resume examples organizational skills

25 Organizational Skills with 125 Example Phrases for a Resume

By Status.net Editorial Team on February 21, 2024 — 13 minutes to read

Organizational skills are a set of abilities that help you to plan, prioritize, and execute your work efficiently. You usually use these skills to manage your time, complete tasks, and achieve your goals.

Crafting a standout resume requires more than just listing your job experience and education, but also highlighting your skills in a way that catches the eye of potential employers. Organizational skills are among the most sought-after by hiring managers, because they are indicative of a candidate who can manage responsibilities effectively and maintain productivity.

In this article, we delve into various types of organizational skills that can enhance your professional profile. We also provide you with a selection of example phrases that you can tailor to fit your experiences and achievements, helping you to present yourself as the organized, detail-oriented professional that companies are eager to hire.

Time Management

Effective time management means handling your tasks efficiently to maximize productivity. Mastering this skill can set you apart in the workplace, showcasing your ability to meet objectives effectively.

1. Prioritizing Tasks

Prioritizing tasks includes your ability to identify what needs your immediate attention and what can wait: this ensures that you focus on tasks according to their importance and urgency.

Example Phrases:

• Managed multiple projects by establishing clear priorities and objectives
• Analyzed workload and identified high-priority tasks for immediate action
• Reorganized to-do list daily based on project demands and urgency
• Prioritized client needs to ensure top-tier service and retention
• Executed high-impact tasks first to maximize effectiveness and results

Scheduling and Planning

Creating a plan or schedule allows you to allocate specific time slots to tasks, ensuring that you stay organized and on track.

• Designed a weekly schedule optimizing time for key projects and tasks
• Planned monthly goals and broken them down into weekly objectives
• Allocated time for research and analysis to support data-driven decisions
• Established structured daily routines to enhance productivity and focus
• Utilized digital planning tools to manage and adjust schedules effectively

Deadline Orientation

Your ability to consistently meet deadlines demonstrates reliability and efficiency.

• Delivered all assigned projects ahead of deadline with time for review
• Monitored project timelines and made necessary modifications to stay on track
• Managed strict deadlines while maintaining high-quality output
• Coordinated with team to ensure collaborative tasks met joint deadlines
• Implemented deadline buffers to account for unforeseen delays

Communication Skills

Active listening.

Active listening means fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and then remembering what is being said in a conversation. It shows respect and encourages mutual understanding.

• Achieved a 30% increase in team efficiency by attentively listening and addressing individual concerns.
• Regularly led team meetings with a focus on hearing all opinions, ensuring inclusive decision-making.
• Enhanced customer satisfaction by 25% through attentive service and promptly addressing inquiries.
• Cultivated strong relationships with international partners by listening to feedback and adapting strategies accordingly.
• Implemented a successful project by carefully assimilating client specifications during initial briefings.

Clear Writing

Clear writing means your written communication is straightforward and easy to understand, without ambiguity or complexity. It’s important to get your point across with minimal confusion.

• Drafted a comprehensive 50-page report that streamlined the company’s onboarding process.
• Consistently produced clear and concise monthly newsletters, improving client engagement by 20%.
• Created detailed project documentation that facilitated a seamless transition during staff turnover.
• Authored a successful proposal that secured a high-value contract with a new client.
• Developed efficient email communication templates, reducing response time to client queries.

Effective Speaking

Effective speaking is about articulating your thoughts in a clear, concise, and convincing manner. It’s important for presentations, meetings, and daily interactions.

• Led quarterly presentations that contributed to a 15% uptick in team productivity.
• Regularly commended for engaging and persuasive client pitches, resulting in increased sales numbers.
• Provided clear instructions and explanations during training sessions, enhancing team skills comprehensively.
• Orchestrated a keynote speech at a major industry event, receiving outstanding feedback for clarity and delivery.
• Championed a departmental change by persuasively articulating the benefits, ensuring smooth adoption by all team members.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Success in the workplace often depends on your ability to work effectively with others. Your resume should showcase examples of your teamwork and collaboration skills, highlighting your ability to delegate, resolve conflicts, and adopt a cooperative mindset.

When you delegate tasks, you’re not just offloading work; you’re entrusting a project or a responsibility to a colleague, which shows trust in their abilities.

For example, you might have been responsible for a major project and assigned specific aspects to team members based on their strengths.

• Delegated project tasks to a team of 5, enhancing efficiency and focus on individual strengths.
• Coordinated with cross-functional departments to streamline project delegation and execution.
• Implemented a task delegation system to optimize team productivity and project timelines.
• Entrusted critical research tasks to junior team members, fostering skill development and confidence.
• Simplified complex projects by effective delegation, ensuring timely and successful completion.

Conflict Resolution

Demonstrating your ability to navigate and resolve disagreements at work can make you an invaluable team member. Include specific examples where you’ve mediated between conflicting parties or found solutions to issues that satisfied all involved.

• Resolved a four-month ongoing dispute between departments, resulting in a collaborative solution.
• Mediated conflict between team members, leading to improved communication and work relationships.
• Facilitated a workshop on conflict resolution that decreased team disputes by 30%.
• Implemented a feedback mechanism that addressed and resolved interpersonal conflicts swiftly.
• Constructed a step-by-step guide for peers to manage and resolve small-scale conflicts independently.

Cooperative Mindset

Possessing a cooperative mindset means you approach tasks with the intention to collaborate and achieve shared goals.

Your examples might include situations where you compromised or initiated joint efforts for the betterment of the team’s objectives.

• Volunteered to assist with colleagues’ projects to balance team workloads and meet deadlines.
• Contributed to the development of a team charter that promoted a cooperative work environment.
• Co-developed a new onboarding process with HR to improve team integration and productivity.
• Organized monthly team-building exercises to enhance cohesiveness and a cooperative mindset.
• Collaborated with a team of six to merge diverse ideas into a successful marketing campaign strategy.

Problem-Solving Skills

Effective problem-solving skills enable you to address challenges quickly and efficiently, increasing your value as an employee. Below, you’ll find what you need to know about three key aspects of problem-solving.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking means analyzing facts to understand a problem thoroughly before attempting to solve it. You look at all angles of a situation before coming to a conclusion.

• Analyzed user feedback to identify pain points and implemented a new feature that improved customer satisfaction by 20%.
• Conducted a comprehensive review of workplace safety protocols to identify redundancies, leading to a 15% reduction in procedural errors.
• Assessed market trends to reposition the product, resulting in a 10% increase in market share.
• Mapped out possible outcomes of a project risk, which allowed for preemptive mitigation strategies.
• Monitored competitor strategies and performed a gap analysis to identify opportunities for growth.

Decision Making

Decision making means selecting the best course of action from several alternatives. It’s important for you to show how you use judgment to make sound decisions.

• Evaluated vendor proposals to select the most cost-effective solution, saving the company $50,000 annually.
• Chose the optimal software tools for team collaboration that increased productivity by 25%.
• Implemented a prioritization system for projects that improved team efficiency and cut down turnaround time by 30%.
• Decided on a new customer relationship management system that increased client retention rates by 18%.
• Selected a more sustainable supply chain model that reduced environmental impact and operational costs by 12%.

Adaptability

Adaptability means adjusting rapidly and efficiently in response to changing conditions. Employers value team members who can pivot and continue with their tasks, even under pressure.

• Quickly learned new software to maintain productivity after a company-wide system update.
• Adapted sales strategies in response to new market conditions, leading to a steady growth in sales by 5% quarterly.
• Reorganized a project team’s roles to accommodate an unexpected departure, ensuring an on-time project completion.
• Revised the content strategy in response to algorithm changes, resulting in a 30% increase in web traffic.
• Shifted to remote work seamlessly during a health crisis, maintaining 100% client service levels.

Project Management

Project Management skills help you oversee projects from conception to completion, ensuring goals are met while managing resources effectively. Explore how these skills can enhance your resume.

Goal Setting

You need to be able to establish clear, achievable objectives to steer your project in the right direction. A well-defined goal gives your project a purpose and sets the stage for success.

• Designed project plans with clear milestones to meet the company’s annual goals
• Established SMART objectives to improve team productivity by 20%
• Created a vision for project outcomes that aligned with client expectations
• Defined the scope and deliverables for a multi-departmental project initiative
• Implemented goal-setting strategies to streamline workflow and optimize project timelines

Resource Allocation

Efficient use of resources is key to project success. You allocate time, budget, and manpower where they’re most effective, ensuring the project stays on track.

• Allocated a $50k budget to maximize project efficiency without overspending
• Distributed tasks among team members based on individual strengths and schedules
• Negotiated with vendors for cost-effective resources, reducing project expenses by 15%
• Managed resource schedules to prevent bottlenecks in project execution
• Balanced human and technical resources to meet project milestones ahead of schedule

Progress Tracking

You are responsible for monitoring the project’s advancement to ensure it remains on schedule and within budget. You can adapt to changing circumstances to keep everything moving forward smoothly.

• Monitored daily progress against project schedule to preempt potential delays
• Implemented a real-time tracking system that improved reporting accuracy
• Conducted weekly review meetings to address project challenges promptly
• Updated project stakeholders on progress with detailed performance dashboards
• Measured project outcomes against initial goals to assess overall success

Attention to Detail

Having strong attention to detail means you’re thorough in accomplishing tasks with a high degree of accuracy. Employers value this skill because it can minimize errors and improve the quality of work.

When crafting your resume, highlight specific instances where your ability to notice the finer points made a tangible difference.

For example, if you’re in charge of quality control, attention to detail ensures products meet industry standards and customer expectations.

In administrative roles, your meticulous nature might prevent data entry mistakes that could lead to significant issues down the line.

In customer service, being detail-oriented helps you personalize interactions and resolve issues effectively.

To showcase this skill on your resume, consider including phrases that capture your proficiency:

• Managed a complex client database with 99.9% accuracy over a 12-month period.
• Conducted detailed market analysis leading to a 10% reduction in operating costs.
• Identified and rectified 150+ data entry errors, boosting overall data integrity.
• Spearheaded an error-free event plan for 200+ attendees, including logistics and scheduling.
• Proofread and edited company-wide correspondence, ensuring zero mistakes in internal and external communications.

Technical Skills

Proficiency in relevant software.

Your ability to navigate and utilize industry-specific software demonstrates that you can hit the ground running.

• Expert in Adobe Creative Suite for graphic design tasks
• Skilled in Microsoft SharePoint for effective team collaboration
• Competent in Salesforce for customer relationship management
• Familiarity with AutoCAD for drafting engineering plans
• Proficient in WordPress for managing and creating content online

Data Analysis

Being able to interpret and make decisions based on data is a highly sought-after skill.

• Experience in using SPSS and SAS for statistical analysis
• Leveraging Excel for complex data manipulation and visual reports
• Comfortable with SQL for database querying and management
• Skilled at Tableau for creating data visualizations
• Proficient in Google Analytics for web traffic and SEO analysis

Technical Writing

Your capacity to convey technical information in an understandable way is invaluable.

• Developed user manuals and FAQs for SaaS products
• Wrote technical documentation and API guides
• Drafted clear and concise technical reports for senior management
• Created instructional content for internal training programs
• Translated complex procedures into user-friendly instructions for clients

Personal Organization

Personal organization is about maintaining order in your professional life, which can significantly enhance your productivity. Let’s explore how you can showcase this skill on your resume.

Workspace Organization

Maintaining a tidy and efficient workspace allows you to work effectively and swiftly locate necessary items.

• Created an ergonomic and clutter-free work environment that boosted daily productivity.
• Devised a desktop organization system that reduced time spent searching for files by 30%.
• Implemented digital desktop shortcuts and toolbars for quick access to frequently used programs.
• Maintained a clean and organized physical workspace to facilitate fast execution of tasks.
• Designed and adhered to a personal desk filing system, streamlining the workflow.

Time Blocking

Time blocking means dedicating specific blocks of time to certain tasks, which can help you manage your time more effectively. In your resume you could include examples like:

• Utilized time blocking to prioritize and accomplish tasks, resulting in a 20% increase in daily efficiency.
• Scheduled distinct blocks for deep-focus tasks, enhancing concentration and output quality.
• Allocated time blocks for administrative duties, optimizing time management and reducing overtime.
• Divided workday into creative and analytical time blocks to capitalize on peak performance periods.
• Employed strict time blocking techniques to ensure on-time completion of projects.

Filing Systems

A good filing system helps you retrieve documents swiftly and keep track of important paperwork. On your resume, clarify how you’ve implemented this by saying:

• Established an alphabetical filing system that improved document retrieval times.
• Constructed a color-coded filing system for easy identification of project-related documents.
• Developed a digital filing system with precise naming conventions to expedite file searches.
• Implemented a systematic approach to maintaining both digital and physical client files.
• Designed a cross-referenced filing system to ensure no document is misplaced or lost.

Leadership Skills

Vision setting.

• Defined strategic direction and set clear objectives for the team to enhance company growth.
• Developed and communicated a compelling vision, leading to the successful launch of a new product line.
• Translated company targets into actionable plans that improved team performance by 20%.
• Established clear milestones to guide project execution, resulting in consistent on-time delivery.
• Crafted and instituted a long-term growth strategy that expanded the business into three new markets.
• Inspired team members to exceed performance goals through effective encouragement and recognition.
• Launched a rewards system to increase employee engagement and reduce turnover by 15%.
• Drove a culture of continuous improvement, elevating team productivity by fostering a competitive yet collaborative environment.
• Encouraged creative problem-solving, leading to a 30% increase in innovation-driven initiatives.
• Championed a team-oriented atmosphere that boosted morale and accelerated project completion rates.

Feedback Delivery

Effective feedback is a cornerstone of continuous improvement and strong leadership. Your capacity to deliver constructive criticism in a way that promotes growth and development can be reflected through phrases like:

• Implemented a comprehensive feedback system that resulted in a 25% increase in team efficiency.
• Cultivated an open feedback culture where employees felt comfortable sharing ideas, enhancing creative collaboration.
• Delivered regular performance reviews that focused on development opportunities, reducing skill gaps within the team.
• Provided actionable feedback that led to a marked improvement in the quality of customer service.
• Guided underperforming team members to success with targeted feedback and personalized coaching plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

What examples can demonstrate strong organizational skills on a resume.

You can show strong organizational skills on your resume by listing specific responsibilities such as coordinating projects, managing schedules, or overseeing inventory. Including achievements like improving filing system efficiency or successfully managing multiple deadlines also highlights these skills.

How can students showcase their organizational skills?

Students can display their organizational capabilities by mentioning roles in student organizations, detailing event planning, project management in group assignments, or time management skills in balancing coursework and extracurricular activities.

In what ways can you describe your organizational skills during an interview?

During an interview, describe your organizational skills with concrete examples. You might talk about how you prioritize tasks, use digital tools for calendar management, or deploy specific strategies to streamline workflows.

Can you provide a sample of how to include organizational experience in a cover letter?

You can include organizational experience in your cover letter by briefly mentioning a scenario where your organizational skills had a positive impact, such as leading a team project to completion under a tight deadline due to your systematic approach to delegation and time management.

What are some alternative terms for ‘strong organizational skills’ that can be used on a resume?

Instead of the phrase “strong organizational skills,” consider using terms like “time management,” “project coordination,” “detail-oriented,” “efficiency optimization,” or “resource management” to describe this skill set on your resume.

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How to List Organizational Skills On a Resume (W/ Examples)

In 2024, organizational skills are very in-demand on the job market, which makes them an asset no matter your profession.

First and foremost, organizational skills can improve your productivity by allowing you to manage your time and resources efficiently.

This helps you perform better at work, improves your chances of getting a promotion, and even opens up a shot at getting a managerial position!

So, if you have organizational skills, you definitely want to highlight them

in your resume. 

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about organizational skills, including:

• What Are Organizational Skills and Why Are They Important?
• 10 Organizational Skills to Add to Your Resume
• How to Highlight Your Organizational Skills on Your Resume

How to Improve Your Organizational Skills

And more! Let’s dive right in.

What Are Organizational Skills?

Organizational skills are a set of soft skills that help you keep track of information, materials, and even your time in such a way that you can tackle short and long-term tasks efficiently and solve problems more effectively. 

Organizational skills can be categorized into internal and external organizational skills . 

Internal organizational skills involve being mentally capable of analyzing complex situations and thinking of solutions (e.g. goal setting, decision making, strategic planning, etc.). 

External organizational skills , on the other hand, refer to your work methods and how you collaborate with others (e.g. documentation, prioritization, delegation, etc.). 

This means that organizational skills are multi-faceted. In practice, they include: 

• Building structure in your personal and professional life
• Setting goals and prioritizing them based on an action plan
• Managing your time, tasks, materials, and schedule
• Allocating resources and delegating tasks based on their priority

Although organizational skills are important for all aspects of one’s life, they’re particularly handy for your professional life and career.

Let us tell you why that is: 

Why Are Organizational Skills Important?

First and foremost, organizational skills are important because they can improve your employability. 

According to a LinkedIn Global Talent Trends study , 80% of talent professionals say soft skills are increasingly important to company success. And, in 2024, organizational skills are among the most important soft skills recruiters are looking for. 

But what exactly is it that makes organizational skills so popular, regardless of your job or your industry? 

Here are some of their top benefits: 

• Improved productivity. Having a well-organized desk, schedule, and task completion system means it's less likely you'll be taken aback by an impending deadline, an additional responsibility, or having to cover for a sick coworker.
• Saved company time and money. US workers spend at least two hours a day on average (or 25% of their workweek ) looking for documents or information they need to do their job. A well-organized employee, however, can use that time to actually work, thus saving the company time and money.
• Professional growth. Being organized at work can help you build a personal brand of being reliable, professional, and effective. And with your work results to prove it, you’ll be among the first in line for recommendations and promotions in your field.
• Improved customer relationships. Most customer-facing jobs rely on customer satisfaction to drive sales and succeed in business. Having employees with good organizational skills is a key element to achieving that. (E.g. imagine how bad it would be for a company to have customer service reps who can barely find their notes when a customer calls, let alone help them with their queries.)
• Better work environment. Organizational skills can help reduce miscommunication among coworkers and create a more pleasant and effective work environment.

Let’s take a more detailed look at some key organizational skills that just about everyone can benefit from:

#1. Physical Organization 

Physical organizational means you’re good at arranging and keeping track of your files and equipment on your computer, desk, and office space. 

Some skills related to physical organization include: 

• Record keeping
• Office management
• Documentation and filing
• Stock inventory

With physical organization skills, you don’t need to spend time and energy looking for things. In turn, you can be more effective and well-prepared to tackle your tasks.  

#2. Planning 

Being organized is, in big part, making the most out of your time and energy. To do that, you need to be able to plan out how to use your resources as effectively as possible. 

Planning skills can involve several different practices, such as: 

• Keeping a detailed calendar or agenda
• Scheduling meetings and events days in advance
• Having daily to-do lists

In a nutshell, good planning skills mean that you're able to think ahead, which can help you stay on top of your tasks and work anxiety-free.

#3. Prioritization 

Our workweeks are packed with various tasks and deadlines.

Being able to prioritize them based on how important they are and how much time commitment they need means you’ll know which tasks to tackle first. 

For your employer, having good prioritization skills means you’ll be less likely to miss important deadlines or deliver poor-quality work. 

#4. Goal setting

Knowing which tasks to tackle first is one thing; being able to set goals to complete them is another. 

Imagine you have a big project to finish by the end of the month that requires a lot of time and attention.

Without setting some short-term goals, you might get overwhelmed by the sheer amount of energy that you need to put into it and end up delivering low-quality work. 

