Core Competencies Definition Examples for a Resume

Core Competencies Definition Examples for a Resume Every serious company knows that gaining a sustainable competitive advantage is crucial to its long-term success.The first step to achieving this is identifying the companys core competencies.But what are they exactly?AndIs the concept of core competencies only applicable to companies, or can job-seekers make use of core competencies on their resumes?Youre about to find out what the answers are.This article will show you:How to define core competencies in the most comprehensible way.Core competencies examples at various companies and organizations.What the best core competencies for a resume are.A ready-to-use list of core competencies for any resume.The best core competencies resume examples.Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try our resume builder. Its fast and easy to use. Plus, youll get ready-made content to add with one click. See 20+ resume templates and create your resume here.Sample resume made with our builderSee more templates and create your resume here.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume nowWant to write a job-winning resume that highlights all your core competencies? Take a look at our guides:45 Best Resume Tips TricksAchievements in a ResumeResume Dos and Don'tsResume Format: Samples TemplatesResume Layout: 20+ TemplatesResume Sections Item OrderWhat to Put on a Resume1Core Competencies: Definition What They Really MeanLets start with answering the questionWhat are core competencies?Core competencies are a business concept first established by C.K. Prahalad and Gary Hamel in their 1990 article for Harvard Business Review. The authors define core competencies as a unique set of skills and resources that a company is able to utilize more effectively and efficiently than its market competitors.In a nutshell, core competencies are what makes a company stand out from the crowd.ButIts not enough to know the definition of core competencies.To be successful, a company must be able to pinpoint what its core competencies are.In their article, Prahalad and Hamel name three tests that can help companies identify their core competencies:A core competence should give the company access to many markets, not just one.A core competence should add value to the companys end product or service.A core competence must not be easy for competition to replicate.The question isCan a company have more than one core competence?Absolutely.In fact, the core should consist of several different competencies whose unique combination results in a truly synergistic effect thats very hard for copycats to imitate.NowThe concept of core competencies may have started as a management theory that only applied to businesses and organizations butIt made its way into other dimensions as well:The phrase core competencies is often used by job seekers. In the context of a resume, these refer to a candidate's key abi lities and are used synonymously with professional skills.In the next section, youll see examples of company core competencies. If you want to find out how to put core competencies on a resume, go to section three.Dont know how to organize your resume, or where to put the information on your core competencies? Read our guide: What Should a Resume Look Like in 2019? Best Examples 20+ Tips2How Companies Build Core CompetenciesExamplesHeres the thing:The world has changed a lot since core competencies were introduced. And, truth be told, a lot feels like an understatement.In factWere living in a completely different reality.Business models we now consider part and parcel of our everyday lives were the stuff of science-fiction back in the 1990s.Does this mean the concept of core competencies is out of date? That it no longer applies to todays volatile business reality?Nope.Heres a look at the examples of core competencies in three modern-day companies recognizable worldwide.Amazon Core CompetenciesJeff Bezos founded Amazon with a vision to create the earth's most customer-centric company, and he succeeded.How?By offering the customers extra value through the companys impressive distribution infrastructure, organization of logistics, and commitment to the highest standards of service.But thats not everythingAmazons business model is much more complex. The brand has established high global equity and market capitalization, as well as created an international network of affiliates to expand its market reach.PlusThe companys most crucial core competence is its flexibility in reconfiguring and reapplying resources, as well as a strong culture of innovation that led to developing its artificial intelligence capabilities.This unique mixture of core competencies gives Amazon a huge competitive advantage.Tesla Core CompetenciesTeslas mission is to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy.Such an ambitious mission proposes huge value to the entire humanity.I n fact, the company aspires to contribute to eliminating some of the biggest challenges of the modern world, such as climate change or reliance on fossil fuels.Tesla wants to achieve this by being a highly innovative technology company and a visionary car maker.Teslas core competencies consist of cutting-edge manufacturing processes, state-of-the-art electric powertrains, battery packs, and self-driving technology, all of which are extremely difficult to imitate by competitors.PlusThe companys organization and leadership encourage innovation, so Tesla has been taking advantage of other opportunities in the energy sector.Thanks to an inimitable set of core competencies, Tesla left the other automakers far behind in terms of the quality and user experience offered by its vehicles.Apple Core CompetenciesApple has built its strong position by constant questioning and effectively changing the status quo of technology over the past several decades.Lets just mention that its largely thanks to Apple that computers arent just business machines, that we have smartphones, and that music is distributed in a digital form.But how does Apple set itself apart from the competition?Here are Apples core competencies:For one thing, it managed to establish itself as a widely recognizable premium brand. In addition, it built an ecosystem of complementary products and services, as well as designed and set up its systems with rapid innovation in mind.Not to mention it has access to a constant flow of information about its users that helps the company plan and carry out its business strategy.All these core competencies give Apple a huge advantage and are hard (if not impossible) to imitate.NowThe question you might want to ask is:How are core competencies reflected in day-to-day operations of a company?Core competencies affect companies and organizations on multiple levels, but theyre most visible in human resource management.In essence, a company or an organization that wants to take full advantage of its core competencies looks for people who are aligned with its vision and mode of work. Simple as that.Organizations that heavily rely on public trust make no secret of what kind of core competencies they nurture and expect of its employees.For example, the FBI defines its core competencies as the categories of skills, abilities, and knowledge that all employees are expected to cultivate and use in their work.Here's a list of FBI core competencies:CollaborationCommunicationFlexibility and adaptabilityInitiativeInterpersonal skillsLeadership skillsOrganizational skillsProblem-solving skillsWith a clearly defined set of core competencies, the FBI recruiters know exactly what to look