Why You Need a Summary of Skills on Your Resume

Do you still copy and paste job descriptions from people’s resume and forget to tailor your skillset to the role you’re applying?

The purpose of your resume is to sell yourself to recruiters and convince them to hire you for their role.

However, without selling your skills and experience, your resume will fail to convince the recruiter that you’re qualified for the job.

It is, therefore, important that you highlight your skills and experiences in the skills summary section.

Thinking of creating a resume with a strong summary of skills but don’t know how to get started? Then read on! 

This article will explain the importance of a summary of skill, its writing format and how to create one that makes an impression.

Why do you need a summary of skills on your resume?

Placed after the professional summary, the skill section of the resume allows you to highlight the essential qualities that qualify you for the job.

 A summary of skills will, among other things:

• Give prominence to your skills (hard skills and soft skills) as they relate to the job.
• Showcase your suitability for a job.
• Make it easier for recruiters to decide and move you forward in the hiring process. 

How to summarize skills on your resume

If you have equipped yourself with a lot of skills and still not sure which ones to highlight on your resume. Then consider this strategy:

Review the job description and research the company

Recruiters spend limited time on resumes, so it’s best to keep your skills section specific and concise.

Start by reviewing the job description and take note of those required skills that match your own. Remember only to include skills that are relevant to the job.

For example, a job description for an Executive Assistant may require proficiency in MS Office suite and tracking prowess.

It may also share that the company values a problem-solver and an organized candidate. In this case, the best skills to highlight in the resume might include the following:

• MS Office suite
• Time management
• Problem-solving
• Organizational
• Interpersonal communication

Format of writing a summary of skills

There are several options available when summarizing your skills on your resume. Firstly, you can create a functional CV that highlights your career achievement; other than using the chronological format which showcases your job title and employment date.

Secondly, you can summarize your special skills in a separate section. 

Create a functional CV: Rather than writing in the usual chronological way that lists your work experiences and dates, this option allows you to feature your skills at the top of your resume.

A functional resume is suitable for candidates who switch jobs easily or those with little or no professional experience.

To summarize skills on a functional resume,  create a separate skill section that lists your successes with key skills relevant to the position you’re applying.

Here is an example of how to summarize skills on a functional resume. For instance, a Supervisor

SKILLS:

Staff Management

• Manages and leads 10 maintenance staff composed of cleaners, security guards and technicians.
• Supervises the training of members to efficiently clean, secure and maintain the equipment at the centre.

Effective Communicator

• Continuously inspire the maintenance staff members to follow project goals by establishing clear timelines and deliverables to keep the event centre working at optimal capacity.

Summarize your skills in a separate skills section: This option is useful for candidates with extensive experience but wants to highlight specific skills or qualifications that set them apart.

Here is an example of how to write a skill section for a Supervisor:

Skills to highlight in your summary of skills

The best skills to list on a resume vary by job type, career level, or education. For instance, the skills most important for a Recruitment Specialist will differ from that of a Civil Engineer.

However, there are some special skills employers look out for in candidates. These are:

• Effective communication
• Problem-solving
• Time management
• Computer or IT proficiency
• Active listening
• Teamwork
• Customer service
• Leadership / Decision making

In conclusion

The objective of your resume skills is to market your value before hiring managers and persuade them that you’re the best candidate for the role.

So, take time to review the skills that are most crucial to the employer and tailor your resume to suit the job requirements.

Did you miss out on the article on how to write an eye-catching professional summary? Read it here