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Teamwork Skills on Your Resume: List and Examples

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Dive Into Expert Guides to Enhance your Resume

Teamwork skills in the workplace are essential for the vast majority of jobs. Employers expect their employees to be able to work together effectively, including in remote and hybrid work environments. Being a ‘ team player ’ typically appears on both job postings and resumes nowadays.

Employers try to assess a candidate’s  collaborative teamwork skills  during interviews and when they look through resumes.  Group interviews , designed to measure an individual’s  group work skills , are becoming increasingly common.

However, just to reach the all-important interview stage, it’s important to convince a recruiter that you have  strong teamwork skills  and are able to work well with others on your resume. However, just  adding  buzzwords to your resume  isn’t enough, you need to understand how to  convey teamwork on your resume . In fact, just including “teamwork” as a keyword on your resume won’t benefit you at all – you need to demonstrate that you’re a team player.

Remember,  teamwork skills  should be treated no differently than the rest of your qualifications.

You must demonstrate your ability to work in a team on your resume as well as  tailor it to meet the needs of the job . You can do that easily with the correct tools, such as ourstep-by-step  resume builder  is an effective way of doing this quickly.

How to Convey Teamwork on a Resume

If you’ve ever received any form of  recognition for your teamwork skills,  this is worth mentioning on your resume. You may have a  team player award , served as team leader, coordinated a project, or been given a special role that involves  liaising between team members .

Another effective way to  show collaboration skills on your resume  is to include them in the  skills section  of your resume. The smartest thing to do is customize this for each job application to clearly show how  your skill set matches the job  requirements.

The first thing to do is to identify the keywords in the job description and write a  teamwork skills checklist . Remember that employers now use  Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)  to scan resumes, so if your resume doesn’t contain the right keywords the employer won’t even see it.

At the same time, you need to do more than just use the keywords. Just saying you’re a  team player on your resume  isn’t convincing. It’s much more effective to  include specific examples  of the actions you took as a team and what the  successful outcome  was.

You can also  include teamwork examples  in other sections of your resume, such as your  work experience  section.

How to Improve Teamwork Skills

It’s not enough to simply have teamwork skills on your resume; constantly  improving them is also necessary .

The good news is that they are something that can be  developed over time . Michael Jordan wouldn’t have won as much if Scottie Pippen didn’t also step up his game and vice versa.

Here are 5 ways to  improve your teamwork skills , so you can become a top-notch team player and stand out to potential employers.

• Practice active listening:  Good teamwork requires effective communication, and active listening is an essential part of that. When you listen actively, you are fully engaged with the speaker, focusing on their words, tone, and body language. By doing so, you can gain a better understanding of your teammates’ perspectives and needs.
• Be open to feedback:  When you receive feedback from your teammates, be open to it, even if it’s critical. Use feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow, and use it to improve your work and relationships with your team.
• Be reliable:  Dependability is an essential quality in any team member. If you commit to completing a task, make sure you follow through on that commitment. Being reliable means your teammates can trust you to do your part, and it helps build strong relationships and a positive team dynamic.
• Be flexible:  Teamwork often requires flexibility and adaptability. Be willing to adjust your plans or approach if necessary to accommodate the needs of the team or the project. Flexibility can help keep the team moving forward, even when unexpected challenges arise.
• Build relationships:  Take the time to get to know your teammates on a personal level, and show an interest in their lives and interests. Building relationships can help create a more positive and supportive team environment, which can lead to better collaboration and productivity.

By following these five tips, you can improve your teamwork skills and become a more  effective and valuable team member .

Incorporating these skills into your resume can also  show potential employers  that you have what it takes to work well with others and contribute to a positive team environment.

How to List Teamwork Skills on Your Resume

You may have all the skills that you need, but you have to know how to add them to your resume. That means it’s essential to know how to write teamwork skills in your resume correctly.

Here are some tips for you to do just that:

• Identify relevant teamwork skills:  Analyze the job description to determine the most important teamwork skills for the position. Tailor your resume to emphasize these skills, such as collaboration, communication, or problem-solving.
• Use action verbs:  Start each bullet point with action verbs that demonstrate teamwork, such as “collaborated,” “partnered,” “coordinated,” or “supported.” This helps to create a more dynamic and engaging resume.
• Quantify accomplishments:  Whenever possible, include quantifiable results to showcase the positive impact of your teamwork. Use percentages, numbers, or specific outcomes to highlight your achievements.
• Highlight specific projects:  Provide examples of successful projects or initiatives where you worked as part of a team. Describe your role, the team’s goals, and the results achieved.
• Display teamwork in various contexts:  Demonstrate your versatility by including examples of teamwork from different settings, such as work, school, or volunteer experiences.

Examine a wrong and right example of  how to mention that you are team-oriented  on your application.

Worked on a new product line with coworkers.

Collaborated with a cross-functional team to develop and launch a new product line, resulting in a 20% increase in revenue.

Teamwork Skills Examples

There are plenty of examples that you can use as team player resume statements. If you add concrete data and evidence, you’ll easily be able to show that you are able to work in a team and independently on a resume.

• Liaised between 3 departments to deliver the project ahead of schedule.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to develop and launch a new product line, leading to a 20% increase in company revenue and strengthened interdepartmental relationships.
• Served as a key member of a project team that successfully implemented a company-wide software upgrade, streamlining workflows and increasing overall efficiency by 15%.
• Partnered with colleagues to create a mentorship program for new hires, resulting in a 30% decrease in employee turnover and improved workplace morale.
• Participated in a collaborative effort to redesign the company website, leading to a 25% increase in user engagement and improved brand recognition.
• Worked with 6 other fundraisers to raise over $800.
• Worked in a group of 5 people while delegating our tasks effectively and surpassed our yearly targets 3 years running.

Don’t go over the top with these numbers. Remember that not all jobs can be analyzed in such a way and that one or two points with statistics are enough.

Top 10 Teamwork Skills for Resumes

What teamwork skills are essential to the workplace?  Here are some of the most important collaboration skills which employers value.

1. Reliability and Punctuality

Completing tasks on time and being punctual are basic abilities.  Reliable team members  gain the trust of their colleagues and bosses and become valued workers. A  team working well  and efficiently relies on these core skills, and it’s important to highlight these  skills on your resume .

2. Verbal and Written Communication Skills

Whether it be by phone, email, or face-to-face, being able to  clearly communicate your ideas  to other people is an important part of most jobs. People with poor  communication skills  are  difficult to work with  and can be a nightmare to manage. This is one of the key areas employers assess during job interviews.

3. Listening Skills

Good listening skills are an essential part of being an effective team member. It’s key to follow instructions, cooperate as a unit, and get along with colleagues and clients. Without possessing strong listening skills, it’s difficult to show empathy and understanding. This is another key skill employers test during job interviews.

4. Positivity

Both positivity and negativity are  contagious forces of energy . Everyone wants to work with colleagues, clients, and bosses who have a  positive mindset . If you demonstrate any negativity on your resume or during the job interview, you probably won’t get hired. Negative people are  more likely to complain , cause problems, and lack motivation.

5. Conflict Management

Work can be  tense, stressful, and problematic . This can cause friction between team members and this needs to be resolved if the team is to continue functioning. The ability to  mediate between other people  is a valuable skill that employers look for in a number of roles including managers, team leaders, and HR managers.

6. Organizing and Planning

A team player who looks out for the rest of the team by planning ahead or aiding the group to stick to the plan enables the group to remain organized. Being able to keep on top of your own work all the while looking out for others  shows competence  and also helps to p rove to your superiors that you are capable of managing a team.

7. Problem-solving

Whether visible or invisible,  problems are typical in any workplace or team  and sometimes they are up to you to solve. Regardless of whether you are given a problem by others in your team to resolve or you detect your own problem and resolve it, both of these  problem-solving qualities are of worth in the workplace.  If you’re someone who enjoys solving issues or someone who stays calm during problem periods, you can  be a   great asset to your team and become a reliable teammate.

8. Decision-making

Some find it tough, others easy; making decisions is not for everyone. A team player who doesn’t enjoy putting their foot down should  seek to contribute to making the decision  by being present in group meetings, talking it through, and providing for and against arguments. Part of decision-making, after all,  is not the decision itself but how and with whom you make it.

9. Persuasive Skills

Have you ever agreed with all of your team on a certain topic and found it difficult to get the last team member on board? Sometimes all it takes is a simple conversation that can help that person see your point of view and moreover, understand it. Part of being persuasive is not just about changing people’s minds, it’s about empathizing with others, connecting, and being able to understand one another.  This is a teamwork quality like no other and those who possess this quality can often be the team glue.

10. Feedback Skills

Constructive criticism and evaluations  all have their place when it comes to teamwork and it’s important to  make sure the traffic flows in both directions.  Feedback should always be welcome amongst both team players and superiors.  Giving feedback doesn’t have to be a negative process  and helps everyone to work on themselves.

Using an  online resume template  is an effective way of quickly producing professional-looking resumes which you can tailor for each application.

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How To Demonstrate Teamwork Skills on Your Resume

Struggling to list teamwork as a skill on your resume without describing yourself as a “team player?” Follow this in-depth guide with concrete examples.

2 years ago   •   12 min read

“I’m a team player who works well with others.”

If you’ve been keeping this line on your resume for years to show teamwork, it’s time to take it off! Teamwork is a soft skill , which means recruiters aren’t just going to take your word for it — they want to see it in action. Describing yourself as a ‘team player’ is about as effective as labeling yourself as a ‘genius’ or ‘visionary,’ which is to say, not at all.

So how do you show you’re a team player on your resume if you can’t just come out and say it?

• Review the job description to identify what specific teamwork skills the hiring manager is looking for.
• Highlight job titles related to teamwork.
• Demonstrate specific team-based accomplishments in your bullet points.
• Start each bullet point with a strong action verb .
• Avoid meaningless buzzwords and use synonyms to emphasize teamwork.

In this article, we’ll discuss how to show teamwork skills on your resume without relying on buzzwords, common mistakes to avoid when showcasing soft skills, how to showcase teamwork when you have limited experience, and how to balance teamwork accomplishments with independent experience.

So, let’s get to it!

What recruiters are looking for when they ask for teamwork skills

Being able to work in a team is an essential part of most, if not all, jobs, but it’s a hard skill for recruiters to assess. When a role specifically asks for evidence of previous teamwork experience, recruiters want to see that you have the required soft skills to perform well in a team environment. These soft skills include:

• Communication
• Persuasion, motivation, and other leadership skills
• Collaboration and idea-sharing
• Conflict resolution
• Time management and multitasking
• Positive attitude
• Interpersonal skills

Why do teamwork skills matter?

For fear of stating the obvious, teamwork skills show recruiters that you can work well with others. If you’re applying for team-based roles, this is obviously essential, but many roles involve an element of teamwork, even if it’s not immediately apparent.

Even in a largely solo position, you’ll still need to interact with others, whether that’s coworkers in similar roles, liaising with other departments, or even just meeting with your manager. Never underestimate the importance of being able to get along with others in a professional setting — nobody wants to hire a lone wolf.

Teamwork skills and ATS

In today’s competitive job market, many employers use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes based on specific keyword inclusion, and if these keywords are not found, it can lead to an automatic rejection. This is especially true for job descriptions that specifically list teamwork as a required skill. To optimize your resume for ATS, include relevant teamwork-related keywords within the context of your experiences, such as ‘collaborated’, ‘team coordination’, and ‘group projects.’

How to show teamwork skills on your resume

Teamwork, like any soft skill, is best demonstrated in your work experience bullet points by highlighting specific accomplishments from previous roles and explaining how those accomplishments are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Review the job description

Your resume should always be tailored to the exact job you’re applying for, which means including keywords and skills the job description specifically asked for. To start, scan the job description for the specific types of teamwork skills the role requires. Will you be:

• Working closely with others on a day-to-day basis?
• Leading a team?
• Collaborating with external stakeholders?

Then, choose accomplishments that match the duties you’ll be expecting to perform. For example:

• Job description : Work with internal and external customers to analyze the needs and align product roadmap to strategic goals.
• Your resume : Acted as the liaison between product, IT, and sales teams to understand customer demand for new features and prioritize the product roadmap leading to a 35% increase in yearly revenue.

More Tips: Write a targeted resume: How to tailor your resume to a job

Another good way to tailor your resume to the job is to use the skills and keyword tool below to search for the job you’re applying for and it’ll provide you with a list of hard skills relevant to that job. For example, type Program Manager and it’ll give you a list of skills that hiring managers look for in Program Manager resumes.

Highlight job titles

Sometimes, the need for teamwork is evident from the job title itself. If you’ve previously held a job title that contained keywords like Team Leader, Manager, or Coordinator, showcase these prominently in your work experience section.

Suppose your job title doesn’t immediately showcase your teamworking skills. In that case, you can change your job title to a more descriptive title or include a short blurb underneath the title that explains how teamwork played a part in your role, like in the example below.

Choose strong action verbs

Start your bullet points off with a bang by leading with action verbs that emphasize teamwork skills. Try verbs like:

• Coordinated
• Collaborated
• Facilitated

More Tips: Resume action verbs for 2024

Quantify your experience with metrics

Hiring managers want to see evidence of your skills, not just a list of roles and responsibilities. Instead of saying you’re a team player, choose examples of times you’ve worked with others to finish a project, host an event, or resolve an issue, and quantify these examples with metrics and data to show the impact and range of your skills.

Include metrics such as the size of the team, the length of the project, and the positive results of your work, as shown in the resume example below.

More Tips: Writing resume accomplishments (with examples)

Use teamwork synonyms in your summary and cover letter

It is still possible to directly address teamwork in your cover letter and summary without resorting to buzzwords and cliches. The trick is to be clever about it — instead of coming right out and saying you’re a good team player, use synonyms and other words for 'team player' to get the idea across without being too obvious about it.

Don’t fall back on overused buzzwords like “work well as part of a team.” Instead, describe why you thrive in a team environment, like “collaboration,” “ supporting others ,” and “sharing ideas.”

More Tips: Synonyms for common resume power verbs

Get feedback on your resume

Once you’re happy with your resume, it’s time to put on the finishing touches. Uploading your resume to an ATS resume scanner is fast and free. It can also give you specific, detailed feedback on how you score on core competencies like teamwork.

How to identify key teamwork skills

After understanding what specific teamwork skills a job requires and how to showcase those skills on your resume, the next step is to reflect on your experiences and determine what roles in your previous work history best showcase these skills. If you’re struggling to find good examples of teamwork skills, follow these steps:

• Identify your role : Consider a time in your previous work experience when you interacted as part of a team. What role did you fulfill? Were you the organizer, the creative thinker, or the one who brought the team back on track?
• Identify the team dynamic : What type of team were you involved in, and how did you contribute to the team’s overall success? Did you mediate conflicts, contribute to a positive environment, or motivate your teammates?
• Consider challenges : Identify challenges you faced in the team setting and how you overcame them. What have these experiences taught you about teamwork, and how have they shaped your approach to collaborative work?
• Quantify your impact : Detail the specifics of your team experience. How large was your team? What was the scope of your project? Did your involvement lead to an increase in productivity, a successful project completion, or a notable achievement?

Examples of how to describe teamwork on a resume

Ready to showcase teamwork skills on your resume? Here are some sample bullet points you can use to demonstrate teamwork in any situation.

Collaborating with a team

If you have experience working as part of a team, mention it! Describe the size of the team, what your specific role was, and what you accomplished.

• Collaborated with 10+ developers and product management team to assess project outcomes and prioritize future app features.

If you’re applying for senior or management roles, recruiters want to see examples of how you’ve led teams in the past. You can do this even if you’ve never held an official leadership position by choosing examples of specific projects, training, or initiatives you’d led.

• Trained and led team building workshops monthly for 3 departments.

Colaborating on projects

Colaborating with others demonstrates that you’re flexible and willing to adapt to different situations — and different teams. Mention specific times you’ve worked with people outside your usual department, like ad-hoc teams or cross-departmental initiatives.

• Proposed solution and built team to solve number one cause of customer complaints and completed project six months ahead of schedule.

Supporting others

Sometimes teamwork means taking a backseat and lending support to others. If you played a part in accomplishments you don’t want to claim solely as your own, emphasize your supporting role instead.

• Supported the HR team on 15+ projects including best practice research, recruitment support and other ad hoc HR tasks.

Remote teamwork

Whether the role you’re applying for is remote, hybrid, or fully in-person, all companies are seeing the benefits and challenges of remote work. Show that you can navigate this new dimension by mentioning times you’ve led or collaborated with others remotely.

• Managed a cross-functional team of 10 in 3 locations (London, Mumbai and New York), ranging from entry-level to Ph.D. analysts, and closely collaborated with business development, data analysis, operations and marketing teams.

Training and mentoring

Training or teaching others is a specific and valuable type of teamwork skill. Be specific about how many people you trained, who they were, and what you taught them.

• Trained and mentored 20+ new and existing account executives and interns on solutions selling strategies, customer relationship management, and advanced product knowledge.

Working with external stakeholders

Teamwork doesn’t just mean working with people inside your company. Choose examples of times you’ve worked with clients, customers, and external stakeholders, especially if you’ll be doing any of those things in your new role.

• Participated in local client meetings with the Account Executives to develop a rapport with clients, understand sales and talking points of the network, and comprehend the marketing needs of the agencies.

Teamwork skills for students

If you’re applying for entry-level roles, it’s fine to choose accomplishments from extracurricular activities , university projects, and internships and volunteer work to demonstrate basic teamwork skills.

• Conducted and led weekly intern meetings.

Mid-level teamwork skills

In a mid-level role, you should be emphasizing qualities like leadership, initiative , and overall career growth. The best way to do this is by including concrete numbers and metrics that clearly show what you achieved.

• Managed mixed teams of independent contractors and full-time employees dedicated to SEO marketing, data management and content strategy; improved employee retention by 87%.

Senior executive teamwork skills

If you’re applying for high-level roles, like senior management or C-level executive positions , choose examples that show how you’ve worked with top executives and made significant contributions to the company’s bottom line.

• Worked with CEO and 5 development team members to plan strategic goals to grow as a global company in the next 3 years.

Common mistakes to avoid when discussing teamwork on your resume

While demonstrating teamwork skills is essential, it's equally important to avoid common mistakes that can undermine your efforts:

• Vague descriptions : Avoid general statements like "worked in a team" without specifying your role and the outcome. Be as specific as possible about what you did and the impact it had.
• Overusing buzzwords : Terms like "team player" are overused and don’t convey meaningful information. Instead, use specific examples that show how you have effectively worked in a team.
• Ignoring the context : Don't just list teamwork experiences. Explain how these experiences are relevant to the job you're applying for and align your examples with the job requirements.
• Not highlighting remote teamwork : In today’s remote work environment, the ability to collaborate remotely is crucial. If you have experience in this area, make sure to highlight it.
• Neglecting non-work examples : If you lack formal work experience, don’t forget to include teamwork skills demonstrated in volunteer work, sports teams, or university projects.

How to showcase teamwork skills with limited experience

If you have limited direct teamwork experience in your professional career, you can still highlight relevant teamwork skills on your resume by focusing on non-work examples and soft skills related to teamwork. Also, remember that almost every job has some form of teamwork, even if it's small.

• Extracurricular activities and volunteering : If you've been involved in clubs, sports teams, volunteer organizations, or community projects, these can be excellent examples of teamwork. Describe any collaborative projects or group efforts you were a part of.
• Personal or class projects : If you're a student or recent graduate, include any class projects where you worked as part of a team, highlighting your role and contributions to these projects. You can also discuss personal projects where you interacted with others to complete your goals.
• Indirect teamwork experiences : Think about times you've had to coordinate or collaborate with others indirectly, such as working with different departments or contributing to a larger project. Explain how your work supported the team's goals.
• Soft skills related to teamwork : Focus on soft skills that are related to teamwork, such as communication, adaptability, and problem-solving. Provide examples of how you've demonstrated these skills in various settings.
• Learning and adaptability : Show your willingness to learn and adapt to team environments. Mention any relevant courses, workshops, or self-study that have prepared you to work effectively in a team.

Balancing teamwork with individual accomplishments

While teamwork is a competitive soft skill to showcase on any resume, it's important to balance your teamwork experience with individual accomplishments to show a recruiter that you also have the ability and skills to work independently.

Here is how to strike that balance between positive teamwork skills and independent experience:

• Highlight your unique contributions : In your teamwork examples, specify your individual role and contributions. This approach demonstrates your ability to work in a team while also highlighting your unique value. For example, "Contributed to a 20% increase in sales as part of a 5-member team by individually securing a key account that accounted for 5% of the total increase."
• Use the 'I' and 'We' approach : When describing teamwork, use 'we' to discuss the team's achievements and 'I' to emphasize your specific contributions. For instance, "In our project to enhance the company's web platform, we increased overall efficiency by 25% after I developed a key algorithm that reduced processing by 30%."
• Balance your examples : Ensure your resume has a mix of both teamwork and individual accomplishments. This balance shows that you are versatile and capable of thriving in collaborative and independent roles.
• Showcase leadership : If you've held leadership roles, mention how you led the team towards a goal. This demonstrates your ability to manage both the team's success and your responsibilities.

FAQs for how to put teamwork on resume

What if my teamwork experience doesn't align perfectly with the job description.

Even if your past teamwork experiences don't align perfectly, focus on the underlying transferable skills. Emphasize aspects such as communication, conflict resolution, and adaptability, which are valuable in any teamwork setting. Tailor these experiences to demonstrate how they've equipped you for the specific teamwork aspects of the new role.

How do I show teamwork if I've only ever worked independently?

If your work experience is primarily independent, focus on instances where you've had to interact, coordinate, or consult with others. You can also mention informal team roles, such as organizing group activities or being part of a committee, to demonstrate your teamwork capabilities.

How do I demonstrate teamwork skills for remote or virtual teams?

To emphasize your communication and collaboration skills in a virtual environment, mention specific tools or platforms you're familiar with, like Zoom, Slack, or Trello. Highlight experiences where you successfully completed projects or maintained productivity in a remote setting.

