The right strengths for resumes, cover letters, and interviews can make a difference between a job offer or rejection. Resumes, cover letters, and interviews are the first step to getting hired for any job.
Unfortunately, many people don’t know how to write these documents in a way that will get them noticed. This is why we’ve created this article with a list of strengths you can use when applying for jobs.
You’ll stand out from other applicants if you include some of these strengths in your resume or cover letter.
And if, at any point, you want to discover your top 5 professional strengths, consider the HIGH5 test. This scientifically backed assessment is designed to uncover your unique talents and how they can accelerate your career.
What Are Professional Strengths for a Resume?
In a resume, a person’s strengths are usually itemized to convince the hiring manager that you have the necessary qualities to excel in your profession. For example, if you’re applying for an office job, you might emphasize your organizational skills (e.g., “organized and managed all incoming receipts” or “strong attention to detail”).
On the other hand, if you’re applying for a manual job, you might highlight physical strength (e.g., “able to lift to 50 lbs” or “familiar with using power tools”). The more skills and qualities you can list in your resume, the better.
There is a caveat here: don’t include every strength you have ever used even if it’s awesome. You need to show some restraint and not go on and on about the awesome things you’ve done in your life. I’d say 5-7 well-chosen strengths would be optimal for your resume.
It should help to make an exhaustive list of all the skills, talents, and strengths you have gained from working or studying, or plying your trade over the years. Think of each experience as a different way in which you showed leadership, creativity, responsibility, courage, integrity, determination, discipline, and empathy.
The point is that when writing a resume or cover letter, you must convey that you have a versatile skill set that can be used effectively in the job for which you are applying.
The key to crafting a resume or cover letter is to demonstrate a diverse skill set that aligns with the job requirements. The HIGH5 test identifies strengths in actionable categories like strategic thinking and relationship building, providing precise guidance on which strengths to emphasize in your resume.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
Here at HIGH5, we are all about making sure your strengths stand out, either as an individual, team or organization. For this reason, we developed the HIGH5 test, a free strengths assessment, which aims to help people better understand their personal skill set and how they can use it to their best advantage in their work.
Our test is a fast, reliable and scientifically validated instrument that offers a comprehensive analysis for any person or team looking to get structured and actionable insights on their strengths.
Why is it Important to Showcase Strengths in a Resume?
Did you know that only about 20% of people who apply for a job get called for an interview? Even if their resume is good, that means 80% of applicants are getting rejected. This is where your resume comes in.
You need to convince the hiring manager that you’re an excellent fit for the job by highlighting your strengths. And this isn’t just about showing what you can do; it’s also about suggesting what you can become, i.e., how you would grow into that role if given the chance.
Using a free strengths test (like HIGH5) to identify your strengths can be a game-changer for your resume. Not only will it help you accurately showcase your skills and abilities, but it will also give you the language to articulate them effectively.
Utilizing insights from the HIGH5 test also emphasizes your unique strengths in your resume, making you a more compelling candidate by aligning your natural talents with the job requirements.
That means that when writing a resume, you must avoid focusing on past performance (i.e., skills, qualifications, and experience). Instead, emphasize future potential (i.e., growth mindset ).
If possible, make sure to include some bullet points under each strength demonstrating your desire to learn new things and develop yourself further within the position. Doing so will show the hiring manager that you’re a perfect fit for the company.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
The free HIGH5 strengths test can help you better understand your skill set by identifying your top 5 strengths in just 15 minutes. Our test differentiates 20 strengths across 4 domains (Thinking, Feeling, Doing, and Motivating), revealing which of your strengths you should direct your focus to, take leverage on, learn to navigate or delegate to teammates. Additional insights, such as examples on how to use each strength more effectively, challenges to watch-out for, or how any strength applies career-wise, are also provided by a full individual strengths report.
List with 45 Examples of Key Strengths for a Resumes, Job Interview, and Cover Letters
List with 40 examples of strengths that you can include in your resume or CV to increase your odds of being called in for an interview:
- Positive personality
- Self-motivated
- Multilingual
- Prioritization
- Communication
- Interpersonal skills
- Honesty
- Creativity
- Adaptability
- Planning skills
- Management skills
- Resourceful
- Time management
- Analytical skills
- Independent
- Responsible
- Reliable
- Proactive
- Collaborative
- Social skills
- Active listening
- Self-aware
- Self-confident
- Innovative
- Knowledgeable
- Open-minded
- Dependable
- Empathetic
- Enthusiastic
- Leadership
- Focused
- Artistic
- Critical thinking
- Detail-oriented
- Ethical
- Computer skills
- Persistent
- Stress-resistant
- Proactive
- Flexible
- Open-minded
- Well-organized
- Problem-solving
- Negotiation skills
- Teamwork
Pro Tip From HIGH5
Identify which of these strengths resonate with your HIGH5 results to tailor your resume more effectively. Employers seek individuals who not only have the skills but also the intrinsic motivations that align with their organizational culture. Highlighting your HIGH5 strengths ensures you present yourself as a candidate who is not only capable but also deeply engaged with your work.