With goal-setting skills, your chances of getting overwhelmed are much smaller. You’ll be able to break the project into smaller tasks and set separate deadlines for each of them, thus knowing exactly what you need to do and when. 

#5. Collaboration 

Collaboration skills show how well you can work with two people or more to achieve a common goal. This involves how you communicate, how much others can depend on you to finish your tasks, and how willing you are to share your knowledge and expertise. 

This skill is particularly important to big companies and remote teams, where people often have to work on big projects or communicate between different time zones. 

By being organized in the way you collaborate with others, you won’t have to worry about bottlenecking the work process or being perceived as unreliable. 

#6. Time management

Time management skills refer to the ability to “master” your time in such a way that you understand how long a task will take to complete and adjust your agenda accordingly. They also involve making the most of the hours available in a day to ensure maximum efficiency and productivity. 

An employee with good time management skills is someone who can prioritize tasks, doesn't get distracted easily, and can set goals for the day. In turn, they are less likely to suffer from anxiety and poor work performance.

#7. Communication 

Someone with good communication skills can share knowledge, ideas, and thoughts in such a way that others understand. 

Effective communication is essential for a high-functioning work environment, while the opposite can lead to company-wide problems. 

Sending an email without a clear, organized structure, for example, might lead your coworkers to misunderstand the intended message. In turn, this can cause miscommunication and workplace tension.   

As such, being able to communicate in a well-organized manner ensures everything’s running like clockwork and everyone’s on the same page.  

#8. Strategic thinking

Strategic thinking is an internal organizational skill that’s tightly linked to problem-solving. It refers to the ability to analyze a problem or a situation and come up with solutions. 

Although strategic thinking is helpful in most jobs, it comes in particularly handy if you’re an entrepreneur, business analyst , project manager, or any sort of professional who is required to understand how certain tasks are tied to general business goals.

#9. Decision making 

Decision-making skills involve taking into account the outcomes of different courses of action and deciding on the most beneficial one. 

The process of making a decision involves actively listening and paying attention, gathering information and data, and analyzing a problem thoroughly. The more organized you are, the better you will be at this process and at limiting poor personal and professional choices and outcomes. 

#10. Delegation

A direct result of being organized is knowing where your limits are and understanding what you realistically can and cannot do based on your time and resources. 

Now, if your tasks and deadlines become too much, the responsible thing to do is assign one or more tasks to a coworker. Good delegation skills involve knowing exactly which team member is more qualified and well-prepared to tackle a specific task or project.

By being on top of your to-do list and knowing which tasks to delegate (and to whom) you should be able to improve your team’s productivity and never miss a deadline. 

How to Add Your Organizational Skills to Your Resume

You may have great organizational skills, but unless you point them out in your resume, there’s no way for the hiring manager to know this.

Below we’ll show you exactly how to add your organizational skills to your resume to impress future employers: 

#1. Start With the Layout

Before the hiring manager gets to your resume’s contents, they will notice how it’s all put together. 

If your resume sections are disorganized and the whole thing looks cluttered and messy, your chances of convincing the hiring manager you have strong organizational skills may fly out the window. 

That’s why, first and foremost, your resume must bewell-organized in a visual sense. 

Here are all the elements of a great resume layout: 

• Format. Go for the reverse-chronological format . It’s the most popular among hiring managers worldwide, as it effectively highlights your work experience by listing your most recent job first.
• Font. Pick a professional font style that’s easy to read and looks good both on PDF and paper. Once you’ve chosen, use that font consistently throughout your resume.
• Font size. If your font size is too small, the hiring manager won’t be able to read it but if it’s too big, it will make your resume spill over to page two. As such, set your font size to 11-12 pts for the body of your resume and 14-16 pts for the resume headings.
• Resume length. Optimally, you want your resume to fit on one page to increase the chances of the hiring manager actually reading it. After all, they go through hundreds of resumes every day.
• Bullet points. Using bullet points to organize your responsibilities, achievements , and other information (certifications, hobbies, etc.) under your resume sections is another great way to make your resume look clean and well-structured.

Does all of the above seem too complicated and time-consuming? 

We don’t blame you. Most people would like to skip through all the hassle of resume formatting and go straight to filling in their information. 

Well, there is a way to do just that - using one of our tried-and-tested resume templates . 

Not only do they look amazing, but they’re also created in collaboration with some of the best HR professionals from around the globe, which means you can rest assured your resume will get noticed.

Here is how our resumes compare to conventional, black-and-white traditional resumes: 

#2. Include Your Organizational Skills Under Your Soft Skills

The most obvious place to list your organizational skills on your resume is the skills section. 

This part is pretty straightforward. That said, you don’t want to add every organizational skill that exists in the book. Instead, you want to make sure the skills you add are relevant to the position you’re applying for. 

Here is exactly how you can do that: 

• Check the job description. More often than not, the job description can show you exactly what skills you need for the job. If you’re applying for, say, a personal assistant position, you’ll need to have physical organization skills, scheduling skills, planning, and goal-setting skills. 
• Identify the skills you possess. Think about which skills you can back up with actual experience from your previous jobs. Only list organizational skills that you actually possess and that you can prove you possess on your resume. 
• Add those skills under your soft skills. Then, add the skills that you have and that are required in the job under your resume’s “Soft Skills” section. 

Here’s an example of what the skills section looks like in a resume: 

#3. Back-Up Your Organizational Skills In the Work Experience Section

Anyone can claim they have amazing organizational skills. To stand out from the crowd, you want to show that you really possess them through cold, hard data. 

That’s where the work experience section comes in.  

The work experience section is, arguably, the most important section of any resume. Done right, this is where you should the hiring manager that you’re an A-player that gets things done.

It’s also where you can prove you’ve got all the organizational skills needed for the job. Below, we’ll show you just how to do that: 

• Tailor your work experience to the job. Only add past jobs that are relevant to the position. If you’re applying for, say, an event planner position, the hiring manager will be interested in your previous experience as a travel agent, not in the time you worked as a cook.  
• Focus on your achievements instead of your responsibilities. The hiring manager knows exactly what your responsibilities were in previous jobs. What they want to know is how you made a positive impact with your achievements. 
• Make your achievements quantifiable. Speaking of achievements, making them quantifiable is what really makes them impressive. After all “implemented a documentation and filing system that increased office efficiency by 24%” sounds much better than “improved office efficiency.”
• Use the Laszlo Bock formula . If you’re having trouble phrasing your achievements, use the following formula: “Accomplished X as measured by Y doing X.” 
• Take advantage of action verbs. There are hundreds of words and verbs you can use instead of “organized.” The more descriptive you are of your achievements, the more impressive they can sound.

Here’s an example of a project manager describing their organizational skills in their work experience section: 

• Successfully oversaw and completed three separate projects in the course of two years. 
• Implemented an organization system that helped research assistants find information faster and reduce the chance of errors. 
• Scheduled and organized over 34 conferences that were attended by over 500 people. 
• Leveraged a shared calendar system to coordinate meetings, events, and upcoming deadlines.

10 Jobs Where Organizational Skills Are Essential

We’ve already established that organizational skills are a great asset to have in practically any profession. 

That said, there are some jobs where organizational skills are nothing short of essential if you want to be successful. 

So, if you have excellent organizational skills and you’re looking for a career where you can apply them to the maximum, consider one of the following jobs: 

• Event planner .
• Personal assistant. 
• Home organizer. 
• Travel agent. 
• Visual merchandiser. 
• Real estate agent . 
• Project manager . 
• Housekeeper. 
• Interior designer.

If you’ve gone through everything we’ve covered so far and feel like organizational skills aren’t really your forte, then you’re in luck.

Just like any other skill, being organized is something that can be learned. 

Here are our top six tips that are guaranteed to help you: 

• Read books on organizational skills. Read your way to an organized life. Books like Getting Things Done and The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People can help you acquire essential organizational skills (or at least the theoretical part of it, anyway). 
• Join online classes. You can find a ton of useful courses on organizational skills on LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and most other educational platforms. 
• Try out different organizational skill apps. Apps like Evernote, Google Keep, and Trello can help you practice your organizational skills in your everyday life. 
• Declutter your surroundings. Organizing the space around you is a great way to start improving your organizational skills. Getting your workplace in order primes you to be more productive and organized during your workday.
• Make lists. Separate to-do lists can help you keep track of what needs to be done - and when. Prioritizing the tasks on your list can be particularly helpful too, as it can help with your scheduling and goal-setting needs.
• Own your calendar. A basic but important step to improving your organizational skills is to be in control of your time. Having a calendar that shows you all your meetings, activities, etc., can really help in that direction.

Interview Questions on Organizational Skills - Sample Answers

If you follow all the above instructions to a T, your resume will most likely land you a job interview. 

When that happens, you should be prepared to answer questions regarding your organizational skills. 

Most probably, the interviewer will inquire about your organizational skills through a behavioral interview question . Behavioral questions are questions based on how you acted in a specific situation. 

Examples of behavioral questions include: 

• Give us an example of a goal you failed to meet, and how you handled the situation.
• Tell us about a time when you solved a problem at your job that wasn’t part of your job description.

Behavioral questions can seem more difficult to answer than normal interview questions.

Answering a question like “what’s your greatest strength” is pretty straightforward.

Coming up with an example that demonstrates your greatest strength right there on the spot, though, can be much more difficult.

Fortunately, there’s an easy, systematic way to answer behavioral interview questions: the STAR method .

Here’s what STAR stands for: 

• S - Situation. Describe the situation where the event/experience took place.
• T - Task. Talk about the task or responsibility you had to complete. 
• A - Action. Describe the steps you took to fix the situation/complete the task. 
• R - Results. Talk about the results of your actions.

If you master the STAR method, there is no behavioral question about organizational skills the interviewer can throw at you that you won’t be able to answer. 

For example, let’s say that the interviewer asked the following question:

• Give us an example of when you had to be very strategic in your tasks to meet all of your responsibilities under a specific deadline.

Here’s how you’d answer this with the STAR method:

Situation - “I typically like to plan out my work weeks in advance if possible. But in my previous sales manager role at Company X, I had to suddenly move the team to a new customer relationship management (CRM) software. The software we were using before unexpectedly changed their pricing model, which made it too expensive for us.”

Task - ”I had to find new software that met our requirement, by the end of Q3 (when the price increase hit), while making sure my own sales numbers did not decrease. The new tool also had to be intuitive and easy for our employees to adapt to.”

Action - “In order to do that, I had to be very careful with how I managed my time. The first thing I did was ask our sales associates what the number one problem was with our current CRM, so I knew what to look for in a new one aside from the price factor. After that, I dedicated 1-2 hours each day to research, and once I found the new software, migrating our data. I made sure to delete any old contacts, update the missing information on our current leads, and caught the team up on how to use the new software. All the while, I was still handling my daily responsibilities as usual, without any decrease in performance.”

Results - “Finally, we managed to complete the transfer 1 week behind the deadline. I finished the quarter 12% ahead of my sales goals, and the team was satisfied with the new CRM. By planning ahead and with proper time allocation, everything worked out well.”

And here’s another common behavioral interview question about organizational skills:

• Describe a long-term project you managed. How did you make sure everything was running smoothly?

And here’s a sample answer:

Situation: When I was at Company X, I was managing the web development team in charge of setting up a new website for one of our biggest clients at the time. With most projects, we had a process set up and we would get most sites done in up to 2 months. This project, however, was a bit different, as the website was supposed to be more detailed, with a lot of unique pages. So, we had to be a lot more careful with our time management.

Task: We had a strict deadline of 15 weeks, and I had to make sure that we used up our time as efficiently as possible.

Action: Before getting to actual work, I decided that we should plan everything out by the week. After some research and consulting with our team of developers, we decided to split the workload between different stages. We would devote around 1 week to the discovery phase, 5 weeks to design, 3 weeks to initial development, and the rest to any modifications and updates.

Results: In the end, we actually finished the website with all the promised functionalities in just under 3 months. The client was very satisfied with the result and eventually ended up recommending partners to our firm.

Want to make sure you won’t be taken aback by any behavioral question the interviewer throws at you? Check out these 20 STAR interview questions to get inspired. 

Key Takeaways

And that’s a wrap! By now, you should know everything there is to know about organizational skills. 

Before you go and put what you learned to practice, here are the main points we covered in this article: 

• Organizational skills are a set of soft skills that help you keep track of information and materials in such a way that you can tackle short and long-term tasks efficiently and solve problems more effectively.
• Organizational skills improve individual and team productivity, save the company time and money, help with professional growth, and contribute to healthy workplace culture. 
• Some key organizational skills include planning, physical organization, prioritization, goal setting, and time management. 
• To show the hiring manager you’re a well-organized candidate from the get-go, make sure your resume layout is spotless. 
• Don’t just list your organizational skills under your resume’s Skills section. Make sure to also back them up in your work experience section.

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Best Organizational Skills for a Resume

In today’s competitive job market, employers highly value candidates who can effectively manage their time, tasks, and resources. Having strong organizational skills on resume not only demonstrates your ability to stay focused and meet deadlines but also showcases your efficiency and attention to detail.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting your career, these skills will help you stand out and excel in any work environment.

Table of Contents

What Are Organizational Skills?

Organizational skills are all about being able to stay on top of things and keep everything in order. They help you manage your time, tasks, and resources effectively. It’s like having a system in place that helps you prioritize, stay focused, and get things done. These skills are important in different areas of your life, whether it’s at work, school, or even in your personal projects.

When you’re organized, you can meet deadlines, juggle multiple responsibilities, and stay productive. It’s all about being able to plan, coordinate, and stay on track. So, having strong organizational abilities is key to being successful and getting things done efficiently.

Jobs That Require Organizational Skills

Here are just a few titles where organization plays a vital role:

• Project Manager
• Administrative Assistant
• Event Planner
• Executive Assistant
• Office Manager
• Logistics Coordinator
• Personal Assistant
• Inventory Manager
• Human Resources Coordinator
• Research Analyst
• Legal Secretary
• Sales Representative
• Data Analyst

These are just a few examples, as these types of skills are valuable in many professions and industries.

1. Mental organizational skills

Mental organizational skills go beyond just thinking logically. They help you research, analyze, strategize, and tackle tasks with precision. Here’s a rundown of some essential mental organizational skills that make you a superhero in the world of cognition:

• Administrative Awesomeness: You’re a pro at managing information, organizing resources, and keeping everything in order. You effortlessly handle administrative tasks and make sure everything runs smoothly.
• Analyzing Ace: You have a knack for breaking down complex information and dissecting it piece by piece. Your analytical skills help you examine details, identify patterns, and draw meaningful conclusions.
• Assessment and Evaluation Guru : You excel at assessing situations, evaluating options, and making informed judgments. You weigh pros and cons, consider different perspectives, and choose the best course of action.
• Decision-Making Maestro: When faced with choices, you make decisions like a boss! You weigh options, consider risks, and confidently make sound judgments. You’re the go-to person when it comes to making tough calls.
• Documenting Extraordinaire: You’re a master at documenting information, capturing key details, and creating thorough records. Your documentation skills ensure that nothing is forgotten or lost in the abyss of information overload.
• Research Ninja: You dive deep into the vast ocean of information, conducting thorough research to gather insights and data. You know how to find credible sources, analyze information, and extract valuable knowledge.

Example: “Utilized strong mental organizational skills to effectively research, analyze, and strategize in a fast-paced marketing environment.”

2. Physical Organizational Skills

Physical organizational skills refer to the ability to maintain order, tidiness, and efficiency in the physical workspace. If your desk looks like a tornado hit it or you struggle to find important documents amidst the chaos, it’s time to channel your inner Marie Kondo. Here are some skills that will help you conquer the clutter and maintain a well-organized physical environment:

• Filing Guru: You have a knack for organizing documents in a logical and systematic way. You create efficient filing systems that allow you to quickly locate important papers and keep everything neatly categorized.
• Record-Keeping Whiz: You have a natural talent for keeping detailed records. Whether it’s financial records, customer information, or project documentation, you maintain accurate and up-to-date records, making retrieval a breeze.
• Stock Inventory Mastrer: You’re the master of inventory management. You keep track of supplies, monitor stock levels, and ensure that essential items are always available. 

Example: “Implemented a comprehensive filing system to ensure easy retrieval of documents, resulting in improved workflow and reduced time spent searching for information.”

3. Time Management

When you can effectively manage your time, you become a productivity powerhouse. Here are some time management skills that will turn you into a time-warping wizard:

• Prioritization Prodigy: You have a magical ability to determine what tasks are most important and focus your energy on them. You understand that not all tasks are created equal and know how to allocate your time wisely to tackle the most critical ones first.
• Deadline Dynamo: You thrive under the pressure of deadlines. You have a knack for setting realistic deadlines and diligently working towards meeting them. Procrastination? Not in your vocabulary! You stay on track and ensure that projects are completed on time.
• Schedule Sorcerer: You are the master of scheduling and planning. You effortlessly create well-organized schedules, blocking out time for specific tasks and activities. Your calendar is a work of art, helping you stay on top of commitments and avoid double bookings.

Example: “Implemented effective scheduling techniques to optimize team productivity, resulting in a 20% increase in project efficiency.”

4. Attention to Detail

When it comes to attention to detail, you’ve got a keen eye that doesn’t miss a beat. You’re the Sherlock Holmes of spotting mistakes, inconsistencies, and ensuring that things are accurate and top-notch. Here’s a breakdown of what this skill entails:

• Error Detective: You’re like a detective searching for clues and finding those pesky errors lurking around. Spelling mistakes, grammar slip-ups, or anything that doesn’t quite fit the bill – you’ll catch them all.
• Consistency Champ: You have a knack for making things look polished and consistent. Whether it’s formatting, styles, or headings, you make sure everything is in harmony and follows the same rules.
• Task Tracker: Following instructions and guidelines is your specialty. You pay close attention to details, ensuring that tasks are completed as expected. You don’t miss a beat and make sure everything aligns with the project requirements.
• Task Completer: You’re not one to leave loose ends. You take tasks from start to finish with a sense of completeness and thoroughness. Nothing gets past you, and you make sure all the necessary components are accounted for.

Example: “Implemented a robust quality control process, including visual inspections, measurements, and documentation, resulting in a 10% reduction in product defects.”

5. Workflow Optimization

When you have a knack for workflow optimization, you become a smooth operator, effortlessly maximizing efficiency and minimizing wasted time. Here are some key skills that will make you a workflow wizard:

• Process Polymath: You have a natural talent for understanding complex processes and identifying areas for improvement. You dive deep into workflows, analyzing each step and finding innovative ways to streamline and simplify them. Your goal is to eliminate bottlenecks and create a well-oiled machine.
• Automation Aficionado: You harness the power of technology to automate repetitive tasks and eliminate manual labor. From using software tools to create automated workflows to leveraging macros and scripts, you find creative ways to save time and increase accuracy. You’re all about working smarter, not harder.
• Agile Adapter: You have a flexible mindset that embraces change and adapts to evolving circumstances. You’re quick to identify inefficiencies or roadblocks in workflows and swiftly adjust course to keep things flowing smoothly. Your adaptability helps you stay ahead in a fast-paced work environment.
• Continuous Improvement Crusader: You’re always on the lookout for opportunities to improve workflows. Whether it’s through feedback, data analysis, or staying up to date with industry best practices, you actively seek ways to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. You never settle for “good enough” and strive for constant improvement.

Example: “Developed and implemented standardized procedures and workflows, leading to a 20% increase in productivity and a 15% decrease in turnaround time.”

