12 Synonyms for “Skills” on Your Resume
Do you want to talk about your technical skills on your resume? Well, that’s always good, as it’s what employers tend to look out for to see what you can do.
However, “skills” itself may not be an effective term. So, this article will look into another word for “skills” that might help to spice up your writing.
Skills Synonyms
- Confident in my ability to
- Learned from
- Studied and understood
- Knowledge base
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “Skills” are always useful on a resume, but you might want to use a less common term.
- “Expertise” is a better synonym if you want something that won’t appear in everyone’s resume.
- “Confident in my ability to” is a reassuring phrase showing an employer what you’re made of.
There’s more to say, and you should read on to learn more about the best alternatives. We’ve explained more about the most useful ones and how to get them correct.
The final section also explains more about “skills.” So, if you want to learn whether it’s okay to include “skills” on your resume, you know where to go.
“Expertise” is another word for “skills” that works well in resumes. It suggests you are an expert in a field, meaning you have a lot of experience in it.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “expertise” as “the skill of an expert.”
Using “expertise” is great if you want to show an employer what you can do. As long as you relate your expertise to the job role, you’ll make yourself a very desirable candidate .
Of course, you must always be careful about claiming “expertise” when applying for a job. If you can’t back it up with evidence , you might get caught out later if an employer chooses to hire you.
For instance, if you claim to have expertise in coding, you will need to prove that at some point. If your boss asks you to code a program for him and you aren’t an expert like you claimed, it won’t take long for them to figure out that you lied on your resume.
So, as long as you don’t lie, “expertise” is great to include. It’s just as effective as “skills,” meaning that both terms work well.
These are some great examples to help you understand it:
My expertise in this field has allowed me to climb the ranks easily. I hope you will see that from my track record.
I have plenty of expertise that I’m looking to bring to the office. There is so much that I can do to improve the efficiency of this company.
Confident in My Ability to
“Confident in my ability to” is a great phrase to replace “skills.” You can use it to show that you have abilities that correlate well to the job you’re applying for.
Also, starting the phrase with “confident” shows you are certain . It shows you don’t doubt your abilities, making it easier to convince an employer to hire you.
The only issue you may have with “confident in my ability to” is that it only works as part of a sentence. You must say “I am confident in my ability to;” otherwise, it wouldn’t make much sense.
For instance, you won’t be able to start listing abilities after the phrase. “Skills” allows you to list your skills in bullet points (which is easier to read). “Confident in my ability to” does not allow you to list them.
So, both phrases are effective. “Skills” works better if you want to list things, though. “Confident in my ability to” works best if you want to include it in a sentence.
Take a look through the following examples to help you:
Naturally, I am confident in my ability to direct a team. I have repeatedly proven that I can complete group projects to a superior quality.
I am confident in my ability to deliver high-quality goods. That’s why I’m a good fit for this production role.
Should You Say “Skills” on Your Resume?
You should include “skills” on your resume to some degree . There’s nothing wrong with including the term “skills.” In fact, it’s quite formal and is certainly appropriate in many written contexts.
While you might not include a list of “skills” in something like a cover letter, a list would be very useful when writing a resume. After all, a list gives an employer a comprehensive rundown of all your skills and abilities.
The more you can relate your list of skills to the job role, the better you’ll look to an employer. You can show them straight away that you are a good fit for the job by getting your skills correct.
Here’s a quick example to show you how to list your skills:
Skills : – Excellent communication skills – Well-versed in C# – Fluent in three languages (French, English, Arabic)
You can include as many skills as you want. We suggest keeping them relevant, but the more skills you have, the better you’ll look.
Keep this page bookmarked for future reference! That way, you’ll always have a list of alternatives ready for when you don’t want to use “skills.”
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10 Synonyms for “Skills” on a Resume
So, you’re trying to find a way to talk about your “skills” on a resume, right?
Well, you might worry that “skills” isn’t a good phrase or is a bit repetitive.
Fear not! We’re here to help.
This article will explain what to say instead of “skills” to help you keep your writing fresh and engaging.
Is “Skills” a Good Word for Your Resume?
“Skills” is a good word for your resume . It works well because it allows you to talk about all the things you’ve picked up throughout the years of your employment.
Generally, “skills” is a subheading in a resume. It allows you to list your skills in an easy way for the recruiters or employers to see what you’re capable of.
For example:
- Well-versed with Microsoft Office
- Excellent communicator
- Team leader
However, you can also use it in a sentence , such as:
I have picked up many skills that apply to a job such as this. I’m very excited to showcase what I can do.
- It’s one of the best ways to describe your past experience.
- It shows you value your ability and what you can achieve.
- It comes up all the time, so it’s a bit repetitive.
- Recruiters are looking for more interesting ways for applicants to discuss their “skills.”
While “skills” is a great phrase to include on a resume, that doesn’t mean you should limit yourself to it. So, you should have a few alternatives ready to help you out.
Keep reading to learn how to say “skills” on a resume. We’ve touched on some of the best synonyms to help you explore your options.
What to Say Instead of “Skills”
- Proficiencies
- Capabilities
- Qualifications
- Accomplishments
- Technical skills
1. Abilities
One of the best alternatives to using “skills” on your resume is “abilities.”
