Download Free Skill-Based Resume Templates in Microsoft Word, OpenOffice Writer, and Google Docs with resume tips and examples for each section in 2023.
A skills-based resume is what you need when you are loaded with skills for a specific job but don’t have the work experience to back that up.
A functional or skills-based resume prioritizes a candidate’s skills over qualities like education or previous employment. This type of resume combines skills, such as “Technical Skills” or “Leadership Skills,” rather than detailing job experience in chronological order.
A functional or skills-based resume puts experience and transferable skills above a list of former positions held. Candidates with employment gaps or career changers frequently use it. An effective skills-based resume should concisely and simply describe the candidate’s skills, accomplishments, and instances of how they have used those skills.
Whether you’ve just graduated, are switching jobs, or are simply looking to refresh your resume, this article will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to create an engaging and successful skills-based resume.
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Skill-Based Resume (MS Word, OpenOffice Writer & Google Docs)
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Skill-Based Resume Design Sample
Skill-Based Resume Sample (Plain Text)
Desta Briggs
Graphic Designer
558-963-1274
desta.briggs@example.com
www.linkedin.com/Desta_BriggsResume Objective
Graphic designer with considerable expertise in print design, marketing, and multimedia. Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills; active team player with strong written and vocal communication skills. An enthusiastic and creative designer accustomed to working under pressure and limited budgets and creating advanced marketing ideas and campaigns.
Skills Summary
Visual Design
- Routinely worked on the overall graphic design, page layout, and creation of online and digital visual material.
- Led the daily design several of technology-related initiatives.
- Product photography sessions for print advertising and promotional materials are art-directed.
Illustration
- Fresh graphic designs and concepts were created and put into use for several advertising and promotional projects.
- Worked together with several creative teams to produce and illustrate a run of comic books.
Print Design
- Extensive experience in designing various print materials such as brochures, flyers, business cards, and posters.
- Familiar with print production processes and file preparation for different printing methods.
Work Experience
Freelance Conceptual Artist
Chicago, IL
May 2017—PresentResponsibilities:
- Creating visually compelling designs for various digital and print projects, including branding, marketing collateral, social media graphics, and website layouts.
- Conducting research and maintaining awareness of industry trends and best practices to ensure up-to-date and innovative design solutions.
- Collaborated with clients to understand their design requirements, brand guidelines, and target audience to develop effective design solutions.
Additional Skills
- Adobe Creative Suite
- MS Office Suite
- HTML5
- Manual Drawing Skills
- Color Theory
- Digital graphics
- Attention to Detail
- Collaboration Skills
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Marketing, Minor in Graphic Arts
Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA
Graduated – May 2016
Tips to Write An Effective Skills-Based Resume
- Go over the job description and note the specific skills and credentials that the company is looking for. Make sure to highlight those skills in your resume and use language appropriate to the position and sector.
- Give particular instances and successes from your prior career to substantiate your skills and credentials.
- If you are changing jobs or have gaps in your career history, focus on transferable skills that are relevant to the position you are applying for.
- Verify your resume carefully for spelling and grammar errors.
- A skill-focused resume shouldn’t be more than two pages. Make sure to convey your qualifications clearly and exclude any irrelevant information.
Section-Wise Resume Writing Tips
Follow the below-given tips for each resume section.
Writing An Engaging Resume Objective For A Skill-Based Resume
- Make sure to customize your objective statement for each position you apply to. Research the job description and identify the key skills and qualifications they are seeking. Then, highlight those skills in your objective.
- Since you’re using a skill-based resume format, focus on highlighting your key skills and areas of expertise.
- If you have any notable achievements or accomplishments related to your skills, include them in your objective statement.
- Clearly state how your skills can benefit the organization and contribute to its success.
- Aim to keep your objective statement brief and focused.
Correct Example
“A skilled marketer with a record of developing successful marketing campaigns and exceptional project management skills. Adept in generating evident results that encourage growth. Interested in joining as a marketing manager to put my skills to work.”
Incorrect Example
“Professional marketer seeking a challenging opportunity to put my marketing and strategy skills into action.”
How To Write A Professional Work Experience Section?
- List all of your prior jobs beginning with the most recent, in reverse chronological order.
- Verify your successes with figures and metrics whenever you can.
- Only if it is relevant to the position you are looking for, should your employment history be included.
- If you have expertise in a variety of industries, emphasize the experiences that are relevant to the position you are now seeking.
- Use active language and an action verb at the start of each bullet point.
- Use language that is specific to the job and industry for which you are applying.
Correct Example
Doc Stock Inc
Digital Marketer
March 2018 – PresentJob Responsibilities:
- Managed social media accounts with more than 50,000 followers in total, which improved engagement and brand visibility.
- Conducted email marketing initiatives that increased click-through rates by 20% and open rates by 16%.
- Worked with cross-functional teams to create and implement effective product launches and promotions that increased consumer enjoyment and loyalty.
Incorrect Example
Digital Marketer at Doc Stock Inc
Job Responsibilities:
- Supervised social media accounts
- Implemented email marketing campaigns
- Worked as a team to increase customer loyalty
What Should You Do If Your Work History Has Gaps?
