Let me paint you a picture - you are a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed college student ready to enter the workforce! To do so, you need to craft the perfect resume. The problem is that you don’t have any work experience, and your GPA and can-do attitude are simply not enough to get hired.
Employers are always looking for “skilled workers,” but usually don’t take the time to talk about what that means. The term simply refers to individuals with specific training or knowledge that can apply to a certain field of work. But how does one get the skills necessary to impress employers and, eventually, get hired? We’ll delve into exactly what “hard skills" are, their importance, and how to use them to enhance your resume.
Now, without further ado, let’s discover how you can boost your resume and get your dream job.
Hard skills–also known as technical skills–are specific, teachable skills that can be measured. These capabilities tend to be obtained through some form of career learning program or job. These skills are typically industry-specific, for instance, an individual working in digital marketing needs to be proficient in search engine optimization (SEO) techniques.
However, hard skills don’t technically have to apply to only one career. For example, speaking multiple languages is considered a hard skill that can be used in many different fields of work.
While hard skills refer to practical skills that usually aid in a specific line of work, soft skills refer to interpersonal skills that can be applied in any work environment. More specifically, soft skills are non-technical skills that relate to how an employee interacts with others or handles situations within the workplace. Examples of these types of skills include communication, adaptability, and time management.
Although both hard and soft skills are beneficial to have, hard skills tend to carry more weight on resumes. They not only make you stand out compared to other candidates, but they show the employer that you are fit to perform the tasks the position requires. In specific fields, having certain hard skills can be the deciding factor between two qualified applicants.
Different industries usually require different hard skills to succeed. Examples of hard skills needed in different fields of work include:
Orienting your hard skills to the career you want to pursue is very important. Candidates who possess the right hard skills will more likely succeed.
In today’s competitive job market, it is essential to keep learning and obtaining new skills. So that begs the question: how can one obtain hard skills? Here are different career training programs that will help you gain the hard skills necessary to get your dream job:
I feel as if this is the “classic” option. An internship is a program that occurs over a couple of weeks or months either over the summer or while in college. It involves working for a company to gain insights into an industry, along with teaching students the basic skills associated with a given career. Students may be given employee-like responsibilities and may even be offered full-time positions at the company after the internship is completed.
An externship is a short-term work experience (ranging from a day to a month) that is usually part of an educational program. These programs are often led by a company or organization so that students can observe and take part in their daily operations. This experience, similar to an internship, allows students to gain practical experience in a field. Further, these programs tend to be more flexible and inclusive and are extremely helpful for those seeking to learn quickly.
Many online courses offer easily accessible instruction on how to learn hard skills. Especially on sites such as Coursera and LinkedIn, professionals will teach students step-by-step modules on how to complete complex tasks associated with many different professions. Whether you need training in SEO, data analytics, or another technical skill, online courses allow you to learn at your own pace while earning certifications to showcase on your resume.
These online programs allow students to choose the exact skills they need to learn for the position they are looking to get hired for.
Now that you know how to gain hard skills, it is important to know how to use them to enhance your resume. Two tips to do so include:
Examples of hard skills for resumes include:
These skills are typically acquired through education, certifications, or hands-on experience.
One of the fastest and most effective ways to gain hard skills is through externships. Externships provide hands-on experience in a real-world setting, allowing you to:
In 2024, the most in-demand hard skills include:
To list hard skills on your resume:
You should aim to update your hard skills at least once a year to stay competitive. Industries like tech, finance, and marketing evolve rapidly, so continuous learning is essential. Take online courses, attend workshops, or pursue certifications to stay current.
Updating your resume with hard skills relevant to the industry and desired career can make you the ideal candidate for companies and greatly increase your chances of landing a job. Constantly learning and obtaining new skills will not only allow you to compete with other applicants but also ensure long-lasting success in an ever-changing job market.
Need to quickly gain some hard skills for your resume? Become an extern!
A free online externship at Extern is an incredible opportunity to gain valuable hard skills to boost your resume in only a month. These programs are taught by trained professionals who are eager to help you learn all the responsibilities in many different fields, such as consulting, finance, marketing, and more.
*This post was selected as a standout piece written by one of our talented students, Jessie Hausman, during their Extern SEO Content Creation externship. Want a chance to gain real-world experience and be featured? Join our content creation externship program and take your skills to the next level!*
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