What do you do if you're unsure which skills to include in your resume? (2024)

Analyzing your specific job targets is key to determining which skills to include in your resume. One of the best ways to do this is reading through several target job posting descriptions. Identify common skills and keywords between postings to include in your resume. Next, head to Chat GPT and ask it to give you a list of resume keywords for XYZ job titles in XYZ industry. You’ll be given a solid list of keywords and skills you can naturally work into your resume.

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Easy. Look at the job description. Particularly for any hard, technical, or profession-specific skills. Those are the ones that you want to emphasize on your resume. And since each job is different, I suggest tweaking the skills on your resume to fit the position you're applying for.Conversely don't add a bunch of skills that aren't mentioned in the job description. When you do that, it looks like you didn't pay attention to the job description and are applying for any and every job.

Include both hard and soft skills.Review job descriptions for your target roles.Ask for feedback from mentors or colleagues.Identify skills commonly sought in your industry.Use online resources to identify in-demand skills.Highlight skills relevant to the job you're applying for.Remember, your skills should showcase your qualifications for the job.

Reviewing the job description to identify the specific skills and qualifications that the employee is looking for is the starting point before making an application to any job. Being able to be objective, and to understand how many of the skills you have, and how closely you match. I always encourage my clients to apply for jobs where they are at least a 70% match to the required skills, so that they stand a strong chance of being shortlisted by the Hiring manager.

Start by carefully reviewing the job description and identifying the key qualifications and requirements sought by the employer. Tailor your resume to align with these specific skills and emphasize those that are most relevant to the position you're applying for. Additionally, consider your own experiences, strengths, and achievements, and choose skills that best showcase your abilities and qualifications for the role. Don't forget to include both hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (such as communication or leadership) to present a well-rounded profile to potential employers. If still unsure, seek advice from career counselors, mentors, or professionals in your field for guidance on skill selection.

Reflecting on your experiences, achievements and strengths is a great place to start. Consider soft skills that might span across multiple roles, as well as more specific technical skills that are relevant to the direction you're seeking to go in.

A few things I make sure to include are examples to back up what I feel are my best professional traits.For example, I say (with pride) I am highly motivated. Give me a goal, or better yet, tell me you're not sure I can complete xyz in enough time, even though I'm fully capable of doing so. I make very sure to have a proven example for every trait I claim to possess on a resume.

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Make sure that you amend and adapt your resume for each and every application. The way that you describe your skills on your resume is extremely important, highlight the impact and value that you add to an organisation will ensure that your resume is shortlisted by the hiring manager.

Your skills are always evolving, and your resume should be too. Don't wait till it's time to apply for a new role to update your resume. Let it be a living and breathing document that grows with you. By updating your resume regularly, you're more likely to capture the full breadth of skills and experiences you're gaining as you go along rather than doing a bulk update once every few years.

Clean and clear formats trump fancy layouts every time. Make sure your resume is clearly laid out and easy to read. Let your skills take centre stage with clear, clean and readable formats that let the written content shine.

Stay abreast of industry trends and align your resume to showcase you as a change catalyst and early adopter. For example, to navigate your career down the AI path, you could focus on the following:- Enrich your AI skillset with certifications, tools, and case studies, positioning yourself as a thought leader. - Demonstrate your AI prowess using concrete examples with measurable outcomes. (i.e., Crafted effective AI prompts to personalize customer journeys, boosting engagement by 36%.)- Don't just list skills—leverage them to paint a picture as a proactive, lifelong learner at the forefront of technology. - Showcase fluency by translating experiences into actionable insights, positioning you as an innovative solutions expert.