30 Best Core Competencies For Your Resume (+ Examples)

When hiring managers look at your resume, they’re not just looking at your GPA, degree, or previous experience. Many employers are moving toward skills-based hiring, evaluating your core competencies. In fact, according to Salesforce’s 2023 digital skills survey, 82 percent of leaders surveyed stated that skills are the most important attribute when evaluating candidates. 

Your core competencies refer to your hard and soft skills, abilities, and personal qualities. If the competencies on your resume match the key qualifications listed in the job description, you have a better shot of grabbing a hiring manager’s attention.

Systematically listing your core competencies in your resume skills section communicates that you have the skills and attributes required for the role. When aligned with the job’s needs, these competencies become some of your most compelling resume strengths.

This guide on adding core competencies to a resume covers how to identify your core competencies and how to list core competencies on your resume.

Struggling to add the right core competencies to your resume? Get started with Teal’s AI Resume Builder for free.

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What are core competencies?

Core competencies are attributes that show your proficiency in a particular skill or ability. They typically combine your unique personality traits, professional experience, and key skills. These are broad one- or two-word terms that highlight what you bring to the table. 

For example, a manager might list “Leadership.” An event coordinator might include “Problem-solving,” or a sales professional could highlight “Persuasion.” Done well, these brief keywords help hiring teams quickly grasp your value.‍

What do core competencies mean on a resume?

We already hear you asking, “What are core competencies on a resume, and why are they important?”

Let’s tackle the first question first. 

Core competencies encompass your personal strengths, certifications, and areas of expertise. They’re your key strengths and attributes that show what you bring to the role. 

Think of this section in your resume as a quick snapshot of your professional value. While you may have a wide range of core competencies, it’s best to include only the ones most relevant to that specific role.

Other names for this section of your resume include core capabilities, qualifications, strengths, or areas of expertise.

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Core competencies vs skills on resume

While similar, core competencies are different from skills. Alexandria Agresta, a leadership development expert and employee retention and well-being consultant, explains that:

“Core competencies encompass a broader range of attributes, including attitudes and behaviors, that are essential for organizational success, often known as the ‘soft skills.’”

In comparison, she describes skills as:

“Specific abilities or expertise that are often technical or task-oriented, such as proficiency in software, languages, or processes.”

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Here are a few examples that illustrate the differences between core competencies and skills:

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Importance of core competencies in a resume

Core competencies distill your professional attributes and strengths into just a few words. When a hiring manager is scanning resumes in seconds, your core capabilities can pop out and make you stand out from other candidates.

Having a list of your top strengths can also get your foot in the door. Many companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) as part of the hiring process. ATS software can pick up on specific keywords. So, if your resume has competencies that match what’s in the job ad, you may have a higher chance of moving forward to the next step. 

Understanding what to add comes down to understanding the job description. With Teal’s Matching Mode, you can nail this in seconds. The tool can scan any job description and identify the relevant keywords to add.

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Core competencies examples

There are many different types of professional strengths, and each company may be looking for something different. But there are some competencies that most, if not all, recruiters and hiring managers look for when vetting candidates. 

Here are some high-value strengths employers look for on resumes:

1. Communication: Shows your ability to share ideas and information clearly in a variety of ways (writing, speaking) to many different people (managers, customers, stakeholders). 
2. Adaptability: Highlights your ability to shift and make changes quickly in an evolving environment. 
3. Problem-solving: When presented with challenges, the ability to find solutions to problems when they arise. 
4. Strategic planning: The ability to identify a company’s long-term goals and how to reach them.
5. Leadership: The skills required to inspire, motivate, and manage a team successfully. 
6. Teamwork:  The ability to work well with others to accomplish larger goals and objectives.
7. Decision-making: Navigating the complexities of making an informed decision on important matters. 
8. Initiative: The innate drive to pursue or complete tasks and projects without direction. 
9. Empathy: Being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and behave in a way that takes others into consideration. 
10. Conflict resolution: The ability to work towards a resolution among conflicting parties in a diplomatic and empathetic way.
11. Customer-centered: Working in a way that prioritizes customer satisfaction to build long-term relationships and achieve company goals. 
12. Relationship building: The ability to connect with others and build organic relationships with customers, staff, stakeholders, community, etc.
13. Analytical: Using critical thinking to process data and evaluate challenges and potential solutions.
14. Results-driven: The ability to stay focused and motivated to achieve results with excellence.
15. Integrity: Working and behaving in a manner that upholds morals and ethics. Being honest and forthcoming, with a high level of discretion. 
16. Diversity: Valuing and promoting diverse communities and experiences in the workplace. 
17. Flexibility: The ability to go with the flow and not hold too tightly to ways of working or outcomes. 
18. Creativity: Generating ideas and possibilities that are outside of the box. Additionally, may refer to a person with an artistic skill set such as design, writing, photography, etc. 
19. Time management: Demonstrates the ability to establish project timeframes and meet deadlines. 
20. Detail-oriented: The ability to look at things on a micro-level—always dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.