Can I showcase teamwork skills with non-professional experience?

Absolutely. Teamwork skills gained from volunteering, sports teams, community projects, or group activities in school or university can be highly relevant. Describe the role you played in these teams and the skills you developed, ensuring they align with what the employer is seeking.

How can I update my resume to reflect teamwork skills after a career break?

Focus on any volunteer work, part-time projects, or informal teamwork experiences you might have had during your break. Highlight any skills or experiences from these activities relevant to teamwork, such as coordination, communication, or collaborative problem-solving.

How can I find out if my resume shows enough teamwork skills?

Just like other soft skills, teamwork is a skill that recruiters do not want to see listed in your skills section , instead they want to see how you’ve used teamwork in your previous roles.

A good way to check if you’ve shown teamwork in your resume accomplishments and bullet points is to upload your resume to the tool below — it’ll scan it and tell you if you’ve shown enough team-based accomplishments and other soft skills such as problem-solving, communication, organization.

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• Career Advice

10 Most Important Teamwork Skills Examples for a Resume

Our customers have been hired by:

Teamwork skills are your ticket to success, both at your work and in your personal life. Communicating with different people, solving problems, and giving (and receiving) feedback are highly valuable to any employer, no matter the industry. Convincing your recruiter that you’re a real team player can boost your chances of a great first impression.

But how to put teamwork skills on a resume? Let’s find out!

This article will show you:

• The definition of team work skills.
• Most impressive teamwork skills examples.
• How to list good teamwork skills on a resume.
• How to improve your team player skills.

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. It’s fast and easy to use. Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here .

Sample resume made with our builder— See more resume samples here .

Looking for information on other skills? Head straight to one of our guides:

• 99 Key Skills for a Resume
• Professional Skills
• Technical Skills
• Administrative Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Personal Skills
• Project Management Skills
• Marketing Skills
• Customer Service Skills
• High-Income Skills

What Are Teamwork Skills?

Teamwork skills allow you to co-work well with others. Those abilities and qualities help you communicate, give and receive feedback, solve problems, and resolve conflicts. Teamwork skills are what make you tolerant, reliable, and respectful. They are extremely useful during any cooperation.

That's the basic teamwork definition focused on skills valuable for your employer. Those skills really matter in the workplace.  Research shows that over 70% of organizations focused on building and supporting teams report improvement in such critical areas as:

• Product and Service Quality
• Customer Service
• Productivity
• Profitability

Teamwork is what differentiates good companies from exceptional ones.

Teamwork skills consist of interrelated abilities that let you work effectively in an organized group. They are vital to employers, as teams are a basic organizational unit within many companies. Teamwork happens when people cooperate and use their individual skills to achieve common goals. Top teamwork skills include:

Top 10 Teamwork Skills—Examples

1.  Communication

The ability to get your point across and truly understand what other people want to tell you is the cornerstone of effective teamwork. And it doesn’t matter if you communicate in person, via email writing , instant messages, or on the phone—the exchange of information must be effective regardless of the medium. Plus, the nonverbal aspects of communication are just as important. Great teams nurture a culture of openness and mutual trust. Everyone must feel safe enough to speak their mind.

2. Conflict resolution

Conflict is part and parcel of any team effort. What matters most is how adept you are at dealing with issues as they arise. Remember, it’s crucial not to let any conflicts escalate—that’s why the best team players are also great mediators.

3. Rapport-building and listening

You can only build rapport if you’re listening to other people’s voices. Mind you—it’s equally important to pay heed to their enthusiasm and the lack of it. Rapport and listening skills go hand in hand, one can’t exist without the other.

4.  Decision-making

Making decisions may seem like a pretty straightforward thing to do. And that's the case when everyone agrees on the course of action. But everything changes when opinions start to differ and you need to make an unpopular decision. What distinguishes great team players from the average ones is the ability to see the big picture, put their egos aside, and work towards the common goal.

5. Problem-solving

The very idea behind organizing a team is to solve a problem. That’s why problem-solving skills are fundamental for each and every team member. The ability to look at an issue from multiple angles and utilize your time management skills  on the basis of individual team member’s skills drive the entire team’s performance and success.

6. Organizational and planning skills

To solve any problem effectively and efficiently you must be able to devise a master plan that every team member understands, follows, and knows where it leads to. Once the plan is agreed upon, all team members will be able to organize their tasks, establish deadlines, and orchestrate their efforts.

7. Persuasion and influencing skills

Being persuasive isn’t a character trait. It’s a skill you can learn. In the context of teamwork, this applies mostly to team leaders who must inspire everyone to contribute to achieving team goals and objectives. A good start to building such leadership skills is to hone in on your presentation skills .

8. Reliability

Teams form because they can achieve more than each team member could on their own. That’s obvious, isn’t it? What people tend to forget, though, is that when working together as a team, you depend on the others as much as they depend on you. Show your reliability by sticking to deadlines, delivering your tasks, and communicating any obstacles along the way.

9. Respectfulness

Being respectful towards other people doesn’t mean you have to like them or agree with them. Show your respect by not taking anyone for granted, and listening to them actively. Don’t know where to start? Learn your teammates’ names first!

10. Tolerance

Tolerance and respectfulness go hand in hand. Be open-minded and eager to learn. People of different ethnicities, religions, or minorities are what make this planet such a fascinating place to live. Again, you don’t have to see eye to eye with everybody. But soak in as much diversity as you can, and form your opinions afterward. Don’t let any common misconceptions fool you.

According to a study , teamwork is a cooperative process that allows ordinary people to achieve extraordinary results . Such synergy is only possible when all team members know what their roles are, complement each other’s skills, and are committed to team success.

This brings us smoothly to the other aspect of teamwork skills—

Team Building Skills

Even if your teamwork skills are second to none and your name is universally recognized as a team player synonym, y ou’ll achieve nothing in a badly-assembled team. So, from a manager’s standpoint, teaming skills consist of two complementary skills: teamwork and team-building.

Here’s a quick look at how it works in practice:

Research shows that the most successful teams consist of people displaying different behaviors. That’s why modern organizations build their teams on the basis of the so-called Belbin Team Roles . According to the Belbin classification, there are nine types of roles within effective teams.

Nine Belbin Team Roles

1. Completer Finisher

Sees to it that the results are free from errors and up to the expected standards.

2. Coordinator

Remains focused on the goal, knows how to assign work, and delegate tasks to the right team members.

3. Implementer

A practical thinker who’s able to plan and carry out effective strategies.

4. Monitor Evaluator

Makes unbiased judgments and assesses the team’s effort from a logical standpoint.

Thinks outside the box and generates ideas.

6. Resource Investigator

Checks out external resources and sifts through existing solutions to bring the best ones to the team.

Drives the team and makes sure things keep moving forward.

8. Specialist

Brings in the necessary technical expertise.

9. Teamworker

Identifies what needs to be done and completes the tasks on behalf of or in cooperation with the other team members.

This kind of knowledge is not only useful to managers tasked with building a team. If you know what your role is about and what exactly is expected of you, you’ll become a truly collaborative team player. And if you ever feel like your team role has been wrongly assigned to you, you’ll be able to discuss it and say exactly how your skills could be used for the benefit of the entire team.

Self-awareness is a big part of your collaboration skill set. Realizing your team skills allows you to highlight the right ones on your resume.

Looking for advice on how to list different hard skills and soft skills on your resume? Need to find out more about transferable skills ? Check these out:

• Hard Skills: Definition & Best Examples for Your Resume
• Soft Skills: Definition & Best Examples for Your Resume

Teamwork Skills—Resume Examples

By now, you should see why employers look for candidates with good teamwork skills. If you want to land a job, you must know how to highlight collaboration skills on your resume.

How to Describe Teamwork Skills on a Resume

In resume writing, there’s only one rule that will never change: relevance. That's why you must always tailor your resume to the job offer . And since almost every job ad lists collaboration as one of the requirements, you must learn how to include your teamwork skills on a resume properly.

Take a look at the examples below:

Examples of Good Teamwork Skills—Job Description

• Connected . You’re an involved member of the campus community and you consistently look for opportunities to expand your network even further.
• Collaborates effectively to get things done, building and nurturing strong relationships .
• Ability to build solid relationships with teammates, business partners and specialists by fostering teamwork, partnership and collaboration in a virtual or face-to-face environment .
• Team Player: you will be an integral part of a clinical team.
• An ability to work independently and collaboratively as a team member?
• Partner with broader HR team to successfully execute, and in some cases act as project lead, to deliver HR initiatives across the broad spectrum of HR activities including Leadership Development, Performance Management, Employee Relations, Staffing, Compensation, and Diversity & Inclusion.
• A strong team-player work ethic with the ability to engage with all levels of the organization.

They may come from different job ads but they all boil down to a single thing:  Teamwork skills.  Why including them in your resume is so significant?

Did you know that  almost every Fortune 500 company relies on the so-called ATS (Applicant Tracking System) that screens resumes for keywords? The ATS looks for keywords to decide if the candidate is qualified enough to go on to the next stage of the recruitment process. If it doesn’t find relevant keywords, your resume will be rejected.

This is why it’s so important to describe your teamwork skills using the resume keywords from the job ad.

They’re highlighted in yellow in the examples above.

Your experience section bullet points could look something like this:

Team Player Skills—Resume Example

• Worked independently and in collaboration with other departments on a major overhaul of internal HR procedures that reduced onboarding process time by 50%.
• Collaborated within an international virtual team on a successful $10M M&A transaction.
• Built and motivated a cross-functional team of 5 experts to identify bottlenecks and speed up transaction times that allowed the company to save upwards of $400K quarterly.

If you present your collaboration and interpersonal skills using the phrases from the job ad, rest assured that:

• You’ve included the relevant keywords
• The teamwork skills you listed on your resume are relevant to the job.

Pro Tip: Describe your teamwork skills in terms of achievements .

Remember to use the job posting to identify what the employer is looking for and what keywords you need to use when applying for a particular position.

Plus, you can use the list below as a source of inspiration:

Teamwork Skills List

• Active listening
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Community building
• Conflict management
• Creative thinking
• Critical thinking
• Decision making
• Interpersonal skills
• Language skills
• Negotiating
• Problem-solving
• Relationship building
• Team management
• Team oriented
• Team player

To give your teamwork skills more prominence, put them in a dedicated key skills section. Go back to your experience section and extract its essence.

For example, this bullet point:

is the same as these bullets:

Pro Tip:  Collaboration and team player are synonyms. If you’re not sure which word to choose, take a look at the job ad and go for the one(s) you can find there.

If you list these skills in your key skills section and the recruiter asks you a behavioral question along the lines of Tell me about a time when your collaboration skills made a difference—

Simply refer to this particular bullet point in your resume job description and elaborate on the details.

If you don’t feel comfortable answering teamwork skills interview questions, read our series of dedicated guides. No interview question will ever take you by surprise:

• STAR Method for Acing Behavioral Interview Questions [25+ Examples]
• 20 Situational Interview Questions and Answers to Nail Your Interview
• "What Are You Passionate About?" [Interview Question & Best Answers]

Plus, you may want to mention some of your teamwork skills in your resume objective. Head straight to our guides that will show you exactly how to write a killer opening to your resume:

• 20+ Resume Objective Examples for Any Career
• Professional Resume Summary: 30 Examples of Statements

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check . Start building a  professional resume template here for free .

When you’re done, our easy resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

How to Improve Teamwork Skills

Some people are natural born team-players. Others need to work on their collaboration skills. But it doesn't matter which group you belong to. There's always something you can do to develop your teamwork skills.

Here’s a couple of suggestions:

Watch These TED Talks to Get Inspired

How to turn a group of strangers into a team

As the title suggests, this TED Talk by Amy Edmondson explains what ingredients you need to turn a group of people who don’t know each other into an agile team.

Build a tower, build a team

Tom Wujec takes the so-called Marshmallow Challenge to an entirely new dimension to demonstrate the mechanics behind a successful team.

The tribes we lead

In his illuminating talk, Seth Godin argues that the Internet triggered our long-forgotten tribal mentality, which empowers us to do great things together.

How diversity makes teams more innovative

Can diversity within a team improve its performance? In her TED Talk, Rocío Lorenzo argues the team's efficiency is directly related to its diversity.

Why good leaders make you feel safe

In his inspirational talk, Simon Sinek explains how leaders can improve their team’s performance by making the team members feel safe.

Read These Books to Learn More

Here’s a selection of books that will take your teamwork skills to the next level:

• Teamwork Is an Individual Skill: Getting Your Work Done When Sharing Responsibility
• Teamwork Skills (Career Skills Library)
• Teamwork and Teamplay
• Harvard Business Review on Building Better Teams (Harvard Business Review Paperback Series)
• The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
• Virtual Team Success: A Practical Guide for Working and Leading from a Distance

Try These 10 Strategies to Succeed

1. Foster mutual trust

Trust within a team is crucial. If people feel safe and know they can count on each other, magic starts to happen

2. Encourage open communication

The majority of conflicts stem from miscommunication. Make sure the team members overcommunicate their doubts and speak their minds. It’s better to air unpopular opinions than hold a grudge and subvert the entire team’s work.

3. Define roles and responsibilities

If everyone knows what their role and responsibilities are, they’ll know exactly what to do to get their work done.

4. Define goals

This complements the previous point. If the team members know the goal of the entire team and their individual ones, it will be much easier for them to see the big picture. They’ll also recognize the impact their individual tasks have on the entire project.

5. Lavish praise

This is a simple yet powerful motivator. Feeling recognized boosts the team’s morale and encourages it to work harder.

6. Nip conflicts in the bud

The ability to detect conflicts and resolve them early is something any team leader should pay a lot of attention to.

7. Meet regularly

The easiest way to see progress, discuss obstacles, and plan ahead? Regular meetings with a clear agenda.

8. Balance workload

See to it that no team member’s workload is much heavier than any other’s. The last thing you want is people feeling exploited and taken advantage of.

9. Avoid micromanagement

A well-organized team is able to manage itself efficiently. Avoid the temptation to control each and every aspect of its work—this is very counterproductive for team leaders and members alike.

10. Give Feedback

Remember: good communication is the heart and soul of any well-functioning team. So, give constructive feedback to the team members to let them take advantage of their strengths and eliminate their weaknesses.

Looking for more career advice? Here’s a selection of our guides:

• How to Make a Resume for a Job: Writing Guide
• Work Experience on a Resume: Job Description Bullet Points Samples
• How to List Technical Skills on Your Resume
• Strengths to List on a Resume

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here.  Here's what it may look like:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key Takeaways

Here’s a rundown of everything you need to remember about teamwork skills:

• Teamwork skills are valued and sought after by almost all employers.
• Collaboration skills are important to companies as they have a direct impact on such critical areas as customer service or product quality to name but a few.
• The ability to work in a team consists of several interrelated abilities, such as communication and problem-solving.
• It’s not just important to have good teamwork skills, it’s just as crucial for the teams to be assembled and managed proficiently.
• To draw the recruiter’s attention, you should give prominence to your teamwork skills on your resume.
• If you feel like your teamwork skills need a boost, there are many inspirational materials, books, and strategies you might want to try out.

Do you have any questions about teamwork skills? Maybe you’d like to share some tips on how to develop them? Give us a shout out in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you!

About Zety’s Editorial Process

This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines . We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

• https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream/handle/10919/70961/A%20Preface%20-%20Teamwork%20in%20Business.pdf
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Team_Role_Inventories

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8 best teamwork skills for your resume (with examples)

10 min read · Updated on April 22, 2024

Prove you're the right fit for the team

When hiring managers are looking for the next new member of their team, they're not just looking for someone who can carry out the day-to-day tasks associated with the role. No, they're also looking for someone who will fit well into their team and contribute as a valued part of that unit. 

With that in mind, it will help your job search efforts if you can show on your resume that you know how to be a good team player. In this post, we'll identify the top 8 teamwork skills to put on your resume and look at how and where to include them. We've got some examples, too, so you can understand the best way to show off this important skill. 

The essential skills for teamwork on your resume

Adding teamwork to your resume isn't as simple as throwing in the line “works well independently and in a team.” In fact, we'd strongly recommend you avoid that line! It's generic, overused, and doesn't show how you add value. Instead, try adding some of these skills to show how you can excel in a team environment:

1. Conflict resolution

Unfortunately, conflict is a fact of life - even more so in a work environment, where you're thrown together for hours on end with people you may not choose to associate with otherwise. It's equally true that conflict doesn't make for a very happy or productive team. If you're the type that can step in to diffuse conflict or prevent it from escalating, that's well worth showcasing on your resume. 

2. Giving and receiving feedback

As companies seek continuous improvement in every aspect of their operation, change is necessary. That could mean change on a company, team, or personal level. But once the need for change is identified, it needs to be communicated. Whether you're the person giving or receiving feedback to enable this change, it's important that it's done graciously, fairly, and non-confrontationally. If that's a skill you have in your arsenal, why not weaponize it on your resume?

3. Communication

Communication  is one of the most vital teamworking skills of all! It encompasses a host of other skills, the main ones being speaking, writing and listening. If you can engage with others, convey information articulately, and understand the concerns of colleagues, you can put some very in-demand teamwork skills on your resume. 

4. Delegation

No one can do everything and knowing when to ask for help is a superpower. If you can recognize that someone else in the team may be better placed than you to complete a certain task, it's time to activate your delegation skills. When you can do this, you're well on your way to mastering a key leadership attribute and working your way further up the career ladder. That's not to say it's OK to offload all your work onto others though - that's likely to lead to bad feeling and rapidly crash team morale .

While you may not always agree with your colleagues, showing respect is non-negotiable for team cohesion. The ability to value others' perspectives and treat other people as you'd like to be treated yourself is hugely important in a team environment. If you can successfully work with the quirks of different personalities without provoking conflict, it could be worth letting your future employers know by showcasing it on your resume. 

6. Collaboration

Collaboration is at the heart of teamwork. Being able to work harmoniously with others is a vital teamwork skill for your resume, so make sure you show how you've achieved strong outcomes by working collaboratively either with your team, with other teams across the business, or even with suppliers and partners. 

7. Positivity

There's nothing quite like a moaner for sucking the lifeblood out of a team. You know the type – always on hand with some salacious gossip, a complaint, or a generally negative attitude. They sow discontent, which leads to low morale and is often accompanied by a decrease in productivity. Prove you're not that person by showing off your positive, can-do attitude on your resume.

8. Relationship building

Some people seem to naturally strike up a rapport with others, while some people find it a bit trickier. If you're the type that can make a friend of anyone, you have a great teamwork skill for your resume. Building positive relationships not only improves team harmony, it's also valuable for engaging wider teams such as suppliers, customers and colleagues from other functions. It's easy to see why it's a great teamwork skill on your resume!

Where to show professional teamwork skills on your resume

Now you know which specific teamwork skills are in demand, but how can you show them off on your resume? There are several places where you could consider adding them. 

In the Profile section 

The Profile is the elevator pitch at the top of your resume. In this short paragraph, the aim is to convince the reader that you have the skills and experience required for the vacant role and that it's worth reading your resume in greater depth. Depending on the role, it may be worth highlighting a couple of teamwork skills here. Make sure the skills you select are the ones most relevant to the vacancy and, if possible, frame them as a success that has directly benefited the business. 

In the Key Skills section 

The Key Skills section seems like the ideal place to add teamwork skills, doesn't it? Not so fast! Ideally, this section will be weighted in favor of hard skills - they're the job-specific skills you've acquired throughout your career. While it's OK to include some soft skills here too, remember that a long list isn't particularly engaging to read and limit yourself to keywords that you find in the job advert. 

In the Professional Experience section 

Now we get to the meat of the matter. In the Professional Experience section, you can really show off and emphasize all those amazing teamwork skills on your resume to position yourself as a fantastic addition to any team. You have a bit more space here to give detail and context, so that you're doing more than just saying “I'm a great team player” - you're actually proving it. 

In the Education or Professional Development section 

These sections aren't traditionally used to show off specific skills but, if you're light on work experience, you can expand this section to demonstrate skills you've gained while studying. Perhaps you were part of a team project at university or completed a course in conflict resolution that you could highlight here. 

In the Hobbies and Interests section 

While the Hobbies and Interests section is by no means obligatory, you can use it to show off skills you've developed outside of work. This is particularly handy if you're struggling to add teamwork skills elsewhere on your resume. Sports teamwork skills are great on a resume for students, for example.

How to add teamwork skills on your resume

As with any skill on your resume, the best way to add it is by showing, rather than telling. That means providing concrete examples of when you've used a particular skill - ideally with a positive outcome that benefited the business or the team. Below you'll find some teamwork skills examples, so that you can fully understand how to incorporate them and use them as inspiration for your own document.

Example of teamwork in the Profile section 

A positive and customer-focused Customer Service Assistant, with an extensive knowledge of the railway network. Confident handling delays, cancellations, and security and takes a calm, professional approach to resolving incidents and complaints. Communicates respectfully with colleagues and customers alike to quickly build a rapport. Possesses an in-depth understanding of health and safety requirements and prioritizes customer welfare. 