HIGH5 is a unique program designed to help people learn more about themselves and each other by discovering their strengths.
Identifying which of these strengths resonate with your HIGH5 results to tailor your resume more effectively, showcasing your genuine talents to potential employers.
What sets this methodology apart is that it combines theoretical principles with real-world insights – an approach that has been refined through analysis of test taker data.
The model used to identify strengths was developed in consultation with practitioners and based on five criteria, including whether they feel natural and provide positive energy. The model measures a total of 20 strengths across four different domains.
It’s a scientifically validated approach that’s continually refined thanks to the large number of free test takers who participate. By making this program accessible to everyone, HIGH5 is helping to promote positive collaboration and understanding in all areas of life.
Core Strengths Which Employers Seek in Employees
Pro Tip From HIGH5
Utilize your HIGH5 test results to match the core strengths employers are looking for. This will not only make your application more attractive but also increase your chances of job satisfaction, as you’ll be aligning with roles that fit your natural talents and abilities.
Your core strengths are the qualities and skills that come naturally to you and make you stand out from others. They are your unique selling points that set you apart from other candidates in job interviews, and they should be highlighted on your resume to grab an employer’s attention.
Leveraging your HIGH5 test results can help demonstrate your alignment with employers’ needs. The free strengths report from HIGH5 not only showcases your top five strengths but also provides actionable insights on how these strengths can contribute to team dynamics and organizational goals.
Tailoring your resume and interview responses to reflect these strengths illustrates your potential to add value and adapt to the company culture. With that in mind, here are the top core strengths to consider.
Analytics as a Core Strengths
Being an analytical employee is a great way to stand out in the business world. Having strong analytical skills is necessary when it comes to sifting through large amounts of data to find solutions to complex problems.
Employers are always looking for people with this skill, so you must highlight your abilities when applying for jobs. Not only will this help improve your chances of landing an interview, but it’ll also show employers what you can bring to their company.
Being analytical doesn’t just mean knowing how to run numbers or crunch data; it also means being able to recognize patterns and trends within the information. For example, if someone told you that “98% of people who buy ice cream do so on Tuesdays,” you would recognize this as a pattern.
If you found out that sales were low on Tuesdays, you would be able to determine that it was because people weren’t buying ice cream (and not because they were saving money by shopping at another time).
Being analytical allows you to see patterns that others might miss; patterns that might give your employer benefits that other employees might not.
Communication as a Core Strengths
Adequate communication skills are necessary for almost every profession, and your resume should reflect your ability to communicate clearly and directly while working with others. This includes:
Speaking – You need to show employers that you can speak confidently and coherently during an interview or job presentation. You will also have to prove that you know how to effectively use language when speaking to clients, other employees, and other business contacts.
Listening – Employers want someone who can listen to their ideas and concerns, as well as to the needs of clients. They want someone who can make sense of information that’s related to them, ask questions if necessary (to fully understand), and respond appropriately.
Writing – You should highlight your ability to write clearly and coherently for various purposes like reports, emails, proposals, manuals, etc.
Dependability as a Core Strengths
Being dependable is an extremely important trait when it comes to getting hired. Employers want reliable people; they don’t want you to flake out at the last minute or fail to meet deadlines. If you have a history of being dependable, make sure you highlight this in your resume and during your interview.
Being dependable also means that employers can trust you with responsibilities, so showing them that you’ve had experience completing projects promptly is incredibly helpful when trying to land the job.
Teamwork and Leadership as a Core Strengths
Teams are pretty much everywhere these days, which means that teamwork is just as important as individual ability. Many companies see employees working well together as more valuable than employees who are great at their jobs but cannot work with others.
Employers want employees who are willing to put the needs of the company before their own; they want people who can work collaboratively with others, no matter what position they’re in.
They also value strong leaders (and look for them when hiring), which means that highlighting your ability to lead teams and projects is an excellent way of standing out during your job search.
IT Skills as a Core Strengths
Technology is everywhere today, so having some knowledge of how computers and other devices work is almost a requirement when it comes to employment. While this isn’t incredibly important if you’re looking at low-level jobs like dishwashers or cashiers, it’s highly valued by employers if you’re aiming for higher-up positions like managers or engineers.
If you know how to use software that the company you’re trying to get a job with uses, it could be incredibly helpful in landing your dream position. You don’t have to be a computer genius, but being able to navigate the Internet and type up a document is something that employers will notice during your interview.
Creativity and Innovation as Core Strengths
Being creative when it comes to your work can be incredibly valuable to an employer. They want someone willing to try new methods when it comes to solving problems, as well as being open to new ideas and being able to think outside the box to offer solutions.
When it comes down to it, employers are looking for people who are willing to innovate when working on their projects instead of just doing things the same way they’ve always done. This includes showing initiative when tackling difficult tasks and finding unique ways of dealing with issues that might not have a solution already.