If you’re looking for core competencies for your resume, this list is a start. You can add your own or take some from the list. Just make sure your professional experience and abilities back up your stated competencies.

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30 core competencies examples by position

The list above can provide inspiration and a starting point. But below, you can see some examples of key capabilities by position.

1. Web designer

• Communication
• Detail-oriented
• Creativity
• Customer-centered
• Results-driven

2. Marketing professional

• Time-management
• Flexibility
• Teamwork
• Problem-solving
• Decision-making 

3. Nonprofit program director

• Leadership
• Empathy
• Diversity
• Strategic planning
• Communication

4. Sales executive

• Results-driven
• Relationship building
• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Adaptability

5. Human Resources manager

• Integrity
• Diversity
• Empathy
• Teamwork
• Communication

6. Project manager

• Time-management
• Analytical
• Detail-oriented
• Adaptability
• Strategic planning

7. Medical assistant

• Communication
• Empathy 
• Relationship building
• Integrity
• Problem-solving

8. Construction worker

• Initiative
• Decision-making
• Detail-oriented
• Adaptability
• Time-management

9. Music teacher

• Communication
• Empathy
• Diversity 
• Leadership
• Integrity

10. Customer service representatives

• Flexibility
• Communication
• Empathy
• Initiative 
• Problem-solving

11. Engineers

• Analytical
• Adaptability
• Decision-making
• Problem-solving
• Time-management

12. Accountant

• Detail-oriented
• Communication
• Results-driven
• Problem-solving 
• Analytical

13. Hair stylists

• Customer-centered
• Empathy
• Communication
• Detail-oriented
• Relationship building 

14. Journalists

• Communication
• Detail-oriented
• Empathy
• Time-management
• Flexibility

15. Business manager

• Conflict resolution
• Leadership
• Relationship building
• Integrity
• Results-driven

16. Actors

• Empathy
• Communication
• Detail-oriented
• Relationship building
• Teamwork

17. EMTs

• Adaptability
• Teamwork
• Empathy
• Initiative 
• Integrity

18. Editor

• Detail-oriented
• Results-driven
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Flexibility

19. Banker

• Relationship building 
• Customer-centered
• Analytical
• Results-driven
• Problem-solving 

20. Administrative assistant

• Communication
• Detail-oriented
• Time-management
• Teamwork
• Initiative 

21. Lawyers

• Conflict resolution
• Results-driven
• Decision-making 
• Problem-solving
• Customer-centered 

22. Pharmacist

• Empathy
• Detail-oriented
• Communication
• Diversity
• Flexibility 

23. Psychologist  

• Conflict-resolution
• Empathy
• Problem-solving
• Relationship building 
• Adaptability 

24. IT manager

• Problem-solving
• Strategic planning
• Analytical
• Time-management
• Communication

25. Real estate agent

• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Adaptability 
• Decision-making
• Detail-oriented

26. Librarian

• Communication
• Adaptability
• Diversity
• Detail-oriented
• Problem-solving 

27. Food service worker

• Customer-centered
• Problem-solving
• Time-management
• Communication
• Decision-making

28. Career counselor

• Communication
• Empathy
• Relationship building
• Problem-solving
• Leadership 

29. Financial advisor

• Analytical
• Detail-oriented
• Customer-centered 
• Strategic planning
• Adaptability 

30. Massage therapist

• Communication
• Time-management
• Empathy 
• Initiative
• Integrity 

These positions make up a wide range of industries, and each has a different set of core strengths. If you don’t see your role listed, you can use a position that’s skill-adjacent to help you identify your key competencies.

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How to identify your core competencies

It might be easier to identify your soft and hard skills or achievements, which seem more specific and tangible. Core competencies can be more difficult to pinpoint, as they’re overarching and broader. Here’s a step-by-step guide on identifying your core strengths for your resume:

Step 1: Take an inventory

Start by taking an inventory of your personal traits that help you succeed in the workplace. Consider your unique capabilities and skills and how they’re used at work. 

To identify your key competencies, Agresta shares her expertise, providing these three tips to get started:

1. Self-Assessment: Reflect on your strengths, achievements, and feedback received from peers and supervisors. Consider the aspects of your work where you consistently excel and feel most engaged.

2. Feedback: Seek input from colleagues, mentors, and supervisors who can provide insights into your strengths and areas of excellence.

3. Professional Development: Engage in training, workshops, and educational opportunities to enhance and recognize your core competencies.

Using these tips, you can look both internally and externally to help guide you to make your own list. 