Example of teamwork in the Key Skills section 

Product Management   |   Stakeholder Communications   |   Conflict Management   |   Analysis   |   Project Management   |   Strategic Thinking   |   Agile Methodology

Examples of teamwork in the Professional Experience section 

Mediated between a Junior Developer and the Team Manager to resolve conflict over processes, listening to both sides and proposing a solution accepted by both parties 

Conducted performance reviews, provided constructive feedback on areas for improvement and offered support and development opportunities to address them

Liaised with teams across the business, communicating persuasively to win their buy-in to new projects and delivering confident presentations to large audiences

Turned around a delayed project by reviewing plans and delegating tasks fairly across the team, achieving delivery 2 days ahead of the original deadline

Led by example to build a cohesive and productive team that respected and valued each other despite having very different personalities

Negotiated a $10,000 cost reduction with a supplier, having collaborated with them to identify and address inefficiencies in the current supply process

Motivated colleagues to complete a complex project on time by adopting a positive, can-do attitude to overcoming challenges

Increased team output by 15% by instilling a sense of common purpose through team-building exercises and optional team social events

Example of teamwork skills in the Education section 

Course: Conflict Management and Resolution, 2024

BSc degree: French and English Literature, University of Alabama, 2023

Gained skills in collaboration and delegation as leader of a group project

Example of teamwork skills in the Hobbies and Interests section 

Soccer player:  Contributed significantly to the team that won the Alabama Youth Cup

PTA member:   Collaborated with other parents to raise $10,000 for the school 

Other words for team working

Of course, you don't want to repeat “teamwork” and “team working” multiple times throughout your resume. Switch up the vocabulary to ensure you're presenting a compelling and engaging read. Try these ideas: 

Collaborating

Communicating

Cooperating

Supporting 

Working together

How to improve your teamwork skills 

Not everyone was born a natural collaborator and not everyone has had the opportunity to contribute to a team before they first hit the job market. If you're looking to develop or improve your teamwork skills, there are plenty of ways to do so.

Understand your role

By fully understanding your role in the team and the role of the team in the wider business, you'll be equipped to fulfill your responsibilities and support others in fulfilling theirs. Hold yourself accountable for completing all your tasks, as they will likely impact other members of the team. 

Stay open minded

Actively seek feedback and act on it. Listen to what others are saying and try to look at issues from their perspective. Accept differences rather than taking a negative attitude. 

Get organized

An organized team member is a reliable team member, so plan, schedule, use apps, and set yourself deadlines to ensure you're not letting anyone down. 

Push yourself

Ask if there are opportunities to contribute to teams beyond your day-to-day role - if a project is looming, you may get the chance to work as part of a different team, with different objectives and different perspectives. Take the opportunity to learn from others and push yourself beyond your comfort zone. 

Teamwork skills on a resume are essential!

Whichever role or industry you're aiming for, it's almost guaranteed that you'll be part of a team – small or large, on-site or remote, traditional or matrix. Therefore, it makes sense that you dedicate a corner of your resume to proving your skills in this area. With our advice, you're now well-placed to make sure your resume demonstrates your excellence in this area. 

If you'd like an expert eye on your resume before you send it out to recruiters and hiring managers, why not submit it for a free, no obligation resume review ?

Recommended reading:

The 10 Secrets of Effective Team Management

11 Best Administrative Skills for Your Resume (With Examples)

How to Create an Effective STAR Method Resume (With Examples)

Related Articles:

Host/Hostess Skills: Add to Improve Your Resume!

Spring Cleaning Your Resume: Tips for Keeping it Concise

Choosing a Resume Writing Service: What to Look For

See how your resume stacks up.

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How do you describe teamwork on a resume?

Showcasing teamwork on a resume can without a doubt, elevate your resume and increase your chances of getting hired.

With a few exceptions, almost all kinds of job profiles and industries require teamwork.

If you are someone who thrives in a collaborative environment, your resume needs to showcase the same and justify it effectively.

However, simply listing teamwork under the skills section in your resume is not enough.

You must showcase your teamwork skills by describing experiences where you’ve used your collaborative skills to complete a task and achieve great results.

Read on to learn more about teamwork on resume and related FAQs like the following:

• What are teamwork skills and why are they important?
• What is a team player resume and when do you need one?
• How to put teamwork on a resume?
• What are some examples of teamwork resume bullets?
• What are some examples of teamwork skills?
• What are the 7 essential skills for teamwork?

Teamwork Skills and Its Importance

Team working skill is a type of soft skill that can be applied to any kind of work.

The ability to work well with others and collaborate effectively to achieve a common goal can be termed teamwork skills.

A candidate who has good teamwork skills puts the goal of the team over their personal interests and facilitates a collaborative workspace.

• Recruiters consider candidates with good teamwork skills an asset because they help foster innovation, better solutions, and higher productivity.

Here are some other reasons why employers value teamwork skills:

• Supports a healthy work environment
• Increases work efficiency
• Offers learning opportunities
• Increases accountability
• Facilitates the overall growth of the company

Also read: What are the most essential soft skills required to advance in your career?

What Is a Team Player Resume and When Do You Need One?

A team player resume is an approach to building a resume that highlights your teamwork skills.

This type of resume is generally built by candidates who want to apply for roles that require teamwork, leadership, and collaboration.

The best way to know whether or not you must focus on showcasing your teamwork skills on your resume is by analyzing the job description provided in the listing you're applying to.

If the job description prioritizes teamwork, you can highlight the same in your resume and increase your chances of getting shortlisted.

Also read: What are the top interpersonal skills you must have in 2022?

How to Talk About Teamwork on a Resume

To increase your chances of getting shortlisted for your desired roles, you need to effectively showcase your team working skills on your resume.

Given below are some tips to help you describe good teamwork on a resume:

Highlight Teamwork in Your Summary

As stated earlier, blatantly listing teamwork in your resume will not do you any good.

You need to rather subtly sprinkle instances that illustrate your teamwork skills on resume.

The first resume section where you can describe your team working skills is the summary section.

Doing so will help you grab the recruiters' attention immediately and provide an effective introduction.

Take a look at the following examples of teamwork skills that can be added to resume summaries:

• Adept at collaborating with cross-department teams to foster partnerships and devise product ideas.
• Proficient in organizing company events and activities by coordinating with staff members and vendors

Also read: How to write an impressive resume summary?

Provide Examples

Another great way to exemplify your teamwork skills on resume is through your professional experience.

• When listing the work that you did in your past roles, provide examples where you used your teamwork skills to achieve a goal.

You don’t necessarily have to use the word ‘teamwork’ in your sentences. You can rather begin your sentences with power verbs that are synonymous with teamwork.

Given below are some examples of teamwork resume bullets that you can use in the professional experience section:

• Provided technical oversight while working with a team of 6+ developers to conduct architecture and code reviews
• Coordinated with 5+ sales representatives to meet the weekly sales quota for the product department
• Communicated effectively with 10+ accountants to discuss resource allocation and delegate tasks among team members
• Communicated with stakeholders and translated their needs to technical requirements for providing effective solutions
• Communicated with project managers and brainstormed recommendations to increase efficiency by 43%
• Collaborated with a data engineering team of 5 to create 10+ useful plugins for improving user experience by 22%

Include Teamwork in Your Skills

And lastly, the simplest way to describe your ability to work well with others in your team player resume is by listing teamwork under the skills section.

Refer to the below-given table to see some teamwork skills examples:

Also read: How to list soft skills on a resume in 2022?

7 Essential Skills for Teamwork

Teamwork skill is not a standalone skill that can be acquired or honed independently.

Meaning that if you want to build teamwork skills to showcase the same on your resume, you must work on other skills that will support your collaborative ability.

Listed below are 7 essential skills that will support your team working skills:

Communication

Having good communication skills is extremely important if you want to be a team player.

The ability to convey information and express ideas clearly among team members is crucial for achieving set goals.

Conflict Resolution

When you are working in a team, minor misunderstandings and conflicts are bound to happen.

Thus, the ability to mediate conflicts and reduce workplace tension is important in building your teamwork skills.

Reliability

In a team, every member is allotted a set of tasks that support the bigger goal or the project.

And when one of the team members fails to do their part, it hampers the entire team.

Therefore, reliability and accountability are essential teamwork skills.

Organizational Skills

Organizational skills are vital for teamwork because, without a proper structure and order, it would be impossible for teams to reach a common goal within the stipulated time frame.

If you have good organizational skills, you can support your team by creating a work structure, planning, delegating tasks, and streamlining workflow.

Active Listening Skills

Possessing active listening skills is an essential part of being a good team player.

If you are not able to grasp important information or understand the allotted tasks with clarity, you can bring down the entire team.

Because to achieve a common goal as a team, every team member needs to understand the pit instructions clearly and cooperate as a unit.

Thus, the importance of active listening skills to build team working skills.

Also read: What skills to put on your resume in 2022?

Key Points from the Blog

• Showcase your teamwork skills by describing experiences where you’ve used your collaborative skills to complete a task and achieve great results.
• Highlight your team working skills in your resume summary to grab the recruiters' attention.
• Good communication, active listening skills, and reliability are essential to becoming a great team player.

Visit Hiration’s Career Activator Platform with 24X7 chat support to get expert guidance on your career-related queries and write to us at [email protected] .

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7 Teamwork Skills for Your Resume & Career (W/ Tips & Examples)

Teamwork is essential for practically any job out there - even the ones where you mostly get to work alone.

That’s because teamwork skills allow you to get along with your coworkers, come up with more creative ideas and solutions to problems, and foster an overall positive work environment. 

So, it’s no wonder that the vast majority of employers prefer job-seekers with teamwork skills.

But, which are the most important teamwork skills and how can you prove to the hiring manager that you have them?

In this article, we’re going to teach you just that!

Read on to learn: 

• Why Are Teamwork Skills Important?
• 7 Teamwork Skills and Examples
• How to Add Your Teamwork Skills to Your Resume

10 Ways to Improve Your Teamwork Skills

And more! Let’s dive in. 

What Is Teamwork?

Teamwork is the ability to work effectively with other people to achieve a common goal. 

Teamwork skills , on the other hand, are a set of soft skills that allow you to successfully collaborate with others to achieve a professional, academic, or personal goal. 

For example:

• In a professional setting , teamwork skills allow you to better collaborate with your teammates, and in turn, get better work done.
• In an academic setting , strong teamwork skills help you ace group projects or excel at extracurricular activities .
• And finally, in your personal life , teamwork skills allow you to better get along with your peers and family and help you meet your personal goals.

And the icing on the cake? Teamwork skills are one of the most in-demand skills in today’s job market.

According to a study by Queens University, nearly 3 out of 4 employers rate teamwork and collaboration as very important , while 39% of surveyed employees worldwide say that people in their organizations don’t collaborate enough. 

But what is it exactly that makes teamwork skills so sought after for employers and employees alike? 

Why Are Teamwork Skills Important? 

Whether you need to cooperate with two or more colleagues to solve an issue, brainstorm new strategies, or put a plan into action, teamwork skills are going to help you get it done.

Some of the most important benefits of having strong teamwork skills are:

• Better work environment. Team players communicate more efficiently and are less likely to get into big disagreements, which means that teamwork skills reduce the likelihood of conflicts in the workplace.
• Efficient problem-solving . You’re a lot more likely to come up with an effective solution to a problem if you collaborate with other people (than if you go at it solo). Sometimes, other people might have some key insights from their experience that you don’t.
• Better customer relations. According to a study by ResearchGate, the better the teamwork, the higher the quality of services employees can offer. Meaning, better teamwork skills in an organization equals more satisfied clients.
• Higher employability. Teamwork skills are among the most in-demand transferable skills out there. Whatever job you might be applying for, strong teamwork skills are definitely going to come in handy.
• Smaller chance for burnout . When you collaborate with your colleagues, you’re likely to get more work done with less conflict. This, in turn, leads to less anxiety and stress at work, making you significantly less likely to suffer from burnout.
• Increased productivity. Goes without saying, a team of people can get more things done than an individual. By effectively collaborating with your team, you’re a lot more motivated to work, as well as more likely to come up with solutions to problems at work.

7 Teamwork Skills and Examples 

Teamwork isn’t just ONE skill. Rather, it’s a mix of several qualities that can make you a great team player. 

Below, we’ll go over the most important teamwork skills that you can use to create a memorable resume and land your next job! 

#1. Communication

Communication is, by far, the most important teamwork skill.

To be able to cooperate with others, you should be able to speak your mind clearly and listen actively . Typically, good communicators can also present information well and read non-verbal cues such as people’s facial expressions and body language. 

In a nutshell, communication skills are what ensure that you understand your team members and that they understand you. 

For example, if you need a coworker to cover for you at work while you’re away but you lack communication skills, they may fail to understand what, exactly, your tasks are, and how to carry them out effectively.

Communication is a multi-faceted skill that consists of: 

• Oral and written communication
• Active listening
• Non-verbal communication
• Public speaking
• Presentation skills

#2. Conflict Resolution 

Conflict resolution refers to the process and set of skills required to effectively resolve a conflict between two or more individuals. 

Wherever people work together - be it in an office, remotely, or on the field - conflict of some scale is bound to happen. 

Whether it’s something small like how to approach a task or something like personal hostility from a coworker, it’s essential to solve the issue.

And that’s where conflict resolution skills come in handy!

Some skills that are associated with conflict resolution are: 

• Assertiveness

#3. Compromise

Compromise, or the ability to make concessions, is another essential teamwork skill. 

Making a compromise means being able to put your ego aside, reduce your demands, take other people’s thoughts into account, and change your own opinions in order to reach a settlement or find common ground.

Take, for example, a team of four people who want to start a startup. Each individual may have different opinions about how to get funding, how to manage employees, how to get clients, etc. 

If none of them is able to compromise on these matters, they may never be able to move forward with the startup. 

A way to compromise in this situation, on the other hand, would be to assign a separate responsibility to each person based on their experience (e.g. one person be responsible for funding, one for management, etc.).  

There are many ways to reach compromise depending on the situation; what’s important is for everyone involved to actually want to do it. 

#4. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence means being aware of, controlling, perceiving, and expressing emotions, as well as handling interpersonal relations, in a fair and empathetic manner. 

When it comes to teamwork, emotional intelligence involves putting yourself in others’ shoes and understanding each person’s perspective. 

Some examples of showing emotional intelligence in the workplace include:

• Understanding why a teammate failed to complete a certain task and helping them solve the issue.
• Understanding that an introverted coworker might feel more comfortable communicating over text, so not pushing them too hard to do calls.
• Understanding why someone else might have an issue with something you said, even though you might find nothing wrong with it.

#5. Tolerance

If you’re part of a team, you’ll likely be required to work with people who are different from you. 

And, chances are, you won’t always agree with them and their opinions. 

In such cases, it’s important to be tolerant toward your team members. 

In a nutshell, tolerance is the ability to tolerate the existence of opinions and behavior that one disagrees with. 

Remember, tolerance isn’t about blindly accepting everyone’s opinions or behaviors, but about not judging them simply because you disagree with them. 

If, for example, you can give arguments as to why a coworker’s behavior is harmful (e.g. they’re being ageist toward senior employees), then that’s definitely something you want to discuss with a supervisor. 

If, on the other hand, a teammate wants to approach a task in their own way (which is different from how you’d handle it), then you should simply let it go.

#6. Reliability

Team members that can’t rely on each other simply don’t make a good team. 

Would you be able to cooperate with someone who you can’t trust to meet deadlines, deliver quality work, or hold themselves accountable for their mistakes? 

Probably not. 

Being reliable means that other people can trust you, count on you, and vouch for you. Not just that, but it also means that people will also go out of their way to be just as reliable toward you. 

Basically, reliability is the foundation of trust and, as such, an integral part of teamwork. 

#7. Team Building

If you’re a manager or a team leader, you need to know how to build a team too. 

For a team to be as effective and successful as possible, every team member needs to have a role. This is to ensure that each person is dealing with a different task, that they’re utilizing their strengths effectively, and that there are no miscommunications and misunderstandings among team members. 

Dr. Raymond Belbin, a British researcher and management consultant, has identified nine different team roles in his research, such as “the coordinator,” “the resource investigator,” “the plant,” “the specialist,” etc. 

While it’s not necessary for every team to have these exact same roles, it’s important to know how to build a team with well-defined goals and objectives, roles for each member, purpose, action plan, and so on. 

Like any other soft skill, teamwork skills CAN be learned!

Here are our top 10 tips on how to improve your teamwork skills:

• Know your goals. In addition to the team’s common goal, each team member has smaller targets. Being clear on what those goals and targets are is important to establish trust and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
• Clarify your roles. In every team, each member has a role. Understanding your role can help you avoid miscommunications about who was supposed to do what.
• Stay positive. How we think often defines how we act. If you keep a positive mindset when you’re collaborating with others, that’ll surely reflect on the team’s performance and productivity.
• Hone your organizational skills . The better your organizational skills, the more reliable you’ll be within the team and the more your team members will be able to trust you.
• Establish rules. Clearly define and understand the team’s do-s and don’t-s. That’ll ensure everyone’s on the same page and no one oversteps any boundaries.
• Socialize. By hanging out with other team members outside of work, you’ll be able to get to know them better and see them as more than just people you have to work with.
• Ask for feedback. No better way to improve than by asking your team members for feedback on your strengths and weaknesses .
• Communicate openly. Miscommunications can lead to conflict. Make sure to always speak your mind and voice your concerns, and at the same time, be open to other team members doing exactly the same.
• Praise others. Celebrate your team members, give positive feedback where it’s due, and share enthusiasm for small and big achievements alike.
• Don’t fight over credit. The point of teamwork is to achieve a common goal, not personal gratification. As such, focus on the bigger picture instead of fighting over who accomplishes what.

How to Add Your Teamwork Skills To Your Resume

Want to show off your amazing teamwork skills?

Then you should add them to your resume!

There is, however, a right and wrong way to do this. Below, we’re going to walk you through the entire process of effectively highlighting your teamwork skills in your resume, step by step.

Before that, though, make sure to pick one of our free resume templates and fill it in as you go! 

#1. Mention Them In Your Resume Summary 

The first place to mention your teamwork skills is in your resume summary . 

The resume summary is a short, two or three-sentence-long paragraph that typically describes: 

• Your years of experience and professional title 
• Your top skills and qualifications 
• Your most noteworthy accomplishments

Done right, the resume summary is supposed to grab the hiring manager’s attention right away, spike their interest, and get them to read the rest of your resume in more detail. 

Here’s an example of an attention-grabbing resume summary that highlights the candidate’s teamwork skills:

• Dedicated IT project manager with 6+ years of experience in management, research, and resource planning. Excellent communication and teamwork skills. Managed 5+ IT projects over the past 3 years, ensuring that the products met client specifications and were delivered on time.

#2. List Them Under Your Soft Skills 

Secondly, you should list your teamwork skills under your skills section. 

Usually, the skills section is divided into soft skills (e.g. communication, teamwork, organizational skills, etc.) and hard skills ( computer skills , foreign languages, etc.), and can look something like this: 

Simply create a Soft Skills section and list out your teamwork skills.

That said, there IS one thing to keep in mind here.

Don’t try to impress recruiters by filling up this section with as many teamwork skills as you can think of. Instead, you want to add the skills that you actually possess and that are required for the job . 

Here’s just how you can do that: 

• Check the job description for the exact skills required for the position. If you’re applying for a marketing role, for example, the job ad might ask for “strong communication skills” rather than just “teamwork skills.” 
• Identify your skills. You probably don’t possess each and every skill listed in the job ad. Instead of listing out all the teamwork skills we’ve outlined here, identify 2-3 of the ones that you can prove with experience.
• Add them under your soft skills. Finally, take the skills you’ve identified and list them under soft skills . 

#3. Prove Them In Your Work Experience Section 

Last but not least, you should mention your teamwork skills in your work experience section .

This is arguably the most important part of every resume because it’s where you can prove that you actually possess the skills that you’ve mentioned so far. 

Here’s how you can effectively list your teamwork skills in your work experience section:

• Tailor your work experience to the position. You don’t want the hiring manager to think you’re using the same generic resume to apply to hundreds of jobs. As such, make sure to keep your work entries relevant. For example, if you’re applying for a job as a social media manager, you should mention your professional experience as a reporter but not the time you waited tables in college. 
• Focus on your achievements . Everyone writes their responsibilities on their resume. If you want to make an impression, you want to show how you made an impact with your achievements. So, think up and write some achievements for every skill you’ve identified. 
• Make them quantifiable. Backing up your achievements with numbers will leave no trace of doubt in the hiring manager’s mind about your skills. After all, “collaborated with all department heads to innovate HR procedures that reduced employee turnover by 17%” sounds significantly better than “collaborated with coworkers to update HR procedures,” right? 

And here’s a practical example of teamwork skills listed in the work experience section:  

• Collaborated with the marketing team to schedule and execute a new product launch. 
• Worked with a team of five people to implement a project management solution in the company, boosting company-wide productivity by 13%.

When applying for the job, you’ll need to submit a cover letter alongside your resume. If teamwork skills are essential for the position you’re applying for, make sure to mention them there too. 

Interview Questions and Sample Answers on Teamwork Skills

If teamwork skills are important for the role you're applying for, chances are that the hiring manager will ask you to talk in more detail about your teamwork skills during the job interview. 

In this section, we’ll teach you just how you can answer teamwork-related interview questions!

The first thing you should know is that the interviewer will probably inquire about your teamwork skills through a behavioral question . 

When interviewers ask behavioral interview questions, they want to know exactly how you behaved in a specific situation, instead of what you think or what you know about something. 

So, instead of asking you “what’s your greatest strength,” they may ask “tell me about a time  you used your greatest strength to accomplish something at work?”

Luckily, there’s a tried-and-tested strategy for answering behavioral interview questions: the STAR method. 

STAR stands for: 

• Situation - Describe the situation. 
• Task - Talk about the task or the issue at hand. 
• Action - Describe the actions you took. 
• Result - Describe the results of your actions. 

So, let’s say that the interviewer asks you the following:

Q: Tell me about a time when you had to work with someone completely different from you. How did you adapt to collaborate better?

Here’s how you’d answer following the STAR method :

Situation: Sure, I always enjoy working with new and different people, they always bring something new to the table! At Company X, there was a particularly young developer who was assigned to work with me on a new software development project, and I was to run him through what our typical coding process was like.

Task: It was also my job to get to know him and find common ground so that we could effectively work together. The fact that he was younger wasn’t an issue for me, but because he was completely self-taught, he didn’t know a lot about the methodologies we used.

Action: Teaching him everything from scratch would take too much time. So, instead, I briefly explained the development process we were using for that specific project and taught him how to write tests for our code base. 

Results: In the end, he surprised me with how much of a fast learner he was. He just needed a bit of encouragement and guidance. Through this approach, he learned our whole routine in less than a week, while most of our new hires needed at least up to two weeks. Meanwhile, I also learned a lot about multitasking and time management from him.

