Introduction
Your resume is your chance to make a great first impression on potential employers. One of the most important parts of your resume is the section where you list your professional strengths. This is where you can highlight the skills and qualities that make you an ideal candidate for the job.
But what are professional strengths? And how do you choose the right ones to list on your resume?
What Are Professional Strengths?
Professional strengths are the skills, abilities, and qualities that make you good at your job. They can be hard skills, such as technical expertise or proficiency in a specific software program. They can also be soft skills, such as communication, interpersonal skills, or problem-solving.
How to Choose the Right Professional Strengths to List on Your Resume
When choosing the professional strengths to list on your resume, it is important to consider the following:
- The job you are applying for: What skills and qualities are most important for the job you are applying for?
- Your own skills and experiences: What are your own skills and experiences? What are you good at?
- The company culture: What is the company culture like? What kind of employees are they looking for?
Once you have considered these factors, you can start to choose the professional strengths to list on your resume.
50+ Professional Strengths for Your Resume
Here is a list of 50+ professional strengths that you can use on your resume:
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Adaptability
Ability to adjust to changes in the workplace, learn new skills, and take on new challenges.
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Analytical skills
Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data to solve problems and make decisions.
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Attention to detail
Ability to focus on the details of a task and produce accurate work.
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Communication skills
Verbal and written communication skills are essential for everyday business interactions and communication with clients.
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Computer literacy
Proficiency in using common software programs, such as Microsoft Office, and specific industry-related software.
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Conflict resolution
Ability to resolve conflicts between individuals or groups in a fair and equitable manner.
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Creativity
Ability to generate new ideas and find innovative solutions to problems.
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Customer service
Emphasizes kindness, patience, and empathy. -
Data analysis
Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data to identify trends and patterns.
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Decision-making
Ability to make sound decisions under pressure and in a timely manner.
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Delegation
Ability to assign tasks to others and provide clear instructions.
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Detail-oriented
Ability to pay close attention to details and produce accurate work.
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Emotional intelligence
Ability to understand and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others. -
Ethics
Ability to maintain high ethical standards in the workplace.
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Flexibility
Ability to adapt to changes in the workplace and take on new challenges.
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Goal-oriented
Ability to set and achieve goals.
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Hardworking
Willingness to put in the effort to get the job done.
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Honest
Ability to be truthful and ethical in all dealings.
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Integrity
Ability to maintain high ethical standards and do the right thing, even when it is difficult.
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Interpersonal skills
Ability to build and maintain relationships with others.
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Leadership
Ability to motivate and inspire others.
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Learning agility
Ability to learn new skills and knowledge quickly and easily. -
Logical thinking
Ability to think logically and solve problems.
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Management skills
Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others.
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Market research
Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret market data to identify trends and opportunities. -
Motivation
Ability to stay motivated and focused on achieving goals.
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Negotiation skills
Ability to negotiate agreements that are beneficial to all parties involved.
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Networking
Ability to build and maintain relationships with others in your field.
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Organizational skills
Ability to manage your time and resources effectively.
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Persuasion
Ability to convince others to see your point of view.
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Planning
Ability to develop and execute plans to achieve goals.
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Problem-solving
Ability to identify and solve problems.
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Project management
Ability to plan, organize, and execute projects.
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Public speaking
Ability to speak in front of an audience in a clear and engaging manner.
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Relationship-building
Ability to build and maintain relationships with colleagues, clients, and other stakeholders.
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Resilience
Ability to bounce back from setbacks and challenges.
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Resourcefulness
Ability to find creative solutions to problems.
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Responsibility
Ability to take ownership of your work and meet deadlines.
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Safety
Skill in prioritizing the health and well-being of yourself and others.
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Sales
Whether you work in sales or not, the ability to influence and persuade is key in many business interactions. -
Self-awareness
Ability to understand your own strengths and weaknesses.
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Self-management
Ability to manage your time and emotions effectively.
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Strategic thinking
Ability to think strategically and develop long-term plans.
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Stress management
Ability to manage stress and stay calm under pressure.
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Teamwork
Ability to work effectively with others as part of a team.
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Technical skills
Proficiency in specific technical skills, such as programming, web design, or data analysis.
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Time management
Ability to manage your time effectively and meet deadlines.
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Troubleshooting
Ability to identify and solve problems.
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Verbal communication
Ability to communicate effectively verbally.
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Written communication
Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
How to List Your Professional Strengths on Your Resume
There are a few different ways to list your professional strengths on your resume. You can include them in a dedicated “Skills” section, or you can incorporate them into your work experience descriptions.
If you choose to include them in a dedicated “Skills” section, list your strengths in a bulleted list. For example:
Skills
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Analytical thinking
If you choose to incorporate your strengths into your work experience descriptions, you can do so by using action verbs and specific examples. For example:
Work Experience
Marketing Manager
- Developed and executed marketing campaigns that increased brand awareness by 20%.
- Managed a team of marketing professionals and provided guidance and support.
- Presented marketing plans to senior management and stakeholders.
Conclusion
Your professional strengths are an important part of your resume. By choosing the right strengths to list and presenting them in a clear and concise way, you can make a great first impression on potential employers.
In addition to the professional strengths listed above, you can also use the following tips to generate new ideas for your resume:
- Think about your accomplishments. What are you most proud of? What have you achieved in your career?
- Brainstorm a list of your skills. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing?
- Talk to your friends, family, and colleagues. Ask them what they think are your strengths.
- Take an online skills assessment. There are a number of free online skills assessments that can help you identify your strengths.
- Read job descriptions. When you’re applying for a job, take a look at the job description and see what skills and qualities the employer is looking for.
- Consider your values. What are your core values? What is important to you?
- Think about your goals. What do you want to achieve in your career? What kind of job do you want?
- Be creative. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to your resume.
- Get feedback. Ask a friend, family member, or career counselor to review your resume and give you feedback.
- Revise and refine. Your resume is a work in progress. Don’t be afraid to revise and refine it as you learn more about yourself and your career goals.
In addition to the tips above, you can also use the following tables to help you identify and list your professional strengths on your resume:
Table 1: Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills
Hard Skills | Soft Skills |
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Technical skills that can be learned and measured, such as programming, web design, or data analysis. | Interpersonal skills that are more difficult to quantify, such as communication, teamwork, and leadership. |
Table 2: Transferable Skills
| Skill |