things to put in your resume profile

How to Write a Convincing Resume Profile [+23 Examples]

On average, a recruiter looks at your resume for around 6 seconds. 

Yep, that’s right - they give your CV a quick skim, and if they don’t find what they’re looking for, they just move on to the next one.

Think fast!

How can you convince the recruiter to read your resume, the same instant they look at it?

The answer is simple: you should create a resume profile.

And in this guide, we’re going to teach you how, exactly, you can do that.

• What a resume profile is and why it’s important
• How to create an effective resume profile in 3 easy steps
• 26 practical resume profile examples

How to Write a Resume Profile (Step-by-Step)

OK, let's start with the obvious - what even is a Resume Profile?

The resume profile is a short,3-5 sentence paragraph that summarizes your career. It covers your top achievements, skills, and years of experience. 

The resume profile is also known as a resume summary and resume profile statement.

Here’s what a resume profile looks like on a resume:

Now, let’s talk about why you should include a resume profile:

• It shows the recruiter that you’re relevant from the get-go, giving them a reason to read the rest of your resume.
• It helps you stand out. You don’t just show the recruiter that you’re relevant - you show them that you’re THE right candidate.

And here's an example of a well-written Resume Profile:

Customer Service Team Lead with three years of experience in a multicultural BPO environment. Specialized in the creation & monitoring of KPIs, compliance with SLAs and being the main POC for all key internal and external stakeholders. Looking to transfer process management and performance quality control skills into the exciting position as Quality, Control and Compliance Specialist at XYZ Ltd.

Keep in mind, though, that a resume profile is different from a resume objective.

• The resume profile summarizes your work experience to date and your relevant skills and achievements.
• The objective , on the other hand, is more about your professional goals. You DON’T include work experience here. Instead, you focus more on why you want to work at company X, and how your background makes you the right fit.

So, if you don’t have much relevant work experience (recent graduate, career change, etc.), you should opt for a resume objective instead.

Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, here's a thorough Step-by-Step on how to build YOUR resume profile:

Step #1 - Tailor Your Resume Profile to the Position

The first thing to do is to tailor your resume profile to the position you're applying for. 

You can’t just take the lazy way out and create a one-size-fits-all resume profile. That way, you’re pretty much setting yourself up for failure.

Instead, it should 100% be written with the job you’re applying for in mind.

When writing your resume profile: 

• Look at the job ad you want to apply to;
• See the requirements;
• Tailor your profile accordingly.

Now, here’s what this looks like in practice. Let's say you're applying for a position in digital marketing.

• 1 - 3 years of experience with Google Ads
• Experience with Facebook Ads
• Excellent copywriting skills
• Experience using Google Tag Manager and Google Data Studio is an advantage

We highlighted all the must-have requirements with Bold and underlined what’s optional.

Now, let’s create the right resume profile for the job:

Google Ads Specialist with 2 years of experience in the creation and management of Google search, display and video ads. Six-month-long project experience with social media marketing. Highly skilled with Google Search, Facebook Ads Manager, and Google Tag Manager. Experienced in creating project reports for clients with Google Data Studio.

Step #2 - Mention Your Top Wins

Now let's look at what you CAN and CAN'T include in your resume profile.

DO's - Relevant :

• Top skills;
• Problems solved;
• Key achievements;
• Awards won;
• Anything that is irrelevant to the job applied for, no matter how big the achievement, how top the skill or how much effort you put into winning that award.

Now, let’s cover a practical example.

Let’s say that 2 candidates are applying for a Junior Javascript Developer position.

Here’s a resume profile done right:

• Recent Computer Science graduate with hands-on experience. Took part in 6-month-long Agile development process project, working with: JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3, Ajax, Rest, XML, Angular 2+ and jQuery. Completed “The Complete JavaScript Course 2019: Build Real Projects” course from Udemy. PMP Agile Certified Practitioner.
• Recent Computer Science graduate with 6 months of experience with JavaScript. Currently ongoing Master’s in Photography. Certified lifeguard and professional football player. Freelance writer with over 200,000 regular monthly readers.

See the difference between the two? The first is 100%, completely focused on the role.

The second, well, not so much.

Which one would you call in for an interview? Exactly!

Step #3 - Focus on Achievements (Instead of Responsibilities)

And last but not least – focus on achievements. 

Your resume profile should be a summary of the biggest wins in your career (not a list of things you’ve done).

Your goal here is to “Wow” the recruiter, not to get them saying “Oh, well, that’s OK, I guess.”

So for example, let’s see how this is NOT done

• Seasoned recruiter with experience in publishing job ads, sourcing candidates, and conducting interviews.

See the issue here? Anyone that’s into recruitment can say they’ve done this. You’re not saying anything special.

Now, what if we turn this example into an achievement:

• Seasoned recruiter with X+ years of experience in tech hiring. Hit and exceeded hiring KPIs by over 50% for 2019’s first and third quarter. Specialized in working with senior talent in software engineering and executive management.

See the difference? The first example is a very generic candidate, while the second is a high-achiever.

In some fields, you might not have a lot of achievements to mention - and that’s totally OK.

If you’re a cashier, for example, you can’t say that “you’ve processed over 1,000 transactions per month.”

In such cases, it’s totally OK to stick to responsibilities and experiences instead!

[Bonus] The Novorésumé Formula for Writing Resume Profiles

Having some difficulties with your resume profile?

• [Your Field] professional with X+ years of experience, skilled in [Skill 1], [Skill 2], and [Skill 3]. Looking to apply my [Domain] knowledge as a [Job You’re Applying For] at [Company X]. Experience in [Top Achievement #1] and [Top Achievement #2].

Now, here’s what the template looks like when put into practice:

UX / UI Designer with 5+ years of experienced, skilled in Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop. Looking to apply my software design know-how as a lead UX designer at Company X. Previous experience in designing most of [Software Startup A] and [Software Startup B]’s software UX and UI.

Resume Profile Q&A

Still have some questions on how to polish up your resume profile? We’ve got you covered:

Q: How do I list a resume profile as a student ?

A: Simple! Go for a resume objective, instead of a profile. In that case, you’ll focus more on your skills and goals instead of work experience.

Don’t forget to specify where and how you got those skills. No need to go into in-depth explanations, but make sure they sound realistic and avoid vagueness at all costs.

Still have some space left? Feel free to add relevant university projects you’ve completed. 

Soon-to-be graduate from XYZ University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. 4.0 GPA in Experimental Psychology. Took part in a month-long internship at the university psych lab. Excelled at psych questionnaire development and implementation, and SPSS data analysis. Excited to transfer and develop skills further as a Junior Psychological Measurement Specialist at ABC Ltd.

Are you struggling with creating your first student resume? Check out our guide on how to create a resume with no experience!

Q: How do I list a resume profile as a career-changer ?

A: What you need to do here is focus on your transferable skills . Like so:

“Customer Support Specialist with over three years of experience in first and second-line phone and chat technical support, looking to transfer communication skills as a Sales Representative at XYZ Ltd. Excellent track record of reliability, being the main POC for all escalation points, and likeability, having received an average of 9.3/10 customer rating for the last two quarters.” 

23+ Practical Resume Profile Examples (For Every Field)

Need some inspiration with your resume profile?

Here are 23 practical resume profile examples you could borrow ideas from...

Customer Service & Sales

Customer service specialist resume profile.

“Motivated and experienced first-line customer service and support specialist with over three years of work put into tech support, troubleshooting and customer satisfaction. Experienced with LiveAgent and ZenDesk. Excellent track record in providing excellent support service. XYZ Ltd.’s employee of the month for May 2019 for receiving a 99.99% support satisfaction rate.”

Not sure how to build a customer service resume ? We have a guide for that!

Sales Associate Resume Profile

“Accomplished Sales Associate with experience in business and private persons insurance sales. Excellent people and communication skills, proven by last two quarters’ personal success in exceeding department’s KPIs by 25%.”

Want to create a sales associate resume that lands you the job? Check out our guide!

Administration

Executive assistant resume profile.

“Executive Assistant with 2+ years of experience as the companies’ CEO right-hand man. Successfully carried out all key administrative tasks, from communicating with company clients to data entry and creating well-researched office documentation. Highly skilled at MS Office tools.”

Receptionist Resume Profile

“Motivated, communicative receptionist with 5+ years of experience as an office administrator and receptionist in both big and small companies. Meticulous record-keeping, and experience working with MS Office Pack, Intranet and physical bookkeeping.”

For more examples, check out our receptionist resume guide.

Data Entry Clerk Resume Profile

“Data entry clerk with 3+ years of experience in high quantity complex data screening, entry and maintenance . Highly skilled at Excel; extremely fast typer and knowledgeable about digital databases. Strong attention to detail and dedication to the job.”

Copywriter Resume Profile

“SaaS copywriter specializing in landing page optimization. 2+ years of experience writing compelling content for e-mail, Facebook and Google marketing. Experienced in using Google Optimizely and Firebase for A/B testing. Previously worked with Unbounce to create and test new landing pages from scratch.”

PPC Specialist Resume Profile

“Driven PPC Specialist with over 4 years of experience in digital marketing. Proficient at: Google AdWords, Google Analytics, Facebook Ads Manager and LinkedIn Ad Platform. Some copywriting skills gained through freelancing. Experience handling an advertising budget of $80,000 with excellent ROI results.”

Need help creating your marketing resume ? We’ve got your back!

Business and Management

Project manager resume profile.

“Dedicated project manager with 3+ years of experience managing IT projects. Managed 5+ software projects from beginning to completion. Basic understanding of several programming languages, including React, Node.Js, and Java. ”

Check out our project manager resum e guide for more examples!

Business Analyst Resume Profile

“Results-driven Business Analyst with over 7 years of experience in consulting businesses, analyzing their processes and operations and presenting them with practical business solutions. 2 years of experience consulting one of the Fortune 500 companies. Experience using several business process management software solutions, including Appian BPM. Helped increase XYZ LTD’s manufacturing output by over 2.5%.”

Human Resources (HR)

Human resources resume profile.

“HR Specialist with two years of experience in developing small companies’ HR strategies, employee training and organizing company events, while under a tight budget. Experienced with the entire talent acquisition process from recruitment to the retention of employees.”

Recruitment Specialist Resume Profile

“Recruitment Specialist with a B.A. in Human Resources and M.A. in Work and Organizational Psychology with full-scope recruitment experience with both active and passive candidate sourcing. Sourced, interviewed and hired 15+ software engineers in Company X’s expansion efforts to Canada in 2021. ”

Finance & Accounting

Bank teller resume profile.

“Bank Teller with one year of experience as the front office cashier and customer service representative at XYZ Bank’s main office. Experienced with handling customer transactions and inquiries. Highly skilled at customer satisfaction, following bank SOPs and complying with data privacy and safety deposit box standard guidelines.”

Check out our bank teller resume guide for more examples!

Accountant Resume Profile

“Certified Public Accountant with over 8 years of experience. Solid knowledge of US GAAP and accounting systems. Top skills include budget forecasting, advanced computer skills, and analytical reasoning. Looking for a new challenge as an accountant at Company X.”