Key Takeaways

And that’s about all you need to know on how to improve your teamwork skills!

Before you go, here’s a quick recap of the most important points we covered in this article:

• Teamwork skills are a set of soft skills that allow you to successfully collaborate with others to achieve a professional, academic, or personal goal. 
• Benefits that come with teamwork include a better work environment, more efficient problem-solving, improved customer relations, higher employability, and less likelihood of burnout.
• Some skills associated with teamwork are communication, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, compromise, tolerance, and reliability.
• Mention your teamwork skills in your resume summary, list them under your soft skills, and prove that you have them in your work experience section. 
• Some ways to improve your teamwork skills include knowing your goals and being clear about each person’s role within the team, keeping a positive mindset, establishing rules and guidelines, hanging out outside of the office, and fostering open communication. 

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• Career Blog

Important Teamwork Skills in a Resume: Definition & Examples

In today’s workforce, teamwork skills are vital to career success. As the world becomes more interconnected, individuals with strong teamwork skills are highly sought after by employers.

This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the importance of teamwork skills in a resume, and give examples of how these skills can be demonstrated. We will delve into key aspects of teamwork, such as communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution, and explore how these skills can make a positive impact on the workplace.

If you are a job seeker, this article will provide practical advice on how to highlight your teamwork skills in your resume, cover letter, and job interview. We will discuss the most effective ways to showcase your ability to work effectively with others, and demonstrate why teamwork is a critical component of any successful career.

By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of what teamwork skills are, why they are so important, and how you can use them to further your career. Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to take the next step, this article will help you to position yourself as a valuable member of any team.

Definition of Teamwork Skills in a Resume

Teamwork skills are a set of abilities and behaviors that enable individuals to effectively work together towards a common goal. These skills are essential in the workplace, as they facilitate collaboration, communication, and cooperation among team members. They also help improve productivity, creativity, and innovation, as well as promote a positive and supportive work environment.

Employers value teamwork skills because they recognize the important role that collaboration plays in achieving business objectives. In fact, many job postings specifically require candidates to demonstrate their ability to work effectively in a team environment. This is particularly true for industries that require a high degree of coordination and cooperation among team members, such as healthcare, construction, and technology.

When listing teamwork skills on a resume, it is important to be specific about the abilities and behaviors you possess that demonstrate your ability to work effectively with others. Here are some of the most commonly sought-after teamwork skills:

Communication Skills

Strong communication skills are essential for effective collaboration among team members. This includes the ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, actively listen to others, provide constructive feedback, and ask questions to clarify misunderstandings.

Leadership Skills

Leadership skills are important for individuals who are responsible for managing teams or projects. This includes the ability to inspire and motivate team members, delegate tasks effectively, and provide guidance and support when needed.

Conflict Resolution Skills

Effective conflict resolution skills are important for managing interpersonal conflicts and maintaining a positive work environment. This includes the ability to identify areas of conflict, negotiate solutions that address the needs of all stakeholders, and facilitate open and honest communication.

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize and manage one’s own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. This is particularly important in a team environment, where individuals must be able to navigate complex social dynamics and build strong relationships with others.

Flexibility and Adaptability

Flexibility and adaptability are important for individuals who work in rapidly changing environments, such as startups or fast-paced industries. This includes the ability to adjust to new situations, work effectively with diverse teams, and remain open to new ideas and approaches.

By including these and other teamwork skills on your resume, you can demonstrate to potential employers that you are a strong collaborator who is able to work effectively in a team environment. This can increase your chances of landing your dream job and advancing your career.

How to Showcase Teamwork Skills in a Resume

If you want to impress potential employers with your teamwork abilities, you need to showcase them effectively in your resume. Here are the most effective ways to demonstrate your teamwork skills:

Overview of effective ways

Include a team player statement: Start with a brief statement in your summary that emphasizes your ability to work well in a team. This will grab the employer’s attention and convey your collaborative nature.

Mention team projects: Highlight any team projects you’ve worked on and include details on your role and contributions. This will demonstrate your ability to collaborate with others and work towards a common goal.

Use power words: When listing your experiences, use power words that imply collaboration and teamwork. Some examples include: co-created, collaborated, contributed, supported, and assisted.

Volunteer experiences: Volunteer experiences can provide great examples of your teamwork abilities. Include any volunteering experiences that required you to work closely with a team, whether it was on a project or during an event.

Guidance on keywords and phrases

When including teamwork experiences throughout your resume, make use of keywords and phrases. For instance:

• Collaborated with team members to develop a new product launch strategy.
• Contributed to cross-functional initiatives by providing creative solutions.
• Supported the team in achieving project milestones by providing help and guidance.
• Assisted in coordinating team meetings and agendas.

Including keywords and phrases that outline your collaboration and teamwork abilities will help capture the employer’s attention.

Proving teamwork abilities

Lastly, prove your teamwork abilities by including accomplishments that demonstrate your experience in leading or contributing to teams. For example:

• Led a cross-functional team of five to develop a comprehensive marketing campaign resulting in 20% increase in sales.
• Contributed to a team of 10 in successfully completing a project ahead of time and under budget.
• Assisted in managing, training and mentoring new team members resulting in a 98% retention rate.

By including these accomplishments, you’re showing potential employers that you’re a valuable team player who can be relied upon for results.

Including your teamwork skills in your resume can significantly improve your chances of landing your next job. Highlighting your collaboration abilities, using power words, and showing your contributions to teams will demonstrate your capabilities to employers.

Top Important Teamwork Skills to Highlight in a Resume

When it comes to landing your dream job, it’s not just about having the technical skills or experience. Nowadays, employers are putting more emphasis on teamwork skills. Being able to work well with others is imperative for any business or organization to succeed. Here’s a closer look at the top important teamwork skills that employers are seeking in today’s job market.

Communication

Communication is one of the most crucial teamwork skills. You can have the best ideas, but if you can’t communicate them effectively with others, they won’t go very far. Make sure to highlight any experience you have in communicating and collaborating on group projects. Communication can be both verbal and nonverbal, so don’t forget to demonstrate your listening skills as well.

Active Listening

Active listening is all about paying attention to what your teammates are saying and understanding their perspective. It’s more than just hearing words; it’s about comprehending the meaning behind them. Demonstrating your active listening skills can impress potential employers as it shows that you value your team members’ input and want to work together to achieve a common goal.

Conflict Resolution

Conflict is an inevitable part of any team dynamic. What’s important is how you handle it. Highlight any experience you have in resolving disputes that occurred during group projects. Employers are looking for team members who have the ability to work collaboratively toward a solution when conflicts arise.

Flexibility

Flexibility is all about adapting to the situations and needs of the team. When working on group projects, unexpected issues will inevitably arise, so it’s essential to be able to adjust to the changing environment. Sharing an example of how you adapted to a sudden change in a project to achieve the desired outcome can showcase your flexibility effectively.

Collaboration

Collaboration is the ability to work with others toward a common goal. When working on group projects, everyone must work together to achieve the desired outcome. Highlighting your collaboration skills can show potential employers that you understand the importance of working together to achieve a common goal.

Leadership skills are essential for working in a team environment, even if you’re not in a management position. Setting an example for others by coordinating project tasks, motivating team members, and communicating with the team can all be used to showcase leadership skills on a resume.

Examples of How to Cultivate and Enhance These Particular Teamwork Skills

While you may already possess many of the essential teamwork skills, there’s always room for improvement.

How to Identify Your Teamwork Skills

Teamwork skills are crucial in nearly every job, and so it’s essential that job-seekers identify their teamwork strengths and weaknesses to effectively market themselves as a candidate.

Here are a few self-assessment tools that can help identify your teamwork skills:

Personality Tests

Several personality tests such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the DISC assessment can help you identify your team-oriented traits. These tests are designed to measure various aspects of your personality, including how you interact with others, your communication style, and your problem-solving approach. Analyzing your results can help you get a better understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, which can improve your teamwork skills.

Feedback from Others

Asking for feedback from colleagues, coworkers or supervisors can be a great way to get a sense of how you’re perceived in a team setting. Receiving constructive criticism can be tough, but it can provide valuable insights into the areas you need to work on to become a better team player.

Self-Reflection

Self-reflection is crucial when it comes to identifying your teamwork skills. It is easy to overlook your flaws or shortcomings when in a team. Therefore, it’s important to take some time and reflect on your performance in previous team projects. Consider what you did well or where you could have improved to adjust your skills accordingly.

Once you identify your skills, it’s essential to develop effective strategies to leverage them and integrate new skills. Here are some strategies:

Leverage Your Existing Teamwork Skills

• Collaboration:  Communicate and work with others to achieve common goals, both contributing to the success of the team.
• Active Listening:  Pay attention to others, help fill in gaps, and facilitate understanding.
• Adaptability:  Be open and willing to change in the face of new and unexpected situations or challenges.

Developing New Teamwork Skills

• Conflict Resolution:  Learn to manage conflicts or differences, avoid misunderstandings, and remain respectful.
• Effective Communication:  Communicate clearly, effectively, and transparently to help guide conversations and actions.
• Empathy:  Understand and relate to others’ perspectives, and respond appropriately.

Identifying and developing your teamwork skills can give you the edge you need to get ahead in your job search. By leveraging your existing skills and developing new ones, you’ll stand out to potential employers and be ready to tackle any project as part of a team.

Example of a Well-Written Resume’s Teamwork Section

Included below is an example of a well-written teamwork section in a resume. This sample showcases the candidate’s ability to work effectively with peers to accomplish organizational goals.

Sample Resume

Teamwork Section

• Collaborated with a team of ten project managers to plan and execute company-wide marketing initiatives, resulting in a 15% increase in revenue.
• Mentored four new hires in best practices for team communication and project management, resulting in a 60% decrease in project delays.
• Coordinated with cross-functional team members to develop and implement client-specific marketing plans, resulting in a 20% increase in client satisfaction.

Analysis and Explanation

The first bullet point in this section provides insight into the candidate’s ability to collaborate with a team. By working with ten project managers, the candidate was able to create and execute large-scale marketing initiatives that generated a 15% revenue increase. This accomplishment highlights the candidate’s ability to work with others to achieve common goals.

The second bullet point demonstrates the candidate’s dedication to teamwork through mentoring. By passing on best practices for team communication and project management, the candidate was able to improve the effectiveness of the team as a whole, resulting in fewer project delays.

Cross-Functional Coordination

The last bullet point in this section emphasizes the candidate’s ability to coordinate with members of other departments or teams to achieve shared objectives. By developing and implementing client-specific marketing plans with cross-functional team members, the candidate improved client satisfaction by 20%. This achievement highlights not only the candidate’s ability to collaborate within their own team but also their ability to work with and incorporate ideas and perspectives of others.

This example of a well-written resume’s teamwork section showcases the candidate’s ability to work collaboratively, mentor others, and coordinate with cross-functional team members to achieve overall organizational goals.

Teamwork Skills in Specific Careers

When it comes to teamwork skills, different industries and professions have varying requirements. In this section, we’ll discuss how to identify the most important teamwork skills for specific careers and industries, and how to tailor your resume accordingly.

Identifying Key Teamwork Skills for Different Professions

First and foremost, it’s important to research the teamwork skills that are most valued in your target industry or profession. For example, if you’re seeking a role in the hospitality industry, you’ll want to highlight your ability to work collaboratively with others to create positive guest experiences. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a job in IT, you’ll want to showcase your experience working on cross-functional teams to develop and implement software solutions.

In general, some of the most important teamwork skills that employers look for include:

Communication: This includes the ability to listen actively, express ideas clearly and concisely, and provide constructive feedback to others.

Collaboration: This skill involves the ability to work effectively with others towards a common goal, and to recognize and appreciate others’ contributions.

Leadership: Even in a team environment, leadership skills are highly valued, as they demonstrate a candidate’s ability to motivate and guide others towards success.

Problem-solving: The ability to work with others to identify and solve complex problems is a valuable teamwork skill in virtually any industry.

Tailoring Your Resume for Specific Industries and Job Roles

Once you’ve identified the key teamwork skills for your target industry or profession, it’s important to tailor your resume to highlight these skills. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Use industry-specific language: Every industry has its own terminology and jargon, so be sure to incorporate these into your resume where appropriate.

Highlight relevant experience: Focus on the teamwork experiences that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for, and be sure to quantify your contributions wherever possible (e.g. “Led a team of 10 sales associates to exceed quarterly revenue targets by 20%”).

Emphasize soft skills: While technical skills are important, many employers place a greater emphasis on soft skills like communication, collaboration, and leadership. Be sure to highlight examples of these skills throughout your resume.

Teamwork Skills and Cover Letter

As an experienced professional, you understand that a strong cover letter is essential to making a positive first impression with potential employers. If you’re looking to highlight your teamwork skills in your cover letter, there are a number of strategies you can use to make your abilities clear and compelling.

An In-Depth Look at Highlighting Teamwork Skills in a Cover Letter

When it comes to showcasing your teamwork skills in a cover letter, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, you’ll want to be sure to choose examples that demonstrate your ability to work effectively with others toward a common goal. You might talk about a time when you collaborated on a project, worked as part of a team to solve a problem, or helped to build a strong sense of camaraderie in your workplace.

Once you’ve identified your strongest examples, you’ll need to think carefully about how to present them to your reader. One effective strategy is to structure your cover letter around the “STAR” method, which stands for:

• Situation: Describe the context of the situation you’re discussing.
• Task: Explain the specific task that was involved.
• Action: Outline the actions you took to address the task.
• Result: Share the positive outcome that resulted from your teamwork contributions.

Another important consideration when writing your cover letter is your overall tone and writing style. You’ll want to come across as confident, articulate, and enthusiastic about your abilities, while also being professional and respectful throughout your letter.

Tips for Conveying Teamwork Abilities in a Cover Letter

If you’re looking to highlight your teamwork skills in a cover letter, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Use concrete examples: Instead of simply stating that you have strong teamwork skills, use specific examples to bring your abilities to life. Be sure to provide clear details about the situation, task, action, and result, and explain how your contributions were essential to the team’s success.
• Choose your words carefully: Your choice of language can make a big difference when it comes to conveying your teamwork abilities. Use words that convey collaboration, communication, and a willingness to work toward a common goal.
• Consider the company culture: When writing your cover letter, be sure to take into account the company culture and workplace environment. If the company values teamwork and collaboration, emphasize these skills throughout your letter.
• Don’t forget the basics: While it’s important to highlight your teamwork skills, don’t forget to cover the basics of a strong cover letter, including a clear introduction, a strong summary of your qualifications, and a call to action that encourages the reader to take the next step.

By following these tips and guidance, you can make a compelling case for your teamwork abilities in your cover letter, and increase your chances of landing your dream job.

How to Build Teamwork Skills

Teamwork skills are essential for success in any workplace. Employers value employees who can collaborate effectively with others towards a shared goal. Here are some practical tips and strategies for developing your teamwork skills both in and out of the workplace:

1. Communicate openly and often

Effective communication is the cornerstone of good teamwork. It’s important to communicate openly and often with your team members to clarify goals, tasks, and expectations. Communication should be clear, concise, and respectful.

2. Encourage participation and brainstorming

A successful team is one where all members are engaged and contribute to the project. Encourage participation and brainstorming during meetings to generate fresh ideas and ensure everyone’s voice is heard.

3. Develop trust and respect

Trust and respect are essential components of a cohesive team. It’s important to build relationships with your team members and show support for their ideas and perspectives. This creates a positive work environment where everyone feels valued and acknowledged.

4. Embrace diversity

Teams are made up of individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Embrace this diversity and recognize the strengths that each team member brings to the table. This creates a well-rounded team with a range of skills and ideas.

5. Seek feedback

Feedback is an essential component of professional growth. Seek feedback from your supervisors, co-workers, and others to improve your teamwork skills. Ask for specific examples of how you can improve and take action on their suggestions.

6. Attend team-building activities

Participating in team-building activities can improve teamwork skills and foster a sense of camaraderie. Take advantage of opportunities for team-building activities both in and out of the workplace.

By implementing these practical tips and strategies, you can develop strong teamwork skills and become a valuable asset to any team. Use the advice on how to seek feedback to continually improve your skills and track your progress. Remember, teamwork skills are highly valued by employers and can enhance your resume and career prospects.

Benefits of Strong Teamwork Skills in a Resume

Great teamwork skills can be a valuable asset for any job-seeker. This is because teamwork encourages collaboration, communication, and effective problem-solving, which all contribute to the success of any organization. By highlighting your teamwork skills in your resume, you are showing potential employers that you are capable of working well with others to achieve common goals.

Benefits for Job-Seekers

When job-seekers emphasize their teamwork skills in their resumes, they are more likely to land a job that requires communication, collaborative work, and interpersonal skills. Employers are always on the lookout for candidates who can easily integrate into their work culture and hit the ground running with minimal supervision. A well-written resume that demonstrates a great teamwork ability can convince an employer that you are that candidate and that your skill set aligns with their organizational goals.

Having strong teamwork skills also helps job-seekers achieve a sense of fulfillment in their roles. With the support of their team members, they can tackle tough projects and deliver excellent results. Additionally, being part of a team allows them to grow professionally by learning from other team members’ experiences, knowledge, and skills.

Benefits for Employers

From an employer’s perspective, hiring candidates with strong teamwork skills can benefit the organization in many ways. First, teamwork fosters a positive work culture where employees are more motivated, productive, and engaged. By hiring individuals who can readily contribute to a team mentality, employers can reduce attrition rates, boost retention, and maintain a healthy work environment.

Furthermore, teamwork helps employers to achieve organizational goals more efficiently. Teams can break down complex projects into smaller, manageable tasks, which ensures that projects are completed on time and within budget. Also, working in teams encourages members to learn from one another, share ideas, and brainstorm solutions to problems.

Attracting employees with great teamwork skills can also help employers build a reputation as an employer of choice. Companies that prioritize teamwork stand out as preferred destinations for job-seekers who desire to work in a supportive work environment where they can collaborate and achieve more together.

Highlighting teamwork skills in a resume is beneficial to both job-seekers and employers. Job-seekers benefit by landing desirable jobs and gaining a sense of fulfillment in their roles, while employers achieve a positive work culture, increased productivity, and better retention rates. Therefore, it’s essential to assess your teamwork skills and include them on your resume to improve your chances of landing your dream job.

Common Teamwork Skills Mistakes to Avoid

When crafting a resume that highlights teamwork skills, there are several common mistakes to avoid. These mistakes can often result in the hiring manager being unable to fully understand your potential contributions to the team. Here are some mistakes to look out for:

1. Vague Language

It is important to be specific when discussing your teamwork skills. Rather than simply stating that you are a “team player”, provide concrete examples of times when you have demonstrated teamwork abilities. This will help the hiring manager to better understand the specific ways that you can contribute to the team.

2. Focusing on Individual Achievements

While it is important to showcase your personal accomplishments, it is equally important to highlight how you have worked with others to achieve these goals. Avoid making it seem like you have achieved everything on your own, and instead discuss how you have collaborated with teammates to reach shared goals.

3. Lack of Context

When highlighting specific teamwork skills, it is important to provide context for each example. Simply stating that you “worked well with others” does not provide the necessary information to understand how you were able to contribute to the team. Be sure to explain the circumstances and tasks involved in each example to provide a clearer picture of your teamwork abilities.

4. Overstating Your Role

While it is important to showcase your contributions to the team, be careful not to overstate your level of involvement. Providing inaccurate information about your role on a project or exaggerating your contributions can ultimately harm your chances of being hired. Be honest about your contributions and focus on how you were able to work effectively with others.

5. Not Tailoring Your Skills to the Job Description

When highlighting your teamwork skills, be sure to tailor your examples to the job you are applying for. Each job may require different types of teamwork abilities, so it is important to highlight the relevant skills for the position. Pay close attention to the job description and incorporate specific keywords and phrases in your examples as appropriate.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can showcase your teamwork skills effectively in your resume and increase your chances of landing the job. Remember to be specific, provide context, and tailor your examples to the job you are applying for. With these tips in mind, you can demonstrate that you are a valuable team player with a lot to offer.

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Teamwork Skills on a Resume: What They Are and Why They Matter

3 key takeaways

• Teamwork skills defined and why they’re important
• Effective teamwork skills employers love to see on your resume (with examples)
• Adding teamwork skills to your resume with Teal’s AI Resume Builder

When you're searching for a new role, every advantage counts. So it’s essential to highlight the right skills—the right way—in your resume and cover letter. 

Adding teamwork skills for resume summaries, work experience, and more isn't just about buzzwords. These skills are fundamental in modern, collaborative, often remote work settings. Showcasing these skills assures hiring managers and recruiters that you’re a good team player who can work well with others toward a common goal. 

Showcasing these key teamwork skills on a resume needs to go a little deeper than simple bullet points, reading “great communication skills” or “effective problem-solving skills.” To really grab a potential employer's attention, you’ll need to get descriptive. 

Teamwork skills defined 

Good teamwork skills are the abilities and qualities that enable you to work effectively in a group setting alongside your other team members.

These skills encompass communication, collaboration, team building skills and balancing team and individual responsibilities. They're essential for navigating the complexities of working with others toward a common goal.

Why teamwork skills on a resume are important

In today's dynamic work environment, teamwork skills are more crucial than ever. 

Basic teamwork skills:

• Facilitate smooth collaboration in diverse groups, ensuring everyone feels included and valued.
• Ensure each member's strengths are fully recognized and effectively utilized.
• Contribute to a positive work culture, creating an environment where everyone feels motivated and engaged.
• Foster innovation through shared creativity and open-minded exchange of ideas.
• Drive success through collective effort, combining individual talents for greater achievements.

How to add teamwork skills on your resume

Your teamwork skills are a part of who you are, reflecting your multifaceted character as a person and a job candidate. 

And just like these skills are woven into different parts of your character, you should describe teamwork skills throughout different parts of your resume. 

