Skills for a Resume Employers Will Actually Read (With Examples!)

Skills for a Resume Employers Will Actually Read (With Examples)Skills for a Resume Employers Will Actually Read (With Examples)Salaries are rising, and competition for skilled talent is heating up as companies expand their gruppes. Although that means it may be easier to find a job, you still need a top-notch resume to land the position you want most. Here are tips to help you highlight skills on yur resume to stand out from the competition.This post will show youHow citing soft and hard skills can set you apart from other candidatesHow using keywords matching those in the job description can help you make it past applicant scanning softwareHow to create a skills section and showcase yur skills throughout your resumeExamples of skills to target for different rolesDos and donts to check before submitting your resumeSkills to highlight on a resumeThere are two main fonts of job-related skills for your resume hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills, or technical skills, are those requ ired to do the job and are acquired through practice, education or training. Soft skills, also sometimes referred to as interpersonal skills or emotional intelligence, include traits such as communicating effectively and maintaining a positive attitude to achieve your goals. Soft skills are transferrable - you can take them from one task, job or industry to another.When the hard skills and experience level are equal between candidates, soft skills can tip the balance.SEARCH JOB OPENINGS20 examples of soft skills for a resumeTo help you narrow down the soft skills to put on your resume, review the various duties of the position and determine which of your personal strengths will help you successfully complete those tasks.Consider these 20 examplesAdaptability - Companies appreciate employees who can quickly acclimate to different environments and are open to new processes and technologies.Attention to detail - Mistakes are expensive in terms of time and money. Show prospective emp loyers that you are careful and deliberate in all you do.Collaboration - Give examples of how well you get along with others and work with those within and outside of your company or department.Communication - This is the ability to tailor your written and verbal messaging to different audiences, from interns to the C-suite, without resorting to jargon.Creativity - Businesses cannot grow without a regular infusion of fresh ideas and new approaches to old problems.Curiosity - Inquisitive minds thrive on experimentation, which can lead to the next big thing for a company.Customer tafelgeschirr - An organization prospers when its people are dedicated to delighting both internal stakeholders and external clients.Daring - Top performers are the ones who take calculated risks, push boundaries on what is possible and are comfortable with driving innovation.Decision making - Employers appreciate team members who can quickly assess a situation and determine the next steps to take.Empa thy - To communicate effectively and get along with diverse personalities, you should have a sense for how others feel and tailor your approach accordingly.Leadership - This encompasses the many positive traits of a great manager, such as integrity, fairness and a strategic mindset.Multitasking - In an ideal world, everyone would focus on one thing at a time. But we dont live in that world, so show off your ability to juggle several projects.Passion - Do you love what you do? Are you excited about emerging technologies and the industrys future? If so, dont curb your enthusiasmPositivity - The goal here is not to be excessively cheerful or optimistic, but to approach difficulties with a can-do attitude.Presentation - More than just communication, this soft skill is about connecting with an audience and delivering your message with confidence.harte nuss solving - This is the ability to resolve conflicts and come up with creative resolutions to challenges big and small.Self-moti vation - No boss wants to keep lighting a fire under their workers. Give instances of how youve taken initiative to solve problems and get the job done.Teamwork - Whether within a small group or a large crowd, you know how to work well with others and deliver tangible results.Time management - People with this soft skill have the necessary discipline to tune out distractions, meet deadlines and get the most out of their workday.Work ethic - Honesty, punctuality, responsibility and reliability are all integral to a strong work ethic.How do soft skills apply if youre pursuing a job as a systems engineer? You might note on your resume how your ability to collaborate with coworkers has helped you design software to improve workflow. For a receptionist, empathy allows you to de-escalate tense situations and deliver excellent customer service.15 examples of hard skills for a resumeHard skills vary from job to job. When listing hard skills on your resume, include specific proficiencies wherever possible. Rather than just mentioning technology, for instance, a front-end web developer might use terms