Anytime you submit your resume for an open position, it’s safe to say you aren’t the only one applying. A strong e-mail introduction is one way to stand out, but what about your resume itself?
In light industrial sectors, one of the most important areas of your resume will be your technical skills. This is where you’ll list your experience with modern technology like computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) and point-of-sale (POS) system operations. You may also list physical skills such as the ability to operate a forklift. While the skills themselves are highly important, these tips can help you format this section of your resume so that your skills stand out to a hiring manager in the most effective way.
Consider the job listing. What skills does the job listing ask for? In what order do they list them? This is a great indication of the employer’s highest priorities. Arrange your skills in a similar order to make sure they see the most important ones first.
Keep it simple. Hiring managers often have a large volume of resumes to sort through, so making your list of technical skills easy to read is key. Use a straightforward headline (“Technical Skills” works well, as does “Core Competencies.”) For the skills themselves, use bullets, and don’t feel the need to add further descriptors. The hiring manager understands the required skills well enough that this won’t be necessary.
Think beyond the list. While a simple bulleted list of your technical skills is essential, there are other ways to highlight these same skills on your resume. If you used any of these skills in a specific way at past jobs, you can work that into the “Experience” section of your resume as well.
Don’t forget the soft skills. Technology may have made certain skills in your industry obsolete, but soft skills–like communication, leadership, and customer service–are more important than ever. You can include these under your “Technical Skills” header, but if you’re applying for a job that involves leading a team or interfacing with customers, you may want to include a separate soft skills section. “Soft Skills” or “Leadership Skills” will work as a header.
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