Writing a resume can feel like trying to win the lottery. You’re pouring your achievements onto paper, hoping a recruiter doesn’t just skim past and toss it in the “meh” pile.
But here’s a little secret: hiring managers aren’t looking for magic. They’re looking for skills. Real, measurable, relevant skills. And if your resume doesn’t scream, “Hey! I’ve got what you need!” in the first few seconds, it probably won’t get read at all.
According to Zety, recruiters spend just 6–8 seconds on average scanning a resume. Six seconds! That’s less time than it takes to microwave a snack. So how do you stand out? The answer lies in knowing exactly what skills employers are searching for, and showing them off in a way that’s clear, confident, and results-driven.
If you’re applying for jobs in Nigeria, Canada, or trying to break into international remote roles, your resume needs to speak the language of impact. And thanks to Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), it also needs the right keywords to even be seen. Tools like Jobscan and ResumeWorded help scan your CV against job descriptions so you’re not playing resume roulette.
Ready to find out what actually makes recruiters say, “Let’s interview this person”? Keep reading.
1. Communication Skills: More Than Just “Good English”
Saying “I have good communication skills” on your resume is like writing “I breathe air.” It’s expected but not impressive. What recruiters really want is evidence that you can write, speak, listen, and collaborate clearly in real work scenarios.
In fact, a LinkedIn report ranked communication as one of the most in-demand soft skills across industries and it’s not going away any time soon.
So, how do you show communication in action on your resume?
Don’t say: “Excellent verbal and written communication”
Do say: “Drafted weekly reports for executive team, leading to better cross-department updates”
Or: “Presented design strategy to client stakeholders, resulting in a 2-week project sign-off”
That second version doesn’t just tell me you can communicate. It shows me. And that’s the trick.
If you’ve ever led a meeting, written internal documentation, replied to difficult clients, or created a pitch deck, that’s communication. Use that. Be specific, and use tools like Teal’s Resume Builder to plug in the right phrasing and metrics.
And don’t forget to tailor! If the job post mentions “stakeholder engagement” or “presentation skills,” include those exact words. According to Indeed, customizing your resume with keywords gives you the best shot at passing ATS filters and catching a recruiter’s eye.
2. Problem-Solving: Your Hidden Superpower
Being a great problem-solver doesn’t always feel like a big deal until you write it down. But if you’ve ever fixed a broken process, figured out why something wasn’t working, or saved your team from a meltdown, congratulations, you’ve got one of the top most desirable skills across industries, according to the World Economic Forum.
But again, just writing “problem-solving” isn’t enough. Show it in action.
Don’t say: “Great at solving problems”
Do say: “Identified delays in client onboarding and redesigned process using Notion, cutting turnaround time by 35%”
Or: “Created automated follow-up system that reduced customer complaints by 40% in 2 months”
The best way to structure these examples? Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Not just for interviews, but directly on your resume bullets.
Here’s a quick template you can steal:
“[Action] [what you did] to [solve what problem], resulting in [measurable outcome].”
Employers don’t just want people who can do what they’re told. They want thinkers. Fixers. People who spot patterns and propose better ways to work. If you’re applying to roles in startups, nonprofits, or consulting. Problem-solving could be your golden ticket.
And if you’re not sure how strong your examples are? Tools like SkillSyncer or even ChatGPT can help you rephrase weak bullets into impactful ones.
3. Teamwork & Collaboration: Show You Can Play Well with Others
Employers don’t just hire skills, they hire people they can work with. Whether you’re applying to join a 3-person tech startup in Lagos or a government agency in Ottawa, your ability to collaborate is going to set you apart.
It’s no longer enough to say you’re a “team player.” That phrase is so worn out it’s basically invisible to recruiters. Instead, show how you’ve worked with others to achieve a shared goal across departments, functions, or even continents.
Don’t say: “Great team player”
Do say: “Collaborated with marketing and design teams to launch an Instagram campaign that reached 25,000+ users and increased conversions by 18%”
Or: “Worked closely with cross-cultural teams in Nigeria and Canada to align on project scope and deliverables for a fintech launch”
Remote work has made collaboration even more nuanced. According to Buffer’s State of Remote Work, communication and collaboration are two of the biggest challenges remote teams face. So if you’ve used platforms like Slack, Notion, Zoom, ClickUp, or Trello to keep things moving, mention that.
You can even drop in a tool-specific phrase like:
“Facilitated weekly retros on Slack and tracked team KPIs using Trello”
Not only does this show your ability to collaborate, it also ticks the ATS-friendly keyword box.
4. Adaptability: The Skill That Kept Everyone Sane During COVID
Life doesn’t always go as planned and employers want to know if you can handle the curveballs. That’s where adaptability comes in.
Especially post-pandemic, recruiters are searching for people who can pivot, learn fast, and stay calm when priorities shift. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report, adaptability (or “resilience, flexibility, and agility”) is among the top 10 skills for 2025.
So how do you prove it on your resume?
Don’t say: “Adaptable to change”
Do say: “Shifted to fully remote workflow in 48 hours, adopting Zoom and Asana to manage a team of 5 across 2 time zones”
Or: “Volunteered to lead onboarding for new hires when HR lead went on leave, helping 3 staff settle in without delay”
If you switched careers, changed industries, or picked up new skills like Canva, Python, or Salesforce in a short time, that’s gold. Highlight it.
