Employers look for people with specific skills. If you can write code, manage a project, or sell, you have a specific marketable skill. That’s obvious. What isn’t as obvious is the need to make the link in your résumé between the claimed skill and a clear example of using that skill. Here is how it is done. The story supports the claim.
If your résumé includes a skills summary section, it probably lists a dozen or so things that you know how to do. This gives recruiters a quick summary of what you have to offer, and most résumés should have this section. Your challenge is to tell a brief story further down in the experience section to explain how you have used the skill. The following are three examples.
Skill: Advanced MS Excel
Example: Created complex Excel workbook using macros and pivot tables to capture and calculate inventory values for over 2,500 unique items.
Skill: Project Management
Example: Served as project manager for $1.5 million, six-month safety improvement effort that included installation of new equipment and life-protection systems.
Skill: Writing
Example: Authored more than 100 individual articles over 18 months and generated over 1,000 visits daily to company blog site.
Use these examples to tell your own stories. Remember, if you cannot give examples of skills used, you probably aren’t very good at them (at least that’s what the recruiters will think). Specific stories of skills used add credibility. Review your résumé, read every skill claim, and ensure that you have at least one story for each to make your document more powerful and believable.
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