Examples of key skills in a resume relevant in 2021

What are the key skills on a resume?

The professional skills displayed in the resume of an applicant for a vacancy always become the object of study by the head of the company.
Work experience and education received do not provide a complete picture of the professional qualities of a job applicant, but skills will help reveal the applicant’s additional achievements and the level of his competence in the open vacancy. Correctly filling out this section of the resume will provide the opportunity for the head of the company to understand, without communicating with the applicant, whether he is suitable for him or not.

This section of the resume describes the applicant's knowledge and achievements. Applicants who ignore this section are making an irreparable mistake. It would also be incorrect to display in this section lengthy discussions about the personal characteristics of the applicant.

Therefore, for a complete picture of the applicant’s skills, it is necessary to display the applicant’s skill:

Resolve controversial issues.
Ensure planning and organization of the labor process.
Announce decisions and take responsibility for them.
Think critically.
Ensure effective management of time and subordinates.
Use programs for motivation.
Provide strategic thinking, with a creative approach.
Conduct negotiations.
Take advantage of communication experience, the trust of employees and superiors.
Correctly motivate for results.
Tune in to high levels of energy and initiative.
Concentrate the attention of employees and maintain it for some time.
Have the patience and flexibility needed when communicating with colleagues.

( Video : “What SKILLS should be included in your RESUME. Vladimir Yakuba. TIPS.”)

Thus, if an applicant has the key skills listed in the list and displays them in the “Professional Skills” section, then we can confidently say that the decision on his employment will be positive.

Stages of skill development

The process of developing a skill involves going through four main stages:

Stage one . It can be safely described as preliminary. Here a so-called skill program is formed, individual elements are divided into components, and indicative and test actions are carried out. This stage is also distinguished by a large amount of information about actions. And as test actions are performed, from this information the consciousness selects only that which helps to perform them correctly.
Stage two . It is analytical. The elements of the main action are still performed separately. The brain analyzes the strength, duration, magnitude and other parameters of the execution of the elements. In addition, individual actions are formed (for example, between controls and instruments). After this, it becomes possible to carry out actions in alternation. There is a very narrow scope of perception here, and if during the training process (mastering a skill) some external stimuli are present, the person’s attention simply does not perceive them.
Stage three . The best characteristic for it is synthetic. Independent elements of a holistic action are formed into a single formation and constitute one sensory field. The execution of an action at this stage is regulated in a generalized manner, consisting of the sequence, relationship and hierarchy of its individual elements.
Stage four . This is the automation stage, because here all unnecessary elements of the action are eliminated (when performing a physical action, excess muscle tension is eliminated). A person’s attention shifts from the process of performing an action to the result. All this is due to the fact that control of action moves from vision to kinesthesia and touch. It is at this stage that a person gains the opportunity to control the pace of actions performed; an individual rhythm is formed.

Here’s how you can display the process of formation (and presence) of a skill schematically:

If for some reason a person takes a break from an activity related to a mastered skill, the skill may become deautomated, i.e. "forget yourself." But this is not as scary as it might seem, because after a short time of additional training he recovers quite quickly.

We must not forget that the main and most important condition for the formation of any skill is repeated repetition of the action, and it does not matter what it concerns: the ability to drive a car, do a “pinwheel” with your feet, read quickly or solve complex problems. Through repeated repetitions, actions move to a new level, lose conscious direction, become automated and turn into skills.

This is the basic information you need to know about skill development in order to grasp the very essence of the mechanism of this process. Next, we want to move on to specific recommendations, but we advise you to additionally read our articles “How to quickly develop new skills”, “Development of intelligence” and “Development of thinking”, in which you will also find a lot of useful information on this topic.

Types of Key Skills on a Resume

By filling out the professional skills section, the applicant shows what he can do, not what kind of person he is.
Personal characteristics and key skills are different concepts. Therefore, when filling out the “Professional Skills” section, you must not mix the applicant’s skills with a description of personal qualities. For example, negotiation skills have nothing at all to do with the applicant’s resistance to stress or responsibility, etc. Key skills that appear on a resume can be divided into the following types:

Communication skills, ability to conduct negotiations, business communication.
Organizational skills, planning experience, ability to allocate resources, control of project progress.
Leadership qualities, ability to manage people.
Ability to think analytically, generate ideas, master strategic thinking.
Applied developments that have specific features for a particular profession.

When filling out a resume, displaying key developments, you must use the principle of relevance. The displayed experience of the applicant must correspond to the topic of the resume. You cannot display skills that are not related to the position for which the applicant is applying. Here you need to indicate only the skills that are significant for the open vacancy.

When displaying skills, for ease of reading, it is advisable to structure the text in the form of a list. However, you should not overdo it by making a list that is too large. This will create the impression that the applicant does not know how to highlight the main features of his knowledge.

Communication skills:

The communication skills of a job applicant include the following:

Ability to negotiate.
Ability to resolve conflicts.
Skills in finding compromise solutions to resolve disputes.
Claims activities with clients, settlement of objections.
Ability to speak in public.
Ability to persuade clients.
Competent construction of oral and written speech.

Organizational skills:

This type of skill includes:

Time management.
Project support.
Ability to multitask.
Ability to work with huge amounts of data.
Ability to draw up strategic plans.
Proper budget allocation.

Leadership skills:

These include:

Ability to lead people.
Setting up motivation for clients, employees, etc.

Applied skills:

This skill relates to:

PC users who can work with the MS Office application program.
Conducting official correspondence.
Office work, personnel records management.
Knowledge of foreign languages.
Knowledge of legal norms, ability to use legal documents.
Knowledge of GOSTs, SNIPs, etc.
Touch typing (on Russian and English keyboards)

Top 23 Essential Skills

To the definitions above, I will add that skills develop us, help us move forward, achieve more and improve. While habits can be both useful and harmful. Read more about habits using the links.