such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript expertise, while a financial controller might refer to a strong foundation in GAAP or SEC reporting.Here are examples of 15 hard skills and explanations for why hiring managers look for them in resumesAccounting or bookkeeping - Basic abilities include invoicing, collections, payments, account reconciliation and proficiency in software such as QuickBooks, FreshBooks and Xero.Data analysis - This is the ability to find meaning and gain business intelligence from large data sets.Data privacy - Cybersecurity is top of mind for any organization that connects to the cloud for software and data storage. This hard skill is key for anyone who deals with sensitive or proprietary client information.Enterprise resource planning - ERP systems such as Oracle, NetSuite and SAP help employers manage their business and automate functions.Human reso urces - Companies rely on HR specialists to not only recruit and hire new employees, but also to onboard and retain them afterward.Mathematics - Many jobs, and not just those in accounting, require workers to figure percentages, calculate margins and/or create accurate data charts.Multilingualism - Sought-after second languages depend on the industry and city, but some of the top ones are Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese) and Tagalog.Process automation - Businesses can save resources and improve accuracy by using smart software and artificial intelligence to take over rote tasks. At the same time, companies rely on humans to set up and oversee those systems.Product design - Form and function are rolled into one in this hard skill, which optimizes both user friendliness and visual appeal.Project management - Office professionals should be familiar with the software and best practices required for seeing a project through from beginning to end.Research skills - The infor mation is out there. Whether for eDiscovery or competitor intelligence, the trick is knowing how to use the right tools and methodologies.Software proficiency - Almost all office jobs today require at least a baseline knowledge of Microsoft Office and G Suite apps for word processing, spreadsheets, schmelzglas, presentations and collaboration.Search engine optimization - SEO and its cousin, search engine marketing (SEM), are key aspects of any role that deals with online content - from writers and editors to publicists and HR professionals.Typing skills - Medical coders, transcribers, schedulers, clerks, data entry specialists and administrative professionals should have fast and accurate keyboarding abilities.Writing and editing - Essential for clear communication regardless of field, this hard skill encompasses a thorough understanding of grammar, word choice, sentence structure, organization, persuasion and readers points of view.Keep in mind that your resume should provide examples of how youve used the hard skills that are most relevant to the job youre seeking.Use skills and phrasing from the job descriptionMany companies scan resumes and cover letters for keywords theyve used in their job postings. Some use an applicant tracking system, which is an electronic filter used to collect, sort and rank resumes in an effort to narrow applicant pools to the most qualified candidates. Thats why you need to write a resume with words and phrases that match the job listing - as long as you actually possess the skills youre listing, of course.If an employer is looking for a graphic designer, and mastery in Adobe Creative Suite is required, dont just include experience with software for creative professionals. Likewise, if an employer is searching for an accountant with experience processing daily invoices and credit, use similar language in your resume, rather than gathering receipts.Because every job description is different, tailor the skills and keywords on your resume and cover letter for each position to give yourself the best chance at landing an interview.Discover skills the company valuesIn addition to using the job description as a guide, its useful to have an idea of the type of person the employer typically hires. How do you find that out? Research, research, research. If you know someone who works at the company or has in the past, reach out to ask what the employer considers important in its workers. Follow the companys social media feeds and visit the company website. Reading the About Us page is typically a good place to begin.For instance, IBM lists its values at work onlineDedication to every clients successInnovation that matters - for our company and for the worldTrust and responsibility in all relationshipsIf you were applying for a job at IBM, you might consider soft skills you possess that fit - attentive, detail-oriented, enterprising and loyal, perhaps? - and weave them into your resume.Here at Robert Half, we focus on and promote our four LEAD principles. They areLeadership by ExampleEthics FirstAn Openness to New IdeasDedication to ExcellenceIf youre applying for a job at Robert Half, you might spotlight skills that speak to your leadership, drive and diligence, as well as your confidence