to achieve business objectives.
Adaptive Decision Making
Being adaptable proves you can thrive in uncertainty. This skill to put on a resume shows employers you can make sound choices even as conditions change. Share examples of decisions you've made during challenging situations and their positive outcomes.
Conflict Resolution
Knowing how to manage workplace tension makes you valuable in any team setting. For skills to list on your resume, provide concrete examples of how you've turned difficult situations into positive outcomes.
Quantify the impact where possible. For example, you could say "Resolved team conflicts that led to a 25% increase in project completion rates."
Active Listening
This fundamental yet powerful skill shows you can truly understand and act on information. Include instances where your listening skills led to improved outcomes or stronger relationships with colleagues and clients.
Demonstrating soft skills can be achieved through examples of past experiences on your resume. Highlight where you successfully collaborated on a project, resolved conflicts, or led a team to achieve a goal. Including these stories in your resume can provide a more comprehensive view of your capabilities.
Top 5 Transferable Resume Skills to Showcase
Transferable skills are those abilities that are applicable across various jobs and industries. These skills might include project management, critical thinking, and adaptability.
Adding these skills to a resume is especially important if you are looking to change careers or industries. Here are five key transferable skills to put on a resume that can enhance your career mobility.
Project Coordination
This demonstrates your ability to bring order to complexity. When highlighting it among your resume skills, showcase examples of successfully managed projects, including scope, timelines, and outcomes. Quantify your achievements with metrics like budget savings or efficiency improvements.
Strategic Planning
Having this capability shows how you think beyond day-to-day tasks. Having this skill to list on your resume proves you can develop and execute long-term initiatives. Include examples of strategies you've developed and their business impact.
Research and Analysis
These abilities are valuable in any professional context. As skills to add to your resume, highlight instances where your analytical thinking led to improved outcomes. Share specific methodologies you've used and the insights you've uncovered.
Cross-functional Collaboration
Cooperation shows you can work effectively across organizational boundaries. This skill to put on a resume is increasingly important as businesses work to break down silos. Describe successful partnerships you've built and the results they've achieved.
Process Improvement
This last item rounds out our transferable skills to add to resumes. Process improvement demonstrates your ability to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in any context. Share specific examples of processes you've optimized and the resulting benefits.
Getting Your Resume Skills Noticed
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resume skills before they reach human eyes. These systems scan for keywords that match the job description to filter out less relevant candidates.
Knowing how to optimize your resume for these systems is critical if you want to stand out from the competition.
To ensure your resume passes through these automated systems, incorporate relevant keywords and phrases from the job posting into your resume. Focus on including specific resume skills, job titles, and industry terminology. This not only helps in passing the ATS but also makes your resume more attractive to hiring managers.
Haven’t heard anything for a while since you’ve submitted your resume? Don’t forget to follow up. Employers are often busy and may sometimes miss your application even if it's filtered as qualified through their system.
Utilize these tips and information in your job search and search for a new job today. Nesco Resource can help you find your dream job. Click the Find a Job tab on our website.