Here is a list of skills that help us become better, more in demand in communication or at work. If you want to add something, or know any other top skills, write in the comments. Most likely, I will add them to this article too.

Ability to study correctly

Learning agility is a willingness to learn something new and an openness to new experiences. A person knows who to learn from and how to learn correctly. Also, the more developed this skill is, the faster a person learns - he has a higher so-called learning index.

I believe this is the most important skill in life. After all, if it is pumped up, then we will instantly be able to acquire new skills and knowledge. And, most importantly, we will know who to learn from.

A person achieves important things in life if he does not give up when he fails, but learns new things and strives to develop further. For example, many professions now require restructuring due to coronavirus and the development of new technologies. Accountants used to work manually, but now through the C1 program, taxi drivers through walkie-talkies, and now through applications, etc.

I have a friend who, back in April 2021, was sent to work remotely as a technical support specialist for an Internet provider due to coronavirus. And she needed to “pull up” her knowledge and skills in the field of IT in order to meet the company’s requirements. If she couldn't learn, what would happen to her? Dismissal! But her learning ability allowed her to work at home and adapt to new requirements.

Here is a very helpful video that will help you understand why this is the most important skill. Be sure to watch it - it will change your life!

Self-discipline

Self-discipline is the ability to sacrifice short-term pleasure for long-term gain.

This skill in human behavior is extremely important. It allows you to tune in even to your least favorite job to achieve high results. If it were not for self-discipline, we would not see famous gymnasts, swimmers, football players, doctors, and businessmen.

Let me give you a basic example. You need to get up early tomorrow to have time to iron your clothes, get yourself ready and go to the meeting. But you want to watch another episode of an interesting series, go to bed after 24:00 and, naturally, get up in the morning later than your alarm clock. As a result, you either fly out like a slob, or the meeting is completely canceled. Failure creeps up unnoticed...

Control and management of your finances

Financial literacy is the discipline in managing your own financial resources, controlling income, expenses, investments, taxes and other operations.

I am an active opponent of loans and borrowings. You can also understand if force majeure has occurred and a large sum of money is urgently needed. But if a person constantly borrows money for momentary pleasures and this becomes his way of life, then this will lead to big problems.

I heard a theory that a person should spend, invest in something on average 70% of his income per month. The remaining 30% is to be saved. How much money to accumulate is up to you. But it is important to remember one truth - you must be the master of your funds!

By the way, the blog has a detailed article on how to keep track of income and expenses. Very useful recommendations for any person - be sure to read them!

Ability to joke

The ability to come up with and tell jokes is a useful skill that helps to win favor with a company and take its authoritative place in any society.

“In whom humor causes evil, the mind is unlucky” is a good and true saying. Notice that when you joke, smile, subtly notice humor and support it, then people themselves are drawn to you. And this is already an indicator of success, at least in relationships with others.

It’s easy to perceive life’s troubles with humor, it’s easy to communicate with him and become the life of the party.

Ability to build relationships with people

The ability to build relationships with everyone is the skill of finding a common language with the people with whom you have to interact.

We humans are social creatures and instinctively want positive and friendly relationships. Good and simple relationships with others give a person freedom: we develop our capabilities instead of wasting time sorting out relationships and making contacts.

I know one guy who will spin and make his way everywhere. Just everywhere! A little feigned naivety, a little jokes, a lot of positive communication on any topic and a little arrogance - voila, and he’s on top!

Oratory skill

Oratory is well-constructed oral speech, which makes it possible to accurately and clearly formulate your thoughts and speak them beautifully to an audience.

Absolutely everyone who works and communicates with people needs this skill. By the way, knowing the rhetoric, a person will not have problems finding employment. The ability to ask questions correctly and formulate competent answers makes it possible to always hold the attention of your interlocutors. This is a skill of highly effective people.

For example, I’m not a speaker; it’s easier for me to write an article than to speak in public. But anything has happened in life, and from my own experience I can say that the skill of oratory is very helpful in establishing oneself well.

Development of emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is a person’s ability to feel and understand the emotions of other people and their own. This understanding is a great strength of man. It allows you to establish contacts with all people and not conflict.

Emotional intelligence provides insight, helps you communicate well at work, achieve personal understanding, and achieve success in professional negotiations. It adds stress resistance and optimism.

My good friend is an example for me in demonstrating EI. He never gets offended by anyone! Imagine! You can tell him anything. He learned to ignore what is unnecessary, and to analyze and act on what is useful. This is also a manifestation of emotional intelligence, nerves are stronger and relationships with many are good!

Critical thinking

Critical thinking is a characteristic of a successful person. It allows you to look at things objectively and impartially, determine a person’s strengths and weaknesses, and recognize lies.

Critical thinking skills help you pay attention to small things, focus on what’s important, identify what’s important, justify your point of view, and analyze all the information. Well, how do you like this skill, cool? And it seems to me that it’s cool to have critical thinking, which also gives the opportunity to convince and reason logically.

My husband questioned everything new. At first it annoyed me, but then I realized that it was cool! Questioning, he checked new information to the core, to the millimeter, to the atom - I don’t know how else to describe his meticulousness. But it gives success! The effectiveness of making important decisions even in everyday matters depends on this.

Adaptability to change

Adaptation to new conditions - calm acceptance of new living conditions, flexibility and desire for the future, the ability to look into it optimistically and be filled with ideas for development.

Since the Second World War, the phrase “who lived under the Germans still lives” has become popular. Back then this was highly condemned, but now adaptability to change (especially power) has become a necessary skill. There were different principles and ideas then. And today money decides a lot. But that’s not about that now. What happens if this skill is missing?

Look, in my country, only within my memory, 6 presidents have changed. For some, the policy of the institution changes when the director changes, for others - the financial condition, etc. If you take changes to heart, live in the past and become nostalgic, then it will be very difficult psychologically. Nostalgia like “it was then...”, “yes, we were at your age...”, “oh, youth, how we used to live...” stops, blocks and slows a person down.

