Tips for Including Core Competencies on Your Resume

Tips for Developing Your Core Competencies Section

Depending on the resume format you use, you can create a specific core competencies section or you may sprinkle your core competencies throughout your resume writing process.

You can include core competencies in your general skills section, and mention them in your resume summary and experience section, where you can include them in job descriptions when describing your duties. If you have certifications for some of these skills, you should also mention them. Create a list of around 8-12 core competencies that you think you embody, then include them throughout your resume.

So, what are your core competencies? Here is a list of core competencies that you might include in many different fields:

• Problem-solving
• Teamwork
• Adaptability
• Critical thinking
• Decision making
• Time management
• Communication skills
• Creative thinking
• Interpersonal skills
• Public speaking

All of these are soft skills, but that doesn’t mean all your core competencies have to be soft skills. Hard skills and technical skills can be core competencies in some industries. Software developers, for example, may have programming skills as some of their core competencies, and leadership skills will be important if you’re going to be a project manager. It’s all about coming up with specific core competencies that are right for you.