6. Adaptability

The superpower that allows you to navigate the ever-changing tides of work with ease and grace. When you possess strong adaptability skills, you’re like a chameleon, seamlessly adjusting to new environments, tasks, and challenges. Here’s a glimpse into the world of adaptability as an organizational skill:

• Flexible Mindset: You embrace change as an opportunity rather than a hurdle. You understand that the only constant in the workplace is change itself, and you’re always ready to pivot and adapt. You approach new situations with an open mind, quickly adjusting your plans and strategies as needed.
• Agile Learner: You have a hunger for knowledge and a thirst for growth. You eagerly acquire new skills and knowledge to stay ahead of the curve. Whether it’s through training programs, online courses, or self-study, you actively seek opportunities to expand your skill set and stay relevant in a dynamic work environment.
• Collaborative Spirit: You thrive in team environments and understand the importance of collaboration. You easily adapt to different work styles and personalities, building strong relationships with colleagues. Your ability to work harmoniously with others allows you to navigate changes smoothly and find creative solutions together.
• Embracing Diversity: You appreciate the value of diversity in the workplace and adapt to different cultures, perspectives, and ideas. You’re open-minded and respectful, creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and heard. Your adaptability fosters a rich and collaborative work environment.

Example: “Quickly adjusted to shifting priorities and evolving deadlines, maintaining high productivity levels and delivering quality results.”

7. Collaboration

It’s all about working together, combining everyone’s skills and ideas to achieve shared goals. Here’s what makes collaboration a crucial organizational skill:

• Listening Up: You genuinely listen to others and value their input. By giving everyone a chance to be heard, you create an inclusive space for collaboration.
• Clear Communication: You’re great at expressing yourself clearly and adapting your communication style to different people and situations. This ensures smooth information flow and minimizes misunderstandings.
• Trust Builder: Trust is vital for a collaborative environment. You’re reliable, honest, and transparent, building trust among team members.
• Conflict Resolver: You handle conflicts with grace and seek win-win solutions. Through effective communication and empathy, you bridge differences and strengthen collaboration.
• Team Player: You thrive in collaborative settings and believe in the power of teamwork. You contribute your expertise, support others, and celebrate team achievements.

Example: “Collaborated extensively with cross-functional teams to drive project success and foster a culture of teamwork.”

8. Goal Setting

 Setting clear goals is an essential organization

• Clarity: You have the ability to define clear and specific goals. You understand what needs to be achieved, and you break down larger goals into smaller, actionable steps.
• SMART Goals: You’re familiar with the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound). You set goals that are specific, measurable, realistic, and time-based, ensuring they align with your overall objectives.
• Motivation: You set goals that inspire and motivate you. You understand the importance of personal alignment and creating goals that reflect your values and aspirations.
• Breaking Barriers: You identify potential obstacles or challenges that may hinder goal attainment. You develop strategies to overcome these barriers and maintain progress.
• Self-Discipline: You possess the discipline to stay focused on your goals and avoid distractions. You’re committed to taking consistent action and staying accountable to yourself.

Example: “Regularly monitored progress, tracked performance metrics, and made adjustments as necessary to stay on track.”

9. Planning

Ah, the art of planning! It’s a superpower that helps you navigate through the twists and turns of lifen and work with grace and efficiency. Here’s a breakdown of planning as an organizational skill:

Map out your journey: Planning involves charting a clear path towards your goals. It’s like creating a roadmap for success. You identify the destination and determine the best routes to get there.

Set the course: With planning, you break down big goals into bite-sized tasks. You decide what needs to be done, when, and by whom. It’s like orchestrating a grand symphony, assigning tasks to the right players at the right time.

Stay one step ahead: Planning helps you anticipate challenges and be prepared. You identify potential obstacles and develop contingency plans. It’s like having a superhero’s ability to predict the future and dodge any hurdles that come your way.

Collaborate and conquer: Planning involves working with others, sharing ideas, and coordinating efforts. You engage in collaborative brainstorming sessions, gather input, and foster teamwork. It’s like being the conductor of a harmonious orchestra, bringing together different talents to create something extraordinary.

Reflect and refine: As you progress, planning allows you to evaluate your strategies and make necessary adjustments. You reflect on what worked and what didn’t, learn from your experiences, and fine-tune your plans. It’s like being a wise captain, analyzing the winds and tides to navigate your ship even better.

Example: “Developed comprehensive event plans, including timelines, budgets, and resource allocation, to effectively manage all aspects of the event from inception to completion.”

10. Delegation

When you’ve got your organizational game on point, you’ve got a solid grasp on what you can handle within your limits. But hey, we’re all human, and sometimes tasks and deadlines pile up like a mountain of paperwork. That’s when you need to step up and be a responsible delegator. It’s all about finding the right teammate for the job. Here’s how being organized helps you delegate like a pro and keep the productivity train chugging along:

• Assessing the Task Load: You know exactly when the workload starts to get heavy and it’s time to hit the “Help!” button. It’s all about assessing the task load and recognizing when you need some backup. 
• Playing to Strengths: Your organization skills give you insight into your team members’ superpowers. You can match tasks to the right people, ensuring that each job goes to the person who can rock it with confidence.
• Smooth Communication: Being organized means you’re a pro at keeping everyone in the loop. By clearly communicating project details, deadlines, and expectations, you set the stage for successful delegation and collaboration.
• Slaying Deadlines: Thanks to your organizational prowess, you won’t let deadlines slip through the cracks. By sharing the workload and assigning tasks strategically, you keep the project on track and deliver results on time.

Example: “Delegated responsibilities with clear instructions, fostering a collaborative and efficient work environment.”

How to Describe Organizational Skills on a Resume

When describing organizational skills on a resume, it’s important to highlight specific examples and accomplishments that demonstrate your proficiency in this area. Here are some tips on how to effectively incorporate the ability to stay organized on a resume:

• Use relevant keywords: Incorporate keywords related to organizational skills throughout your resume, such as “time management,” “planning,” “prioritization,” “detail-oriented,” “multitasking,” and “workflow optimization.” This helps hiring managers quickly identify your organizational strengths.
• Provide specific examples: Instead of making general statements, provide concrete examples of how you have utilized organization in your previous roles. Describe specific tasks or projects where you effectively managed time, prioritized work, or streamlined processes.
• Quantify achievements: Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments to showcase the impact of your organizational prowess. For example, mention how you successfully reduced project turnaround time by implementing a more efficient workflow system or how you managed multiple deadlines and delivered projects ahead of schedule.
• Highlight relevant experiences: Tailor your descriptions to highlight experiences that are directly relevant to the job you are applying for. If the position requires strong attention to detail, focus on roles where you demonstrated meticulousness and accuracy.
• Show teamwork and collaboration: Organizational skills often involve working effectively with others. Highlight instances where you collaborated with cross-functional teams, managed resources, coordinated schedules, or facilitated communication to achieve project goals.
• Customize for each application: Adapt your resume to align with the specific requirements of each job application. Emphasize the expertise that is particularly relevant to the position and provide examples that demonstrate your ability to excel in those areas.

Remember to keep your descriptions concise, focused, and easy to read. Use bullet points to clearly highlight your achievements and make it easy for hiring managers to quickly grasp the value you bring in terms of organizational skills.

Example of Highlighting Organizational Skills on a Resume

[Your Name] [Contact Informatio n] Summary: Highly organized and detail-oriented professional with a proven track record in effectively managing projects and optimizing workflows. Strong ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and streamline processes to maximize efficiency. Excellent communication and teamwork skills. Seeking a [desired position] to contribute organizational expertise in a dynamic and collaborative work environment. Skills: – Time management – Attention to detail – Workflow optimization – Communication – Organization and planning Experience: Project Coordinator, ABC Company – Managed multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and adherence to quality standards. – Developed and implemented a project management system, resulting in a 20% increase in team productivity. – Coordinated resources, budgets, and timelines to optimize project efficiency. – Conducted regular progress meetings, facilitating effective communication and collaboration among cross-functional teams. – Utilized strong attention to detail to review project deliverables and ensure accuracy and quality. Office Administrator, XYZ Corporation – Maintained organized and efficient office operations, including scheduling, filing, and record keeping. – Developed and implemented an inventory management system, reducing stock discrepancies by 25%. – Streamlined administrative processes by digitizing documentation, resulting in improved accessibility and reduced paper waste. – Assisted in planning and coordinating company events, managing logistics and ensuring smooth execution. Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, University of XYZ

How to Improve Organizational Skills

There are several things you can do to become a better organizer:

• Declutter your environment. Start by decluttering your surroundings and organizing the space around you. Clear out the unnecessary items, sort through the piles of papers, and create a system that works for you. By tidying up your workplace, you’ll set the stage for increased productivity and improved organization throughout your workday. So, roll up your sleeves, grab those storage bins, and transform your space into an organized oasis!
• Seek tools and resources: Explore organizational tools, apps, or software that can assist you in managing tasks, schedules, and projects. Consider using project management apps like Asana and Slack or using a basic to-do list to get started.
• Read books on organizational skills. Check out popular titles like “Getting Things Done”, “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, “The The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” – and more. These books are treasure troves of strategies and insights that can supercharge your ability to stay organized. So, grab a cup of coffee, cozy up with a good book, and get ready to level up your organizational game!
• Take an online course. Whether you’re a beginner looking to build a solid foundation or an experienced organizer seeking to refine your skills, there are plenty of valuable courses available on platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, and many others. Here are a few examples of courses you can explore:
• “Mastering Organization: Your Ultimate Guide to Efficiency” on LinkedIn Learning
• “The Art of Decluttering and Organizing” on Coursera
• “Time Management Fundamentals” on Udemy
• “Effective Office Organization” on Skillshare
• “Digital Organization: Creating a Productive Digital Workflow” on Udacity

How Do You Show Organizational Skills on a Resume?

To demonstrate your organizational skills on a resume, create a dedicated section highlighting relevant skills such as time management, multitasking, attention to detail, and planning. Provide specific examples of how you’ve applied these skills in previous roles to showcase your abilities.

How To Say You Exhibited Organizational Skills?

To convey that you have exhibited organizational skills, use action verbs and provide concrete examples in your resume or during an interview. Use phrases such as “Managed multiple projects simultaneously,” “Implemented efficient filing systems,” or “Developed and executed detailed plans.” Highlight instances where your organizational skills led to improved productivity, streamlined processes, or successful outcomes.

Why Are Organizational Skills Important?

Organizational skills are important because they enable individuals to manage their time effectively, stay focused, and maintain order in their work and personal lives. These skills allow for improved productivity, increased efficiency, and the ability to meet deadlines. Organized individuals are better equipped to handle complex tasks, prioritize their work, and minimize mistakes. Employers value organizational skills as they contribute to a smooth workflow, effective teamwork, and overall success in various professional fields.

How to Develop Organizational Skills?

To develop organizational skills, start by setting clear goals and prioritizing tasks. Create a schedule and break tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Establish routines to streamline your workflow and maintain consistency. Declutter and organize your physical and digital spaces to improve efficiency. Focus on improving your time management by using tools and resources that can help you stay organized. Practice self-discipline and hold yourself accountable to deadlines and commitments. Seek feedback from others to identify areas for improvement and adapt your approach as needed.

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60+ Resume Organizational Skills (+ How-to Guidance for Successful Incorporation)

3 key takeaways

• What are organizational skills
• Recognizing your organizational competencies
• How to place organizational skills on your resume with the Teal AI Resume Builder to attract hiring professionals

Organizational skills are the grease that keeps the business wheel turning smoothly. They’re those key skills that turn chaos into order and are essential to any organization’s growth. 

And if you’re on the job hunt, demonstrating organizational skills on a resume is crucial for potential employers to recognize your talents. 

The only problem? When people with strong organizational skills are too good , their efforts are usually unseen. Just like you probably don’t know who was in charge of lighting in your favorite film, employees with good organizational skills often don’t get the credit they deserve. 

But by the end of this post, you’ll know exactly how to find and highlight organizational skills on your resume. That way, you’ll be able to cut through the noise and bring your talents to the center stage for hiring managers.

What are organizational skills? 

Organizational skills are essential abilities that allow you to arrange a team’s time and tasks in a structured manner, ensuring efficient and effective completion of objectives. 

These skills are the backbone of effective and efficient task completion, allowing you to streamline operations and manage time effectively. This is true whether working on individual tasks or collaborating within a team setting. 

In the context of an organizational skills resume, they play a pivotal role in showcasing one’s ability to maintain structure and order in a fast-paced work environment. They also include a subset of resume hard skills and soft skills that can significantly impact an organization's overall productivity and success. 

Organizational skills are particularly important for roles that demand multitasking and managing multiple work streams, but how do you know which skills matter most, and, more importantly, where do they go on your resume?

The first step is to recognize organizational skills that are important for the next role you want in your professional journey.

Different types of organizational skills

Here’s a deeper dive into the key organizational skills you can choose from, broken down by field and role.

Technology & IT

Frontend engineer.

• Task prioritization: This enables the engineer to focus on coding tasks in a sequence that maximizes efficiency and productivity, ensuring that project timelines are met.
• Code organization: Structuring code logically and cleanly is crucial to maintain readability and facilitate future modifications or debugging processes.
• Time management: Balancing various tasks and coding assignments is crucial to meeting deadlines without compromising quality.
• Detail orientation: Paying attention to the intricacies of code helps reduce errors and enhance functionality.

Software Developer

• Project planning: Drafting a solid plan before coding ensures a smoother development process and helps anticipate potential challenges.
• Code structuring: A well-structured codebase is easier to navigate, understand, and maintain, which is crucial for long-term project sustainability.
• Efficient multitasking: Juggling multiple development tasks simultaneously is essential for optimizing productivity in this high-paced role.
• Logical organization: Ordering processes and tasks logically can enhance the developer’s workflow and the software's overall functionality.

(For more organizational skills samples, check out these software developer resume examples .)

IT Support Specialist

• Issue tracking: Keeping tabs on reported issues ensures swift resolutions, minimizing downtime and maintaining operational flow.
• Time allocation: Appropriately distributing time among various support tasks is crucial for addressing user concerns efficiently.
• Resource management: Efficiently using available resources guarantees that IT support can handle user queries without unnecessary delays.
• User communication: Clear and organized communication with users is vital for understanding their issues and providing effective solutions.

Data Scientist

• Data organization: Systematically arranging data is foundational for drawing accurate and meaningful insights.
• Analytical planning: A structured approach to analysis can significantly enhance the accuracy and relevance of the insights extracted.
• Time management: Efficiently dividing time among data collection, analysis, and interpretation is essential for maintaining a steady workflow.
• Detail orientation: In data science, overlooking minor details can lead to major inaccuracies, making meticulousness a key organizational skill.

Sales & Marketing

Excellent organizational skills are necessary for sales and marketing to bridge the gap between creative strategies and practical implementations.

Sales Manager

• Lead organization: Systematically managing leads ensures that every opportunity is noticed and helps maintain a healthy sales pipeline. Tools like Salesforce, Hubspot, and Active Campaign are the technical proficiencies that help with this.
• Time management: Balancing time effectively among various sales activities is crucial for achieving targets and optimizing sales outcomes.
• Task prioritization: Identifying and focusing on high-impact activities can significantly enhance sales results.
• Strategic planning: Efficiently developing and organizing sales strategies is essential for guiding the team toward its goals.

Business Development Representative

• Relationship management: Nurturing and organizing professional relationships are crucial for expanding business opportunities.
• Opportunity identification: Recognizing and cataloging potential business opportunities is needed for growth. Hard skills like Champify, data analysis, and Zoominfo can be essential to making this happen.
• Time allocation: Distributing time effectively among prospecting activities uncovers new business avenues.
• Strategic prospecting: Organizing and planning outreach strategies efficiently can significantly impact acquiring new clients.

Marketing Manager

• Campaign organization: Maintaining well-structured and personalized campaigns is pivotal for alignment with the brand’s objectives and effective communication.
• Content scheduling: Developing and maintaining personalized content calendars is important for effective brand communication across platforms.
• Data analysis: Structured and personalized marketing data analysis helps establish actionable insights and refine marketing strategies.
• Budget management: Allocating financial resources in a personalized manner maximizes the return on investment for each marketing initiative.

(For more organizational skills inspiration, check out these marketing manager resume examples .)

Brand Strategist

• Brand planning: Creating comprehensive and personalized brand plans is essential to uphold brand integrity and guide brand positioning and messaging.
• Market research: Conducting structured and personalized market research helps your team gather insights that inform strategic brand decisions and initiatives.
• Trend analysis: Identifying and applying emerging trends through organized analysis is key for keeping the brand relevant and competitive. Hard skills like Google Analytics, machine learning, and PowerBI are great to list if you have them.
• Customer profiling: Developing detailed and personalized customer profiles lets you effectively tailor strategies to target audiences.

Administration & Management

Executive assistant.

• Schedule management: Efficiently organizing and managing schedules ensures the smooth operation of executive activities.
• Task coordination: Aligning and organizing tasks efficiently is key to supporting workflow and optimizing time—think Jira, Asana, and Notion.
• Detail orientation: Overlooking minutiae can lead to significant issues; hence, attention to detail is so essential in managing executive tasks.
• Time management: Balancing various administrative duties effectively is vital to support executive functions without any problems.
• Applicant tracking: Efficiently organizing and managing applicant information is fundamental for streamlined recruitment processes.
• Time management: Allocating time appropriately among various HR tasks helps maintain a balanced and productive work environment.
• Employee data organization: Systematically managing employee data is essential for effective human resource management.
• Detail orientation: Attention to detail improves compliance and accuracy in employee data.

Product Manager

• Strategic planning: Laying out a coherent roadmap will guide product development in the right direction. Agile, Scrum, and Kanban are specific to many project management roles.
• Detail orientation: A meticulous approach means every aspect of the product is refined and aligns with the overall vision.
• Time management: Efficiently distributing time among various product management activities is essential for maintaining progress and meeting milestones.
• Task prioritization: Focusing on the most impactful tasks at the right times is key to moving your brand’s product forward.

Product Owner

• Backlog management: Keeping the product backlog organized and prioritized is crucial for maintaining a clear development trajectory.
• Stakeholder communication: Effective stakeholder communication is needed to align expectations and garner support for your business.
• Sprint planning: Organizing sprints efficiently helps build development momentum and ensures the delivery of high-quality features.
• Requirement clarification: Clear and organized articulation of requirements lets you avoid misunderstandings and keep development on track.

Chief Product Officer

• Visionary planning: Structuring and articulating the product vision effectively is important for guiding the product strategy and inspiring the team.
• Strategic alignment: Ensuring that product strategies are organized and aligned with business objectives is fundamental for achieving corporate goals.
• Stakeholder management: Organizing and managing relationships with key stakeholders will help your team secure support and resources for product initiatives.
• Portfolio management: Keeping the product portfolio organized and strategically aligned allows you to budget your resources and maximize impact.

Product Designer

• Design organization: Keeping designs and assets well-organized maintains consistency and streamlines the design process.
• User research planning: Structuring user research effectively is key to gathering meaningful insights and informing design decisions.
• Time management: Allocating time effectively among various design activities streamlines progress and delivers high-quality designs.
• Detail orientation: Focusing on the minutiae in designs creates a better user experience.
• Creative organization: Systematizing creative processes and ideas converts visions into tangible designs without losing any creativity.

