Digital Fluency, Technical & Soft Skills
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1. Digital Fluency & Technical Skills
(Specificity is Key)
- Employers are not looking for generalists; they want to know exactly which software you can use on Day 1.
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Move Beyond the Basics: Don't
just say "Microsoft Office." Assume the
recruiter knows you use email and a word
processor. Instead, create distinct categories
for your technical expertise:
- Data & Analytics: Google Analytics, Excel (Advanced), Tableau, Python (for data processing), SQL.
- Creative/Design: Figma, Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator, Canva.
- Project Management: JIRA, Trello, Asana, Slack.
- Marketing/SEO: SEMrush, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Hootsuite.
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Embrace AI & Automation
Literacy:
This is your emerging superpower. Frame your use
of AI tools as a method for boosting efficiency
and output.
- Example 1 (Research): "Utilized AI-assisted research tools to cut market analysis time by 25%."
- Example 2 (Workflow): "Developed an AI-Assisted Workflow using ChatGPT/Bard to draft, edit, and optimize content outlines, improving team output."
- Keywords to Use: Prompt Engineering, Generative AI, Data Visualization, Automation Tools.
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2. Prioritize Soft Skills with Context (Prove the
Value)
- Gen Z is recognized for adaptability and a strong sense of purpose. Always demonstrate how you used a soft skill, rather than just listing it.
- Pro-Tip on Soft Skills: The best place to feature these skills is not just in a bulleted skills list (which the ATS sometimes ignores). Instead, integrate these keywords naturally into your "Experience" and "Projects" sections.
Soft Skills in Action: Examples & Keywords
| Soft Skill to Highlight | Keywords to Use | Example of Context (In Bullet Point) |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | Cross-Functional Collaboration, Stakeholder Management, Client-Facing | Facilitated cross-functional collaboration between design and marketing teams to deliver campaigns on time. |
| Adaptability | Agile Environment, Ambiguity, Rapid Prototyping, Startup Environment | Thrived in a fast-paced startup environment, pivoting project scope three times based on real-time user feedback. |
| Problem-Solving | Critical Thinking Under Pressure, Conflict Resolution, Root Cause Analysis | Resolved 15+ daily customer disputes by employing critical thinking to identify product issues and restore trust. |
| Time Management | Project Prioritization, Deadlines, Resource Allocation | Managed a six-week, multi-stage project, consistently meeting all deadlines by utilizing Trello for task prioritization. |