Showcase Your Skills

We know that recruiters only spend an average of six seconds perusing resumes, yet we also know how important they are in making it to the next step of the application/interview process. Furthermore, we know that with the growing global market, the format of resumes are also changing, and the ability to customize your portfolio to best showcase your talents and highlight what makes you exemplary is absolutely imperative. One way to do this is through categories or sections.

Rather than list a litany of positions you have held or companies for which you have worked, focus instead on experiences that made you stand out from the crowd, skills that show how invaluable you are. Companies are much more interested in what you can do (and therefore what you can do for them) rather than for whom you have worked.

Perhaps you are an excellent team player; this is something that should absolutely appear on your resume. Label a category as “Teamwork” and detail each example underneath (similar to how you have your degrees and certificates under the “Education” category). Each skill for which you have multiple examples then becomes its own category.

Maybe there are other skills for which you have singular stellar examples: for example, maybe you showed excellent negotiation, adaptability, or problem solving. If you do not have more than one example of each, consider including a “Skills” category and detailing an example of each skill underneath.

So what skills should you include on your resume? Potential employers look for skills that will benefit them and their company. Hard skills like data analysis, computer languages, graphic design, and fluency in Mandarin are important when applying for jobs that require them. If you are looking for a more general position — or have a broader base of skills — consider exemplifying your soft skills, such as creativity, conflict resolution, and self-motivation.

It’s best to find a balance between hard and soft skills when it comes to your resume. The employer wants to know that you have the hard skill of systems analysis, but they also want to know that you can think critically and handle pressure. In fact, they may put more stock in acquisition of soft skills: knowledge and application of systems analysis can be easily taught, but critical thinking and calmness under stress are inherent, less easily developed.

The key is to be selective. Again, when a recruiter only spends six seconds looking at your resume, you want them to see what’s important, the absolute best skills you have to offer. You don’t want a publishing firm to miss your copywriting and communication skills because they are too focused on the fact that you were adept at data analysis and bookkeeping at your part-time job. Kudoswall resume builder can help you highlight your skills that align with the job role you are applying for.

You have assets to offer the company: market yourself accordingly, and do so in a way that ensures the employer sees the qualities and skills that will most effectively benefit them.