Intelligence Development (IQ)

The development of IQ helps a modern person to be interesting, keep abreast of the latest events, learn a lot of new things, take different courses, and study. This allows you to be an authority among your environment and a sought-after specialist.

Everything is very clear here - no one wants to deal with a mentally undeveloped person. Imagine, a secretary comes to work, but the computer doesn’t work at all. Or you talk to a doctor, but he cannot recommend anything other than brilliant green. Another option: you meet a dyed blonde and, apart from the color of nail polish and pouty lips, there is nothing to talk about!

All this, of course, is sad, but this happens in life.

Problem Solving Ability

Problem solving ability is the ability to identify a problem, find its cause, generate ideas for solutions and select the best one, and take action. This is an important skill for a successful person.

Oh, how each of us needs this skill! If Sasha, Kolya, Petya, Natasha, Sveta, Lena knew how to solve problems, and not create them, we would have less hysterics, quarrels, misunderstandings, business decline and wasted time. This human ability may be natural, but it can also be developed.

Setting goals

Goal setting or goal setting is a cool thing, it helps us see in practice what we can achieve.

They told my grandfather: “Even if there is no job, constantly look for it.” And he grew up to be a good business executive. The same goes for goals - if you don’t have them, learn to set them, otherwise you’ll become sour. Many people are happy with everything, go with the flow, and slide down little by little.

But there are caring people who always want something more. We set a goal to “make repairs” - we did it. Let it be slow, but they did it. We set the goal of “buying a house,” identified small goals: where to work, who is involved in the search, who is responsible for repairs – and we achieved it.

“Goal-setters” take small steps towards achieving results, while those who are dissatisfied only “booze” and envy others.

Ability to achieve goals

The ability to achieve goals is a skill that allows you to bring things to completion. Every person who knows how to set goals and achieve them claims to take a huge step forward! Two factors are important here: motivation and the ability to see results.

Creative thinking

Creative thinking, creativity - the ability to see the world differently, to open new paths and perspectives.

This is a key skill for people in creative and intellectual professions. And they are not the only ones who need this skill. The value of creative thinking is difficult to assess. Creative people are valued everywhere, always respected, and their opinions are often listened to.

With such a husband, the wife will bask in the diversity of life. With such a wife, the husband will be a successful businessman. With such an employee, the company will win the tender. Such a person may well patent an idea, a discovery.

This is a skill that every person can develop. Some people are given more creativity, others less, but if they want, even the most rational, pragmatic person can really show creative thinking.

Seduction of men/women

Seducing men and women is the ability to skillfully and leisurely, with taste and feeling, influence a person so that he does actions that he did not intend to do. This is the ability to show your partner that you are a gentle, protective, necessary and important, reverent person, and not just skillfully persuading into an intimate relationship.

For many, it is important to find your person. What is needed for this? That's right, look! This can be done in different ways: someone seduces everyone, to the point of complete certainty. Someone clings to one and achieves him in every possible and impossible way.

Perhaps seduction can cover everything. This is not specifically about seduction for the sake of sex - no. This concept is much deeper. For example, look here. There is a super rich and status man. And there is a poor and simple girl who wants something from him. How should she influence this man?

No money, no connections, no power. No matter what range of skills she has, it is unlikely that anything will work out. But this does not apply to seduction. It doesn’t matter whether you are rich or poor, how you are dressed, what car you drive, etc. If you have certain seduction techniques and know at what point in time and on whom to use them, then you have practically no barriers. This is a very powerful skill, but difficult to learn.

The skill of seducing men or women helps to have a better position, better living space, better status, car, social circle, possessions, increases self-esteem, helps to reset hormones, and get temporary pleasure.

Only I'm a conservative. It’s hard for me to understand, to be honest, why seduce a person if you don’t love him and don’t want to spend time with him or communicate. To have fun or for the sake of cheap self-affirmation, or maybe to collect sexual partners? Explain to me in the comments! I'll read it.

Ability to recognize lies

The skill of recognizing lies is the ability to be insightful in communicating with people, the ability to see by actions, words and facial expressions who is deceiving you.

Oooh, if only everyone could recognize a lie, like Doctor Lightman in the acclaimed TV series “Lie to Me”! The world would be a better place. Or worse... Well, who, for example, would want to read such thoughts as “you disgust me”, “I despise you”, “I don’t want to give a damn about you”? But you really need to be able to recognize a lie: this will help you save your time, your money, your resources, and your safety too.

Ability to manage your time

Time management is managing your time when you can separate the important from the unimportant, the urgent from the non-urgent. Planning your time helps you use it effectively and get a lot done.

Time management is a skill that every adult really needs. How to combine work, family, friends, relatives, housework and renovations? How not to lose yourself in the huge bustle that overwhelms every person? To restore the brain and get at least some rest, it is important to have the skill of managing your own time.

By the way, you don’t have to be the director of a company or a famous doctor to have a daily schedule. Sometimes, in order to physically be on time everywhere, it is important to write a plan for the whole day in the morning. I practice this often.

The skill of raising children correctly

The skill of properly raising children is a person’s acquisition of knowledge on how to find an approach to different children and cope with their tantrums. This is the main skill for parents and those who want to become them. It lies in understanding what we want our children to be like in adulthood, and applying all the knowledge we have acquired to this end.

From experience I can say that this is a rather difficult skill. Firstly, you will see its results after years. Secondly, it is not always possible to use the acquired knowledge in practice.

Parenting is generally a difficult thing. It must combine discipline, rigor and love, as well as tenderness. How to connect this? A?! Write what you think about this, and we will try to make an article on this topic.

I know one large family where the children are simply exemplary: the older ones (10–12 years old) can cope well in everyday life without parents, the younger ones are already independent for their age, there is harmony in the house. I know another family where there is complete discord; the mother no longer knows how to unite the children. “Education...” you say. Yes, education. That’s why it’s complicated and you can’t immediately predict the result.

