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Levels Of Skills On Resumes & In Interviews: Best Practices For 2023

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Have you seen a job description and thought, “I can do that, but how would I show I am competent?” Your resume should show who you are but, most importantly, highlight your level of skills.

Job seekers need to incorporate key information to improve their chances of employability. If you have ever wondered how you would add your proficiency to your resume, then you are not alone.

Fortunately, you can effortlessly perfect writing a job-winning resume. This article will teach you everything you need to know about your level of skills.

What Are Levels of Skills?

Skill levels help a potential employer know what you bring to the table and the level of knowledge you have on a particular skill. The different levels show how advanced you are in the skill.

The levels showcase your personal and professional aspects that show how much experience you have in the skill you are applying for. This makes it easier for a hiring manager to judge your attributes and will help boost your resume and earn you interviews.

What Is Skill Level Classification?

Skill level classification refers to the different methods one can earn skills. There are three main skill classifications, which include:

  • Functional: Functional skills refer to the abilities one inherits at birth. These skills continue to develop as you learn more and through your experience. Examples of functional skills include calculations, operating machines, writing, and decision-making, among others.
  • Personal or self-management skills: These are the skills you learn to deal with the people and environment around you. Personal skills help you do your work more efficiently, including determination and resourcefulness.
  • Knowledge-based skills: You get special knowledge skills through mastering specific information, such as specializing in a certain subject or procedure.

Why Put Level of Skills on Your Resume?

The major reason you have your level of skills on your resume is that it helps recruiters quickly see your job-related expertise in order of your proficiency. It also differentiates you from the other shortlisted competition so that it can increase your chances of landing a job.

Some of the other significant reasons for putting skills level on a resume include:

Show Hiring Managers What Level You’re At

An interview is the most important step of the hiring process. That is why hiring managers take time to fully prepare a list of shortlisted candidates based on their resumes. Understanding that a skills-based resume will get your foot in the door is important.

Back up the Rate You’re Asking For

Hiring managers can legally ask about a prospective employee’s salary requirement. During the interview, you can take this opportunity as an advantage to state your worth by indicating a range that you will be content with.

Of course, you’ll have to back up your rate based on your skills to negotiate a higher range.

Highlight Your Proficiency Levels

Different proficiency levels will have different compensation ranges. Understanding how to highlight the levels of skills on your resume will show the hiring manager your proficiency level and why you deserve the rate you demand.

Highlighting your level of experience for a particular skill in a structured order creates meaning behind your qualifications. If you claim any proficiency level of skills on your resume, ensure you can show it as a hiring manager might expect you to.

What Are Different Types of Skills Levels?

There are five main types of skill levels. The different stages show how proficient you are in the skills you outline. A higher skill level will help improve your chances of getting the desired job.

The proper amount of skills to list is up to you, but seven or eight is usually enough. The five levels of skills include:

1. Novice

This level shows that you have a basic understanding of the skills and can perform them at a lower level. You can deal with the basic tasks but do not have the knowledge to handle more complicated aspects. A novice’s understanding of the skills might harm your resume, so it is better to leave them out.

2. Intermediate

The intermediate level shows that you can handle some of the least demanding tasks but are not yet ready to handle complicated ones. It shows you can handle uncomplicated tasks but might need help with them. You rely on resources to help you perform some of the functions.

3. Proficient

Someone proficient in a skill has better knowledge of it and can deal with the tasks on their own. They can solve problems and find solutions independently without relying on resources.

4. Advanced

If you have an advanced skill set, you know almost everything about that skill and can handle everything by yourself. You are not yet equipped to address more demanding tasks, but you can handle most tasks yourself. However, you might need help with some of the more challenging tasks.

5. Expert

Someone with an expert skill level knows all the ins and outs of that skill set and is the first point of contact. They have the most experience, giving them intimate knowledge of the skill, and they can answer any question and solve any problem regarding the tasks.

How Do You Describe Your Skill Levels?

The best way to describe your levels of skills is by using descriptive words that will make your resume stand out. Use strong adjectives followed by action words that will showcase your accomplishments. Find the most compelling phrases and make sure you use them appropriately.

You should also include specific details supporting your adjectives to give them more gravity. The details show you bring value to the employer and highlight the specific skills the employer can expect from you.

Levels of Experience Words

Some of the words you can use to strengthen your resume when describing your skill levels include:

  • Proactive
  • Reliable
  • Decisive
  • Thorough
  • Industrious
  • Focused
  • Honest

Choose the words that apply to the job you are applying for. Let the words you use emphasize your dedication to getting results and how you get the results you need.

How Do You Choose Your Skill Levels for a Resume?

You want to list the proper amount of skills to show that you have a lot of experience, so only mention the skills that fall under the intermediate-level skills. This shows that you have a diverse portfolio and highlights your strengths.

The best way to choose the skill levels to highlight in your resume is by:

1. Think About Which Skill Level Applies to You

Pick the skills you have and determine which skill level they fall under. Listing skills that you only have novice levels in will undersell your resume. Write down your best-selling skills and find which levels of skills apply to each to help you determine which ones to list.

2. Think About Your Years of Experience in the Skill

The more time you spend on a skill, the more experience you gain. It is better to choose only the skills in which you have more than one year of experience, as this will show that you spent your time learning those skills. This moves you away from the novice skill level and strengthens your resume.

3. Factor in Any Relevant Certificates You Have

Showing documentation of the skill level is a great way to show you are genuine. Mention or attach any certificates that relate to the skills you have listed. This gives you a level of authority in that skill and improves your credibility.

How Do You List Skills in a Resume?

The order in which you list your skills will determine whether you will land an interview. To help your chances, you want to choose the right balance when it comes to hard vs soft skills. List the skills that are more relevant to the work you want at the beginning of your resume.

Place the hard skills on top of the list. This includes any technical skills you have. Make sure the hard skills you list at the top are the most job-relevant. You can then list your soft skills afterward to show your attributes.

Listing the hard skills before the interpersonal ones shows the employer that you are suitable and proficient for their tasks. This improves your credibility and makes you stand out from others.

Your soft skills, for example, interview skills, will seal the deal by showing how you will fit in with the company, improving your chances of getting the job.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have more questions about skill levels on a resume, check out the FAQs below.

Where do you put skills on a resume?

You can either put your skills near the top or the bottom. Placing them near your work experience will complement your experience. It is also easier for the employer to see your skills and decide whether they align with what they want.

Wrapping Up

Listing the various levels of skills you have attained on each skill is a great way to make your resume appealing to the employer. It helps show them what you bring to the table and determines how suited you are for the job you want.

Leave any thoughts or questions about your level of skills in the comments below, and we will address them. Remember, only list your strongest skills and those that apply to the specific job to lend your resume more weight.

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