The Best Problem-solving Skills for Your Resume

If you are a great problem solver, your resume should reflect that. What better way to show employers that you solve problems smoothly than mentioning the right problem-solving skills on your resume?

Businesses encounter problems on a daily basis. If you plan to climb up the career ladder, problem-solving is a skill that you must master. Today, we will discuss which problem-solving skills you should include in your resume and how you should do that.

What are problem-solving skills?

These are the skills that help you overcome challenges at work. Your problem-solving skills help you identify problems, propose excellent solutions, choose the best remedy, and implement the solutions effectively. Problem-solving skills help professionals handle challenging situations and unexpected scenarios with grace.

Why are problem-solving skills important for a resume?

Every business is affected by problems. Some of these issues can be short-term complexities while others are long-term. Therefore, employers are constantly on the lookout for employees who can help solve issues. A majority of employers look for problem-solving skills on a resume when they are hiring for entry-level positions as well as leadership positions. If you don’t have these skills on your resume, you may indicate to the employer that you are not ready to shoulder the responsibilities of the role.

Refer to the job description

Many employers list the problem-solving skills they want to see in an ideal candidate in the job description itself. If you are writing a targeted resume for a particular job, you can use the job description for guidance when deciding which problem-solving skills you want to add to the resume. Be sure to align your problem-solving skills with those mentioned in the job description.

How should you bring out problem-solving skills on a resume?

Simply listing “analytical thinking” or “problem-solving” in the skills section of your resume will impress no employer. You should ensure that your problem-solving skills are reflected through professional achievements, experiences, and qualifications on the resume. Here are some ways in which you can bring out problem-solving skills on a resume:

• Provide examples of when your problem-solving skills led to a solution
• Describe specific procedures you have introduced to solve a lasting problem at work
• Highlight major accomplishments that your problem-solving skills have enabled
• List specific training programs or training you took to enhance problem-solving skills

Where should you mention problem-solving skills on your resume?

You can incorporate your problem-solving skills into many elements of your resume. We suggest that you bring out your problem-solving skills through the summary, work experience, and skills sections of the resume. We have provided examples of how you can add your problem-solving skills to each of these sections below:

What are some problem-solving skills for a resume?

Problem-solving skills are diverse. They span from diagnostic skills to leadership skills. If you want to tackle a broad range of problem-solving skills through your resume, you must consider highlighting the following skills:

1. Critical thinking

Critical thinkers are adept at making connections between facts and concepts. They study a particular flow and take it apart to change the thinking pattern to achieve better results. Critical thinking skills set the foundation for your problem-solving ability. If you want to bring out critical thinking on a resume, highlight skills such as evaluation, interpretation, and inference.

2. Decision making

It does not matter how good of a solution is available if you don’t have the proper skills to make the right decision at the right time. Decision-making involves gathering relevant information, analyzing the presented facts, and making the best possible informed choice within a reasonable time. Employers like it when you are not afraid to pull the trigger. So, how do you show a hiring manager that you have the right decision-making skills? You should highlight your reasoning, organization, and intuition on your resume.

3. Creativity

Most problem-solvers are creative individuals. Most of the time, you will need to take a creative approach if you are to solve a problem that has lasted a long time. If you are an individual that often finds themselves approaching a problem with a fresh angle, you should highlight creative skills such as experimental thinking, innovation, and divergent thinking on your resume.

4. Communication

Good communication skills are essential for problem-solving. You will need strong communication skills through each step of the problem-solving process, from researching the problem to implementing solutions. Communication skills are not limited to speaking clearly about a subject. There are other communication skills that your resume must highlight such as active listening, presentation, written communication, rapport building, and constructive criticism.

5. Collaboration

In a working environment, you would do most of your problem-solving as a part of a dedicated team. Your resume must therefore reflect how you can effectively perform as a part of a team to solve problems and overcome challenges. You can further enhance your collaboration skills by highlighting skills such as emotional intelligence, trust, long-term thinking, open-mindedness, and adaptability.