People management

Managing people (leadership) is a skill that allows you, through word or action, to achieve the obedience of others to your opinion. For good purposes, it is necessary for leaders and people striving to achieve something. The bad ones are for every person who wants to manipulate others.

One way or another, sometimes someone is under our control. Mothers manage their children, husbands manage their wives, a boss manages a mechanic, an employer manages his subordinates, a president manages his office staff, etc. In everyday life and at work, someone manages someone else. But here is an important point - to manage does NOT EQUAL to manipulate. This is the skill of a business person who knows what he wants to achieve.

Managing is striving for a common goal, doing it as efficiently and openly as possible. To manipulate is to force people to obey; the action is secretive and vile. You can manage people without manipulation. Explain your goals reasonably and openly enough, and the person may already agree to your terms.

Management in the family: mother cooks soup - for this she gives the children the task of peeling vegetables, taking into account their busyness and skills (potatoes for some, seasoning for others).

Management in the company: the manager distributes the task, applies the main “carrots” for quickly and efficiently completed work. It should be noted here that management will be effective if people trust the leader and he is open with them.

Perseverance

Perseverance is short-term, focused effort to achieve a goal, using many means and approaching things from different angles, just to achieve what is needed.

Persistence is sometimes confused with obsession. But these are completely different concepts. The obsessive person “pounds” several times on one side - this is stupid and annoying. A persistent person skillfully “chooses” from different sides - this is beautiful and characterizes a person as smart and strong. In short, persistence differs from obsession by flexibility. In seduction, perseverance is one of the key qualities of a man.

For example: a guy wants to date a girl, but she doesn't want it. He tries to negotiate with her directly, but is refused. Then he approaches her best friend to influence her consent. But the result is the same. Then he rolls up to her little brother with the car - and so on until he gets his way.

Persistent people achieve a lot, and this skill is especially useful for men. After all, women like persistent guys. But here it is important not to go too far and not become obsessive. I think persistence needs to be developed along with emotional intelligence to know when and how to apply it correctly.

Consistency of effort

Consistency of effort is constant action to achieve a goal in any state, at any time and under any external conditions.

Why is this skill so important? Consistency is a trait of strong, strong-willed people. It definitely needs to be developed. It helps to cultivate will, responsibility, commitment and reliability.

So that you understand what I mean, I will write an example. You decide to read a book for 30 minutes every morning. Consistency will show itself when you read it no matter what. Even when you are sick, when you get up late, when you don’t feel like it, when you are in a bad mood, when they laugh at you, when there is hail, snow, earthquake, but you will still read.

If you follow your goal every day for a month or a year, you will achieve tremendous results. It is very good to apply consistency to sports or parenting. You will see great results from this skill.

I also recorded a voice message for you about this skill.

Enterprise

Entrepreneurship is the skill of activity, initiative, and the ability to creatively approach a project. To become entrepreneurial, it is important to actively demonstrate a life position and quickly think and act.

Entrepreneurship is now valued like a bar of gold. Enterprising people are respected and exalted by some, while others hate them for their success. This skill is really important. It helps, for example, to work for yourself, not to depend on other people’s opinions, to become a “seven-year-old,” to manage to fulfill all plans, and to overcome obstacles. Even your success depends on the timely development of this skill.

By the way, many people made fortunes from their hobbies. For example, Anna-Maria Faiola turned soap making into a business at the age of 20. She showed entrepreneurial spirit - she decisively put her property on the line, took out a loan through a government program, and used available means: education and social networks.

Professional skills

Professional skills are skills for working in a specific position. They will be individual for each person.

Often, writing a resume requires listing them. Let me give examples of some of them:

For an IT person: knowledge of several programming languages, ability to work with all basic Microsoft Office programs, knowledge and skills in working with relational databases, knowledge and skills in working with web services on the NET platform, etc.
For the teacher: confident use of a PC, classroom management skills, knowledge and use of teaching methods, ability to interest students, skills in drawing up a lesson plan, ability to conduct knowledge control, knowledge and skillful use of modern teaching methods.
For recruiters: think strategically, negotiation skills, ability to use technological innovations to attract clients, ability to use marketing tools for work.
For copywriters: knowledge of SEO optimization, the ability to write a selling article, must have a large vocabulary for masterful writing, the ability to quickly process a large amount of information, knowledge of the language, etc.
For an accountant: warehouse accounting skills, ability to work with primary documentation, ability to calculate salaries, sick leave, compensation, tax and accounting skills.
For the designer: drawing skills, the ability to draw according to the rules, knowledge and ability to apply current trends in design, skills in painting, coloring, composition, ability to do 3D visualization of interiors, space zoning skills, skills in working with scales.
For waiters: the ability to quickly and accurately carry dishes, the ability to correctly build a dialogue with the client, knowledge of the nuances of serving and serving.
For a pharmacist: the ability to test and register drugs, the ability to advise and sell drugs to customers, the ability to accurately and accurately fill out all documents and reports, the ability to work in pharmaceutical programs.
For an economist: the ability to calculate and analyze the cost of products and services, the ability to estimate costs, the ability to work in basic computer programs, the skill of maintaining primary documentation.
For a lawyer: the ability to search for information and process it, analytical and logical skills, skills to determine the facts and circumstances of a case, the ability to work with court databases, help systems, the ability to use Internet surfing, multitasking skills.

What not to write

Many novice job seekers make the same mistake, confusing the personal characteristics of a job applicant with professional skills. That is, instead of showing what a person can do well, they characterize themselves by filling in the section that they are responsible, hardworking, sociable, stress-resistant, etc.

At the same time, they write standard stamps, which are absolutely not acceptable when filling out a resume. Such a resume will immediately be thrown into the trash.

How can I develop and improve my soft skills?

I mentioned a minute ago that hard skills can be learned. Does this mean that soft skills cannot be learned? Can you learn soft skills? Yes! Absolutely right.