Check out our accountant resume guide for more examples!

Food & Service

Waiter/waitress resume profile.

“Experienced Waitress with a polite and friendly demeanor. Skilled at working in fast-paced environments; extremely good memory and able to memorize menus quickly and without fault. Previous experience includes working in Restaurant X and Bar Y.”

Check out our guide to server resumes for more examples!

Supermarket Cashier Resume Profile

“Experienced and reliable cashier with a polite and friendly demeanor. Worked at Happy Fun Resort over the past 2 summers as cashier in Company X and Company Y. Strong computer skills and experience working with PoS systems. ”

Discover how to make a cashier resume that excels with our article!

Housekeeper Resume Profile

“Dedicated and hard-working housekeeper with 6+ years of experience with both hotel and private home housekeeping. Very punctual and efficient. Previous experience working at Hotel X and Uncle Bob’s Private Cleaning Crew.”

Technical & IT

Data analyst resume profile.

“Data Analyst with 3+ years of experience. Highly data and detail-oriented with excellent analytical thinking. Background in mathematics, statistics, and computer science. Proven track record of using data to improve company operations. ”

Check out our guide to the data analyst resume for more examples.

Software Engineer Resume Profile

“Full-stack software engineer with 5+ years of experience developing end-to-end software solutions. Worked as head engineer at Tech Company X, leading a team of developers working on a new software solution in the Fin-Tech industry. Expert in Node.Js, React, and Java.”

Discover how to make a software engineer resume that excels with our article!

IT Specialist Resume Profile

“Dedicated IT specialist with 5+ years of experience. Previous positions involved network management and database administration. Advanced knowledge of SQL, C++ and Linux. ”

Need an extra push with your resume? Discover top tips on creating an IT resume in 2024.

Computer Science Resume Profile

“Results-oriented computer science student from University Y looking for an entry-level software engineering position. Good communication skills and team player, having led several teams for university projects. Practical experience working with JavaScript, MySQL, and PHP. ”

For more on computer science resumes , check out our dedicated guide.

Nurse Resume Profile

“Nurse RN with 8+ years of experience providing excellent patient care. M.A. in nursing. Expert at charting, patient care, and medicine administration. Seeking to leverage my experience as a nurse at Hospital X.”

Discover more nurse resume examples in our dedicated guide!

Dental Assistant Resume Profile

“Dental assistant with over 5 years of experience in the field. Charged with direct patient care, patient record-keeping, and routine lab works. Strong knowledge of the Dentrix software.

Graphic Design

Graphic designer resume profile.

“Graphic design specialist with 3+ years of experience working with design and marketing agencies. Responsible for every step of the design process, from conceptualization, to execution. Practical experience in designing flyers, websites, landing pages, and more. Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite and MS Office. Good communication skills.”

Need an extra push with your resume? Discover top tips on creating a graphic designer resume in 2024.

UI/UX Designer Resume Profile

“Detail-oriented UX / UI designer with 5+ years of experience creating end-to-end digital experiences. Designed software solutions in the fin-tech and hr-tech industries. Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite. Fluent in English, Spanish, and French.”

Other Fields

Architect resume profile.

“Architect with 4+ years of experience in landscape design, interior and exterior design, with a focus on designing commercial and residential buildings. Strong attention to detail and creative thinker.”

Discover the top tips for creating an architect resume in 2024 with our guide.

Warehouse Worker Resume Profile

“Hard-working warehouse worker with 4 years of experience in the industry. Physically fit, able to lift heavy objects. Previous experience at Made Up Delivery Solutions involved shipping, receiving and packaging goods.”

Discover more nurse warehouse worker resume examples in our dedicated guide!

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap!

Now, let’s summarize everything we’ve learned:

• A resume profile is a short, 2-4 sentences run-down of your top career highlights and achievements
• A resume profile is also known as a resume summary and resume profile statement.
• Don’t have much work experience? You might want to go for a resume objective instead.
• Every good resume head should include your years of experience (“5+ years of experience doing…”), top achievements (“Increased XYZ LTD’s ROI by X%”), and relevant skills (“Skilled in React, Node.JS, and Java”).

Looking for more career and resume advice? We recommend checking out our career blog for industry-leading articles on how to land the job & succeed in your career!

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• Career Blog

Resume Profile: Examples & What to Put in Your Own Profile

A resume profile is a short summary of your skills, experiences, and qualifications written at the top of your resume. It introduces you as a candidate and highlights what you can offer to a potential employer. This section is becoming increasingly popular among job seekers, and for good reason.

What is a Resume Profile?

As mentioned, a resume profile is a short paragraph at the top of your resume that provides a snapshot of who you are as a candidate. It usually consists of 2-3 sentences or bullet points that summarize your professional background, relevant skills, and achievements. It’s also known as a summary or a personal statement.

Why is a Resume Profile Important?

Hiring managers and recruiters receive hundreds of resumes for each job opening. To save time, they often skim through resumes, especially at the initial screening stage. A resume profile grabs their attention and gives them a quick overview of your qualifications. It also helps them decide whether to read on or not. A well-written profile can make you stand out from the sea of applicants and increase your chances of getting an interview.

How to Write a Good Resume Profile

A good resume profile should be tailored to the specific job you’re applying for. It should highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements that match the requirements of the job. It should also be concise, easy to read, and error-free.

To write a good resume profile, start by researching the job you’re applying for and the company you’re targeting. Identify the skills and experiences that are most relevant to the job and make a list. Then, craft a short paragraph that summarizes your qualifications and how they align with the job requirements. Use action verbs and quantify your achievements to make them more compelling. Finally, proofread your profile and make sure it’s free of typos and grammatical errors.

A resume profile is a powerful tool that can help you market yourself effectively to potential employers. By following these tips, you can write a compelling and effective profile that sets you apart from other applicants.

The Basics of Creating a Strong Resume Profile

A resume profile is a brief statement that summarizes your skills, qualifications, experience, and career objectives. It is one of the most critical parts of your resume, as it serves as your introduction to potential employers. A well-written resume profile can help you stand out from the crowd of applicants and increase your chances of getting hired. Here are some tips on how to create a strong resume profile:

Tips for Writing a Great Resume Profile

• Be concise and to the point: Your resume profile should be no longer than a few sentences. Avoid long paragraphs and unnecessary information.
• Focus on your skills and qualifications: Highlight your most relevant skills and qualifications that match the job you are applying for.
• Use keywords: Use keywords that are specific to the job you are applying for. This will help your resume get picked up by applicant tracking systems (ATS).
• Be specific: Use concrete examples to illustrate your skills and qualifications. For example, if you have experience managing a team, mention the number of people you managed and the results you achieved.
• Customize your profile: Tailor your profile to the job you are applying for. Use the job description and company information to craft a profile that showcases how you are a strong fit for the role.

How to Make Your Profile Stand Out

There are several ways to make your resume profile stand out:

• Show your personality: Inject some personality into your profile to make it memorable. Use humor or anecdotes that highlight your unique qualities.
• Use a professional tone: While you want to show your personality, you also need to maintain a professional tone in your profile.
• Highlight your achievements: Use your profile to showcase your past achievements and how they relate to the job you are applying for.
• Use numbers and percentages: Quantify your achievements with numbers and percentages to make them more impactful.
• Be relevant: Ensure that everything you mention in your profile is relevant to the job you are applying for.

Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your Resume Profile

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when writing your resume profile:

• Being too general: Avoid using generic statements that could apply to anyone. Be specific about your skills and qualifications.
• Being too long-winded: Keep your profile short and to the point.
• Being too informal: While you want to show your personality, avoid being too informal in your profile.
• Focusing on duties rather than achievements: Instead of focusing on your day-to-day duties, focus on what you achieved in your past roles.
• Using cliches: Avoid using phrases like “team player” or “results-driven.” Instead, use specific examples to illustrate your skills and qualifications.

Your resume profile is a crucial part of your job application. By following these tips and avoiding common mistakes, you can craft a strong profile that showcases your skills, achievements, and personality.

The Structure of a Strong Resume Profile

A strong resume profile is essential for making a great first impression on potential employers. It should showcase your expertise, accomplishments, and unique qualities that make you the right fit for the job. Here are the key elements that should be included in a strong resume profile:

Overview of Key Elements

The key elements of a strong resume profile include a headline statement, professional summary, professional experience, education and certification, skills and expertise, and personal interests and achievements. Each of these elements should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for and highlight your unique skills and qualifications.

Headline Statement

The headline statement is the first thing potential employers will see on your resume. It should be attention-grabbing and clearly state the type of job you are seeking. For example, if you are a digital marketer looking for a job in social media, your headline statement could be “Social Media Strategist with 5+ Years of Experience.”

Professional Summary

The professional summary is a brief overview of your skills, experience, and accomplishments. It should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for and highlight your most relevant qualifications. For example, if you are applying for a marketing position, your professional summary could include your experience in branding, strategy, and analytics.

Professional Experience

Your professional experience is one of the most important elements of your resume profile. It should detail your work history, focusing on key accomplishments and responsibilities that demonstrate your ability to excel in the job you are applying for. Use bullet points to make this section easy to read and highlight the most important aspects of each position.

Education and Certification

Your education and certification should be listed in reverse chronological order. This section should include any degrees or certifications you have earned that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Be sure to list the institution where you earned your degree or certification, as well as any honors or awards you received.

Skills and Expertise

The skills and expertise section should highlight your technical and soft skills that are relevant to the job you are applying for. Include any software or technical skills you have, as well as any certifications you have earned. Soft skills, such as communication and leadership, should also be listed here.

Personal Interests and Achievements

The personal interests and achievements section may not seem like an important part of your resume profile, but it can help you stand out from other candidates. This section should highlight your hobbies and interests that demonstrate your work ethic, creativity, and leadership skills. It can also include any awards or recognition you have received outside of work.

A strong resume profile should showcase your skills, experience, and unique qualities that make you the right fit for the job you are applying for. By tailoring each element of your resume profile to the job you are applying for, you can increase your chances of getting hired.

Examples of Effective Resume Profiles

Example of a strong headline statement.

A headline statement is an attention-grabbing sentence that highlights your professional branding, experience, and career goals. A strong headline statement emphasizes your unique value proposition and contributes to your employer’s knowledge about your background.

Example: Sales Professional with 8+ Years of Experience Driving Revenue Growth and Building Customer Relationships.

Example of a Powerful Professional Summary

A professional summary is a brief overview of your career objective, relevant experience, and accomplishments that will impress hiring managers. A compelling professional summary showcases your potential to add value to the organization and encourages the recruiter to see your resume as a worthwhile investment.

Example: Highly motivated Project Manager with 10+ years of experience in IT, always striving for efficiency and successful project delivery. Skilled in team management, stakeholder communication, and project tracking techniques for effective task completion.

