5 Skills you should never miss out on your resume
It goes without saying that skills are an integral part of a resume. Not only the hiring manager scrutinizes a resume on the basis of the skillset provided but also the Applicant Tracking Systems.
Highlighting the right skills on resume can make it interview shortlist worthy.
Now the question is how to identify the skills to be put on the resume. In order to achieve this task one needs to carefully read the job description provided by the company.
The recruiters spend a lot of time framing those job postings and clearly stating the requirements of the job.
The skills are basically categorized into two i.e. soft skills and technical skills. Soft skills are transferable across industries while technical skills are industry-specific.
The resume should be strategically divided to highlight both kinds of skills.
Since technical skills are industry-specific, one must analyze the job description and put them on a resume accordingly.
With the increased competition in the job market, there are certain soft skills that are quintessential for a resume.
Here is a list of 5 skills not to be missed on a resume.
- Communication skills
The ability to communicate effectively is one of the most important skills across various industries.
Communication helps in passing the information from one place to another. Be it written or oral, one must have this skill.
According to a 2018 National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) survey, verbal communication skills are ranked first among job candidates’ ‘must have’ skills.
Communication skills are heavily weighted because it enables a person to manage interactions with businesses, organizations, and the other stakeholders involved.
One must weave-in this skill in the professional experience section to quantify the same.
For example, Liaised with 15+ clients on a monthly basis and provided them regular updates through calls and emails
If one has proficiency in more than one language then specify them with the proficiency level. Being bilingual or multilingual is a great addition to a resume.
For example English (Advanced), Spanish (Elementary)
Some other examples of communication skills include:
- Presentation skills
- Empathy
- Active listening
- Verbal communication
- Non-verbal communication
- Written communication
- Constructive feedback
- Problem-solving skills
Problem-solving skill is another important skill for a resume, it shows the ability to determine a problem and identifying, prioritizing, and selecting alternatives for a solution.
The problem-solving skills indicate the presence of mind in a difficult situation, using logic, and coming up with an intelligent solution. This skill helps to anticipate future problems and act accordingly to mitigate their effects.
Problem-solving is an essential requirement of employers even if they do not specify it in the job description.
Skills that depicts strong problem-solving skills are:
- Analysis
- Logical reasoning
- Persistence
- Observation
- Negotiation
- Decision making
- Adaptability
Adaptability and flexibility are essential skills to fit in these constantly changing work environments such as public relations, event management, tech, nursing, and advertising.
Employers always look for candidates who can adjust and work according to the situation presented to them. Flexibility ensures that a person can work effectively even in a project that is a little different than the usual.
Some examples of adaptability related skills include:
- Self-management
- Optimism
- Open-mindedness
- Analysis
- Self-confidence
If one has worked in a unique environment and excelled it then smartly integrate the same in the professional experience section.
- Creativity
Creativity is a diverse soft skill that can be applied from finding an innovative solution to a problem to being a graphic designer.
Creativity enables a person to think about a task or a project in a new different way. This helps to make full use of the imagination of a person to generate new ideas.
This skill helps in solving complex problems and finding interesting ways to approach the problem and solving it.
While creativity is constructive for any industry, it is especially important for the jobs of designers, architects, and artists.
Types of creativity skills include:
- Divergent thinking
- Inspiration
- Imagination
- Mind mapping
- Insight
- Innovation
- Experimenting
- Teamwork
The company always wants its employees to work effectively in collaboration with each other. So employers always look for candidates who are great at teamwork.
Teamwork skills help a candidate to operate well in a group and effectively accomplish tasks. Teamwork is essential for careers in market research, event coordination, and software engineering.
Some examples of teamwork-related skills include:
- Conflict management
- Active listening
- Collaboration
- Cooperation
- Coordination
- Mediation
- Negotiating
Conclusion
Soft skills not only make you stand out among hundreds of others but also helps when it comes to internal promotion to higher positions. Hence they are fundamental to getting the job and essential for future career growth in a company.