UI/UX Designer

• User flow organization: Structuring user journeys coherently using tools like Figma, Adobe, and Axure creates intuitive and enjoyable user experiences
• Information architecture: Logically organizing information and design elements is facilitates user navigation.
• Time management: Effectively allocating time among various design tasks is needed to maintain a balanced workflow and meet project deadlines.
• Detail orientation: A meticulous approach to design details helps you craft cohesive and user-friendly interfaces for your customers, where every pixel serves its purpose.

(Check out these UX designer resume examples for more organizational skills.)

How to identify the right organizational skills 

1. review the job description.

Start by closely reviewing the job description of the position you are applying for. Employers typically list the most important organizational skills (the ones they really value) in this section.

2. List out the skills mentioned

Extract and write down (or copy and paste) the organizational skills mentioned in the job description in a separate location. These might include time management, task prioritization, and others.

If you’re working with Teal AI Resume Builder to create your organizational skills resume, you can have this done for you automatically. That’s because Teal pulls out and highlights the skills listed in each job description: 

That way, you can seamlessly add these to your resume as needed. 

3. Reflect on your experience:

Reflect on your past experiences and identify instances where you have applied these skills. Consider roles, projects, or tasks where you can concretely demonstrate organizational skills.

4. Use powerful descriptions with keywords

Once you’ve identified your skills, generate powerful descriptions using the keywords from the job description. 

This strategy ensures that your resume keywords can easily be found when hiring professionals search their Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) for those specific skills and words.

How to add organizational skills to your resume 

Knowing where to highlight your organizational skills on your resume is just as important as knowing which skills to list. There are typically three sections you’ll add organizational skills to a resume: 

• Professional Summary 
• Work Experience 

1. Professional Summary

Your professional summary serves as the initial handshake with your prospective employer, placed just after your contact information. 

To snag immediate interest and set the tone for the rest of your resume, this is where you showcase your planning skills and organizational talents. 

Why add organizational skills to your professional summary? 

Consider the professional summary as your 30-second pitch.

It’s the space where you show off your professional worth in a few impactful sentences. Employers want a quick glimpse of who you are and what you can deliver, making this prime real estate to showcase your most relevant organizational skills. 

The objective is to convey this in a manner that demonstrates your proficiency in orchestrating the unseen, critical tasks that keep the operational flow seamless, reflecting both physical organization and mental organization skills. 

How do you list organizational skills in a professional summary? 

Strive for brevity but with a bang . 

Your mission is to weave your most compelling organizational skills into a short but compelling narrative, highlighting the organizational skills that are crucial to job performance. 

Example : "Innovative professional known for exceptional organizational acumen, outstanding communication talents, and a noteworthy record in team leadership. Officially recognized for boosting operational efficiency by 25% through effective planning skills." 

Note: When incorporating concrete stats like in the example above (“boosting operational efficiency by 25%”), be sure you’re prepared to back up your claims during an interview.

How to do this with Teal 

Building a great resume is easy with Teal's AI Resume Builder .

If you’ve got a resume or LinkedIn profile already, Teal lets you bring in all that important info directly—so there’s no need to start from scratch. 

This means more time refining and less time building.

Now, focusing on the Professional Summary .

This is your chance to spotlight your organizational skills. Just draft a sentence or two that sums up what you offer and slot it into the Professional Summary section of the builder:

This is a simple yet powerful way to introduce yourself to potential employers and leave a lasting impression.

And there we have it—a quick guide on how Teal’s AI Resume Builder can help you seamlessly spotlight your organizational skills on your resume in your "Professional Summary" section.

2. Work experience

When you get to the "Work Experience" section, it’s all about showing, not just telling! Plant your organizational skills throughout this section, linking them with the different roles you’ve had.

Why should you add organizational skills to your work experience?

Your experience brings your skills to life! It gives employers actual snapshots of your skills, providing a real-world view of what you bring to the table.

How do you add organizational skills to your work experience?

Keep your descriptions concise and focused. Every bullet point should tell a mini-story: a problem you faced, the organizational skill you used to tackle it, and the positive outcome that followed.

For example :

• "Coordinated a weekly team meeting, streamlining project updates and boosting overall project completion by 25%."

Remember, when you mention achievements or improvements, be ready to discuss them in an interview.

How to do this with Teal

With Teal, detailing your work experience is easy and hassle-free, with no need for complex formatting or coding.

Just click on "Add Work Experience," enter the details of your role, and you’re good to go:

When you start adding your accomplishments, that's where the magic happens.

Click “Add an Achievement”

If you're unsure where to begin, Teal's AI can offer suggestions to lay a solid foundation for flaunting your organizational strengths.

But remember, while AI suggestions are a great starting point, your resume should be a true reflection of your experiences and skills. Ensure every detail is accurate and genuine to your career.

Use Teal to make your "Work Experience" section as rich and detailed as you like, spotlighting the organizational skills that make you the ideal candidate for the job!

3. Skills section

Your resume "Skills" section , usually found toward the end of your resume, can be a key area to spotlight your organizational abilities, especially those that are crucial qualifications for the job.

Why a separate skills section for your resume?

Having a distinct section for your organizational skills can really make them stand out—making it easier for both hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to find specific aptitudes.

And for those organizational skills that are technical—like specific project management tools—this is your time to shine!

Listing hard skills clearly ensures they don’t get lost amid your myriad of other qualifications.

How to add organizational skills to a "Skills" section

The goal is to get to the point.

Teal allows you to place your Skills front and center with a highly modifiable "Skills" section.

If organizational skills are a crucial part of the role you want, you can simply use the Drag-and-Drop editor to move your "Skills" section to a more prominent spot on your resume:

No more wrestling with frustrating formats or rigid templates. Place your "Skills" section right under your Professional Summary or wherever it packs the most punch.

Add organizational skills to your resume with Teal

Your organizational skills are essential to the growth of any business.

Using Teal means you can mold your resume to spotlight these skills strategically. Tailor every aspect of your resume to illuminate your organizational talents, ensuring that it aligns perfectly with what potential employers are seeking.

So, why wait? Sign up for Teal today to illustrate your organizational skills with precision and flair.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i tailor my organizational skills on my resume for a specific job role, can i include organizational tools and software i am proficient in on my resume, what is the best way to quantify organizational skills on a resume.

Nathan Thompson

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How to List Organizational Skills on a Resume: Best Skills and Examples

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Why employers want to see organizational skills on your resume

How to list organizational skills on your resume, best organizational skills to add to a resume, how to improve organizational skills.

Organizational skills are a very important part of your resume. Any work-related activity requires proper time management and the ability to determine which tasks are prioritized over others, with the ultimate purpose of delivering intended results. This article shows you how to list organizational skills on a resume and gives you a list of the best organizational skills to list on a resume.

 Here are the best practices related to listing organizational skills on a resume:

1. First, ensure your resume is well-organized

A hiring manager typically only needs to glance at a resume to get a first impression of a candidate. Therefore, the first way to showcase your organizational skills is by properly organizing your resume.

2. Second, be concise and to the point

It’s tempting for candidates to create long resumes with detailed educational and professional descriptions. However, condensing relevant information makes it easier for recruiters to assess your skills and experience.

3. Third, add work experience in reverse-chronological order

Putting your most recent work experience and acquired skills first can show your career progression in a reverse-chronological format.

4. Fourth, start your resume with a career summary or objective

This will show your potential employer you have a well-organized career plan. It will also help them to understand your career trajectory or goals.

5. Fifth, add a key skills section

After identifying your organizational skills, enhance them in a dedicated resume section by listing and describing them.

Listing specific organizational skills shows that you can complete your work-related tasks efficiently while offering employers further assurance that you can properly do your job with minimal supervision.

Here are the best organizational skills you can add to your resume:

Time management

Accurately assessing the time needed to complete tasks and projects, as well as delivering them within the required timeframe, is a crucial skill for employees in all professional fields. Having good time management skills allows an employee to work efficiently, adapting to any issues and ensuring deadlines are met. Time management involves planning, making schedules, developing strategies, proper task delegation and having the self-discipline to deliver as planned.

Communication

A crucial organizational skill is clear, direct communication. Speaking and writing clearly will ensure everyone understands your plans and ideas.

Well-organized employees must know what tasks they can do by themselves and what tasks are better left to other team members who are more experienced in dealing with that particular type of situation.

The ability to properly plan your future actions is one of the most crucial organizational skills. Anticipating future events and planning accordingly are major steps towards workplace organization.

Prioritizing

Assessing tasks by importance and logical progression will enhance your organizational skills. By comparing and logically executing each relevant task to the bigger goal, you can deliver quality work on time.

Most work-related projects involve more than one employee. Having organizational skills implies identifying each team member’s top skills and strong points while organizing the project to enable everyone involved can deliver maximum quality and efficiency.

Just like most skills, organizational skills can be improved throughout a career. 

Here are some ways to improve your organizational skills:

1. First, evaluate your current organizational skills

Develop personal organizational skills and growth opportunities by determining and evaluating your current, work-related skill set. You can evaluate your planning skills by reviewing past plans and determining your accuracy in anticipating future tasks and events.

2. Second, make lists to keep track of tasks

To become a more organized employee, you will need to properly keep track of all tasks and know what you need to do at all times. Making lists and checking off completed tasks makes it easier to remember everything and acts as a motivational tool to keep you focused on future tasks. Making lists will improve your prioritizing skills, as it will help you understand all future tasks and determine their importance within a larger context.

3. Third, make a schedule to be aware of upcoming tasks and meetings

After listing future tasks, create a schedule to track task completion and estimated time slots. Schedules greatly improve your time management skills, as you will have a clear view of what you will be doing for the foreseeable future and how much time you will need to complete your tasks.

4. Fourth, be proactive and plan ahead

By actively approaching tasks and situations, you will know exactly what you need to do and the timeframe in which it needs to be done. This will make you more organized, as you will be in control of your future actions, instead of passively waiting for their occurrence. By being proactive with your work-related activities, you will improve your communication and delegation skills, as you will better understand what needs to be done, allowing you to assess the next step for each task.

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How To Demonstrate Organizational Skills on Your Resume

Don't say "I'm organized" on your resume, do this instead. We'll show you how to demonstrate organization skills so recruiters want to hire you.

3 years ago   •   6 min read

“The ideal candidate will be highly organized …”

Hands up if you’ve ever read something similar on a job ad and thought, that sounds like me, but how do I prove it?

The answer is, through your accomplishments . Simply listing soft skills like organization isn’t impactful on a resume — at best, it’s an empty buzzword, and at worst, a red flag about your judgment. It also won’t help you get past Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which aren’t programmed to look for soft skills.

So, now that you know what not to do, here’s what to do instead.

How to say you're organized on a resume

Let's start with a quick step by step guide:

• First, consider what makes you organized. Are you physically organized? Mentally? Are you detail oriented? Can you organize other people? Are you good at coordinating projects or events?
• Read the job posting and look at the key responsibilities of the role. What type of organizational skills does it require?
• Think about a time you did something similar. Focus on what you did that required organizational skills, for example, organizing an event, creating a filing system, or leading a team or project.
• Start your bullet point with a relevant action verb . Verbs like Organized, Structured, Streamlined, Compiled, and Refined all speak to organizational skills.
• Clearly state exactly what you did and what it achieved, using numbers wherever possible (see the example below).
• Aim to match each key skill or responsibility from the job description to an accomplishment on your resume.
• Once you’re done, upload your resume to a free resume checker to find out how your resume scores and how you can improve.

Here's an example of how to write an accomplishment using the framework we described above.

Find out if your resume shows enough organizational skills

The most effective way to list organizational skills, like any other soft skill, is to choose accomplishments that show how you have used these organizational skills in the past. Upload your resume to the tool below to find out if you have shown enough organization skills and other soft skills such as communication, leadership and attention to detail.

How to list organization skills

Listing organizational skills on your resume isn’t about what you say, but how you say it. Choose accomplishments that demonstrate your organizational skills in action, and don’t forget to back up your claims with hard numbers and metrics.

In your work experience section

The best place for organizational skills on your resume is in your work experience section . It’s the section that hiring managers pay the most attention to, which makes it perfect for highlighting key skills. Let's see an example:

In your skills section

This doesn’t mean listing “highly organized” as one of your skills — that’s still a resume no-no — but if you have any relevant hard skills , including these in a skills or additional section of your resume can help reinforce your organizational skills. Technical processes, process improvement, and organizational software are all a good match.

Include relevant hard skills in your skills or other section.

Use the tool below to find relevant hard skills to add to your skills section .

In all stages of the hiring process

Recruiters don’t just rely on what’s on your resume when making hiring decisions — they also consider what they see with their own eyes.

Make sure your organizational skills are on displays when it counts. That means responding promptly to emails , showing up on time for interviews, including all the information you’re asked for in the job application or follow up conversations, and having a well organized and easy-to-read resume.

What organization skills should you include on a resume?

You should be carefully reading through the job description to get a good feel for the exact types of organizational skills the job requires, but in general, here are some multi-purpose organizational skills worth including in your resume:

• Time management
• Attention to detail
• Multitasking
• Prioritization
• Ability to meet deadlines
• Event planning
• Leading a team
• Project management
• Organizing files and data
• Handling confidential information
• Maintaining a neat and tidy space

Like the phrase “highly organized,” you shouldn’t just list these buzzwords on your resume. Instead, use your bullet point accomplishments to highlight organizational skills — and if you’re not sure exactly how to start, keep scrolling for examples.

Synonyms for organizational skills

If you want to highlight your organizational skills without repeating "organized" over and over, try these resume power verbs instead:

How to say you're physically organized on a resume

• Centralized
• Standardized

How to say you're detail oriented on a resume

How to say you meet deadlines on a resume.

• Streamlined
• Accelerated

How to say you can organize projects and events on a resume

• Orchestrated

How to say you can handle confidential information on a resume

Examples of organization skills.

To help get you started, here are some examples of accomplishments that demonstrate organizational skills. You can use these as inspiration or as a template for creating your own bullet points.

- Organized new office and designed systems to maximize office function efficiency by 30%

Organizational skills are key for administrative positions. Highlight your ability to set up and run an office by emphasizing improvements you’ve made to individual systems or overall efficiency.

- Managed and updated more than 500 patients’ records, schedules, and insurance coverage into the company database, ensuring security and confidentiality

If the role you’re applying for requires you to organize things like files, data, and schedules, choose an accomplishment that demonstrates how you’ve previously done something similar.

- Assisted in managing call center operations of 800+ virtual agents, keeping oversight of performance, service fees, training, and contracting

Positions of leadership require strong organizational skills, especially if you’ll be coordinating teams who work remotely or from different locations. Be specific about the experience you have — including the size of the team and what functions you oversaw — to give hiring managers a stronger sense of what you can bring to the table.

- Managed and handled over 700 cases of misdemeanor, juvenile and felony from intake to disposition

Handling a large workload takes decent organizational skills. Emphasizing the number of cases, files, or requests you’ve handled is a good way to draw attention to your ability to organize a high volume of work.

- Managed outreach to 30 State agencies in one phase to gather data requirements needed for migration of email, calendars, shared resources, and devices from various platforms for over 6,700 accounts

The ability to multitask and keep track of many disparate elements is a highly sought after skill. Demonstrate it through bullet points that make good use of numbers and clear metrics to quantify your accomplishments .

- Efficiently processed all accounts payable and receivable invoices and ensured 100% of approved invoices were paid in full and on time while maximizing cash flow

Organization is a key skill in any job involving billing or finance. Use your work experience section to highlight your ability to do the job effectively and without mistakes.

- Coordinated and hosted 15+ conferences, events, and trips for the outside sales team of 15

Organizing functions isn’t just a valuable skill for event management — it also shows your ability to coordinate personnel and follow through to make sure nothing slips through the cracks.

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Excellent Organizational Skills: Real Resume Examples in 2024

Here are the top ways to show your Organizational skills on your resume. Find out relevant Organizational keywords and phrases and build your resume today.

Is your resume ATS-friendly?

Drop your resume here or upload a file to find out if the skills in your resume are readable by an ATS.

In This Guide:

What are organizational skills, why are organizational skills important on your resume, what skills, activities and accomplishments help you highlight your organizational skills, organizational skills: key takeaways for your resume.

Organizational skills allow you to effectively use your time, energy, strength, mental capacity and physical space to achieve the desired goals. They are one of those soft skills you bring with you to any position and every employer looks for.

In reality, recruiters do not know whether you are a chaotic or organized individual. This is why you should provide evidence for them by presenting a well-built resume full of appropriate words, phrases and sections.

Only top-notch employees have organizational skills. You might be a brilliant and well-educated person, but you will never be the best version of yourself without these soft skills.

Chaotic employees usually miss deadlines or do not complete their tasks correctly. Therefore, they are not reliable and cannot manage serious projects.

Organizational skills are a vivid sign of productivity. Recruiters are more likely to recognize you when you reach your goals. This way, you add value and contribute to the success of the company.

Furthermore, these soft skills show that you can manage your time and achieve a work-life balance. This fact is crucial in today's world full of stress and anxiety.

In addition, organizational skills provide information that you can keep track of processes in a company. Therefore, you are a fantastic communicator and team player as you offer a pleasant working environment, which is crucial for progress and success.

Here are the most valuable skills that prove your organizational skills and convince recruiters to call you for an interview:

• Communication & Delegation : having excellent organizational skills means that you can communicate your orders and ideas properly. It indicates good teamwork and the ability to delegate the right tasks to the right employees. 
• Strategic Thinking : it proves that you are a rational individual who analyzes and evaluates critical factors that impact a company. Strategic thinking also demonstrates your ability to prioritize and manage tasks smartly.
• Attention to Detail : you should show significant attention to detail as employers are aware of the fact that small things have a massive impact on overall performance
• Time Management & Planning : time management is a characteristic of top-notch employees. It demonstrates that you plan every step in your professional life.

How to demonstrate organizational skills on your resume

• Describe a challenging situation where everything suddenly took the wrong direction, but you still managed to fix it
• Provide examples of important events/projects that you managed
• Explain how you work under stress and tight deadlines
• Describe tactics that you use to communicate orders and ideas within a team
• Show how you maintain your work/life balance

Keeping your workplace clean and safe is also a sign of good organizational skills. However, they will not bring you the desired position.

Therefore, you should be more specific in your resume. Use the appropriate action verbs to emphasize results and outcomes. Thus, you will show that you have a strong work ethic and solid organizational skills. Let's see the following resume snippets to get more precise.

Example 1: Demonstrate organizational skills in the experience section

School Administrator applying for the position of Director

• • Running the day-to-day operations of the school by managing the whole staff for 10 consecutive years
• • Conducted international conferences with other schools from 3 continents twice every year
• • Organized the process of distribution of school resources of over 10 000 students
• • Proposed and applied improvements in the K-12 curriculum resulted in a 22% increase in students' performance
• • Oversaw school budget and ensured every department received enough resources to perform everyday activities

The following candidate has tremendous experience. However, what makes them stand out among other applicants are the well-structured and specific bullet points.

They ran the day-to-day operations and managed the school resources. Their success is supported by the fact that they delegated tasks to the right people, indicating good communication, intuition and reliability.

Furthermore, they paid strict attention to details as they oversaw the budget and proposed improvements in the curriculum. Combined with strategic thinking and self motivation, their actions led to better overall performance.

It would be best if you showed organizational skills in the same way. Prove results that demonstrate attention to detail, strategic thinking and good communication. Do not hesitate to mention that you delegated tasks to other employees. Recruiters prefer leaders rather than passive workers.

Example 2: Show organizational skills in the resume summary section

Event Planner applying for the position of Activities Director

This applicant mentioned their certification and showed encouraging numbers. Follow their example and use appropriate action verbs to emphasize results and outcomes. Write down only those qualities, abilities and experiences that present you as a well-qualified professional with excellent organizational skills.