Sample Job-Specific Profiles

Customizing your resume for a particular job is essential for demonstrating your qualifications, suitability, and interest in the role. A job-specific profile highlights your relevant skills, achievements, and experience that meet the employer’s requirements.

Example: Healthcare Professional with 5+ Years of Experience in Nursing.

Profile Examples for Job Seekers with Limited Experience

If you are starting your career, you may not have a wealth of experience to draw from, but you can still create a competitive resume profile by other means. A job seeker’s profile for individuals with limited experience should focus on transferable skills and personal attributes that demonstrate a strong work ethic, motivation, and willingness to learn.

Example: A recent college graduate with a degree in Marketing, who excelled in research, analytics, and communication, seeking an entry-level marketing position.

Profiles for Career Changers

Career changers seeking to shift to a new industry, function, or role need to draw attention to their transferable skills, experience, and education that align with the new career direction. By emphasizing skills that are relevant to the new job, hiring managers can see how you can successfully pivot to a different career path.

Example: Experienced sales professional with a demonstrated track record of exceeding sales quotas, looking to transition into a business development role in the tech industry.

Your resume profile sets the tone for your entire resume and is a critical component of your job application. By using these effective resume profile examples, you can create a powerful narrative that highlights your qualifications and passion for the job, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.

How to Tailor Your Resume Profile to Different Job Opportunities

If you’re like most job seekers, you probably have a standard resume that you send out to all potential employers. However, it’s important to remember that not all jobs or companies are the same, and a one-size-fits-all approach may not be the most effective way of presenting yourself to potential employers. Here are some tips on how to tailor your resume profile to different job opportunities:

Research the Job and the Company

Before you begin writing your resume, take the time to research both the job and the company you’re applying to. This will give you a better idea of the specific skills and experiences that the employer is looking for, as well as the company culture and values. Use this information to tweak your resume profile and ensure that you’re presenting yourself as the ideal candidate for the job.

Highlight Your Relevant Skills and Experience

When it comes to your experience and skills, don’t be afraid to spotlight only those that are most relevant to the job opening. This means emphasizing your experiences and skills that align with what the job posting or company description is indicating that they need from candidates.

Don’t Overdo It

At the same time, it’s important not to overdo it when highlighting your relevant skills and experience. You don’t want to come across as over-qualified or desperate. Instead, strike a balance between showcasing your talents and keeping it concise.

Be Concise and Relevant

Finally, make sure that all the information you include in your resume profile is concise and directly relevant to the job you’re applying for. You don’t need to include every detail of your work history or accomplishments. Instead, focus on the most impactful experiences that illustrate your qualifications for the job at hand.

Tailoring your resume profile is not just important, it’s essential if you want to stand out from other candidates and land the job of your dreams. Take the time to research and customize your resume to each job opportunity you pursue, and you’ll increase your chances of success.

Making Your Resume Profile ATS (Application Tracking Systems) Friendly

As technology advances, more recruiters and hiring managers are using Application Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes and filter out candidates who do not meet specific criteria. Unsurprisingly, this means that optimizing your resume for ATS is important to ensure that your profile has the best chance of making it to the next phase of the hiring process. Here is what you need to know about ATS and how to optimize your resume profile for them.

Understanding ATS

An ATS is a software program that is used by recruiters to manage the recruitment process efficiently. They enable hiring managers to track resumes, screen candidates, and process job applications more quickly. ATS parses submitted resumes by breaking them down into relevant sections. These sections are then analyzed, and the software’s algorithms determine if a candidate’s profile matches the job’s requirements.

Tips to Optimize Your Resume Profile for ATS

Here are several steps to make your resume profile ATS friendly:

Use keywords: The first step to optimizing your resume for ATS is to use relevant keywords. These include job-specific technical skills, industry buzzwords, and certifications. Use these keywords in the job titles, skills, and experience sections of your resume.

Use clear formatting: Keep your resume formatting simple and avoid graphics or complicated layouts that could confuse the ATS. Stay clear of columns, tables, and strange characters. Stick to standard bullet points and avoid text boxes.

Use simple language: Avoid using overly complicated language when writing your resume profile. The ATS will struggle to understand technical jargon and use simple language to detail your experience.

Customize your profile: Each job application will require a different approach. Tailoring your resume to each role you apply for will increase the likelihood of it getting picked up by ATS software.

Avoiding Common ATS Mistakes

Here are some common ATS mistakes to avoid:

Resumes submitted as PDFs: While PDFs look professional, they can be challenging for ATS software to parse, potentially resulting in an incomplete or incorrectly parsed resume.

Unusual fonts or characters: Avoid using fonts that are difficult to read or contain characters that ATS may not be able to read.

Too much information: Keep your resume relevant and concise, and avoid including extraneous information that may confuse the ATS system.

Objective statements: While it may have been common to include an objective statement in the past, they are not useful for ATS in selecting an appropriate candidate. Instead, emphasize your relevant experience and skills.

In today’s job market, creating a resume profile that is ATS-friendly is essential. By understanding what ATS is looking for and using the right keywords, formatting, and language, you can maximize your chances of getting selected for interviews. Avoiding common ATS mistakes will also help your resume get through to the next round.

Formatting and Design of Your Resume Profile

When it comes to creating a professional-looking resume profile, formatting and design are essential components that can make or break your chances of getting noticed by potential employers. Your profile should be visually appealing, well-organized, and easy to read. Here are some tips for formatting your profile:

Tips for Formatting Your Profile

• Use a clean and simple layout that is easy on the eyes.
• Divide your profile into sections with clear headings and subheadings.
• Use bullet points to break up the text and make it easier to read.
• Make sure your font size and type are easy to read.
• Use white space to make your profile look less cluttered.

Color Schemes and Typography

While the design of your resume profile is important, it’s essential you don’t forget about the color schemes and typography. Choosing the right color schemes and typography is crucial because it can communicate the right message to recruiters and increase the chances of you getting hired.

When it comes to typography, use a font that is easy to read and suits your profession. For example, if you’re a designer, you might use a more creative font to reflect your skills, but if you’re in finance, a traditional font might be more appropriate.

When it comes to choosing color schemes, focus on using simple and professional colors. Avoid using too many colors or garish color combinations that can detract from your profile. Using the right color schemes can help convey the right message and make you appear more professional.

The Role of Visual Elements in Resume Profiles

Using visual elements in your resume profile can make it more attractive, engaging and help you stand out from the crowd. Images, charts, and graphs can help demonstrate your skills and achievements in a way that is easy to understand.

Moreover, using visual elements is a great way to break up your text and make your profile easier to scan. Although visual elements can be advantageous, be sure not to overload your profile with too many images or graphs that can make it look cluttered or confusing.

Formatting, color schemes, typography, and visual elements play a critical role in creating an effective and compelling resume profile. By following the tips and guidelines mentioned above, you can create a standout profile that can enhance your job search by grabbing the attention of employers and hiring managers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Resume Profiles

Common questions and concerns.

What is a resume profile?  A resume profile, also known as a professional profile or career summary, is a brief statement that highlights your skills, experience, and accomplishments as a job candidate. It is typically placed at the top of your resume, just below your name and contact information.

Is a resume profile necessary?  Absolutely! A resume profile serves as a powerful marketing tool that can make or break your chances of getting noticed by potential employers. It provides a concise overview of your qualifications and helps you stand out from other applicants.

What should you include in your resume profile?  Your resume profile should highlight your most relevant skills and achievements, as well as your career goals and objectives. Use strong action verbs and quantify your results whenever possible to showcase your impact.

How Long Should Your Resume Profile Be

How long should a resume profile be?  Your resume profile should be a brief statement of 3-4 lines or 50-100 words at most. It should be concise and focused on your most important qualifications.

Can you write a longer profile?  While it’s important to keep your resume profile concise, you can provide additional information in your resume’s experience and education sections. However, be mindful of the overall length of your resume – it should typically not exceed two pages.

Can You Expand Your Profile With Supplemental Materials

Can you include supplemental materials in your resume profile?  While it’s not recommended to include supplemental materials in your resume profile, you can provide links or attach relevant documents such as a portfolio or writing samples in your application.

What should you include in your supplemental materials?  Your supplemental materials should showcase your skills and provide evidence of your accomplishments. Select items that are directly relevant to the position you are applying for.

Should You Update Your Profile Regularly

Why is it important to update your resume profile regularly?  Your skills and achievements may change over time, and it’s important to keep your resume profile up-to-date to reflect your current qualifications. Additionally, updating your profile regularly can help you stay on top of your career goals and objectives.

How often should you update your resume profile?  You should update your resume profile whenever you experience a significant career change, complete a major project, or learn a new skill. It’s also a good practice to review and update your resume profile every six months to a year, even if there have been no significant changes in your career trajectory.

A strong resume profile is a key component of an effective resume. Keep your profile concise and focused, highlight your most relevant skills, and update it regularly to showcase your career growth and progress.

Tips for Writing a Cover Letter That Complements Your Resume Profile

When it comes to job search, a cover letter is just as important as your resume. In fact, it complements your resume profile by providing an opportunity for you to showcase specific skills and experiences that match the job requirements. Here’s the breakdown of the tips on how to write an effective cover letter that complements your resume profile:

Overview of the Cover Letter

A cover letter is a one-page document that accompanies your resume when you apply for a job. Its purpose is to introduce yourself, highlight your relevant qualifications, and convey your motivation for applying for the position. It should grab the employer’s attention and convince them to consider you for an interview.

Tips for Writing a Cover Letter that Stands Out

To make a great impression, your cover letter should be tailored to the company and the job requirements. Here are some tips to make your cover letter stand out:

• Start with a strong opening sentence that hooks the reader’s attention and creates an immediate interest in your application.
• Personalize the cover letter by addressing the hiring manager by name and demonstrating a knowledge of the company and its products or services.
• Highlight your relevant skills and experiences that match the job requirements. You can use bullet points to showcase your achievements.
• Show your motivation and enthusiasm for the job by explaining why you are interested in the position and how it aligns with your career goals.
• Close your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering your application and expressing your willingness to further discuss your qualifications in an interview.

How to Tailor Your Cover Letter to Your Profile

Your cover letter should complement your resume profile by highlighting specific skills and experiences that match the job requirements. Here are some suggestions:

• Identify the key skills and experiences listed in the job posting and highlight those that you possess.
• Use specific examples to demonstrate how your skills and experiences have helped you succeed in your previous roles. Use numbers and data when possible.
• Be concise and selective with your content. Don’t repeat information that’s already in your resume.
• Emphasize your key achievements and how they align with the job requirements.
• If you’re applying for a job in a different field, explain how your skills and experiences translate to the new role and industry.

By following these tips, you can write a cover letter that complements your resume profile and convinces the employer to invite you for an interview. Remember to proofread your cover letter for typos and errors and tailor it to each job application.

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Resume Examples & Samples

What to put on a resume to get you hired [examples].

Dayana Aleksandrova

Create a Resume in Minutes & Get More Job Interviews

Table of Contents

• The 7 most important things to put on your resume

Contact Information

Resume summary, accomplishments, hobbies and interests.