This is a great word that keeps things formal and direct . It lets recruiters know what you are capable of and what you’re willing to bring with you to the workplace.
Generally, this is a great way to list your qualifications or skills . It’ll help to keep things easier for recruiters and employers to read.
You can also review these resume samples:
I have a lot of abilities that will help me in this workplace. I’m excited to show you more about what I can do.
My abilities will help me to stand out more amongst the other applicants. So, I hope you can see that and ask me for more information.
2. Proficiencies
You can use “proficiencies” as another word for “skills” on a resume.
It shows you how to describe skills on a resume by keeping things more professional and sincere .
Generally, this is a great way to encourage an employer to hire you. It lets them know that you mean business and want to prove yourself quickly.
Also, feel free to review the following CV samples:
I’m proud of my proficiencies here. I’m so excited to join your company, as I know I’ll be a great fit.
These are my main proficiencies . I’m happy to explore them further with you if you’d like to take it to an interview.
3. Expertise
You can use “expertise” as another synonym for “skills” as well.
This time, it’s a more subtle yet professional word to include. We like using “expertise” because it lets people know what you can do.
Also, if you think you’re an expert in something, it means you’re confident in your own knowledge .
So, it’s a great way to ty and sell yourself.
Feel free to review these examples if you’re still unsure:
It’s clear that my expertise has set me up for success in this field. I know that I’ll be a great fit if you choose to hire me.
This is my expertise . Please review it and let me know what you think. I’m hopeful that this role will be good for both of us.
Feel free to write “talents” instead of “skills” as well. This is a great way to mix things up, as it’s a formal synonym that shows you have a lot of knowledge or experience.
Generally, “talents” refers to things you’ve always been good at. So, it’s a great phrase to include that lets someone know you’re keen to impress them.
Here are some great examples to help you understand it:
I have many talents that I’d like to share regarding this position. Then, you’ll know that I’m serious about the role.
My talents stand on their own. I have shown you what I can do, and I look forward to hearing from you.
5. Capabilities
Another great term to use on a resume is “capabilities.” This works well when replacing “skills” because it shows what you’re capable of bringing to a team. Generally, this is a great way to impress an employer . They’ll be more likely to consider you for a role if they can see how your capabilities might directly correlate to the position you are applying for.
You can also check out these examples to learn more:
My capabilities are unlike anyone else’s. I’m very excited to join the team, and I hope you consider me moving forward.
These are my main capabilities . I’m certain that they’ll make me a good fit for this role as you look to hire a candidate.
6. Qualifications
We also recommend including “qualifications” on your resume. This is a great way to let people know the types of things you’ve picked up over the years.
Generally, “qualifications” directly relate to the knowledge you’ve gained. It refers to things like training courses and certifications you might have received that will help you in the jobs you go for.
It’s formal and to the point . So, it makes it very clear to the reader what they should expect from you.
If you’re still unsure, check out these examples:
These are my qualifications . Please review them and let me know whether you think I’m a good fit for this role.
I have a great deal of qualifications that help me in this field. I’m happy to demonstrate what I can do at an interview.
7. Strengths
It’s good to use “strengths” to try and sell yourself in a resume as well. This is a great term that replaces “skills” by showing how you hold specific experience in high regard.
Generally, if something is your “strength,” it means you’re very confident with it. This is a great way to impress a recruiter who’s looking through your resume to learn more about you.
Here are some cover letter samples to help you figure out how to use it:
These are my main strengths . I also know that they’re a great fit for this role, and I’m excited to bring them with me.
My strengths stand out compared to other candidates. I’m very excited to show you what I can do before we move forward.
8. Accomplishments
You can also write “accomplishments” in your resume instead of “skills.” We certainly recommend using this to show what you’re able to bring to a team.
Generally, “accomplishments” refers to things you’ve already achieved in the workplace.
So, it’s a great way to brag about yourself (in a positive way, of course).
These resume samples will also help you to understand it:
I have many accomplishments that work well in a job like this. So, I’m convinced that this role is right for me.
My accomplishments speak for themselves. I’m so excited to see what comes next when we start working together.
9. Know-How
Try using “know-how” to let a recruiter know what you can do.
We recommend it because it’s a useful formal phrase. It shows that you’re able to bring your knowledge to a job because it directly correlates with the things someone is asking you to do.
Of course, this usually works best when you’re able to back it up with evidence. So, it might be worth including things in your portfolio or resume to express how you have “know-how.”
If you’re still unsure, you can review these examples:
I have a lot of know-how to help me in this field. I’m confident that I’ll be able to bring it with me if you consider me.
My know-how has developed over the years. I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved and what I can bring to the table.
10. Technical Skills
You can also use “technical skills” instead of “skills.” Yes, technically, it means the same thing.
However, adding “technical” before “skills” helps you to spice things up.
It shows that you’ve got hands-on experience with certain things. This is a great way to show that you’re already well-versed in a situation and know how to handle yourself.
Generally, this allows you to sell yourself to an employer. They’ll be much more likely to want to hire you after using a phrase like this.
Feel free to check out these examples if you still need help with it:
I have a lot of technical skills relating to this area. I’m certain that you’ll be impressed with what I can do.
My technical skills will help me to stand out in this field. I’m glad that you’re considering me for the position.
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