In Canada especially, immigrant jobseekers are expected to show that they can adapt to a new workplace culture quickly. Your resume can be your first proof of that, especially if you tailor it using Job Bank Canada’s resume resources.
5. Leadership: No Title Required
Too many people think “leadership” means you have to be a manager or director. Nope. Some of the strongest leaders are team leads, interns, or volunteers who step up when it counts.
So how do you show leadership without the fancy job title? You talk about initiative, mentorship, and impact.
Don’t say: “Strong leadership abilities”
Do say: “Spearheaded a peer-learning group that helped junior staff improve client communication, resulting in fewer escalations”
Or: “Volunteered to lead training for new hires on CRM tools, reducing onboarding time by 30%”
The Harvard Business Review notes that effective leadership is more about empathy, emotional intelligence, and performance, not ego. If you’ve taken initiative to solve a team problem, improve morale, or coach someone you’re already leading.
And if you’re in a nonprofit, church group, community initiative, or student club? Don’t downplay it. Employers care how you lead, not just where you lead.
6. Time Management: Do You Actually Get Stuff Done?
You know what scares recruiters? People who say “I’m a multitasker” but can’t meet a single deadline. That’s why time management is more than a buzzword, it’s a trust factor.
Hiring managers want to know you can juggle tasks, manage your calendar, and prioritize the right things. Especially in roles where autonomy is key (like remote jobs, project-based gigs, or marketing roles).
Don’t say: “Strong time management skills”
Do say: “Managed 6 client accounts simultaneously while meeting 100% of deadlines for 12 months straight”
Or: “Used Notion to organize and deliver 20+ monthly blog posts ahead of schedule while coordinating with 3 content contributors”
Time management also means using the right tools. If you’re into digital productivity, mention platforms like ClickUp, Todoist, or even good old Google Calendar. It gives recruiters a mental picture of how you actually work.
Also, the way you format your resume shows time awareness. A clean, well-structured resume without fluff? That’s someone who respects time, theirs and the reader’s.
7. Technical or Industry-Specific Skills: Speak the Language of Your Field
Soft skills are great but if your resume doesn’t show that you can actually do the job, it won’t matter how “adaptable” or “collaborative” you are. Employers want proof that you have the hard skills or technical chops their business runs on.
And this doesn’t only apply to tech bros and software engineers. Whether you’re a graphic designer, sales executive, data analyst, project manager, digital marketer, or teacher, there are industry-specific tools, platforms, and methodologies you need to speak to directly.
So how do you show these skills without sounding robotic?
Don’t say: “Skilled in software”
Do say: “Designed 12+ digital campaigns using Canva and Buffer to grow Instagram reach by 60%”
Or: “Analyzed customer trends using Excel PivotTables and Tableau dashboards to inform product strategy”
If you’re a jobseeker in Canada, don’t assume recruiters will know what Nigerian tools or certifications mean. Be specific. Translate your experience to match Canadian workplace tools and terminology. Talent.com offers a great breakdown of in-demand job-specific skills across Canada.
Use the job description as a cheat sheet. If they mention “HubSpot,” “Agile,” “Photoshop,” “Python,” or “QuickBooks,” and you’ve used it, mention it. You’ll not only match the ATS filters, but also send a subconscious “I speak your language” signal to the hiring team.
Format Your Skills for Maximum Visibility
Now that you’ve got the skills and the right words, let’s make sure they don’t get buried.
- Place your most relevant skills near the top. That means your Professional Summary or the first 2–3 bullet points in each role should include keywords like “collaborated,” “launched,” “led,” “streamlined,” or “analyzed.”
- Use a dedicated Skills section — but don’t just list 30 tools like you’re showing off a tech stack. Group them into categories (e.g., Design Tools, CRM Platforms, Data Analysis) for easier scanning.
- And yes, numbers still matter. Wherever possible, quantify your impact:
“Reduced customer churn by 25%”
“Trained 20+ team members in 3 months”
“Managed budgets up to ₦5M” or “$10K monthly spend on Meta ads”
Tools like Enhancv and Kickresume can help you format a modern, visually appealing resume without losing the keywords that matter.
Make Your Resume a Mirror of What Employers Want
Recruiters aren’t searching for perfection, they’re searching for alignment.
When your resume reflects the exact skills an employer is looking for, in the right words, with measurable impact, you instantly rise above the noise. You’re not just another applicant, you’re a problem solver, communicator, time manager, leader, and doer. And you’ve got receipts.
So here’s your new plan:
- Ditch vague fluff and show proof
- Use tools like Jobscan, Teal, or Resumeworded to tailor your application
- Speak the employer’s language, especially if you’re navigating cross-market job hunts (Nigeria → Canada? You’ve got this.)
And if you’re stuck on how to start or feel your resume still sounds “just okay,” Anutio’s career experts can help you rewrite it with clarity, confidence, and Canadian compliance. We know what employers want and we help you say it right.
Ready to transform your resume into a job magnet? Reach out to Anutio today and let’s get you that callback.
