what are my skills?

There is always a bit of confusion when it comes to the skills section of a resume. Should you include one? What should you list if you do? Your resume is pretty much all about showing off the skills that you've acquired through your experiences, so how do you know what goes where?

Generally, it is a good idea to include a skills sections. It rounds out the resume and gives it a nice conclusion. BUT it is important to make sure you're including the right types of skills...

One common mistake is to list everything that you're good at under the skills section, including things like multi-tasking, listening, problem-solving, etc. While those are important skills to have and demonstrate, if your resume is done correctly, those skills, which we call soft skills will be demonstrated throughout your accomplishment statements (see page 6 of "Job and Internship Resource Guide").

What you want to include in your skills section is what we call transferable skills or hard skills. These are  specific skill sets that you have learned and can apply elsewhere. These include, computer software programs (examples: Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint), language abilities, any licenses you have (CPR, First Aid training, lifeguard, etc.), other program abilities (restaurant POS systems). Basically, distinct skills that you have acquired through your experiences.

It is also important to include your level of proficiency in each of your skills. The language that we typically use is proficient, intermediate or basic, but this can vary for specific skills. For example, with languages you would use terms like bilingual, fluent, conversational, or basic written and/or spoken level.

I hope this clears things up a bit, but if you still have questions, brainstorm what you think might be appropriate skills and bring in your resume to get checked out during drop in hours!

-Allison