Secondary Skills Examples for Your Resume

Understanding the importance of secondary skills examples and how to showcase them can significantly enhance your resume. Let’s delve into the top 21+ secondary skills examples you need to make your resume stand out.

Secondary skills, also known as complementary or auxiliary skills, are the additional abilities that support your primary skills in performing a specific job or role. They are the skills that can give you an edge over other candidates. In this article, we’ll explore what secondary skills examples mean and provide examples that can make your resume shine. Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to refine your resume or a fresh graduate trying to break into the job market, this guide is for you.

Top 21 Secondary Skills Examples for Your Resume

1. Multitasking

Multitasking is a secondary skill that involves handling multiple tasks simultaneously. It’s beneficial in roles that require managing various responsibilities at once.

2. Attention to Detail

Attention to detail is a secondary skill that involves focusing on the small things that can make a big difference. It’s crucial in roles that require precision and accuracy.

3. Adaptability

Adaptability is a secondary skill that involves adjusting to new conditions. In today’s fast-paced work environment, being adaptable is a valuable trait.

4. Time Management

Time management is a secondary skill that involves using your time effectively and productively. It’s beneficial in roles that require meeting deadlines and managing schedules.

5. Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution is a secondary skill that involves resolving disagreements in a constructive way. It’s crucial in roles that involve teamwork or customer service.

6. Creativity

Creativity is a secondary skill that involves thinking outside the box to come up with new ideas or solutions. It’s beneficial in roles that involve innovation or problem-solving.

7. Cultural Awareness

Cultural awareness is a secondary skill that involves understanding and respecting cultural differences. It’s crucial in roles that involve working with diverse teams or clients.

8. Networking

Networking is a secondary skill that involves building and maintaining professional relationships. It’s beneficial in roles that involve business development or job hunting.

9. Technical Literacy

Technical literacy is a secondary skill that involves the ability to use, manage, assess, and understand technology. In today’s digital age, this is a must-have skill for many jobs.

10. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is a secondary skill that involves recognizing and managing your own emotions and the emotions of others. It’s crucial in roles that involve teamwork or customer service.

11. Research

Research is a secondary skill that involves gathering and analyzing information. It’s beneficial in roles that involve problem-solving, decision-making, or innovation.

12. Decision-Making

Decision-making is a secondary skill that involves choosing the best course of action from several options. It’s crucial in many roles, especially management.

13. Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is a secondary skill that involves analyzing information and making reasoned judgments. It’s beneficial in roles that involve problem-solving or decision-making.

14. Negotiation

Negotiation is a secondary skill that involves reaching an agreement through discussion. It’s crucial in roles that involve sales, business development, or conflict resolution.

15. Sales

Sales is a secondary skill that involves persuading others to buy products or services. It’s beneficial in roles that involve business development or customer service.

16. Analytical Thinking

Analytical thinking is a secondary skill that involves examining information and using logic to solve problems. It’s crucial in roles that involve data analysis or strategic planning.

17. Project Management

Project management is a secondary skill that involves planning, executing, and overseeing projects. It’s beneficial in roles that involve coordinating tasks and meeting deadlines.

18. Customer Service

Customer service is a secondary skill that involves meeting the needs of customers. It’s crucial in roles that involve interacting with clients or customers.

19. Leadership

Leadership is a secondary skill that involves guiding and inspiring others. It’s beneficial in roles that involve managing teams or projects.

20. Teamwork

Teamwork is a secondary skill that involves working effectively with others to achieve a common goal. It’s crucial in roles that involve collaboration and coordination.

21. Communication

Communication is a secondary skill that involves conveying information clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing. It’s beneficial in almost all roles as it helps in expressing ideas and understanding others.

Remember, showcasing these secondary skills examples on your resume can give you a competitive edge. But it’s not just about listing them. You need to demonstrate how you’ve used these skills in your past roles. This is where a tool like an AI Resume Builder can come in handy. It can help you craft a compelling resume that highlights your secondary skills in a way that catches the eye of recruiters.

