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 on your resume communicates that you have the skills and attributes required for the role.

This guide on adding core competencies to a resume covers:

• What are core competencies?
• Importance of core competencies in a resume
• How to identify your core competencies
• Examples of core competencies
• How to list core competencies on your resume

Struggling to land interviews with 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. Your core competencies are made up of 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” as a core competency. An event coordinator could list “Problem-solving.” A sales professional could list “Persuasion.” When done right, resume core competencies quickly illustrate your professional assets and knowledge.

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What do core competencies mean on a resume?

Core competencies on a resume are typically a short list of the main attributes and strengths a candidate brings to the role. You might have a range of core competencies, but because your resume offers limited real estate, only list the ones that directly pertain to the position. 

Another word for core competencies on a resume is core capabilities. Other near synonyms for core competencies include core qualifications, strengths, specialty, expertise and talent.

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Core competencies vs skills on resume

When you’re job hunting, there’s an emphasis on putting your best skills on your resume. While eerily similar, core competencies are different from skills. So what does core competencies mean on a resume compared to skills?

Alexandria Agresta, a leadership development expert and employee retention and wellbeing 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.”

Core competencies and skills are different, though the two overlap in some ways.

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Here are a few examples that illustrate the differences between competencies vs. skills.

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To understand the difference between core competencies and skills, check out this post on the resume skills section.

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Importance of core competencies in a resume

Resume core competencies distill your professional attributes and strengths in a couple of words or less. Including core competencies in a resume is important because they succinctly showcase your strengths.

When a hiring manager is scanning resumes in seconds, your core competencies can pop out and make you stand out from other candidates.

Having a list of core competencies 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 which core competencies to add comes down to understanding the job description. Teal’s Matching Mode helps you add relevant keywords from the job description to your resume. Having keywords that match the role can show your core competencies to a hiring manager. 

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As a job seeker, you know there are many stages between submitting an application to getting hired. The goal of an application is to score an interview. Having the right core competencies listed could make your application rise to the top. 

Knowing which competencies to highlight when can make the difference between recruiters seeing you as a strong candidate or an average one.

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How to identify your core competencies

It might be easier to identify your 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 competencies for your resume.

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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 core 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 core competencies examples include:

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

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

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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) at the National Career Development Association (NCDA), recommends adding core competencies that are in 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. 

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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 at in a candidate. Core competencies 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 with options from your comprehensive list that are a better fit. 

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

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

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Examples of core competencies

What are core competencies on a resume and why are they important? Core competencies include your personal strengths, certifications, and expertise. They can differentiate you from other candidates 

There are many different types of core competencies and each company may be looking for something different. But there are some competencies that recruiters and hiring managers look for when vetting candidates. 

Here is a list of core competency examples for your resume that are in demand:

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 examples of core competencies by position

The list of core competencies above can provide inspiration and a starting point. But here you can see some examples of core competencies 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 representative

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

11. Engineer 

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

12. Accountant 

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

13. Hair Stylist 

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

14. Journalist 

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

15. Manager 

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

16. Actor 

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

17. EMT 

• 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. Lawyer

• 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 competencies. If you don’t see your role listed, you can use a position that’s skill-adjacent to help you identify your core competencies.

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How to list core competencies on your resume

After you identify core competencies, narrow them down based on the position. Once you have the list ready, here’s how to list core competencies on a resume:

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Create a resume core competencies section 

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

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Choose a format

Remember, your core competencies 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. 

Core competencies on a resume example #1

• Communication
• Leadership
• Strategic Planning

Core competencies on a resume 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 core competencies they’re looking for, removing the guesswork. 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 core competencies that match your strengths, so you’re not starting the relationship with a lie or getting caught in an awkward moment. 

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

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

If you want to apply for a role with the FBI, identify what items on the list match your core competencies. Then you can create an FBI core competencies resume section. 

Some examples might look like:

• Communication
• Planning
• Adaptability 
• Leadership

Or, you could use vertical bars to keep core competencies 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.”

It’s not just companies that use core competencies either. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) published the 15 core competencies 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 are in a public-facing role where quick thinking and adaptability are key. They work with a range of people and handle sensitive information. AAMC clearly communicates the core competencies required to excel in this position. 

You don’t need to work for the FBI or become a doctor for core competencies to be relevant. Every organization has them whether they publish them or not.

Using the Resume Skills Management feature inside Teal’s Resume Builder can streamline this process for you. 

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Why you need to add core competencies to your resume 

Having a core competency 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 and core competencies for every job so it's specific to each role and company. 

Companies want a candidate whose core competencies can help them fill the gaps and drive results. Your goal is to communicate how and why you’re the person who can do that best. 

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