Before you get started, make sure the skills you want to list are relevant to the role you're applying to. Read the job description. Find the specific keywords and phrases that refer to the concept of teamwork. (Think team player, positive mindset, planning skills, effective team member, etc.)

Pro Tip: The Teal AI Resume Builder and Job Application Tracker pull the top keywords from any job description to simplify and streamline this process.

Then, instead of limiting these to a single resume "Skills" section (which should be reserved for hard or technical skills as often as possible), include specific teamwork skills in a variety of sections—like as part of your professional summary and in your work experience achievements alongside impact.

This approach highlights how integral teamwork is in your professional story  and  how you used it for success in different contexts and roles.

Add teamwork skills to your resume with Teal

The free Teal AI Resume Builder makes adding teamwork skills to every section of your resume seamless.

Highlight the most impactful keywords in each job description so you know exactly what a company is looking for, and then frame your skills in the most relevant way. Add, remove, and edit the content of every section as often as you'd like. (And then see how well your qualifications align with Matching Mode!)

Top 8 teamwork skills for your resume

When it comes to standing out to potential employers, highlighting your teamwork skills can make a big difference.

Below are the top eight teamwork skills that employers keep an eye out for on a resume, plus some teamwork skills examples.

These skills not only demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively in positive team environment but also show your potential to contribute positively to the team dynamics and overall organizational goals.

1. Communication

A resume soft skill like communication is vital because it underpins the ability to connect, resolve conflicts, and build strong relationships in professional settings.

And it's not just about talking.

Strong communication skills are about being able to listen, give feedback, and track progress. 

Good teams make open communication a priority, which leads to fewer mistakes and a more productive work environment. If you can communicate well, you'll be a valuable asset to any team.

Example: As a team leader, facilitated 100+ cross-functional team meetings, ensuring clear communication and planning that resulted in 98% on-time project completion.

2. Problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills

Challenges and disagreements are common in team environments, and employers love people who can handle these situations tactfully and efficiently. 

Proficiency in problem-solving and conflict management means not only coming up with solutions but also making sure they work for everyone on the team. 

Highlighting these skills shows potential employers that you're a great team player who can minimize friction and help the group achieve its goals.

Example: Mediated and resolved a resource distribution conflict between the marketing and sales teams, leading to a balanced solution that enhanced project efficiency by 15%.

3. Relationship-building and active listening 

While resume hard skills are important for getting the job done, soft skills like building relationships and actively listening make teams work better together.

Building strong relationships involves recognizing and appreciating each team member’s unique talents. 

Active listening skills show that you're committed to understanding your colleagues' points of view and valuing their contributions.

Example: Established key relationships with stakeholders across company departments like product and design, streamlining communication and collaboration, which resulted in a 20% reduction in workflow redundancies.

4. Adaptability

Employees who can graciously accept feedback, like revising a report based on their manager's suggestions or changing a presentation based on team input, show they’re adaptable and dedicated to doing their best work. 

Similarly, employees should be able to give constructive feedback in a positive team dynamic and environment, like suggesting a colleague change the layout of a report for clarity or advising a team on how to optimize a workflow process. This shows that they’re committed to the team's success and understand the task at hand.

Example: Actively incorporated team feedback to overhaul the quarterly review process, resulting in a more efficient system, reducing review process time required by 25%

5. Reliability

Everyone needs to consistently perform for the most successful team dynamics. Being reliable means your team can count on you to meet deadlines, turn in high-quality work, and fulfill your daily responsibilities. 

Be sure to highlight your reliability with specific examples from your work experience. You want to showcase that you're trustworthy and consistently professional—a trait employers highly value.

Example: Consistently maintained a 98% on-time completion rate for all assigned tasks, ensuring steady project progression and trust among team members.

6. Accountability

Taking responsibility for your actions, owning up to your successes and failures, and understanding how your actions affect the team are fundamental workplace skills.

When you're accountable, you're proactive in finding solutions to problems and preventing them from happening again. Potential employers will see this as a sign that you're reliable, mature, self-aware, and invested in the team's success.

Example: Identified and resolved a critical discrepancy in the supply chain coordination process, improving alignment and communication between suppliers and warehouse operations, resulting in a 10% increase in overall operational efficiency.

7. Decision-making

Decision-making is an essential teamwork skill, especially when it comes to project management. 

In group projects, the ability to make informed, timely, and effective decisions often determines the project's success. 

People who can make quick decisions keep projects moving forward, and they're also essential in tough situations. When you emphasize your decision-making skills to potential employers, you show them that you can make strategic choices to help the team reach its goals.

Example: Successfully led a team through a strategic pivot from traditional to digital marketing methods for a key project, focusing on innovative quality improvement strategies. This shift resulted in a 20% enhancement in the quality of deliverables and notably heightened client and customer satisfaction afterward.

8. Organizational and planning skills

A well-planned project means that the team can work systematically toward its goals. When you highlight your planning and resume organizational skills , you show that you're good at strategic thinking, risk management, and leading a team effectively.

Example: Efficiently managed a complex project timeline, coordinating efforts across five key departments. This meticulous planning and collaboration resulted in synchronized deliverables and a substantial 15% reduction in overall project time.

Strategies for improving your teamwork skills

If you're reading this, you're probably keen on not just showcasing examples of teamwork skills but enhancing them. 

Continuous personal and professional development always pays off, and when it comes to teamwork, the ripple effects can benefit an entire organization—and position you as a top candidate. 

Here are just a few ways to step up your teamwork skills now:

• Continuous learning: Attend workshops, webinars, or courses on teamwork and communication. They'll offer insights and tools to refine your approach to working collaboratively.
• Seek feedback: Regularly request feedback from current team members about your performance. This proactive approach shows your commitment to improving and makes you more receptive to positive changes.
• Engage in team building activities: These can be formal or informal. Trust-building exercises, retreats, or even simple team lunches can foster stronger bonds and understanding.
• Practice active listening: Focus on truly understanding what someone is saying before responding. This deepens understanding and reduces the chances of misunderstandings.
• Enhance emotional intelligence (EI): Recognizing and respecting emotional responses—both yours and your colleagues’—is fundamental in teamwork. Consider training or readings to boost your EI.
• Delegate wisely: If you're in a leadership position, understand the strengths and weaknesses of your team members. Assigning the right tasks to the right people can optimize results and foster a sense of ownership and pride in team members.
• Embrace diversity: Understand and respect diverse perspectives. Different viewpoints can lead to more comprehensive solutions. It’s essential to ensure all voices are heard and valued.
• Adopt conflict resolution techniques: Misunderstandings are inevitable in team settings. Knowing how to manage and resolve them amicably is key.
• Stay current with technology trends: With many teams working remotely, leveraging tools to collaborate is paramount. Familiarize yourself with the latest collaboration tools and platforms.
• Reflect and reset: After completing team projects or milestones, take a moment to reflect. What went well? What can be improved? Use this as a learning opportunity for the next project.

Incorporating these strategies into your current work will enhance your teamwork skills and make you a valuable asset to future employers. Remember, the essence of teamwork lies in mutual respect, understanding, and the collective drive to achieve common goals.

Teamwork is key in today's workplace, so showing off your teamwork skills can really make your resume stand out. From effective communication to strategic planning, highlighting your teamwork skills shows you can thrive in collaborative environments. 

Want to take your teamwork skills to the next level? Write your resume with Teal's AI Resume Builder. With Teal, you can pull the right teamwork skills from any job description, align your content, then see how well your skills match the position and make as many edits as you'd like. (Plus, if you're not sure where to start, use the generative AI for personalized suggestions on how to showcase your skills in a powerful way)

Ready to showoff those teamwork skills on your resume?   Sign up for Teal today .

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i demonstrate teamwork skills on my resume if i mostly worked on independent projects, should i include teamwork-oriented action verbs in my resume, and can you provide examples, how do i quantify teamwork skills on my resume to make them more impactful.

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Strong Collaboration Skills: Example Usage on Resume, Skill Set and Guide for 2024

How to show you work well with others on your resume?

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Drop your resume here or upload a file to find out if the skills in your resume are readable by an ATS.

In This Guide:

What are collaboration skills, why are collaboration skills wanted by recruiters on your resume, what skills, activities and accomplishments help you highlight your collaboration skills, collaboration skills: key takeaways for your resume.

Being a strong collaborator means you can work well in a team and know how to support your colleagues. Strong collaboration skills make you an active listener, who is willing to take the initiative but also to be led by others.

Listing “strong collaboration skills” in the skills' section of your resume, however, might sound a bit boastful. You can point out your collaboration skills by proving that you are a good communicator, a real team-player, and someone who is willing to place group goals before individual needs.

Usually, recruiters believe that candidates who have strong collaboration skills will be a better match than candidates who don’t.

Collaboration skills are considered to be extremely valued by employers because they show you are open-minded, respectful of different opinions, and highly adaptable.

Great collaborators typically have high emotional intelligence. This allows them to manage stress and their emotions well and to make the right decisions.

What is more, people with strong collaboration skills are more likely to get work done faster but without sacrificing quality. That’s why recruitment officers are always on the lookout for great collaborators.

But how can you show your collaboration skills without sounding boastful? What are the skills that really prove you are a great collaborator?

Listing “strong collaboration skills” as part of your skills section just won’t do the work. Let’s look at the non-obvious skills that make you a great collaborator instead:

• Discipline, organization & time-management : these skills are usually perceived to be important for individual workers. However, being able to work individually is definitely part of working well in a team.
• Communication : be it verbal or non-verbal, communication has the potential to make or break a team. Recruiters will expect you to know how to manage conflict and communicate issues with others.
• Adaptability : the current global situation has shown us that being adaptable to different conditions is extremely important. Teamwork requires great adaptability in the digital era.
• Creativity & critical thinking : being able to think outside the box shows that you can spot the mistakes of other team members and fix them quickly and easily.

How to demonstrate strong collaboration skills on your resume:

• Mention times when you had to work as part of a large team
• Describe some team issues you have helped resolve
• Talk about projects that had to be done in no time
• Demonstrate how creative you can be when tackling unfamiliar problems
• Give examples of situations which required you to be both a leader and a follower

Don’t forget: strong collaboration skills are what every employer wants you to have, but stating them explicitly might not work in your favor. Instead, focus on answering these questions:

• Have you participated in a team project that achieved great success?
• When was the last time you had to deal with an unsupportive team member, and how did you handle it?
• Have you ever put group success before individual recognition?

Below, you can find some resume snippets from people who have put these pieces of advice into practice.

Example 1: Demonstrate strong collaboration skills in the experience section

• • Assisted team members with their daily tasks
• • Participated in a year-long social media marketing campaign
• • Was an active member in all weekly brainstorming sessions
• • Set up, tracked and optimized various traffic campaigns

The resume snippet of this marketing intern illustrates their collaboration skills quite well. The fact that this person has worked on a year-long project shows that they are disciplined and have strong organizational skills.

Weekly brainstorming sessions on the other hand point to their ability to be creative and work in a team.

Last but not least, assisting team members with their daily tasks proves this marketing intern’s willingness to sacrifice individual needs and interests for team goals.

Example 2: Demonstrate collaboration skills in the resume summary section

You can showcase your collaboration skills in one or two sentences.

This resume summary shows that the person has great communication and organizational skills needed to lead a team. What is more, winning the 2019 Effie Award proves this person’s (and their team’s) high level of creativity and critical thinking.

Example 3: Show your collaboration skills in your achievements sections

Both of these examples demonstrate this person’s great collaboration skills by focusing on communication, team-work (even across departments), and adaptability.

Remember: if there are other achievements you would like to mention, you can do so by adding a “Most proud of” section at the end of your resume.

Example 4: Demonstrate your collaboration skills through other sections of your resume

Okay, we’ve discussed the ways to demonstrate strong collaboration skills as part of your resume summary, experience, and skills sections. Now it’s time to look at how non-work-related activities could help you stand out as a great collaborator.

Maybe you used to volunteer at the local pet shelter? Or maybe you participated in a fundraising school event for Christmas?

Any kind of extracurricular activity that requires good communication skills and team spirit can be included in the additional sections of your resume. It shows that you are proactive, but also that you can focus your efforts on goals that don’t necessarily have a direct impact on your life.

• Demonstrate commitment: describe situations which required you to put group success before individual recognition
• What makes you a good leader: talk about times that you had to take the lead in order to reach common goals
• Show your individual strengths: the ability to work individually is crucial to being a valuable collaborator

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The Importance of Teamwork Skills on a Resume

Teamwork skills in the workplace are essential for the vast majority of jobs and careers. Employers expect their employees and any potential employees to be able to work together effectively with others to achieve team goals.

Articulating your teamwork skills and experiences

Your ability to articulate your teamwork skills and experiences will be a vital element on your resume. Prospective employers will usually want to see examples of effective teamwork and ask you about your teamwork experiences, skills, knowledge and abilities around teamwork when they are considering you for a job. In particular, they want to know about your ability to work effectively with an intact team or a group of individuals to reach a common goal.

On a resume, employers will want to see examples of effective team behaviors. Below is a list of behaviors associated with effective teamwork. As you read through the list, think of personal examples of when you exhibited these teamwork behaviors in either working through a group project in a class, a full or part time job, an internship, participation in an on-campus organization, or your contribution as a team player on any sport or athletic team.

Also, think about other behaviors not listed that might also demonstrate effective team membership behaviors. For example, effective teamwork behaviors often:

• Involve others by listening to and fully involving others in team decisions and actions.
• Model commitment by understanding and following team expectations and guidelines.
• Fulfill team responsibilities and demonstrates personal commitment to the team.
• Work to achieve team goals with quality results.
• Value individual differences and talents on the team.
• Inform others on the team by consistently sharing important or relevant information.
• Participate proactively in the development of team goals or plans or task lists.
• Maintain or enhances the self-esteem of other team members.
• Check for understanding from team members to ensure everyone is on the same page.
• Cooperate with team members to resolve problems to ensure team goals are achieved.
• Ask for feedback or input from other team members to ensure all comments are heard.
• Communicate effectively with all team members ensuring everyone has up to date information.
• Encourage trust and makes efforts to be trustworthy.
• Cooperate actively and participates on the team.
• Avoid divisiveness and always strives to create team unity.
• Take time to manage and work through team differences.
• Build on others’ ideas and not just your own.

Teamwork and Leadership

If you were a team leader, think about your experiences as a team lead. Be sure to add that to your resume. Again, review the list of effective team leadership behaviors and think about times and examples where you might have exhibited these behaviors. For example, an effective team leader often:

• Selects team members aligned to meet the team outcomes for a project or program.
• Clarifies team roles and responsibilities for all team members.
• Involves team members in clarifying the team roles and responsibilities necessary to achieve program success.
• Encourages the team by looking for opportunities to encourage and motivate successful team performance.
• Establishes team expectations and goals and communicates those to team members.
• Helps to keep the team on track by monitoring team performance and adjusts when necessary.
• Collaboratively works with other team members to establish team performance expectations.
• Applies best practices to team development including actions like building a mission, a charter, meeting norms, and developing ways of working among team members.
• Provides team support providing ongoing feedback and appropriate amount of guidance.
• Looks for opportunities to reinforce, reward, and celebrate accomplishments of the team.
• Consistently helps to build trust among team members.

Finding the Right Example

Being able to articulate your specific teamwork skills and abilities through examples, both in person and on a resume, can give you an edge in the job market. You should support all of your workforce skills with distinct instances. Be concise, use action verbs, and if possible, use any results to illustrate your examples.

Teamwork Lessons and Team Leadership

When describing your teamwork abilities, it is also important to highlight specific examples that point to why your participation was effective. Your ability to share what you learned from being on a team is also important and will set you apart from other potential candidates.

In addition, if you have ever received any form of recognition for your teamwork skills make sure you share that in your resume. If you have ever received a team member award, led or had a team leader position, took the lead and coordinated a project, or have been given a special team role, make sure you share those examples on your resume. Remember teamwork skills are among a bigger set of a workforce skills desired by employers.

Teamwork: An Open Access Practical Guide Copyright © 2020 by Andrew M. Clark; Lolin Martins-Crane; Mengqi Zhan; and Justin Dellinger T. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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The purpose of a resume objective, sometimes called a career objective, is to tell hiring managers what you intend to do for them and why you are qualified to do it. An objective for a resume should always be tailored precisely to the target job.

In this guide, we will look closely at the resume objective statement and provide more than 100 resume objective examples for different career stages and top industries , along with tips to create an intriguing resume statement.

Plus we’ll answer:

• How are resume objective examples helpful to job-seekers?
• What is an objective for a resume?
• What is the difference between a resume objective and a resume summary?
• Who needs a resume objective statement?
• How to write an effective resume objective statement.

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How are resume objective examples helpful?

Resume objective examples can be particularly beneficial for job-seekers in several ways:

• Tailoring to specific roles: By looking at various examples, job seekers can learn how to tailor their resume objectives for specific roles or industries. This customization shows employers that the candidate has a clear understanding of the role and how they can contribute.
• Learning from others’ experiences: Examining various examples allows job seekers to learn from what others have found effective. This can be especially helpful for those new to the job market or those who have not updated their resume in a while.
• Aligning with employer expectations : In some industries or companies, resume objectives are expected. By using examples, job seekers can ensure they meet these expectations and adhere to professional standards.

Resume objective examples show job seekers how to present themselves effectively to employers by highlighting how their skills and career goals match the job requirements.

What is a resume objective statement?

A resume objective is a brief statement at the beginning of a resume that outlines the job seeker’s career goals and intentions for applying to a specific job or career field. It’s usually two to three sentences long and is tailored to reflect the candidate’s relevant skills and the value they can bring to the position they’re applying for. The purpose of a resume objective is to quickly convey to potential employers why you are a suitable candidate for the job and how your skills and experiences align with their needs.

Key elements often included in a resume objective are:

• Career goal: A clear statement of what the job seeker hopes to achieve in their career or in the specific position they are applying for.
• Relevant skills or experiences: Highlighting specific skills, experiences, or qualifications that make the candidate suitable for the position or industry.
• Value proposition: A brief explanation of how the candidate can contribute to the organization or what unique qualities they bring to the table.
• Alignment with the job: Tailoring the objective to the specific job or company to show that the candidate has done their research and is genuinely interested in the role.

For example:

“Dedicated and organized executive assistant with three years of experience assisting C-Suite executives. Highly skilled in Microsoft Excel with a strong track record of managing accounts. Pursuing executive assistant position with ArrowTechnologies to apply my interpersonal skills and proficiency in relationship building to help the CEO meet long-term company acquisition goals.”

The difference between a resume summary and a resume objective

While both a resume objective and a resume summary aim to capture the attention of employers and highlight your qualifications, they differ in their focus, with a resume objective emphasizing career goals and job aspirations, and a summary statement focusing on professional achievements and skills.

Who should use a resume objective statement?

A resume objective is a strategic tool for job seekers who need to provide context for their career goals, emphasize transferable skills, or align their diverse experiences with specific job requirements.

These groups benefit from using a resume objective:

• Career changers: Individuals transitioning to a new industry or career path can use a resume objective to explain their shift and how their previous experiences or skills are transferable and relevant to the new role.
• Recent graduates: Those who have recently graduated from college or high school often lack extensive professional experience. A resume objective can help them focus on their academic achievements, skills learned, and the career goals they aim to achieve. See our high school graduate resume examples for samples and expert tips. 
• Entry-level candidates : For those entering the workforce for the first time , a resume objective allows them to highlight their enthusiasm, relevant skills, internships, or academic projects related to the job they are applying for.
• Professionals with gaps in employment : Individuals returning to the workforce after a significant gap (due to reasons like studying, family commitments, travel, or health issues) can use a resume objective to succinctly explain the gap while emphasizing their commitment and readiness to rejoin the professional world.
• Individuals seeking part-time or freelance roles: A resume objective can be useful for those seeking non-traditional roles, as it allows them to clearly state their availability and the specific type of work they’re looking for.
• Candidates applying to specific positions: When applying to a specific role, especially in a competitive field, a resume objective can help to immediately convey a candidate’s interest and suitability for that particular position.
• Those with diverse backgrounds or skills: Individuals with a wide range of skills or varied job experiences can use an objective to focus their resume on how these diverse experiences make them a unique fit for the job.

Resume objective examples by career stage

Resume objective statement examples for high school students.

If you’re a student or a recent graduate, underscore your enthusiasm and work ethic, and focus on your academic accomplishments , volunteer activities and the skills you picked up in school when writing an objective for your resume.

College student resume objective examples

College students should highlight coursework, part-time work experience, awards and related extracurricular activities in their career objectives.

Want more help writing an objective for a resume?

You’re sure to find inspiration in our library of student resume examples .

Recent college graduate resume objectives examples

If you’re applying for a professional job for the first time , a good objective for a resume should highlight your achievements, a high GPA and internships. Focus on training and experiences that show you can make a direct impact:

When you lack professional work experience, the functional resume format is a good bet because it highlights your skills.

Resume objective examples for a career change

Use your objective statement to pinpoint transferable skills that show you can perform the work required, like these resume objective summary examples.

Resume objective examples for job seekers looking to advance in their careers

Make your desire to grow in your field clear by stressing the skills that make you the perfect manager:

The chronological resume is the best resume format for people with at least one year of consistent work experience and job seekers who want to show their career progression.

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Resume objective examples by industry

Administrative resume objective examples

• Organized, hardworking professional looking for a growth-oriented position as an administrative assistant . Outgoing and collaborative worker, skilled in communication and time management.
• Organized administrative front desk clerk seeking to apply outstanding communication skills to provide exceptional customer service and contribute to the smooth operation of a busy  office.
• Detail-oriented medical office assistant looking to apply knowledge of medical terminology, strong organizational skills and commitment to exceptional patient care in a challenging position at a high-volume health care facility.

