I’ve heard people say so often that a skills-based resume doesn’t work. From this I can only assume that they just don’t know how to put one together correctly, because A well-written, skills-based resume is powerful, generates interest, and gets you into the interview.
So what is the difference between one that works and one that doesn’t?
The difference is if you simply write a list of skills that you hope the reader will accept that you have, or if you use short sentences to show that you have the skill.
You may have a line on your resume that says:
– organized, hardworking, excellent communication skills, computer proficiency
This proves nothing except that you have read the ad and are regurgitating the information on paper!
If my resume says that I have excellent computer skills, why should anyone believe me? Especially since in “Education and training” you will not find anything related to learning computers!
You will believe me if I can tell stories that show that I have the ability I claim.
So here is how to do it.
First, look carefully at the job description. – or find out everything you can about the job. What are they looking for exactly?
Let’s say you are viewing a job advertisement that only says “excellent computer skills.” This is pretty vague and you don’t know what software they need you to know, but it’s a pretty safe bet that Microsoft Office is required.
Next, think about stories, true stories from your life. – can be as long as you like at the moment – stories that describe your mastery of computers. What have you done with computers? What projects? In what software did you take courses, teach yourself, and what did you use this information for after learning it?
I am self taught so this makes it more difficult to show that I know what I say to know. However, I have used the computer for almost 20 years and this gives me a wealth of stories to draw from.
This is my story:
One of the first things I did once I learned to use a word processor (it was Word Perfect 5.1, for those of you who were in the “old days”) was the commitment to create a newsletter for a social group of which I was member. So my only line might look like this:
– Created and produced a 12-page monthly newsletter, using various advanced formatting features
I am also a handwriting analyst and as such I provide written or verbal consultation reports to clients. When I was at home with my kids, this was a VERY part-time occupation, but the computer skills I used are still valid.
– Created and formatted 4-page structured reports for clients, responsible for grammar, spelling, layout and content.
Are you getting the idea?
Everything I say is the absolute truth, but I am drafting it in commercial terms, and instead of just saying that I know how to use Word, I have I have given you 2 concrete examples of what I have done with the program.
This is the foundation of the skills-based resume.
If you look back at my story on handwriting analysis, I did mention to you that I did written or verbal reports. There will probably be a section on my skills-based resume, no matter what job I’m applying for, titled “Communication skills.” After all, what job wouldn’t be easier if its owner had good communication skills? So can you guess what will appear in this section of my resume?
– Discussed sometimes sensitive report results with clients, using brevity, clarity and tact.
Now I guess most of you are not handwriting analysts! But they all have something going for them. You all do a lot of things. Take a little thing that you felt you did or did well, and try creating a single line from it.
If you’re feeling modest and you think it makes you look too great, don’t worry, this is normal. Try to think of the action or skill as belonging to someone if not, say your best friend. If possible, think of someone else who will actually do the same. Later describe it in a single line describing it for your resume, without inhibitions or thinking about yourself. Then take an objective look at what you wrote and ask yourself if this could in all honesty describe you as well. The answer is probably yes. “
Writing a skills-based resume does not include any deception. It involves describing your skills in business terms, which, unless you have the skills in business, is probably a way you haven’t looked at them previously.
Give it a try.
This, of course, is just the beginning. You have to understand how to put together the whole resume, but for now, get to work on those powerful phrases that can get you the job you’re qualified for.