Creating the perfect resume is a balancing act. You don’t want to spill your entire life story and hand in a stack of paper thicker than War & Peace , yet you have to make sure that all of the key information the recruiter wants is available within a quick scan. So, let’s have a look at what to put on a resume that gets you hired.

From your correct contact information to a great resume summary, experience and hobbies, there is some key information that you must include if you want the job.

VelvetJobs Expert Tip

Don't have a resume yet? Check out our resume builder .

The 7 Most Important Things to Put on your Resume

#the-7-most-important-things-to-put-on-your-resume.

Recruiters want to make the hiring process as easy and quick as possible. They scan resumes with an eagle-eye and can tell right away if you’ve got the right information in place or if reading your application will be a waste of time.

Give the hiring manager what they are looking for, including these seven categories of information that all successful resume templates include:

• Contact information
• Resume summary
• Hobbies and interests

Let’s dive into each section to see what to put on your resume and how to format it.

#contact-information

The contact information section is extremely important, yet very overlooked. You need to ease the recruiter’s life by giving clear and straightforward information on how to reach you.

Your resume should include:

• Your first and last name
• Email address
• Physical address

Write out your name as spelled in your passport. While everyone may call you “Dick Nixon,” go with “Richard Nixon.” You want to keep your entire application consistent, meaning that your name should match on your resume as well as any supplements and social media.

Put down your telephone number so that the recruiter can reach you quickly. It’s best to include your cell phone, as you have it with you at all times.

Your email address can make a fool out of you without you even realizing it. Make sure to include a professional email address. While you could get away with “[email protected]” in high school, that address will make you look silly in front of the hiring manager.

Here is what to put on a resume in terms of email - a version of your First + Last Name @ provider. For example, someone named John Smith should go for “ [email protected] ” or “ [email protected] .”

Do you need to include your physical address? It’s a good idea to do so. The recruiter will know whether you’ll need to relocate or whether you’re in the right place already. Plus, you may get some mail if you continue with the application process.

Your contact information should look like this:

• Experience Details June 2013 – August 2015

Make sure to be as clear and as concise as possible. There are plenty of essential things to add to your resume, so the contact section should only take 1 - 2 lines.

#resume-summary

The summary is essentially the first impression your resume makes on the recruiter. If you lead in with a great intro, you will have their attention. If not, well, you’re off to the shredder.

What to put on a resume summary that grabs the hiring manager’s attention:

The ideal resume summary is between 3 and 6 sentences . They have to be engaging and clear. Let’s look at an example:

Hospitality professional looking to leverage existing skills in a good company.

The applicant hits all six points and even throws in a numerical value. Using numbers in your summary make information easier and faster to process, so definitely include them whenever possible.

Your title is important, as the recruiter will know right away whether to keep reading or move on. For example, if you’re applying for a hotel job and say that you’re a “Concierge,” that’s relevant, and you’ve got their attention. If you lead in with “Financial Analyst,” on the other hand, the recruiter will toss your resume immediately.

Same goes for your industry. Make sure to identify right off the bat what area you work in to avoid confusion.

What to put on your resume summary in terms of education is very straightforward. Mention your school and degree, that’s it.

Your accomplishments, skills, and goals should be mentioned very briefly and have to be extremely relevant to the job. You should use the job description to identify the keywords that will catch the recruiter’s eye.

Make sure you land that job! Learn How and Why To Tailor Your Resume to the Job (10+ Examples)

#experience

Your experience is the flesh of the resume. This is the most important section, so if you forget to include it, might as well save yourself the trouble of applying altogether.

The experience section will take up about 60% of your entire resume. It has to show exactly why you are the perfect candidate for the job. How do you do that? Tailor your resume to the job ad. Just like you can identify the keywords from the job description, you will be able to tell which of your experience is relevant.

Let’s say you were the best pizza chef in town. Unfortunately, that won’t help if you’re applying for a marketing executive position. If you worked at a magazine, however, that will score you points with the recruiter.

In the experience section, you have to make sure to put:

• Company name
• Dates you worked there
• Responsibilities
• Accomplishments, ideally quantifiable whenever possible
• Boston Foodie Magazine Boston, MA
• Managing Editor September 2015 - July 2017
• Produced and edited content on food-related topics
• Managed a team of 5 writers
• Piloted a new column that became #1 in popularity within 6 months

Keep your experience clear, in order, and detailed enough for the recruiter to see that you’re the answer to their prayers. Adding three-four lines per job experience is an ideal amount of information. Steer clear of fluff and confusion.

Your education section comes secondary to the experience, yet is still important. If you’ve got the right degree, you might just beat the competition. The most important details about your education on the resume are:

• Your degree
• School you attended
• Year of graduation

Remember to list your highest degree first. For example:

MA in Philosophy, Yale 2015

BA in Greek Literature, Yale 2013

BA in Chemistry, Harvard 2013

Ph.D in Chemistry, Harvard 2017

MA in Chemistry, Harvard 2015

You can add your GPA as well if it’s higher than 3.5 .

If you’ve been a part of Phi Beta Kappa or another honor society, feel free to mention it. Just make sure not to make this section too long. After all, seeing that you studied the industry is good, but proving through experience that you know how to do the job is best.

Need some inspiration? Check out these resume templates

The skills section of the resume is a bit tricky. While it’s tempting to say “I’m the best for the job because I’m a people-person and the best negotiator you’ll see,” you have to keep your cool and show your talents instead.

So how do you delicately demonstrate to the recruiter that you’re the perfect candidate? Read the job ad carefully. Pinpoint the skills required and then match them to your own.

For example, if a job calls for someone to “Manage a team of 5,” say that you’ve got a high level of emotional intelligence and are a great listener.

The trick here is not to be copying the job description word for word. Find what the needs of the company are and show that you’ve got the skills to fulfill them.

We know you've got skills, but which ones do you put on your resume? Find out 50+ Skills to Put on a Resume [Key to Get a Job] .

#accomplishments

Think of your resume as your private magazine where you’re the star. This is your time to shine, so don’t skip the accomplishments section.

List your most relevant successes and rewards that are directly applicable to the position you’re applying for. For example, if you’re after a sales job, mention that you reached and exceeded your old quota which got you promoted in a year.

The key here is to keep your accomplishments relevant.

Show the recruiter that you're a winner - learn How to Mention Accomplishments on Your Resume (10+ Examples) .

#hobbies-and-interests

Every category of information on your resume is strategic. What to put on your resume under “hobbies and interests” is a part of the main plan to tailor your resume for to the job.

While you may have awesome hobbies like laser tag or playing video games, that won’t be of much help if you’re applying for a position at a fashion magazine. Yes, your hobbies and interests should represent your personality appropriately, but they are on your resume to show that your personality is the best fit.

Let’s say that you’re after a job at a fashion magazine. Then you would want to add hobbies and interests like photography, drawing, social media and boutique shopping. It’s a good idea to mention that you’ve got an interest in reading famous designers’ biographies and that your favorite documentary is “The September Issue.”

Keep this section genuine and make it work for you by skillfully demonstrating why you’re an amazing fit.

Want to learn how to add hobbies and interests on a resume? Check out our guide on How and Why Put Hobbies on a Resume (20+ Real Examples) .

#bonus-tips

Now that we’ve gone over the seven core things to put on your resume let’s look at how to score some bonus points.

• Consider adding a social media section to your resume

Recruiters already know that you’re on social media because, you guessed it, they are too. Include your LinkedIn profile up top with your contact information.

Make sure to change the URL to your first and last name instead of having a dozen random symbols and numbers. That way the recruiter will be able to do a quick search on you and pull up your nice, polished profile.

• Follow the company and the recruiter on LinkedIn

Give the company a follow. Do some research to find out what news they care about. Then engage with their content and tag them into smart posts on the same topic. If the recruiter sees your name a lot on LinkedIn, chances are that they will remember while looking at your resume.

Don’t be shy and connect with the recruiter directly. Send a quick invitation to connect and comment on the content they post. You can follow them on Twitter as well. Just remember to keep it professional.

• Make sure that your resume sections align

Pay attention to formatting because while it’s the information that gets you the job, it’s the formatting that gets the recruiter to look at the information. Organize your sections neatly, so there aren’t awkward symbols and scattered letters. Take a look at this well-aligned example:

So what do you put on a resume if you want to get hired? Check off as many of the seven key categories as possible - contact information , resume summary , experience , education , skills , accomplishment s , and hobbies and interests .

Remember that each of these sections (ok, except the contact info) has to be tailored to the job description in a relatable way. You’re going for the “show, don’t tell” effect, so prove that you’ve skillfully managed to accomplish what the position requires you to do.

Pay attention to the formatting. Keep all of your sections clean, organized and straightforward. Add your LinkedIn profile and engage with the company and the recruiter for extra points. Follow these basic steps and you’ll be all set!

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100 Good Skills to Put on a Resume [Complete Guide]

Jeff Gillis 0 Comments

By Jeff Gillis

Updated 6/4/2022.

When you’re adding skills to a resume, you don’t just want to focus on what you’re good at. Instead, relevancy has to be part of the equation. After all, every job you’re trying to land requires a very specific skill set, one that you need to show that you have.

Choosing the skills to put on a resume when you’re applying to a role isn’t something you should do haphazardly. Instead, you want to use the job description, company mission, and company values as a guide, creating a sense of alignment.

Additionally, it never hurts to have a handy list of skills by your side, making it easier to explore your options. So, if you’re on the hunt for good skills to put on a resume, here’s what you need to know.

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

There are two basic types of skillsets that a job seeker can have and include on their resume: hard skills or soft skills.

Hard skills are the skills or abilities for a resume that are easily quantifiable…that can be learned through classroom work, apprenticeships, or other forms of learning. These include things like operating tools, computer programming, speaking foreign languages, or different kinds of technical prowess.

Soft skills are more subjective and harder to quantify and are often grouped together by what we know as “people skills.” Some examples of soft skills include communication, relationship building, self-awareness, and patience.

Which Skills Are More Important?

The debate rages on about which of these two types of skills is more important.

According to executive consultant and Forbes contributor Naz Beheshti , “…There is an ongoing debate about the relative importance of soft and hard skills that imply a competition between the two. However, they are both necessary and complementary to one another.”

On the one hand, job seekers with proficiency in a specific hard skill may get hired more quickly. Many employers want to hire people that can deliver value with fewer resources (ex., the need for training, etc.), making hard skills their priority.

However, we are also seeing that many hiring managers are choosing to hire candidates with highly developed soft skills.

In the end, as Indeed puts it, “soft skills are necessary to create a positive and functional work environment.” Plus, hiring managers feel that they can always train the candidate in the hard skill that is required to complete the job, but soft skills are often skills that cannot necessarily be taught.

So, what does this mean for you? Mainly that you can’t simply just pick one or the other and cross your fingers. Instead, the best strategy is to take a balanced approach and make sure that your resume contains both hard and soft skills.

How Do You Choose the Skills to List on a Resume?

