I’ve heard people say so often that a skills-based resume doesn’t work. From this I can only assume that they just don’t know how to put one together correctly, because A well-written, skills-based resume is powerful, creates interest, and gets you the interview.

So what’s the difference between one that works and one that doesn’t?

The difference is whether you just write a list of skills that you hope the reader will agree you have, or whether you use one-liners to show that you have the skill.

You may have a line on your resume that says:

– organized, hardworking, excellent communication skills, computer proficient

This proves nothing, except that you have read the ad and are regurgitating the information on paper!

If my resume says that I have excellent computer skills, why should anyone believe me? Especially since in “Education and training” you will not find anything related to computer learning!

They will believe me if I can tell stories to prove that I have the ability I claim.

So here is how to do it.

First look carefully at the job description – or find out as much as you can about the job. What are they looking for exactly?

Let’s say you’re looking at a job ad that simply says “excellent computer skills.” This is pretty vague and you don’t know what software they need you to know, but it’s a pretty safe bet that Microsoft Office is required.

Then think of stories, real stories from your life. – can be as long as you like at this point – stories that describe your computer proficiency. What have you done with computers? What projects? What software did you take courses on, did you teach yourself, and what did you use this information for after you learned it?

I am self-taught, so it is more difficult to prove that I know what I say I know. However, I have used the computer for almost 20 years and this gives me a wealth of stories to draw from.

Here is my story:

One of the first things I did once I learned how to use a word processor (it was Word Perfect 5.1, for those of you back in the “old” days) was I committed to creating a newsletter for a social group of which was a member So, my line could look like this:

– Created and produced a 12 page monthly newsletter, using various advanced formatting features

I am also a handwriting analyst and as such provide written or verbal inquiry reports to clients. When I was home with my kids, this was a VERY part-time occupation, but the computer skills I used still hold true.

– Created and formatted 4 page structured reports for clients, responsible for grammar, spelling, layout and content.

Are you getting the idea?

Everything I am saying is the absolute truth, but I am expressing it in commercial terms, and instead of just saying I know how to use Word, I have I have given you 2 concrete examples of what I have done with the program.

This is the foundation of the skills-based curriculum.

If you remember my story about handwriting analysis, I mentioned that I did written or verbal reports. There will probably be a section on my skills-based resume, no matter what job I’m applying for, titled “Communication skills.” After all, what job wouldn’t be easier if the incumbent had good communication skills? So, can you guess what is going to appear in this section of my resume?

– Discussed sometimes sensitive report results with clients, using brevity, clarity and tact.

Now, I guess most of you are not handwriting analysts! But you all have something going for you. You all do many things. Take one small thing that you felt you did or did well, and try to create a single line out of it.

If you feel modest and think that makes you look too tall, don’t worry, this is normal. Try to think of the action or ability as belonging to someone if not, say your best friend. If possible, think of someone else actually doing the same thing. After describe it in a single line describing it for your resume, without inhibitions or thinking about it as if it were oneself. Then take an objective look at what you wrote and ask yourself if this could honestly describe you, too. The answer is probably yes.”

Writing a skills-based resume doesn’t include any disappointment. It’s about describing your skills in business terms, which, unless you have the skills in business, is probably one way you haven’t looked at them previously.

Give it a try.

This, of course, is just the beginning. You have to understand how to put the entire resume together, but for now, get to work on those powerful phrases that can help you land the job you’re qualified for.