and ability to collaborate.Think youd make a great fit at Robert Half? Search our corporate jobs or our open recruiting positions.Bottom line Pay close attention to the type of job candidates employers seek, and emphasize your most pertinent strengths.Create a skills section on your resumeThe general layout and formatting principles when you write a resume includeKeep it to one page in length (three pages maximum for senior positions).Write clear section headings.Use an easy-to-read font.Include sections for contact information, summary, professional title, work experience, skills and education.If youre applying for a position that requires specific technical skills, you can create a skills section nea r the top of your resume and above your professional experience. Another option is to add a side column, but the important thing is to make it the most visible, attention-grabbing part of your resume.Soft skills can also be highlighted in a Skills section, or even combined with technical skills in a more general Key Skills or Areas of Expertise section. If these skills are relevant to the job, make sure theyre prominent on your resume. But also sprinkle your work-related skills wherever you can.LET US HELP YOU FIND A JOBHighlight skills throughout your resumeWrite about your abilities in the main Work Experience or Experience section of your resume, too. And show, dont tell. Rather than simply saying that youre a good communicator, give concrete details.Here are some explanations of common skills that applicants put on a resume and examples of how to present themCommunication - Focus on your verbal and written communication skills or your sharp active listening abilities. Play up y our track record of strong communication with your colleagues, manager, clients and customers, and offer tangible examplesWrote a monthly email newsletter to customers that increased leads by 35 percent.Multitasking - Handling several tasks simultaneously is the status quo for many employees today. Note on your resume the types of tasks and situations youve handled regularly - and how you did so calmly and efficientlyJuggled multiple projects and project deadlines, and served as the liaison between clients and colleagues, gathering and implementing feedback from both parties for projects with tight turnaround times.Leadership skills - Whether youre managing a team or positively influencing colleagues, employers often seek leadership skills in potential hiresLed a 10-person team from different areas of the firm that worked together to succeed in reducing operating expenses by 15 percent.Prioritizing - Employees are often tasked with tackling multiple projects at once, and many re quests come in on the fly, which requires you to operate with grace under fire. Detail how you prioritize your projects and requests. The last thing an employer wants is an easily flustered employeeSmoothly and calmly prioritized multiple web design projects for a team of 20 people in a fast-paced environment.Initiative and problem-solving abilities - Prove how essential youve been to past managers by spotlighting examples of ways you took the initiative to solve problems and take on special projects. Or perhaps you excel at looking at complicated business issues and bringing creative solutions to the tableImplemented new consolidation procedures for monthly and quarterly close, reducing closing time by 30 percent.Dependability - It doesnt matter what the job is, hiring managers want people on their team who do what they say theyre going to do. Dependability can be particularly important if youre working with outside clients. Missing a deadline can mean lost business and a damaged reputationCompleted projects on time or before deadline, and always followed through on work commitments, leading to greater work responsibilities and an eventual promotion.Technical skills - As mentioned above, play up your technical knowledge specific to the job, whether youre an administrative assistant or UX designerDeveloped personas and usage scenarios for a variety of clients in fields including finance, entertainment and law.Depending on the position youre seeking, youll obviously have different skills you want to feature, as the following examples show.Skills to highlight for accounting jobsAccountants are expected to crunch numbers, but also to make data-driven conclusions and communicate them to people outside of their department. You should have aptitudes in these areasSoftware, such as Microsoft ExcelEnterprise resource planning (ERP)Business and leadershipVerbal and written communicationData analyticsRevenue recognitionRisk and complianceGenerally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)Send us your resume for roles in accounting, from clerks to accountants to controllers.Important skills on your resume for customer service jobsWhen customers have issues or concerns about a company, they often turn first to customer service departments to provide service or solve problems. Dealing with the public in these roles often requires skills in these areasData entryAttentive listeningTroubleshooting and researchPatienceSpeed and