While hard skills are known for being learnable and measurable, soft skills are typically viewed as something you either have or don't have. But it's not that simple.

Many soft skills can also be learned and you can definitely develop your soft skills over time.

Developing interpersonal skills to include on your resume is a really smart move if you're about to start looking for a job. Soft skills training is something you can learn about from books and articles, but it's actually more of an art than a science. You will need to familiarize yourself with the theory and practice.

You can read personal development books, take a facilitation course, watch YouTube videos about public speaking, listen to podcasts about building relationships, attend seminars on conflict management, check Instagram posts about motivation, read articles about time management. Whatever you want to improve on has probably been covered in every format imaginable.

However, this will require enough self-awareness to know what you need to work on and a willingness to go out and find out about it.

It is not enough to simply say that you have all the necessary interpersonal skills. You should be able to demonstrate these soft skills in an interview by establishing rapport with the interviewer. So you will need to practice.

You can't just read a book about how to have a great relationship and expect it to happen instantly. You really have to put the tips into practice.

It's like riding a bicycle. I could watch YouTube videos about riding a bike all day and then read a book about riding a bike, but until I get on a bike and start pedaling, I will never learn how to do it.

The same goes for teaching soft skills (imagine that!).

However, finding great books and courses to get started can't hurt.

Books to help develop soft skills

How to win friends and influence people (D. Carnegie) (well, you’ve probably read this one)

Negotiations without compromise. Negotiate as if your life depends on it. (Chris Voss)

Business etiquette from Emily Post. A complete set of rules for business success.

What skills should you put on your resume?

As a rule, most recruiting managers want to identify, when viewing a resume, data that will indicate that the applicant belongs to the profession indicated in the published vacancy.

Such key developments include the level of knowledge when working on a PC, the ability to conduct negotiations, the ability to resolve conflicts with clients, the ability to use computer applications, for example, Adobe Photoshop, etc.

( Video : “Writing a resume - how to write about key skills in a resume”)

Skill 2. Start with an end goal. The principle of personal leadership

Source

“Although Habit 2 applies to many circumstances and aspects of our lives, the main purpose of the motto “begin with the end in mind” is to begin today with an image, picture, or paradigm of the end goal of your life. This will be the evaluation system or criterion by which you judge everything else.”

If you have a clear image in your mind of the ultimate goal you are striving for, you will always be able to establish criteria by which you will evaluate whether you are approaching the goal clearly and directly or are wandering along a confusing path.

You can actively climb the ladder, climbing each step, but if the ladder is placed against the wrong wall, then your actions will be meaningless.

You need to clearly understand what exactly is most important to you, and in accordance with this knowledge, manage your actions day after day.

The principle of "begin with a specific end goal" is based on Stephen Covey's statement that everything is created twice (the principle of two creations). The house you are building in reality was already built in your mind, and the small fishing tackle shop was created in your imagination. But you don’t just fantasize, you think through every little detail, draw up estimates, draw a floor plan, study the basics of marketing or recruit professionals.

To expand the boundaries of the circle of influence, it is necessary to recognize the principle of two creations and take responsibility for each of them. It is necessary not only to manage correctly, but also to be a leader. Recalling the example above, leadership determines how quickly someone climbs the ladder, while leadership determines whether the ladder is placed against the right wall.

Leaders need a correct vision of what is happening, objectivity, and the ability to track changes and analyze them.

It is leadership that helps determine the course to follow: what missions the company should choose, in what direction to develop.

Our proactivity is based on self-awareness, but conscience and imagination are also valuable qualities. Conscience helps set moral boundaries, imagination allows you to see potential possibilities. And the combination of these qualities helps in writing your own life script.

These principles are relevant not only for business or career, but also for any other area of life, for example, for family.

What kind of people do we ultimately want our children to be? If we want them to remember us as loving parents, will we gain short-term victory in battles by intimidating and punishing them?

“Starting with an end in mind means approaching your role as a parent, as well as your other roles in life, with a clear understanding of your values and direction. It means being responsible for my own first creation and rewriting myself so that the paradigms from which my behavior and my attitudes emerge are consistent with my deepest values and in harmony with my principles.”

To start with an end goal in mind, you need to focus on creating your own mission statement. It includes WHAT you want to do and WHAT you want to be.

This mission is like a standard for your actions, a Constitution, a basis for making decisions. For example, if your mission statement states that you will always treat others with respect, you will not allow yourself to yell at a subordinate or insult your son.

Sometimes the center of the mission can be a spouse, family, money, work, possessions, children, pleasures, friends, enemies, or even yourself. It is important to be guided by the principles that you define for yourself.

For example, you are about to leave work, looking forward to taking your wife to the theater. Suddenly, your boss stops you on the threshold and says that he needs your help.

If you are focused on your family or your spouse, you will refuse the boss and take your wife to the theater. You can stay, but you will do it very reluctantly, constantly thinking about how angry your wife will be.

If money is at the center of your mission, you will think about overtime and calmly tell your wife that you will have to stay late.

Being work-focused, you will view this opportunity as an opportunity to learn something new or be useful to your boss, which will help advance your career.

One and the same situation, but how many different attitudes to it depending on the principles!

Skills and abilities for technical specialists: programmers, system administrators...

The skills of applicants related to computer technology are completely individual.
For example, the responsibility of system administrators is to ensure control over the functioning of all computers of the company, with the ability to:

Organization of diagnostic checks of subordinate computers and other office equipment.
Constant monitoring of possible risks.
Proficient in basic English.
Ease of viewing information messages.

If the applicant is a programmer, then in this option he must display:

What programming languages does he speak?
Give an example of a program written by him.

Habit 7: Sharpen your saw. The principle of balanced self-renewal

Source

Imagine a man cutting down trees in the forest. Tired, exhausted, exhausted, he carries a dull saw along the tree trunks. You tell him: “Sharpen the saw!”, to which he replies: “I have no time.” The seventh skill forces you to "sharpen the saw."

