How to Create a Problem-Solving Skills Resume

What are problem-solving skills?

Problem solving skills are a broad category of capabilities that help you identify, analyze, and conquer challenges. Nearly every job role needs these skills in some regard, such as a nurse resolving a dietary concern of a patient or an IT specialist troubleshooting a software issue.

Employers value these skills, aiming to build a strong team of problem solvers who can make complex decisions and contribute to better operational efficiency.

Different types of problem-solving skills

Let’s take a look at the most common types of problem-solving abilities to enhance your skills list and make your resume stand out.

Here are the top problem-solving capabilities:

• Analytical skills: The ability to examine data and processes and use analyzing software to solve business challenges.
• Critical thinking skills: Using objective logic to observe details, recognize patterns, and draw correlations.
• Decision-making skills: This involves considering multiple options and using logic and judgment to choose the most beneficial one.
• Creativity: Considering unique approaches to challenges and finding innovative solutions.
• Communication skills: This group of skills, including active listening, written and oral communication, and rapport building, help people discuss and execute solutions. 
• Collaboration: Teamwork and collaboration help people brainstorm and work together to consider new, effective solutions.
• Troubleshooting: Putting troubleshooting on resumes displays your ability to consider common issues, discover root causes, and execute the correct solution. 
• Research skills: This involves delving into a subject, uncovering useful insights, and properly leveraging them.
• Planning: Considering future circumstances mitigates and prevents potential problems.
• Determination: Grit and perseverance help people get through difficult problems and continue trying to find solutions.

Why do companies need employees with problem-solving skills?

Organizations encounter problems every day – even with highly skilled teams and streamlined processes. Unforeseen circumstances and events, like market shifts or injuries, can throw off your status quo and require immediate, effective action.

Potential employers want to see you have the skills to confront these issues and help find a satisfactory answer.

Beyond general need, some roles need problem solving skills specifically. For instance, IT customer service agents must walk customers through software issues and help them get back to enjoying the company’s product. Another example is a business analyst, who must study a company’s data, discover bottlenecks, and provide ideas to improve performance.

Hiring managers are always on the lookout for problem solving resumes to overcome these hurdles and build a stronger, more efficient organization.

Essential problem-solving skills by role

Here are a few common job positions that rely on problem-solving daily. If these apply to you, use them to learn more about your existing skill set; if not, use these examples to gain a better understanding of problem-solving and how it applies to you.

Let’s take a look at these popular problem-solving roles:

• Customer service representative: These professionals must actively listen to customers, understand their issue, find a resolution, and calmly walk them through it.
• IT customer support agent: Support agents need to translate and understand issues, and then provide a solution in laymen’s terms customers can understand.
• Business analyst: These people need to use visualization software to study and review company data, ideating solutions to company bottlenecks and improving revenue.
• Nurse: Healthcare professionals must work with people, using empathy and patience to make them comfortable through unique challenges.
• Project manager: These professionals must manage stakeholders, mediate difficulties between external and internal teams, and deliver complex projects despite delays.
• Software developer: Developers need to troubleshoot and debug computer issues while staying adaptable to changing technology and delivering projects on time.
• Accountant: Financial professionals must discover data discrepancies, consider effective tax strategies, and implement cost-saving tactics.

How to include problem-solving skills on a resume

There are many ways to discuss problem-solving skills, but the key is to learn how to say “problem solver” on resumes without directly saying it. Use unique phrases and terminology to accurately relay your qualifications and pique the recruiter’s interest.

However, the best way is to highlight your abilities through specific examples, achievements, and storytelling. The STAR method is perfect for this. 

The STAR method is used for both resumes and job interviews and stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. Here’s a breakdown:

• Situation: Describe the scenario and put the listening in your shoes.
• Task: Detail the challenge you faced or the responsibility you needed to tackle.
• Action: Discuss the action you took to overcome the issue. This is the perfect opportunity to let your problem solving skills shine.
• Result: Describe the result of your actions. It’s best to use impactful action language and measurable metrics to really show the effect.

It’s also a great idea to include any specific training, online courses, and awards related to problem solving. There are many professional programs that help reinforce and showcase these abilities. If they aren’t commonly known, be sure to include a link to the details of the course or award for more information.

Browse our extensive library of resume samples to see these best practices in action.

Showing problem-solving skills in different resume sections

You can reinforce your abilities and truly convey your value by adding problem-solving skills throughout your entire resume. We’ll start with the most obvious: the Skills section. 

Using our list above, choose the right problem solving abilities for your personal skill set and role, and the list the most relevant ones along with your other hard and soft skills. We recommend five to 10 total.

Now, let’s get creative. Start by adding your critical thinking and solution skills to your resume summary. It’s best to choose a powerful achievement rather than just stating the skill. Here’s an example:

Now, take this tactic and apply it to your Work Experience section. Describe problem-solving accomplishments in your bullet points to give the hiring manager tangible outcomes. Here’s an example:

We also recommend including custom sections, like Projects and Awards if you have any to showcase. Be sure to use a flexible resume template to accommodate your needs.

Tips for highlighting problem-solving skills

Let’s finish this guide with some quick tips and tricks. These do’s and don’ts summarize how to list problem-solving skills effectively, so keep it handy next time you’re updating your resume.

Here are our go-to strategies:

• Tailor each resume: Personalize every resume for the job you’re applying to. Study the job description for relevant keywords, including job title, skills, and responsibilities.
• Use action verbs: Add impact to each bullet point by starting them with an action verb, such as “Analyzed”, “Developed”, “Implemented”, or “Improved.”
• Quantify achievements: Use measurable metrics and numbers to give employers an idea of your impact on a company. Percentages are a popular choice, but it’s also effective to use the size of your team or the amount of calls you process.
• Use the right terms: It’s crucial to use the proper terminology for your industry so the hiring manager understands your skill set. For example, business analysts should use terms like “Data analysis,” and IT professionals should use “Troubleshooting” and “Debugging.” 
• Describe your skills: Don’t just state your skills – convey them through stories and achievements to help the recruiter fully understand.
• Use a template: The proper resume layout ensures your resume is easy to read, correctly structured, and professional.

“Employers value these skills, aiming to build a strong team of problem solvers that can make complex decisions and contribute to better operational efficiency.”

Impress recruiters with a problem-solving resume 

Show hiring managers you’re the candidate they’re looking for with an accurate problem-solving skills resume. Describe your achievements and awards, rather than just listing skills, and prove that you’re an invaluable addition to their collaborative team.

Let’s put your new know-how to the test. Jump into CVwizard’s resume maker and build a flexible, dynamic resume that reflects your skills and competencies. Endlessly edit, add to, and rearrange your resume, adding that extra personal touch to each application.