Skills Based Resume

The skills based resume focuses mainly on your qualifications, experiences and accomplishments which are grouped together according to areas of skill, rather than tied to specific positions and dates. This type of resume emphasizes what you have achieved and not where and when you achieved it. To write an effective skills resume you need to re-think your past experiences and focus on your accomplishments and the skills you have developed.

NAME
Address
City, Province, Postal Code
Phone Number | E-mail Address

CAREER OBJECTIVE
Your career/job objective is a statement of your short, and if you choose, your long term employment goals. Be brief and to the point. Your career objective should directly relate to the job applied for.

"To pursue an administrative position within a human resources environment, to utilize my leadership and communication skills in the training, orientation and development of employees."

HIGHTLIGHTS/SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
This section should capture the employer's interest. It should include a short list of skills, accomplishments, talents, special knowledge, or personal work style that is targeted toward your career goals and should also match the job you are applying for. This section is important for everyone, especially those who have little work experience, to highlight the skills you have gained from other experiences such as academic experiences - computer skills, research skills, analytical skills, writing skills, problem solving skills; volunteer work - communication skills, interpersonal skills; or campus activities - leadership skills, organizational skills, team player etc¡­ It is recommended that your provide a concrete example to validate the skill you have developed rather than providing employers with just a shopping list of skills.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

  • 2 years of volunteer experience involving organizing and implementing programs
  • outstanding ability to work with community and professional groups
  • six month co-op work assignment in conducting presentations and public speaking
  • an articulate and persuasive communicator able to interact with a variety of individuals
  • dynamic team leader and mentor with the ability to motivate team members


EDUCATION
This section allows you in addition to providing the title of your degree, describe skills, stress accomplishments, goals met and knowledge acquired through relevant courses, project work or thesis work. You may also include educational awards, scholarships or recognized accomplishments under this section.

19xx-19xx
BACHELOR OF COMMERCE - HUMAN RESOURCES
Carleton University, Ottawa, ON

  • relevant courses or special projects, title of thesis
  • scholarships, awards, dean's list


RELEVANT EXPERIENCE
It is in this section that you use subtitles to divide your experience into areas of skill, such as communication skills, analytical skills, management skills or sales skills. To determine what skills to highlight, consider what the employer needs for the position you are seeking. Your experience can come from paid positions, volunteer work or extracurricular activities.

Communication Skills

  • communicated with parents providing information on policies and procedures
  • wrote and published a community newsletter
  • presented a workshop on park safety to parents
  • presented seminars on communication and leadership skills to youth
  • communicated with clients and suppliers by phone and email and provided prompt customer service

Organizational Skills

  • organized and maintained an extensive filing system for all areas within the department
  • coordinated and organized weekend activities for children
  • organized a community book sale to raise funds for local school

Management Skills

  • assisted in researching and writing community centre procedure and training manual
  • handled and directed all incoming mail and purchases
  • maintained inventory and ordering of supplies and materials
  • trained and supervised volunteer staff
  • computer skills: Microsoft Office, Excel, WordPerfect, Power Point


WORK HISTORY

19xx- Present TITLE OF POSITION
Name of Company/Organization
City, Province

19xx -19xx TITLE OF POSITION
Name of Company/Organization
City, Province

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
This section offers an opportunity to supply information which does not fit neatly into the other categories and allows you to present job-related skills, knowledge and achievements acquired through a wide variety of experiences such as: leadership abilities (Club President/Team Captain), organizational skills (planning of special events), time management (balancing school work and other activities) and dedication (ongoing commitment to athletics/community involvement). Employers consider this section just as important as the others, as it helps them see you as a "whole person". It is a good idea to include titles held and length of involvement. This section can include things such as:

  • memberships o campus activities
  • travel experience/work abroad
  • volunteer work/community involvement

REFERENCES
Available upon request.

You should be prepared to provide employers with the names of three individuals you anticipate will comment favourably on your skills and abilities. References can come from employment, volunteer work, and education. Standard of practice is to indicate on your resume that references are available upon request. List references on a separate sheet of paper, be sure to include: name of person, title of position, name of company, full mailing address, telephone number and e-mail address.