Here’s the deal; there’s a good chance you know what you’re good at in a professional sense. Often, you can use your experience, duties, training, and education as a guide, giving you a strong foundation. Then, it’s about diving a bit deeper, looking at traits that could help you stand out, and comparing it all to the job description.

By using a simple process, you can make progress faster. Here’s a quick way to get started.

1. Make a List of the Skills You Know You Have

As mentioned above, the easiest way to get a grip on your current skills is to reflect on your academic and professional experiences. Consider the tasks you’ve taken on, the training you’ve completed, and the courses you had in school. In most cases, that’ll give you some solid ideas about your hard skills.

After that, it’s time for soft skills. Here, you want to think of traits or capabilities that help you engage with others and navigate professional relationships. Often, these are reflections of your personality, so use that as a jumping-off point.

2. “Mine” the Job Descriptions for Must-Have Skills

The next step is to take a look at the job description for the position you are applying for and make a list of the required skills it includes. Then, compare it to your capabilities. Are any of the skills on both of the lists you just created? If so, these are must-haves for your resume.

Now, notice if there are any skills on the job description that you don’t have. If there aren’t any, great!

But if there are…don’t panic. There are things you can do, which we’ll dig into shortly.

If you’re dealing with a vague job description, you aren’t stuck either. Here is a link to a ton of job descriptions that can give you an idea of the skills needed.

3. Tailor Your Skills to the Company/Position

As you may have read in our other blog articles, it is always very important to “tailor” your resume to the company and position you want to land. For an in-depth look into how to make that happen, check out our Tailoring Method article. 

If you want a quick overview, the idea is to focus on capabilities the company wants to find. Every job requires a unique skill set, and you want to show you have it. As a result, it is absolutely essential that skills from the job description make an appearance on your resume.

However, you also want to dig deeper. Spend some more time researching the company, including going through all of their various web properties, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages.

Why? Because they will leave clues about the types of people they hire. That gives you more ideas about the best skills to put on a resume to land a job there, particularly when it comes to soft skills you may not find in a job description.

100 Resume Skills Examples

If you’re struggling with coming up with a list of skills based on your past experience, it can be easier if you have existing resume skills lists to work with. You don’t have to think up every possible skill; you can simply review the list and find the matches.

Here is a list of resume skills examples, divided into hard skills and soft skills, that you can use when applying for a job.

Hard Skills for a Resume

• Advanced Bookkeeping
• Appointment Setting
• Automotive Repair
• Cold Calling
• Computer Programming
• Conversion Testing
• Copywriting
• Customer Engagement
• Customer Service
• Data Analysis
• Digital Marketing
• Electrical Engineering
• Environmental Cleanup
• Forklift Operating
• Graphic Design
• Heavy Machinery Operation
• Installation
• Landscaping
• Mathematics
• Medical Coding
• Paid Online Traffic
• Patient Care
• Photo Editing
• Picking and Packing
• Project Management
• Schedule Management
• Search Engine Optimization
• Server Maintenance
• Social Media
• Spanish Fluency
• Statistical Analysis
• Systems Analysis
• Technical Support
• Telecommunications Systems
• Travel Booking
• Video Editing
• Website Design
• Word Processing

Soft Skills for a Resume

• Accountability
• Active Listening
• Adaptability
• Brainstorming
• Business Etiquette
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Conflict Resolution
• Contextualizing
• Critical Thinking
• Decision Making
• Emotional Intelligence
• Flexibility
• Goal-Setting
• Handling Pressure
• Influencing
• Insightfulness
• Interpreting
• Negotiation
• Open-Mindedness
• Organization
• Prioritization
• Problem Solving
• Relationship Building
• Reliability
• Resource Management
• Responsibility
• Self-Confidence
• Strategical Thinking
• Strong Work Ethic
• Time Management

What If I Don’t Have the Required Skill?

Whether you need to possess a specific skill depends on the job and the skill in question. Usually, here’s where you have to be honest with yourself. If the skills required are part of the core competencies of doing the job, you may want to reconsider your application.

For example, if a golf course posts a job posting for a golf pro, you probably shouldn’t apply if you’ve never swung a golf club.

However, you will come across situations where what you bring to the table is close. In this case, moving forward might be okay.

You need to be able to demonstrate, using examples from your past, that you are capable of doing the required skill, even if you haven’t specially done it. So, go over your work history with a fine-tooth comb and try to come up with a few examples of you doing something in the right ballpark.

They are going to ask about it in your interview, so don’t think you can just wing it, and everything will be fine.

Also, many job descriptions have “nice-to-have” skills on the list. If you happen to possess them, great. But if not, don’t assume you shouldn’t apply if you have the must-have skills. In the end, those capabilities aren’t outright requirements, so don’t screen yourself out based on them.

How To List Skills on a Resume

There are a few different schools of thought when it comes to deciding where to put (or how to list) the skills on your resume.

According to our friends over at online resume-builder Zety.com , “…skills are so very, very important that they should show up all over your resume. Not just in the resume skills section.” In other words, it is imperative that there are elements of your skills throughout your resume, including your resume objective/summary and experience sections.

In addition, there isn’t one right answer for where to include your skill section because that depends on the industry, company, and position you’re trying to land. For example, for a job where technical competencies are of the utmost importance, it is often beneficial to list the skills closer to the top of the resume, right underneath the resume objective or resume summary statement.

However, if through your research you determine that the hiring manager will put more weight into your experience, you may want to lead with your experience. Then, put the skills section further down your resume.

At the end of the day, the selection of the skills themselves is the most important thing. After all, most hiring managers will easily find your skill section regardless of where it is on your resume.

What About Skills for My Job Application?

When you’re looking for skills to put on a job application, you do have to treat it a little differently than skills for a resume. Usually, you’re working with a finite amount of space on an application, not just in an overall sense but in each applicable section.

Since that’s the case, you need to lean heavily on the job description. Look for any capabilities that are listed as must-haves or that are repeated through the job ad. Then, make sure those skills are featured prominently in several areas, including in work history descriptions and skills areas.

If you have to answer essay questions, discuss those skills there, too, whenever possible. Use any other relevant capability as a supplement, treating it as supporting information instead of the primary point you’re sharing.

However, if an essay question asks about a skill that’s not in the job description, feel free to dig in a bit. It’s a capability that’s clearly on the hiring manager’s mind, so touch on it occasionally to show you shine in that area.

Putting It All Together

If you were wondering, “What are some good skills to put on a resume?” you should now have a solid answer. The most important thing to remember is to select skills that are relevant to the position you are interviewing for and, more important than that, skills that your company puts a tremendous amount of value in.

Once you get your skills straightened out, you should make sure that the rest of your resume is congruent with the skills you just selected, namely, that your experience shows that you both used those skills in a work environment and developed the skill with on-the-job tasks.

Co-founder and CTO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Jeff is a featured contributor delivering advice on job search, job interviews and career advancement, having published more than 50 pieces of unique content on the site , with his work being featured in top publications such as INC , ZDnet , MSN and more.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Jeff gillis.

Co-founder and CTO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Jeff is a featured contributor delivering advice on job search, job interviews and career advancement, having published more than 50 pieces of unique content on the site , with his work being featured in top publications such as INC , ZDnet , MSN and more. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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• 11 Key Things to Put on Your...

11 Key Things to Put on Your Resume

15 min read · Updated on January 17, 2024

TopResume demystifies the content you need on your resume

As the job market becomes ever more competitive, it's more important than ever to create a resume that can help you to stand out from the crowd. Gone are the days when a mediocre resume was good enough to get your foot in the employment door. These days, you need a truly compelling resume that highlights your value if you want to ensure that you make the best possible impression on prospective employers.

In this post, we'll focus on one of the most crucial elements of the resume creation process: deciding which information needs to be included in your resume. In this guide, we'll examine 11 of the most important things to put on a resume if you want to effectively sell yourself as the best candidate for the job.

1. Contact information

Your contact details need to have a prominent place on your resume, to ensure that employers can easily find the information they need to call you in for a job interview. Like the rest of your resume, this section should be clean and easy to read. Use standard fonts like Arial, Calibri, Cambria, or Georgia, and stick to simple black text. Include the following information:

First and last name : Many job seekers use a larger font size for this line of their contact information section, to ensure that their name stands out.

Your location : You shouldn't add your street address to your resume, but it is acceptable to include the city and state. This is especially true if you're applying for a position in another area and need employers to know that you're willing to relocate. If the job is in another country, you'll also want to include your country of origin in this line.

Professional email address : Make sure that the email address you use for your resume isn't some novelty address that you created on a whim. For example, if the email that you use with your friends is something like [email protected], don't list that address on your resume. Instead, use a more professional address that includes some variation of your name.

Phone number : If you want prospective employers to call you by phone, there are a couple of things to remember. First, make sure that you have regular access to that phone. Second, make sure that the phone number is in working order. Double check the number you list on your resume to ensure that you've included the right area code and prefix. Even simple typos could make it impossible for employers to get in touch with you.

Professional social media (optional) : You should also include relevant social media URLs, if you think that they can help to highlight your qualifications or abilities. LinkedIn is the most obvious choice for most people, but technology professionals, for example, may also want to include their GitHub or StackOverflow profiles as well.

Website (optional) : For certain professions, it can also be helpful to include website addresses for personal websites or online portfolios. Some examples include Graphic Artists, Copywriters, or Academics with a significant online presence.

Related : Ask Amanda: How Should I Format My Contact Information on a Resume?

2. Resume Headline

A great resume headline can help to immediately draw a hiring manager's attention to your resume. If you're not familiar with this resume element, don't worry - you're not alone. But make no mistake: this simple headline trick can increase the odds of your resume making a powerful first impression on anyone who reads it. So, what is a resume headline, you ask?

A resume headline is a different way of dealing with the old resume title - that area where you list the job title of the position you're seeking. For example, if you were applying for a job as a Marketing Manager, your resume title would just include those two words:

Marketing Manager

Sure, that resume title might clarify which job you're seeking, but it doesn't tell the reader anything about you - either as a person or as a prospective employee. It doesn't say anything about your skills, experience, or personality. Worse, it doesn't do anything to help you to stand out from your competition. Fortunately, however, a resume headline can help you to create a more compelling message.

To create a resume headline, you need to take that job title and add some descriptive language that highlights your value as a potential employee. The following tips can help you to do just that:

1.      Research the job posting to identify keywords related to core skills needed for the position. Chances are that including at least one of these keywords can help to ensure that your resume earns the attention it deserves.

2.      Choose powerful adjectives to describe your capabilities and achievements.

3.      Include measurable results that help to highlight your value.

Sticking with our Marketing Manager title, let's see what that headline might look like if we incorporate those tips:

Dynamic Marketing Manager Consistently Exceeding Client Goals by 25%

Unlike our first example, this one highlights a record of success that any hiring manager can instantly recognize as potentially valuable for their company. Just as important, the addition of that specific information is more likely to help that resume stand out - especially if the other candidates are still relying on the more conventional resume job title option.

