You may demonstrate personal attributes that make you more appealing to companies while applying for employment and going through the recruitment and interview process. One strategy is to list unique skills that candidates rarely mention in their applications. Learning about different abilities and how to develop them can help you improve your employability. This article discusses 15 unique skills for your resume that will make you stand out.
What are Unique skills?
Unique skills are classified into two categories: soft and hard skills that job candidates rarely have or display during recruitment are referred to as unique skills. Complex competencies, such as the ability to utilize highly specialized software, are included in some industries. Cross-cultural competence is an example of an individual competency that can apply to many if not all, sectors and professions.
The following are some advantages to developing uncommon skills as a professional or job candidate:
#1. Aids in Attracting the Attention of Recruiters
Many candidates tailor their job applications to the job description provided by the company. Using the same terms and phrases to express responsibilities and talents is common. Although this strategy works for passing applicant monitoring tools, it may not make your CV appear unique to recruiters when reviewing job applications. Incorporating an uncommon skill related to the task indicates your thorough awareness of the industry.
#2. Enhances Your Job Performance
A diverse set of uncommon abilities may enable you to be more efficient and effective at work. You can help your team achieve common goals and complete tasks on schedule by utilizing skills that no colleague possesses. In some cases, your distinct qualities also enable you to portray yourself as informed and pursue professional progression within the organization.
#3. Enhances Your Adaptability
Many of the distinctive abilities you can develop are soft skills, which may aid in your swift adjustment to a new working setting. You may make shifting jobs or advancing your career less stressful by enhancing your adaptability. It also benefits your coworkers and supervisor because they will have to spend less time teaching you new processes and duties.
What Qualifications Should You Include on Your Resume?
Your CV is a potent marketing tool; utilize it to highlight your unique skills and match them to the specific employment requirements. While there is no one-size-fits-all method to choosing the right skills for your future employer, here are some pointers to make your application stand out:
#1. Customize for the Role
Analyze the job description thoroughly before tailoring your CV to each role. Use the same language to incorporate essential keywords and phrases such as “takes initiative” or “knowledge of InDesign” into your resume. This method enables recruiters to find critical qualifications that match their requirements quickly.
#2. Avoid Making Too Many Lists
Choose your abilities carefully and intentionally. There’s no need to provide basic skills like Microsoft Office if you’re looking for an advanced programming post (recruiters will presume you know this). Concentrate on relevant assets that bring demonstrable value to your desired role.
#3. Make a Well-Balanced Resume
While tailoring your CV to the job description is crucial, remember to make it stand out. Strike a balance between stressing your unique qualities and highlighting the talents recruiters seek.
#4. Improve your skills
Consider developing a separate skills section highlighting languages, software knowledge, and other qualities that need not be elaborated on. However, ensure that your experience section showcases your abilities by providing concrete examples of professional growth and successful efforts.
Examples of Skills for Resumes that Will Catch the Attention of Recruiters
The abilities that best describe you should be listed on your resume. Maintain honest descriptions rather than stretching the truth. But don’t be afraid to show off what makes you a perfect fit for the role.
We can assist you if you need help brainstorming. Check out these 13 eye-catching physical, soft, and hard skills:
Hard Skills
Hard talents are acquired abilities that are frequently technical or artistic. These are essential to include on a resume since they illustrate your ability to meet and exceed a position’s granular, day-to-day objectives.
If you’re seeking a UX career and have graphic design talents, including this information on your resume will alert a hiring manager that you have a great visual eye. Similarly, showing good editing abilities for a marketing career could be advantageous, as you’ll almost certainly be required to write catchy copy.
Here are a few complex abilities you might consider adding to your resume:
#1. Writing
Most jobs, especially those involving client relations, require great writing skills. Excellent command of style and language is worth emphasizing on your resume, whether you intend to create beautiful letters to customers or generate blurbs for social media.
You must advertise your writing abilities if you’re seeking a writing-forward position, such as SEO content generation. Include the type of material you’ve created, the magazines or firms with which you’ve collaborated, and any relevant metrics that illustrate the success of the content.
While a project manager should emphasize this expertise, anyone looking for a leadership or technical position should put it on their CV.
#2. Software Developer
They may spend most of their time coding but likely engage in Agile sprints or other project management processes. Knowledge of project management approaches is also an asset in various businesses and niches.
Aspiring data analysts should list their technical expertise. (You could even keep track of them in a spreadsheet.) Use search-browser-friendly terms for hiring managers seeking data analysis roles, such as SQL, data modeling, and business intelligence.
#3. Graphic Design
Anyone in a design-related field, such as marketers, content providers, and developers, should emphasize graphic design skills. If you’re applying for a design-related position, you may be more precise and highlight specific skills or abilities, such as the programs you’re adept in.