Example 3: Key achievements

Marketing Expert applying for the role of Marketing Executive

Obviously, the marketing expert has a huge chance to get the position. Their achievements prove productivity and strong work ethic as well as strategic thinking. Thanks to their soft skills, the idea found general approval in one year.

Remember that your professional achievements should prove that you are good at prioritizing activities and paying attention to the crucial details for success. This way, you indicate excellent organizational skills and recruiters will recognize you.

Example 4: Demonstrate the skill through day of my life & volunteering sections

Resume of a Senior Software Engineer

The best way to prove excellent time management is to achieve work/life balance. As you see, the candidate dedicated time and energy to their team, developing new skills and reading. This fact provides evidence that they are outstanding specialists who always strive for progress.

Use the same strategy and emphasize the skills that make you stand out. For example, mention having a to-do list for every day. This way, you impress the recruiters with self motivation and good planning.

Intern applying for the role of Entertainment Manager

• • Built effective relationships with 3 critical influencers in the local district
• • Managed resources and relationships effectively for 13 months
• • Ensured events' sanitation and hygiene

Volunteering is the perfect way to demonstrate excellent organizational skills. In this section, you can provide additional evidence that you have experience in managing activities. Support your abilities with facts that present you as a valuable and reliable employee.

• Be clear & specific : do not waste words and time to explain long stories. Use simple but meaningful words that provide evidence for your organizational skills and professional experience.
• Show results : recruiters will pay attention to your results as they signify deep experience, work ethic and productivity.
• Demonstrate strategic thinking : prove that you can prioritize tasks and ideas, analyze and plan projects and activities.
• Show outstanding work/life balance : it will prove that you apply organizational skills in personal and professional aspects. Time management is a crucial prerequisite for success.
• Emphasize communication and experience : an individual capable of delegating orders to the right people is a critical factor for the success of every company. Being a team player will help you affirm yourself as an admired leader.

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Organisational skills for your CV

Having organisational skills on your CV proves to any employer that you’re able to handle a diverse workload and the pressures of a busy work environment.

However, when it comes to listing your organisational skills on your CV , how do you go about it? In this article, I’m going to explain the various types of organisational skills that employers look for, and how to effectively demonstrate them on your CV.

CV templates 

Essential organisational skills

Here are some of the most valuable, essential organisational skills that most employers look for, and examples of ways you can include them on your CV :

• Coordination – e.g. “ Coordinating across several departments and working with clients from varying industries to create [project] and reach [goal].”
• Decision Making – e.g. “ Took decision to move forward with our proposed department merger, resulting in an increased sale turnover of over 700% in one month.”
• Time Management – e.g. “Always met project deadlines while managing a team of 12 employees, overcame logistical obstacles to deliver [project] to [client] before set deadline.”
• Problem Solving – e.g. “ Was solely responsible for handling complaints from our customers and clients; in 15 months our customer satisfaction rate increased from 59% to 87%.”
• Multi-Tasking – e.g. “Was responsible for managing two department budgets; successfully cut overheads and avoided redundancies, while also working with clients in customer-facing role.”
• Communication – e.g. “Successfully handled employee feedback and performance assessment, resulting in an increase in employee retention and enhanced office productivity.”
• Flexibility – e.g. “ Supervised a fast-pasted office environment, handling varied tasks at short notice, while being frequently called on to take on new responsibilities.”
• Adaptability – e.g. – “Took on proposed deputy management role after 12 months with [company], went from managing a team of 16 to a team of 35 while still meeting company goals.”
• Collaboration – e.g. “Worked with sales and human resources to find ways to cut overheads without impacting department budgets, achieved 3% budget decrease while preventing redundancies.”
• Reliability – e.g. “Was frequently tasked with securing deals with important clients and was twice called on to represent company at highest level during [x] conference.”

Team organisational skills

Having effective team organisational skills is key to participating in a functioning workforce. Here are the most in-demand team organisational skills and an example of how to use each when writing your CV :

• Leadership – e.g. “Oversaw the merger of two company branches, collaborating with the team leaders and employees of each branch in order to support a successful transition.”
• Resource management – e.g. “Tasked with allocating resources to various company departments without cutting budgets, as well as overseeing employee turnover.”
• Delegation – e.g. “In my role as deputy supervisor, I was responsible for setting the day-to-day agenda of our sales team and delegating tasks to the appropriate team members.”
• Negotiation – e.g. “Worked with our corporate office to negotiate a budget increase and bonus initiatives for our sales team, resulting in higher employee retention, better sales performance and enhanced team morale.”
• Giving and Receiving Feedback – e.g. “Performed bi-annual performance reviews of company employees, giving constructive feedback and encouraging employee suggestions – resulted in a more open, productive workplace.”
• Setting Goals – e.g. “ Set ambitious sales goals as the company took its services online, managed to come within 0.9% of our sales goals within the first quarter.”
• Prioritizing Tasks – e.g. “Was responsible for managing the monthly delegation of tasks, organising meetings, and scheduling performance reviews.”
• Team Building – e.g. “ Organised company team building activities, weekly round-tables with employees, and annual retreats to build company morale.”
• Critical Thinking – e.g. “Tasked with reviewing employee suggestions and customer feedback forms, selecting valuable suggestions and implementing them into the company’s workflow.”
• Listening and Empathy – e.g. “Encouraged our employees to give frequent feedback and suggestions; this scheme resulted in us implementing a hybrid office/work-from-home schedule that increased team productivity by 800%.”

Planning organisational skills

Having good planning organisational skills is key to ensure that you stay on deadline and fulfil your obligations; here’s some of examples of planning organisational skills, and how to describe them on your CV:

• Forecasting – e.g. “Accurately predicted market change in our niche, decided to expand our services to attract larger client base; after successful marketing campaign, broke even after just 8 months.”
• Budgeting – e.g. “Responsible for two small department budgets, managed to decrease our day-to-day spending by cutting waste and unnecessary overheads, resulting in a 2% employee raise across the board.”
• Project Management – e.g. “Oversaw [company] advertising campaign with team of 7 colleagues, handled campaign from start to finish, resulting in our team winning [x business award] and long-term relationship with client.”  
• Decision Making – e.g. “Took the decision to expand our business into 3 new locations, resulting in an increase in profit of X-% over 3 years.”
• Strategy Development – e.g. “Decided to take our services online and expand into social media advertising, resulting in a more sustainable model for the business going forward.”
• Strategic Planning – e.g. “Was responsible for SWOT analysis and finding ways to increase organic traffic to our online business; established long-term strategies that successfully helped us rival competitors and increase traffic by X-%.”
• Trend spotting – e.g. “ Took the initiative to branch into up-and-coming social media sites before our competitors, resulting in an early online monopoly for our business.”
• Deadline management – e.g. “Set bonus initiatives to encourage employees to meet deadlines earlier than suggested; resulted in higher client satisfaction and increased productivity.”
• Analytical Skills – e.g. “Decided to pause our branch expansion due to predicted incoming sales slump, preventing numerous redundancies and budget cuts.”

Physical organisational skills

Having a strong set of physical organisational skills will prove to employers that you’re an efficient, productive worker who will be a net benefit to their work environment. Here are some examples of key physical organisational skills:

• Workflow analysis – e.g. “ Aided in developing a strategy to combat inefficiencies in company of 300+ employees, eventually cutting costs for 14 out of 17 departments with minimal employee impact.”
• Logistics – e.g. “Responsible for company’s inventory and storage data, while heading a team of X employees handling international shipping.”
• Supply chain – e.g. “Found ways of cutting corners in our supply chain, working more directly with suppliers to reach our green goals set out by our corporate office.”
• Documentation – e.g. “Trained a team of 14 employees to use UNIX and PLM software, rendering our company’s workflow more efficient.”
• Stock Inventory – e.g. “Managed warehouse inventory while headed successful campaign to bring our stock inventory online and onto a new software programme, facilitating an easier workflow.”
• Workflow Management – e.g. “Supervised a team of 30+ employees and decided to move our full workforce onto Nintex software, simplifying communication and workflow.”
• Attention to Detail – e.g. “ Responsibilities as deputy editor included working with writers directly, proofreading, editing, finding historical errors and giving re-write suggestions.”
• Policy Enforcement – e.g. “Was responsible for overseeing our company’s switch to hybrid working, where I was tasked with logging working hours, supervising online meetings and conducting payroll.”
• Productivity – e.g. “Established monthly bonus initiatives for our sales team, resulting in higher productivity and a 600% increase in sales.”
• Admin Skills – e.g. “Responsible for training new employees and interns in our company’s software, including Microsoft Office and G-suite.”

What are organisational skills?

Organisational skills describe a set of transferable skills that allow you to make arrangements and preparation – which are vital in the workplace. Ultimately they provide you with the means of staying on top of your workload an ensuring you have an overview of your workflow.

Organisational skills include good time management, the ability to keep to deadlines, flexibility, and teamwork. Organisational skills can be split into four categories: essential organisational skills, team organisational skills, physical organisational skills, and planning organisational skills.

Having good organisation skills also reflect how well you can work both independently and within a team: they’ll demonstrate whether you’re able to work without oversight while also being able to function and thrive in a busy group.

Why are organisational skills important?

Organisational skills are important for any functioning workplace: if you’re missing deadlines, working behind schedule or being uncommunicative with your team, the overall quality of your work will suffer, as will the success of your company or organisation.

In addition, having great organisational skills is key to advancing in your career and being a potential leader in your field: good leaders need to be able to plan, delegate, schedule, and communicate within large teams to meet shared goals.

Having good organisational skills is also important for you as an employee: you’ll better manage your workload, always meet your deadlines, and contribute positively to the smooth running of your company or organisation.

How to include organisational skills on your CV

When it comes to including organisational skills on your CV, these can be listed in two places: you can list some of your key organisational skills in your CV profile / personal statement , and “core skills” section of your CV, making sure only to include that which is relevant to the job post.

You can also use the space where you write about your job history: you can expand on your organisational skills when writing about your former tasks and responsibilities in your previous roles.

In your CV profile

By adding your organisational skills to your profile, a recruiter can see right away that your skillset matches the candidate profile they’re looking for. You can add your organisational skills to your CV in the following format :

In your jobs

You also have the opportunity to show off your organisational skills when writing your past job descriptions. This provides the recruiter with tangible evidence that you’re competent in the skills you claim to have:

What To Avoid

Rather than simply claiming “I have organisational skills,” on your CV, be specific about your competencies, and give real-life examples. Don’t forget to tailor your specific organisational skills to the role you’re applying for: for example, if you’re applying to a management role where you’ll be managing a large team, demonstrate your team organisational skills with relevant examples of teams you have managed.

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The Most Important Organizational Skills (With Examples)

• Most Common Skills
• What Are Soft Skills?
• What Are Leadership Skills?
• What Are What Are Hybrid Skills?
• What Are Teamwork Skills?
• What Are Communication Skills?
• What Are Organizational Skills?
• What Are Personal Skills?
• What Are Interpersonal Skills?
• What Are Decision Making Skills?
• What Are Negotiation Skills?
• How To Multitask
• What Are Creative Thinking Skills?
• What Are Adaptability Skills?
• What Are Internal Analysis?
• What Are Multitasking Skills?
• What Is Professional Networking?
• What Is Nonverbal Communication?
• What Are Critical Thinking Skills?
• Presentation Skills
• What Is Accountability?
• What Is Emotional Intelligence?
• Verbal Communication Skills

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Organizational skills help you prioritize tasks and maximize your efficiency during the workday. Some of the most important organizational skills examples include time management, physical and mental organization, and self-motivation. These skills are valuable regardless of where you work, as being able to manage your time effectively and keep track of important documents and records will set you up for career success.

So, if you’re a job seeker who wants to know how to foster organizational skills and highlight them on your resume and in job interviews, stay tuned. This article will provide you with organizational skills meaning, as well as examples you can use in your resume and interviews.

Key Takeaways

Some of the most important organizational skills are time management, physical organization, and mental organization.

Setting goals and getting the right tools are key steps in improving your organizational skills.

You can demonstrate organizational skills examples in your resume and job interviews by sharing anecdotes that highlight how you’ve put these skills to use in different work scenarios.

What are organizational skills?

Types of organizational skills, how to improve your organizational skills, how to showcase your organizational skills, example resume highlighting organizational skills, example answers to interview questions about organizational skills, organizational skills faqs.

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Organizational skills are all about being able to prioritize tasks, maximize efficiency, and maintain structure throughout a workday or a project’s lifespan. Discipline, cognitive flexibility, and memory are all crucial to being a strong organizer .

With strong organizational skills, deadlines are never a cause for concern; just another factor in determining which tasks get done first. Hiring managers aren’t just looking for folks who can keep their desks decluttered; they want intellectually nimble employees who can fit into the overarching organizational structure of the company.

Organizational skills can come in many shapes and forms, all of which can be valuable for the workplace. In more detail, here are the most important types of organizational skills for the workplace:

Time management. Deciding how to use your time effectively is fundamental to organizational skills. Time management is all about creating and keeping realistic deadlines, proper scheduling, and discipline.

Knowing what tasks require immediate attention and which can be delayed, and for how long, is crucial to proper time management. With strong skills in time management, you’ll never feel overwhelmed by your workload, because you know exactly which tasks have priority.

Physical organization. This is probably the organizational skill that first springs to mind when one thinks about organization. Keeping your workspace free from clutter, appropriate filing/record-keeping, and managing your physical resources efficiently are all elements of physical organization.

Knowing where to find important documents or other physical resources is essential for your workplace efficiency. Things like filing, record-keeping, and inventory are all elements of physical organization.

Mental organization. It doesn’t matter if your desk is super clean if your mind is all over the place. Mental organization involves thinking things through in an orderly fashion.

Being able to analyze what resources are required for a task, ready documentation ahead of time, and keep a big-picture strategy in mind are all important elements of mental organization. Think of mental organization as keeping your mind decluttered: concentration, focus, and memory are all prerequisites to a mentally well-organized employee.

Communication. Communication skills get their own section, but being an effective communicator is all about being organized. Miscommunications are a big hurdle for efficiency and the organization of a team.

It’s important to keep your team in the loop with your progress on a project, but it’s equally important to be a good active listener who understands what’s being asked of them and the priorities of various tasks.

Delegation. A key element of good teamwork is being skilled in delegation . That means keeping a mental inventory of your teammates’ (and your own) strengths and weaknesses, so you know whom to task with different elements of a project.

Delegation isn’t limited to those in managerial roles. A team that’s able to effectively plan a project together shows strong collaborative and interpersonal skills.

Self-motivation. Sometimes you don’t have anyone telling you exactly how to spend your time at work. At moments like these, you must know what tasks are most in need of your time and attention.

Taking initiative and completing tasks without supervision or assistance will earn you a reputation for self-sufficiency. With a reputation like that, you’ll notice more opportunities start to come your way.

Prioritizing. An important facet of mental organization is being able to prioritize your various assignments. Being able to break down multi-step processes into their components and deciding the order to complete them shows off your problem-solving skills.

If you can also foresee potential issues and create solutions for them ahead of time, you’re showcasing your strategic abilities.

Planning. You know the old saying: “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Planning is all about taking a step back from the assignment at hand and determining the most efficient means for its completion.

This helps you and your team from getting lost in the weeds and keeping an eye on the big picture. Good planning incorporates elements of time management, delegation, mental organization, and physical organization.

Collaboration. Collaborating effectively benefits everyone. It’s not just about delegating tasks appropriately (although that is part of it). Good collaboration also means knowing whom to turn to when you need help with something and being available for team members who need your help.

If you’re stuck on a project and you waste an hour tracking down assistance, that’s an example of poor collaboration leading to an inefficient workday.

Goal-setting. An element of planning is setting goals . While planning might involve digging into the minutiae of a project’s parts, goal-setting is much simpler.

It’s about taking a realistic view of who is working on the assignment, what resources are needed for its completion, and the time each element will take. Distilling that into a deadline that aligns with your company’s objectives is what setting goals is all about. Those who regularly achieve these goals prove themselves to be well-organized individuals.

Flexibility. Unforeseen issues arise all the time in business. Another expression comes to mind: “People plan, and God laughs.” Being an organized employee means doing your best to build in time for potential setbacks.

But it also means not losing your cool when your top-notch plan starts to fall apart. Regrouping, identifying new priorities, and staying focused under pressure sets you apart from an employee who has a breakdown every time his well-thought-out plan hits a speed bump.

Decision-making. If you’re a well-organized employee, you shouldn’t shy away from making decisions . You’ll already have a mental inventory of all the necessary information, the ability to distill that into a plan, and the skill to make a decision based on the larger plan and its elements.

Being goal-oriented and keeping your workload organized will create an atmosphere where you can make decisions without sweating.

Strategic planning. The big picture doesn’t get any bigger than strategic planning. When you’re planning strategically (as opposed to tactically), you’re not thinking about how best to organize your day, your week, or even for the lifespan of a given project.

You’re thinking about corporate goals as they fit into a much larger time frame. While this may be more important for someone in a leadership role, being a good strategic planner is a nice quality to have in any role.

Scheduling. In a personal sense, scheduling is important for maintaining self-discipline. Having a calendar marked with various deadlines, or a day planner that sets out goals for different chunks of the day will keep you on top of your assignments. It’s all about knowing what you can do in a given time frame.

It’s also about scheduling meetings with relevant people well before you need to talk to them, which goes hand-in-hand with collaboration. Pair proper planning with top-notch scheduling and you’ve got a recipe for a well-organized employee.

Self-care. Not exactly one you can include on a resume , but important nonetheless. Keeping your home life organized will help you feel less overwhelmed at work.

That means getting a good night’s sleep, eating well, keeping up good hygiene, and setting aside time for relaxation. Having your personal life under control will help keep you free of distractions throughout your workday, making all of the above organizational skills that much easier to achieve.

Improving your organizational skills will strengthen your resume and benefit your career.

Like any soft skill, organization skills always have room to grow. Reflect on what organizational skills you already possess and where you’re lacking. Maybe you always keep a tidy desk, but your ability to plan and collaborate effectively is weak.

Start making an effort to reach out to your teammates more regularly so that your plans are better aligned with the team as a whole. Or maybe you always know what task to prioritize, but your desk is a cluttered mess.

Invest in some organizing aids and start and/or finish your day by tidying your desk to perfection.

Whatever level of organization skill you have, doing a few things can have an immediate impact on your organizational skills:

Set goals for your organizational improvements. Unfortunately, you can’t just wake up one day and be completely organized.

Keep a tidy workspace. An organized workspace often translates to an organized mind, which then carries over into other parts of your life. It may take some conscious effort at first, but once you get into the habit of keeping your desk tidy, it’ll start to become second nature to keep it and other things organized.

Make a to-do list (and stick to it). Having a to-do list will help you keep your priorities organized and make sure nothing slips through the cracks. It will also clear up your mind, giving you space to order your thoughts and focus on your work.

Create a schedule for the next week or month and consult it regularly. Mking and sticking to a schedule of some kind will help you manage your time more effectively and cut down on missed deadlines and meetings — or at least the number your scrambling to make it to at the last minute.

Read books or watch videos on the best organizational practices. There are a plethora of ways to stay organized, so watching how multiple different people do it may spark an idea for what will work for you.

Download some organizational skill apps A craftsman is only as good as his tools, so having the right calendar, project management, and productivity software can make a big difference in your overall level of organization.

Keep up communication with your colleagues. It does you no good to be organized if you don’t know what your teammates need from you and vice versa. Overcommunicate if necessary to make sure that you’re all on the same page and that nothing has gotten lost in translation.

