What Are the Best Core Competencies to Include on a Resume?

We have found that hiring companies that have experienced the most significant success also clearly understood their core competencies, and their recruiting process revolved around them. As a job-seeker, it is essential to use these core competencies on your resume to demonstrate how your background matches the target company.

Once you understand the company’s core competencies you are interviewing with, a best practice for your resume is to incorporate them on lists, headlines, and your resume‘s body. Remember that you want to keep your resume concise and not too wordy. Don’t just pile on a list of skills and competencies, especially if you’re a seasoned executive. Be mindful of this as well, and keep your resume to one page. Most experienced professionals can address many of these points in their resume‘s body or qualifications section.

This article will show you the following:

• What the definition is of core competency
• Examples of core competencies at leading companies
• Why it’s essential to include core competencies on a resume
• What are the best core competencies for a resume
• A list of core competencies for a resume
• Formatting core competencies on a resume examples

What is the Definition of Core Competency

A core competency is a concept in management theory introduced by C. K. Prahalad and Gary Hamel. They defined it as a ‘harmonized combination of multiple resources and skills that distinguish a firm in the marketplace and therefore are the foundation of companies‘ competitiveness.

Core competencies fulfill three criteria:

1. It provides potential access to a wide variety of markets.
2. Should make a significant contribution to the perceived customer benefits of the end product.
3. Difficult to imitate by competitors.

For example, a company’s core competencies may include precision mechanics, fine optics, and microelectronics. These help it build cameras, but may also be useful in making other products that require these competencies.

Thus, understanding a company’s core competencies and comparing them to your background is very important in job-seeking, particularly resume-building. It’s crucial for your resume and preparing for behavioral interview questions.

Why Are They Important in Business?

Core competencies allow businesses to deliver value to their customers and set themselves apart. It’s probably a company’s core competency if it is difficult to copy or develop. A business can build its core competencies by identifying key strengths and investing in the capabilities valued by its customers.

Ways that companies can set themselves apart include but are not limited to the innovation of products, quality, reliability, customer service, and technology.

Examples in Business:

• Reliability and dependability
• Resilience and adaptability
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Organizational skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Ethical responsibility to self and others
• Human behavior
• Oral communication
• Quantitative reasoning
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Initiative
• Interpersonal skills
• Leadership skills

Upon understanding the core competencies of a business, many will devote resources to further develop and enrich their expertise in this area. One of the ways they do this is through an evidence-based recruiting process, and another is through their corporate strategy in team meetings, new-hire training, and continuing education. Top companies focus on their core competency intently to become even stronger.

We have found that the companies that have experienced the most significant success also understood their core competency and ensured that everyone on their team knew it.

Asking for a Friend, Are Core Competencies and Skills the Same?

Glad you asked. So what is the difference between skills, such as fast learner or experienced trainer, and core competency?

As you may know, skills are learned activity that requires proficiency and ability. Skills are what you learn that enable you to perform specific tasks. Typewriting, computer use, and tire change are examples of skills.

On the other hand, core capabilities refer to knowledge and expertise in a given area. As mentioned above, examples of core competencies can be quality, the innovation of products, or customer service.

Why Knowing Them Is Important?

If a company develops and protects its core capabilities at all costs, you can imagine how important it is for you as a job seeker to fully understand what they are and how your background enriches them.

We have found that the companies that have experienced the most significant success also clearly understood their core competency. They make sure that everyone on their team knows what it is. That goes for the recruiting process, hiring, and onboarding. You can bet that how you enrich their core competencies will be a considerable part of the process.

How to Choose the Best Core Competencies for a Resume

As you might know, job seekers often use core competencies synonymously with professional skills. That’s ok because there isn’t much room when you’re formatting and updating your resume.

To determine what core competencies to put on your resume, even on entry-level resumes for new job seekers, (learn more about what a construction worker should put on their resume here), begin by making an appropriate list. Make sure that your list includes all your hard skills and soft skills. If you find it challenging to create such a file, use our resume core competencies list to get inspired:

Take a good look at the job offer you’ve targeted, and identify what core competencies the employer expects of the candidates. Note down these core competencies.

Return to your original core competencies list, and see which ones your list and the job ad share.

Found them? Great! These are the core competencies your resume should highlight.

List of Core Competencies For Your Resume

As mentioned above, job seekers often use critical competencies synonymously with professional skills.

Remember that you need to identify with the values and competencies of the target company. Once you know that, you can tailor your importanta competencies on a resume to show you’re a perfect fit for the HR professional or recruiter. Below is a list of core competencies to consider incorporating into your resume.

Remember that as a job-seeker, it is crucial to understand how to use these core competencies on your resume appropriately. Ensure your resume is targeted and highlights the core competencies outlined in the job description. You can incorporate them on lists, headlines, and in the body of your resume.

Also, remember to keep your resume concise and not too wordy. Don’t just pile on a list of skills and competencies, especially if you’re a seasoned executive. Be mindful of this as well to keep your resume to one page. Most experienced professionals can address many of these points in their resume’s body or qualifications section.