Language skills are a bonus—and often a necessity—in the age of remote employment. Many technology firms, for example, have multicultural teams. Speaking a second language that allows you to communicate more effectively with coworkers from other parts of the world makes you a more adaptable and empathetic candidate.
Soft Skills
Their soft skills define a person’s personality. Some social skills are innate, but others are acquired or perfected via professional and personal connections. Everyone communicates, but being an outstanding listener or public speaker takes practice.
Because some people possess different soft skills, they stand out as special skills for your resume. Some people are born leaders, while others enjoy collaborative work in groups. Most firms have a place for everyone’s soft skills, and many recruiters—93%, to be exact—want to see them.
Here are some in-demand soft skills to include on your resume:
#1. Communication
Can you actively listen well? Do you have the patience to guide uncomfortable discussions? Instead of merely claiming that communication is a strong suit, define briefly what makes your interpersonal abilities stand out.
#2. Problem-solving
In any job, conflict and barriers are unavoidable. It is an essential talent to be able to think critically about issues, create various solutions, and choose the best path ahead. Highlighting the skill implies that you can meet a challenge head-on, which is what employers want to hear.
#3. Leadership
Regardless of position or seniority, anyone in a workplace can be a leader. A leader is a team member who steps up because they have specific knowledge that can aid a project. A new employee who shows an even newer one the ropes is also a leader. This soft ability indicates to a recruiter that you can motivate, advise, and support people.
Highlight this talent and let your professional experience do the rest. Perhaps one of your previous work bullet points was that you “led a team of five developers to complete an app development project successfully” or “took the initiative to introduce an innovative planning method.” These anecdotes show leadership and support your talents section.
#4. Time Management
Time management is a vital resume skill because almost all employees require it. To mesh with a team, you must prioritize and schedule work and respect others’ expectations, whether coordinating a team project or ensuring you do your chores on time.
#5. Ability to operate in a team (and independently)
Hiring managers are interested in how you will fit into the team. List specific and relevant talents, such as conflict resolution and the capacity to conduct research, to demonstrate your ability to engage with others and take the lead on solo work.
#6. Adaptability
At work, you must change to meet changing project environments and avoid bottlenecks. List different jobs and initiatives you’ve been involved in to demonstrate—not explain—your capacity to do so. Customize the list to the job requirements; for example, if you’re seeking a development job, include some of the most out-of-the-box software you’ve worked on.
#7. Self-Motivation
Highlighting your ability to self-motivate shows hiring managers that you take the initiative to study and progress. Mention an instance where you taught yourself a new skill, competed for a promotion, or invented a unique working style.
#8. Customer Service Skills
Relating to customers is a communication ability only some possess; if you have it, show it out. Someone needs to conduct client-facing tasks, so let potential employers know if you excel at explaining concepts to others, selling products or services, or representing a firm successfully.
15 Unique Skills for Your Resume to Make You Stand Out
As with any resume talent, provide real-life examples to support your assertions. No worries if you lack professional experience; you can always use examples from your personal life, such as being the go-to problem-solver in your buddy group or taking the lead on a class project.
Let’s take a closer look at what each of these skills on this list means:
#1. Dispute Resolution
Even if your sector does not specialize in conflict resolution, it is an unavoidable element of any job in any workplace. Conflict resolution abilities are required for various occupations, including customer service and management.
Organizational conflict can limit productivity and create a challenging or hostile atmosphere. This results in unwelcome employee turnover or low morale. If you can negotiate and dissolve disagreements, you have marketable and distinctive skills to list on your CV.
#2. Problem-solving and Critical Thinking
Evaluating data, facts, ideas, and creative proposals requires critical thinking. One of the most sought-after talents companies look for in job candidates is the capacity to think critically. Employers, for example, identify this talent as a job need in a wide range of job listings. Critical thinking skills will be an in-demand resume-building asset, regardless of the position you seek.
#3. Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal or people skills generally explain how you communicate and connect with others. Also, interpersonal skills are one of the most essential characteristics recruiters use to evaluate prospects.
Regardless of your industry, most jobs demand regular, if not continual, interaction with others. While you may excel in the technical parts of your career, it is critical that you have solid people skills and can communicate effectively. A CV emphasizing strong interpersonal skills is a fantastic way to include distinctive skills.
#4. Teamwork
While it may appear simple, proving your ability to cooperate and participate in collaboration is vital because being a team player is usually required for any profession. It will depict you as an appealing candidate. This is especially crucial post-pandemic, as businesses seek employees who can collaborate successfully with others, even in a remote or hybrid setting.
Even if you execute most of your job obligations independently, you must consider your work in the context of the company’s more significant aims and mission. This includes communicating your accomplishments to coworkers and collaborating to achieve outstanding results. Highlight teamwork as one of your resume talents to demonstrate a distinct and valuable asset.
