What are some of the most highly valued hard skills for resumes?
In today's highly competitive job market, crafting a standout resume is essential to secure your dream job.
While many job seekers tend to focus on aspects such as education and work experience, it's crucial not to overlook the significance of hard skills on a resume.
Hard skills, also known as technical or job-specific skills, are specialized abilities gained through education, training, and experience, which are directly relevant to a particular job role or industry.
A recent study conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) found that a staggering 67.5% of employers consider technical skills as one of the important factors when evaluating a candidate’s resume.
This emphasizes the critical role that hard skills play in today's job market. Employers not only seek candidates who possess the required hard skills but also those who can effectively demonstrate proficiency in utilizing them.
Additionally, 75% of employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan resumes for keywords to filter them, which makes it all the more important to include hard skills on your resume.
In the guide, we will delve into how to effectively showcase them on your resume and maximize their impact to enhance your job prospects. So, let's dive in and master the art of highlighting hard skills on your resume!
- What are hard skills and why are they important?
- What are some examples of hard skills?
- What are some hard skills for a customer service resume?
- How to showcase hard skills on a resume?
What are Hard Skills for Resumes and Why are They Important?
Hard skills also are technical or specialized skills that are acquired through education, training, and experience.
These skills are directly relevant to a particular job or industry and can be objectively measured. Some examples of hard skills include programming, data analysis, project management, accounting, and graphic design, among others.
The importance of hard skills cannot be stressed enough for job seekers, as they demonstrate proficiency and competence in a specific field.
They serve as a solid foundation for performing job-related tasks effectively and efficiently, and most employers often use hard skills as a key criterion for shortlisting candidates for interviews and making hiring decisions.
Additionally, job seekers who possess the required hard skills for a specific job have a higher likelihood of being shortlisted for interviews and ultimately securing the job.
Thus, investing in developing new hard skills or enhancing existing ones can lead to career advancement opportunities, higher salaries, and increased job security.
Furthermore, possessing the necessary hard skills can also boost your confidence and job performance. When you are proficient in using specific tools, software, or techniques, it sets you apart as a capable professional in your field and equips you to handle the tasks and responsibilities that come with the job.
Also Read: What skills should you list in your resume in 2023?
Industry-specific Hard Skills for Resume
To give you more clarity, given below are some industry-specific examples of job-winning hard skills for a resume:
Hard Skills for Accounting Resume Examples
| GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) knowledge | Financial statement preparation |
| Budgeting & forecasting | Auditing & risk management |
| Tax preparation & filing | Financial analysis |
| Accounts receivable & payable management | Cost accounting |
| Internal controls and compliance | Payroll processing |
| ERP software proficiency (e.g., SAP, Oracle) | QuickBooks or other accounting software proficiency |
| Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, etc.) | Financial reporting |
| Cash flow management | Inventory management |
Examples of Hard Skills for Nursing Resume
| Patient assessment and monitoring | Medication administration |
| IV therapy | Wound care |
| Patient education | Electronic health records (EHR) proficiency |
| Infection control | Care planning and documentation |
| CPR & basic life support (BLS) | Patient advocacy |
| Geriatric care | Pediatric care |
| Obstetric care | Oncology care |
| Trauma care | Rehabilitation therapy |
Examples of Hard Skills for Marketing Resume
| Digital marketing (SEO, SEM, email marketing, etc.) | Content creation & management |
| Market research and analysis | Marketing campaign planning and execution |
| Branding and brand management | Google Analytics or other web analytics tools proficiency |
| Social media advertising and targeting | Copywriting & copyediting |
| Graphic design | Video editing |
| Marketing automation | Public relations |
| Event planning and management | CRM software proficiency |
| A/B testing and data analysis | Product launches and promotions |
Examples of Hard Skills for Customer Service Resume
| Call handling & phone etiquette | CRM software proficiency |
| Complaint handling and resolution | Product/service knowledge |
| Multilingual communication skills | Data entry & management |
| Conflict resolution | Upselling and cross-selling |
| Time management | Email management |
| Social media management | Salesforce, Zendesk, or other customer service software proficiency |
| Knowledge of service level agreements (SLAs) | Technical troubleshooting skills |
| Order processing & tracking | Knowledge of customer service metrics & KPIs |
Examples of Hard Skills for Teacher Resume
| Curriculum development | Lesson planning and preparation |
| Classroom management | Differentiated instruction |
| Assessment and evaluation | Special education or ESL expertise |
| Technology integration in teaching | Pedagogical approaches (e.g., Montessori) |
| Classroom technology proficiency (e.g., SmartBoard, Google Classroom, etc.) | Behavior management |
| Parent-teacher communication | Educational research and data analysis |
| Assessment of learning outcomes | Instructional materials creation |
| Learning management systems (LMS) proficiency | Knowledge of state or national curriculum standards |
Examples of Hard Skills for Retail Resumes
| Point of sale (POS) system proficiency | Cash handling and register management |
| Merchandising and product display | Inventory management |
| Customer service and sales | Visual merchandising |
| Loss prevention and security procedures | Store operations and administration |
| Retail math and pricing | Product knowledge and training |
| Sales forecasting | Store layout and organization |
| Vendor management | Order fulfillment and shipping |
| Team leadership and supervision | Product return and exchange procedures |
Examples of Hard Skills for Finance Resume
| Financial analysis and reporting | Financial modeling |
| Investment analysis | Risk management |
| Budgeting and forecasting | Cash flow management |
| Financial statement analysis | Financial planning and strategy |
| Tax planning and compliance | Corporate finance |
| Capital budgeting | Business valuation |
| Merger and acquisition analysis | Financial software proficiency |
| Auditing and compliance | Financial regulations |
Also Read: What are some in-demand software skills to include in a resume?
Tips for Showcasing Hard Skills on Resume
Here are some tips that will help you showcase hard skills on your resume effectively:
- Tailor your resume to highlight relevant hard skills by analyzing the job description
- Create a dedicated skills section in your resume to enhance readability and give it a professional look
- Use action verbs to describe your hard skills in the professional experience section and provide examples of how you have applied your hard skills in previous roles
- Quantify your achievements related to hard skills to increase the impact on recruiters
- Include specific software, tools, or certifications related to your hard skills
- Use industry-specific jargon or keywords to highlight your expertise and rank high in the Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) used by recruiters to filter resumes
- Keep your hard skills updated and relevant to the job you are applying for and highlight any specialized training or courses that you’ve undertaken to acquire the hard skills
- Be honest about your hard skills and avoid exaggeration
Also Read: What are the most in-demand technical skills of 2023?
Conclusion
In conclusion, emphasizing your hard skills on your resume can greatly impact your job application process. By carefully tailoring your resume to highlight relevant hard skills, using action verbs, quantifying your achievements, and incorporating industry-specific jargon, you can effectively convey your expertise to potential employers.
Keeping your hard skills up-to-date and relevant, and being truthful about your abilities are key factors to consider. A well-crafted resume that showcases your hard skills can set you apart from the competition and increase your chances of securing your desired job.
Therefore, take the time to identify and highlight your hard skills in a compelling manner, and witness how they can positively influence your job search.
Want to make a stellar resume that effectively showcases your hard skills? Use Hiration’s ChatGPT powered resume builder with 24x7 chat support. If you have any queries, you can write to us at support@hiration.com.