How to List Secondary Skills Examples on Your Resume

Listing your secondary skills examples on your resume is more than just a simple enumeration. It’s about strategically placing them where they’ll make the most impact. Here’s how you can do it:

  1. Include them in your summary or objective: Start strong by highlighting your top secondary skills examples in your resume summary or objective. This immediately tells recruiters that you have the skills they’re looking for.
  2. Highlight them in your work experience: Don’t just list your job duties. Instead, demonstrate how you’ve used your secondary skills to achieve results. Use action verbs and quantify your achievements whenever possible.
  3. Add a dedicated skills section: This is where you can list your secondary skills examples in detail. Be sure to include both hard skills (like technical literacy or project management) and soft skills (like communication or teamwork).
  4. Mention them in your education and certifications: If you’ve taken courses or earned certifications related to your secondary skills, be sure to mention them. This shows recruiters that you’re committed to honing your skills.
  5. Incorporate them into your cover letter: Your cover letter is another opportunity to showcase your secondary skills examples. Use it to tell a story about how you’ve used these skills to make a difference.
  6. Use keywords from the job description: Recruiters often use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen resumes. By using keywords from the job description, you can increase your chances of getting past these systems.
  7. Show, don’t tell: Instead of simply stating that you have a certain skill, provide examples of how you’ve used it in the past. This makes your resume more compelling and believable.

Remember, a well-crafted resume can make all the difference in your job search. If you need help designing your resume, consider using a Resume Design tool. It can help you create a professional-looking resume that showcases your secondary skills examples in the best light.

How to Develop Secondary Skills Examples

Developing your secondary skills examples is a continuous process. Here are some ways you can do it:

  1. Take courses: There are plenty of online courses that can help you learn or improve your secondary skills. Sites like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer a wide range of courses on topics like communication, leadership, and technical literacy.
  2. Earn certifications: Certifications can boost your credibility and demonstrate your expertise

. Consider earning certifications related to your secondary skills examples.

  1. Practice: The best way to develop your secondary skills is by practicing. Work on projects, negotiate deals, and develop marketing strategies to hone your skills.
  2. Stay updated: The world of work is constantly evolving. Stay updated with the latest trends and technologies by reading industry blogs, attending webinars, and participating in forums.
  3. Learn from others: Join professional communities and learn from your peers. You can ask questions, share your knowledge, and get feedback on your work.
  4. Work on real-world projects: Nothing beats real-world experience. If you can, work on real-world projects. This will not only help you develop your skills but also give you something to showcase on your resume.
  5. Seek mentorship: If you know someone who’s experienced in your field, ask them to mentor you. They can provide you with valuable insights, advice, and feedback.

Remember, developing your secondary skills examples takes time and effort. But with persistence and the right resources, you can do it. If you need help along the way, don’t hesitate to seek Resume Help. They can provide you with tips and advice on how to showcase your skills on your resume.

Jobs That Demand Secondary Skills Examples

Your secondary skills examples can open the door to a wide range of jobs. Here are some jobs that require these skills:

  1. Project Manager: These professionals use secondary skills like multitasking, decision-making, and communication to oversee projects from start to finish.
  2. Sales Representative: These professionals use secondary skills like persuasion, negotiation, and customer service to sell products or services.
  3. Data Analyst: These professionals use secondary skills like analytical thinking, research, and technical literacy to analyze and interpret data.
  4. Customer Service Representative: These professionals use secondary skills like communication, problem-solving, and customer service to assist customers.
  5. Marketing Manager: These professionals use secondary skills like creativity, decision-making, and networking to develop and implement marketing strategies.
  6. Software Developer: These professionals use secondary skills like problem-solving, multitasking, and technical literacy to design and develop software.

Remember, these are just a few examples. Your secondary skills examples can open the door to a wide range of opportunities. So whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance your career, honing your secondary skills examples can give you a competitive edge. And if you need help crafting a resume that showcases these skills, consider using a Resume Maker. It can help you create a resume that gets you noticed.

Published by Sarah Samson

Sarah Samson is a professional career advisor and resume expert. She specializes in helping recent college graduates and mid-career professionals improve their resumes and format them for the modern job market. In addition, she has also been a contributor to several online publications.

Build your resume in 5 minutes

Resume template

Create a job winning resume in minutes with our AI-powered resume builder