Resume objective examples for billing & collections jobs

• Efficient office assistant seeking a bookkeeper role. Proficient in using accounting software, including QuickBooks, with experience managing recordkeeping for warehouse. Excels at learning new accounting methods.
• Experienced payroll manager seeking to use payroll processing, compliance and team management knowledge to ensure accurate and timely payroll operations and deliver exceptional service to employees and stakeholders.
• Strategic debt collection manager looking to utilize expertise in credit analysis, negotiation skills and team leadership to manage the credit collections process for a large organization effectively. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement strategies to reduce delinquency rates, improve cash flow and minimize bad debt.

Business operations  resume objective examples

• Assistant operations manager proficient in organizing schedules and enhancing financial controls, seeking new opportunities focusing on sales strategies and coordinating service initiatives.
• Enthusiastic and results-driven professional pursuing a position as a general manager with a non-profit organization. Can provide strong leadership skills, business acumen and passion for delivering exceptional customer service to drive operational excellence and achieve business goals.
• Successful negotiator seeking to leverage strong communication, relationship-building and persuasion skills to drive growth for a dynamic organization position as a vendor relationship manager. Dedicated to ensuring seamless collaboration, cost savings and high-quality service delivery.

Child care resume objective examples

• Caring and enthusiastic babysitter seeking opportunities in a day care setting. Experienced in caring for children ages 5-12. Patient, adaptable and comfortable with large and small groups. Dedicated to providing high-quality care and fostering a positive and supportive atmosphere for children’s development.
• Nurturing and caring college graduate seeks a position as a child care provider . Offering safe and stimulating child care for a small organization. Proven ability to develop age-appropriate activities, ensure the well-being of children and maintain open and effective communication with parents.
• Former assistant teacher looking to apply experience in education, strong supervisory skills, conflict resolution and passion for child welfare to a position as playground supervisor for a public elementary school. Track record of promoting a positive and nurturing atmosphere that encourages social interaction, physical activity and creativity.

Resume objective examples for computer software jobs

• Recent college graduate with training in architecture, design and implementation seeking software engineering manager position. Comfortable working in self-starting and team environments.
• Engineer with strong technical expertise, problem-solving skills and experience in cloud infrastructure, wishes to design, implement and optimize cloud-based solutions as a cloud computing engineer for a well-funded startup. Proven track record of successfully deploying and managing cloud environments to drive innovation, enhance scalability and improve operational efficiency for high-tech companies.
• Computer science graduate student aiming to apply database management skills, proficiency in SQL programming and problem-solving abilities to design and optimize database solutions as an SQL developer for an established company. Experience developing efficient database structures, writing complex queries and ensuring data integrity.

Construction resume objective examples

• Dedicated worker familiar with safety regulations and concrete mixing techniques looking for a job as crane operator . Experienced in working with crews and subcontractors.
• General laborer seeking to apply extensive experience in erecting and dismantling scaffolding structures, strong understanding of industry regulations and safety protocols, teamwork skills and ability to work at heights to a job as a scaffolder with an established construction company.
• Seasoned carpenter aiming to apply my project planning, budgeting and team management experience to a project manager role. Committed to driving project success, adhering to safety protocols and exceeding client expectations. I am eager to apply my leadership skills and attention to detail to complete construction projects on time and within budget.

Culinary resume objective examples

• Industrious line cook with over two years kitchen experience ready to move into a role of increased responsibility. Looking for work as a cook in a fast-paced establishment. Fully trained in food safety, sanitation and preparation techniques at restaurant serving 500 customers daily.
• Enthusiastic busser seeking to transition to a restaurant server position. Offering strong work ethic, attention to detail and award-winning customer service skills. Eager to expand my knowledge of menu items, take orders and deliver outstanding service to guests. I am committed to learning and growing in the hospitality industry and helping the restaurant succeed.
• Reliable shift leader pursuing role as assistant restaurant manager for a high-volume restaurant. History of effectively leading teams front- and back-of-house teams, ensuring exceptional customer service and maintaining operational efficiency. Supporting the restaurant manager in achieving business goals and delivering an outstanding dining experience.

Resume objective examples for customer service jobs

• Focused customer service professional skilled in sales and customer relationship development seeking client service specialist position. Adept in metrics, campaign management and team collaboration. Looking to use my exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills to help increase customer retention.
• Customer relationship officer with a successful record of leading and developing high-performing teams. Seeking a challenging position as a customer success manager where I can utilize my exceptional communication skills, problem-solving abilities and customer-centric approach to drive customer satisfaction and exceed organizational goals.
• Driven customer service student with exceptional communication skills, problem-solving abilities and a customer-centric approach. Adept at resolving 100% of customer inquiries with consistently high customer satisfaction levels. Committed to delivering outstanding customer experiences and building strong relationships. Seeking a challenging role as a customer service agent where I can contribute to the business’s overall success.

Data and systems administration resume objective examples

• Recent graduate trained in LAN and WAN infrastructure seeking entry-level network engineer position. Proficient in planning, project management and communication. Eager to use knowledge in security, infrastructure and all layers of the OSI and expertise in TCP/IP, UDP/IP to assist clients of Sprockets, Inc. in a timely and efficient manner.
• Talented new college graduate with a strong passion for technology and problem-solving looking for a role as a solutions architect .  Aiming to use technical skills, verbal communication skills and analytical mindset to deliver exceptional value to clients and contribute to the growth of Company X. Committed to continuously expanding my knowledge and staying up to date with emerging technologies.
• Experience application data processor with a robust data management and processing background, seeking a challenging role as a Salesforce Administrator. Committed to using my expertise in Salesforce administration and data analysis to optimize business processes, enhance customer relationship management and drive sales growth for UVB technologies.

Resume objective examples for event planning roles

• Enthusiastic event planning associate looking for opportunities in event coordination . Organized and positive, with experience handling musical events for audiences of up to 10,000 as an intern with a national event company.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented event specialist passionate about creating memorable experiences for clients. Pursuing a challenging position as a wedding planner to utilize my exceptional planning, venue coordination and design capabilities to bring couples’ dream weddings to life. Committed to delivering exceptional customer service and ensuring every aspect of the wedding ceremony is executed flawlessly.
• Intern ready for my first role as an event coordinator. Highly motivated and detail-oriented intern seeking a challenging role as an event coordinator . Eager to apply my strong organizational and communication skills to contribute to the successful planning and execution of events for Brilliant Experiences, Inc. Dedicated to learning and gaining hands-on experience in event management while delivering exceptional results in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Finance resume objective examples

• Accredited accountant eager to attain a position as a financial analyst . Detail oriented and trained in preparing tax returns for organizations and individuals. Ready to use my budgeting, reporting and audit coordination skills to help a new business grow.
• Meticulous finance professional seeking to transition from tax preparer to financial analyst role. With a strong background in tax compliance and a passion for financial analysis, I aim to leverage my skills and knowledge to contribute to the success of a dynamic organization. Seeking an opportunity to apply my analytical mindset, problem-solving abilities and financial acumen to provide valuable insights and support strategic decision making for a high-growth company.
• Results-driven financial controller with a proven track record of successfully managing financial operations and driving strategic decision-making. Seeking to leverage my expertise and experience to transition into a financial executive role, where I can contribute to an organization’s overall financial growth and success. I am committed to delivering accurate financial analysis, implementing effective economic strategies and providing leadership to achieve organizational goals.

Fitness and nutrition resume objective examples

• Resourceful camp leader with excellent planning skills looking for a new position as yoga instructor . Skilled communicator with experience leading small and large groups in exercise activities. Passionate about helping clients achieve their health and wellness goals.
• Newly certified personal trainer eager to apply my kinesiology knowledge and passion for fitness to help individuals achieve their fitness goals. Keen to create personalized training programs, foster a positive and supportive environment and continuously expand my expertise in exercise, science and nutrition. Excited to contribute to a dynamic fitness team to positively impact clients’ lives through fitness and wellness.
• Responsible high school graduate pursuing a position as a gym assistant . Certified in CPR and First Aid, passionate about promoting health and wellness. Eager to contribute to a positive and safe gym environment while gaining valuable experience in customer service and fitness industry operations.

Resume objective examples for food service jobs

• College student seeks part-time barista role in coffee shop setting. Quick learner with friendly personality and two summers of food and beverage experience. Flexible and willing to work night and weekend shifts to support the team.
• Customer-centric hostess with a proven track record of providing exceptional hospitality services with a 98% overall customer satisfaction rating. I am relocating to Idaho and seeking a hostess position in a reputable establishment where I can apply my strong interpersonal and customer service skills to create a welcoming atmosphere for guests.

Dedicated and experienced food and beverage server eager to apply my strong leadership skills, industry knowledge and passion for hospitality to contribute to the success of a dynamic food and beverage establishment as a food and beverage manager .

Offering exceptional customer service, optimal operational efficiency and revenue growth.

Healthcare support resume objective examples

• Resourceful and collaborative receptionist looking to begin a health care administration career as a patient coordinator in a health care facility. Skilled in customer service, schedule management and records administration. Dedicated to providing outstanding patient care.
• Seasoned and compassionate New York state-certified home health aide relocating from Syracuse, New York to Queens, New York. Devoted to patient well-being, safety and comfort. Successful history of providing exceptional care to patients with various chronic illnesses, seeking a new position in a reputable health care facility in Queens, New York.

Newly licensed phlebotomist poised to leverage strong interpersonal, organizational and administrative skills, clinical training and knowledge of anatomy to deliver world-class service to patients in a health care environment. Adept at collecting blood, urine and fecal samples, safely disposing of blood or other hazardous materials and preparing all requisite paperwork and documentation.

Human resources resume objective examples

• Recent college graduate with administrative experience working in health insurance offices seeking a position as benefits administrator with a small organization. Knowledgeable in state and federal regulations and proficient with records management and working collaboratively. Offering strong analytical skills, extensive knowledge of benefits administration processes and exceptional problem-solving abilities.
• Collaborative benefits specialist with seven years of experience in human resources. Excellent reputation for resolving problems, improving employee morale and driving overall operational improvements. Relocating from Aspen, Colorado, to Atlanta, Georgia in September. Aspires to provide exemplary service to a large organization in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.

Organized HR coordinator with seven years of experience successfully serving large enterprises of 5,000+ employees. Strives to transition into an HR manager role to apply my comprehensive knowledge of HR processes, employee relations and talent management. I am committed to driving organizational success through strategic human resources initiatives, fostering a positive work culture and implementing effective HR policies and procedures.

Resume objective examples for information technology jobs

• Enthusiastic college graduate with a degree in project management seeking an entry-level position as an agile project manager . I am ready to apply my strong organizational skills, adaptability and passion for delivering successful projects to contribute to a dynamic team and positively impact project outcomes.
• A highly skilled data and systems analyst who is relocating to Springfield, Illinois, in the summer, looking for a challenging new position with a vibrant and growing startup in Chicago. Seven years of experience analyzing complex data sets, identifying trends and developing innovative solutions to improve business processes.

Enthusiastic new graduate with a bachelor’s degree in computer science excited to launch a career as a technical support engineer . Offering strong problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills and a passion for providing exceptional customer service. I am seeking an opportunity to use my knowledge and skills to assist clients in a small IT environment.

Law resume objective examples

• Industrious legal clerk looking for work as a paralegal . Well-versed in legal administration, investigation and handling office administration. Aspires to apply knowledge of legal procedures, research skills and attention to detail to support attorneys in case preparation, document management and client communication.
• Highly motivated legal intern with a strong foundation in legal research and writing, striving for a challenging legal assistant position with a small firm. Offering knowledge of legal procedures, excellent organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Committed to providing comprehensive support to attorneys and contributing to the efficient operation of the legal team.

Seasoned lawyer with a strong background in corporate law endeavoring to shift to a banking attorney role with a reputable banking institution. Can contribute legal expertise, analytical skills and understanding of financial regulations to provide comprehensive legal counsel. Ready to apply my knowledge of banking laws, contracts and regulatory compliance to support clients in achieving their financial objectives.

Logistics resume objective example

• Experienced professional with a strong focus on maintaining efficient delivery and exceptional customer service operations, seeking a dispatcher position . Highly organized and adept at implementing transportation best practices and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. Committed to optimizing logistics processes to enhance overall operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
• Recent high school graduate with a strong interest in logistics and supply chain management aspires to contribute to an established team in a logistics coordinator role. Can contribute strong organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Completed business management and logistics coursework and gained hands-on experience through an internship at a local warehouse, where I assisted with inventory management and order fulfillment.

Seasoned logistics manager with a proven track record of optimizing supply chain operations and driving efficiency. Relocating to Phoenix, Arizona and seeking a challenging role in a dynamic organization where I can leverage my expertise in logistics management, process improvement and team leadership to contribute to operational success. Committed to delivering exceptional results and driving continuous improvement in supply chain processes.

Resume objective examples for marketing jobs

• Student with social media campaign experience seeking a position as a social media manager . Freelance experience includes handling campaigns for local businesses that increased customer engagement by 53%.
• Recent college graduate with a degree in business administration, seeking a challenging role as a product manager . Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and a passion for understanding customer needs and delivering innovative solutions. Eager to apply my knowledge of market research, project management and product development to drive business growth and exceed customer expectations in a dynamic and collaborative environment.

Spirited marketing merchandising associate with a proven track record of driving sales and optimizing product visibility in an e-commerce setting. Seeking a transition to an e-commerce manager role to leverage my expertise in merchandising strategies, data analysis and cross-functional collaboration to enhance online customer experiences, increase conversion rates and maximize revenue growth.

Media and communication resume objective examples

• Recent graduate fluent in Spanish and Chinese seeking a position as an interpreter . Highly skilled in accurately translating documents and audio recordings, with a strong emphasis on maintaining linguistic and cultural integrity. I am committed to facilitating effective communication between individuals and organizations, utilizing my language proficiency and cultural understanding to bridge language barriers and ensure accurate interpretation.
• Motivated college student with a passion for broadcasting and a strong desire to pursue a career as a radio host . Seeking an opportunity to apply my communication skills, creativity and knowledge of current music and entertainment trends in a thriving radio station environment. Eager to contribute to a team and engage listeners through engaging and entertaining content as a radio host.

Tenacious college intern with a passion for television news production and a strong understanding of storytelling techniques. Seeking a challenging internship opportunity as a television news producer to apply my knowledge of video production, editing and journalism skills. Can deliver high-quality news content and contribute to the success of a news organization.

Medical resume objective examples

• Medical school student seeking full-time dialysis technician position. Hands-on experience preparing treatment rooms, performing administrative duties and managing lab and procedure results.
• Energetic and newly licensed radiology technician seeking a challenging position in a busy health care facility. Motivated to provide exceptional patient care and accurate diagnostic imaging. Proficient in operating radiographic equipment, conducting imaging procedures and ensuring patient safety. Excited to contribute my skills to a collaborative health care team and in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Highly skilled and efficient physician’s assistant relocating to Bangor, Maine, pursuing a rewarding position at a high-volume medical clinic, leveraging five years of experience in providing comprehensive health care services. Committed to delivering exceptional patient care and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to achieve optimal outcomes for patients and staff.

Resume objective examples for nursing jobs

• Registered nurse with four years experience in hospitals and nursing homes, looking for permanent position on hospital staff. Knowledgeable in geriatric and pediatric care, CNA oversight and patient chart and records organization.
• Dutiful and detail-oriented nursing unit clerk with eight years of experience in health care administration, pursuing  a new role as a nursing assistant . Track record of compassionate patient care and nursing team support in high-volume hospital units. Offering strong organizational skills, excellent communication abilities and knowledge of medical terminology to provide superb patient care and nursing support in a dynamic health care facility.

Personable and compassionate nurse practitioner seeking a challenging position in a health care setting where I can apply my comprehensive knowledge, clinical skills and compassionate approach to provide high-quality patient care. Dedicated to delivering evidence-based practice, collaborating with health care teams and promoting positive health outcomes. Eager to contribute to the success of a reputable health care organization and continue to grow professionally in the field of advanced nursing.

Production resume objective examples

• Hardworking production professional seeking position as machine operator . Offers expertise in supporting manufacturing needs and experience in moving supplies, organizing products and packaging shipments.
• Dependable and hardworking high school student looking for an assembler position in a busy warehouse. Eager to apply my strong work ethic, manual dexterity and ability to follow instructions to contribute to the efficient production of high-quality products. Committed to maintaining a safe and organized work area while meeting production targets. Excited to join a team where I can learn and contribute to production.

Experienced and safety-conscious pipeline welder with a proven track record of delivering high-quality welds and adhering to industry standards. Seeking a change to a forklift operator role to utilize my strong work ethic, attention to detail and ability to operate heavy machinery effectively.

Retail resume objective examples

• Enthusiastic sophomore in high school seeking cashier opportunity. Experienced part-time worker at major retail chain skilled at loss prevention, recordkeeping and team leadership.

Flexible and results-driven retail sales associate with a history of exceeding sales targets and providing exceptional customer service aspires to make the leap to assistant retail manager . 

Currently leading a team of eight on a busy weekend shift and holding a 100% customer satisfaction rate. Proven experience optimizing operations while fostering a positive and collaborative work environment. Looking forward to taking the next step in my career and contributing to the continuing success of Sam’s Department Store.

Successful store manager who drives sales and exceeds targets, relocating to Eureka and pursuing a new position at a vibrant retail establishment in the area. Offering 15 years of experience in managing high-performing teams, optimizing operations and delivering exceptional customer service. Record of maximizing profitability and building strong customer relationships. Eager to contribute my expertise and leadership skills to a dynamic retail environment in Eureka.

Resume objective examples for safety and security jobs

• Army veteran seeking a position as security guard . Well-trained in security procedures, monitoring closed-circuit feeds and conflict resolution.
• Responsible high school student seeking a summer position as a lifeguard to ensure the safety and well-being of patrons at Sunshine Swim Club. I am excited to share my strong swimming skills, knowledge of water safety protocols and ability to remain calm in emergencies to provide swimmers with a safe and enjoyable environment.

Security guard with over a decade of experience, pursuing a new position as a security engineer for Universal Events. Equipped with a strong understanding of security protocols, risk assessment and threat mitigation.

Sales resume objective examples

• Dedicated assistant sales manager with a proven record of sales results seeking and maintaining relationships with clients and customers. Over 10 years of experience as a marketing manager with a major clothing distributor.
• Award-winning wine sales representative aiming to advance my career in the wine industry by progressing to a wine sales manager role. With a successful record in wine sales and a deep passion for the industry, I am eager to share my well-honed sales abilities, leadership skills, industry knowledge and ability to build and maintain relationships with clients.

Pursuing a challenging position as an international sales manager, using my recently acquired Master’s in Business and enthusiasm for global business development. As a recent graduate, I bring a fresh perspective, strong analytical skills and a solid understanding of international markets and sales strategies. I am eager to apply my knowledge and drive to contribute to the growth and success of a dynamic organization as an international sales manager .

Social services resume objective examples

• Team-oriented social services volunteer seeking permanent social worker position. Experience facilitating services and counseling with state-run agencies. Well-versed in assessments.
• Devout rehab aide looking to progress to a drug and alcohol counselor position. With a strong background in supporting and assisting individuals in rehabilitation settings, I am eager to expand my role and make a meaningful impact as a drug and alcohol counselor to people with addictions. Ardent about providing compassionate care, facilitating therapy sessions and implementing evidence-based treatment plans to support individuals on their journey to recovery.

Reliable recent college graduate with a dual degree in criminal justice and psychology aspires to positively impact young individuals’ lives as a juvenile probation officer . I bring a fresh perspective, strong interpersonal skills and a solid understanding of the criminal justice system. I am dedicated to promoting rehabilitation, providing guidance and implementing effective intervention strategies to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of juvenile offenders.

Resume objective examples for teaching jobs

• Accomplished high school social studies teacher seeking new opportunity with private school. Experienced teaching AP social studies to classes of 30+ students and managing successful summer programs for at-risk youth.
• New teacher pursuing a summer teacher position where I can apply my relationship-building and active listening skills, creativity and passion for teaching to create a positive and engaging learning environment for summer school students at the elementary level. I possess a strong foundation in educational theories, instructional strategies and practical classroom experience. Eager to contribute my knowledge, creativity and enthusiasm to inspire and educate students.

Charismatic and creative English teacher with 12 years of experience looking to apply my expertise in a new location. Focused on fostering a positive and engaging learning environment for students and delivering high-quality instruction, I am excited to bring my passion for teaching and strong communication skills to make a difference in students’ lives in a new educational setting.

Web development resume objective examples

• Computer science student looking for part-time opportunities as a web developer . Trained in HTML, CSS and Javascript, with experience building consumer-facing websites. Eager to apply my skills to assist clients with web coding and UX design.
• Experienced web development professional seeking to apply my expertise as a back-end developer in a new role as a full-stack developer . With a strong foundation in back-end development, including proficiency in programming languages, database management and server-side technologies, I am ready to take on the challenge of working front-end and aspects of web development, such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript, and contribute to a collaborative team to develop robust and user-friendly applications.

New college graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in computer science aiming to secure a position as a Dot Net architect , leveraging my strong foundation in computer science and zeal for software development. Can provide solid understanding of .NET framework and architecture, technical expertise, problem-solving skills and ability to design scalable and efficient solutions to contribute to the success of a startup or established business.

How to write an objective for a resume

A job objective in combination with your resume header serves as the introduction to your resume. It should be punchy and get right to the point like an elevator pitch.

The best way to approach writing a resume objective is to break it down into four parts, as shown in this resume objective formula:

Who you are:

Start your resume objective by describing yourself in terms of the job title you’re after. For example, “Meticulous accountant,” “Dedicated English teacher,” or “Efficient intensive care nurse.”

Years of experience (if applicable):

If you have relevant professional experience, mention it right away.

Statement of intent:

Use your career objective to tell the hiring manager why you want the job and be explicit.

Top qualifications:

Bring it home by highlighting two or three hard or soft skills, and expertise that match the job description.

After you format your objective statement according to the template above, it should look like this example of a resume objective:

Set your objective statement apart by expressing what you can do for the company rather than what you hope to gain from the job.

Resume objective tips

Now that you know what a resume objective statement is, who needs one, when to write an objective for a resume and the difference between a resume objective and a summary, you probably feel confident enough to write a career objective for your resume. Congratulations!

