10 Best Skills to Include on a Resume

As the job market gets more and more competitive every day, crafting a standout resume has become crucial to getting shortlisted. Originally, the resume only showcased your experience and qualifications and could have been enough. But now, emphasizing the right skills can make all the difference. Employers value specific skills that can bring immediate value to their organization. In this article, we will see the 10 best skills to include on a resume, discuss their importance, and explore how to identify and highlight them effectively. We will also touch upon ways to acquire new skills, including through executive education programs.

Importance of skills on a resume

Highlighting your skills on a resume is not just about listing them; it is about demonstrating their relevance and impact on your potential employer. Skills on a resume act as a bridge between your qualifications and a potential employer’s needs. They demonstrate your ability to perform specific tasks and contribute to the company’s success. Employers often use skills as a quick filter to identify candidates who match the job requirements.

Here is how you can convey the importance of your skills effectively:

1. Provide specific examples: When mentioning skills on your resume, ensure that you accompany each skill with a brief example of how you applied it in your previous roles. Instead of merely stating “Project management,” write “Successfully led a cross-functional team of 10 members in completing a critical project three weeks ahead of schedule, resulting in a 15% cost savings.” You can use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to illustrate your achievements.
2. Quantify your achievements: Whenever possible, quantify the impact of your skills using metrics, percentages, or numbers. This quantification provides context and demonstrates your contributions. Instead of saying “Improved customer satisfaction,” say “Enhanced customer satisfaction ratings by 20% within six months through proactive problem-solving and team training.”
3. Match skills to job requirements: Tailor your skills to align with the specific skills mentioned in the job description. This demonstrates your suitability for the role. For example, if the job posting emphasizes “data analysis” and “market research,” ensure these skills are prominently featured in your resume.
4. Prioritize relevant skills: Place the most relevant skills at the beginning of your skills section. This ensures that the skills most pertinent to the job are immediately visible to employers. If you are applying for a marketing manager position, prioritize skills like “marketing strategy” and “digital advertising.”
5. Use action verbs: Start each skill description with a strong action verb. This adds impact to your statements and conveys a sense of proactivity. Instead of saying “Experience in project management,” say “Executed end-to-end project management, ensuring on-time delivery and exceeding client expectations.“

Remember that the skills section of your resume should be concise and relevant. It should provide a snapshot of your qualifications and entice employers to explore your resume further. By following these steps and emphasizing the importance of your skills effectively, you can create a compelling resume that stands out in today’s competitive job market.

10 best skills to include on a resume

1. Communication skills: Effective communication is vital in any role. Highlight your ability to convey ideas clearly, both in writing and verbally.
2. Leadership skills: Showcase your leadership qualities by mentioning skills such as team management, decision-making, and problem-solving.
3. Technical skills: Depending on your field, include relevant technical skills like programming languages, software proficiency, or data analysis tools.
4. Project management: Demonstrate your project management skills, which can be appealing to employers looking for candidates who can handle complex tasks efficiently.
5. Adaptability: In today’s dynamic work environment, adaptability is highly valued. Show how you have successfully adapted to changes or challenges.
6. Customer service: If your role involves customer interactions, emphasize your customer service skills and ability to build client relationships.
7. Data analysis: Proficiency in data analysis tools and techniques is increasingly sought after in various industries for many job positions.
8. Problem-solving: Describe instances where you have identified issues and implemented effective solutions.
9. Creativity: Creativity can set you apart. Provide examples of how you have applied creative thinking to achieve goals or solve problems.
10. Time management: Highlight your ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

How to identify your best skills

• Self-assessment: Reflect on your experiences and identify the skills you excel at or enjoy using the most. One way to do this is to assess your awards and achievements and figure out what personal talents or attributes might have helped you meet that milestone.
• Peer feedback: Ask colleagues or supervisors for feedback on your strengths and skills. You can mention the skills that your colleagues say you are good at and think about working on the skills that you lack.
• Job descriptions: Review the job descriptions of your target roles to identify skills that are in demand. Take into consideration the skills that you are good at and use similar keywords.

Skills section formats

When it comes to presenting your skills on a resume, the format you choose can influence how effectively you communicate your qualifications to potential employers. Incorporate the identified skills into your resume’s skills section. You can organize them based on their relevance to the job you are applying for or categorize them into hard skills (technical) and soft skills (interpersonal). Here are a few formats you can consider:

1. Relevance-based format: Tailor your skills section to each job application. Review the job description and identify the most relevant skills required for that specific position. For example, if the job requires project management skills, prioritize and list your project management abilities at the top of your skills section.
2. Categorized format: Group your skills into categories, such as technical skills, soft skills, or industry-specific skills. This helps employers quickly locate the skills they are looking for. For example, under the “technical skills” category, you can list programming languages, software applications, and hardware proficiency.
3. Combined format (hard and soft skills): Include both hard skills (technical) and soft skills (interpersonal) in the same section. This provides a holistic view of your abilities. Combine “data analysis” (hard skill) with “effective communication” (soft skill) to demonstrate your analytical prowess and communication capabilities.
4. Skill rating format: Assign skill levels or ratings (e.g., beginner, intermediate, advanced) to each skill you list. Be honest and accurate in your self-assessment. You can use a scale from 1 to 5 to rate your proficiency in a programming language, with 5 indicating expertise.
5. Keyword-optimized format: Incorporate keywords from the job description into your skills section. This increases the chances of your resume passing through applicant tracking systems (ATS). For example, if the job posting mentions “data-driven decision-making,” ensure you include “data-driven decision-making” as a skill.

Ways to learn new skills as an experienced professional

Just knowing the best skills to include on a resume is not enough. You need to keep updating your skills as your career progresses. Here are a few ways you can learn new skills as an experienced professional.

1. Executive education programs: Explore executive education programs designed for experienced professionals looking to enhance their skills and knowledge in specific areas. Programs like the Chicago Booth Accelerated Development Program (ADP), UCL GBSH Healthcare Executive Program (HEP), or MIT Professional Education Technology Leadership Program (TLP) cater to helping you improve your leadership skills and industry-relevant tools.
2. Online courses: Take advantage of online courses and certifications offered by reputable platforms like Coursera, edX, and LinkedIn Learning.
3. Conferences and workshops: Attend industry-specific conferences and workshops to stay updated on the latest trends and acquire new skills.
4. Mentoring: Seek mentorship from experts in your field who can guide you in acquiring new skills.
5. On-the-job learning: Apply new skills in your current role or take on projects that allow you to practice and develop them.

Conclusion

Including the best Skills to Include on a Resume can significantly boost your chances of landing your desired job. It is essential to identify and highlight the skills that align with the job requirements and demonstrate your ability to contribute to the organization’s success. Additionally, investing in executive education programs and continuous learning can keep your skill set up-to-date and relevant in today’s dynamic professional landscape.