Top 153+ Core Competencies to Highlight on Your Resume

Having a section about core competencies on a resume helps you demonstrate your key strengths relevant to the role you’re applying for. This goes beyond merely listing abilities or showcasing job titles. It allows you to pass ATS screening, impress recruiters, and demonstrate an exceptional level of professionalism and self-awareness.

In this article, we’ll explore core competencies in depth, compare them to regular skills, and explain why they deserve a place on your resume. Then, we’ll show you how to list them on it and even give you plenty of examples of core competencies for different occupations.

What Are Core Competencies?

Core competencies are essential strengths and foundational abilities that you bring to the role. They extend beyond skills and represent a combination of traits, knowledge, and expertise. You can think of them as critical qualifications you need to be effective at your job.

This section is becoming increasingly important since today, 90% of companies practice skill-based hiring. While professional competencies aren’t exclusively skills, they are still one of the primary considerations in the eyes of recruiters and employers.

The most sought-after competencies vary depending on the industry and the specific role. In some cases, they can be technical skills, and in others, transferable skills or interpersonal abilities like communication and teamwork.

Skills vs. Competencies

Many use skills and competencies interchangeably, though there are differences between them. Namely, skills are specific and learned abilities, while competencies represent a broader group of abilities, characteristics, and behaviors.

Here is a table outlining the key differences:

Why Listing Core Competencies on a Resume Matters

Listing core competencies on a resume matters since this section represents a concise overview of your competence. It highlights your biggest strengths right off the bat, helping you grab attention and get ahead of the competition.

Here are the three primary benefits of listing core competencies on a resume:

How to List Core Competencies on Your Resume

Now that you know what core competencies are, we’ll show you a three-step method of listing them on your resume.

#1. Identify Your Core Competencies

The first step involves determining which core competencies you need to add in the first place.

This process is two-fold, as you first need to conduct a thorough self-assessment to identify your key strengths as a professional. This is done by analyzing your past experiences and accomplishments and reflecting on the feedback that you’ve received from your peers and supervisors.

Once you have a list, you should cross-reference it with the requirements from the job description. This will give you a highly specialized list of tailored professional competencies that will have the most impact on recruiters and the ATS.

#2. Create a Dedicated Section on a Resume

A dedicated section will make your competencies stand out. You can title this section “Core Competencies,” “Core Qualifications,” “Areas of Expertise,” and similar.

Since these are your key strengths for a resume, you should put them in a prominent place at the top of the document. A typical spot is right below your resume summary, or even before it, after your contact information.

The section should be brief and highly focused, and you should limit the number of competencies so that the list doesn’t get diluted. While there’s not a specific number that works in every case, you should aim to have around 5–10 competencies listed.

#3. Choose a Layout

Lastly, the layout of your core competencies section should be clean and legible. The visual style and the structure should match the rest of your resume.

One common way of adding your core competencies to your resume is by using a bullet list. This works well for two-column resumes.

However, if you have a longer list of competencies and you’re using a one-column resume, you can list them in a single line, separated by commas or vertical bars (e.g., Project Management | Team Leadership | Strategic Planning).

154 Core Competencies to Highlight on Your Resume by Occupation

Now, let’s take a look at various occupations and competencies that are commonly found on their resumes.

#1. Marketing Manager

Marketing managers design creative campaigns and execute them to increase engagement, boost brand recognition, drive sales, and more. For this, they need a strong mix of creative and analytical qualities.

Here are some core competencies for a marketing manager resume:

#2. Medical Assistant

Medical assistants provide critical support to healthcare facilities. They support doctors, nurses, and other staff in running smooth operations and providing care to patients. This requires clinical and administrative abilities.

Core competencies for a medical assistant resume include:

#3. Engineer

Engineers are highly knowledgeable problem-solvers whose expertise varies depending on their field. They need to have strong technical skills, as well as the ability to think analytically and critically.

Some of the core competencies for an engineering resume include:

#4. Accountant

Accountants need to have a strong grasp of finances, data, and regulations. They are detail-oriented professionals who often have a solid combination of hard and soft skills.

Core competencies for an accountant resume include:

#5. Writer

Writers are creative professionals who excel at communication. In addition to that, their competencies revolve around attention to detail, time management, and the ability to do research.

