How to List Special Skills on Resume
In today’s competitive job market, having a well-crafted resume is crucial for standing out from the crowd. One of the key components of a standout resume is listing your special skills effectively. Special skills are unique abilities or talents that set you apart from other candidates. In this article, we will discuss how to list special skills on your resume to maximize your chances of landing your dream job.
Identify Your Special Skills
The first step in listing special skills on your resume is to identify them. Think about your unique abilities, certifications, or experiences that can add value to the job you are applying for. These can include technical skills, language proficiency, soft skills, or even hobbies that are relevant to the job. Some examples of special skills include:
– Proficiency in a foreign language
– Advanced knowledge of a specific software or tool
– Leadership and team-building skills
– Public speaking or presentation skills
– Creative writing or graphic design abilities
Organize Your Skills Section
Once you have identified your special skills, it’s important to organize them effectively on your resume. Here are some tips for organizing your skills section:
1. Create a dedicated section: Dedicate a separate section for special skills on your resume. This makes it easy for employers to find and assess your unique abilities.
2. Use bullet points: List your skills using bullet points for easy readability. This format also allows you to highlight each skill individually.
3. Group related skills: Group similar skills together to make your resume more organized. For example, you can group technical skills, soft skills, and language proficiency separately.
4. Rank your skills: Prioritize your skills based on their relevance to the job. Place the most relevant skills at the top of the list.
Quantify Your Skills
When listing your special skills, it’s beneficial to quantify them whenever possible. This adds credibility to your claims and demonstrates your expertise. For example:
– “Fluent in Spanish (C2 level, as certified by the DELE exam)”
– “Proficient in Adobe Photoshop (used for 5+ years in graphic design projects)”
– “Trained 10+ employees on customer service best practices”
Incorporate Special Skills into Your Work Experience
While it’s important to have a dedicated skills section, don’t forget to incorporate your special skills into your work experience descriptions. This reinforces the value of your skills and showcases how you have applied them in real-life situations.
Use Action Verbs and Descriptive Language
When describing your special skills, use action verbs and descriptive language to make your resume more engaging. For example:
– “Developed and implemented a new customer service training program, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction”
– “Led a team of 5 graphic designers to create a visually stunning marketing campaign that generated a 30% increase in sales”
Keep It Concise
Lastly, remember to keep your skills section concise. Only include skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Avoid cluttering your resume with unnecessary information, as this can overwhelm the employer and dilute the impact of your special skills.
In conclusion, listing special skills on your resume is a crucial step in showcasing your unique abilities to potential employers. By following these tips, you can effectively highlight your special skills and increase your chances of landing the job of your dreams.
