4 Job 'Skills' to Leave Off a Resume

How many words per minute can you type?

May 24, 2012 RSS Feed Print

Don't panic. Many companies only use Excel, Outlook, and Word. Besides, you should spend time becoming versed in the latest software used in your field, and include that knowledge on your resume instead. "Each field has its own set of software, and you should stay up to date on how to use them," Wright says. "For example, within accounting, you should know how to use the latest forms of QuickBooks and Sage Peachtree."

Shorthand. Employers seeking court reporters, administrative assistants, and executive secretaries will find this skill useful, and applicants should specify on a resume which method(s) of shorthand they know. But bricklayers, registered nurses, and security guards can stay mum about possessing this talent. The need to use symbols for dictation and transcription has been depleted in the advent of high-tech audio recording equipment and stenotype machines.

Don't Understand Shorthand?

You don't know how to save time when taking notes, but maybe you have great project-management skills. Or perhaps you consistently overperform under deadlines. Emphasizing your time-management skills is always a good idea on a resume, particularly if you can give examples of your achievements.

Tags:: employment,; careers,; money,; hiring,; resumes

Reader Comments Read all comments (29)

Add Your Thoughts Comment Name State Email

Please enter the two words below into the text field underneath the image.

Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

I don't agree with any of these. I think all these skills are valid, and that your prospective employer should be aware that you have them. Especially second languages. Who cares if you speak something as obscure as Icelandic--it's impressive that you took the time and effort needed to become fluent in a language. Not only does that say something about your work ethic, but it calls attention to intelligence, determination, and your ability to communicate.

Simon of OH 12:21AM April 24, 2013

I appreciate your ideas...I fixed office products for many years but cant get the hang of typing(Sorry!)
But I am a stickler for spelling and consider my command of English superior to most, both written and spoken...I will emphasize this in my resume.

Michael Kinzig of TX 12:20AM April 02, 2013

Leave off my French skills? Those skills mean more than just the ability to be entertained by the mistakes of subtitlers at the movies. It shows I'm a different kind of person, one who has navigated cultural difference and has put ones self in the place of a language learner. This has been important to my career, from working retail to teaching high school. I am offended and shocked that this article would reduce the importance of second language skills to a veritable parlor trick. This is a varied world. French isn't just for going to a pastry store; there are many French African immigrants in the US. If you work in say, health care, you may encounter them. Yes, Spanish and Chinese are more common, but you never know if a prospective employer might be benefitted by your esoteric language skills. At my last seasonal job, guess what was useful: my long-ignored Portuguese skills. PORTUGUESE. I haven't used Portuguese in ten years since my grandmother died, but guess what? The Brazilians who came in the store bought twice as much stuff because I didn't ignore them or inundate them with Spanish. The company knew this when they hired me. So. THERE.
Don't listen to these ignoramuses.

Anne-Marie of CA 6:01PM February 24, 2013

Related Articles

4 Job 'Skills' to Leave Off a Resume

How many words per minute can you type?

You might be interested in...

Reader Comments Read all comments (29)

Jobs That May Interest You

Follow U.S. News Careers

Like Us On Facebook

Latest Video

Editor's Picks