Skills Everyone Should Have on a Resume

The common thought when a person talks about skills for a resume is to list basics like team-oriented, attention-to-detail, customer service, leadership, etc. What some people are neglecting to list on the resume are beyond those basic skills to show technical acumen and language abilities. These are two very important skill areas that appeal to hiring managers and set you apart from the competition. This in no way diminishes the importance of listing all skills and talents, basic and otherwise. However, by showing technical skills and languages it can be the differentiating factor especially in today’s workforce where technical skills are in big demand.

Excel is a skill that shows several levels of analytical understanding. Mastering the basics tells the hiring manager that you have a basic knowledge of formulas and equations. Many companies list Excel as a needed qualification because they use it for basic business functions such as spreadsheets and information tracking.

In years past, web development was a skill that only applied to IT professionals. However, knowledge of computer languages like Java, HTML, and SQL is appealing to companies today since employees are commonly expected to take on more and more technical responsibilities. This in-demand skill could make a difference in your career success.

Not a graphic artist? Then why would you need to know Adobe, Photoshop, Dreamweaver and such? Well, the same strategy applies here as stated above. Graphic design skills are in big demand due to increased web interaction, blogging, etc. As companies scale down staff, they reach out to those who can work with software that enhances marketing materials.

Knowing more than one language can open many doors for a job seeker, even the opportunity to work in a foreign country. The global outreach that many companies have today creates a need for employees to speak more than one language. Taking foreign language classes is easy today with online courses.  Consider brushing up on high school Spanish or adding a European / Asian language to your linguistic repertoire.

Google Analytics can help job seekers both personally and professionally. Managing your online presence on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and personal websites is essential. Employers are Googling candidates before they call them in for an interview so make sure your online profiles are professional.  Web 2.0 is centered on Google and organizations use it to track and analyze rankings. Being familiar with it gives you a step up from those that don’t.

If you started reading this blog with a skeptical mind, I hope I have convinced you that these are valuable skills that will boost your rankings in the pool of job seekers and perhaps make a difference in getting called for an interview. If you have one or more of these skills be sure to list them on your resume as they are all keyword searched by hiring managers and recruiters. 

Not sure how to showcase these talents on your resume or need additional help? We can assist you, just give us a call. Chapman Services 1-866-687-9700 or email at lisa@csgresumes.com.