When you’re writing a resume and/or cover letter , the crucial question to keep in mind throughout is “how is this information relevant for the job for which I am applying?”

Read job listings and pick out keywords related to organizational skills. For example, words like schedule, collate, file, data entry, inventories, invoices, etc.

While you can include organizational skills in the soft skills section of your resume, you should also pepper the rest of your resume with evidence of this fact. Even better if that evidence is quantifiable. For example, “Implemented an employee productivity tracking system that improved efficiency by 17% among my team.”

Remember that the quickest way to prove your organizational skills is by having a well-organized resume and cover letter .

Organizational skills are vital to success at any position in any industry. Perfecting yours and showcasing them effectively while applying for jobs will go a long way in improving your odds as a candidate.

Organizational skills on a resume can be easier to show an understand if you have some examples to go off.

Let’s say you’re applying for the role of office manager at a mid-sized local company.

You notice that scheduling meetings, maintaining an inventory of office materials, and creating helpful cross-team documents are highlighted as major job responsibilities. You also see that time management, organization, and self-starter are words used to describe the ideal candidate.

Here’s a resume built to highlight the candidates organizational skills and suitability for the job in question:

Mary Fischer Seattle, WA | (555)-555-5555 | [email protected] | linkedin.com/in/m.fischer Detail-oriented Office Manager with over 3 years of experience organizing office schedules, meetings, and inventories. Self-starter with a passion for improving workplace efficiency and providing support across departments. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE ABC Inc. | Seattle, WA Office Manager | July 2019-Present Reduced office material budget by 12% while increasing employee satisfaction w/ in-house resources by 8% by drafting Google Sheets spreadsheets to track spending and utility Created meeting schedules for 40 employees, including senior executives from Marketing, Product, and Sales teams Improved company-wide SOPs through interviews with employees and customers to find pain points, increasing client satisfaction rates by 9% from May-October 2020 EDUCATION University of Washington | 2018 Bachelor’s Degree in Business SKILLS Microsoft Office Suite/Google Suite Excel spreadsheets Budgeting Organization Client- and employee-facing email communication Trello Basic HTML/Working knowledge of WordPress

Proving your organizational skills doesn’t end with your resume and cover letter . Once you’re invited for an interview, you need to continue displaying excellent organizational prowess.

The best way to answer these behavioral interview questions in a way that’s both comprehensive and brief is to use the STAR method . Give the situation , describe your task , discuss the action you took, and wrap your story up with a tidy result .

Let’s look at a couple of questions and answers to give a better idea of how the STAR method works to highlight your organizational skills:

Tell me about a project that you planned. How did you organize the tasks?

During my time at XYZ Inc., the sales team set out to improve the conversion rate of our outbound calls. I devised a plan whereby we’d offer a free trial to first-time customers, complete with their own customer success manager . I had to coordinate with the customer service team to find folks willing to teach and have a more full-time role with clients. I also got in touch with the marketing team to design a landing page explaining the offer, so that customers had multiple routes for finding out about our offer and sales reps could direct them somewhere to learn more. It took three weeks to get everything set up, which was a week earlier than the allotted time for the project. Outbound sales conversions rose by 12% in the next month, and an additional 18% the following month. Since then, the trial program has grown and expanded and is one of XYZ’s most powerful client onboarding tools.

Give me an example of a time when you had several responsibilities on your plate at the same time.

Working in the restaurant industry, you get used to big swings of action. One night at “La Noche,” we had a graduation party and a bachelorette celebration going down at the same time — in addition to our regular Friday night action, which was always substantial. I quickly saw that our wait staff was being overrun, so I jumped in as an auxiliary helper . For both parties, I handled all the drink orders and ensured that we had a second bar-trained waiter join our normal bartender . I then brought a second bussing table outside to improve our response time for the customers dining on the patio. Additionally, I rotated around and checked in on tables to make sure they were being served and were satisfied with their experience. Overall, it was the restaurant’s most successful night, and the average tip was well above 20%. I thrive in fast-paced environments like this where I can put my talent for organization and delegation to the test.

What are organizational skills that are applicable to you as an aspiring leader and why?

There are many organizational skills that are applicable to me as an aspiring leader . Some of the most prominent include Time management, prioritization, delegation, communication, and adaptability. I believe these organizational skills are crucial when I’m on the job because they enhance productivity, teamwork, and strategic focus, driving successful leadership outcomes. For example, when I worked at Company X, my time management skills ensured that I was always punctual with shifts and deadlines. Then, my prioritization and communication skills allows me to stay on top of even the biggest and most challenging projects.

Why are organizational skills important?

Organizational skills are important because without them you’ll be less effective as an employee. You’ll be more likely to miss deadlines, show up to meetings unprepared, and misplace important documents. You may even be slower at getting your work done or be a less-than-desirable teammate to have on projects.

What are examples of organizational skills?

Examples of organizational skills are time management, physical organization, and prioritization. These all help you get your work done on time and in an efficient and accurate manner, which is vital to being a successful employee.

Why are organizational skills important for a leader?

Organizational skills are important for a leader because they allow you to keep track of all of your and your employees’ projects, and they allow you to delegate and manage more effectively. Without good organizational skills, you’re going to struggle to keep track of your own work, let alone the rest of your team’s.

Can you improve on your organizational skills?

Yes, you can improve on your organizational skills. To help you improve these skills you should first set goals for your organizational improvements. This can be small things like establishing a filing system or something bigger like not being late to meetings anymore. To help you reach these goals, create a to-do list, but make sure you stick to it. You can create daily lists, weekly lists, and monthly lists all the things you want to accomplish.

Planning and organizing skills come under which competency?

As a competency organizational skills fall under soft skills. This is because soft skills are personal attributes that enable you to interact effectively and harmoniously with your career and co-workers.

However, this isn’t to take away from the importance of organizational skills. As far as soft skills go, though, organizational skills are one of the most important competencies you can have.

Forbes – The Six Organizational Skills For The Workplace

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Matthew Zane is the lead editor of Zippia's How To Get A Job Guides. He is a teacher, writer, and world-traveler that wants to help people at every stage of the career life cycle. He completed his masters in American Literature from Trinity College Dublin and BA in English from the University of Connecticut.

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The Best Organizational Skills for Your Resume [with Examples]

So, you found an amazing job posting. This may be your dream job.

You want the vacancy, but you’re not sure how to include everything on your resume.

Using a  resume builder  can help you  fine-tune your document , but you need to add a bit more. That’s especially true if you notice the company or business wants their candidates to have something specific.

What do you do if the job posting tells you that they are looking for someone who has strong organizational skills?

There are a few steps to take before you begin to make your resume show off the organizational skills you have to land the job. Here is  what you should focus on :

• Understand what organizational skills are
• Know what skills are useful at work
• How to include organizational skills in your resume
• Go over some examples

Once you understand this information, you can begin to make your resume.

It’s also essential to remember when you’re writing your resume, you want to make sure it’s  as relevant as possible .

It is crucial to understand what specific organizational skills the hiring manager values for the job. With your resume, you can prove that you can  handle the job’s responsibilities  and be successful.

Afterward, tailoring your resume to stand out to the employer will become very simple.

Then, when you get past the resume phase, it becomes important to look over organizational skills examples for the interview

However, let’s not get too ahead of ourselves.

First, in the guide below, you can find useful and essential information that will help you create a resume that  shows off your organizational skills .

If you feel you don’t have any, don’t worry, you can also learn how to improve on those skills as well.

Keep reading to find out  how to wow a hiring manager  with your organizational skills.

The Meaning of Organizational Skills

Organizational skills relate to the ability to plan, prioritize and manage tasks and projects. These are essential in a variety of work environments because they help you manage your time, prioritize your tasks and organize your work.

Managing your time wisely, being able to communicate, and managing others are also essential skills needed to be an organized person at home or work.

Your organizational skills are also important for employers because they demonstrate that you’re responsible and dedicated—qualities that will make you a great addition to any team.

As a job applicant, you must prove how well-organized you are when writing your resume—and not just by listing off random accomplishments like “conducted research on Company X” or “helped launch product Y.”

Using a  resume template  can help you enter your organizational skills in your skill section and past job descriptions nicely.

Think about how each experience relates to how well-organized internally, aligned with Project Management Institute’s (PMI) definition:

“Organizational skills include planning projects; prioritizing activities; monitoring progress against deadlines; making adjustments as needed; analyzing data using charts/graphs/tables; generating reports/presentations based on findings from analysis performed during the project execution phase.”

Finding an employee that can do these things, and do them well, is the dream of any hiring manager.

An effective employee that can get things done before a deadline and work well with others, who wouldn’t want that?

There are a lot of specific skills that fall under  the umbrella of organizational skills , and it’s important to know as many as you can.

Understanding which skills you are already good at and which you are not is essential.

Once you fully understand what those skills are, you can  work to improve on them .

Organizational Skills Examples

Organizational skills are the soft skills that allow you to organize your  time, tasks, and projects .

These skills can be divided into two categories:  internal and external.  Internal organizational skills are skills that come from someone’s self. In other words, they have to do with keeping calm and being able to analyze a situation.

Internal organizational skills  have more to do with managing subtasks and other people.

Examples of internal organizational skills include:

• Ability to prioritize tasks
• Organization and planning
• Planning and organizing events Meeting deadlines

External organizational skills  are those that involve other people or resources, such as

For example, if you were tasked with organizing a meeting for your department, an external equipment. organizational skill would be setting up a conference room reservation with the company’s IT department.

Other examples of external organizational skills include:

• Coordination
• Collaboration
• Communication

Having a good work-life balance  is also critical to your success in both parts of your life. You may not think about it, but this is also an essential organizational skill.

It’s great to be focused on your work, but you need to know when to take a break and  enjoy your personal life and downtime .

Staying fit and getting proper rest at home will affect your mood positively at the office.

Organizational Skills in the Workplace

You cannot understate or underestimate how useful organizational skills are at work.

No matter the position or industry, a company needs employees that are well organized and can  manage their time efficiently .

To make it to the interview phase of the job application process, you’ll need to ensure the hiring manager is aware that you possess the organizational skills required to do the job correctly.

Make sure to look over the job description carefully. You can get an idea of exactly what to include when mentioning how you used your organizational skills in the past.

Below, you can find the organizational skills that you will most likely need to include in your resume to impress a job recruiter or employer.

1. Collaboration

Working with other people is a necessity for anyone who wants to advance professionally. Learning how to collaborate effectively will help you develop rapport and increase your impact as part of a team.

2. Delegation

Delegating tasks appropriately allows you to better utilize your time and puts less stress on yourself by letting others handle parts of your workload.

Delegation goes hand in hand with your collaboration skills. You make sure everyone is organized and can get the best results, while also keeping them happy.

3. Time Management

This is one of the most important organizational skills. To finish your tasks on time and ensure they are completed correctly is part of time management.

Anyone that is hiring would love to see a resume that shows an employee has great time management skills and has increased productivity in the past thanks to that type of organizational skill.

4. Communication

An employee that is organized is an employee that is able to communicate. Being able to speak and write clearly will help you and anyone you work with to be productive.

You need to have good active listening skills as well as communication skills to be able to keep on top of your work and in a good rhythm with your coworkers and bosses.

5. Providing Feedback

Providing feedback is one of the best ways to improve your organizational skills because it lets you analyze information, think critically about what’s been said and make adjustments accordingly.

How do you make sure it’s constructive? This is an important question that has to do with organizational skills.

Take that information and give someone else, or even yourself, the assessments needed to improve performance at the office.

6. Management

Management is about much more than just overseeing projects and delegating tasks; it also involves keeping track of how everyone in a company is performing, which means being able to communicate effectively with other members.

If you have management experience such as organizing a group and making sure everyone stays on task and productive, a hiring manager would be thrilled.

7. Prioritizing

One of the best ways you can show that you are what a manager is looking for is by proving you can prioritize your tasks.

When you are someone that can prioritize, you are able to take complex tasks and break them down into smaller tasks. You can see how a task will affect the overall outcome of a project.

You are also able to envision any potential problems down the line and adjust accordingly. As you can tell, being able to prioritize tasks is not just about listing your assignments.

Being able to prioritize can also help you develop your project management skills.

It has a lot to do with your way of thinking, and that’s what makes it an important skill at work.

8. Mental Organizational Skills

Thinking strategically and being able to examine situations, including in a non-logical way. Using a methodical approach, you can problem-solve and ultimately be extremely productive when you are at work.

Some mental organizational skills include:

• Critical thinking
• Decision-making
• Thinking creatively

To be able to package all of this in the skill section of your resume may be challenging. So have a look at some  resume examples , to get an idea of how to do it.

Below you can find  specific advice to help you  as well.

How to Include Organizational Skills in Your Resume

Getting your resume and cover letter right is so important. Sometimes we underestimate how the words you include can affect the hiring manager’s decision.

The same goes for choosing the best resume  format if you want to stand ou t.

While making a skill section and listing the words neatly helps, it’s not really telling a hiring manager much about how you were an organized employee in the past.

By giving the hiring manager  proof of your skills , you’ll show them exactly what you can bring to their company.

First of all, here is how to include the best  resume format  to make reading your document easy for the reader:

• Order your achievements and experience from most recent to least recent.
• Type the content in fonts that are easy to read and simple.
• Ensure your resume has enough space between paragraphs.
• Write headings that are simple and straight to the point.

Remember to  include a summary  at the beginning of your resume as well.

Once you get to the experience and skills sections, you need to know how to show off those organizational skills.

Include only relevant organizational skills on your resume. Look over the job description and list what you feel matches the job the most.

When you list your organizational skills, they can be put in a list that looks something like this:

• Office management
• Attention to detail
• Assigning tasks

Including these skills in the skill section is just half the work. What will really make a hiring manager decide to call you in for an interview is describing your responsibilities at a previous job.

If the job you are applying for really wants someone with organizational skills, you’ll need to figure out how to work them into your  previous job descriptions .

Check out the organizational skills examples on a resume below, so you can see what to include in your past job description and what not to include.

“Organized monthly employee lunch and learn sessions for the office. This allowed us all to get together without having to take time out from our busy schedules.”

While this example has some elements an employer is looking for, it doesn’t nearly give enough detail.

Have a look at an example that tells a hiring manager you are the perfect fit for their company.

This is the example content

So what is the difference between the first and second examples?

The second example tells the hiring manager that this person can:

• Communicate
• Manage time well

You must be a bit careful at times, as you don’t want to make your job descriptions too long. Remember to include as much relevant information as possible while  explaining it briefly and directly .

To give yourself some extra help, you can use a resume builder to make the job of writing everything on your resume even easier.

How to Improve on your Organizational Skills

You may feel your organizational skills are already top-notch, however, that doesn’t mean you can’t get even better. Apart from doing well on your job application, you’ll need to do well once you get the job!

What if you feel organizational skills aren’t your strong suit?

If that’s the case, you can still take the following advice and be able to apply organizational skills at work in the future.

If you are looking to improve your organizational skills, here’s what you can do:

• Use a planner:  If you have trouble remembering to do things, or keeping on top of your work day, consider using a planner. This will help you organize your tasks and keep track of what needs to be done and when. 
• Use a to-do list:  Take advantage of the digital age by using a task manager or checklist app on your phone or computer and writing down all the tasks that need to be completed for each day, week, or month in advance! 
• Use an online calendar service:  A calendar is an easy way for everyone involved in planning an event or project to know who’s doing what when it comes time for action. 
• Watch YouTube instructional videos:  Find some videos about how others improved their organizational skills over time.
• Take a class on improving your organizational skills:  There are many ways out there you can improve your skills, but sometimes it takes more than just reading about it. 
• Find someone and get some pointers:  You and ask someone already successful at something like this and ask them what their secret is? They may tell you their success comes from having an organized home office.

All of this information and improving your skills don’t only help you create a resume, it will help you when it comes time to do an interview. Having all of this information in your mind will help answer any questions that may come up regarding organizational skills.

So don’t forget to go over organization skills  examples for your interview  as well.

To sum up, when you place your organizational skills, management skills, or any other skills you have on your resume, it is essential to do it the right way.

Without placing your skills and experience in a clear way and in a way that grabs the hiring manager’s attention, you’ll likely get an email telling you to “try again another time.”

If you feel you don’t have enough experience, or you can improve, there are plenty of free and useful ways to enhance your organizational skills.

With  the correct resume template and format  along, you can make the perfect job application with or without experience and get hired in no time!

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10 Best Organizational Skills and How to Include on a Resume

One of the biggest challenges that people face when they’re looking for a job is finding an employer who values their skills. For this reason, it’s essential to know which abilities to highlight when building a resume . Including your organizational skills should be a top priority. 

Organizational skills are not something anyone is born with: they must be learned, improved and mastered throughout a lifetime. Even if you often feel like a disorganized mess, it’s likely that you already have key planning and organizing skills that can be demonstrated on your resume.

Being able to identify what needs to be done and in what order, prioritizing, and managing interruptions are likely all organizational skills you employ in your day-to-day life , even if you have never used them in a working environment. 

But organizational techniques are essential in any profession , and it’s important to know how to convey that you possess them in order to get hired.  

With this in mind, let’s dig into the meaning of organizational skills and why they matter , look at some organizational skills examples, and learn how to include these abilities when writing your resume .

What Are Organizational Skills?

Organizational skills are the ability to manage time, tasks, projects, responsibilities, and people. They include knowledge of how to perform a task personally or supervise its performance by others.

These skills are important for success in any career and can be learned. Some types of organizational skills include: 

• Time management – This refers to your ability to effectively plan your time so that you can accomplish all the tasks on your plate. Time management helps you determine which activities must take priority over others and how long each task will take you to complete.
• Task management – This refers to managing multiple projects at once by prioritizing major milestones, as well as breaking down larger projects into smaller tasks with specific deadlines for completion.
• Responsibility management – This refers to recognizing who is responsible for each step in a project or process and ensuring everyone involved understands their role in accomplishing the goal(s).

You can find below a full list of organizational skills that most employers look for on a resume.

Importance of Organizational Skills

Organizational techniques are some of the core competencies that are important for almost every job, industry, and career.  Regardless of what you do or how you do it, good organizational skills are an important part of having a successful work life.

Planning and o rganizing skills are important in all types of jobs because they enable you to identify what needs to be done and then plan how best to do it. 

Having these skills ensures you are more efficient and effective at work, and therefore more of an asset to an organization.

List of Organizational Skills

From being able to manage and prioritize tasks, to keeping your physical workspace clean, these are the best organizational skills that employers value most when hiring new talent or promoting from within their ranks.

Collaboration

Collaboration is a key part of any job. It’s about working together and achieving goals as a group, whether that’s in the office or out in the field.

Collaboration can also fall under teamwork skills , but it is also a key ability to ensure you are organized in your workplace.

Communication

Because communication skills are so important and can be used in every job , it’s worth taking the time to learn them.

Learning how to listen carefully is especially important in any job where there’s lots of back-and-forth discussion between colleagues or clients/customers (e.g., in a sales representative role).

You also need to be able to speak clearly so that people understand what you say without having to ask for clarification. It also helps if your speech is concise because nobody wants their life slowed down by someone who talks too much.

Delegation 

Delegation is a skill that allows you to get more done in less time. It helps you focus on the things that are important and not waste time on the things that are not.

When you delegate a task, it’s important to give clear instructions to junior employees on what they need to do and when they need to do it. 

This ensures that your team member has all the necessary information to successfully complete a task without having to ask questions every step of the way.

