Strengths for Resume: Best Skills to Put on a Resume

Strengths for your resume: our top tips

Your unique strengths are what help your resume stand out from the crowd and net a job interview in this competitive market. Your strengths can be your best traits, skills, abilities or even experiences that ensure you are suited to the role you are applying for. Knowing which resume strengths to list is as important as your resume design and the resume template you choose.

The key to presenting your strengths in your resume is to make sure they address the needs of the job role you are applying for. Let’s see how to how to write a resume that really stands out.

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Top 25 strengths to feature in your resume

Just as there are certain qualifications and skills that are highly desirable, there are some key strengths that will stand out to a hiring manager. Here’s a list of strengths that are commonly considered desirable in job seekers because they are versatile and transferable:

• Interpersonal skills
• Organizational skills
• Computer skills
• Conflict resolution
• Critical thinking and analysis
• Time management skillsTime management
• Marketing
• First Aid skills
• Digital literacy
• Presentation and public speaking skills
• Project management experience
• Strong work ethic
• Negotiation skills
• Leadership skills and experience
• Multitasking skills
• Active listening
• Technical writing skills
• Emotional intelligence
• Coaching or teaching skills and experience
• Delegation and priority management
• Report writing skills
• Research skills
• Motivational skills

Though many of these skills are soft skills that are often considered to be standard skills in any role, they are by no means guaranteed in any candidate. This is why it pays to list these strengths in your resume alongside hard skills, especially if they’re applicable to the role. You should also take care to quantify your strengths and accomplishments properly – this will give your resume a boost.

How to decide which strengths to list on your resume

In order to get the most out of your resume, it’s important to focus on your best, most relevant strengths, skills and qualifications. If you are having trouble deciding what resume strengths to include in order to catch the eye of the hiring manager, here are a few things to consider.

Strengths you’ve been recognized for

For If you have awards, achievements or certifications to back up certain strengths, you should include them in your resume (assuming they are applicable to the job you are applying for). While anyone can claim to have a certain trait or skill, providing further evidence is a major point in your favor

Strengths that previous employers have praised you for

If your previous employers have praised you for certain competencies, skills and traits, you should consider them among your best skills and include them on your resume. If the hiring manager contacts your previous employer, your employer will be able to support the claims you make.

Strengths you’ve trained up in

In If you have official training for any of the things you consider your greatest strengths, these strengths should be prioritized for inclusion in your resume. Candidates who have recognized qualifications or certifications for specific skills appeal to employers because it shows a willingness to put time and effort into self-improvement.

Strengths that match the job requirements

While there are some strengths that are widely beneficial (like attention to detail, for example), others are specialized. This is why it is crucial to tailor your resume to each job you apply for. Check the job description and make a list of bullet points for your greatest strengths and greatest weaknesses. Don’t include the weaknesses in your resume, of course, but make sure you’re aware of them so you can improve in the future. Once you have this list, narrow it down to the three or four main things you are good at that also meet the job requirements. These are the points you should include in your resume. Try to keep the strengths you mention in mind if you are called for a job interview because the hiring manager is likely to ask you to give examples of strengths that you have cited in practice. It can be beneficial to have a personal list of strengths and examples of how you have displayed them as a refresher to reference before interviews. For more tips on how to prepare for a job interview, ResumeHelp has an interview prep section loaded with guides and advice.