for in candidates as these exact traits make it possible for the organization to function in the most efficient and effective way.Pro Tip: Looking for a job with a federal agency? Learn how to make a job-winning federal resume.Just like the FBI identifies what core competencies it expec ts of its employees, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) outlines the core competencies it wants to instill in the physicians so they're great at what they do.Heres a list of ACGME core competencies:Interpersonal and communication skillsMedical knowledgePatient carePractice-based learning and improvementProfessionalismSystems-based practiceSimilarly, the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) has published a comprehensive list of core competencies for medical students.Heres a list of AAMC core competencies:Capacity for improvementCritical thinkingCultural competenceEthical responsibility to self and othersHuman behaviorLiving systemsOral communicationQuantitative reasoningReliability and dependabilityResilience and adaptabilityScientific inquiryService orientationSocial skillsTeamworkWritten communicationLikewise, the Council on Social Work Education has also defined the social work core competencies.Heres a list of CSWE social worker competenci es:Advancing human rights and social, economic, and environmental justiceEngagement, assessment, and intervening with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communitiesEngagement in diversity and differenceEngagement in practice-informed research and research-informed practiceEthical and professional behaviorAs a matter of factThe list with examples of core competencies could go on indefinitely, as every company and organization has its own unique set, and looks for people who fit its culture and values.This is exactly why its so crucial to identify with the values of the company youd like to work for.AndThats also why you need to know how to make the most of your core competencies on a resume, so that the recruiter sees youre a perfect fit.One way to display your core competencies to your prospective employer is by putting them in the limelight on a resume. Dont know how to write yours? Heres our guide: How to Make a Resume for a Job [from Application to Interview in 24h ]When making a resume in our builder, drag drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check. Start building your resume here.Create my resume nowWhen youre done, Zetys resume builder will score your resume and tell you exactly how to make it better.3Core CompetenciesResume ExamplesBefore we go any further, lets answer the questionWhat are core competencies on a resume?Its pretty simple:In the context of a resume, core competencies refer to your key skills to list on your resume.So obviouslyAll rules about putting skills on a resume are also applicable to listing core competencies.Since we have a detailed guide on resume skills, heres a quick rundown on how you can find the best core competencies for your resume.How to choose the best core competencies for a resume:Start with making your own master list of core competencies for a resume.Make sure the list includes all your hard skills and soft skills. If you find it difficult to create such a list, use our resume core competencies list to get inspired:Resume Core Competencies ListCommunication skillsComputer skillsConceptual skillsCreative thinking skillsCritical thinking skillsDecision-making skillsEmployability skillsInterpersonal skillsManagement skillsMarketing skillsOrganizational skillsProblem-solving skillsProject management skillsTeamwork skillsTechnical skillsTime management skillsTransferable skillsTake a good look at the job offer youve targeted, and identify what core competencies the employer expects of the candidates. Note down these core competencies.Go back to your original core competencies list, and see which ones your list and the job ad have in common.Found them? Great! These are the core competencies your resume should highlight.The next step is to strategically pepper your resume with core competencies.Where exactly to include them?Put some of your core competencies in your resume profile, resume job description, and core competencies sections.Pro Tip: On you r resume, the core competencies section could also be labeled as the key skills section.How to do this?Take a look at these project manager core competencies resume examples:Project Manager Core CompetenciesResume Summary ExampleAnalytically-minded and collaborative IT Project Manager with a background in finance and over 10 years of professional experience. Seeks to leverage leadership expertise in the role of Senior IT Project Manager with XYZ Inc. In a previous role grew revenue for a fintech startup by 200% in the first 10 months of employment.The highlights point at the core competencies identified in the original job posting for this position.Pro Tip: Make sure your resume goes past the ATS scan, and include the relevant resume keywords.Project Manager Core CompetenciesResume Bullet PointsLed design efforts for new and revised products, processes, systems, and technologies.Managed 5+ large-scope projects including defining the scope, design criteria, budgets, resource needs, a s well as project schedules.Coached and mentored 10+ junior engineering managers.Provided guidance on technical issues to other technical departments and cross-functional teams.Key achievement:Boosted team NPS by 48% by devising and implementing an incentive-based gamification system.AgainThe highlighted bits are the resume core competencies identified by the employer in the job offer.Pro Tip: If you want to make sure your resume has the most impact, always tailor your resume to the job offer.Project Manager Core CompetenciesResume Key Skills SectionAgile SoftwareBudgetingCommunicationCritical ThinkingFinancial ModellingForecastingLeadershipLean ThinkingMeeting FacilitationNegotiationPerformance TrackingProblem-SolvingProject SchedulingRisk AssessmentScrum ManagementStrategic PlanningSubject Matter ExpertiseTime ManagementRememberYour resume core competencies section should consist of up to 10 of your best skills, each of which you should be able to explain and justify by referencin g the relevant experience bullet points.If you're not replying to a job offer but sending a general resume, let the core competencies on your resume reflect those of the employer.In the world of job hunting, relevance is key.Pro Tip: Want to double your chances of getting a job? Learn how to write a cover letter that highlights all your core competencies.Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here.Here's what it may look like:See more cover letter templates and start writing.Key TakeawaysHeres all you need to remember about core competencies:Core competencies refer to a unique set of resources and skills that make a company exceptional.A core competence should allow a company to access many markets, add value to its end products or services, and be hard for competitors to imitate.A company can (or even should) have several core competencies. Not just one.Thanks to the concept of core competencies, companies can more easily identify the kind of candidates theyre looking for.When job-hunting, look out for the core competencies (or key skills) a given employer finds desirable.Make sure your resume is targeted and highlights the core competencies outlined in the job offer or the company's website.Do you have any more questions about business core competencies? Are you still not sure how to put your core competencies on a resume? Give us a shout out in the comments below. Always happy to help!