As you begin to write, review our resume objective examples for ideas and keep these tips in mind.

Customize your resume objective statement.

A good objective statement for a resume is tailored to the target job. Look over the job description and take note of the requirements. Match them to your qualifications and apply them to your resume objective statement.

Emphasize your unique qualities

When writing an objective for a resume, you must mention relevant skills and experience, but it’s even more important to highlight awards, honors and achievements that set you apart.

For example, many job applicants for an office assistant job might focus on their knowledge of Microsoft Office. Still, the one that emphasizes a time they used the software to streamline expense processes for a team of 100 employees will get noticed.

Note the differences between these two customer service objective examples.

Customer service associate with three years of experience in the automotive industry. Looking to apply my experience and knowledge to a customer support position with Midtown Toyota. Possess strong communication, negotiation and organizational skills.

Reliable customer service professional with five years of experience. Solid track record of increasing customer satisfaction scores and building long-term relationships with clients. Increased return customer base by 25% in two years at Jiffy Tires. Looking to leverage my outstanding interpersonal skills, conflict resolution training and knowledge of the automotive industry to help Midtown Toyota grow its customer base.

Add numbers and action verbs to your achievements in your job objective for stronger impact.

Show how you’ll add value to a company.

Every potential employer wants to know “ What can you bring to the team ?” Let them know from the start by telling them in your resume career objective.

Example: Dedicated social services volunteer with eight years of experience as a group leader looking to apply experience in social services and outstanding administrative and relational skills to build reliable and scalable mental health programs as a case manager for the Town Hospital community.

The above resume objective example works because it highlights the job applicant’s extensive volunteer work experience in social services while emphasizing skills necessary to get a job as a case manager and it states how the applicant plans to use their experience and skills to benefit the hospital.

Add certifications and licenses to your resume objective

If the job requires specific certificates or licenses then presenting them in your career objective can only impress potential employers, especially if you’re applying for your first job or are changing careers. If you have multiple licenses and certifications, choose one or two to highlight and add the rest in a separate section at the end of your resume, directly below the education section.

The following resume objective examples show how to highlight licenses and certifications in your resume objective statement:

Example: Recent nurse graduate certified in prenatal care seeks a position as a labor and delivery nurse at New Hope Hospital. Eager to provide compassionate nursing care to clients with pregnancy and labor complications and support the hospital staff in performance improvement initiatives. Skilled in IV insertion, C-section delivery and heart rate monitoring.

Example: C-10 licensed industrial electrician with 10 years of experience as a CEI-R certified contractor. Hardworking and skilled in customer service. Striving for a challenging role where I can use my problem-solving skills to support a company’s customers effectively. OSHA safety certified.

Looking for more resume objective examples? We offer more than 800 professional resume examples for ideas to write your career objective.

Use a resume template to add an objective in a resume

A professional resume template makes it easy to write a career objective for your resume. We have hundreds of premium and free templates to choose from, including resume templates for Word and templates for Google Docs . Plug one of our templates into our Resume Builder and we’ll do the work for you. In just a few clicks you’ll have a professional resume, complete with a customized and effective resume objective.

Key takeaways

• A resume objective is a two-to-three-sentence statement at the top of a resume that introduces a job seeker to potential employers.

Use a resume objective statement only if you meet the following criteria:

• Applying for your first job
• Changing professions
• Looking to advance your career
• Changing locations

A good resume objective tells hiring managers:

• Who you are
• How experienced you are
• Statement of intent
• Top qualifications for the job
• Some of the best resume objective statements emphasize accomplishments and use numbers and action verbs to show impact.

What is a resume objective?

A resume objective, or a career objective, is a concise statement highlighting your career goals and aspirations. It is typically placed at the beginning of a resume and provides employers with a quick overview of your professional objectives.

Should I include a resume objective on my resume?

It depends on your career stage. A resume objective can be beneficial if you are a recent graduate, changing careers, or relocating. It concisely summarizes your career goals and helps employers understand your intentions and aspirations.

However, if you have significant work experience or are applying for a job in your current field, a professional or skills-based summary may be more appropriate. These sections highlight your qualifications, achievements and relevant skills, which can be more impactful for employers.

How do I create a unique resume objective statement?

• Reflect on your career goals: Consider what you want to achieve and the specific role or industry you are targeting. This will help you align your objective with your aspirations.
• Research the company and position: Understand the company’s values, mission and the requirements of the position you are applying for. This will enable you to tailor your objective to match their needs.
• Highlight your unique qualities: Identify your unique skills, experiences or accomplishments that set you apart from other candidates. These could be specific certifications, language proficiency, leadership abilities or specialized training.
• Be specific and concise: Clearly state the position you are seeking and briefly mention your relevant qualifications. Avoid generic statements and focus on what makes you stand out.
• Show enthusiasm and passion: Convey your genuine interest and enthusiasm for the role and the company to make a memorable impression.

Why is a resume objective important for beginners?

Resume objectives are essential for beginners as they help to showcase their career goals and aspirations, even if they have limited professional experience. It allows beginners to highlight their relevant skills, education and any transferable experiences that make them a strong fit for the desired position. We have many resume objective examples for beginners on this page for you to browse for ideas for your beginner resume.

What should I include in my resume objective?

Your resume objective statement should consist of your desired job title or position, a summary of your relevant skills and experience and it should tell potential employers what you hope to achieve for them. It should be concise, clear and tailored to the specific job you are applying for. Review our professional resume objective examples for insight.

How can I make my career statement stand out?

To make your career statement stand out, consider the following tips:

• Be specific: Clearly state your career goals and aspirations. Avoid generic statements and instead focus on your unique skills, experiences and passions that make you a standout candidate.
• Tailor it to the job: Customize your career statement to align with the specific job or industry you are targeting. Highlight relevant skills, experiences and achievements that demonstrate your suitability for the role.
• Showcase your value: Emphasize the value you can bring to an organization. Highlight your unique strengths, accomplishments and any quantifiable results you have achieved in previous roles.
• Be concise: Keep your career statement brief and to the point. Aim for a clear and impactful statement that captures the attention of hiring managers.
• Show enthusiasm: Convey your passion and enthusiasm for the field or industry you are pursuing. Potential employers are often drawn to candidates who demonstrate genuine interest and dedication.
• Use strong language: Action verbs and power words convey confidence and assertiveness, creating a memorable impression and showcasing your proactive approach.
• Proofread and revise: Ensure your career statement is error-free and well-written. Proofread it multiple times and consider seeking feedback from others to ensure clarity and effectiveness.

How long should my resume objective be?

Like our examples of objectives for a resume, a resume objective should consist of two- to five short sentences highlighting your key qualifications and career goals. That’s why it’s important to make it compelling with powerful adjectives and strong action words.

Is it necessary to update my resume objective?

Yes, updating your career objective for every resume you write is important because a tailored objective statement shows true interest in the target job. Plus, using keywords in your resume objective that match the job description will help your resume get past ATS software. See our guide on how to make an ATS-friendly resume for additional tips on ensuring your resume reaches hiring managers. 

Can a resume objective be customized for different job applications?

Yes! We recommend that you customize your resume objective for each job application. By tailoring it to the specific job requirements and company culture, you can demonstrate your alignment with the position and increase your chances of being considered.

Are there best practices for writing an effective resume objective?

To write a good resume objective:

• Be specific and concise.
• Highlight your relevant skills and experience.
• Tailor it to the job you are applying for.
• Avoid using generic or cliché statements.
• Showcase your career goals and aspirations.
• Proofread for grammar and spelling errors.

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100+ Resume Objective Examples [+ Guide]

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Kellie Hanna, CPRW

Career advice expert.

Kellie is a Certified Professional Resume Writer with 20+ years of experience in digital media and is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She earned a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.

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‡ Results derived from a study responded by 1000 participants of which 287 created a resume online.

*The names and logos of the companies referred to above are all trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with MyPerfectResume.

A resume summary statement usually comes right after a job seeker’s contact info and before other resume sections such as skills and work experience. It provides employers with a brief overview of a candidate’s career accomplishments and qualifications before they read further. Because of how early it appears on the document, your resume summary statement (or your CV “profile” in the UK) is one of the first places recruiters and employers look. And without the right information, they’ll doubt that you’re qualified and may move to another resume.

So I got in touch with a select group of professional resume writers, coaches and career experts to get their best resume summary examples you can use and adapt to write a resume summary that stands out and gets interviews.

As a former recruiter myself, I’ll also share my best tips to write your resume summary effectively.

Why the Resume/CV Summary is Important

You may have heard that recruiters only spend 8-10 seconds looking at your resume. The truth is: they spend that long deciding whether to read more. They do glance that quickly at first and may move on if your background doesn’t look like a fit. However, if you grab their attention, they’ll read far more. Recruiters aren’t deciding to interview you in 8-10 seconds, but they are ruling people out in 8-10 seconds. And this is why your resume summary is so crucial. It appears high up on your resume (usually right after your header/contact info) and is one of the first sections employers see. So it’s part of what they’ll see in the first 8-10 seconds.

Your resume summary statement is one of your first (and one of very few) chances to get the employer to stop skimming through their pile of resumes and focus on YOU.

Watch: Resume Summary Examples That Get Interviews

10 resume summary examples:.

These career summary examples will help you at any experience level – whether you’re writing a professional summary after a long executive career, or writing your first resume summary without any experience! After you finish this article you’re NEVER going to have to send out a limp, weak resume summary statement again (and you’ll get far more interviews  because of it).

1. Healthcare Sales Executive Resume Summary Example:

Turnaround & Ground Up Leadership – Concept-to-execution strategies for untapped products, markets + solutions that yield 110% revenue growth – Negotiates partnerships with leading distributors + hospitals—Medline to Centara + Novant Health to Mayo Clinic –  Revitalizes underperforming sales organizations via scalable, sustainable infrastructures emulated as best practice –  C-Level networks of clinical + supply chain leadership acquired during tenures with XXX, XXX and XXX

Why this resume summary is good:

This resumes summary example’s strength lies in the detailed, unique information that has been included. By including revenue stats, names of past employers and partners, the reader right away sees that this person will bring to the role a strong networking ability with key players in his industry, and more importantly can build, grow and revitalize a sales organization, market or product.

By:  Virginia Franco, Founder of Virginia Franco Resumes  and Forbes contributor.

2. 15+ Year Business Owner Resume Summary Statement:

Dynamic and motivated marketing professional with a proven record of generating and building relationships, managing projects from concept to completion, designing educational strategies, and coaching individuals to success. Skilled in building cross-functional teams, demonstrating exceptional communication skills, and making critical decisions during challenges. Adaptable and transformational leader with an ability to work independently, creating effective presentations, and developing opportunities that further establish organizational goals.

Why this is a good summary section:

This is a resume summary statement that was for  a candidate returning to work after having her own business for 15+ years. Because of this, we needed to emphasize her soft skills and what she can bring to this potential position. In addition, we highlighted the skills she has honed as a business owner so that she can utilize these qualifications as a sales professional, account manager , and someone knowledgeable about nutrition, medicine, and the overall sales process.

By: Dr. Heather Rothbauer-Wanish. MBA, Ph.D., CPRW, and Founder of Feather Communications

3. Human Resources Generalist Resume Summary Example:

Human Resources Generalist with progressive experience managing employee benefits & compliance, employee hiring & onboarding, performance management processes, licensure tracking and HR records. Dependable and organized team player with the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently. Skilled at building relationships with employees across all levels of an organization. Proficient with HRIS, applicant tracking and benefits management.

Why this is a good resume summary:

The applicant highlights their experience across a wide range of HR functions from the very first sentence, and continues this pattern throughout the rest of the summary. They then use easily digestible langue to showcase their hard skills (in the first & fourth sentences) and soft skills (in the second & third sentences). They also integrate a variety of keywords to get past automated job application systems , without sounding spammy or without overdoing it.

By: Kyle Elliott, MPA/CHES,  Career Coach and Consultant

4. Social Media Marketing CV Profile Example (UK):

Social media expert with successes in the creation and management of social media strategies and campaigns for global retail organisations. Extensive experience in the commercial utilisation of multiple social media channels including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube; I build successful social strategies that increase brand awareness, promote customer engagement and ultimately drive web traffic and conversions.

Why this summary is good:

This summary is well-written, short, sharp, and gives recruiters a high-level explanation of the candidate’s core offerings in a persuasive and punchy style. A quick scan of this profile tells you the exact type of social media platforms the candidate is an expert in, as well as the campaigns they have experience running and types of organizations they have worked for. Most importantly, the summary is rounded off by showing the results that this person achieves for their employers, such as increased web traffic and conversions.

Editor’s note: This CV profile summary was written for the UK market… this is a great one to use/copy, but make sure you put it through a spell-checker if you’re applying for jobs in the US (utilisation vs. utilization, etc.)

By: Andrew Fennell, Director at StandOut CV , contributor for The Guardian and Business Insider

5. Marketing Manager Professional Summary Example:

Marketing Manager with over eight years of experience. Proven success in running email marketing campaigns and implementing marketing strategies that have pulled in a 20% increase in qualified leads. Proficient in content, social media and inbound marketing strategies. Skilled, creative and innovative.

This resume summary stands out because it gets straight to the point. By immediately introducing the number of years of experience the candidate has, the HR manager doesn’t need to spend time adding up years. The candidate also jumps right into his or her strongest skill, provides a statistic , then gives additional skills.

By: Sarah Landrum, career expert and contributor at Entrepreneur.com and Forbes

6. Warehouse Supervisor Resume Summary Example:

Warehouse Supervisor with Management, Customer Service, & Forklift Experience –  Dependable manager with 15+ years of experience in warehouse management and employee supervision. –  Skilled at managing inventory control, shipping & receiving, customer relations and safety & compliance. –  Certified Power Equipment Trainer, Forklift Operator and Reach Operator skilled at coaching other staff. –  Promoted to positions of increased responsibility given strong people and project management skills.

The applicant was applying for a warehouse supervisor position that required them to have demonstrated management, customer service and forklift experience. As such, the applicant showcased their experience in these areas with a few keywords in the title, followed by additional details in the accompanying bullet points. Their final bullet shows a record of promotions, while reinforcing the applicant’s customer service and project management skills.

7. IT Project Manager Resume Summary Example:

Experienced Project Manager with vast IT experience. Skills include computer networking, analytical thinking and creative problem solving. Able to apply customer service concepts to IT to improve user experience for clients, employees and administration.

Because this candidate is switching career paths, it’s important he or she take skills used for previous positions and apply those skills to the new job listing. This is a great example because the candidate makes it clear that his or her experience is not in the new field, but that they are still able to bring relevant experience to the table. When writing your resume summary, keep these tips in mind: Use writing that is straight to the point, clear and concise, you’ll have a higher chance of getting noticed by the hiring manager.

8. Career-Changer Resume Summary Example:

Earn trust, uncover key business drivers and find common ground as chief negotiator and identifier of revenue opportunities in sales, leadership and account management roles spanning e-Commerce, air travel and high-tech retail. Navigate cultural challenges while jumping time zones, lead international airline crews and manage corporate accounts to deliver an exceptional customer experience. A self-taught techie sought after as a go-to for complex billing systems and SaaS platforms alike—bridging the divide between technology and plain-speak. – Tenacious Quest for Success + Learning . Earned MBA and BS in just 3 years while working full-time – gaining hands-on experience in research- and data-driven product roadmap development, pricing and positioning. – Results-Driven Leadership. Whether leading Baby Boomers, Gen X or Millennials—figures out what makes teams tick, trains and transforms individuals into top-performers. – Challenger of Conventional Wisdom. Always ask the WHY. Improve the user experience through smart, strategic thinking that anticipates outcomes. Present cases that influence, and lead change that drives efficiency and profitability.

This client was eager for a career change and had moved from role to role and industry to industry. After completing her Master’s degree, she was eager to tie her skills together to land a role – which she did – as a Senior Technology Account Strategist for a global travel company. Although a bit longer than a traditional summary, its strength lies in the details. Without ever getting to the experience section, the reader gets a clear idea of the scope of responsibility, and hard and soft skills the candidate brings to the table.

By: Virginia Franco, Founder of Virginia Franco Resumes  and Forbes contributor.

9. Project Management Executive Professional Summary Example:

15+ years of initiating and delivering sustained results and effective change for Fortune 500 firms across a wide range of industries including enterprise software, digital marketing, advertising technology, e-commerce and government. Major experience lies in strategizing and leading cross-functional teams to bring about fundamental change and improvement in strategy, process, and profitability – both as a leader and expert consultant.

Why this resume summary is good:

“Project Manager” is one of those job titles that’s REALLY broad. You can find project managers earning $50K, and others earning $250K. The client I wrote this for was at the Director level, and had worked for some of the biggest and best tech companies in her city. So this resume profile section shows her level and experience, and the wide array of areas she has responsibility for in her current work. You can borrow or use some of the phrasing here to show that you’ve been responsible for many important areas in your past work.

By: Biron Clark, Founder of  CareerSidekick.com.

10. Startup And Finance Management Consultant Career Summary Example:

Experienced strategist, entrepreneur and startup enthusiast with a passion for building businesses and challenging the status quo. 8+ year track record of defining new business strategies, launching new ventures, and delivering operational impact, both as a co-founder and management consultant. 

Why this resume summary example is good:

This summary was for a highly-talented management consultant looking to break out of finance, and into trendier tech companies like Uber . His track record and educational background were great, so the goal of this summary section was to stand out and show he’s more than just the typical consultant with a finance background. So we emphasized his passion for startups, and his ability to think outside the box and challenge the status quo. That’s something that companies like Uber and other “disruptive” tech companies look for.

14 Resume Summary Examples for Various Industries

Compassionate and effective 5th-grade teacher with experience overseeing the classroom and preparing lessons. Extensive experience encouraging students through positive reinforcement and motivational techniques. Collaborate well with school administration and other members of the teaching team. Ensure all students meet learning requirements, including literacy, social, and arithmetic skills.

2. Teacher’s Assistant

Goal-oriented teacher’s assistant with ten years of experience working with elementary school children. Aid teachers with lesson planning, classroom settings, and group instruction. Model positive behavior and maintain order in the classroom. Willingness to take on additional responsibilities to meet learning objectives.

Tech Industry

3. computer programmer.

Innovative computer programmer with a proven track record of writing high-quality code and supporting team needs with subject matter expertise. Adept in multiple programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, and C++. Ability to troubleshoot complex programming issues with inventive solutions. 

4. Cybersecurity Analyst

Dedicated cybersecurity analyst with ten years of experience in online security research, execution, planning, and maintenance. Proven track record of identifying business risks and proactively resolving them. Experience designing and instituting layered network security for large-scale organizations. Train users and other staff members on IT safety procedures and preventive techniques.

Skilled healthcare professional with ten years of experience in patient care, diagnosis, and providing appropriate treatments and medical services. Manage medical staff and resolve complex medical cases with maximum efficiency. Communicate the patient’s condition and treatment plan in easily understood terminology. Remain current with the latest advancements in medicine and research to ensure patients receive proper care.

6. Registered Nurse

Seasoned registered nurse offering comprehensive patient care in emergency room settings. Experience handling diverse patient populations and caring for various conditions. Proven leadership managing nursing teams and other staff. Focus on enhancing patient care and satisfaction through empathetic communication and excellent customer service. 

7. Digital Marketing Manager

Forward-thinking digital marketing manager experienced in all facets of digital marketing, including social media management, PPC advertising, SEO, and email marketing. Proven experience creating comprehensive marketing plans that improve lead prospecting and enhance brand awareness. Up to date with the newest tools available for digital marketing campaigns.

8. Marketing Analyst

Industrious marketing analyst well-versed in analyzing marketing campaign analytics and making recommendations to improve performance. Collaborate with account managers and use KPI metrics to explain the results of marketing initiatives. Meticulous with a strong work ethic and robust communication skills.

Food and Service Industry

Experienced wait staff member capable of managing orders, processing payments, and upselling menu items. Ensure restaurant guests feel welcome with attentive service catered to their needs. Remain current on updates to the menu and assist guests with selecting orders to meet their dietary requirements. Maintain a positive attitude and focus during busy restaurant periods.

10. Hotel Receptionist

Friendly hotel receptionist with extensive experience handling guest check-ins, check-out, and payments. Facilitate a positive guest experience with polished customer service skills and a readiness to address common inquiries and complaints. Collaborate well with other hotel team members, including executive administration and on-site restaurant staff.

Business/Office Jobs

11. financial analyst.

Highly motivated financial analyst with a proven track record of recommending appropriate financial plans based on financial monitoring, data collection, and business strategizing. Experienced in qualitative and quantitative analysis, forecasting, and financial modeling. Excellent communication skills for building and fostering long-term business relationships across the organization.

12. Tax Accountant

Experienced tax accountant with ten years of experience preparing federal and state tax returns for corporations and partnerships. Monitor changes in laws to ensure the organization properly complies with reporting requirements. Assist with tax audits, ensuring the team receives proper supporting evidence for tax positions. Analyze and resolve complex tax issues. Look for available tax savings opportunities for corporations with an aggregate savings of $500K last year. Excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.

Sales and Customer Service

13. sales representative.

Enthusiastic sales representative with expertise in identifying prospects and converting qualified leads to paying customers. Provide quality customer service and contribute to team sales success. Offer exceptional communication skills and seek to understand client needs before making the appropriate product recommendations. Continually meet and exceed sales goals. Leverage extensive knowledge of available products to provide appropriate client solutions and enhance customer loyalty and retention.

14. Customer Service Associate

Knowledgeable customer service professional with extensive experience in the insurance industry. Known as a team player with a friendly demeanor and proven ability to develop positive rapport with clients. Maintain ongoing customer satisfaction that contributes to overall company success. Highly articulate, with a results-oriented approach that addresses client inquiries and issues while maintaining strong partnerships. Collaborate well with the customer service team while also engaging independent decision-making skills.