Adaptability as Core Strength
Adaptability is another trait that employers are looking for when filling out job openings; it means you can easily adapt to new situations and change your thinking or actions if needed. If you’ve ever had to deal with major life changes, like moving across the country, then this might come naturally to you.
If not, employers want people who are open to learning new things (like the software they’re using), as well as trying different methods of doing tasks based on the skills of their co-workers or feedback they receive from their boss.
Ethics and Integrity as a Core Strengths
Having ethics and integrity in your work is important to employers. They want people who are willing to play by the rules and do what they’re supposed to, even if it’s not in their best interest (in other words, people who aren’t selfish).
Being ethical and having integrity when it comes to working means that you won’t make mistakes when doing something because you’re doing it the wrong way; on a personal level, it could mean that instead of cheating on a test or fudging some numbers on your taxes, you’ll do your very best because that’s what’s expected of you.
Employers will notice whether or not you have ethics and integrity during your interview; be honest with them about past mistakes or unethical behavior (but don’t bring up anything too personal), as well as speak about what you’ve done to make sure doesn’t happen again.
What are Weaknesses To Put on a Resume?
This is going to depend on your particular skill set and the job you’re applying for. Employers want applicants who have their best qualities near the top of their resumes, so they’ll likely look at those things first before looking at weaknesses.
Weaknesses will typically be placed near the bottom of a resume and employers might not read them (at) all. If weaknesses come up, try to speak about how you’ve worked to improve over time instead of just trying to brush the weaknesses off. If the weakness is something that will affect your ability to do your job, then it’s worth being honest.
As detailed in our methodology, we emphasize understanding your weaknesses as ‘overused’ strengths. Using the full strengths report from HIGH5, individuals can identify areas for development, not as flaws, but as opportunities for growth and learning.
This nuanced view helps in preparing for interviews where discussing weaknesses becomes a chance to showcase your self-awareness and dedication to personal and professional development.
For a deeper understanding, consider exploring our methodology for interpreting and leveraging your full strengths report.
List of 7 Weaknesses To Include on a Resume
A list of weaknesses for a resume will depend on the job that you’re applying for.
In general, the following is a list of weaknesses that employees tend to have:
- Inability to work alone without supervision
- Inability to prioritize time well
- Poor communication skills
- Irrational fears of certain objects or situations
- Easily distracted
- Impulsive behavior
- Excitability or extreme emotions that cause problems in social settings
Strengths vs. Weaknesses on a Resume
Every person has strengths and weaknesses, and while employers are looking for the best qualities in a potential hire, it still might be appropriate to mention your weaknesses during your interview.
For example, if you’re applying for a job as an accountant and you’ve studied the theory of numbers but don’t have any practical experience yet, then mentioning that you know how to do calculations in your interview (but haven’t had any real chance of putting something into practice) will show the employer that you take initiative.
On the other hand, if you’re applying for a teaching position and one of your weaknesses is that you sometimes allow students to speak with each other when they should be working independently, then this may hurt your chances of getting hired unless there’s another reason why the interviewer thinks that you’d be good at teaching (such as, you took classes alongside future teachers or you regularly babysit for friends or family members).
During a job interview, employers will try to discover both sides of the equation – in other words, what you’re good at and what you’re not so great at – to determine if they want to hire you. Having a long list of weaknesses could indicate that you’re not willing to improve your skills, but choosing just one or two is the best approach.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
Incorporate your understanding of your HIGH5 strengths into the ‘Skills’ section of your resume and use them to answer interview questions about your strengths and weaknesses. This approach demonstrates self-awareness and a proactive stance towards personal development, which are highly valued by employers.
Strengths and Resume/CV FAQ
How can the HIGH5 test improve my resume and interview responses?
The HIGH5 test pinpoints your top five strengths and delivers a detailed report loaded with actionable insights.
This valuable information enables you to customize your resume and interview responses, highlighting your unique strengths in alignment with employer expectations.
By accentuating these strengths, you not only exhibit a profound comprehension of your personal and professional abilities but also distinguish yourself from the competition.
How do I list my skills on a resume in 2024?
When you are making a resume, simply listing your skills is not enough to convince employers that you truly have those skills. You can list them under a separate column in your resume titled skills.
However, another section of your resume should include an overview of your prior job experience. There, you should list how those skills helped you succeed in that job and how the skills helped benefit your prior team. Be prepared for interviewers to ask follow-up questions, too.
What is your strength best answer?
When answering the question “What is your greatest strength?” it can be difficult to ensure that you are not overly confident. Try to answer as honestly as you can. Additionally, provide the employer with an example of you using that skill.
Which skill made you succeed at your last job? Which skill contributed to your team’s success the most? Think of a moment that clearly answers these questions and shows how you can be a great addition to the team, and center your answer around that.
Overall Conclusion
In conclusion, you should always include your strengths in a resume, cover letter, or interview – but make sure that they’re relevant to the job you want and that you can back them up.
Lastly, don’t let any part of your application define who you are as a person because no one aspect should define someone’s skills or capabilities – instead, all the parts should work well together to explain what makes you, you.
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