4/25 - How specific should I be when listing skills?

This week's question is a common one - too often, students attempt to compact pages worth of information and end up flooding their resume with many unnecessary components.  Today, Career Counselor R.J. Davis tackles the question...

QUESTION

In listing my skills, especially computer skills, should I just say that I have “computer skills” or “Microsoft Office Suite” or should I list each software program I have used?

ANSWER R.J. Davis randy.davis@tamucc.edu Career Counselor

When listing skills, which are the value you bring to an employer, you should be very specific.  List each software program you can use with a level of proficiency.  Too often, employers or human resource personal will scan resumes and then use a keyword search program.  Just like websites, you wants as many hits as possible.  Companies that search resumes in this manner also use a formula to decide whether or not to advance a resume.  The more hits you get on your resume, the greater the probability or your resume being advanced.