Now you have 24 professional resume summary statements and some explanations of why they’re effective. Next, I’ll share tips for how to write your own in case you’re still unsure how to begin based on these examples above.

How to Write a Resume Summary: Steps and Hints

We’ve looked at 10 great resume summary examples above. As you begin writing a resume summary for yourself, here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

• Read the employer’s job description. Your career summary shouldn’t be a long list of everything you’ve done; it should be a refined list of skills and experiences that demonstrate you’re a fit for their job.
• Mention your current job title if relevant. One common way to begin your resume summary is to state your current job title.
• Explain how you can help employers achieve their goals or solve their problems.
• Consider using bold text to emphasize one or two key phrases.
• Include any relevant metrics and data like dollar amounts, years of experience, size of teams led, etc. This helps your resume stand out.
• Focus on making the employer want to read more. The goal of your resume summary isn’t to show everything you can do, but to grab their attention and show enough that they continue reading.

Creating a Customized Resume Summary

While general summaries are appropriate when applying for jobs requiring similar skills and experience, a customized resume summary can enhance your chances of moving on to the next step in the hiring process. 

That’s because most companies use automated tracking systems (ATS) to review submitted resumes for content directly related to the job posting. If you use keywords and natural language phrases in your summary that interlink to the job description, you’ll have a much higher chance of passing the ATS review.

Let’s look at an example of a resume summary that is customized for the specific job description below:

“Highly motivated social media specialist with strong project management skills. Creative marketer skilled in crafting innovative social media campaigns that resonate with a target audience. Regularly develop compelling copy and social media content to enhance lead generation and brand awareness. Detail-oriented with extensive project management skills that ensure proper prioritization of tasks and projects. Work with various social media management and analytics tools to examine results and make adjustments as necessary.”

This summary directly addresses the key points in the job description but rewrites them so the customization is natural and flows well. It’s personalized for the open role and uses similar terms with a few strategically placed keywords, such as “social media content” and “project management.”  

How Long Should a Resume Summary Be?

As you read the resume summaries above, you probably noticed there are some short single-paragraph resume summary examples and much longer career summaries that are two to three paragraphs plus bullet points. So how long should YOUR professional summary be? If you have relevant work experience, keep your summary to one or two paragraphs. The piece you really want the hiring manager to read is your most recent work experience (and you should make sure you tailored that info to fit the job description). The resume summary is just a “bridge” to get the hiring manager into your experience.

If I were writing my own career summary right now, I’d likely use one single paragraph packed with skills, accomplishments, and exactly why I’m ready to step into the job I’ve applied for and be successful!

Even for a manager resume summary, I recommend a very short length. However, if you’re changing careers, or you’re looking for jobs without any work experience , the summary section needs to stand on its own, and should be longer. That’s why some examples above are a bit longer.

Formatting Your Resume/CV Career Summary

You may have noticed a variety of different formats in the career summary examples above. There isn’t one “right” way to format this section on your resume or CV. However, I recommend either using one or two brief paragraphs, or combining a short sentence or paragraph with bullets. Avoid writing three or four long paragraphs with no special formatting like bullet points. That’s simply too much text for your summary section and will cause recruiters and hiring managers to skip over it in some cases.

Should You Include a Resume Objective?

You do not need to include an objective on your resume, and doing so can make your resume appear outdated. Use a resume summary instead of an objective. Follow the resume summary examples above and focus on discussing your skills, qualifications, and achievements, rather than stating your objective. Employers know that your objective is to obtain the position you’ve applied for, and the resume objective has no place on a modern resume/CV in today’s job market.

Examples of Bad Resume Summaries

Now that we’ve seen a few exemplary resume summaries, let’s look at some that you should avoid at all cost.

1. Typos and Grammatical Errors

“Experienced cashier who knows how to run the register cash. Responsible with the money and can talk with the customer. Knows when to stoc up the invenory and checks it all the time. Can count change and run credit card tranactions. Get the customer happy by good service. I am always cheerful and organized.”

Why this resume summary is bad:

If you read the summary carefully, you’ll notice several spelling errors. The words “stock,” “inventory,” and “transactions” are all spelled wrong. Grammatical errors make the summary choppy and difficult to follow (“Get the customer happy by good service”).  A summary like this probably won’t fly with a company looking for a detail-oriented cashier responsible for managing in-person sales.

2. Lacks Relevant Keywords

“Talented worker with experience managing a team of staff. Creative and responsible with knowledge of organizational processes. Can keep up with the busiest of environments. Stays focused when at work, ensuring prompt task completion. Dependable and willing to collaborate with a team to get things done.”  

In this example, the chef doesn’t use keywords relevant to cooking, restaurants, or kitchens. The summary is very generic and can apply to nearly any job. A manager who receives the application isn’t likely to understand what value the candidate can bring to the restaurant.  To fix the summary, the applicant must rewrite it to include relevant keywords and phrases. 

3. No Numbers to Quantify Achievements

“An experienced and hardworking manager ready to align procedures for maximum revenue and profits. Proven track record of streamlining and strengthening processes, resulting in higher sales and better customer satisfaction. Collaborate well with sales team members, ensuring they have the resources and knowledge to support customer purchases and inquiries. Develop strong rapport with clients and maintain ongoing relationships.”

This isn’t a terrible summary for a sales manager, but it has room for improvement. For one, the first two sentences essentially duplicate each other, mentioning an aptitude for improving processes with the objective of higher sales. The other issue is a lack of quantifying achievements. 

The applicant mentions they have a proven record of increasing sales, but they could strengthen the summary by quantifying their results. For example, they might say, “Proven track record of streamlining and strengthening processes, resulting in a 25% increase in sales over the past year.” The quantifier provides additional credibility. 

4. Not Targeting the Specific Job

“Looking for work in a role that requires great customer service, project management, and communication skills. Able to collaborate with people from diverse and varying backgrounds. Highly organized and reliable worker with a strong work ethic. Responsible and reliable worker you can count on.”

While the candidate lists various skills they have, including customer service and project management, there’s no indication of prior roles held or what position they’re applying for. The summary could apply to numerous positions in a variety of industries. To improve the resume summary, the applicant must specify the job they’re applying for and indicate their prior experience in a similar role, if they have any.

After You Start Getting Interviews, Make Sure to Take Advantage…

If you follow the advice above, you’ll have a great professional resume summary to make your qualifications stand out to employers. But landing the interview is only half the battle… So make sure you go into every interview ready to convince employers that they should hire you, too! If you write a great resume summary example that gets employers excited to interview you, they’re going to ask you questions like, “tell me about yourself” early in the interview to learn more about your background. So make sure you’re prepared with an answer.

I also recommend you review the top 20 interview questions and answers here.

Your resume caught their interest, so naturally, they’re going to follow up with a variety of questions to learn more about your professional background.

The bottom line is: A strong professional resume summary, followed up by other well-written resume sections will get you the interview, but your interview performance is what determines whether you get the job offer!

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

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I would recommend to customise the skills section of your resume, and ensure that it matches the job posting. The higher the number of phrases within the resume matching the job requirements the more are the chances that the recruiter will pick you for the job.

I just wanted to say, “thank you!”. This was very helpful. Instead of jumping from one website to the next there’s so much useful, relevant information right here.

Hi, I have been having trouble creating a resume as My old one is so long, I’ve worked for a government agency for the past 14 years and held multiple positions doing many different duties for each and now I have to relocate to another area where they do not have an agency like mine in my new area within a 3 hour drive, how can I squeeze all my experience and duties on one page and where do I even start, I’m so nervous, it’s been so long since I’ve attempted the job hunt. So I’m wondering, I do not want to cut anything out that may hurt my chances and I can’t afford to have my resume rewritten by a professional. Can you guide me as to where you think would be a good place to start, I’ve been staring at this laptop for weeks trying to decide on a resume template, there are so many. I thank you for your time and any input will help.

Hi, I am a new graduate and do not have any experience in my field which is Nursing. I want to apply for the jobs but I have no idea about what to mention in my resume.

Hi, this article should help with the resume summary, at least: https://careersidekick.com/summary-for-resume-no-experience/

Other than that, you need to put your academic experience. And internships/part-time jobs if you’ve had any.

Dear Biron,, Thanks for sharing the 10 examples of professional summaries in your article, and especially the reasons why they were considered to be good. However, as a HR professional, I would most likely skip over most of them and would not read much past the first or second sentence. The summaries were mostly too wordy and boring, and did not demonstrate ‘oomph’ at first cursory reading. Simply indicating certain skills or behaviors does not give an idea of the level of expertise, and could simply be wishful thinking on the part of the resume writer.

Just goes to show that there are many ways to see what makes a good summary.

I am a chemical engineer and project management professional with 15+years experience. My experience is between process engineering and project management . How can I marry the two in my profile summary?

It’s not about showing everything you’ve done. It’s about showing employers evidence you’ll succeed in their job. You can show a bit of both but focus heavily on what’s most relevant for the jobs you’re applying for right now. 80/20.

This was absolutely helpful and amazing! Thank you very much!

Hello, I am an active job seeker. I hold a law degree from a foreign country and currently in college for an associate degree. My question is, how do I blend both my foreign job experience with that of the United States in my resume. Thank you.

I’d put your work history in chronological order, starting with the most recent up top. That’s what I’d recommend for 95% of people actually. Then it doesn’t matter where you held each job.

And then in your Education section, I’d include your foreign degree and the current degree you’re pursuing in the US, too (for the US degree, you can say “in progress” or “graduating May 2019” for example).

I am 40 years old & B.A degree holder I have experience in many fields.I would like to join any one fields

I am a fresh graduate, who has five years teaching experience and some months customer service representative experience. Pls kindly assist me to put the resume summary together

I’m an active duty service member and finding in a little difficult creating a good transitional summary from 20 year profession in tactical communications to a drug and alcohol counselor. Do you have any recommendations how I should approach this? Any assistance would be helpful. Thanks

Great piece

How to write the CAREER ABSTRACT in resume for ware super visor retail business?

Just wanted to say thank you.Your advise and information was clear and easy to understand , sometimes there is nothing pertaining to what im looking fot in particular, buy you have sermed to cover everything I n a short quick easy to understand method.It will help tremendously.

Thanks! Glad to hear it helped :)

Very informational

What if you have work experience, but the job your going for(teachingeducation) has nothing to do with warehouse work? How should I build my resume?

In the summary, describe yourself and then say, “…looking to transition into ___” (the type of work you want to be doing now).

This is a bit like a resume “Objective”. I normally don’t recommend an Objective section (and I recommend a Summary section instead), however the one time an Objective does make sense is when you’re trying to change industries or make a big change in the type of role you have.

So that’s why my advice here might seem like I’m telling you to combine an Objective with your resume Summary.

Then “tailor” your previous work to be as relevant as possible. Even if you worked in a different industry you can still show things like leadership, accountability, progress/improvement, hard work, achieving goals, strong teamwork skills, etc. You can do all of that in your resume bullets and work history.

Don’t u have Resume Summary of legal secretary/legal assistant?

No, sorry about that. There are hundreds of different professions/job titles, and we aren’t able to include an example for every scenario out there. These resume summary examples are designed to give you a general idea of how to write yours.

The summaries listed are excellent example and have helped me develop a stand out summary for a new position.

Hello, I been trying to land the job of my dreams. I need help with my resume if i want the recruiters in airlines to notice me. I’ve applied before but haven’t had complete success to making it to a face-to Face Interview. It is a career change – yet i feel i am a great candidate bc i have had many customer service and I even attended an academy for that specific position. Can you please tell me what I am doing wrong on my resume ?

what if i never had a job experience?

Great question. If you don’t have any work experience, take one of the formats/examples above and put your accomplishments and qualifications from your academic studies.

Your headline could say: “Motivated Bio-Sciences Graduate With Expertise in ____”.

And then you might talk about accomplishments in school, group projects you worked on or led, etc.

Basically, when you have no work experience, your school/studies BECOMES your recent work. You should talk about that like it’s a job, because that’s the experience you do have.

really amazing article and too useful , thanks

Hi Mr. Clark, I have been out of the work force for about 18+years and I have been a small business owner for the same number of years. However, I want to go back to the work force. But my problem is that, I don’t know how to prepare my resume or resume summary statement. I had a degree in Communication,Arts and Sciences and a postgraduate degree in Public Administration. I’m a bit confused as to how to incorporate all these experiences into my resume. Please can you help?

Hi Dorothy, I can recommend a professional resume writer if you want. But they’re typically not cheap, so it’s something you’d have to be willing to invest in. If not, there’s a lot of free info online about how to “tailor” your resume for specific jobs. I can’t help one-on-one unfortunately, but I’d recommend thinking about which type of jobs you want, and think of what experience you have that is most relevant. that’s what to put on your resume. Your resume isn’t only about you, it’s about them – what do they want/need? (if you want to get a ton of interviews, that’s how to do it :) ).

Can I have a professional resume writer?

I use a similar format when writing my opening statement for my coverletter. How do you recommend differentiating the two? Or is it ok to use largely the same language?

I think it’s okay to use something similar. I might be more brief in the cover letter… it needs to be about them just as much as it’s about you. Whereas the resume is all about you, at least in the summary section. (The later sections should still be tailored to THEIR needs..)

Struggling to write a Summary Statement for a Secretary/Administrative Assistant position. I have 15 years government experience but have been away from the government since 9/1993 and have spent 15 years as a Substitute Teacher after taking off for 10 years to raise my children.

Hiya! I am a mother of three attempting to return to the workforce. I have been a stay at mom for about 13 years, so I have a (large) gap in my employment history; which doesn’t look great. I have a college education and have obtained a few certifications whilst not employed, plus many volunteer hours. I know that I should probably use a functional resume format. Would love some advice on what I should include in my summary statement.

Hi Juniper,

I rarely like functional resumes, but it might be worth trying. I’d “split-test” it (a marketing term). Create two resume styles, send out 50% one way, 50% the other way, and track results for a week.

I’d treat the resume summary statement just like any other resume. Highlight your skills and past wins/accomplishments.

how do i explain long term gaps in employment? leave them out?

Hi Paulette,

Don’t mention them on a resume summary. But do mention the gaps on a cover letter or lower down on the resume. Here’s an article on how to explain gaps in employment:

https://careersidekick.com/explaining-gaps-in-employment/

I am student in civil engineering field. Have 1.5 yrs of work ex. How should i structure my resume. Thanks.

Hello My name is Shataka and I’m a current job seeker trying to land my dream job as a Counselor. I have Master degree in Counseling Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. My experience lies in many different fields. I’m currently a Substance Abuse Counselor, with a teaching background and over 5 years of social service experience. I guess my question is how would I sum up all my experience to help me find a job as a Counselor.

Comments are closed.

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Resume Keywords: How to Find the Right Words to Beat the ATS

Keywords are the foundation of a strong resume. Learn how to choose the right ones and improve your chances of landing an interview.

Your resume is the gateway to a new career and professional advancement. To ensure your resume puts your best foot forward, you must impress hiring managers and application-filtering software. 

Today employers worldwide use an applicant tracking system (ATS). These systems track applicants at every stage of the hiring process, manage applicant pools, and filter applications using keywords.  

While these systems make recruiters’ lives easier, they also make many applicants’ job searches harder. A 2021 Harvard Business School study found that 88 per cent of employers believed their automated applicant systems filtered out qualified high-skill candidates simply because they didn’t match the exact job description. A staggering 94 per cent of employers said the system filtered out qualified middle-skilled candidates for the same reason [ 1 ]. 

Resume keywords are the key to improving your application’s chances of being seen by an employer. In this article, you will learn how the ATS and RMS comb resumes and learn tips for identifying the keywords that could help you land your next job. 

ATS resume keywords

To use keywords appropriately on your resume, you should first understand the systems that scan it and how they do so. 

What are ATS and RMS? 

An ATS is a workflow-efficiency tool hiring managers use to track job applications across numerous platforms during every stage of the hiring process.

An RMS often complements the ATS. The RMS allows recruiters to manage hiring activities, such as creating talent pools and scheduling interviews [ 1 ]. These systems help employers ease the burden of managing and sifting through large applicant pools through automation. 

Sometimes, you will see CATS instead of ATS. This refers specifically to the Canadian applicant tracking system. 

How does an ATS work? 

An ATS or RMS filters applicants by criteria, such as a specific credential or keyword. The system turns your resume into plain text and scans it for the stated criteria and keywords. It then compares your resume to others and ranks it according to the search query [ 2 ]. In this process, the system will highlight resumes and hide others. 

Unfortunately, knowing the exact criteria a hiring manager will use to filter resumes is impossible. While some may focus on specific skills like project management, others might concentrate on specific credentials, such as a bachelor’s degree. Some might pick something else entirely. That’s where ATS resume keywords come in.

Why do you need ATS resume keywords?

Putting ATS keywords on your resume is essential because these systems use them to rank your job application. 

Remember, the ATS/RMS turns your resume into plain text to scan it and identify keywords that match its search intent. In effect, the system simply reduces your resume to a collection of words and focuses only on keywords that match its criteria. 

Some common filters that recruiters use to rank applications include the following:

Qualifications

Technical skills 

Get your resume ATS ready.

When an ATS or RMS converts your resume to plain text, some elements may not transfer, effectively hiding them from view. 

To make sure your resume is ready for an ATS, career experts advise that you do the following [ 2 ]: 

• Use a simple resume design and format

• Avoid using graphics or unusual fonts

• Clearly label resume sections with bold text

• Submit your resume as an MS Word document. While some systems can read PDFs, not all can. Word documents tend to be a safer bet. 

How to use (and find) resume keywords

The original job posting itself is the best place to find the most important keywords to include on your resume. Recruiters typically use job description wording to filter job applications. 

That said, don’t simply stuff your resume with keywords. Instead, you should mirror the phrasing in the job description to describe the skills and experience you already possess naturally.  Read on to find out how you can do it yourself. 

1. Scan a job posting for keywords.

The first step is to look at a job listing that interests you and identify the skills and experience that match your own. To keep track of your matches, you should copy and paste the job description into a separate document and highlight them so you can easily reference them later.   

For example, consider the following qualifications needed for a data analyst position. When looking at job descriptions, the applicant might bold the skills and experience that match their own to identify relevant keywords and phrases. 

(Note: While this example only focuses on the qualifications section, you should do this for the entire job description. Employers often include other key details elsewhere in a job posting.)  

Basic qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or mathematics

Demonstrable experience with computer programming

Advanced qualifications:

Master’s degree in data science

Experience with SQL, Python, Scala

Experience with Azure Analysis Services, PowerBI, Tableau, BoldBI, Postgres

Systems thinker who can figure out how data flows today and how to configure it to be most useful to business partners

2. Divide keywords into skills and experience.

Now that you have identified the skills and experience in the job description that match your own, you should copy and paste them into a list organized by “work experience” and “skills.” The purpose is to create a list that includes the exact phrasing used in the job description because the system will likely search for matching terms using the same language. 

For example, the data analyst from the last section might create a chart that looks like this: 

Once you’ve organized your work experience and skills, you can tailor your resume using the keywords you identified. During this phase, you want to update your resume to include the exact phrasing in the job description to describe your skills and experience. 

For example, if you were applying to the data analyst mentioned above, you might update your resume to emphasize the skills and experience you have that match the job description. 

Skills keywords

An excellent way to make skills-based keywords visible is to include them in your resume's “Skills” section. This section can be divided into technical skills (“hard skills”) and people skills (“soft skills”) to emphasize your suitability for the position. Prioritize your technical skill set on your resume because it is more likely to be searched and prioritized by the ATS/RMS than more abstract people skills like “teamwork.”

Experience keywords

A good way to emphasize your matching work experience is to use the identified key phrases in your resume’s “Work Experience” section. Remember, the purpose here is not to lie about your experience on your resume. The goal is to update your resume with phrasing that matches the job description. 

For example, for that data analyst application, you might note that in one prior job, you “managed a commercial team with a focus on clients/partner needs” to help the ATS/RMS more easily match with them. 

Resume keywords elsewhere on your application.

In addition to the “Work Experience” and “Skills” sections of your resume, you should also include keywords in your cover letter and resume summary. That said, ensure you only use keywords and phrases when they make sense and not repeatedly or forcibly insert them. Indiscriminate keyword stuffing can lead some systems to avoid your resume. 

For example, when applying to that data analyst role, you might write the following resume summary to emphasize your suitability for the position to the ATS/RMS: 

“Data analyst with a bachelor’s degree in business and 2+ years of experience working with databases, synthesizing data, building reports, and managing a commercial team focused on client/partner needs. Experience in SQL, Excel, Salesforce, and Python notebooks.”

Tip: Tailor your title. 

Occasionally, different businesses use varying titles for the same position. If you are applying for a job that uses another title for a position that is the same or similar to one you’ve held, then consider changing the title of your previous position to that for which you are applying. This could help the ATS/RMS better match your resume.

For example, someone applying to be a “market manager” who was previously called a “community manager” in a similar position should consider changing their previous title to “market manager” to improve their chances of not being filtered out by the system. 

That said, don’t inflate your title to a position with responsibilities that you didn’t hold, such as changing your title from a “sales associate” to a “sales manager.”

4. Apply and repeat for other job postings. 

Once you’ve finished tailoring your resume and everything is in order, just hit “Submit” to apply. Congratulations!

As you apply to other positions, repeat the process of identifying keywords based on job descriptions and tailoring each resume and cover letter to their respective jobs. 

As you search for a new job, consider obtaining a Professional Certificate to get job-ready by building in-demand skills. Coursera offers 4,000+ courses in a wide range of subjects from more than 200 world-class universities and organizations, such as Google , Stanford , and the University of Michigan . 

Article sources

Harvard Business School. “ Hidden Workers: Untapped Talent , https://www.hbs.edu/managing-the-future-of-work/Documents/research/hiddenworkers09032021.pdf.” Accessed May 24, 2024.

CIO. “ Applicant tracking system: The secret to beating a resume-filtering ATS , https://www.cio.com/article/284414/applicant-tracking-system.html.” Accessed May 24, 2024.

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This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.

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