“Habit 7 is your personal resources and tools. It supports and develops your most valuable resource - yourself. It renews the four dimensions of your nature—physical, spiritual, intellectual, and social-emotional.”

Physical. This includes nutrition, exercise, and stress management.
Spiritual. Involves clarification of values and compliance with them, learning, reflection.
Intellectual. Includes reading, imagination, planning.
Social-emotional. It includes synergy, empathy, inner closeness.

We need to consistently develop each dimension while being proactive. Spending time developing the seventh skill is a quadrant 2 task.

“This is the most profitable, largest investment we make in our lives. It is an investment in ourselves—the only tool we have to overcome life's challenges and make a personal contribution. We ourselves are instruments of our own activity and, to be effective, we must recognize the importance of regularly sharpening the saw in all four dimensions.”

Stephen Covey encourages you to balance the development of the physical, social-emotional, intellectual and spiritual dimensions of your nature, without neglecting any dimension. The most valuable fruit of using the seven habits is achieving unity with yourself, with family members, friends and colleagues.

Leadership skills: manager, manager, director, administrator...

Having decided on the vacancy that the applicant wants to get, he must think, when filling out a resume, what skills he has that are relevant to the chosen position. Company managers treat managers with particular integrity, often demanding inflated performance from them. Applicants seeking a management position will need to demonstrate the following skills:

Ability to resolve disputes.
Ability to set up a working algorithm.
Ability to independently announce decisions and be responsible for their implementation.
Ability to think critically.
Effectively control time and labor resources.
Setting up employee motivation.
Mastery of strategic thinking.
Efficiency of negotiations.
Communication skills and ability to gain trust.

An item can be added to the list of skills that ensures the applicant’s ability to simultaneously solve multiple problems, the ability to distribute obligations and ensure control over their implementation.

When filling out the “Professional Skills” section, a candidate for a management position can choose those professional qualities that, in his opinion, are a strength. At the same time, key skills and personal characteristics in this option should be clearly differentiated. If an applicant confuses these 2 different concepts, the employer will be disappointed in him and the chances of getting a vacancy will be lost.

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People

In order to make easy, relatively small changes in life, you need to change your behavior and some key attitudes. If you need dramatic changes in your work, career, family life, relationships with children, you need to work on your basic paradigms - worldview, beliefs from which behavior stems.

Stephen Covey quotes writer Henry David Thoreau in his book:

“For every thousand who pluck leaves from the tree of evil, there is only one who cuts it at the root.”

By working on behavior and attitudes, we only pick off the leaves. By taking hold of the root of the paradigm, we can truly achieve qualitative changes.

The author compares fundamental paradigms to a beacon that helps to correct course and not go astray.

“Principles are those guidelines of human behavior which are unquestionably of lasting and permanent value. They are fundamental. They are practically undeniable because they are obvious.”

The essence of a person is his repeated actions and habits. If someone is accustomed to showering twice a day, they will be considered a clean person. Seeing someone praying, he will be considered religious. What habits do highly effective people have?

Stephen Covey, an expert in the field of leadership, formulated the principles underlying the solution of any problems and built them into a consistent system.

Skills and abilities for salespeople, consultants, secretaries, bank employees...

Applicants for sales positions, consulting positions, banking specialists and other positions that involve constant communication with clients can display the following experience:

Ability to organize successful sales.
Ability to manage time.
Possession of competent speech and persuasion skills.
Practice effective communication.
Ability to approach clients and find compromise agreements.
Possibility of training and analysis of information messages.
The ability to talk with an interlocutor, giving competent advice.
Ability to be tactful and tolerant.
Using creative ideas.

If the applicant receives information that the head of the company in which he wants to find a job is collaborating with foreign clients, knowledge of foreign languages will be an advantage for the applicant. And this must certainly be reflected in the resume, in the “Professional skills” section.

Persons applying for vacancies related to the service sector are required to possess skills related to communication, conducting analyzes and communicating decisions used to provide assistance. All activities of persons related to this area must be aimed at serving clients, which forces the applicant for the position to be focused on the result.

Considering the trend towards automation and computerization of technological processes, company managers are interested in hiring applicants who have knowledge of foreign languages, know how to work on a PC, have business correspondence skills, and are also interested in the collective success of the company.

Examples of Key Skills

Below are examples of key skills that can be used on the resumes of applicants for the following jobs:

Project manager

Promotion of projects.
Organization of various events.
Skill to work in team.
Working with a huge amount of information.
Budgeting.
Conduct of negotiations.
Work activity in multitasking mode.
Practice of foreign contacts.

Head of Sales Department

Sales control.
Personnel management.
Finding and working with clients, intensifying sales.
Product sales skills.
Conduct of negotiations.
Sales analysis.
Organizational skills.

Director of logistics

Personnel management, certification, motivation.
Organizational skills.
Responsible storage, warehouse and transport logistics.
Cost regulation.
Ability to interact with permitting structures.
Interaction with government control structures.
Creation of projects.

Shop assistant

Practice in selling goods.
Knowledge of cash rules.

Chief Accountant

Experience in maintaining simultaneous accounting at several institutions.
Knowledge of accounting and tax accounting, reporting.
Skills in conducting foreign exchange transactions.
Knowledge of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, as well as accounting and tax legislation.
Experience in conducting inspections.
Accounting restoration skills.

Merchandising (Marketing Specialist)

Team collaboration.
Skills for training people.
Ability to use a PC.

Foreign trade specialist

Conduct of negotiations.
Organizing and conducting presentations.
Drawing up contracts.
Cooperation with customs structures.
Ability to draw up contracts.
Control of foreign exchange transactions.

Driver

Driving experience 10 - 15 years without accidents.
Experience driving a luxury vehicle.
Knowledge of routes of the regional center and region.
Excellent knowledge of vehicle design.
Working with waybills.

