When writing about your level of skill in a resume or application you will need some words to convey your level of competency in that skill. Writing something like ‘good communication skills’ doesn’t carry much impact. Expressions like ‘highly skilled’, ‘effective’, ‘competent’ are options, however overuse reduces their impact.
Here are 45 other expressions, with examples, you can use to convey your level of competence. They vary in formality. Some sound more ‘grand’ than others. You can pick which ones you feel comfortable with and what would be appropriate to the job your are applying for.
- able: I am able to solve problems quickly
- accomplished: I am accomplished in seeing projects through to completion
- ace: I am an ace when it comes to changing tyres
- adept: I am adept at picking up errors
- agile: I am agile in my thinking
- aptitude: I have an aptitude for sensing people’s discomfort
- authority: I am a recognised authority on quality assurance
- capable: I am capable of meeting competing deadlines
- clever: I am clever at mathematical calculations
- deft: I am deft at finding extra resources
- dexterous: I am a dexterous blues pianist
- effortless: Preparing media releases is effortless for me
- excel: I excel at training people in Excel
- expert: I am a recognised expert in governance
- first-rate: My track record in meeting deadlines is first-rate
- flair: I have a flair for negotiating contracts
- gifted: I am a gifted cabinet maker
- good head for: I have a good head for figures
- handy: I am handy around car engines
- innate ability: I have an innate ability to spot patterns
- knack: I have a knack of identifying what blocks progress
- know backwards: I know the procedures backwards
- know-how: My know-how in accounting is extensive
- know the ropes: I know the ropes of parliamentary processes
- masterful: My presentations are masterful
- masterly: My grasp of international relations is masterly
- nimble: I am nimble on my feet
- practised: I am a practised and experienced accountant
- practised hand: I am a practised hand in car maintenance
- practiced eye: I have a practised eye for diagnosing software bugs
- prize-winning: I gave a prize-winning presentation
- proficient: I am proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite
- qualified: I am qualified in project management
- resourceful: I am a resourceful when it comes to building teams
- seasoned: I am a seasoned presenter, with more than ten years experience
- shine: I shine in ambiguous situations
- show a talent for: I have shown a talent for organising major conferences
- sound player: I am a sound team player
- strong point: Writing reports is my strong point
- trained: I am a fully trained and qualified accountant
- versatile: I am a versatile write
- versed: I am well versed in parliamentary processes
- veteran: I am a veteran of multiple restructures
- wizard: I am a wizard trouble-shooter
- walking encyclopaedia: I am a walking encyclopaedia on the history of this project.
Dr Ann Villiers, career coach, writer and author, is Australia’s only Mental Nutritionist specialising in mind and language practices that help people build flexible thinking, confident speaking and quality connections with people.
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