A Sample Skills Resume

Following is a basic skills resume (figure 3-1). The example is for a recent high school graduate whose only paid work experience has been in a hamburger place. Read it and ask yourself whether you would consider interviewing Lisa if you were an employer. For most people, the answer is yes.

This resume presents a good example of how a skills resume can help someone who does not have the best credentials. It allows the job seeker to present school and extracurricular activities to good effect. It is a strong format choice because it lets her highlight strengths without emphasizing her limited work experience. It doesn’t say where she worked or for how long, yet it gives her a shot at many jobs.

Although the sample resume is simple, it presents Lisa in a positive way. She is looking for an entry-level job in a nontechnical area, so many employers will be more interested in her skills than in her job-specific experience. What work experience she does have is presented as a plus. And notice how she listed her gymnastics experience next to “Hardworking.”