Analytical and problem-solving skills are in high demand from employers hiring in a wide range of industries, according to LiveCareer research of recent job postings. In a high pressure job market, the ability to corroborate, interpret, research, troubleshoot and find creative solutions are critical in setting yourself apart from a very competitive pack.
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The list below highlights some of the problem-solving skills most frequently mentioned in the job ads analyzed by LiveCareer. Such skills are a highly prized commodity and transferable to other industries and jobs.
We suggest how you can use them to land a job or transfer between industries where your skills are most valued.
Key transferable analytical and problem-solving skills to highlight on your resume
Job seekers have a better chance of making a seamless career transition by highlighting analytical and problem-solving skills on their resumes.
Here are four skills that will help you make the jump.
Analysis & interpretation
Analysis is required in every job in this category. You need analysis to detect patterns; observe and interpret data; and make sound decisions by taking in multiple factors. With additional certification, technical support specialists may be able to use their analytical skills to leverage a role as system administrators, and such administrators may have the skills to become network engineers, if they so choose.
Research
Research skills are a prerequisite for thoughtful and accurate analysis. Technical support specialists might research why a computer error is occurring, while business analysts might investigate an industry to understand their client's pain points. Ideally, strong research skills lead to better solutions.
Creativity
Once you have the research, you'll need to be creative in how you apply your knowledge. Job seekers should point out projects in which they found novel solutions to problems at the company or individual level.
Troubleshooting
Highly prized in a wide range of career fields, the ability to troubleshoot is especially important for roles that deal with data, writing or fixing code, or providing solutions. Business analysts, for example, are often asked to identify problems faced by a company, using data to find a fix.
3 tips for highlighting problem-solving skills on your resume
- Identify and list the soft and hard skills in which you excelled in your previous positions.
- Examine job descriptions for the position you're seeking to see where your skill set overlaps. In the process, you may notice skills you should add to your initial list.
- Highlight those skills on your resume and cover letter using the exact wording that appears in the job description.
