Key Skills to add to your Resume

Like I have said time and time again, most hiring managers do not read the majority of a resume that are in front of them. We all develop an innate skill to speed read resumes; looking only briefly for a key points of information before either moving on or reading it further. Obviously, the  first thing we look at is previous job experiences and the time spent in each position. But what do we look at next? Skills. Every job you apply for, as well as every company you apply to, has a skill set in mind that is required to competently and confidently execute a given position. With that being said, placing a list of skills on a resume that do not apply to the position you are applying for is a waste of time and space. However, the skills that are universal that you actually possess, then they should be on any resume you create.

Mental Dexterity - WHO MOVED MY CHEESE! Change is ever prevalent in a modern work place and the ability to deal with that change is extremely important. Today's employers are not looking for robotic employees to carry out a simple task time and time again, instead they are looking for employees that THRIVE in an environment of change allowing for fast redeployment of skills to accommodate ever changing customer needs.

Self-Reliance - Many employees  have developed a reputation for demanding constant reassurance and recognition. This ever prevailing need for a proverbial pat on the back is a strain on many corporate structures, the need for individuals who can demonstrate self reliance or an ability to self-direct and remain productive even in the absence of continual supervision is in high demand. Employers are constantly searching for new hires who can help improve overall organizational efficiency and maintain productivity in the lack of constant direction.

Job Commitment - Turn over is extremely expensive for any company. For every new hire a company faces cost from training to mistakes that must be considered and accounted for. So employees who can show longevity in positions and industries are obviously more desirable. The idea is that an employee committed to a particular industry is interested in continuous development and this should, in theory, reduce the effects of turn over on an employers bottom line.

Creativity - The idea of "this is how it has always been done so this is how we are going to do it" is dangerous and debilitating. Creative people are much more likely to look for new approaches to typical task. In doing so creative employees become invaluable to employers who want to improve efficiency and remain resilient in the face of marketplace changes and developments.

Emotional Intelligence - Generally defined as the ability to understand and manage one's own emotions as well as recognize and react to the emotions in others. Highly developed emotional intelligence can be very valuable if you wish to succeed in any industry. This can be demonstrated on your resume by showcasing bullet points related to teamwork, conflict resolution, process improvement, and customer satisfaction.

For more information, check out the following posts!
Skills to Put on a Resume
What Skills to Put on a Resume