Enhancing Your Resume: Examples of Skills to Add

Creating a compelling resume is crucial for landing the job you desire. The right mix of skills can differentiate you from other applicants and catch the attention of potential employers. Here, we explore various skills that can be tailored to suit different job applications and provide examples of how to enhance your resume with these skills.

Understanding the Importance of Skills on Your Resume

Skills are the backbone of a strong resume. They not only show your expertise in specific areas but also demonstrate your readiness to handle tasks and responsibilities. Job skills are essential for performing well in a role, while life skills are crucial for managing daily tasks and challenges.

Types of Skills for Your Resume

Here, we break down different categories of skills that can be added to your resume to improve your application and increase your chances of success:

Job Skills

Leadership and Management Skills: Advising, coaching, conflict resolution, decision making, delegating, diplomacy, interviewing, motivation, people management, problem solving, strategic thinking Professionalism Skills: Dedication, ethics, honesty, integrity, maturity, patience, presentation, reliability, self confidence Organizational Skills: Categorizing data, coordinating, goal setting, meeting deadlines, multi-tasking, prioritizing, project management, scheduling, strategic planning, time management, team building Personal Life Skills: Adaptability, caring, common sense, cooperation, curiosity, effort, flexibility, friendship, initiative, integrity, organization, patience, perseverance, problem solving, responsibility, sense of humor, stress management, verbal and nonverbal communication Student Skills: Accountability, analyzing information, communication, critical thinking, digital literacy, follow directions, imagination, initiative, organization, problem solving, questioning, reading, time management, writing Sports Skills: Concentration, coordination, dealing with pressure, flexibility, footwork, performing repetitive drills, power, precision, tactics, teamwork

While these skills can be broadly categorized, the most effective ones for your resume will depend on the job you're applying for. For instance, if you're applying for a managerial position, leadership and conflict resolution skills are highly valuable, whereas for a customer service role, communication and problem-solving skills will be more relevant.

How to Identify Relevant Skills

To tailor your skills to the job you're applying for, take a close look at the job postings. Identify skills that appear frequently across different postings and focus on those. For example, if you notice that problem-solving, communication, and teamwork are common themes in job ads, highlight these skills on your resume.

Examples of Skills to Add to Your Resume

Adding the right skills to your resume can make a significant difference. Here are some examples of how you can incorporate these skills:

Active Listening Skills

Your ability to listen actively to others can be highlighted by providing specific examples of how you have demonstrated this skill in past roles. For instance:

“Introduced a new customer feedback system that improved client satisfaction by 20% through effective active listening during monthly meetings.”

Communication Skills

Effective communication can be showcased by describing your experience in communication-heavy roles. For example:

“Successfully mediated conflicts between team members, ensuring open and effective communication to maintain a positive work environment.”

Computer Skills

Highlighting your computer skills is crucial in today's digital world. Include specific software or tools you're proficient in. For instance:

“Expert in using Microsoft Office Suite, SAP, and Salesforce; contributed to process improvements by streamlining data entry and report generation.”

By carefully selecting and adding relevant skills to your resume, you can increase your chances of standing out to potential employers. Remember, the key is to be specific and provide tangible examples of how you have utilized these skills in the past.