#5. Organizational Skills
Organizational skills are among a person’s most essential and transferable characteristics. They are a set of abilities that enable a worker to plan, prioritize, and attain his or her objectives. The organizing skills you wish to promote go beyond simple filing and sorting; how do you address an extensive to-do list? Furthermore, how can you ensure your task is performed on schedule and to a high standard?
The capacity to keep work structured allows employees to focus on diverse projects without becoming lost or overwhelmed, enhancing overall workplace productivity and efficiency. Hiring managers look for individuals who can keep their emails and desks organized and rapidly transition to a company’s organizational framework.
#6. Communication in Writing
This distinct expertise for a resume is the most important attribute employers seek in newly graduating students. Written communication is becoming increasingly crucial, no matter where you are in your profession, as communications switch from in-person meetings to online via messaging and emails. Written communication skills enable individuals to perform more effectively in a remote environment and to communicate with clients and coworkers. What boss wouldn’t want that?
#7. Bias Against Action
Managers dislike having to micromanage their teams. Having a solid predisposition for action means you are confident in making the proper decisions that correspond with your organization and position without consulting a higher-up at every step. You don’t have to be a manager to take responsibility for your responsibilities and get things done. Don’t wait for someone else to point it out to you.
#8. Knowledge of Digital Technology
Technology skills are more vital than ever in an increasingly digital workforce. An employer would prefer to recruit someone who knows how to manage their emails, spreadsheets, and internal software efficiently than someone who takes twice as long.
Unfortunately, the high demand for tech-savvy employees may result in age discrimination in the employment process. Having a documented track record of this in-demand distinctive expertise on a CV, on the other hand, will provide you with an advantage.
#9. Self-Motivation
Do you ask your manager if there is anything else you can do after you’ve completed your regular responsibilities? Do you look for methods to innovate and improve the way you do your job? Employers appreciate highly engaged and driven employees that go above and beyond. Self-motivation demonstrates your willingness to exceed the status quo and other applicants.
#10. Integrity and Honesty
Those who admit their mistakes and never lie about taking a sick day will receive bonus points for honesty. Dishonest personnel will eventually lose their management’s trust, resulting in their being passed over for promotions and possibly being fired. This unique resume talent is also an excellent conversation starter in an interview because recruiters will want to know what you mean by it and how you can demonstrate it.
#11. Adaptability and Adaptability
Flexibility and adaptability are critical in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing workplace. These may be among the most important distinguishing characteristics required in a post-pandemic environment.
Employers understand that putting you in a new role or expecting you to learn something new will put your talents to the test. They want personnel who can think on their feet and alter course swiftly if an unexpected situation arises. As a result, these talents have become some of the most vital for a CV in recent years.
#12. Creativity
Whatever talents you put on your resume, having some originality can make you stand out to recruiters and demonstrate that you’re an employee who takes initiative and thinks beyond the box. Employers appreciate individuals with unique ideas who are quick to attempt new things, especially in a new environment. If you can demonstrate your creative abilities, they will gladly recruit you!
#13. Speaking in Public
This unique skill for a CV is frequently ignored, yet it is crucial, especially in customer-facing professions. You’ll impress potential employers if you demonstrate your ability to clearly and successfully explain your thoughts in front of a group. After all, only some feel at ease speaking in front of a vast audience.
#14. Data Examination
Evaluating and comprehending data is a valuable ability in today’s data-driven environment. Employers want individuals who can transform raw data into valuable insights. You will be a tremendous asset to any firm if you can do this.
#15. Project Administration
Managing a project requires organizational, time management, and communication abilities. Employers will want to recruit you if you can demonstrate your ability to handle numerous responsibilities efficiently while keeping everyone on board with the project’s goals.
These are a few distinctive CV abilities that might help you stand out. They may appear generic, but remember that your unique spin on these skills will eventually attract potential employers. Furthermore, employees often lack these fundamental characteristics, making them more valuable than ever. So, if you’re looking for work, work on developing these talents and including them on your resume.
What are exclusive skills?
Exclusive skills are one-of-a-kind special abilities that each partner (gold and up) has in addition to their usual skill. When activated or unlocked, a partner’s exclusive skill can be swapped for their standard skill at any time, and vice versa.
Should you list skills on a resume?
Listing up to ten skills in your skills section is a good idea, but you can weave extra related skills throughout your resume in the overview and experience sections.
Conclusion
Know that how you report your skills for a job can impact how far you move in the hiring process as you carefully design a resume targeted for the post you’re applying for. If you want your resume to indicate that you have what it takes to get an interview, highlight your job skills.
The talents on your CV can set you apart from the competition and help you land the job you want. If a hiring panel chooses to offer you the job, your resume’s skills section might significantly impact the salary they decide upon.
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