Related : 27 Great Resume Headline Examples to Stand Out

3. Summary Paragraph

Your resume should also include a resume profile statement, preferably a summary that helps to sum up your core qualifications. This brief, four or five-sentence paragraph can be thought of as your resume's version of the salesperson's elevator pitch. Done properly, it serves as an introductory statement that highlights your key skills and achievements in a way that captures your reader's interest.

This is important, since most employers only devote a few seconds to scanning each resume they receive. Yes, you heard that right: employers aren't reading your entire resume unless you somehow manage to capture their attention during that initial scan.

So, how do you do that? While the resume headline can help them to take immediate notice, your summary paragraph represents your first real opportunity to make a powerful first impression. It needs to quickly summarize your best qualifications and demonstrate your potential ability to provide real value to that employer. To create an effective summary, you need to:

Briefly highlight your experience

Mention one or two of your most important skills (preferably skills listed in the job posting)

Detail at least one important achievement, using real numbers to highlight value

Below is an example of a great resume summary paragraph for our hypothetical Marketing Manager, that incorporates all the elements we've just mentioned:

Results-driven Marketing Manager with 8 years of experience in client relations, project development, and campaign execution. Core competencies include market analysis, research, resource management, and innovative team leadership. While managing ABC Corporation's marketing team, successfully increased yearly revenues by 35%.

Related : 27 Great Resume Summary Examples to Get Hired

4. Core Competencies or Skills

Your resume also needs to include a section that highlights your relevant skills. This section should be labeled using a title like “Core Competencies” or “Relevant Skills” and include a list of all the skills you want to highlight for the employer. The key is to figure out which skills deserve a place in your core competencies section, since the last thing you want to do is waste precious space on irrelevant abilities that won't impress anyone. These tips can help you to identify the right skills for your resume:

• Begin by reviewing the job posting. Take note of any abilities or traits that the employer included as necessary qualifications. If there are specific skills that you need to possess, you'll need to include those abilities in your skills section.
• Create a list of all the marketable skills that you've developed throughout your career. This list should include both hard skills - abilities that you use to complete your job duties, as well as soft skills, that help you to manage those duties, interact with others, and solve problems.
• Narrow your list of hard and soft skills to 9-12 total abilities, making sure to include each of the required qualifications from the job posting. You should also use the exact terminology in the job posting when listing those required skills. Chances are that those words are keywords that the employer's applicant tracking system will be looking for when the employer conducts a keyword search.
• Once you've identified the skills that you'll be including in your resume's core competencies section, add them to the resume. For example:

Marketing research   |   Strategic planning   |   Budget management   |   Account management

Project management   |   Content creation   |   Team building   |   Digital marketing

Problem-solving   |   Brand management   |   Resource allocation   |   Time management

Related : What Are Skills? (With Examples and Tips on How to Improve Them)

5. Work Experience

Of course, prospective employers will want to see more than just your claimed skills. They'll also want to review your previous work experience to see how you've applied those skills in a real-world setting. That's why it's important to know how to list your past jobs in your work experience section. The following tips can help.

Decide which jobs you want to include. As a rule, you should include jobs going back only ten or fifteen years. Most employers are more interested in your most recent experience.

Start with your current position (or the last job you held if you're unemployed). Then list your other jobs in reverse chronological order.

For each job, list your job title or position, the name of the company, and your dates of employment.

Here's what that might look like in a hypothetical Marketing Manager resume:

ABC Digital Marketing

2018-Present

Assistant Marketing Manager

Excyte Solutions

Repeat that process for other relevant experience. Of course, that basic information is just the outline of your work experience section. We still need to add one more critical thing to this section to ensure that it properly highlights your value as an employee. What's missing, you might ask? Measurable achievements that demonstrate value - which brings us to our next topic of discussion.

Related: Work Experience for a Resume: How to Add it to Get Hired

6. Measurable Achievements

Those employment listings can help the employer to understand the types of jobs you've held, but they don't really provide the type of detail that they need to see to determine your worth. The problem is that you can't really highlight the impact you've had throughout your career if you just provide a dry, dull list of those past jobs. Instead, you need to use that work experience section to show how your actions have created real value for previous employers.

The best way to highlight that value is with measurable, or quantifiable, achievements. Yes, there was a time when job seekers would simply list the duties that they performed at each company. These days, however, serious candidates understand that they need to focus more on value than core responsibilities. Every employee has responsibilities. What matters is how your fulfillment of those responsibilities provides value for an employer.

So, how do you highlight value? It's simple: you just need to list some of the key achievements you delivered in each role, using real numbers to demonstrate your impact on the company's success. To do that, you should include three or four bullet point achievements below each company. Let's look at what that might look like, using our previous examples:

Successfully led reorganization of marketing department that improved efficiency by 43%

Expanded new client acquisition by 33% in two years, increasing revenues by $35 million

Oversaw global expansion effort into 23 new countries

Managed project budgeting and resource allocation for 23 campaigns worth $12 million

Led successful effort to redesign ABC Corporations's digital presence, increasing customer engagement by 78%

Developed new project research process that reduced research and analysis costs by 10%

As you can see, rather than focusing on the duties of each job, this hypothetical candidate instead emphasized real accomplishments that added real value to each company.

Related : Resume Help: Are You a Doer or an Achiever?

7. Education

Your educational achievements are also important things to put on your resume. In most instances, you won't have to devote too much space to this section, but you neglect it at your peril. In fact, if the job posting lists specific educational qualifications, omitting this section would be a huge mistake that could end any consideration of your candidacy.

The good news is that the education section of a resume is one of the easiest to create. You only need to add a few bits of relevant information to complete this part of the resume, including:

The degree that you earned

The name of the school you attended

Your dates of attendance

Relevant coursework, if appropriate

Of course, you can also include some other details, like your GPA or distinctions such as summa cum laude - though these types of information are unnecessary once you've been in the workforce for a few years.

You can also add relevant certifications and extracurricular activities that might help to bolster your case for being the best candidate for a job. In most instances, though, the important thing is to include just enough detail about your education to show that you meet any specified educational requirements for the position.

Related: How to List Education on Your Resume (with Examples)

Thus far, we've identified seven key things to put on your resume - and each of them is considered an essential element of any great resume document. Our last four details for a resume can all be considered optional. Their inclusion will depend on the type of job you're seeking and the things you need to highlight for an employer.

8. Languages

While most Americans speak English, recent migration and globalization trends have increased the importance of language skills. If you're proficient in more than one language and seeking a job where those skills can give you an edge over other candidates, you may want to consider including a language proficiency section in your resume. That section may be necessary if your desired job:

Involves regular contact with non-English speakers

Requires travel to foreign countries where your language skills can be vital for the company

Of course, you should only list your foreign language skills if you are truly proficient in the language and if those abilities are relevant for the position you seek. 

Related: How to List Language Skills on a Resume

9. Awards and Accolades

If you're wondering what to put on a resume for your first job, or just looking for unique things to put on a resume to catch a hiring manager's attention, awards and accolades may be an option. Of course, they need to be the right kind of achievements if you want to earn anything more than a snide eye roll from that hiring manager. Some examples of worthy awards and accolades include:

Awards relevant to your specific industry, demonstrating industry recognition of your achievements

Company awards you've earned in past jobs

Extracurricular awards involving volunteering or community service

Academic accolades - if you're a recent graduate and need to boost your experience with other types of achievements

If you decide to include awards among the things you put in your resume, make sure that you add enough detail to explain why they're relevant, including the issuing organization or body, the date you received it, and some information that quantifies its meaning.

Related : How to List Awards on Your Resume and Wow Recruiters

10. Community Involvement

If you're new to the job market, you may be wondering what to put on a resume with no experience. Obviously, you don't want to leave out your work experience section altogether, since that can be a clear sign to employers that you may not be a viable candidate for their job. Fortunately, your community involvement can sometimes be used to show some real-world experience.

For example, have you spent any time volunteering with charities? Are you actively involved in community organizations? Have you spent time mentoring youth or serving the public in some other valuable way? If so, then any of these experiences can be listed in a community involvement section to demonstrate your commitment to others. Just be sure to include some bullet point achievements that quantify the value your service provided for those groups or causes.

Related : How Do I Add Volunteer Experience to My Resume?

11. Publications

Publications are another of the important things to put on your resume, if your area of expertise involves research or other writing. The use of a publications section is mostly reserved for academics and people who work in various scientific fields, but can also be relevant for some content creators and marketing professionals. As a rule, though, you should only include your publications if you know that they're something the employer will want to see.

Related : How to List Publications on a Resume (with Examples)

Knowing which things to put on your resume can help to ensure success

When you put the right things on your resume, you can improve your odds of making the right impression on prospective employers. The best approach is to start with the essential components we listed above, and then decide which - if any - of the optional elements you need to include to bolster your candidacy. Just remember to include only relevant information that highlights you as the best person for the job, and you'll be one step closer to career success!

Still confused about which things to put on your resume? Get a free resume review from our team of experts today!

Recommended reading:

The Best Resume Format to Get Hired

How to Advance Your Career (plus 10 Insightful Tips)

Top 15 Professional Goals and How to Achieve Them

Related Articles:

Do Hiring Managers Actually Read Cover Letters?

How to Create a Resume With No Education

Why You Lose When You Lie on Your Resume: Learning From Mina Chang

See how your resume stacks up.

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How to Make Your Resume ATS-Friendly (Template Included!)

Have you been applying for jobs on multiple platforms but never heard back from any employers? The problem may not be your work history or skills—but rather your non ATS-friendly resume preventing recruiters from ever reading it.

ATS stands for Applicant Tracking System , a software that scans resumes and helps companies filter candidates. It's super helpful for recruiters dealing with thousands of applications everyday. But for job seekers who don't know how it works, it can be a real pain.

“ATS-friendly resumes get reviewed,” says Muse career coach Lauren Wethers . “Resumes that aren't formatted for an ATS risk collecting digital dust.”

So, here's what you should know: 1) While this technology isn't new, it has gained popularity recently—you're definitely not alone if you're still learning about it. 2) Don't panic; crafting ATS-friendly resumes is quite simple. Just follow our step-by-step guide.

Get that resume out there! Browse open jobs on The Muse and find your dream job »

What is ATS and how does it work?

An Applicant Tracking System (ATS) is an automation software designed to sort and scan a large number of resumes quickly. Instead of recruiters or hiring managers manually handling this task, companies save time (and money) by using ATS to filter the first batch of resumes before they get to human hands.

The scanning process is pretty straightforward: an ATS looks for basic information like education, job titles, and skills to match the job posting. It typically uses keywords from the job description and requirements list. The closer your resume matches, the better your chances of getting selected.

What is “ATS-friendly resume”?

An ATS-friendly resume is tailored to match a job posting, incorporating relevant keywords from the requirements and job description of a specific role. But simply copying and pasting those keywords into a dedicated section isn't enough; they should be naturally integrated throughout all parts of the resume.

