6 Skills That Really Matter On Your Handshake Profile

Your skills section is one of the most important parts of your Handshake profile—if you do it right. The keywords in this section help Handshake recommend relevant jobs to you. Your skills also help recruiters find you on Handshake. And it lets them easily understand your skillset, without digging through your resume. Check out the top skills employers are searching for on Handshake, to read more click here.

Check out our Facebook and Instagram for graphics

Identify the skills needed in your industry

Start by figuring out what skills you need in your chosen industry. Scan the qualifications sections of the job descriptions you’re interested in to identify what skills keep coming up.
Keep it specific

Be as precise as possible when listing your skills. Instead of saying “communication,” say “blog writing” or “public relations.” Instead of “organizational skills,” write “project management” or “event planning.”
Skip “soft skills”

When employers search on Handshake, they are using specific keywords, like Python, C++, HTML, and Spanish. They are looking for “hard skills”: abilities that can be defined and measured.
Remove obvious or irrelevant skills

Your skills section is for showing off the unique things you can bring to a job. So, don’t list “Microsoft Word” or “problem solving.” An employer will expect you to have those baseline abilities already.
Be honest

If you took a few units of French, don’t claim you are fluent! It will make for a very awkward interview. Be prepared to describe how you learned and used a skill—if you can’t do that, leave it off your profile.
Keep it up to date

Add skills as you gain new experience in leadership roles, internships, campus jobs, clubs, or complete technical certifications. Consider setting a calendar reminder at the end of each semester to update your profile.

Identify the skills needed in your industry

Start by figuring out what skills you need in your chosen industry. Scan the qualifications sections of the job descriptions you’re interested in to identify what skills keep coming up.

Keep it specific

Be as precise as possible when listing your skills. Instead of saying “communication,” say “blog writing” or “public relations.” Instead of “organizational skills,” write “project management” or “event planning.”

Skip “soft skills”

When employers search on Handshake, they are using specific keywords, like Python, C++, HTML, and Spanish. They are looking for “hard skills”: abilities that can be defined and measured.

Remove obvious or irrelevant skills

Your skills section is for showing off the unique things you can bring to a job. So, don’t list “Microsoft Word” or “problem solving.” An employer will expect you to have those baseline abilities already.

Be honest

If you took a few units of French, don’t claim you are fluent! It will make for a very awkward interview. Be prepared to describe how you learned and used a skill—if you can’t do that, leave it off your profile.

Keep it up to date

Add skills as you gain new experience in leadership roles, internships, campus jobs, clubs, or complete technical certifications. Consider setting a calendar reminder at the end of each semester to update your profile.