Hard (hard) skills vs soft skills [20+ examples]

As I mentioned above, hard skills and soft skills are complementary skill sets, but it's important to understand the difference. Hard skills are technical skills and competencies with associated tools. These are objective, learnable skills needed for the job.

Hard skills include machine skills, software skills, languages, techniques, tools, specific processes. Everything you can learn by getting your degree, watching a study guide, or taking some training.

You will usually find a clear list of relevant job skills in the job description for the position you are seeking. Here are some examples of hard skills:

Examples of Hard Skills

Human resources
Photoshop
Data analysis
HTML
Search Engine Optimization
JavaScript
Salesforce
Flexible structure
Modeling in Excel
Google Analytics
Book layout
Product Management
Mathematics
Forecasting
Accounting
Media Marketing
Product Design
French
CAD modeling

Examples of soft skills

Now that we've covered the basics of hard skills, let's look at specific examples of additional soft skills that can add value to your resume.

Forbes recommends thinking about all the transferable skills that can be useful in any job, such as critical thinking, collaboration, creativity and communication. These are the main skills that you want to highlight on your resume.

In fact, transferable skills were a huge part of my ability to interview at Google, Microsoft, Uber, and Twitter. As a biology major, I started my career in the medical field, but was interested in finding a job in digital marketing. Within two years I made my way into the technology field.

Knowing which soft skills to highlight for interviewers was critical to my success as I transitioned into the tech industry.

A study conducted at Eastern Kentucky University also found that the top soft skills of business leaders include honesty, courtesy, social skills, communication, flexibility, teamwork, responsibility, work ethic, positive attitude and professionalism.

Here are over 120 examples of the best interpersonal skills for your resume that employers value:

Examples of Honesty Skills

Reliability
Honesty
Kindness
Ethical
Having high moral standards
Focusing
Do what's right
Attentiveness
Personal values
Availability principles

Examples of politeness skills

Business Etiquette
Good manners
Polite greetings
Mercy
Patience
Apologies
Respectfulness
Telephone etiquette
Gratitude
Decency

Examples of Social Skills

Humor
Upbringing
Sympathy
Self-control
Sociability
Individuality
Friendliness
Open body language

Examples of communication skills

Public speaking
Clarity of speech and writing
Nonverbal communication
Presentation skills
Listening skills
Open-mindedness
Giving and receiving feedback
Sympathy
Selecting a communication medium
Knowing when to communicate

Examples of Flexibility Skills

Readiness for change
Adaptability
Lifelong learning
Learning ability
Adoption
Adjustability
Versatility
Improvisation
Calm
Focus on solutions

Examples of Teamwork Skills

Cooperation
Pleasantness
Utility
Support
Cooperation
Sympathy
Persuasiveness
Influence
Conflict resolution
Relief

Examples of Responsibility Skills

Self-discipline
Performance
Integrity
Accountability
Diligence
Virtue
Resourcefulness
Common sense
Reliability
Maturity

Work Ethic Examples

Hard work
Perseverance
Hard work
Commitment
Productivity
Efficiency
Zeal
Self-motivation
Punctuality

Examples of Positive Attitude Skills

Happiness
Confidence
Optimism
Enthusiasm
Courage
Energy
Courage
Fearlessness
Durability

Examples of Professionalism Skills

Sophistication
Credibility
Valor
Respectability
Pragmatism
Leadership
Mentoring
Conflict Management
Gallantry

That was a lot of skill! While they are all great, they are not all created equal. Our research shows that employers are looking for specific skills in today's market, which means you can benefit from emphasizing them too.

Here is a list of the top soft skills that employers are looking for today:

Skills and abilities for teachers leading seminars and trainings...

Teachers, as well as those leading seminar classes, have other skills. Applicants for such vacancies must have:

Ability to motivate.
Flexibility and patience.
Ability to organize work activities.
Experience in networking.
Competent speech, with good pronunciation.
Attention in personal communication with the interlocutor.
Initiative and energy.
Be able to concentrate the attention of your interlocutors on certain situations for the required period.

Best examples of soft skills

Leadership skills
Effective Communication
Business Etiquette
Time management
Emotional intellect
Innovation and creativity
Sympathy
Teamwork
Reliability
Lifelong learning
Motivation and initiative
Confidence
Honesty
Positivity and enthusiasm
Flexibility
Building rapport
Good Work Ethic
Loyalty
Resourcefulness
Problem solving

Now that you have ready-made examples of basic interpersonal skills, you need to develop these skills (if you haven't already).

Skills and abilities for accountants, auditors...

Applicants for vacancies related to accounting are required to clearly represent the requirements of the institution's management.
Accountants, auditors and other persons in the accounting profession are required to have:

Analytical thinking.
The ability to organize a work algorithm.
The ability to constantly analyze.
Competent planning.
Attentive to details and little things.
Ability to identify priority areas.
Identification of priority tasks.
Experience working with control structures.

Creativity

Creativity will be a sought-after skill in many industries, from media to transportation, experts say. Companies will be looking for employees who are trained in new technologies and at the same time willing to use their imagination and find creative answers to work problems - even when interacting with robots! It is the ability to “revive” machine solutions (and the robotization of labor will inevitably grow) that will be especially valued by employers.

“Make creativity your strategy. This will help both you and your company,” suggests Wingard. CNN's digital director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Blathnade Healy, confirms that employers are "always on the lookout for people who think deeply, see broadly and don't shy away from debate." “Creativity implies a broad interpretation, sometimes it is about the generation of new ideas, sometimes about the creative development of old ones. This skill doesn’t necessarily mean you have to be a genius,” the manager adds.

Knowledge of technology

People often feel that there are too many new programs and gadgets around and it is simply impossible to keep up with all the new products. But the ability to "swim the IT ocean" will be an important job skill of the 2020s, warns Jerome Glenn, executive director of the Millennium Project think tank.