For sake of illustration, picture a job posting for a customer service position that requires two years of customer-facing experience, client retention abilities, and strong communication skills. An ATS-friendly resume should include these exact keywords in key sections like the summary , work history, or skills section .

It doesn't stop there: your resume format also impacts how an ATS scans it. It's recommended to use simple resume templates with standard fonts, color and sizes, and avoid graphic elements. The simpler the better, because an ATS isn't a conscious being that processes certain elements the same way we do.

How to make your resume ATS-friendly in 6 steps

Organizations across all industries are using ATS; virtually every company that gets job applications through jobs websites or their own “work with us” pages likely uses some version of this software. According to LinkedIn , even applications sent directly through their platform are processed by an ATS.

“You could be the perfect candidate, but if your resume isn't properly formatted or doesn't include the right keywords, the algorithm won't flag it,” Wethers says. That's why it's crucial to learn how to tailor your resume to these machines.

1. Pick an ATS-friendly resume template

If you're using a template instead of building your resume from scratch, pick one that's ATS-friendly. Remember, less is more: your resume should have a minimalist design without headers, footers, multiple columns, charts, images, or other graphic elements. This makes it easier for the ATS to read and scan since some systems can only process plain text.

Make sure your resume has at least 1-inch margins on all sides to avoid overcrowding. ATSs usually don't care how long your resume is, so you can write a two-pages resume if necessary. Just be mindful of including only information that's relevant to your application. If you get past the ATS, a human recruiter will still read your resume and might disqualify you if it's not appropriate.

Here's our resume template, ATS-friendly . You can download it and fill it with your information. After opening the file, just click on File > Make a copy, then save it to your own drive.

2. Name the resume sections clearly

This isn't the time to be creative. Your resume sections need to be easily identifiable for the ATS to scan through them. Be clear and straightforward with labels like “Professional Experience,” “Education,” “Summary,” and “Volunteer Work” when applicable.

3. Use keywords from the job posting

One of the most important aspects of an ATS-tailored resume is incorporating keywords from the job description when describing your experiences, accomplishments, and skills. “The more often they appear on your resume, the higher your resume ranks,” Wethers says.

Pick out the relevant keywords the employer uses to describe the role and use the same language. ATS robots and databases typically look for exact matches, so to increase your chances of getting selected, mix in exact keywords from the job description with some variations of them. (Here's how to read a job description the right way .)

Imagine a company is looking for someone with event planning experience. You might think that simply adding "event planner" to your resume would be enough, but that's not always the case. “Some systems only search for one thing at a time,” Wethers says. “So, if they search ‘event planning’ instead of ‘event planner,’ and ‘event planner’ is the only term on your resume, you might not pop up.”

This also applies to titles of certifications or degrees. For instance, if you're using an acronym like “B.S in Accounting”, also include the full term “Bachelor of Science in accounting.” You could place one in your resume summary and the other in the education section, or vice-versa.

4. Add a skills section if necessary

If you can't fairly distribute relevant keywords throughout sections like the resume summary, professional experience, and education, consider adding a skills section. “This helps to make sure that you're repeating keywords without it being forced,” Wethers says. “It also provides a great at-a-glance view of your capabilities for a recruiter looking at your resume.”

5. Choose an ATS-friendly font and size

Font and font sizes are also important elements of an ATS-friendly resume format. Stick to standard, simple, and easy-to-read fonts like Arial, Calibri, Cambria, and Garamond. Avoid cursives and artistic fonts.

For font size, use 11 or 12 points for regular text and 14 to 16 points for titles. While there's no restriction on using bold, italics, and underlining, only use these styles when necessary (e.g., to differentiate a title from regular text).

6. Submit the correct archive format

“It's best to save your resume as a PDF, especially if you have formatting that you want to preserve,” Wethers says. “Documents that are saved as .doc or .docx run the risk of losing their formatting and being hard to read once they're in an ATS text box.”

However, some companies want you to use a specific file format. In those cases, submit your resume in the requested format. To make things easier, have three versions of your resume saved in different formats ready to go.

You should also remember to save the file with your name. For example, use resume-jane-smith.docx or resume-jane-smith-sales.docx, or some variation of that. “Hiring managers can see it, so make sure it's professional.”

What not to do in an ATS-friendly resume

Just as important as knowing how to make an ATS-friendly resume is knowing what to avoid so you don't jeopardize your chances of getting selected.

Never try to fool the ATS

The internet is full of tips and tricks to fool the ATS, like copying and pasting the whole job description into your resume or adding a keyword section in white text to make it “invisible.” But these hacks totally underestimate the tracking system.

The ATS can spot these attempts of cheating—and if it doesn't, the recruiters definitely will. “Do not do things like put keywords in white text to try to fool the ATS into thinking your resume should rank higher than it does,” Wethers says. “It will show up on the backend, and your resume will likely be tossed.”

Don't overuse keywords

Another common mistake—and attempt to fool the ATS—is overusing keywords. Yes, you should use the same language as the job post, but “that doesn't mean stuffing your resume with keywords in places where they don't make sense,” Wethers says. Add keywords only where it makes sense and don't repeat them exhaustively.

How to check if your resume is ATS-friendly?

To check if your resume is ATS-friendly, you can use artificial intelligence (AI) to your advantage. For example, you can paste your entire resume into Chat-GPT and ask it to check if it's ATS-friendly. You can also ask the AI for suggestions on what to include or alter based on the job posting.

Another option is to work with a career coach , ideally a resume expert . Career coaches often have backgrounds on human resources and are up to date with new hiring technologies. Their insights on resume writing, job applications, and recruiting can be of much value, especially for those who are applying for a while with no success.

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10 Skills to Put on a Resume That Will Help You Stand Out

Here's how to show you're the best candidate for the job.

When you're looking for a job , submitting your resume is the first opportunity you'll have to make a good impression. What's more, this is the stage at which most employers weed out the vast majority of applicants. Showing that you're competitive is all about clear communication, hiring experts say. Yes, you need to have the skills that employers find desirable—but knowing the skills to put on your resume is just as important in forming your personal brand.

Caitlin Wehniainen, director of business development for the premier staffing agency On Cue Hire , says there are a handful of skills that are considered universally desirable across fields.

"By emphasizing these skills, candidates can not only distinguish themselves from others but also convey their readiness to contribute meaningfully to their prospective employers," she tells Best Life. "At On Cue Hire, we continually observe that these competencies are among the most sought-after by hiring managers across the various industries we serve as a staffing firm."

Ready to transform your resume and finally get noticed? These are the top 10 best skills to include on your resume to ensure your first impression is a lasting one.

RELATED: How to Build a Strong LinkedIn Profile and Dazzle Future Employers .

1 Analytical thinking

In today's corporate landscape, decisions are largely driven by data. This means that analytical thinking—the ability to interpret that data and put it to good use—is indispensable.

"This skill enables you to interpret complex information, identify trends, and solve problems efficiently," says Wehniainen. "Employers value candidates who can bring clarity to data-driven projects and provide actionable insights that drive business success."

2 Writing and communication skills

Wehniainen says that effective communication is the key to any successful team: "Being able to convey ideas clearly and persuasively, both in writing or verbally, ensures that you can collaborate seamlessly with colleagues and customers."

However, there's another facet of communication that you should plan on highlighting on your resume: Your willingness to do it often. "It's even more important in our world of remote and hybrid work," Wehniainen says. "Staying on your email, chat, answering your phone when someone on your team needs something—this is all so important to staying clued into your work environment."

RELATED:  11 Jobs That Don't Require a Degree .

3 Adaptability

Blake explains that historically, "you could expect to learn a skill or trade, go to university, and enter a career that would not look that different at retirement or death, as the world was pretty stable. When you exist in a world where that's no longer the case, it's accelerating the usefulness of our knowledge and skills in many ways, and the half-life of those skills has come down, which means the rate at which we have to learn has gone up," he explains.

Wehniainen agrees that the ability to adapt to changing circumstances and embrace new challenges is crucial in today's rapid-fire work environment.

"Everything in our digital world is evolving at a rapid pace. Being able to learn new skills, adjust, and adapt well is key," she says. "Employers seek individuals who can pivot and remain effective even when faced with unexpected obstacles. Showcasing adaptability on your resume signals to employers that you can thrive in dynamic settings."

4 Foreign language fluency

Knowing a foreign language will also help you stand apart from the crowd—and it may help you get hired even if you won't need that language in the workplace. As a practical skill that could open up opportunities for the company, knowing a second language can also demonstrate a dynamic capacity for learning, cross-cultural interests, and the ability to commit to long-term development.

RELATED:  10 Most In-Demand Jobs in 2024 .

5 Problem solving skills

Lauren Winans , chief executive officer and principal HR consultant at  Next Level Benefits , notes that problem-solving, or "identifying issues and creating solutions," is another essential skill that employers are looking for. One way to feature this on your resume is to highlight specific problems you have solved in past work settings—and to quantify those successes where possible.

"Problem-solving skills are essential for overcoming challenges and achieving objectives," agrees Wehniainen. "Employers look for candidates who can identify issues, brainstorm solutions, and implement effective strategies. Showcasing this skill on your resume demonstrates your proactive approach and resilience in the face of challenges."

6 Specific tech skills

Having hard technical skills like data science, machine learning, cloud computing, photo or video editing, and more could also help you stand out from the crowd of job applicants. Blake says that if you possess these skills, you should always be sure to highlight them prominently on your resume.

Having knowledge of specific programs or platforms is also invaluable to many employers. Be sure to list specifics—for instance, by sharing that you are well-versed in Python, C++, AI programs, or any other relevant tech.

RELATED:  How to Ace Every Common Job Interview Question .

7 Time management

Having time management skills means you'll be a more self-directed employee—and independence is considered highly valuable in the workplace, Wehniainen says.

"The ability to manage time effectively is vital for meeting deadlines and maintaining productivity. Employers appreciate candidates who can prioritize tasks, manage workloads, and deliver high-quality results within set timeframes," she explains. "Highlighting time management skills shows that you can handle responsibilities efficiently and maintain a balance."

8 Emotional intelligence

Wehniainen says that if you possess high emotional intelligence , this is another quality worth highlighting both on your resume and in the interview phase.

"Emotional intelligence (EQ) involves understanding and managing your own emotions, as well as empathizing with others," she explains. "This skill is increasingly valued as it contributes to better teamwork, leadership, and conflict resolution. Demonstrating high EQ on your resume indicates that you can navigate interpersonal dynamics with ease and professionalism! People with strong EQ rise the ranks quickly, and employers value this as a soft skill today."

RELATED:  10 Resume Tips to Help Your CV Stand Out, Experts Say .

9 Public speaking

Highlighting your enthusiasm for public speaking will also help set you apart from the crowd. That's because "proficiency in presenting information clearly and confidently" is hard to come by, Winans says.

You can list this on your resume by highlighting past achievements in public speaking. Whether you led your office through professional development or spoke at an international conference, let your potential employer know that you can represent and lead within the organization with confidence and clarity of voice.

