The basic skills jobseekers should always put on their resume
What are the skills jobseekers should absolutely make sure they list on their resume? Recruiters reveal what they are looking for.
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What are some skills that may seem common knowledge but I should put on a resume?
Andrew Sullivan
Managing director,
Sullivan Consulting
In today’s world of online connections, social media knowledge is a great example of something that may seem common knowledge yet can be very valuable on your resume. Social media skills are not just for communications and marketing professionals, but can be useful in many other roles as well. It’s also a good idea to include any relevant licences. Again, this may seem like something everyone applying will include and maybe it won’t set you apart, but not having it might be a disadvantage. If you have relevant volunteering experience or language abilities, I’d recommend including these too.
Alexandra Rosser
Head of Organisational Psychology Consulting,
Stillwell Management Consultants
Include any common skill that you do uncommonly; in other words, if you excel in customer service, for example, and have quantifiable achievements to so demonstrate, you would put that on your resume. Also look for any common skills that have been specified as mandatory on the advertisement, for example, having particular licences, qualifications or certifications. Employers also value candidates who have First Aid, CPR, Mental Health First Aid accreditations or Fire Warden training as they often need people who can fulfil officer roles in these areas.
Lisa Morris
Director,
Hays
While the skills you should highlight on your CV will depend on the specific role you are applying for, there are certain skills – most often those we call soft skills – that many people do assume are common knowledge and therefore don’t list in their application. However, an interview shortlist is determined based solely on the information and evidence you present to the hiring manager or recruiter in your application. So, along with including the technical skills relevant to the job, make sure you also list your soft skills on your CV. These may include problem solving, teamwork, collaboration, communication and critical thinking skills. Adaptability and a constant learning mindset are also valued today. Listing your soft skills shows the recruiter or hiring manager that you are a well-rounded candidate. Provided you also possess the necessary technical skills, including your soft skills increases your chances of making the interview shortlist.
Justin Hinora
Executive consultant,
Hender Consulting
Different roles will require different skills and behavioural competencies. It’s good practice to tailor a new application for each role that you apply for. Candidates should look at the job and person specification and specifically the sought-after skills and consider how these align with their own. Make sure you list them if you have them and provide examples of where in your experience these have been demonstrated. Importantly, if you are listing skills on your CV, consider how relevant they are to the position you are pursuing.
News Corp has partnered with HR technology company Shortlyster to develop the Australian National Talent Registry, an initiative to help get Australians back to work, as COVID-19 has left hundreds of thousands of people either jobless or with reduced working hours.
The registry aims to connect jobseekers, whose employment does not have to have been directly affected by the coronavirus pandemic to participate, with employers on cultural-fit and psychological level, not just qualifications and experience.
It is free for jobseekers to sign up. To sign up, visit adelaidenow.com.au/careers
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Originally published as The basic skills jobseekers should always put on their resume