The Top 7 Skills In Resume For Fresh Grads To Include!

Graduating from college is a major milestone achievement. Now, you are all set to take on the world and realize your dreams. So, you take the first step in your career journey by looking for entry-level work that suits you.  

While job-hunting online, you start to work on your resume. As you find interesting job postings, you also find that you lack something most employers look for: work experience. After all, you are looking for your first job. But no need to fret. You can highlight your skills and achievements related to the position you are applying for. Having the right kills in a resume for fresh grads are vital for landing that job.

You have probably learned and acquired many skills already. This can be through your academic training, and the roles you played in school activities, events, and internships. You may have also developed other skills through activities outside of school. These may include part-time or freelance work that you have done. It is important to have hard and soft skills in your resume for freshers.

So, what are these skills? Hard skills are technical skills needed to work and accomplish tasks related to the job. You usually get these through your education, training, and practice. On the other hand, soft skills are usually interpersonal skills that have to do with your personality, attitude, and character. It includes how well you can relate and adapt to your work environment and the people around you. Employers usually look for a mix of both hard and soft skills. These are the ones required to get the job done. They also show that the candidate can become an asset to the company. Also, there are hard and soft skills that are transferable. Transferable skills are those that can be used in various jobs and career paths. 

A good balance of skills can enable employees to perform well and be part of a company. So, here below are our top 7 skills in a resume for fresh graduates.

1. Technical Skills

Technical skills are hard skills that include knowledge and abilities specific to a line of work. You may acquire these skills through your schooling. You can also learn them through training and internship or certificate courses outside of school. Many industries place a high premium on hard, technical skills. Some examples include knowledge of programming languages, software tools, and the use of equipment. 

Here are a few more examples of technical skills that can also be transferable:

• Writing and editing
• Project management
• Research skills
• Accounting or bookkeeping
• Data analysis

2. Organization skills

To be a strong candidate, you need to show that you can plan, prioritize, and achieve project goals. Organization skills are important to employers and they want employees who can organize their schedules and focus on work. This ensures performance and productivity. It would also be a big plus if you can show that you can effectively multitask. This includes managing time and tasks well amid work deadlines. 

3. Leadership skills

Employers are more likely to choose candidates who can initiate, inspire, and motivate others. Those who can strategize and implement plans. These are leadership skills that allow employees to successfully work well with others in any work setting. Leadership skills also include a knowledge of human resources, emotional intelligence, and patience. You can demonstrate these qualities in skills in your resume. Show hirers that you have been able to take the lead in projects and people. Also, workers with leadership skills usually put people first. Other fellow employees would like to follow their lead. 

4. Communication skills

Communication is an essential soft skill in any industry or business organization. That is why almost all employers want employees who have excellent written and oral communication skills. These are necessary skills that are important in effectively communicating with managers, officemates, and clients in most companies. They are vital to getting the job done or clinching a deal. These are skills that can be learned through school work and activities. They can also be developed in your interactions outside of school.

5. Adaptability and flexibility; ability to work alone or as part of a team

A good employee needs to be adaptive and flexible, especially in dealing with other people including bosses and workmates. This means being able to work independently when that is what the job entails. You need to being able to accomplish a task well alone and with little supervision. On the other hand, there are many projects and tasks that require teamwork and collaboration with co-workers. This kind of flexibility and adaptability is what employers look for in candidates. Even if you have little or no work experience as a fresh grad, you can highlight these skills in your fresher’s resume. You may have done group work or prepared for events for a school organization. You may have also participated in activities outside of school that requires these skills. Put them in your resume. 

6. Empathy

A company’s biggest and strongest asset is its people. You may have hard and technical skills, but how you relate to people is still key to your career success. You need to be able to show respect, support, and kindness to managers, co-workers, clients, and customers. Technological advancement has been moving companies forward in leaps and bounds. However, at the heart of it all, it is still for and about people. Empathy is a core value and essential building block in all relationships at work. It is a skill that businesses cannot do without. Therefore, hirers place a premium on a candidate’s ability to empathize. It is an important quality and ingredient to a happy and healthy work environment. In your fresher’s resume, show and where you were able to show and practice empathy. This may be in organizations you joined, and in projects you spearheaded. 

7. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity

As in life, every job or work endeavor entails challenges and problems. Whether it is to overcome obstacles or move the company forward, analytical thinking is an essential skill. This may include recognizing patterns, observing behaviors, or interpreting data. Analytical thinking goes well with problem-solving.  So does creativity in finding innovative approaches and solutions to problems and dilemmas. You may have acquired these skills and practiced them in both academic and non-academic settings in your college life. Highlight them in your resume as hirers are looking for these skills across various professions and industries. These skills help to ensure a company’s survival, growth, and success.

You can think about and use these seven skills on your resume. 

Study the job posting and look at the qualities and skills they are looking for. Afterwards, match them with your qualifications and skills. You can create a skills section in your resume. Also, you can work in and show these skills through other parts of the resume. 

Another thing you can do after college is to gain skills through online courses. You can also do volunteer work or other similar activities. Afterwards, you can show skills you learned in your resume.  So, you may not have as much work experience, but as a fresh grad you can bring out the skills that can make you stand out. Use them to let the hirer see you as the best person for the job. 

Check out Jobstreet’s Career Tools for more tips and look at some resume templates you can use. Also, get more confident by using the interview practice tool there for when you get called in for a job interview. 

Ready to find your first job? Then #LetsGetWork

Update your profile then search jobs on our website or download the JobStreet app on the App Store or Google Play. Then visit our Career Advice Hub for more expert advice.