How to Write a Core Competencies Section on a Resume

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What does the core competency section mean to me? How should I go about adding it to my resume? Are there specific things I should include?

Core Competence refers to the key areas or specializations in which employees excel. These traits are often acquired over time through training and personal development. This section shows potential employers the value they can expect from hiring you.

The most important thing when writing this section is that, like everything else on your resume, you must be concise and focused. You want to make sure employers know exactly what skills you have and why those skills will add value to their company. Include information such as work experience, education, certifications, awards, projects, accomplishments, and any other relevant details so they’re able to put these skills into context.

Your goal here is not just to list every skill you’ve ever used, but rather to demonstrate how each one uniquely contributes to your overall expertise. This section should also highlight your strengths and set you apart from others who may have similar qualifications.

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What are core competencies?

Core Competencies are those specific attributes that make up your value proposition. They describe what you know about the job and how well you can do it.

Core competencies help you stand out among applicants because they demonstrate your ability to perform the duties required for a particular role. Your core competencies are the things that make you unique and different from everyone else. In short, they define you.

When writing your resume, think about the core competencies that best represent you and the qualities you want potential employers to see.

The importance of highlighting core competencies

Your resume is your chance to make a great first impression. You want to stand out among hundreds of applicants, so you should spend some time crafting a resume that showcases your best qualities and demonstrates why you’re perfect for the job.

There are many things to consider when writing a resume, including the type of position you’re applying for, industry standards, and the specific requirements of each employer.

This is where you highlight your key strengths and abilities. You want to focus on the things you’re really good at and avoid listing tasks that aren’t directly related to your career goals.

Core competencies aren’t just limited to technical roles. In fact, they’re often used to describe salespeople, managers, executives, and even entry-level positions like receptionist or office assistant.

While you don’t necessarily need to list every single thing you’ve ever done, it’s helpful to highlight those activities that demonstrate your ability to perform a particular task.

If you worked as a customer support representative, for instance, you’d likely include “customer service,” “technical support,” and “product knowledge.”

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Tips on adding a core competencies section on your resume:

  • Think about what each of your core competencies is. If you think about them, chances are you already possess at least some of these skills, even if you don’t realize it. To determine which ones are most valuable to your career goals, ask yourself: What do I enjoy doing? Where do I find fulfillment? What makes me happy?
  • Now that you know what you’re good at, decide whether you need to emphasize those skills on your resume by listing them first. For example, if you’re applying for an administrative position, then being organized would probably be the most useful trait to showcase. On the other hand, if you’ve recently been promoted within your current role, then your ability to communicate effectively with colleagues might be more important than being adept at using Microsoft Word.
  • Once you select the skills that best reflect your professional identity, look for ways to tie those skills back to your education (work experiences), volunteer activities, internships, and/or Extracurriculars. One way to accomplish this is by listing examples of times when you applied those skills, either directly or indirectly. For instance, say you majored in marketing, but enjoyed working on various committees—that could be listed under education.
  • Make sure to provide evidence of your knowledge of these skills throughout your resume. Don’t just list them; show employers how you have successfully employed them in the past. For example, if your college major was biology, but you spent much of your spare time volunteering at a local animal shelter, then you’d likely use that experience as an opportunity to explain how being comfortable around animals could increase your employability.
  • Finally, take advantage of bullet-pointed sections on resumes. Since bullets, let you pack lots of content onto a page, they’re especially helpful when you want to convey many different skills in a short amount of space.
  • When you’re done, print out a copy of your resume and give it a close review. Is your resume easy to read? Does it stand out among all the other applications? Use this feedback to refine your resume before sending it off to potential employers.
  • Remember that although this section is a great place to highlight your unique talents, it’s not the only component that will help you distinguish yourself from the competition. If possible, add additional information about why you’re qualified for the job. For example, if an entry-level accounting position calls for someone familiar with QuickBooks Pro, include a paragraph explaining how you came to learn the software.
  • Also, make sure to highlight any gaps in your work history as well as your educational background. A strong resume is always more effective than a weak one.
  • And finally, keep in mind that writing a successful resume isn’t as hard as it looks! Just follow our tips above and you’ll create a document that showcases your accomplishments while highlighting your greatest assets. 

Skills to include in the core competencies section of your resume

Core competencies are the most important skills that define your professional identity. They represent the skills and qualities that make you unique and distinguishable from everyone else.

Here are some typical skills and qualities that you might include in your core competency list:

• Leadership

• Communication

• Problem-solving

• Creativity

• Ability to think critically

 

Conclusion 

As we mentioned earlier, it’s essential to start identifying your best qualities. Be aware of where you’re good at and how you can provide value to the company you’re applying for. If that sounds overwhelming, don’t worry – we’re not going anywhere. We can help you every step of the way.

To help put together a solid resume, our team of expert writers has been trained to craft professionally-written resumes that will skyrocket your chances of landing an interview.

Our goal is to ensure you get noticed by hiring managers who are looking for candidates like you. So, what are you waiting for? Let us prove ourselves today.

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