Communication and analytical skills are among the most frequently mentioned in job postings for white collar management positions, a LiveCareer analysis found. But resumes submitted by job seekers are not mentioning these skills to the same degree. This skills gap could hinder the job search for thousands of unemployed seeking white collar management jobs.
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Skills in communication, management, analysis and leadership are more important than ever as workers return to the office for the first time in months. White collar managers must be able to effectively communicate during the return-to-work, and analyze the outcome of new policies. Understanding how to write these skills into resumes and cover letters is essential to catching a hiring manager's attention in 2021.
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 white collar manager applications, and can help guide job seekers in refreshing their resumes.
Top hard, soft and remote work skills to help you land a white collar management job
LiveCareer analyzed job ads for white collar management positions, including human resources managers, sales managers, supply chain managers and inventory managers. Here are the skills that rose to the top.
Soft skills
- Management skills
Found in 74.66% of white collar management job ads
Look for words like manage, oversee, conduct, supervise and direct. - Communication
Found in 60.62% of job ads
Look for words like communicate, articulate, voice and talk through. - Leadership
Found in 55.14% of job ads
Look for words like lead, plan, mentor and coach. - Analytical
Found in 41.78% of job ads
Look for words like analyze, study and examine. - Relationship Building
Found in 35.02% of job ads
Look for words like relate, collaborate and team player. - Strategic Thinking
Found in 33.56% of job ads
Look for words like plan and strategize.
Hard skills
- Training
Found in 35.96% of job ads
Look for words like instruct, teach and training. - Driving
Found in 28.42% of job ads
Look for words like drive, delivery and driver's license. - Counseling
Found in 17.81% of job ads
Look for words like teach, instruct and guide. - Design
Found in 9.25% of job ads
Look for programs like Photoshop, Illustrator and Sketch.
Remote work skills
- The project management tools Teamwork (found in 4.79% of job ads) and Jira (found in 1.43% of job ads).
- The video conferencing software Google hangouts appeared in 1.33% of job ads.
An experienced inventory 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.
1. Weave a few important critical soft skills into your summary statement.
Example one: Sales manager
Hardworking and driven sales management professional equipped to revitalize sales operations and align procedures to maximize profits and client acquisition. Successful at improving sales procedures to streamline and strengthen processes. Multifaceted leader with analytical and diligent approach to building and leading strong teams, and an impeccable record of customer service.
Example two: Human resources manager
Dedicated human resources professional bringing 8 years of expertise in benefits administration, recruitment and staff training and development. Talented in bridging gaps between labor forces and management to achieve objectives. Driven and decisive with passion for building and retaining highly effective teams.
2. Create a separate skills section. Make sure to include both hard and soft skills.
Example one: Supply chain manager
- Negotiating
- International purchasing
- Staff Training
- Verbal and written communication
- Project management
- Multi-plant experience
Example two: Inventory manager
- Product replenishing
- Warehouse logistics
- Scheduling
- Material flow management
- Customer service leadership
- Conflict resolution
3. Lace skills throughout top achievements in your work experience section.
Example one: Sales manager
- Created and led effective strategies to target new markets after researching and analyzing competitor behavior.
- Monitored metrics and marketing investments to assess performance and implement continuous improvements.
- Delivered engaging sales presentations to new clients, explaining technical information in simplified language to promote features and increase client base.
Example two: Inventory manager
- Scanned and entered new inventory, updated numbers and investigated variances.
- Maximized coverage by carefully allocating resources, setting schedules and delegating assignments.
- Strengthened inventory processes to balance supply needs with budget and space limitations.
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 The Recruiter.com Network and other online forums where professionals in your industry (in this case HR) are talking about key issues in the profession and sharing job opportunities.
- For those who work in supply chain, the Association for Supply Chain Management offers a path to get Certified in Production and Inventory Management.
- Additionally, there are certifications designed for a broad range of managers in different industries and career fields. Even if "project manager" isn't part of your title, for example, you may want to take a PMP Certification Exam if you regularly oversee and complete projects as part of your daily duties.
