10 Essential Tips for Writing a Skills Section for Your Resume

However, simply listing your skills is not enough. You also need to make sure that your skills are well-written and presented in a way that will catch the attention of the hiring manager.

Here are 10 essential tips for writing a skills section for your resume:

• 1. Be RELEVANT

First and foremost, your skills should be relevant to the position you’re applying for. There’s no point in including skills that aren’t directly related to the job. Not only will it make your skills section look cluttered, but it will also make you look like you’re not really focused on the role you’re applying for.

• 2. Use POWERFUL LANGUAGE

The language you use in your skills section should be strong and confident. Use active verbs and avoid generalities. For example, instead of saying “I have good communication skills,” say “I excel at communicating with others” or “I have a proven track record of successful communication.”

• 3. Highlight YOUR SKILLS, not your previous job duties

Your skills section is not the place to list out your previous job duties. This is your chance to highlight the skills and strengths that make you an asset to the company. Use this section to demonstrate how you can add value to the company, not just how you’ve performed in the past.

• 4. Be SPECIFIC

When it comes to your skills, specific is always better than general. Instead of saying “Strong writing skills,” mention “Expertise in copywriting, SEO, and grammar.” The more specific you can be, the better.

• 5. Use KEYWORDS

When employers are scanning through resumes, they’re looking for certain keywords that match the skills they are looking for. So, if you’re applying for a job that requires excellent writing skills, make sure to use keywords such as “copywriting,” “content writing,” “SEO writing,” etc.

• 6. Quantify YOUR SKILLS

If you can, try to quantify your skills. This will make them more impressive and will also give employers a better idea of the scope of your skills. For example, instead of saying “Good at writing,” say “Write an average of 10 articles per week.”

• 7. Don’t FORGET transferable skills

Transferable skills are skills that you’ve acquired in one area of your life that can be applied to another area. For example, if you’re a stay-at-home mom who is looking to reenter the workforce, you might have acquired excellent time management skills, organization skills, and communication skills. These are all skills that can be transferred to a new job, so don’t forget to mention them in your skills section.

• 9. Don’t be AFRAID to toot your own horn

Your resume is not the time to be modest. You need to sell yourself and your skills, so don’t be afraid to toot your own horn. Use strong language and be confident in your skills.

• 10. Keep it SHORT and SWEET

Your skills section should be short and sweet. You don’t want to overwhelm employers with a long list of skills, so only include the most relevant and impressive skills. Three to five bullet points should be sufficient.

And that's it! By following these tips, you can write a skills section and create a resume that will actually get you hired.