You know you need to market yourself properly to stand out in a competitive field, but how? Listing your core competencies on a resume is an excellent method for grabbing the hiring manager’s attention.
Core competencies are the skills and abilities that make you a perfect fit for the job. Eager to learn more? You’re in the right place.
What are core competencies for a resume, and why are they important?
Core competencies, also called core qualifications, are umbrella categories that include hard and soft skills that hiring managers look for when they review your resume. As the name suggests, these aren’t “nice-to-haves”; these are essential to the job.
Why are core competencies so important? There are three main reasons:
- They go directly beneath the header, making it a great strategy for drawing the hiring manager’s attention to specific qualifications.
- They are a great way to include more keywords from the job description.
- They summarize, at a high level, why your skill set makes you the best person for the job.
Which resume format is best for highlighting core competencies? The most traditional resume format — the chronological resume — tends to put a professional summary or resume objective in the most prominent position. For highlighting core competencies, we’d recommend using a skills-oriented format like combination or functional instead.
Core competencies versus key skills: What’s the difference?
You may be wondering how core competencies and key skills differ since, on the surface, they sound pretty similar. While they have a lot in common, here is a simple way to understand the difference:
- Key skills are specific hard and soft skills that a job requires. Skills can get as finely-grained as operating construction equipment or programming in a niche computer code.
- Core competencies are groups of skills. They are umbrella terms that encapsulate a broader skill set. For example, computer programming is a core competency. JavaScript, HTML and Python would count as skills.
Now, let’s move on to the main event — core competencies you can add to your resume today.
10 core competencies to put on your resume
Deciding which core competencies are right for your resume shouldn’t be done off the top of your head and done. You should always look at the duties and responsibilities portion of the job ad to see the skills and keywords they cite, then tailor your resume to address them.
Nevertheless, some core competencies have a broad utility in the job market, so we’ve put together a list of the most popular. Use the list as a source of inspiration as you write your resume.
If you’re eager for more, see our resume examples, then choose an industry-appropriate resume template to complete in our Resume Builder. Feel free to use a Google Docs template if that’s more your style.
Leadership
Few core competencies will help you get further ahead in your career than leadership, an ability valued in every industry and career field.
Skills associated with this core competency:
- Employee motivation
- Strategic thinking
- Decision-making
- Taking initiative
- Mentorship
Communication
Communication is nearly always a core competency worth highlighting. Many people, from high-level executives to customer service representatives, use this talent daily.
Skills associated with this core competency:
- Storytelling
- Public speaking
- Active listening
- Email etiquette
- Open-mindedness
Administrative
The ability to execute administrative tasks isn’t only valuable to administrative assistants. Whether you’re planning events or managing your team’s schedule, this core competency will be appreciated.
Skills associated with this core competency:
- Scheduling
- Microsoft Office
- Google Workspace
- Data entry
- Words per minute (WPM) typing speed
Problem-solving
Every company benefits from having a few problem-solvers on staff. Managers need to know more than a problem — they want multiple, carefully thought-out solutions presented to them, making this competency highly desirable.
Skills associated with this core competency:
- Troubleshooting
- Data analysis
- Critical thinking
- Research
- Solution design
Creativity
When there’s not a clear answer to a question, creativity comes in handy. In a job market with similarly skilled candidates, creative job seekers will stand out for their ability to think outside the box.
Skills associated with this core competency:
- Creative direction
- Innovation
- Design sense
- Curiosity
- Visual thinking
Interpersonal skills
Your career will be defined, in part, by how you work with other people. Interpersonal skills are the personality traits that benefit your colleagues and the organization, a core competency your co-workers will thank you for.
Skills associated with this core competency:
- Friendliness
- Empathy
- Conflict resolution
- Diplomacy
- Counseling
Computer skills
At this stage, computer skills are necessary for moving up in the workplace, and the core competencies section is the perfect place to highlight your abilities.
Skills associated with this core competency:
- IT knowledge
- Programming languages like Python, HTML or JavaScript
- Spreadsheets
- Software development
- Cloud computing
Collaboration
Working well with others is an important part of most workplaces, and collaborating effectively contributes to business success. As a core competency, it suggests you’d be a valuable co-worker and employee.
Skills associated with this core competency:
- Relationship-building
- Teamwork
- Giving constructive feedback
- Inclusivity
- Adaptability
Customer service
Whether you work in a call center or on a sales floor, providing top-notch customer service is a core competency that sets you apart from other candidates.
Skills associated with this core competency:
- Customer relationship management (CRM) software
- Persuasive speaking
- Patience
- Product knowledge
- Emotional intelligence
Marketing
Some level of marketing know-how is becoming increasingly required outside marketing departments, so don’t be shy about touting your marketing genius as one of your core competencies.
Skills associated with this core competency:
- Search engine optimization or marketing (SEO/SEM)
- Email automation
- Social media
- Digital advertising
- Content management system (CMS) experience
Core competencies — resume examples for three jobs
Time to see what a core competencies section looks like in action. Let’s take an example from three different careers.
Teacher core competencies
Kyra Coburn
(555) 555-5555
Core competencies: Adaptability | Mentorship | Written and Verbal Communication | Lesson Planning | Presentation Skills
Sales Representative core competencies
Maya Watkins
(555) 555-5555
Core competencies: Customer Service | Active Listening |Sales Techniques | Customer Database Management | Marketing
Registered Nurse core competencies
Matthew Ross
(555) 555-5555
Core competencies: Collaboration | Empathy | Patient Care | Evidence-based Practice | Safety Protocols
3 tips for adding core competencies to your resume
1. Inventory your traits
You have to understand your strengths before you write a core competencies section. How do you do that? Review your (current and previous) job descriptions, reflect on your work experience and start jotting down your day-to-day tasks.
As you make this list, you will begin to see themes that could be labeled as “core competencies.” For example, if you manage projects, mentor younger co-workers and plan strategy, then “leadership” is one of your core competencies.
Finally, chat with co-workers to see how you are perceived in the workplace. Personal traits like friendliness, adaptability and compassion may not appear in the job description, but they are essential core competencies that will help others understand your career.
2. Be concise
Many sections that kick off a resume — objective statements, for example — are short and to the point. Hiring managers only spend about seven seconds glancing at a resume before deciding whether to take a closer look.
Use bullet points or vertical lines to break up your core competencies list into discrete items, and only list your most significant strengths. Save the rest for your skills and work experience sections.
3. Customize it for every job
Every job requires different skills, so you should return to your core competencies every time you apply.
For example, let’s say you’re applying for a job in retail and you’re considering two different companies. The first listing emphasizes customer service while the second focuses on sales techniques. You may want to tweak your resume to ensure you touch on the right keywords in each application.
Don is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than 10 years’ experience creating digital content, including four years helping job seekers develop their careers. He holds an M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University.