In many areas, understanding the difference between virtual and augmented reality, and between different types of artificial intelligence (AI), as well as understanding where this or that technology is applicable, can be useful, the expert explains.

A professional who can apply AI algorithms to the development of a new application can most likely count on demand around the world. “By 2025, our life without technology will be absolutely impossible. You can’t stay away from this trend,” Glenn concludes.

Work organization

After planning, you need to establish processes and demonstrate organizational skills. Generally speaking, it is important to answer the question - how best to solve the problem. This block includes the ability to determine the necessary functions of each subprocess, explain the task to a specialist, and find resources: employee time, special tools. It is possible to distribute responsibility between performers or add a reporting schedule to the calendar.

Organization of work is included in the list of key professional skills of a manager. There is no universal formula; each task requires its own approach. Therefore, as a manager, you will also have to develop the skill of quickly analyzing the situation and the ability to organize work with limited resources.

Optimization

When tasks are planned, processes are organized, achievements and errors are under control, and employees are developing, it is worth doing optimization. Management is a large complex mechanism, in the construction of which any leader makes small mistakes. Analyze all processes and try to correct shortcomings.

The main questions to ask yourself are: how to improve the work system, reduce time and effort per unit of result. Being able to optimize processes is a critical management skill that will move you up in any leadership ranking.

Don’t confuse the description of your abilities and personality traits

Punctuality, communication skills and responsibility should be indicated in the “About yourself” column. The “Skills and Achievements” column is needed only for information related to job obligations.

In the “Professional skills” section, you must indicate the basic skills acquired at your previous job or at a university. Here you can indicate your achievements. The section should reveal you as a specialist. In other words, this section should describe your “Qualifications”.

If you describe your skills, you will make your CV more attractive. After reading this section, the potential boss should clearly understand that the company needs you and you definitely need to be called for an interview. You need to attract him with your knowledge and abilities. If you want this to happen more often, listen to our advice:

The “Qualifications” item should be placed exactly after the “Education” item. This is at least logical.
This section must be modified for any new vacancy. You only need to record abilities that are suitable for the position you are looking for.
You shouldn’t make yourself a one-man orchestra, carefully indicating the entire list of your advantages. Indicate a few (4-8) key ones, that's enough. If you want to express some skills, you will have to sacrifice others.
Initially, describe those abilities that are most consistent with the position you are looking for.
Write the list in a way that is easy to read.
You need to use the same definitions and phrases used by the potential boss in the ad.
When describing skills and abilities, you need to start phrases with the words “have experience”, “know”, “possess”, etc.
There is no need to write about your features; there is a special section for them in your resume.

Attention: so-called “headhunters” are looking for rare employees. They are generally not interested in the candidate's experience, they are looking for specific benefits provided to them.

Education

Without constant professional development, a talented employee will quickly lose motivation, “average” workers will simply work the required number of hours, and newcomers will not be able to understand the profession and will not be able to improve productivity and quality of work.

An important managerial quality of a manager is to develop a professional. What's important here is this:

Who to teach?
It is usually impossible to send an entire department to courses at once. Think about which employee's training will bring maximum efficiency. Is it worth investing in a “star” right now if he starts working 1-2% better, or is it better to improve the average level, and the quality will immediately increase by 20-30%?
What to teach.
Is it really so important for a manager to get an MBA now; perhaps his “soft skills” are less developed? Study the results of employee monitoring, note in which area each of them is developing worse, and correlate this with the quality of work.
How to teach.
It is useless to introduce only one format of education into a company - for example, force everyone without exception to engage in business games. The learning process should begin with analysis: try it, listen to the opinions of employees, compare them with the “before and after” results.

Learning is a constant process. But this is not only about gaining new knowledge and practicing it through practical cases. It is important to provide opportunities for learning on real projects. Plan your work so that people in new projects and tasks have the opportunity to make mistakes and correct them themselves - this is one of the most effective pedagogical tools.

Planning

Hundreds of books have been written about the art of managing everything, in which one idea is presented under different sauces - break all big tasks into several small ones. Newfangled IT methods - Scrum, Kanban and others - have a similar idea for microplanning.

If you look at planning as a management skill, things get a little more complicated. When working on a plan for completing any task, you need to pay attention to two important factors:

Is the task really formulated for the result, and not for the process? What is needed is not to establish a system of painting works, but to paint a specific fence by a specific date.
Is it possible to complete the task with the available resources?

Separate types of planning:

Strategic - when you need to understand where the company will move.
Tactical - how the strategic task will be solved.
Operational, or micromanagement, is the distribution of tasks of different employees according to the calendar.

Delegation

If a successful employee becomes a leader in a company, then almost always his first mistake is the desire to do everything on his own, without involving others. Although the skill of delegation is what distinguishes an effective manager from a professional performer.

When you plan to delegate a task to a subordinate, pay attention to several factors:

Does the specialist have enough qualifications to solve the problem?
Is he able to complete the assignment on time?
Is delegating the task to this particular performer, and not to another, really an effective solution?
Is the task clear to the subordinate, and does he have enough responsibility and authority to complete it?

Renowned management expert Brian Tracy warns: remember that delegation is not just a way to hand over tasks. This is a managerial skill, a two-way process in which the manager acts as a teacher. First, the manager empirically finds out whether the performer should be developed. Then he invests resources into it, including his time. Only then will delegation not require the manager’s attention and become a way to save time.

See also on our Youtube channel: How to determine management scale

Control

The necessary managerial knowledge and skills of a manager include the concept of control. Sometimes this term is mistakenly perceived as the responsibility of the manager to check every step of the performer. But such an approach is more likely to harm the motivation of employees - they feel distrust and subconsciously begin to sabotage processes.

Instead, try to think of control as the ability to organize a seamless system for tracking results. For example, a task can be divided into stages, set milestones and explain to employees what results you expect and on what day.