What are problem-solving skills?

Problem-solving skills refer to your ability to identify a problem and find a solution. The problem-solving process requires a variety of other skills to be effective. Here are some examples of different types of problem-solving skills and skills related to this ability:

Analysis

Analysis is the ability to quickly identify the cause of an issue. When you analyze your workflow, you can identify areas to improve. While some problems may not be glaring issues, being able to identify small inefficiencies in your workflow can help you perform well. Analysis is also critical when drafting work-related solutions, as a proper fix often requires a high level of planning.

Communication

Communication is your ability to quickly convey ideas to your coworkers. Because most occupations consist of working as a team, being able to communicate effectively helps you present yourself professionally and work more efficiently. Proper communication can help you solve problems that affect multiple teams within the company since it expedites the process of identifying an issue, finding a solution and implementing it.

Planning

Planning is the process of thinking of steps or activities to achieve a goal. While many problems in the workplace arise unannounced, some are foreseeable. Planning helps you handle issues before they become unmanageable. Planning also leads to success in other ways, such as preparing you for transitional periods in your employment.

Decision-making

Decision-making is the ability to quickly assess your options and determine the best solution. Having decision-making skills can help you solve work-related problems quickly. In some cases, it may save your employer time and money. Overall, having this skill can make you a valuable asset to your employer.

Creativity

Creativity lets you visualize problems and develop unique solutions that might not be apparent to everyone. Introducing solutions that other team members may not have considered can demonstrate your value to the company. Creative solutions may even save your employer time, money and energy, so it helps to mention your creativity on your resume or during the interview process.

Why do employers value problem-solving skills?

Problem-solving skills allow you to fix problems that might cost your employer time and money. From small issues of inefficiency to massive failures that halt production, being able to quickly identify a problem, develop a solution and implement it is a skill that can save your employer a lot of lost revenue. Going beyond revenue, problem-solving helps you work well with others. Being able to work through problems as a team rather than escalating them can help your employer appreciate your skills.Overall, most employers prefer to hire someone independent and capable of dealing with problems on their own. Even when an issue goes beyond the scope of your job description, being able to handle it quickly can demonstrate your value.

How to list problem-solving skills on a resume

Conveying your ability to solve problems on your resume may improve your candidacy. If you want to impress hiring managers, there are a few different approaches you can take. For example, when explaining your ability to problem solve, it helps to provide examples in addition to listing the skill on your resume. Here are a few ways you can highlight problem-solving skills on a resume:

1. Mention them in your work history section

When writing your work history, mention times when your problem-solving skills made a positive impact, such as saving the company time and money. Here is an example of what this might look like:Work HistoryJohnson Auto Makers
Production manager
January 2019-February 2020

• Identified inefficiencies in the factory layout and implemented solutions that drove a 10% increase in production
• Created employee seminars that resulted in a 20% decrease in HR complaints
• Oversaw a team of 50 employees

Including your problem-solving skills like this shows how you identified problems and developed solutions that increased the company’s overall efficiency and profits.

2. Include examples from your educational experiences

Most resumes include a section detailing your education. While it’s common for this section to only include details like school, year of graduation and GPA, this can be another area where you can introduce your problem-solving skills indirectly. Here is an example of how to include problem-solving skills under the education section on your resume:EducationBrookstone University
September 2010-June2014

• Captained the collegiate debate team and qualified for national competition despite losing team members
• Maintained a 3.5 GPA and consistently made the Dean’s list despite unforeseen campus closures

Real, concrete examples of how you’ve used your problem-solving skills can help you add more value to your resume than simply listing them under a skills section.

3. List skills that represent your problem-solving ability

Most resumes include a skills section. Instead of writing “problem-solving,” include the related skills that help you to solve problems effectively. Here’s an example of what this may look like:Skills

• Logical analysis
• Efficient communication
• In-depth organization
• Thoughtful planning