Problem Solving Skills: More Than a Resume Buzzword

Problem solving skills: you've probably heard this term tossed around in career advice articles. It seems to be the golden phrase everyone is encouraging job seekers to sprinkle on their resumes. But what does it truly mean?

Buzzwords have a habit of making things sound important without letting us know what they really stand for. They can make our resumes look fantastic, but they can also confuse both job seeker and employer if not properly understood or implemented.

"Problem solving skills" is one such resume buzzwords that deserves our attention.

These are some of the hottest skills to put on your resume . Why? Because they encompass a range of abilities used to identify, analyze and find solutions to problems efficiently. They're skills that are highly transferable and can be applied to almost any job role, in any industry.

So, let's set the buzzword aside. It's time we delve deeper into what problem solving skills are, why they are important and, most importantly, how you can articulate them effectively on your resume.

What are problem solving skills?

Problem solving skills, by definition, refer to:

• Your ability to understand a complex situation or issue.
• How you can identify potential solutions.
• Your capacity to implement the most suitable solution effectively.

These skills typically include:

• Analytical thinking: Ability to systematically study a problem, break it down into manageable parts, study various factors, and understand how they interact with one another.
• Critical thinking: The capability to evaluate situations objectively, considering different perspectives and taking into account all relevant information.
• Creativity: Your knack for thinking out of the box, coming up with innovative solutions, and adopting new approaches when existing ones aren't working.
• Decision-making: Relates to your ability to choose the best course of action from multiple options.
• Collaborative skills: Ability to work well with others, particularly when problem-solving requires a team effort.

Now, why do employers like to see these skills on a resume ?

• They display your ability to handle pressure and obstacles in a professional context.
• Problem-solving skills are transferable skills . Whether you're an engineer, a marketer, or a teacher, you'll find these skills beneficial.
• Employers value employees who can troubleshoot issues on their own, reducing the load on management and contributing to smoother operations.
• It shows initiative, proactivity, and a positive approach to challenges. So, it's no surprise that "problem solving skills" is an in-demand keyword on many job descriptions.

Moreover, problem-solving skills can be a game-changer in dynamic workplaces where unpredictability is the name of the game. Your ability to navigate through complexity, find feasible solutions and execute them effectively makes you an asset in any team or project. It establishes you as a reliable figure, capable of handling unexpected situations with calm and efficiency.

Even more importantly, these skills are not confined to your professional life. They can play an influential role in personal decision making and daily life management. From planning a budget, managing a personal project, to settling a dispute, problem-solving skills come into play in myriad ways.

Common misconceptions about problem solving skills

As I’ve already mentioned, problem solving skills are often misunderstood. Now that we’ve discussed what problem solving skills are, let’s take a look at what they are not.

Misconception #1: “Problem solving skills are just a buzzword”

Many might perceive "problem solving skills" as a fancy term to stuff their resume with, without fully understanding its implications. However, it's so much more than a buzzword. It's a multilayered skill set valued by employers across all sectors.

Misconception #2: “These skills are exclusive to certain roles”

Not true. While some jobs might require these skills more explicitly, it's a universally applicable set of abilities. Whether you're in finance , human resources , marketing , or customer service , problem-solving skills are equally crucial.

Misconception #3: “Problem solving skills are innate and can't be developed”

Many people believe problem solving is a natural talent that can't be acquired. In reality, these skills can be honed and improved with practice and experience.

Misconception #4: “They revolve around individual effort”

While your individual skills play an essential role, problem solving often involves teamwork. Collaborative problem-solving can bring in different perspectives and result in more effective solutions.

Misconception #5: “Problem solving skills are just common sense”

Some people may undervalue problem-solving skills, treating them as common sense. But they're a structured approach to tackling issues, encompassing more complex processes than just intuition.

Clearing these misconceptions is crucial. Without an accurate understanding of what problem-solving skills are and their role in your career, you can't effectively develop them or demonstrate them on your resume. And trust me, you do want them on your resume, but for all the right reasons.

How to developer your problem-solving skills

Just like any other proficiency, you can nurture and sharpen your problem-solving skills. Without delving too deep into each skill, here are some common activities you can practice in order to develop them:

1. Analytical thinking: Practice solving puzzles and brain teasers. They are great tools to warm up your analytical thinking muscles.
2. Critical thinking: Try to explore different perspectives of the same issue. Ask yourself, "What’s another way to look at this?"
3. Creativity: Regularly engage in creative activities like painting, writing, or even cooking. This will encourage innovative thinking.
4. Decision making: Make pro and con lists when you encounter choices in life. This can help you weigh different options and gradually improve your decision-making abilities.
5. Collaboration: In team settings, actively participate in group discussions and brainstorming sessions. This will enhance your ability to collaborate and work as part of a team.

Applying problem-solving skills in real life

Whether professionally or personally, you encounter problems every day. It could be as simple as figuring out the fastest commute route or as complex as handling a difficult client at work.

Each of these everyday situations is an opportunity to deploy your problem-solving skills. By doing so consciously and consistently, you'll start seeing a significant improvement in your ability to handle challenges.

Remember, developing problem-solving skills is not an overnight process. It requires time, conscious effort, and practice. But as you start to better manage issues and make effective decisions, you'll notice the worth of every effort you've put in.

Articulating problem-solving skills on a resume

Knowing how to handle problems is one thing. Effectively communicating that on a resume is another. Let me give you a few quick strategies on how you can do just that:

Always highlight experiences and accomplishments, not responsibilities

Your past experiences are gold mines for revealing your problem-solving abilities. When stating these, try to:

• Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Describe a problem you faced (Situation), your responsibilities in that context (Task), the steps you took to resolve it (Action), and the achieved results (Result).
• Incorporate quantifiable results wherever possible. For instance, "solved a delivery issue that improved customer satisfaction by 20%".

Using the right language and keywords

Your choice of words can significantly impact the impression you make. Try to:

• Use action verbs like "resolved", "engineered", "troubleshooted", "negotiated", "analyzed", "formulated" that convey a sense of problem-solving ability.
• Include specific problem-solving skills like "analytical thinking", "creative problem-solving", "decision making", "critical thinking", "collaboration".

Examples of how to articulate problem-solving skills on a resume

But at the end of the day, one example is often worth more than ten pages of theory. Here are three quick examples of how you can articulate problem-solving skills effectively on a resume:

• Analyzed customer complaints, identified a recurring issue, implemented a new customer service protocol, reducing complaints by 30%.
• Collaborated with a team to brainstorm a marketing challenge, proposed creative solutions, which led to a 15% increase in marketing conversions.
• Formulated a new inventory management strategy that reduced supply chain problems, leading to a 20% reduction in costs.

Remember, problem-solving skills have high relevance in every job role. By effectively showcasing these skills on your resume, you're proving to potential employers that you're not just repeating buzzwords, but truly understand and possess these essential capabilities.

Wrapping up the problem-solving journey

To wrap it up, problem-solving skills are far from being just a resume buzzword. They're a fundamental set of capabilities that employers truly value.

These skills go beyond addressing job-related issues. They pave the way for successful decision making in both professional and personal contexts.

As we've discussed, these abilities can be developed and honed. And once you have them, articulating them effectively on your resume can give you a significant edge.

So, here's to embracing challenges, finding solutions, and, most importantly, constantly improving! Equip yourself with these skills and articulate them with confidence. Trust me, your resume will thank you, and so will your career.