Here are some examples of competencies for a writer resume:

#6. Project Manager

Project managers oversee products through all their stages, from inception to completion. This requires a strong knowledge of a product or service, as well as organizational and leadership skills.

Core competencies for a project manager resume include:

#7. Sales Associate

Sales associates are expert communicators who have strong persuasion and interpersonal skills.

Here are some of the core competencies to consider for a sales associate resume:

#8. Software Developer

Software developers possess an in-depth knowledge of various programming languages. Plus, they need to be critical thinkers with strong problem-solving abilities.

Core competencies for a software developer resume include:

#9. Graphic Designer

Graphic designers create immersive and engaging visual media. This requires a combination of artistic talent and technical skills.

If you’re writing a graphic designer resume, here are some core competencies to consider:

#10. Teacher

Teachers need to know how to communicate knowledge and ideas. Additionally, they need to have exceptional classroom management abilities and organizational skills.

Here are some core competencies for a teacher resume:

#11. Nurse

Nurses directly interact with patients to provide care. For this, they need a strong combination of clinical and interpersonal skills.

Core competencies to consider for a nurse resume include:

#12. Data Analyst

Data analysts interpret vast quantities of information to discover hidden insights and help businesses improve. They are essential for decision-making processes and need a combination of technical skills and communicational prowess.

Core competencies for a data analyst resume include:

#13. Customer Service Representative

Customer service representatives are on the front lines of their companies, communicating with buyers and resolving their problems.

Here are the competencies that are typically present in customer service resumes:

#14. Financial Analyst

Financial analysts assist individuals and businesses in their money-related decision-making. These professionals must have comprehensive theoretical knowledge and familiarity with relevant trends in the market, as well as technical and communication skills.

Core competencies to consider for a financial analyst resume include:

#15. Human Resources Manager

Human resources (HR) managers are in charge of the company’s administrative and organizational operations. For this, they need a strategic mindset combined with strong interpersonal skills.

Competencies employers look for in an HR resume include:

#16. UI/UX Designer

UI/UX designers combine proficiency in design principles with knowledge of technology and human psychology.

Here are some core competencies to consider for a UI/UX resume:

#17. Social Media Manager

Social media managers know how to navigate multiple platforms, create engaging content, and interact with the audience to maximize brand visibility and sales. This requires a combination of creativity and analytical thinking.

Core competencies for a social media manager resume include:

#18. Business Analyst

Business analysts examine problems that organizations face and look for opportunities to improve products and processes. As a result, they possess a blend of technical and problem-solving skills, as well as business knowledge and communication prowess.

Here are the core competencies to consider for a business analyst resume:

#19. Administrative Assistant

Administrative assistants support office operations and ensure everything runs smoothly. Meticulous and organized, they frequently manage schedules, catalogue files, and handle correspondence.

Let’s see what competencies you can add to an administrative assistant resume:

#20. Product Manager

Product managers define and develop strategies and roadmaps to guide and coordinate engineers, designers, marketers, and other professionals. They are data-oriented strategists with strong interpersonal skills.

Here are the core competencies you can add to a product manager resume:

Resume Example With Core Competencies Section

Here is a complete resume example that effectively incorporates a section about core competencies:

Use this example

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Closing Thoughts

Having core competencies on a resume helps you pass ATS screening, impress recruiters, and demonstrate alignment with the role. It’s a brief but critical section meant to showcase your biggest qualities that are most relevant to the job that you’re applying for.

That’s why it’s important to tailor this section every time you go after a new position. That way, you have the best chances of showing employers that you have the exact qualities they need.

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Core Competencies on Resume FAQs

#1. How many competencies should I include?

You should include around five core competencies on a resume. There isn’t an exact number, and you should always tailor the section based on your qualifications and job requirements. Five is a good starting point, and you can add a few more or a few less.

#2. Should I tailor competencies for each job?

Yes, you should tailor competencies for each job, as this is a critical step in making sure this section impresses recruiters and passes ATS screening. Competencies irrelevant to the job that you’re applying for don’t add value to your resume and can even be counterproductive.

#3. Where do I place my competencies section?

You should place your competencies section at the top of your resume, underneath your name and contact information. You can put it either above or below your resume summary. This maximizes the chances recruiters see it, even if they are only skimming through your resume.