Leadership, communication and safety are the most mentioned skills in blue collar management job ads, a LiveCareer analysis of recent posts found. Job seeker resumes in this sector are mentioning leadership and safety skills as frequently as they should. Yet they are missing communication skills by a wide margin — an important ingredient for landing a job in 2021.
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Managers in food service, retail, maintenance and hospitality face new realities as they return to workplaces that have been transformed by recent events. Experience with safety protocols is now a requirement for many roles, while customers and employees may be more confused, irate and stressed than normal. Hiring managers will be looking for good communication and leadership skills can help ease the transition.
LiveCareer pinpointed the skills listed most often in job ads, including the precise wording of each skill. This data-based approach reveals the terminology employers expect to see on blue collar management applications, and can help guide job seekers in refreshing their resumes.
Top hard, soft and remote work skills that will help you land blue collar management jobs
LiveCareer analyzed job ads for a wide range of blue collar management positions, including housekeeping supervisors, maintenance managers, store managers, restaurant managers and warehouse managers. Here are the skills that rose to the top:
Soft skills
- Management skills
Found in 62.89% of blue collar management job ads
Look for words like manage, oversee, conduct, supervise and direct. - Communication
Found in 53.82% of job ads
Look for words like communicate, articulate, voice and talk through. - Leadership
Found in 52.97% of job ads
Look for words like lead, plan, mentor and coach. - Safety conscious
Found in 47.59% of job ads
Look for words like safety, hazard and secure. - Written communication
Found in 33.14% of job ads
Look for words like write, draft and compose. - Customer service
Found in 31.69% of job ads
Look for the phrase customer service, help customers and assist clients.
Hard skills
- Training
Found in 52.12% of job ads
Look for words like instruct, teach and train. - Driving
Found in 20.68% of job ads
Look for words like drive, delivery and driver's license.
Remote work skills
- The project management tool Teamwork is found in 4.53% of job ads.
An experienced restaurant manager resume example
How to add skills to your resume
Read the job description, understand what the employer is seeking and use the exact wording of the skills listed in the job posting when they apply to skills you possess.
1. Weave a few important critical soft skills into your summary statement.
Example one: Construction Manager
Hardworking construction manager with over 10 years of experience providing excellent service as member of professional construction team. Familiar with safety regulations and occupational hazards. Providing in-depth knowledge of concrete types and gravel, sand, water and concrete mixing techniques. Safely operates forklifts, trowels and paving machines.
Example two: Maintenance manager
Seasoned maintenance manager bringing demonstrated safety management and performance optimization skills gained during experience in corporate settings. Deliver in-depth training and mentoring to help each improve abilities and advance work quality. Dependable, hardworking and level-headed in addressing diverse problems.
2. Create a separate skills section. Make sure to include both hard and soft skills.
Example one: Store manager
- Team leadership and coaching
- Maximizing profitability
- Order management
- Relationship building and management
- Budgeting
- Scheduling
Example two: Restaurant manager
- Performance improvement
- Recipes and menu planning
- Marketing and advertising
- Recruitment and training
- Order delivery practices
- Staff management
3. Lace skills throughout top achievements in your work experience section.
Example one: Warehouse manager
- Completed timely and accurate daily logs to keep internal reporting accurate and effectively track materials movements.
- Met environmentally controlled warehouse operational needs through efficient staffing and training, and resourcing of materials and equipment.
- Oversaw upkeep of equipment and physical condition of warehouse, identifying and ordering needed repairs, renovations and replacements.
Example two: Store manager
- Oversaw receiving and display of incoming products, meeting planned promotions and seasonal rotation for sales events.
- Supervised, trained and encouraged 20+ warehouse associates, promoting culture of efficiency and performance.
- Scheduled and led weekly store meetings for all employees to discuss sales promotions and new inventory while providing a platform for all to voice concerns.
How to grow this skill set
Employers are going to want to see you are continuing to build your management skills. There are many options available to you, including:
- Get actively involved in LinkedIn groups like Logistics and Supply Chain Professionals and other online forums where professionals in your industry (in this case warehouse managers) are talking about key issues in the profession and sharing job opportunities.
- Pursue an additional certification in your field. The National Center for Housing Management offers a Certified Manager of Maintenance course. Every field will have some options.
