What professional skills should be included in the resume?

In an increasingly competitive job market, knowing how to identify and highlight relevant skills in your resume is crucial to finding a job that suits your professional abilities and aspirations. Therefore, it is important to know how to value your skills (relational, communication, etc.), in order to make you want to be employed in the professional world. Discover our advice to best optimize your resume and stand out, brilliantly, in the eyes of recruiters.

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How do you define your skills?

This is the very first question to ask yourself before you start writing your resume headlong. Start by thinking about the type of skills developed during your past experiences, whether professional, academic, or personal. Identify the tasks you have completed, the responsibilities you have taken on, and the results you have achieved through your professional experience. This will allow you to identify the knowledge and skills you have developed (teamwork, team spirit, coaching, etc.).

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We advise you to draw up a complete list, with on the one hand your soft skills or soft skills (e.g. emotional intelligence) and on the other hand your hard skills (e.g. mastery of a foreign language). As a reminder, soft skills are useful types of skills, if you want to value your individuality and your uniqueness, because they come directly from your personality traits. It may be your curiosity, your autonomy, your leadership, your group skills, acquired during the development of a professional project or during your previous position for example. Conversely, hard skills correspond to the list of technical skills or theoretical knowledge that you have acquired such as skills in computer programming (computer language), graphic design, foreign languages... Very often, these have been validated by a diploma and proven during your previous jobs, apprenticeships or internships (they are sometimes highlighted by a letter of recommendation from a former collaborator or your former manager for example). In addition, do not hesitate to support your words with professional recommendations.

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Also read:” How to properly highlight your soft skills? ”

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And concretely, when we don't know what our skills or our personal qualities are, what do we do? Well, we ask the question around us, by asking those around us to help us identify the key competencies (what are the skills, human qualities and other competencies identified by the people around you?) . As much to our close personal circle, as to our ex-collaborators in the professional environment or our former managers. An external opinion is never too much in this type of context and will offer you a skills assessment that is much more objective and comprehensive than if you had done it individually.

Select the skills that are most relevant to your resume

Now that you have drawn up a list of professional skills and know-how from your experiences, it is time to use this framework and select the ones that are most relevant for the position in question. The trick is adaptation: choose the required skills that best match the requirements of the job. For example, for a project management role, you could highlight your ability to adapt to different sectors, to work under pressure, your ability to multi-task, or even to manage deadlines effectively. However, don't just focus on a specific role. A recruiter is not looking for personalities that are solely based on one another. On the contrary, it is recommended to highlight your skills by showing that you are outside the box! Certainly, he expects you to correspond and match the personalities of the team but also that you demonstrate discernment and contrasts in order to bring new skills.

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In any case, you will almost always be asked to prove your abilities and behavioral skills via a technical or practical test, in order to concretely prove that you have the skills requested. It is therefore advisable not to cover up reality so as not to get stuck in the carpet during the interview with the recruiter or a job manager. Candidates must list their skills in a transparent and rewarding way.

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In the case of a professional retraining, it can be quite difficult to highlight specific know-how or skills. In this case, do not hesitate to build your own professional experiences, either by offering your services voluntarily for associations (it will prove two birds with one stone to demonstrate extra-professional skills), by putting together a freelance offer or by doing it for you. It is never too much to create a presentation with your type of skills, your training background, a portfolio or a book (visual or editorial) in order to tip the balance in your favor, all with a bit of motivation.

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In addition, if you have interesting certifications, do not hesitate to highlight them in your resume.

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Structure your skills in the resume

Once the skills are selected, the next step is to integrate them strategically into your resume. Key competencies can be highlighted in the skills section, next to your career path. Use relevant and accurate keywords to catch the attention of recruiters at first glance, or to stay in the running in case recruiters use HR software. For example, if you're good at solving complex problems, use terms like “strategic problem solving.”

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Also, be careful not to mix your hard skills and soft skills, which, as we repeat, are not based on the same lessons. Everyone has their own column.

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So you can make a column called” personal skills ” to which you add your soft skills such as: “excellent interpersonal skills”, “good organization”, “empathy” or even “leadership”.

As for your hard skills, they will be highlighted, under the title of your 3-point job.

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example :

General Accountant - 2019 to 2021

• CDI obtained after two alternations
• Management of the accounts and balance sheets of the company and its customers
• Management of internal HR accounting, payroll and expense reports

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‍Illustrate your skills with concrete examples

The value of skills is often better perceived when they are supported by concrete examples. Add specific accomplishments or significant experiences to support each skill listed on your resume. For example, if you talk about your ability to work in a team, mention a successful collaborative project and its positive results. One line is enough to differentiate yourself and it's even better if you add it to your cover letter.

For a sales position, for example, it seems good to us to add that you are already good at negotiating.

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Update your skills regularly

The professional world is constantly evolving and it makes sense that it will be the same for you over the course of your professional experiences. It is important to stay up to date with new trends and skills in demand in your field. Do not hesitate to add new relevant skills to your resume as you progress professionally.

By applying these tips, you can create a resume that highlights your skills in a strategic and compelling way, increasing your chances of landing the job that fits your aspirations.

If you are actively looking for a career or retraining, be careful to update your skills on all the sites you use to apply online, whether via Grimp, LinkedIn or even on Pôle Emploi.

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Read also”How to properly fill out your Linkedin profile?”

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Rely on the skills most sought after by recruiters

Some job skills are more sought after than others because of their relevance across a wide range of positions and industries. According to various sources, here are some skills that are generally sought after by recruiters and that, if they are specific to you, could be highlighted on your resume.

- Communication Skills

According to a LinkedIn study on the most in-demand skills, communication is often cited as a crucial skill for employees, regardless of their function. The ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing is essential for working in a team, managing projects, and interacting with customers.

- Problem Solving Skills

A study by the World Economic Forum mentions problem solving as one of the key skills for the future of work. Recruiters are looking for candidates who can analyze, solve complex problems, and make informed decisions.

- Time Management and Organization Skills

Employers value the ability of candidates to manage their time effectively, set priorities, and meet deadlines. These skills are mentioned in studies by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) as essential skills for new graduates.

- Skills in Adaptability and Flexibility

Adapting quickly to change has become crucial in a constantly changing professional world. Sources such as the World Economic Forum report on the future of employment highlight this skill because of the need to evolve in the face of new challenges and technological advances.

- Leadership and Collaboration Skills

Leadership skills, the ability to lead a team, and the ability to collaborate with others are also highly sought after. Businesses are looking for individuals who can motivate, influence, and work productively with colleagues.

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Now that you know a little more about your skills and personality, we wish you good luck in your research. And above all, stay motivated 🙂