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.

1. able: I am able to solve problems quickly
2. accomplished: I am accomplished in seeing projects through to completion
3. ace: I am an ace when it comes to changing tyres
4. adept: I am adept at picking up errors
5. agile: I am agile in my thinking
6. aptitude: I have an aptitude for sensing people’s discomfort
7. authority: I am a recognised authority on quality assurance
8. capable: I am capable of meeting competing deadlines
9. clever: I am clever at mathematical calculations
10. deft: I am deft at finding extra resources
11. dexterous: I am a dexterous blues pianist
12. effortless: Preparing media releases is effortless for me
13. excel: I excel at training people in Excel
14. expert: I am a recognised expert in governance
15. first-rate: My track record in meeting deadlines is first-rate
16. flair: I have a flair for negotiating contracts
17. gifted: I am a gifted cabinet maker
18. good head for: I have a good head for figures
19. handy: I am handy around car engines
20. innate ability: I have an innate ability to spot patterns
21. knack: I have a knack of identifying what blocks progress
22. know backwards: I know the procedures backwards
23. know-how: My know-how in accounting is extensive
24. know the ropes: I know the ropes of parliamentary processes
25. masterful: My presentations are masterful
26. masterly: My grasp of international relations is masterly
27. nimble: I am nimble on my feet
28. practised: I am a practised and experienced accountant
29. practised hand: I am a practised hand in car maintenance
30. practiced eye: I have a practised eye for diagnosing software bugs
31. prize-winning: I gave a prize-winning presentation
32. proficient: I am proficient in using Microsoft Office Suite
33. qualified: I am qualified in project management
34. resourceful: I am a resourceful when it comes to building teams
35. seasoned: I am a seasoned presenter, with more than ten years experience
36. shine: I shine in ambiguous situations
37. show a talent for: I have shown a talent for organising major conferences
38. sound player: I am a sound team player
39. strong point: Writing reports is my strong point
40. trained: I am a fully trained and qualified accountant
41. versatile: I am a versatile write
42. versed: I am well versed in parliamentary processes
43. veteran: I am a veteran of multiple restructures
44. wizard: I am a wizard trouble-shooter
45. walking encyclopaedia: I am a walking encyclopaedia on the history of this project.