College Search
Advanced Search Options

Search your needs below, and view information about the schools that meet those needs by clicking "Search."

Step 1: Select Subject Area(s)
Step 2: Select Program(s) that Interest You
Complete step 1 before selecting a program.
Step 3: Select Location
Complete steps 1 and 2 before selecting a location.
 Step 4: Select Degree Level
0
Graduate Schools match your criteria
Search
Advanced Search Options

Use the criteria listed below to find colleges that are right for you. Click "Search" to view your results.

Step 1: Select Subject Area(s)
Step 2: Select Majors(s) that Interest You
Complete step 1 before selecting a major.
Step 3: Select Degree Level
0
Schools match your criteria
Search
feedback

Career Planning: Resume Writing- Skills Matter

 

 

 

 

For a recent graduate or a student continuing your education, you may find that utilizing a skills section of your resume can be a useful tool to supplement a less than abundant professional work history. Admissions directors and potential employers will use this short section to better understand that you have the right skills to exceed the basic standards of the college program or job you are applying to.

Since the lessons you learn throughout your academic and professional career may not always be quantifiable or related to a particular job or task, listing these skills in your resume is a great way to address them in an understandable and succinct manner.

Tips for crafting a skills section
How fast can you type? Are you adept at frequently used software programs? What technical or vocational abilities do you have? What other career related skills are you talented in? Answering these questions will give you a better idea of how to build your skills section in 4-6 bullet points to boost the overall content of your resume.

Remember, while employers particularly may want to know that you have a basic understanding of computer programs, try not to limit yourself to one category of skills and above all, be specific. Listing general skills will seem as if you copied a standard list, while covering a few categories of skills with specificity will make your resume pop.

What skills are important?
Always list skills that will help a college admissions director or employer better understand how you will perform in a college or work environment. Keep in mind to list skills that show how you well you can: 

  • Accomplish a particular task or job (i.e.: How fast you type)
  • Work in a specific field or industry (i.e.: HTML experience)
  • Adapt yourself to any environment (i.e.: Your personality traits or communication style) 


Example:

  • Types 40+ WPM
  • Beginner knowledge of HTML and Web Design
  • Takes on multiple responsibilities with ease
  • Advanced Spanish language speaking skills


By using a basic bulleted format above and including specific information about the unique skills you can offer a college or employer, you should be able to improve the content of your resume. However, if you need more help to write an effective skills section, use a professional resume writing service like ResumeEdge to ensure that your resume stands out in the crowd.

Want to read more? 
Look at these other articles on how to write a resume:



ResumeEdge - resume writing service

 

All Career Planning Info

Military Officer Candidate Test Prep

Peterson's has recently contracted with the U.S. Department of Defense to provide every branch of the military and their families with a wide range of...

postal-exam-prep-book

Postal Exam Practice Test

The United States Postal Service offers many career opportunities. Whether you want to be a clerk, carrier, technician, or information specialist there's a job for...

Firefighter Exam Practice Test

Firefighters work every day to protect the public in emergency situations. To qualify, you must first pass a written Firefighter Exam, in addition to medical and...

NCLEX Practice Test

The NCLEX is your gateway to a career in nursing — once you pass, you get your license and you're on your way! Whether you're preparing for the RN or PN exam, we'll...

Online Academic Skills Course

Peterson's Online Academic Skills Course helps you advance your career by building your math and verbal skills. You start by taking pre-tests which measure your...

Law Enforcement Test Practice

Across the country, there are many career opportunities in law enforcement. Qualifying tests are part of the application process for most positions. Make sure you're...

Military Officer Candidate Test Prep

Peterson's has recently contracted with the U.S. Department of Defense to provide every branch of the military and their families with a wide range of...

Career Planning

These days, students come from all walks of life and enter college for a variety of reasons, and with a variety of expectations. Many of these students are acutely...

Real Estate Exam Practice Test

As a licensed real estate agent, broker, or appraiser, you have the opportunity to embark on a lucrative and rewarding career path. While each state administers...

ASVAB Practice Test

Looking for some direction? The ASVAB, a 3-hour career-placement test, is best known for its use in the military recruitment process. But even if you don’t plan...

Career Planning: How to Write a Resume- Activities

Provided by our partner ResumeEdge- the leading student resume writing services resourceActivities including clubs, membership organizations, hobbies, and interests...

Why Career Planning Now Often Includes a Focus on Green Jobs

Today, it seems as though everywhere you turn, all you see and hear is "green." Eat organically grown food. Use only low- or no-VOC paint. (What's VOC?) Trade in...

Career Planning: How to Write a Resume- Honors, Awards, and Accomplishments

Provided by our partner ResumeEdge -the leading student resume writing services resource In a competitive academic and job market, many students or recent grads...

Career Planning: How to Write a Resume- Education Information

Provided by our partner ResumeEdge -the leading student resume writing services resource As a recent graduate or a student continuing your education, academic...

Job Announcements are Important to Your Civil Service Career Planning

If your career planning involves exploring civil service jobs, you will need to understand and interpret job announcements in order to find opportunities for the...

Taking ASVAB Prepares You for Career Planning or Military Enlistment

If you're not sure what kind of career planning or career options you'd like to pursue, you may want to consider taking the ASVAB to get a sense of the occupations...

Graphic Design Career Planning

Have you ever been seduced into buying something by a wildly creative ad — or at least been tempted to try it out? How many of the choices you make when shopping...

Career Planning for a Fashion Design Position

If you're one of those people who haunts the retail clothing stores, has a closet bursting with the latest styles, and who can't resist offering wardrobe advice,...

Ask the Experts: Career Planning

Read actual questions from students about career planning and see answers and advice from college planning and admissions experts

ASVAB Course

Do you need to improve your ASVAB AFQT score so that you can enter the military or get promoted? Peterson's Online Course for the ASVAB gives you the most highly...

Career Planning: How to Write a Resume - Avoiding the Top 10 Pitfalls of Resume Writing

Provided by our partner ResumeEdge -the leading student resume writing services resourceCreating a succinct and attractive resume that contains well-prioritized...

Civil Service Practice Test

The civil service sector offers rewarding jobs, not to mention great benefits. To qualify, you must first prepare for and pass the tests related to your chosen field,...


Career Planning: How to Write a Resume- Overview

A well-written resume is an integral component to both the job search and admission application packet. However, resume writing can be intimidating especially if...

Career Planning: Qualifications and Requirements for Civil Service Jobs

If your career path may include a civil service job or government position, it's important to understand the typical qualifications and requirements for the wide...

Career Planning: How to Write a Resume- Work History

Provided by our partner ResumeEdge -the leading student resume writing services resource Job responsibilities are the daily tasks that you do in a job or during...

Survey
Help us improve Petersons.com
Take our brief survey!
Share this Page
Featured Colleges
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California, or USC, is located in a neighborhood ...
San Diego State University
With some of the finest weather in the country and pastimes suited to that ...
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley is one of the most revered and ...
Colorado Technical University Colorado Springs
Accounting: All businesses have Accounting professionals that keep them on ...