When starting to apply for jobs, it can be difficult to think of all the skills you possess and articulate them into words on a resume. There are a variety of skills organizations will look for in their next employee, but which impressive skills will actually set you apart from other candidates? You probably don’t even know you have some of these skills already. Take a look at what you can add to your resume to be more notable, and even some additional skills you can learn to stand out.
Impressive Skills You May Already Have
Adding Value
Take some time to think of the ways that you add value to your organization in your current position. There are things you probably do daily that you don’t realize make a difference, but make you a very respectable employee. Simple things like having a good attitude, working well on teams, assisting an employee with a task, taking on an extra project, and staying late when needed are all attributes that a future employer would want in their next employee.
Time-Management Skills
Do you show up to work on time? Do you consistently meet deadlines and complete your daily tasks? These are signs of strong time-management skills. What are the types of tools you use daily that help you with your time management? You may not realize that you use tools, such as Google Calendar and Outlook, which can assist you with this. Other online tools can demonstrate strong time-management skills, such as Asana, Evernote, Dropbox, and even Google Docs.
Communication Skills
There is a good chance you interact with a variety of people throughout the day. Whether it is ordering food at a restaurant or telling a story to a friend, some interactions are likely to translate into your work. You are interacting with co-workers, explaining a project to an employee, writing an email, and more. These types of interactions are where you exhibit written and verbal communication skills.
Social Media Skills
According to a study by Pew Research Center, nearly two-thirds of American adults (65%) are using social media sites, with 90% of 18-29-year-olds using them. If applying to jobs, it should be obvious to have a LinkedIn profile, but you most likely have accounts on Facebook and/or Twitter as well. Organizations have become more interested in candidates who can utilize these social networks, even if it is just the basics. Make sure to keep your accounts active to prove you have these social skills.
Research Skills
How many times a day do you Google something or read an article from a popular publication? Keeping up to date on current events and industry trends is a crucial skill to have in your career. A future employer will want to see that you have the eagerness and ability to continue learning and researching information.
Skills You Can Certainly Learn
Regardless of what industry you are in, you must continue to learn new skills. There are several ways you can learn these skills, from taking a free online class to attending a MeetUp, to watching YouTube videos. The following are skills you can certainly learn and that will surely make you stand out among other job-seeking candidates.
1. Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint Skills
Learning basic Excel and PowerPoint skills are ones that can translate across several professions and industries. In Excel, learn how to utilize formulas, create pivot tables, set up project plans, and import data. In PowerPoint, learn how to create custom slides and edit template designs to improve presentation skills. These tools and skills will not only look great on a resume but will also help advance your career.
2. Start a Blog
Creating a blog is an excellent way to highlight your expertise and get more recognition in your industry. There are a variety of platforms online that will assist you in creating a blog so you don’t have to create it from scratch, such as Medium or WordPress.
3. Volunteer
Volunteering is another great way to learn skills like sales, marketing, fundraising, networking, and more. Volunteering shows an employer that you are dedicated to a cause and that you are passionate about something outside of work. You also never know if the connections you make, while you volunteer, could lead to a possible job opportunity.
4. Leadership Skills
Leadership skills are not something you are going to develop overnight, but they can be something you consistently improve over time. Start by taking on a new project at work, running training for your co-workers, or mentoring a new employee. These steps will get you recognized as someone who wants a leadership role someday.
5. Sales Skills
Sales skills will help you in any aspect of your career from working with clients, to negotiation tactics, to proving why you are the best candidate for a job. You can become better at sales by improving your public speaking skills, developing relationships with your network and clients, perfecting your elevator pitch, etc.
By adding the impressive skills you currently have to your resume and showing that you want to learn new ones, you will unquestionably make a convincing impression on a recruiter or hiring manager.
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