Have you ever felt like you are missing something in your job applications, even when your skills seem to check all the boxes? You are not alone.
Many job seekers find that, despite having the right experience, they often do not get even an interview. While technical skills and work experience are essential, many hiring managers look beyond these qualifications.
Flagstaff employers look beyond qualifications to find team members who truly fit their culture. They seek candidates who understand what working in this community means – from embracing its seasonal nature to understanding the community’s needs. To help you stand out in your job search, let us explore what employers really look for when reviewing resumes.
What Employers Want When Reviewing a Candidate’s Resume
Here’s how you can showcase the key traits employers want on your resume to land the right opportunities.
1. Demonstrate Problem Solving Skills
Employers, especially in close-knit communities like Flagstaff, value candidates who show they have critical thinking skills, can solve problems independently, and add immediate value. Each employee’s ability to tackle challenges head-on can make a noticeable impact, especially in smaller teams.
However, highlighting when you highlight that you can solve problems, you are not just listing achievements on your resume, but showing how you approached and overcame specific issues.
For instance, if you have led or contributed to projects requiring creative solutions, include briefly mentioning these experiences. This could be as simple as noting how you handled a customer service escalation or streamlined a previously bottlenecked process.
If you work in a professional role, describe an instance where you reduced project costs or improved workflow efficiencies. A hiring manager will likely recognize the value in a candidate who can be resourceful and proactive—leadership skills that are essential in a tight-knit team where each member’s actions matter.
Also, instead of a general statement about resolving issues, mention specific outcomes, such as: “Reduced processing time by 20 percent by identifying and eliminating redundancies.” This helps employers see the tangible difference you can make.
2. Highlight Adaptability
Adaptability is the ability to effectively adjust to new conditions, challenges, or changes in the environment. According to the Society for Human Resources (SHRM), 60 percent of U.S. employers consider adaptability essential in today’s workplace, especially in roles where demands often change.1
This quality is particularly valuable in Flagstaff, where business activity changes with the University schedule and tourist seasons.
For example, if you have worked in customer service during busy seasons, managed changing priorities, or helped your team navigate hectic periods, these experiences show that you can adapt when needed. The key is to describe these situations clearly on your resume. Consider highlighting times when you:
- Learned new skills to help your team
- Handled seasonal rushes successfully
- Took on different responsibilities as needed
- Worked effectively with diverse groups of people
Use action-oriented language that reflects flexibility, such as “Adapted to new project software,” or “Took on additional responsibilities to support team changes.” This language shows you are skilled and quick to respond to business needs as necessary.
3. Show You are a Good Team Fit
Hard skills can be taught, but attitude and work ethic make someone a true team player. When employers review resumes, they look for signs that you can work well with their existing team and care about the same things they do.
You can demonstrate this fit on your resume through your community involvement and volunteer work, which shows what you care about. For example, if you volunteered at the local food bank, mention how you coordinated with other volunteers to serve hundreds of meals, showing your commitment to the community and ability to work as part of a team.
The language you use matters too. Look at the company’s job posting and website. Do they emphasize teamwork? Community service? Use similar terms in your resume to show you share these priorities.
Remember, Flagstaff businesses often seek people who understand and appreciate the local community. Whether you have participated in winter festivals or helped with trail maintenance, these experiences can show you fit right in with a company’s culture.
4. Showcase Communication Skills
Technical skills might get you noticed, but your ability to work well with others makes you stand out. Research shows 81 percent of HR professionals prioritize employee morale and team dynamics when hiring.2 Moreover, workers who do not fit well with their team’s culture are twice as likely to leave within a year.
Employers highly value soft skills like communication, emotional intelligence, teamwork, and reliability. Think about times when you helped create a positive work environment. Maybe you were the person who helped resolve conflicts between departments or the team member others counted on during stressful situations.
These experiences matter because they show you can build strong working relationships – something that is just as valuable as your technical abilities.
When describing these skills on your resume, focus on real examples. Instead of just saying you are a “team player,” share when you coordinated with different departments to complete a project on time. You could write something like, “Ensured smooth handovers by supporting communication across shifts, contributing to a 25 percent boost in team productivity.”
Hiring managers will appreciate examples demonstrating your ability to enhance team dynamics. Your resume should show potential employers that you can do the job well and help maintain a positive workplace.
5. Display Proactivity and a Growth Mindset
While skills matter, your attitude toward learning and growth can set you apart. Research shows that while over 90 percent of HR professionals value employees who focus on developing their skills, only 15 percent place high importance on credentials alone when considering candidates.3
This means showing initiative and eagerness to learn could make you more attractive than candidates who just list certifications.
On your resume, highlight how you have shown initiative in past roles. Did you take extra training to improve your skills? Did you learn a new software system to help your team work better? Or maybe you spotted a problem and suggested a solution before anyone asked? These examples show you look for ways to improve and grow.
Instead of just saying you “completed training,” mention: “Earned a customer service certification to better assist Spanish-speaking clients.” Or if you learned new skills, explain how they helped your team: “Learned new scheduling software that reduced booking errors by half.” Adding these details shows you are looking for ways to develop your skill and make meaningful contributions.
Related Reading: Maximizing the Value of Employee Performance Reviews: How to Use Feedback for Career and Skill Development
Ready to make your resume stand out? Let’s work together!
At Performance Staffing, we have years of experience connecting candidates in Arizona with the right roles and know what local employers prioritize. We are here to help you create a resume that highlights your unique qualities, making you a strong contender for the best opportunities in town.
Reach out to us for a personalized resume review and job search guidance. With our tailored insights and expert guidance, you will be well-positioned for your next big opportunity!
References
- Talent scarcity, skills gap challenge recruiting. 12 April 2024. Society for Human Resource Management. https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/talent-acquisition/talent-scarcity-skills-gaps-challenge-recruiting
- Gurchiek, Kathy. “SHRM Research Delves Into State of the Workplace.” SHRM, 21 June 2024, www.shrm.org/mena/topics-tools/news/research-state-of-workplace-report-inflation-talent.
- Making the Case for Skills-First Hiring and Advancement to Hiring Professionals. SHRM Foundation, www.shrm.org/content/dam/en/shrm/foundation/cpr-240355-foundationreport-makingthecaseforskills-firsthiring-r4-1.pdf. Accessed 28 Oct. 2024.