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Step 2: Create a list

After taking an inventory, create a list of all of your core competencies. They are typically only one or two words, not full sentences or explanations. Some examples include:

• Collaboration
• Communication
• Team-building 
• Cultural competency
• Technical skills
• Conceptual thinking

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Jotting down your core capabilities gives you a list to choose from and return to for other job applications.

Step 3: Narrow down options

Here’s the tough part. Once your list is complete, narrow down your options. Since your resume has limited space, it’s generally recommended to include a maximum of five core competencies on your resume.

Dirk Matthews, Senior Director of Alumni Relations at Columbia College Chicago and President-Elect-Elect (President in 2025) of the National Career Development Association (NCDA), recommends incorporating core competencies that are in high demand by prospective employers.

“When I work with students or adults in developing their careers, I have them focus on their skills and how they fit into competencies desired by employers. For example, one of the key competencies employers look for [in job seekers] is communication. Various skills make up [communication], including writing or public speaking.”

There’s data to back that up, too. According to The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Job Outlook 2024 report, out of eight career readiness competencies, communication was rated the most important. Teamwork and critical thinking came in second and third place, respectively. 

So while you narrow down your options, look at which core competencies are in demand. 

Step 4: Compare competencies to job descriptions

Once you have your short list of five core competencies, compare them to what the job requires and what the company is looking for in a candidate. They might be listed in the job description or on the company website.

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If your competencies don’t match, you may want to swap some out, replacing them with options from your comprehensive list that are a better fit. 

And what if your core competencies don’t match at all? It may mean that the position or cultural fit isn’t ideal for you at the moment. 

In addition to surfacing the right hard and soft skills with Teal’s Matching Mode, Teal’s Resume Skills Management feature can help identify and manage your best competencies and group them according to job families, so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel for every application.

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How to list core competencies on your resume

After identifying your competencies, narrow them down to those most relevant to the position. Once you have the list ready, here’s how to list them on a resume:

Create a resume core competencies section 

Many people wonder where to put key competencies on a resume. The place that makes the most sense is in a dedicated section under your name and contact information. You want them front and center so potential employers can see them right away.

Choose a format

Remember, your list of capabilities should be short and sweet. When you add them, choose a format and be consistent. You can use either bullet points or vertical lines to separate them. 

Example #1

• Communication
• Leadership
• Strategic Planning

Example #2

Communication | Leadership | Strategic Planning 

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Add them to your resume 

The final step is to put your competencies on your resume. Double-check the spelling and formatting. Review the job description again so you can feel confident you’re adding the best ones. 

Pro tip: Some organizations actually publish the key competencies they’re looking for. That way, everyone is on the same page with what’s needed to excel and serve in the role. Of course, you should only list the skills that match your strengths, so you’re not starting the relationship with a lie or getting caught in an awkward moment.

For example, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) outlines the top eight core competencies required for special agents to excel:

1. Collaboration
2. Communication
3. Flexibility and Adaptability
4. Interpersonal Ability
5. Initiative
6. Leadership
7. Problem Solving and Judgment
8. Organizing and Planning

So, if you wanted to apply for a special agent role with the FBI, you’d identify which items on the list match your core strengths. Then, you’d create a key competencies section on your resume. 

It could look like:

• Communication
• Planning
• Adaptability 
• Leadership

Or, you could use vertical bars to keep the list to one line: 

Collaboration | Initiative | Problem Solving | Flexibility

To see if you can find any intel, search the name of the company you’re applying to and “core competencies.”

But it’s not just companies that use core competencies either. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) published the 15 key attributes for medical students entering school:

1. Service orientation
2. Social skills
3. Cultural competence
4. Teamwork
5. Oral communication
6. Ethical responsibility to self and others
7. Reliability and dependability
8. Resilience and adaptability
9. Capacity for improvement
10. Critical thinking
11. Quantitative reasoning
12. Scientific inquiry
13. Written communication
14. Living systems
15. Human behavior

After graduation, doctors assume a public-facing role where quick thinking and adaptability are essential. They work with a range of people and handle sensitive information. AAMC clearly communicates the core competencies required to excel in this position. 

Of course, you don’t need to work for the FBI or become a doctor for competencies to be relevant. Every organization has them, whether they publish them or not. Using the Resume Skills Management feature inside Teal’s AI Resume Builder can streamline this process for you.

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Why you need to add core competencies to your resume 

Having a competencies section on your resume makes it easier for hiring managers to assess your strengths and identify whether you’re a good fit. Tailor your resume so that your highlighted skills align with the needs of each role and company.

Companies are looking for candidates who can help fill gaps and drive results. Your goal is to clearly communicate how and why you’re the person who can do that best.

Revising your resume is easy to do with Teal’s AI Resume Builder and its Resume Skills Management feature. Try it out for free and create new resumes in a few simple steps.

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