How do you balance your technical and behavioral competencies on your resume?

1 Identify the key competencies

The first step is to identify the key competencies that the employer is looking for in the job description and the person specification. These are the skills, knowledge, and attributes that are essential or desirable for the role. You can also research the company culture, values, and goals to get a sense of what kind of behaviors they expect from their employees. Make a list of the most relevant competencies for the position and rank them according to their importance.

2 Choose a resume format

The next step is to choose a resume format that highlights your competencies and matches the employer's expectations. There are different types of competency based resume formats, such as functional, hybrid, or STAR. A functional resume organizes your skills and achievements into categories, such as communication, teamwork, or problem-solving. A hybrid resume combines a functional summary with a chronological work history. A STAR resume uses the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to describe your accomplishments and demonstrate your competencies. Choose the format that best suits your experience level, career goals, and industry.

3 Write your resume sections

The third step is to write your resume sections, such as summary, skills, work experience, education, and achievements. For each section, use clear and concise language, action verbs, and keywords that match the competencies you identified. For example, in your summary, you can highlight your main technical and behavioral competencies and how they add value to the employer. In your skills section, you can list your technical skills, such as software, tools, or languages, and your behavioral skills, such as leadership, communication, or creativity. In your work experience section, you can use the STAR method to provide specific examples of how you applied your competencies in different contexts and situations. In your education section, you can mention any relevant courses, certificates, or degrees that demonstrate your technical or behavioral competencies. In your achievements section, you can showcase any awards, recognitions, or projects that highlight your competencies and results.

4 Review and edit your resume

The final step is to review and edit your resume to make sure it is clear, concise, and error-free. You can use online tools, such as grammar checkers, spell checkers, or resume scanners, to help you with this process. You can also ask someone else, such as a friend, a mentor, or a professional resume writer, to give you feedback and suggestions. Make sure your resume is tailored to the specific job and employer you are applying for, and that it showcases your technical and behavioral competencies in a balanced and effective way.