efficiencyPositive attitudeDiplomacySearch customer service jobs to see job descriptions for various roles in customer service, from representatives to managers.Skills to list in a business analyst resumeA business analyst wears the hats of data specialist, finance professional and problem solver. Highlight your well-rounded skill set, includingBusiness acumenData miningClient relationsStrategic thinkingExcellent written and verbal communication skills, including presentationProject managementChange managementCollaboration with IT, sales, marketing, payroll and other departmentsCritical thinking and problem solvingCheck out all our business analyst jobsMarketing jobs and desired skillsA resume for a marketing role should show stellar communication skills and various levels of experience with the hard and soft skills related to the position, such as theseContent creationMarket researchAnalytics and search engine optimizationCritical thinkingCreative mindsetProject managementDigital tools and platforms, such as content management systemsSocial media channelsJob hunting for marketing positions? Check out our available marketing and creative jobs nowWhats important for web developer jobsThe tech requirements for aspiring web developers might be specific enough to require experience with ASP.NET, CSS, MySQL and MS Access. But its often the softer side that helps you stand out. Heres a mix of what you need in terms of experience and expertiseTroubleshootingCodingOperating systemsApplications and databasesProgrammin g and designSearch engine optimizationhandhabbarkeitWeb content managementProject managementSearch our open web developer jobsGraphic design jobs and the skills to highlightThe field of graphic design is equal parts creative flair and technical mastery. You should be a pro in not just Adobe Creative Cloud, but also Word, WordPress, PowerPoint and Prezi. In addition to curating a digital portfolio that wows, mention these hard and soft skillsWriting and editingUser experienceStorytellingAttention to brand consistencyEye for photography and imagesCollaboration with users and clientsDesign principles (typography, color theory, composition, scale, cropping)Brand and logo developmentExperience in multiple formats direct mailers, signage, infographics, presentations, annual reports, etc.Strong project management skillsCommitment to deadlinesTime management and multitaskingAbility to work independently and in a team settingBrowse all our graphic designer jobsHave you compiled your skills o n your resume? Before you submit your final version, check over these dos and dontsDONT exaggerate or lie about your skillsIt can be tempting to include an inflated job title, a certification you dont have, a college accolade you never earned or an employment history that didnt last as long as you say it did. But just dont do it. Making false claims or stretching the truth isnt worth the risk.Most companies conduct background checks and call references. In todays digital world, the truth about your background is bound to surface, so keep your resume clean.DO spell it out with numbers and factsYou dont have to work in finance or manage a budget to make a few points using numbers in your resume. No matter what position youre applying for, you can quantify your value rather than being ambiguous.Did you successfully implement several projects in a short time? Did you reduce expenses for your company, increase sales or reach target markets? Were you responsible for the performance of tea m members? Did you respond to customer inquiries or process orders? All of those accomplishments involve numbers that you can play up.DONT clutter your resume with clichsCertain resume words and phrases have become so ubiquitous they do little more than lead employers to yawn and roll their eyes. Hiring managers are so used to hearing from gurus who facilitate outside-the-box thinking that those hollow descriptions are now essentially meaningless.Here are some power action verbs to use in your resumeInnovatedInitiatedAchievedImprovedEnhancedLaunchedReducedSavedCoordinatedSupervisedTrainedSolvedDO proofread your resumeDont email your resume until youve gone over it with a fine-toothed comb for spelling, grammar and formatting mistakes. Then ask someone who understands your job-search goals to look it over. Review a printed copy. Sometimes its easier to catch errors on paper than on a computer screen.Check for wordiness (owing to the fact that is not even close to being as good as bec ause), inconsistent tense (past then present then past again) and personal pronouns (I, you, me, our, us).DONT submit a generic resumeIt takes time to create a unique, targeted resume for each job opportunity that showcases your hard and soft skills, but the effort is well worth it. For one, youll have a much better chance at making it through the applicant tracking software. In addition, youll be well-prepared when you get called to interview.The process of truly thinking about what skills you have that best apply to the opportunity will help you make a stronger case for yourself in the job interview.Its time to put your skills to work for you