Describing "Soft" Skills in a Resume

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Soft skills are generally described as intangible personal characteristics or attributes more generic in nature and not identifiable with any particular occupation. Conversely, many soft skills are useful and desirable in the performance of tasks and functions found in a wide variety of jobs. Examples of soft skills include traits such as analytical ability, communication skills, creativity, being customer oriented, leadership and other, similar, intangible skills.

When applying for a position, consider whether or not any soft skills are integral to successful performance in the job. If the answer is "yes," plan on addressing appropriate soft skills in resume submissions.

Make a substantive effort to include examples in the narrative resume content that describe and demonstrate instances where soft skill(s) are employed in performing tasks related to the position of interest. Since soft skills are inherently generic and "fuzzy" in nature, they are more difficult to clearly describe in a narrative fashion than "hard" skills, which are clearly related to recognized occupational categories and functions. These “hard" skills (e.g., accounting, information technology, civilian pay, secretary, etc.) lend themselves to ready analysis because of the direct, unmistakable relationship between major, core tasks associated with the occupations in which they are embodied and the skills needed to perform these tasks.

Examples:

Actitivities 09/07-06/10 Sports Club, Mathematics and Statistics Faculty, Washington DC, Female basketball team coordinator

• 07/08-07/09 Board of European Students of Technology (BEST), Barcelona, Spain, Course: “Ways of Comunication in the 3rd Millenium”
• Arts: Μember of the Theatre Club and the Forensics Club, in George Mason University, Farifax, VA (1998-2001).
• Participated in a 15day educational trip to England, dedicated to the life and deeds of Shakespeare, organized by George Mason University (March 2001)
• Environment: Member of the organization “Friends of the Blue Ridge Forest”
• Travelling: Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, England, Spain, Cyprus, Italy, Scotland.

Social and Voluntary Work

• 2009 SPEAR (Society for Promotion of Education and Research) Charlottesville, VA
• 2009 Publicity Coordinator, Virginia Chapter, SPEAR is a non profit society with presence in 30 countries and with more than 250 centers worldwide.
• Responsible for publicity and coordination of the events held on campus and for UVA's SPEAR bash (April 2010), the annual SPEAR festival featuring professor and researchers from across the country; responsible for increasing involvement from other students for the society.
• Volunteer for ‘A Tribute to George Harrison’ featuring performances of  Paul Simon, Crosby and Grahm Nash at John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia.

Leadership

• Initiated on-campus recruiting and information sessions 2008- present
• Selected and worked with recruiters and potential employees from diverse backgrounds
• Karate Instructor , La Plata, MD
• Established own branch of karate dojo; taught women’s karate classes 2003 - 2006
• Volunteer Mentor: Tutored disadvantaged children, ensuring a strong work ethic and study skills 2007 - 2009
• Varsity Women’s Crew Fall 2009- Spring 2010 Baltimore, MD
• Varsity Boat Fall 2006 and Spring 2007, NCAA Division I program
• The Johns Hopkins University Student Athlete Advisory Committee Spring 2005- Spring 2007
• Led student athlete fundraiser for local food bank, exceeded food drive goals and raised enough food and money for the entire holiday season for the Food Bank of the Southern Tier
• Coordinated National Girls and Women in Sports day 2007-2009, over one hundred young girls came from the community to participate; more than 10 varsity women’s teams showcased their sports
• Ivy League Student Athlete Advisory Committee Fall 2007- Spring 2009
• Represented The Johns Hopkins University at Pan Ivy conferences and determined the policy of student athletes on Ivy league athletic legislation
• Student Athlete Mentors Program Fall 2005- Spring 2007
• Nominated as one of 15 for program, underwent training to counsel student athletes; mentored younger athletes