If you’re an experienced professional, you have a whole host of skills you’ve acquired over the years. That’s the good news. The bad news is you have no idea how to list all those job skills all on your resume.
When writing your resume, keep in mind that it’s more of a marketing document and less of an autobiography. So think about what’s going to be most important for the position and the hiring manager.
To help in the process, your first step should be to read through the job posting and research the company. Once you do that, you’ll have a better sense of what’s a priority for them in terms of skills. Based on this information, you can then put together a job skills list that includes:
Relevant skills.
First and foremost, you should include those skills you have that are most relevant to the job. For instance, if answering phones and directing callers is a key part of the position and you have extensive experience in this area, then place it front and center on your resume.
And don’t simply say you have the skills. Go a step further and get specific with numbers, amounts, or other ways to quantify your experience. For instance, you can say: “Answer phones for 15 lines, directing callers to the appropriate individual and taking detailed messages when necessary.”
In-demand skills.
In today’s world, there are certain skills that are always going to be in demand. These include communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. So if any of these seem especially relevant to the job, be sure to include them on your resume and also give specific examples of your skills in this area.
Technical skills.
Depending on the type of job you’re applying for, it’s important to include the technical skills you have that are most pertinent. For instance, if the position is in bookkeeping, include your skills in numeracy, data entry, debits and credits, and invoicing.
Including these not only shows you what it takes to perform the job, but it will also help your resume make it through the Applicant Tracking System (ATS). These systems are often used by companies to filter out candidates who are a poor fit. So including keywords, especially related to technical skills, is a must if you want to your resume to get in front of the hiring manager.
Soft skills.
Hiring managers are just as interested in soft skills as they are the technical ones. This helps them assess each candidate for a fit that goes beyond ability, but includes personality, too. Your resume and also how you interview should give the hiring the manager the information they need to determine whether you’re a good match for the opportunity and the company culture.
When writing your resume, once again review the job posting and read through the company website to identify which soft skills seem most important. Some examples include creativity, flexibility, attention to detail, leadership, a positive attitude, and a willingness to give back.
Want to put our professional resume writers to work for you?
It’s easy with a call to ResumeSpice. We’ll get to know your background and experience, all so we can make your resume shine and your job skills list stand out. If you’re ready to learn more, call 832.930.7378 or contact us online.
