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. Crafting a standout resume or cover letter requires a deep understanding of your unique strengths and how they align with the role you’re pursuing. The HIGH5 strengths assessment provides a comprehensive, scientifically-backed approach to identifying your top five professional strengths and talents.
By uncovering your natural abilities and how they can contribute to your desired career path, the HIGH5 test equips you with the insights needed to create a compelling narrative that resonates with potential employers.
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”).
Leveraging a strengths-based assessment like the HIGH5 test can be an invaluable tool in this process. By pinpointing your top five strengths, the HIGH5 test provides a comprehensive understanding of your unique talents and abilities, enabling you to showcase them effectively in your resume. Moreover, the detailed report offers guidance on how to articulate these strengths in a way that aligns with the specific job requirements, enhancing your chances of standing out as a compelling candidate.
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
When listing your strengths in your resume, consider utilizing the language and insights from your HIGH5 strengths report. This will not only ensure you accurately represent your true abilities but also demonstrate your self-awareness and dedication to personal and professional growth.
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 to highlight 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.
By aligning your natural talents with the job requirements, the HIGH5 test empowers you to create a compelling narrative that emphasizes your unique value proposition as a candidate. This approach not only increases your chances of being called for an interview but also sets you up for success in showcasing your potential during the interview process.
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
When preparing for interviews, review your HIGH5 strengths report and identify specific examples or accomplishments that demonstrate how you’ve leveraged these strengths in past roles or experiences. This will help you provide concrete, tailored responses that resonate with potential employers.
26 strengths to list on a resume or to mention in a job interview & CV
26 examples of strengths that you can include in your resume or CV to increase your odds of being called in for an interview:
- Leadership
- Creativity
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Communication
- Active listening
- Time management
- IT literacy
- Project management
- Adaptability
- Analytical
- Motivational
- Decision making
- Skills management
- Strong work ethic
- Honesty
- Organization
- Critical thinking
- Self-motivated
- Patient
- Dedication
- Trustworthiness
- Open-minded
- Emotional intelligence
- Conflict resolution
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.
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 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.
Leadership
Inspires and guides teams towards achieving goals, demonstrating vision and accountability.
Creativity
Generates innovative ideas and solutions, adept at thinking outside conventional frameworks.
Teamwork
Collaborates effectively with others, contributing to group goals and supporting team members.
Problem-solving
Identifies issues quickly and uses logical reasoning to analyze solutions and resolve conflicts.
Attention to detail
Ensures task precision and accuracy, catching errors before they can become larger issues.
Communication
Articulates ideas clearly and effectively, excelling in both written and verbal interactions.
Active Listening
Pays close attention to the communication of others, ensuring understanding and responsiveness.
Time Management
Manages time efficiently, prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines consistently.
IT Literacy
Proficient in various computer applications and systems, adapting to new technology swiftly.
Project management
Oversees projects from conception to completion, ensuring efficiency and goal fulfillment.
Adaptability
Adjusts quickly to new conditions and challenges, maintaining effectiveness across various scenarios.
Analytical
Possesses strong analytical abilities, interpreting and synthesizing information to make informed decisions.
Motivational
Encourages and inspires individuals to achieve their best through positive reinforcement and leadership.
Decision making
Makes informed decisions efficiently, considering both the short-term and long-term impacts.
Skills management
Identifies, develops, and allocates skills effectively within a team to maximize performance.
Strong work ethic
Demonstrates dedication and a high level of professional integrity in all work engagements.
Honesty
Values transparency and truthfulness in all communications and actions.
Organization
Keeps workspace and tasks neatly organized, leading to increased productivity and clarity.
Critical Thinking: Applies objective analysis and evaluation to solve problems and make decisions.
Self-motivated
Drives oneself to accomplish goals independently, demonstrating initiative and persistence.
Patient
Maintains calmness and composure under stress, approaching situations with a steady and tolerant mindset.
Dedication
Shows a strong commitment to job responsibilities and goes above and beyond to achieve success.
Trustworthiness
Builds and maintains trust through reliable and ethical behavior.
Open-minded
Welcomes different perspectives and is willing to change opinions based on new information.
Emotional intelligence
Manages and harnesses emotions effectively to enhance team interaction and personal resilience.
Conflict resolution
Addresses and navigates disputes smoothly, aiming for mutual understanding and resolution.
How do you identify strengths for a resume/CV?
To identify your strengths for a resume, begin by reflecting on past successes and feedback from colleagues or mentors.
Utilize tools like the HIGH5 test, which provides a scientific and comprehensive analysis of your top five strengths, to gain insights into your natural talents.
Review these results to select strengths that align closely with your target job requirements. Present these strengths in your resume to showcase how they contribute to potential roles and enhance your fit for the position.
Core strengths that employers seek in employees
Your core strengths are the qualities and skills that come naturally to you and make you stand out from others. They are the 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Pro Tip From HIGH5
When discussing specific core strengths like analytical skills or teamwork, reference examples from your HIGH5 strengths report that highlight how you’ve applied these strengths in practical situations. This personalized approach will help employers envision how you can contribute to their organization’s success.
Which 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’s also essential to demonstrate self-awareness and a growth mindset. The HIGH5 strengths assessment takes a nuanced approach to understanding weaknesses as opportunities for development. By identifying areas where you may overuse or underutilize certain strengths, the report provides insights into potential blind spots and areas for growth. This perspective allows you to reframe weaknesses as opportunities for learning and personal growth, showcasing your dedication to continuous improvement and adaptability.
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 the 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 you list skills on a resume?
List skills on a resume under a dedicated “Skills” section, categorizing them as technical or soft skills. Provide context for each skill by briefly mentioning how it contributed to your successes in previous roles.
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.
What are strengths vs skills on a resume?
Strengths are natural talents and consistent qualities that define your personal attributes, while skills are specific abilities and competencies acquired through training and experience. Strengths showcase your potential character fit, and skills demonstrate your practical aptitude for specific tasks.
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.
