Crafting a well-written resume sets you apart from other candidates, giving you more chances of landing your desired role.
However, many individuals struggle to identify the most relevant and in-demand skills to include on their resumes, leading to missed career opportunities and difficulty standing out from other applicants.
If you want to stand out from the rest, consider the top skills employers are looking for in 2023. We’ll help you showcase these skills on your resume and increase your chances of securing your dream job.
Hard Skills and Soft Skills in a Glance
Hard skills are technical skills and specific knowledge you gain through education, training, and experience, essential in performing particular functions. These are skills that can be measured or quantified, such as:
- Software development
- Search engine optimization
- Graphic design
Meanwhile, soft skills are interpersonal. They’re not easily quantifiable or taught in a traditional classroom setting, but they’re just as essential to be successful in any role and workplace. They’re intangible skills like:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Emotional intelligence
Importance of Soft Skills
While hard skills may get your foot in the door, your soft skills can take you to the next level. Employers highly value candidates with the technical know-how and the ability to collaborate, lead, adapt, and navigate complex situations.
Soft skills are also transferable skills you can apply in a different company or industry. No matter what happens to your employment, developing your soft skills will still benefit you in the long run.
Research shows 85% of job success comes from soft skills, and only 15% comes from hard skills.¹ Showcasing these skills on your resume demonstrates your ability to handle different situations and tasks, giving you more advantages and making you a valuable candidate for an employer.
Soft Skills to Put on Your Resume
Aside from your cover letter, it’s critical to include relevant soft skills that you possess to make you stand out among a pool of candidates. While you can put many other soft skills on your resume, here are ten essential soft skills to consider.
1. Communication
Effective communication can make all the difference in building strong relationships with your team, clients, and stakeholders.
On your resume, you can highlight experiences where you effectively communicated and collaborated with colleagues resulting in successful project outcomes.
Whether it’s through clear and concise written communication, confident presentations, or even nonverbal cues that show your attentiveness, these examples demonstrate your practical communication skills.
2. Leadership
Leadership skills are highly valued no matter what the industry is. Leadership is a valuable skill in IT, as most IT professionals have to work independently. Having initiative is one of the skills of becoming a good leader.
Share specific examples of how you’ve led projects, coordinated teams, or tackled complex problems head-on. Let potential employers know you’re not just technically skilled but also capable of rallying a team, thinking strategically, and achieving shared goals.
3. Teamwork
Working well with others towards a common goal can make a big difference in achieving success. If you’re an engineer, working with a team across different departments and functions is not new.
Maybe you’ve been involved in project management, coordinated with different people, and kept everyone on the same page. These experiences demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively and can contribute to the organization’s success.
4. Creativity
Thinking outside the box and coming up with fresh ideas can help you make an impression. On your resume, describe instances where your creative thinking led to innovative solutions, process improvements, or the development of new products.
You may have encountered complex coding challenges that required innovative thinking to find efficient solutions. Perhaps you’ve developed creative strategies to improve processes or protocols.
Being involved in developing innovative ways to streamline administrative procedures, optimize workflow, or enhance communication within the team, demonstrates your ability to approach problems with a creative mindset.
5. Time Management
Time management skills ensure that you meet project milestones and prompt delivery of products or services, whether you’re a seasoned project manager or administrative assistant.
Think of instances where you may have faced tight project deadlines or had to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously.
Highlight your ability to plan your work, set realistic goals, and efficiently allocate your time. This demonstrates your ability to work under pressure and deliver results on time.
6. Adaptability
In an organization, priorities may shift, new tasks may arise, and technology is constantly evolving. Showing you can adapt to new situations and embrace change can set you apart from other candidates. It also gives people the impression you’re willing to learn and grow.
Remember to provide specific examples of your adaptability in action on your resume. Whether embracing new technologies, handling project changes, or navigating shifting priorities, showcasing your adaptability will demonstrate your ability to thrive in a fast-paced and ever-changing work environment.
7. Problem-solving and Critical Thinking
Problem-solving and critical thinking skills go hand in hand. When you encounter a problem, critical thinking helps you break it down, analyze the components, and consider different angles. It allows you to gather relevant information, weigh the pros and cons, and make logical connections.
Whether designing structures, optimizing processes, or figuring out how to make things work, problems arise and may need out-of-the-box solutions. Organizations love to see candidates who can tackle challenging issues head-on and develop innovative strategies.
8. Work Ethic
Work ethic is about showing up and giving it your all. It’s about being reliable, responsible, and showing professionalism. When you have a solid work ethic, you’re not afraid to put in the time and effort needed to get the job done right.
Employers want to know they can count on you. They want someone who takes pride in their work, consistently delivers top-notch results, and creates ways to get the job done.
9. Conflict Management
Differing opinions, misunderstandings, and personality clashes can all stir up conflict. That’s where conflict management comes in. It’s not about avoiding conflict altogether but handling them constructively and productively.
Your ability to listen actively, understand multiple perspectives, and find win-win solutions becomes invaluable. Highlight instances where you successfully managed conflicts or played a role in resolving challenging situations.
Maybe you stepped in as a mediator during a team dispute, finding common ground and conflict resolution. Or perhaps you used your negotiation skills to reach compromises that satisfied all parties involved.
10. Emotional Intelligence
Organizations want to see you can easily navigate social dynamics, demonstrate empathy, and build strong relationships. Having emotional intelligence allows you to communicate effectively, understand the needs and motivations of others, and create a positive work environment.
Maybe you’ve diffused a tense situation or accepted feedback gracefully. It demonstrates you’re not just technically skilled, but you can also navigate the human side of work with finesse.
Additionally, emotional skills are only projected to grow by 26% between the years 2016 to 2030, so developing it will come in handy.²
Incorporating Soft Skills on Your Resume
Don’t be afraid to showcase your transferrable skills when it comes to resume writing. You’ll create a resume that showcases your technical expertise and highlights your skills, giving you a winning edge.
- Review career descriptions, understand what the position demands, and align your soft skills accordingly.
- Prioritize relevant skills by highlighting the soft skills that directly relate to the position you’re applying for.
- Show and don’t just tell by providing concrete examples and achievements that illustrate how you’ve utilized your skills effectively.
- Use action verbs to bring your soft skills to life and make an impact.
- Tailor your resume for each application, customizing your soft skills to match the requirements of each role.
LAND THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITIES WITH ACS PROFESSIONAL STAFFING
Mastering and showcasing soft skills on your resume can significantly increase your chances of landing your dream job. If you need further assistance connecting with potential employers, reach out to ACS Professional Staffing.
We have the expertise to guide you to find the right opportunities and connect your skills with the right employers. Contact us today and unlock new possibilities in your career search.
References
1. “The Soft Skills Disconnect.” National Soft Skills Association, https://www.nationalsoftskills.org/the-soft-skills-disconnect/. 16 Jun. 2023.
2. Bughin, Jacques, et al. “Skill Shift: Automation and the Future of the Workforce.” McKinsey Global Institute, 23 May. 2018, https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/future-of-work/skill-shift-automation-and-the-future-of-the-workforce.