Highlight important skills
Focus on your accomplishments and skills that are relevant to the position you are looking for rather than discussing your career history.
Use a suitable header
Use “Relevant Experience” or “Professional Skills” as a heading rather than “Work Experience.”
Think about including volunteer or freelance work
Any volunteer work or self-employment you have done must be listed here in place of any paid employment experience. This demonstrates how you utilized your talents while out of the job.
Fill in the gaps in your resume
You should address any gaps in your professional experience in your cover letter even though you don’t have to on your resume. Give a good justification for such gaps, and briefly describe how you spent the time.
How To Highlight Your Education In A Skill-Based Resume?
Position your education section strategically: In a skill-based resume, the education section typically comes after the skills section. Place it towards the end of your resume, following the skills and qualifications that are more directly relevant to the position you’re applying for.
Include relevant coursework or projects: If you pursued coursework or completed projects that are directly related to the skills or industry you’re targeting, include them in your education section.
Highlight certifications or specialized training: If you have obtained any certifications, licenses, or completed specialized training programs that are relevant to the position, make sure to include them in your education section.
Mention academic honors or awards: If you received any notable academic honors, scholarships, or awards during your education, consider mentioning them in your education section.
Keep it concise: When listing your educational details, focus on the most relevant information and keep it concise. Include the name of the institution, degree earned, major or field of study, and the graduation year. If you have multiple degrees or extensive education history, consider including only the most recent and highest level of education.
Use formatting to your advantage: Format your education section in a clear and organized manner. Use bullet points or a table format to present your educational details neatly. Ensure consistency in formatting throughout your resume.
Correct Example
Education
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Major: Marketing
The University of California
Berkeley, CA
Graduation Date: May 2022
Bachelor of Science in Biology, Minor: Chemistry
University of California
Los Angeles, CA
Graduation Date: May 2018Relevant coursework:
Marketing Strategy, Consumer Behavior, Market Research, Financial Management, and Organizational Behavior.
Incorrect Example
Master of Business Administration with a marketing major
Graduated from California University
How To Write an Outstanding Skill Summary Section?
Your resume’s essential skills summary section highlights your key accomplishments and qualities relevant to the position you’re looking for. To make it impressive keep in mind the following.
Use relevant keywords
Look through the job description and note the words and phrases the employer is looking for. Use these terms in your talents summary section to show that you have the skills and qualifications they are searching for.
Focus on your technical skills
Hard skills, such as software competence, data analysis, or project management, are specialized skills that you have acquired through formal education or real-world experience. In your summary, include a section on these difficult skills.
Include soft skills
Soft skills, or interpersonal abilities that are challenging to measure, include teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership.
What types of skills can be listed on a skills-based resume?
Technical Skills: This refers to knowledge of how to operate software, equipment, and other forms of technology.
Soft Skills: These are related to your personality traits like communication, problem-solving, time management, and teamwork which are highly recognized.
Language Skills: Be sure to mention them on your skills-based resume if you are bilingual or fluent in a foreign language.
Organizational Skills: Having organizational skills can help you manage your workload, set priorities, and fulfill deadlines.
Industry-specific Skills: These are particular skills that are highly appreciated depending on the industry you work in.
Certificates and Licenses: List any relevant certificates and licenses on your skills-based resume. For example, your CPA or real estate license.
Technical Skills
- Programming Languages
- Databases
- Web Development
- Cloud Computing
- Cybersecurity
- Project Management
Hard Skills
- Computer Skills
- Data Analysis
- Technical Writing
- Project Management
- Quality Control
- Marketing
- Languages Skills
Soft Skills
- Communication
- Problem-Solving
- Collaboration
- Adaptability
- Time-Management
- Leadership
- Attention to Details
- Customer Service
Add A Cover Letter To Your Skill-Based Resume
- Mention the position title, the business name, and any other pertinent details.
- Focus on your qualifications in the cover letter that meet the requirements of the position.
- To demonstrate your strong interest, do a little additional research on the firm and talk about what you find intriguing about it.
- Address the hiring manager by name if at all feasible and thank them for looking through your application.
- Before sending your cover letter, make sure it is completely error-free of typos, grammatical mistakes, and other difficulties.
Prompts To Generate Resume In ChatGPT
We must provide precise prompts to construct a resume. You’ll have the outcomes you want.
The prompts for each component to utilize when creating a Skill-Based Resume in ChatGPT are listed below.
ChatGPT prompt for objective
“Write a captivating resume objective for a skilled-based resume.”
ChatGPT Prompt For Work Experience Section
“Write a professional resume work experience for a skilled-based resume.”
“How to describe your work experience on your skilled-based resume?”
ChatGPT Prompt For Skills
“Write the transferrable skills relevant to a skilled-based resume”
“What are the hard skills for a skilled-based resume?”
“Write the hard skills for a skilled-based resume.”
“What are the soft skills for a skilled-based resume?”
“Write the soft skills for a skilled-based resume.”
ChatGPT Prompt For Additional Sections
“What are the additional sections to include in a skilled-based resume?”
“Additional sections for enhancing a skilled-based resume.”