What Skills Should I Include On My Resume?

One time, I saw this on a resume:

Now, this resume has been changed for anonymity, but this stuffed-skills-section is a great example of one of the many resumes I've seen.

In this edition of our Career Warrior Newsletter, I wanted to answer an incredibly popular question from job seekers: "What Skills Should I List on My Resume?"

By the way, here's that play button if you like podcasts and would rather hear me explain it differently:

The Problem With Too Many Skills

If you're like many job seekers, you probably think that listing every single skill you have on your resume is the way to go. I mean, you want to show potential employers that you're capable of doing everything, right?

I hate to break it to you, but that's not the best approach. In fact, it can hurt your chances of getting the job you want.

Now, I know what you're thinking.

"But Chris, why wouldn't I want to show off all of my skills? It took me years to develop them!" I get it, I really do.

But the truth is, listing every single skill you have is kind of like watching a 30-minute movie trailer. It's just too much.

You'd probably rather get hooked with an exciting, 2-minute trailer, because 30 minutes is too-much-too-soon when you're browsing Netflix with a lot on your mind.

(For the record, I've never actually seen a 30-minute movie trailer. But I really like movies, and I felt like the analogy worked well).

Less is More

Think about it this way. When you're applying for a job, you're essentially trying to sell yourself to the employer. And just like in any other sales situation, less is more.

In my podcast interview with Art Markman , Author and Vice Provost of Academic Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin, he spoke about some of the psychology behind the recruiting.

Markman mentions that when people read your resume, they are actually averaging (not ADDING up) the content to make a judgement on whether or not to bring you into the interview.

So if that skill that is less relevant for the position...it can bring your "average" down.

Put another way: if you try to cram every single skill you have into your resume, you're going to overwhelm the employer and make it difficult for them to see what really sets you apart.

Focus on Targeted Skills

So, what should you do instead?

Well, it's simple. You need to focus on a few targeted skills that are most relevant to the job you're applying for. Think of it like a highlight reel of your abilities. Just like a basketball player wouldn't show a team their entire career history, you shouldn't show a potential employer every skill you have.

Now, I know this can be tough for some people.

We all want to feel like we're capable of doing everything, right? But the reality is, we're not great at everything. And that's okay!

And as Seneca famously said, "To be everywhere is to be nowhere."

So Which Skills Do I Actually Focus On?

So, what should you do if you're struggling to decide which skills to emphasize? When I asked John Sturtevant , Let's Eat, Grandma Director of Operations, how to think about including skills, his answer was simple and easy to memorize.

When deciding which skills to include, focus on the 3 R's:

Recent, relevant, and required.

Recent

I won't spend too much time on this one, but case and point: if you learned the skill in 1983 and haven't applied it in decades, please skip the skill. (And, no, I don't recommend including certifications that have expired on your resume!)

Relevant

When you're putting together your resume, you need to have a laser focus on the job you're aiming for. (I'm talking laser pointer in a cat video kind of focus). That means making sure every skill you list on your resume is directly related to the job description. So, even if you've got a solid resume, take a close look at the job description and tweak your resume accordingly. It might take a little extra effort, but trust me - it'll be worth it in the end.

• What are the key skills that the employer is looking for?
• Which of your skills are most relevant to those requirements?

Emphasizing a few targeted skills on your resume doesn't mean you're not good at other things. It just means you're strategically highlighting the things that make you the best fit for the job.

And let's be honest, sometimes it's just not worth it to list every single skill you have. Do you really want to take up valuable real estate on your resume talking about your ability to knit when you're applying for a marketing job? Probably not.

Required

The word "required" is one that often trips up job seekers. After all, job descriptions these days read like more like an insane wish list than anything.

But do pay extra attention to "required" skills. If you are familiar with a certain skill that's required for the role, but you haven't mastered it consider still applying and including that skill on your resume -- perhaps with a candid asterisk.

Katy McElroy, managing editor at Let's Eat, Grandma gives a fantastic rule of thumb when it comes to how to think about this.

"For required skills, if you can talk comfortably about the [skill] in an interview, and you feel reasonably certain you can do the job via the required skill / software / methodology?(knowing that you will receive training for the job itself), put it on your resume. No need to put doubt in the employer's mind right off the bat -- it's up to them to use the interview to make sure you have the?level of skill they need!"

Let's say the role you want requires some programming experience. In a previous role, you helped your manager code an application even though it wasn't a part of your core responsibilities. You may not be an expert, but this can be a decent excuse to get it on the resume to show relevance. (Again, I'm not advocating to come across as a coding expert here).

Taking It Home (Like Country Roads)

At the end of the day, emphasizing a few targeted skills on your resume is all about making it easier for the employer to see why you're the best fit for the job. So, don't be afraid to be selective and tease hiring managers with your own "trailer." And who knows, maybe you'll even land yourself a movie deal... I mean, a job offer.

Want to Sharpen Up Those Skills?

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