Mental organizational skills

Mental organizational techniques include the ability to stay focused on the task at hand and not get distracted by things like social media. They also include the ability to prioritize your workload, and set realistic goals. 

These tasks are essential for improving your work efficiency. In fact, some companies may even offer classes on mental organization as part of their onboarding process.

Physical organization

Physical organization skills are the ability to arrange things in a logical and efficient manner. It encompasses the task of organizing your physical workspace , and keeping it clean and in order.

When your workspace is organized well, it’s easier to focus on the tasks at hand instead of wasting time wondering where all those pens and papers got to.

Planning out your time and goals is one of the most important organizational skills for anyone who wants to be successful. 

Whether you’re making a list of things to do or writing out a plan of action, planning ahead can help you avoid stress and save time.

Prioritizing

The ability to prioritize is a skill that allows you to focus on the most important tasks at hand. When it comes to prioritizing, many people find it difficult to determine which task needs to be addressed first. 

Employers often favor candidates who seem confident with their ability to handle multiple responsibilities at once , as well as those who can clearly articulate how they complete various tasks in order of importance. 

Problem-Solving

Problem solving is a decision-making process that identifies and addresses the root causes of problems . 

It’s a skill that involves analyzing a situation, generating alternative solutions, choosing the strongest option, and taking action to solve the problem. 

Time management

Time management is the ability to manage tasks and stay organized. Employers look for candidates who can employ these organizational skills at work because an employee who can’t do so will likely be late or miss deadlines.

Developing good time management skills includes prioritizing the tasks you need to complete each day. This will help ensure that there is always something productive being done while still leaving room for some downtime or fun activities when needed.

Work-life balance

Work-life balance is a popular buzzword for good reason. Allocating enough time in your life for healthy eating, sleeping, and exercising, and minimizing activities like social media and watching TV are key to a productive work life.  

It’s important to have a healthy life outside of work, so that you can be fully present and engaged when you’re on the job. On the other hand, It’s also important not to overwork yourself or push yourself too hard. 

How To Add Organizational Skills to Your Resume

Planning and organizing skills are transferable skills , which means that they can be listed on your resume regardless of whether or not you’re applying for an organizational role. 

And indeed, anyone who is striving for success should find a way to emphasize these abilities when applying for a job. Organizational skills are relevant for any position , so it’s important to highlight them on your resume!

There are several ways you can add organizational skills on a resume. including: 

• Using organizational skills to describe yourself in your resume summary or objective.
• Including a list of these abilities in the ‘Skills’ section of your resume
• Adding examples of your organizational skills under individual job descriptions in your ‘Experience’ section

This last option is perhaps the best place to show off organizational skills examples. In a job description, you can outline quantifiable examples of where your abilities came into play and how they helped you carry out your responsibilities in previous roles.

It’s also important to include organizational skills on a resume that match keywords in the job description , as this will make you stand out more as a strong candidate to recruiters.

Additionally, you should always use bullet points to illustrate your organizational skills in the workplace within a job description, as you can see in many of our resume templates . 

Examples of Organizational Skills on a Resume

You’re nearly ready to prove that you are an organized candidate to any hiring manager out there. However, it’s always a great idea to look over some examples of how organizational skills should be added to a resume first. 

Take a look at the following examples of different resume sections to give yourself some inspiration for listing your organizational qualities.

Resume Summary :

The summary should include your strongest points and most recent experience.

Seasoned professional with 10+ years of experience, excelling in strategic planning, effective prioritization, and meticulous time management. Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks and promote team collaboration. Seeking a challenging role to leverage these skills for enhanced organizational efficiency and growth.

Resume Objective:

More suited to candidates who are just starting out, an objective should outline your organizational qualities that can benefit the company you are applying to.

Organized and detail-oriented professional with expertise in prioritizing, planning, and time management. Seeking a role to leverage these skills for driving efficiency, streamlining processes, and achieving successful outcomes. Committed to delivering high-quality results within tight deadlines to contribute to organizational success.

Resume Experience section :

This is where the bulk of your achievements and responsibilities will be outlined, and your organizational skills can be woven in throughout.

Project Manager

ABC Company, New York, NY

July 2017 – Present

• Directed cross-functional teams, improving project completion rates by 30%.
• Managed 15+ concurrent projects with exceptional organizational skills.
• Implemented a streamlined project tracking system, enhancing communication.
• Optimized resource allocation, leading to a 20% increase in efficiency.
• Delivered projects on time and within budget by setting clear milestones.

Operations Manager

XYZ Corporation, San Francisco, CA

January 2013 – June 2017

• Increased operational efficiency by 25% through strategic planning.
• Led process reengineering, promoting organizational coherence.
• Developed a task prioritization system, reducing delivery times by 15%.
• Managed a team of 20+, ensuring adherence to deadlines and fostering collaboration.
• Coordinated logistics, reducing supply chain disruptions by 18%.

Resume Skills section :

Rather than just listing your skills, you can describe them a little more in depth in a section such as this.

Key skills:

• Strategic Planning: Develop and implement plans for enhanced organizational efficiency.
• Task Prioritization: Effectively prioritize assignments to meet deadlines and achieve goals.
• Time Management: Meticulously manage time to handle multiple projects without compromising quality.

What is the common theme in each example you may be wondering? 

Each example provides data and a clear description of how the candidate uses or will use their organizational skills to complete their tasks.  

If you can include these types of skills in your different resume sections, you’ll definitely be the stand-out candidate! 

Ways to Improve Organizational Skills

It’s never too late to improve organizational skills that can help you get ahead in your career. If you are a disorganized person in general, try these basic tips to get started: 

• Use a calendar.
• Create a to-do list.
• Stay on top of your work, and don’t let it get away from you!
• Be proactive—not reactive—in getting things done; this will help prevent you being overwhelmed by the volume of tasks at hand, and allow for more focus when working on individual items in your schedule or project list.

Additionally, nowadays there are many apps that can help you organize your life and keep track of tasks and appointments. These include Google Calendar, Task manager, Todoist, or even the Reminder app.

If you still feel that you lack quantifiable organizational skills to add on a resume, consider the following options:

• Read books on organizational skills – if you can’t afford to buy them, you’ll find many great books on this subject in any local library. 
• Watch videos on Youtube  – for example, there are many great TED talks related to improving your ability to organize.
• Take an online course – Get an official certification to add to your resume related to  planning and organizing skills to boost your credibility. 

You may still feel like you’re lacking in certain areas. But if you’re willing to put in extra hours when necessary, then you can use these techniques to overcome any gaps in your organizational techniques and build a strong example of a resume .

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The Top 10 Organizational Skills To Put On Your Resume in 2024

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“ For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned. ”   — Benjamin Franklin

Over 43 percent of hiring managers specifically look for organizational skills when reviewing the resume skills of job candidates.

It’s easy to see why. According to a Gallup survey , employees who lack organizational skills cost the U.S. economy an estimated $544 billion each year due to lost productivity.

These unorganized employees are not only four times more likely to miss deadlines, but are also nine times more likely to be dissatisfied with their job! 

Clearly, strong organizational skills are essential for success in today’s workplace, whether you work remotely or in an office.

In this article, we’ll show you… 

• The top 10 organizational skills employers are looking for
• How to highlight organizational skills on a resume

How to highlight organizational skills in a job interview

• How to develop and improve your organizational skills

Use Jobscan’s free ATS-friendly resume templates and start building your resume that gets noticed by recruiters!

In This Article

What are organizational skills, the top 10 organizational skills to put on your resume, why are organizational skills important, how to highlight organizational skills on your resume, how to develop organizational skills.

Organizational skills are your abilities to manage time effectively, prioritize tasks, set goals, and develop systems for achieving those goals.

Employees with good organizational skills can juggle multiple responsibilities simultaneously, stay focused on deadlines, and handle complex projects efficiently.

Organizational skills are considered to be soft skills . These are non-technical abilities that help an individual work well with others, such as communication, teamwork, and leadership. 

Because soft skills help foster a positive and functional work environment, hiring managers are placing a greater emphasis on them when searching for job candidates. 

This is good news for job seekers, because organizational skills, like other soft skills , are transferable. This means that you can apply them to any job in any field or industry. 

So If you’re thinking about making a career change , be sure to stress your organizational and other soft skills to potential employers.

Employees who have good organizational skills are vital for the successful functioning of any business.

But what specific skills are employers looking for?

Here are ten of the most important organizational skills (with examples) that businesses want their employees to have.

1) Time Management

Time management is the ability to wisely and efficiently spend the 24 hours that we all have every day. 

An employee with good time management skills is able to focus on important tasks first, delegate whenever possible, minimize distractions, eliminate procrastination, and stick to deadlines.

Time management skills are used in the workplace in a number of ways, including:

• Planning your day ahead of time. 
• Breaking large projects into smaller, more manageable tasks.
• Saying “no” when you have too much on your plate.
• Creating systems for tracking progress toward goals.
• Learning to work smarter, not harder.

2) Setting goals

Highly successful businesses and people all have one thing in common – they possess an extremely clear vision of where they want to go. 

Without a clear vision, people can easily get lost, or distracted by life’s daily challenges. 

When you are setting goals, be sure to make them measurable and achievable within a given timeframe. Vague goals won’t help you stay focused and motivated.

Some of the goals you might set in the workplace include:

• Increasing sales by a certain percentage.
• Developing a new product or service.
• Improving customer satisfaction ratings.
• Streamlining daily operations to increase productivity.
• Enhancing team morale by creating a positive work environment.

3) Setting priorities

Setting priorities is about determining which tasks are the most important ones to tackle first. This allows you to then focus your full attention and energy on them.

When you don’t set priorities, you can easily feel confused and overwhelmed. This lack of clarity can lead to procrastination, which only compounds the problem! 

Ultimately, setting priorities in the workplace leads to better overall productivity and improved efficiency.

Examples of how you might set priorities in the workplace include:

• Identifying the tasks that are most important and must be completed first.
• Setting realistic, achievable deadlines for tasks.
• Delegating lower-priority tasks to others when possible.
• Breaking larger tasks into manageable chunks.
• Regularly reviewing your priorities and adjusting as needed.

4) Physical organization

According to a recent survey , employees spend about two hours a day searching for the documents and information they need to do their jobs. That’s 25% of their workday!

This is why it’s so important to be physically organized at work. This means having a physical and digital workspace that is orderly and well-maintained, so you can find everything you need quickly. 

Getting rid of physical or digital clutter can also create more mental space for creative thinking, problem-solving, and positive feelings.

Examples of how you might physically organize your workspace include:

• Utilizing cloud computing services to store documents and files securely.
• Labeling shelves, drawers, files, and containers for easy identification.
• Using wall space and bulletin boards to post reminders, notes, or calendars.
• Minimizing distractions by limiting pop-ups and unnecessary notifications.
• Keeping any cables tucked away in order to maintain an uncluttered appearance.

5) Communication

At first glance, communication might not seem like an organizational skill, but the ability to communicate in a clear, concise way ensures that everything stays organized.

Communication skills include listening as well as speaking (or writing). Good listeners focus on what is being said, ask relevant questions to clarify information, and provide helpful feedback.

Ultimately, good communication skills will help you streamline your workflow , which saves time, money, and resources. 

Examples of how you might use communication skills at work include:

• Being articulate and clear while speaking to colleagues and clients. 
• Listening to others and considering their opinions before making a decision.
• Asking questions and seeking clarification when needed.
• Being open to feedback from colleagues or supervisors.
• Writing emails, reports, and memos that are concise and easy to understand.

6) Delegation

Delegation is when you assign tasks to others instead of doing those tasks yourself.

Why is delegation an essential organizational skill? Because when you delegate, you give yourself more time and energy to focus on your own important tasks .

Despite the obvious benefits, delegation is a skill many people struggle with. In fact, only 30 percent of managers believe they’re good at delegating. 

Delegation involves more than just assigning tasks — it requires providing clear instructions and giving proper support so that the task can be completed successfully.

When delegation is done correctly, it can be a powerful tool to help organizations reach their goals.

Examples of how you might use delegation skills at work include:

• Making a list of tasks and assigning them to team members.
• Providing clear instructions for each task, including deadlines.
• Encouraging team members to take ownership of their delegated tasks.
• Evaluating the progress of delegated tasks and ensuring that deadlines are met.
• Following up with team members to see that goals are achieved. 

7) Planning

If you have good planning skills, it will be easier for you to handle workloads, accomplish tasks, meet deadlines, and collaborate with others.

If you don’t have good planning skills, you’ll always be scrambling at the last minute to get things done. 

Good planning skills are key for any successful business venture, as they help companies stay on track and reach their goals in a timely and efficient manner.

Examples of how you might use planning skills at work include:

• Developing practical strategies to address short- and long-term goals.
• Breaking big projects into smaller, manageable tasks.
• Establishing clear roles, deadlines, and objectives for team members.
• Allocating resources for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
• Scheduling meetings and other events in advance.

8) Attention to detail

Paying attention to detail is considered an organizational skill because it allows you to produce quality work that is free of errors. 

Producing good work that doesn’t have to be redone, again and again, saves the company time, money, and resources. 

This is why hiring managers place a high value on job candidates who can show they are detail-oriented.

Examples of how you might pay attention to details at work include:

• Taking extra time to double-check your work for accuracy.
• Documenting changes in procedures or processes. 
• Noting the individual preferences of clients and customers. 
• Paying close attention to instructions given by supervisors or colleagues. 
• Keeping careful track of resources used in projects.

9) Decision-Making

Decision-making is a skill that allows you to effectively assess and evaluate different options, weigh the pros and cons of each option, and choose the best solution for a given problem.

You can’t make good decisions without being organized. This is because you have to systematically take into account current conditions, needs, resources, and other factors. 

Good decision-making helps businesses save time and money while also ensuring they achieve their goals more quickly.

Examples of how you might use decision-making skills at work include:

• Using data and past experiences to inform your decision.
• Considering potential risks associated with a decision before making it.
• Being willing to seek advice or consider alternatives when necessary.
• Making decisions in a timely manner to keep projects on track. 
• Being able to adjust when conditions change or new information is received. 

10) Multitasking

Multitasking is the ability to handle multiple tasks or projects simultaneously . It does not necessarily mean doing two entirely different things at the exact same time. 

The benefits of multitasking are that it can help increase productivity, reduce stress, and maximize time. However, multitasking can also lead to errors and reduced quality of work if not managed properly. 

In order to be successful at multitasking you need to stay focused on one task at a time and avoid distractions. 

It’s also important to recognize when multitasking is not appropriate—some tasks require more focused attention in order to be completed effectively. 

Examples of how you might use multitasking skills at work include:

• Answering emails while working on a project or report.
• Scheduling meetings while taking care of administrative tasks.
• Participating in conference calls while managing other projects at the same time.
• Delegating tasks to team members while completing your own work.
• Juggling customer support inquiries while working on other projects.

According to one study , employees waste an average of 40% of their workday because they don’t possess good organizational skills!

Employees who are organized, on the other hand, can save businesses a lot of time and money. That’s because these employees are able to: 

• Complete tasks faster and more efficiently. 
• Manage their own time without supervision.
• Quickly find the documents and information they need.
• Maintain data and records correctly.
• Create a productive working environment for the whole team.

Organizational skills are certainly useful in the workplace, but did you know they can also improve the quality of your overall life? 

In general, people who are organized experience less stress , anxiety, and depression.

So don’t ignore your soft skills! They’re more valuable than you think, both for your professional life and your personal life.  

If you want potential employers to see how organized you are, you have to feature those skills on your resume.

Here are the two best ways to highlight your organizational skills on your resume :

1) Provide specific, measurable results

The more specific your resume is, the better. Don’t just say you have good time management or communication skills. That’s too vague and forgettable. 

Instead, show exactly how you implemented your organizational skills at work and what the measurable results were. 

Use numbers and metrics whenever possible. These will help paint a clear picture of what you did and how well you did it.

Here are some examples of specific, measurable results:

• Developed and maintained a filing system for tracking customer orders, resulting in an 80% increase in efficiency.
• Created a digital inventory system that tracked 200+ units of inventory with 100% accuracy.
• Automated invoices to improve accuracy from 70% to 95%.
• Designed and implemented a scheduling system for 50+ employees, improving productivity by 40%.
• Reorganized office space increasing the efficiency of the workspace by 25%.

2) Use keywords from the job description

Before you apply to a job, carefully read through the job description and pay attention to any words or phrases that describe skills.

These are called keywords (a keyword can also be a phrase).

When hiring managers scan your resume, they are specifically looking for these keywords. If your resume doesn’t have them, you might get rejected! 

Keywords are important in another way. After you submit your resume it usually goes into a computer database called an applicant tracking system, or ATS . 

Hiring managers search for job candidates by typing keywords into the search bar of the ATS. These keywords are usually the same ones found in the job description. 

This is why it’s so important to tailor every resume to each job you apply to! 

For example, if the job listing is looking for an operations manager who is “highly detail-oriented and able to multitask” then you should try to use the keywords “detail-oriented” and “multitask” on your resume (but don’t lie!).

The basic idea behind keywords is that you want to use the job description’s own language on your resume – and then do this for every job you apply to.

It might take a little time and effort, but doing this consistently will increase the chances that someone sees your resume and asks you for an interview.

Now that you’ve landed a job interview, what’s the best way to talk about your organizational skills?

Here are three ways to highlight your organizational skills when asked questions about them in a job interview.

1. Describe your process

When asked about a time when you had to be organized, take the interviewer through your thought process step-by-step . 

This will show that you not only have the skills to be organized but that you also know how to articulate them.

For example, if your project manager skills include organizing team projects at work, you might say something like, 

“I sat down and made a list of all the tasks that needed to be done and then divided them up among the team members that I knew were best suited for each task. I assigned deadlines for my team and checked in with everyone regularly to make sure they were on track.”

If you’re not a manager, but were in charge of multiple individual projects, you might say something like, 

“I created a daily and weekly schedule for myself, mapping out when I would work on each task. I made sure to leave some buffer time in case anything ran over, and I always tried to stick to my schedule as closely as possible.”

2. Connect your organizational skills to the new job’s responsibilities

When describing your organizational skills, always try to make connections to the responsibilities of the new job. 

For example, if you want to highlight your web developer skills , you might talk about how your organizational skills helped you lead a team to success on a previous project. 

Applying for a role that involves regular contact with customers or patients means your organizational skills are crucial. This is true whether you’re focusing on cashier skills , barista skills , server skills , or nurse skills . If you’re applying for a cashier position, you might talk about how being organized helped you handle customer transactions swiftly and accurately. As a barista, you could describe how organization skills ensured smooth coffee preparation and order delivery. If server skills are your focus, you might explain how your organizational abilities helped keep track of various table orders and meet customers’ needs. Finally, in the context of nurse skills, organization can be key to managing patient care and meeting their health needs effectively.

3. Use specific examples and data

Just like on your resume, you should always try to use specific examples and numbers to back up your claims about your organizational skills. 

For example, if you’re applying for a customer service position, you might talk about how you increased customer satisfaction by a specific percentage in a previous role. 

If you helped your previous company save money by streamlining its inventory process, use numbers to show just how much money you saved the company. 

If you used your organizational skills to launch a successful event, describe how you managed the budget and timeline to ensure that everything went off without a hitch. 

Not only do concrete examples and data make your argument more convincing, but they also give the interviewer something to remember you by. 

Remember, being specific – both on your resume and in an interview – helps create a more vivid picture of who you are and what you’re capable of doing. 

Organization skills don’t come easy for some people, but they can be learned and refined over time with practice. 

