STUDENT
EMPLOYMENT
CENTRE
What is its
purpose?
The Skills Section is optional, but we highly recommend it, if you have
information that will complement your qualifications. Sometimes referenced as
“Additional Skills or Special Skills” is where you can list all of your useful abilities
that are not overtly mentioned in the bullet points of “Highlights of
Qualifications” or “Work History” sections.
Resume Tip Sheet: Special Skills
Basic rule: list relevant skills that support your objective.
What to
include…
 Keep your skills (both hard and soft skills) targeted toward the job you are
apply for
 Quality when possible and be specific with regards to languages, software,
hardware, and other tools you are skilled at.
 Prioritize relevant, clear, well organized short bullets points
 Refrain from repeating the same skill in more than one section
 For each skill, indicate your skill level
 Beginner – novice understanding and lack experience
 Intermediate – experience and can perform the skill but lack
advanced concepts
 Expert – you demonstrate proficiency and superior skill level
Here are some example of skills you may want to include in this section.
• Computer/Technical Skills
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
• Foreign Languages
• Project management
• Special Equipment/Machines/Tools
• Any skills that have not been captured in other sections on the resume
For example, if you are applying for a sales manager position at a small music shop,
it’s perfectly acceptable to mention that you play guitar. It show you have
knowledge of the industry.
Examples
If you are applying for a Support Desk position, listing skills such as blogging or
gaming implies shows legitimate tech savvy skills needed for desk-oriented I.T.
support work.
Additional Skills:
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Douglascollegesec.ca
Experienced website artist using WordPress and well versed with Adobe
Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator
Intermediate and Advanced ability to work with several operating systems,
including Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux
Proficient with MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Basic Access
Experienced with QuickBooks and with office budgets
Bilingual – Fluent in English and Spanish and proficient in French
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