10 Anything specific to the position

The hiring experts agree that the most important skills you can include are those that are most pertinent to the job at hand. Take a close look at the listed job description and consider how many of the skills or qualities you possess. Then, tailor your resume to demonstrate that you're the best fit.

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Cirque du Soleil, Greek Festival, Pete Davidson and more happening this weekend

See a Maine State Ballet performance and get your fill of lobster rolls.

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We know that this weekend’s forecast for the next several days is a bit on the sketchy side, with some rain forecasted.

But will that stop us from getting out there and doing a whole bunch of stuff?

Absolutely not, because it’s still summer in Maine. Plus, we all know that if you want the weather to change here, you just need to give it a minute.

Portland Jazz Orchestra performing with Katie Oberholtzer at Congress Square Park. Photo by Christopher Andrew

Fingers crossed for tonight’s free performance in Congress Square Park from the Portland Jazz Orchestra. The music starts at 6 p.m.

See Portland Jazz Orchestra for free on Thursday

Kal Sugatski, left, and Katherine Liccardo laugh while pausing to remember the next segment of a song while playing their instruments on a forested shoreside trail on Mackworth Island for a portrait. Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer

Vigorous Tenderness immersive performance on Mackworth Island is Friday from 6-7:30 p.m. (Original date was today, change due to weather forecast). Advertisement

Concert series Vigorous Tenderness celebrates the change in seasons and classical music

There’s plenty to eat at the Greek Festival in Portland. Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer

Thankfully, the Greek Festival in Portland is beneath a gigantic tent. The festival started today and runs through Saturday. It’s also the first entry on our annual list of can’t-miss summer events .  The La Kermesse Franco-Americaine Festival also starts today and runs through Sunday.

Make it your best summer yet with these 17 events

Sole Pane’s brioche knot on the double burger from Kennebec Meat Co. Courtesy of Kennebec Meat Co.

If Greek food isn’t your thing, maybe a burger is. But not just any burger. The Kennebec Meat Co. in Bath makes a legendary one, and it’s only available on Saturdays.

This Bath butcher shop’s burger is worth planning your Saturday around

The lobster roll at Red’s Eats in Wiscasset. Brianna Soukup/Staff Photographer

Still not satisfied? We’ve got two words for you: Lobster rolls! Here are seven places to get a great one, including Red’s Eats in Wiscasset and the White Barn Inn in Kennebunk.

What do you look for in a lobster roll? Here are 7 of Maine’s best, for all different reasons

A scene from Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo show. Photo by Maja Prgomet

Let’s shift from food to Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo show at the Cross Insurance Arena in Portland. Performances start tonight and run through Sunday. Other weekend options include Pete Davidson Friday at Merrill Auditorium and “Dancer’s Choice” tonight and tomorrow at Maine State Ballet.

See Cirque du Soleil, Maine State Ballet and Pete Davidson, all this weekend

Lagers clink at Argenta Brewing. Photo by Amanda Bizzaro

Quench your thirst this weekend (or anytime) with a cold lager. We’ve got several ideas of where to enjoy one including Bissell Brothers, Argenta Brewery and Batson River. Cheers!

Lagers gain in popularity at Maine’s craft breweries. Here’s where to find them.

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Election latest: Another Tory under investigation over election bets - as Labour to return £100,000 in donations

A former Tory candidate who was dropped for betting on the date of the election has vowed to clear his name, as the Labour Party and more police officers also become embroiled in the escalating scandal.

Tuesday 25 June 2024 20:30, UK

• General Election 2024

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Election betting scandal

• Labour candidate suspended | Party to return donations
• Welsh Conservative under investigation
• Dropped Tory candidate vows to 'clear name'
• More police officers accused of betting on election date
• Jon Craig: This has exposed quite a sleazy side of politics
• Live reporting by Faith Ridler and (earlier)  Tim Baker
• Car crash outside PM's country house
• Four arrested in grounds of Sunak's constituency home
• Reform drops in new poll after Farage's Putin comments
• Starmer says children 'worried' about possible move into No 10

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• Read more:  Who is standing down? | Key seats to watch | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency is changing | Guide to election lingo | How to watch election on Sky News

There are seemingly three things on the minds of British people at the moment - the Euros, the election, and Taylor Swift.

But while the Royal Family have been quick to send their backing to England's footballers and catch the pop star's Eras shows at Wembley, they'll be keeping their distance from the politics.

That's despite the fact that, apart from the monarch, the royals are technically allowed to vote in UK general elections.

Sky News explains why they don't.

Rhun ap Iorwerth, the leader of Plaid Cymru, was also asked about a manifesto commitment to make it a criminal offence for elected politicians to knowingly mislead the public.

Former prime minister Boris Johnson was suspended from parliament for misleading the Commons - does Mr Iorwerth think he should go to prison?

He says legislation to "make it clear there are consequences if you are found to be purposefully deceptive" could be "part of the world of building trust in politicians and politics".

It's noted how difficult it would be to prove someone had purposefully deceived parliament.

Building that trust is a key focus for his party, he says.

"We believe this is important because one of the questions that I've been asked a lot during the course of this election campaign and MPs over the past year, is how do we build trust in politicians?"

That brings our coverage of tonight's Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge to an end, but the show returns tomorrow at 7pm. Stick with us for more news and analysis throughout the evening.

Sophy Ridge  asks about a report into Plaid Cymru, published before Rhun ap Iorwerth became leader, which found "a culture of harassment, bullying, and misogyny".

Has he cleaned up the party's act?

"It was a difficult time for us," Mr Iorwerth admits. "We commissioned this report on ourselves. 

"And, you know, there's a suggestion that other political parties may well benefit from doing the same themselves.

"But this was our moment."

Mr Iorwerth adds that Plaid Cymru has been "through a wake-up" and have "ticked off" all 82 recommendations the report made.

Russell George, a Conservative member of the Senedd, has stepped back from the Welsh shadow cabinet as he faces an investigation by the gambling watchdog over alleged bets on the timing of the general election.

Mr George represents Montgomeryshire in the Welsh parliament - the same area that Craig Williams, the Tory candidate who has had party support withdrawn as he faces similar allegations, represented at Westminster.

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said: "Russell George has informed me that he has received a letter from the Gambling Commission regarding bets on the timing of the general election.

"Russell George has stepped back from the Welsh Conservative shadow cabinet while these investigations are ongoing.

"All other members of the Welsh Conservative Group have confirmed that they have not placed any bets.

"I will not issue further comment on this ongoing process, recognising the Gambling Commission's instruction for confidentiality to protect the integrity of the process."

Joining  Sophy Ridge  tonight for the latest in her Leaders Interviews series is Rhun ap Iorwerth of Plaid Cymru.

She begins with her usual first question: Why should people vote for Plaid Cymru?

Mr Iorwerth says the reason to vote for his pro-independence party is "clearer than usual".

He adds: "We really need to make sure that the MPs we have really do speak up for Wales, which are guaranteed in Plaid Cymru. 

"But also we kind of know where this is going to end don't we? In terms of Downing Street. 

"Sir Keir Starmer will be the prime minister two weeks from now. We need to be holding him and his government to account for the people of Wales."

But Sophy points out that much of Plaid Cymru's manifesto is similar to that of Scottish Labour.

Mr Iorwerth disagrees, pointing to his party's desire to scrap the two-child benefit cap and reassess the country's relationship with the EU.

"We want to make sure that there's investment in Wales through the £4bn owed to us from the HS2 rail project in England, which Labour is flatly ignoring," he adds.

By Tom Cheshire , online campaign correspondent

There are two ways to reach voters online: pay for your adverts to end up in front of them - or produce content yourself that gets attention.

Throughout the election, we've been tracking the first of those. Labour have been the big digital spenders, with the Conservatives second, and then everyone else a very distant third.

But throwing money at it doesn't necessarily fix the attention problem. 

And some of those spending the least are getting the most interactions, with the Reform UK party doing by far the best.

Reform is also seeing the most page growth, with 32,000 new followers.

The Conservative Party by comparison has seen much slower growth, just 0.08%. 

That's only 596 more people clicking follow over the course of the election, speaking to a spluttering campaign.

Returning to the gambling scandal, former Tory MP Tim Loughton tells  Sophy Ridge  anyone involved "should have the book thrown at them, frankly just for them being pretty dumb".

"It just looks really, really stupid," he says. 

He explains that suspending anyone is effectively a death sentence for potentially innocent candidates standing in elections, and that Rishi Sunak waiting for an investigation before doing so wasn't a bad idea.

"It was right to look at it properly," he adds - but reiterates that it doesn't look good for anyone involved.

Tory peer Baroness Nicky Morgan is asked by  Sophy Ridge  if the campaigning is all but pointless - with the only Conservative aim to avoid Labour winning a so-called "supermajority". 

"In my book, you never give up until 10pm on polling night," she says, noting occasions where final votes on election night have made the difference.

"I don't think the British public would want a government to have a huge majority," she adds.

"I don't think it's good for democracy, for holding a government to account."

She concedes that after 14 years it "was always going to be a battle" to convince the public for a further five. 

On the recent gambling scandal, she says: "The more you're talking about things like betting, the less you're talking about the issues that people really want to hear about."

Four men have been arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass in the grounds of the prime minister's home, police have confirmed.

The incident took place at Rishi Sunak's constituency address in Kirby Sigston, North Yorkshire, while he was attending events linked to the Japanese state visit in London.

A statement from the local force said officers were "with the four men within one minute of them entering the grounds".

The arrests are connected to a protest by the Youth Demand campaign group, which has staged a number of actions against both the Conservative government's performance and Labour's proposed policies.

A spokesperson for the group said three of those arrested were taking part in the demonstration, while a fourth was an independent photographer.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "We have arrested four people in the grounds of the prime minister's constituency home this afternoon.

"Our officers were with the four men within one minute of them entering the grounds.

"They were detained at around 12.40pm before being escorted off the property and arrested on suspicion of aggravated trespass.

"The men aged 52 from London, 43 from Bolton, 21 from Manchester, and 20 from Chichester, remain in police custody for questioning and enquiries are ongoing."

Baroness Nicky Morgan, the former Tory education secretary, has said the time spent talking about the betting scandal is "frustrating" in the midst of a general election campaign.

The Conservatives today withdrew support for two candidates over informed betting on the date of the election, while Labour suspended a candidate for betting against himself.

Baroness Morgan told Sophy Ridge : "It's clearly been a very difficult couple of weeks, and I'm on record of having said I wished the prime minister had taken a decision sooner.

"I think the right decision has been taken today and I understand that Conservative HQ checked with the Gambling Commission before announcing to make sure that their action wasn't going to prejudice any investigations.

"Unfortunately these kinds of stories, because they are relatively simple to understand… people of course will internalise this and think 'Hang on a second, is this what I want to vote for?'.

"This is an election campaign, there are serious issues facing the country and facing the world.

"The time spent talking about these issues is frustrating for those, including the prime minister, who want to talk about the bigger issues."

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