How to List Skills on Your Resume: Lessons from Goodwill’s Career Center

Your resume is one of the most essential tools in your job search, and listing the right skills is crucial to landing that interview. Employers want to know what you can bring to the table, but with limited space on a resume, it’s essential to focus on the skills that best highlight your qualifications.

At Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona’s Career Center, we know how to help job seekers craft standout resumes that grab the attention of hiring managers. In this blog, we’ll break down the top skills to include, how to list them, and how to tailor your resume to specific job descriptions. We’ll also cover the difference between hard and soft skills and give tips on quantifying your skills to make a stronger impression.

Understand the Difference Between Hard and Soft Skills

When listing skills on your resume, it’s crucial to understand the difference between hard and soft skills clearly. This knowledge will empower you to present a well-rounded profile to potential employers.

• Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities or knowledge sets that are often quantifiable. Examples include computer programming, data analysis, writing, graphic design, and foreign language proficiency.
• Soft skills are more subjective and relate to how you interact with others. They include communication, leadership, teamwork, time management, and problem-solving abilities. While soft skills are more complex to measure, they are equally important to employers, especially for roles that involve working with others.

Both skills are valuable and should be included in your resume, but striking a balance is essential. A resume filled only with hard skills can seem robotic, while focusing solely on soft skills may lack technical expertise.

Tailor Your Skills to the Job Description

One of the critical lessons from Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona’s Career Center is to tailor your resume to each job application. Employers are looking for candidates who match their specific needs, so it’s vital to adjust the skills section of your resume to reflect the job description.

Pro Tip: Carefully read the job posting and note the required skills mentioned. If you have these skills, list them prominently on your resume. For example, if a job description emphasizes project management, include that as a critical skill and provide examples of your experience.

Don’t forget to incorporate keywords from the job description. Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes for relevant keywords. If your resume doesn’t include these terms, it may not reach the hiring manager’s desk.

Highlight Your Top Skills

When crafting the skills section of your resume, it’s essential to focus on the skills that best showcase your abilities and qualifications for the job you’re applying for. Here are a few categories of skills to consider:

• Technical skills: These are job-specific skills that show you have the technical know-how to perform the tasks required in the role. For example, if you’re applying for a data analyst position, you might list skills like SQL, Python, or Excel.
• Transferable skills: These are skills you’ve developed in one role that can be applied to a different job or industry. Examples include communication, organization, and leadership. Transferable skills are precious if you’re changing careers or industries.
• Leadership skills: If the job requires you to manage a team or lead projects, include leadership skills like team management, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
• Customer service skills: If you’re applying for a customer-facing role, highlight your experience in providing excellent customer service, problem-solving, and communication.

Pro Tip: Limit your list of skills to 5-10 of the most relevant to the job. A cluttered skills section can be overwhelming, so stick to the ones that will make the most significant impact.

Organize Your Skills Section

Once you’ve identified your top skills, organizing them effectively on your resume is essential. Here are a few options:

• Skills section: Create a dedicated section for your skills, usually just below your resume summary or objective. List your skills in bullet points for easy readability.
• Integrate into work experience: You can also weave your skills into your work experience section. For example, under each job listing, include a bullet point demonstrating how you used a particular skill to achieve success.
• Group similar skills: Consider grouping similar skills to make your resume more streamlined. For example, under a “Technical Skills” heading, you can list your proficiency with software programs, coding languages, or other job-specific tools.

Use Keywords and Quantify Your Skills

As mentioned, using keywords from the job description is critical for passing ATS scans. But beyond getting past the bots, quantifying your skills can make them more impactful.

For example, instead of simply stating that you have “leadership skills,” try to provide a measurable example, such as:

• “Led a team of 10 employees to increase department productivity by 15% over six months.”
  Quantifying your skills shows potential employers exactly how you’ve applied them in the workplace and the results you’ve achieved.

If you have technical skills, use specific examples of the tools, software, or equipment you’ve mastered. For instance, if you’re skilled in graphic design, you could say:

• “Designed marketing materials using Adobe Creative Suite, resulting in a 20% increase in customer engagement.”

Using numbers and specific outcomes makes your resume stand out and helps hiring managers see the value you’ll bring to their company.

Emphasize Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are essential, significantly if you’re changing careers or industries. These skills you’ve developed in previous roles can apply to various jobs. Common examples of transferable skills include:

• Communication
• Time management
• Problem-solving
• Team collaboration
• Organization

When highlighting your transferable skills, you must tie them back to the job you’re applying for. This strategic approach will show potential employers how your past experiences can directly benefit their role, making you a compelling candidate.

Remember, hiring managers are often looking for candidates who can hit the ground running. By emphasizing how your transferable skills apply to their role, you’ll show that you’re adaptable and ready to contribute from day one.

Top Skills to Include on Your Resume

While the specific skills you list will depend on the job you’re applying for, here’s a list of top skills that are highly sought after in many industries:

• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential for any role.
• Teamwork: Working well with others is essential in collaborative environments.
• Problem-solving: Employers value candidates who can think critically and develop solutions.
• Technical proficiency: Depending on your industry, this could include anything from proficiency in Microsoft Office to programming languages like Java or Python.
• Leadership: If you’ve managed a team or taken the lead on projects, highlight this.
• Customer service: Strong customer service skills are valuable in sales, retail, and any client-facing position.
• Time management: The ability to prioritize and meet deadlines is crucial in fast-paced work environments.

These are just a few examples. When crafting your resume, focus on the skills most relevant to the role and provide examples from your experience to support them.

Final Thoughts

Listing the right skills on your resume can make all the difference in landing an interview. By tailoring your skills to the job description, using keywords, and quantifying your abilities, you’ll stand out as a candidate who meets the qualifications and brings measurable value.

At Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona’s Career Center, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Whether you need assistance crafting your resume, identifying transferable skills, or learning how to showcase your strengths, our resources can help you succeed in your job search.

Remember, a strong resume highlights the skills that make you unique. With the right approach, you’ll be on your way to landing your next job!