Core Competencies That Stand Out: Building a Skills Section for Your Resume

When applying for a technical writing job, your skills section is crucial. Employers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) look here for key abilities. Let’s break down how to create a skills section that highlights the right competencies and makes your resume shine.

1. Focus on Relevant Technical Skills First

Start with the technical skills that the job description lists. These could include “API documentation,” “Markdown proficiency,” or “content management systems.” Prioritizing these terms helps both the ATS and hiring manager see your relevance quickly. Studies show that ATS systems focus on keywords from the job listing, so matching terms is important (CareerBuilder).

2. Include Core Competencies for Technical Writers

Technical writers often need specific skills to succeed. Core skills could include “writing for different audiences,” “content organization,” and “attention to detail.” Look for terms like these in the job description and add them if they match your experience. According to LinkedIn, including industry-specific skills makes your resume more appealing to employers.

• Example: If the role mentions “cross-functional collaboration,” list this as a competency. Use simple language that aligns with the job’s requirements.

3. Highlight Transferable Skills That Add Value

Technical writers use a variety of skills, not all of them technical. Transferable skills are skills you can use in many jobs, like “problem-solving” or “project management.” Adding these skills shows you bring more to the table than just writing. However, be specific: “Project planning for documentation deadlines” is stronger than just “project management.”

4. Organize Your Skills into a Simple List

Organizing skills into categories can make your resume easy to read. For example, split your skills into “Technical Skills” and “Core Competencies.” This layout helps both ATS and hiring managers scan your resume faster. Indeed suggests that clear formatting increases readability and shows professionalism.

5. Use Keywords from the Job Description

Include exact terms from the job description whenever possible. If the employer is looking for “API documentation,” don’t just list “technical writing” alone. Use the same language they use to increase your chances with ATS software. Monster recommends avoiding vague terms like “team player” unless it’s directly mentioned.

6. Avoid Overloading with Too Many Skills

It’s tempting to list every skill you have, but this can make your resume look cluttered. Stick to 8-10 key skills that best match the job. This approach keeps your resume focused and relevant. Quality is more important than quantity, and it keeps hiring managers from feeling overwhelmed by too much information.

7. Emphasize Your Core Competencies in Other Sections

The skills section isn’t the only place for core competencies. Reinforce them within your work experience too. For example, if you list “collaboration” as a skill, demonstrate it in an achievement. You could state: “Worked with engineers to create user-friendly API documentation.” Repeating skills throughout your resume increases their impact.

Conclusion

Building a strong skills section for your resume isn’t complicated. Focus on key technical and core skills, use language from the job description, and avoid unnecessary extras. List 8-10 relevant competencies. This will create a clear and focused skills section. It highlights your strengths. Additionally, it improves your chances with ATS software and hiring managers alike.