If you want to develop your organizational skills, It’s important to focus on the following five steps :

1. Prioritize tasks – Evaluate all of the tasks at hand and prioritize them according to importance, urgency, difficulty, or other criteria that makes sense for your individual situation. 

2. Keep a planner – Keeping a schedule and/or a to-do list of tasks can be very helpful in making sure that all of the important tasks get done. Be sure to make time for both short-term goals and long-term goals, as well as leisure activities or breaks.

3. Break down big projects – Large projects can be very overwhelming, so it helps to break them down into smaller, more manageable tasks. This can include setting deadlines for each task and scheduling time in the day to complete that task.

4. Minimize distractions – To ensure maximum productivity and focus, try to limit distractions such as social media, phones, or even other people. Set aside specific times to check emails or social media.

5. Create systems – Creating systems, such as filing documents by category or using a daily checklist of tasks, can help streamline the process of getting things done. Once you create these systems, be sure to stick with them! 

With consistent practice, organizational skills can be learned and improved upon.

It’s well worth the effort, as you’ll experience a more productive and stress-free life, both in the office and at home!

More expert insights on this topic:

500 Synonyms for Common Resume Power Verbs

Leadership Skills You Need to Include On Your Resume That Employers Actually Look For

67 Resume Accomplishments Examples to Show Your Value

Robert Henderson, CPRW, is a career advice writer and a resume expert at Jobscan.

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How to Describe Organizational Skills When Applying for a Job

7 min read · Updated on January 23, 2023

So much falls under the heading of organizational skills!

Searching for a job can feel like a full time job, but it shouldn't. By identifying your skills and tailoring your resume around the skills you have to offer a prospective company, you can stand out from the crowd. Organizational skills are often a key element of a role, so let's talk about learning how to describe organizational skills when applying for a job. 

What are organizational skills?

Having a tidy desk with neat stacks of papers is considered organized, but strong organizational skills at work involve more than putting things away. Good organizational skills have to do with managing time, space, and resources. This allows you to work effectively and get things done. 

In the end, that's what employers want – staff that can get things finished on time and under budget, whether that employee is remote, hybrid, or in-person. If you work remotely, organizational skills at work become even more critical. Sometimes you might have a major project with many moving parts or have to communicate between time zones. In those cases, you must possess different types of organizational skills.

With all of that being said, you can tie the definition of organizational skills into a little bow by saying they are soft skills . Soft skills are characteristics you possess that make you good at what you do. By demonstrating good organization skills in the workplace, you're showcasing some of those much-desired soft skills. 

DID YOU KNOW: if two candidates have similar hard skills, the hiring manager will choose the person with the right soft skills?

Types of organizational skills

Anything you do at work to maintain focus on time, tasks, and productivity fall into the classification of organizational skills. They include your ability to remain calm under pressure and set SMART goals . Here are some organizational skills examples:

Problem solving

Decision making

Time management

Attention to detail

Critical thinking

Self motivation

Managing priorities

Organizational skills for managers are a bit different, but not by much. They simply fall into broader categories, including things like office management, delegating tasks, and sharing feedback. 

Why are organizational skills important?

There is a lot to keep up with at work. This customer needs to be called back tomorrow, that project needs to finish the day after, and you have to update your customer relationship management platform today. Being able to keep up with all of that and manage things that pop up in the meantime make you a valuable asset to management.

Leaders and executives understand that lost documents, mishandled customer information, and missed meetings are expensive. Anything that negatively affects the bottom line will not be tolerated for long. On top of that, you have to have personal organizational skills. In other words, the tools necessary to manage the emotions and stress that go along with work organization skills.

What jobs require good organizational skills?

As you can imagine, having good organizational skills will help you in any job. There are some jobs, though, where having good organizational skills is a must! Those include: 

Corporate or Event Planner

Project Manager

Sales or Business Development Manager

Operations Manager

Did you notice that most of those jobs are high-level jobs and a few involve working independently? Additionally, they all require someone who can manage performance, achieve goals, and build positive cultures. These are all things that companies appreciate in staff members. 

How to talk about organizational skills on your resume 

Approximately one third of hiring managers and recruiters consider seeing a resume with buzzwords or generalized statements a “ deal breaker . ” When considering how to include organizational skills on your resume, remember to be specific, use action words, and include achievement statements.  

Don't write that you are “Adept at carrying out detailed plans.” Think of a situation you were involved in that gave you the opportunity to plan something that caused a shift in something else. For example, you could say something like this:

“Defined project scope, created a project plan, and identified staff objectives to bring a new product to market, achieving $40M in revenue within 6 months.”

You'll notice that there isn't a single mention of 'having organizational skills' in this sentence. Yet, it's clear that the person is organized or else they wouldn't have been able to get the product to market or realize massive revenues. 

How to talk about organizational skills during an interview

The interviewer will get a sense of your organizational skills the minute you walk in the door. They'll look at whether you arrived on time and if you're prepared. Preparation can be judged by whether you have extra copies of your resume or if you've practiced answering some common interview questions . 

When you're answering their questions, you can further demonstrate your organizational skills by using the STAR method to formulate responses. With every answer you give, be sure to talk about the situation, what you did about it, and the result. Circle back to how your actions then can help their company now. 

How to improve organizational skills

Considering the importance of organizational skills at work, it's a good idea to keep the ones you have sharp and spruce up others if you want to ensure a happy work life. For the most part, good organizational skills are developed by forming habits. 

It can be difficult to nail down exactly how long it takes to form a habit. There is research that supports the idea that it takes 21 days, while other scientists say it can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days. No matter how long it takes, the outcome is worth it because you end up with organizational skills that are second nature – things you do without thought. 

Here are five suggestions for developing new, or improving existing, organizational skills:

• Use a calendar: Get one of those spiral-bound calendars that has big squares for the dates so that you can write things down. Alternatively, you can use an online planner or calendar management system with reminders. The main idea here is that you can see what needs to be done in advance of when it's due. 
• Set goals: Not only does having goals help to improve your organizational skills, but they also reduce stress. When you put things on your calendar, you can create a list of things to do to achieve the tasks by the specified date. This task list will help you to break big projects into small objectives. 
• Communicate: While good communication isn't specifically an organizational skill, it does support organization. When you communicate with your co-workers and managers, you're holding yourself accountable and finding support when you need it. Also, good communication skills help you to delegate tasks on large projects. Being able to delegate is a key organizational skill. 
• Delegate tasks: You are not a superhero. Many projects require teamwork. It's one thing to show the boss that you can organize your own day, it's another thing to organize the work of others, too. Plus, when you have the capacity for delegating work to others, you're taking care of your mental health. 
• Practice work/life balance: It may not seem like it, but having a healthy balance between work and life is an important organizational skill. When you practice resting your brain and walking away from work at the appropriate time, you're able to process things better. This means that your productivity will improve and you'll be able to achieve your work goals easily. 

The bottom line is that employers want employees who can demonstrate organizational skills. Almost everyone has some form of these desired traits and those who don't can work to improve them. 

Since being able to showcase organizational skills on your resume is crucial to the success of your job search, TopResume will review your resume for free to help you get on the right track. 

Recommended reading:

7 Traits of Highly Successful Employees

10 Apps to Get You Organized and Improve Your Productivity

Career Success: 10 Tips on How to Be Successful at Work

Related Articles:

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Guide to Writing a Great Resume with No Work Experience

Higher Order Thinking Explained

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30+ Resume Objective Examples (Plus, Tips on How to Write Yours)

Resume objectives are a bit controversial. Some career experts see them as outdated, while others believe job seekers can still use them to their advantage. Although resume objective statements have slowly been replaced by resume summaries, they remain useful in certain situations—and that's why you should know how to write one, just in case.

For instance, if you're changing careers and your previous work experience doesn't quite match the new role you're after, an objective statement could help communicate your professional goals to the hiring manager. Likewise, if you're a recent graduate or looking to relocate, you could use this section of your resume to highlight these intentions.

We've gathered 32 resume objective examples—plus, some tips on how to craft one that grabs the hiring manager's attention.

What is a resume objective

A resume objective is a brief statement outlining your short-term career goals, usually one to two sentences long. It should be tailored to the specific job or industry you're pursuing and is placed at the top of your resume, just below the header.

What is a good objective for a resume, and when are they welcomed? That's what we'll show you in a moment.

When you should use a resume objective

Resume objectives aren't quite the norm these days, so they should be only used when you need to clarify why you're applying for that particular role or company. Here are three situations where using an objective statement is a good idea:

• If you're doing a career pivot: A resume objective can guide recruiters on your career goals and prevent you from being disqualified when transitioning to a new field.
• If you're changing locations: Applying for jobs outside your current state or city can leave recruiters uncertain about your location; a resume objective can clearly express your willingness to relocate.
• If you're a recent graduate: Since you likely have little to no work experience to show, a resume objective can give a glimpse into who you are and what you aim to achieve.
• If you've worked in a variety of roles: When your work history is all over the place, a resume objective statement can be a helpful tool to highlight your most relevant skills, experiences, and what you're looking for in your next role .

Resume objective vs. resume summary

A resume objective outlines your career goals and what you aim to achieve in a position, while a resume summary focuses on skills, accomplishments, education, and relevant experiences for the role.

“Think of the resume objective as your career aspiration and the summary as your professional snapshot,” says Angela Tait, People Operations Specialist and Founder of Tait Consulting . “The objective sets your sights forward, while the summary looks at your past and present achievements.”

How to write a resume objective

If you decide to write a resume objective, it'll be the first thing recruiters see on your resume, right after your name and contact information. This means their first impression will be based on how well-written your objective statement is. Here are key tips to do it right:

1. Mention your area of expertise

“Start by mentioning your area of expertise and the role you are applying for,” Tait says. This way, you let the employer know right away about your background and what you want to achieve professionally.

2. Show how you can add value to the company

Your objective statement—and your whole resume, actually—should be tailored to each job opening. “Personalize your resume objective by stating how you can add value to the company you're applying to,” Tait says. “For instance, ‘ Seeking to leverage my expertise in digital marketing to drive brand growth and engagement at XYZ Corp.’”

3. Highlight skills relevant to the role

Once again, to write an effective resume objective, keep in mind the role you're going for. “Focus on how your skills and interests align with that specific job opportunity,” says Conor Hughes, certified in Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) and HR Consultant at SMB Guide .

For example, for a software developer, skills in programming with languages like Java, C++, and Python are pretty important. Meanwhile, a graphic designer should highlight technical skills in creating and editing visual projects using tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, and Figma.

4. Optimize your statement for ATS machines

These days, most resumes get scanned by an ATS robot before reaching human recruiters. So, it's crucial to optimize your objective statement for these ATS machines. How? “Use keywords from the job description to show you have the relevant abilities they're looking for,” Hughes says.

If a job posting specifies “experience in copywriting” and “SEO optimization” as requirements, you should incorporate these exact keywords in your objective statement—and wherever else they fit on your resume. Using just “SEO” or only “copywriting” might not be enough; precision is key.

Need some help? Here's how to read the job description the right way —so you can stop sending resumes into the void.

5. Make it as concise as possible

Recruiters go through resumes really fast—that's one of the reasons two-page resumes aren't usually recommended. When writing your resume objective, keep it concise. “To one or two sentences max,” Hughes says. Remember, the goal is to give enough information about why you're applying for that role, not to share your whole life history.

32 resume objective examples to guide you

Now that we've covered the basics, here are 32 good examples of objectives for resumes categorized by job title and different professional situations, like career pivoting and entry-level positions. Use these examples as a guide, and don't forget to inject your own personality and core information.

General resume objectives examples

1. career change.

Copywriter with five years of experience, now transitioning into the UX Writing field, looking to leverage my writing and content creation skills to create digital experiences that drive business growth. Strong background in content strategy and data-driven decision making.

Find UX writer jobs on The Muse »

2. Relocation

Experienced customer service representative relocating to New York in July, seeking employment with an established customer support agency. I bring my strong communication skills , conflict resolution and customer retention ability developed in seven years working in the industry.

Find customer service jobs on The Muse »

3. Entry-level

Creative marketing graduate seeking a social media assistant entry-level position at a fast-growing marketing agency. My goal is to apply my strong storytelling and creative writing skills to create impactful content for clients and foster professional development.

Find marketing jobs on The Muse »

Compassionate and enthusiastic elementary school teacher with four years of experience teaching young students. Seeking to leverage my creative ideas, multitasking and organizational skills to create a safe and stimulating environment where children can play and learn.

Find teacher jobs on The Muse »

Registered nurse with three years of experience in patient care , currently specializing in pediatric nursing. Seeking to join the Grey Hospital nursing team and bring my knowledge of patient care and my critical thinking skills to foster a safe and empathic environment for patients.

Find registered nurse jobs on The Muse »

6. Journalist

Seasoned journalist seeking a News Reporter position at the USPN channel. I bring my five years of experience working on live television, interviewing sources, gathering and reporting information in fast-paced environments.

Find journalist jobs on The Muse »

Seeking a litigation paralegal position at The Law Group. I bring my three years of experience in conducting legal research, processing legal documents, and witness preparation for deposition and trial.

Find lawyer jobs on The Muse »

8. Architect

Experienced architect relocating to Houston, Texas in August. In my 10 years of experience in the architecture industry I was able to work both in industrial and residential projects, holding high proficiency in AutoCAD and Photoshop.

Find architect jobs on The Muse »

9. Real estate specialist

Passionate and proactive real estate specialist with solid experience in lease negotiation and facility management. Looking for a similar role to manage a real estate portfolio, implementing strategies to improve profitability and cost effectiveness.

Find real estate jobs on The Muse »

10. Waiter/Waitress

Seeking a waitress position at a local, family-led restaurant where my two years of experience in customer service and hospitality industry would contribute to create an exceptional experience to customers, guests, and clients.

Find waiter/waitress jobs on The Muse »

Resume objective examples for tech professionals

11. software engineer.

Software engineer with 5 years of experience in the banking industry, pivoting to the customer service industry to foster professional growth. Deep knowledge of object oriented programming, experienced with Java, C++, C#, Ruby, Python, and relational database schema design.

Find software engineer jobs on The Muse »

12. Software developer

Computer science graduate seeking an entry-level position as software developer. I bring my experience with Git, Java, and Python, as well as strong documentation abilities and communication skills .

Find software developer jobs on The Muse »

13. Data scientist

Experienced data scientist, seeking a senior position in the e-commerce industry. My goal is to leverage my ability to write complex and efficient SQL queries to extract data and translate business needs into analytical frameworks.

Find data scientist jobs on The Muse »

14. SEO analyst

SEO analyst, passionate about SEO and digital audience growth. 7 years of experience with site migrations, SEO analytics tools (Google Search Console, Chartbeat, Google Analytics, and SEMRush), reporting and sharing data insights, and making data-driven decisions.

Find SEO analyst jobs on The Muse »

15. UI/UX Designer

Mid level UI/UX Designer, seeking employment in a fast-growing tech startup. Solid experience with user-centered design principles, knowledge of responsive design, strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Find UI/UX Designer jobs on The Muse »

Examples of resume objectives for creative jobs

16. content writer.

Results-driven content writer with two years of experience writing for blogs and websites. Skilled in SEO, creative copywriting, and storytelling, looking forward to applying my skills and creative ideas to help XYZ build an engaged audience.

Find content writer jobs on The Muse »

17. Graphic designer

Creative graphic designer seeking an entry level-position in the education industry. Proficient with InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Figma, and After Effects, quick learner with strong time management skills.

Find graphic designer jobs on The Muse »

18. Video editor

Outcome-oriented video editor, proficient with Final Cut, After Effects, Adobe Premiere, and Photoshop. Seeking employment in the entertainment industry where I intend to apply my extensive experience in storytelling and project management to create engaging stories.

Find video editor jobs on The Muse »

19. Social media manager

Experienced social media professional, seeking a manager position at a high-growth company. I bring my in-depth knowledge of social media strategy and five years of agency experience creating content that is engaging and exciting to the community.

Find social media manager jobs on The Muse »

Resume objective examples for administrative roles

20. front desk.

Highly energetic tourism and hospitality graduate, looking for a front desk clerk position. 1.5 years of experience in customer service. Strong time management and organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to learn quick and adapt in fast paced environments.

Find front desk jobs on The Muse »

21. Receptionist

Looking for a receptionist position in the real estate industry. Three years experience in customer-facing roles, communication and leadership skills, ability to work with tight deadlines focusing on all aspects of a task or project.

Find receptionist jobs on The Muse »

22. Administrative assistant

Seeking an administrative assistant role in the healthcare industry. I bring five years of experience in customer service, advanced Excel skills, and ability to multitask to perform my duties in a timely and efficient manner.

Find administrative assistant jobs on The Muse »

23. Human resources

Human resources graduate, looking for an entry level human resources generalist position with ABC company to apply my strong verbal and written communication skills , analytical abilities, and proficiency in Microsoft applications to provide hands-on assistance to the HR team.

Find human resources jobs on The Muse »

24. Logistics

Logistics supervisor seeking a manager position at AABB company. I bring my extensive experience in global logistics operations and project management to enhance supply chain and logistics efficiency and achieve cost-effectiveness.

Find logistics jobs on The Muse »

25. Executive assistant

Seeking an executive assistant role at XYZ company. I'm an experienced professional with strong interpersonal skills, ability to multitask, and attention to detail to provide timely and high quality administrative office support to senior level leaders.

Find executive assistant jobs on The Muse »

26. Office manager

Experienced administrative assistant seeking an office manager position in a fast-paced work environment to apply my written communication skills, time management, prioritization, and planning abilities and provide exceptional service and foster professional growth.

Find office manager jobs on The Muse »

Resume objective examples for sales jobs

27. sales assistant.

Problem solver and team player sales professional, seeking a sales assistant position in a challenging work environment. I bring my experience supporting high acquisition organizations, willingness to learn, and winning team spirit to support sales teams.

Find sales assistant jobs on The Muse »

28. Sales manager

Dynamic sales manager seeking employment in the pharmaceutical industry to develop strategic sales plans and achieve revenue and market share objectives. Two years of experience in pharmaceutical sales plus three years of experience in general sales, excellent communication and leadership skills.

Find sales manager jobs on The Muse »

29. Cashier

Recent high school graduate looking for a cashier position at a company with a culture of recognition and excellence. One year of experience in retail sales, strong organizational, leadership, and communication skills to represent the company in a professional manner.

Find cashier jobs on The Muse »

Examples of resume objectives for finance careers

30. banking.

Seasoned relationship banker looking to secure an investment banking analyst position at Bank of America. 15 years of experience in the banking industry, advanced knowledge of banking transactions, strong interpersonal skills, and ability to develop and expand relationships with stakeholders.

Find banking jobs on The Muse »

31. Accounting

B.S. graduate in accounting seeking an entry-level accounting associate position to use my growth mindset, desire to learn, and organizational skills to ensure financial goals are achieved and foster professional development.

Find accounting jobs on The Muse »

32. Financial analyst

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) looking to secure a senior position in a competitive and results-driven work environment. 10 years of experience in financial analysis in banking and technology industries, advanced Excel and SQL skills, and ability to articulate analysis outcomes and relevant insights.

Find financial analyst jobs on The Muse »

Key takeaways

Resume objectives aren't the favorite of most recruiters, but they still serve a purpose. If you're career pivoting, relocating, applying for your first job, or have a diverse professional background, an objective statement can help the hiring manager understand your career goals and how they align with the job opportunity.

However, in other circumstances, using a resume summary might be more appropriate. (Here are 20 resume summary examples to make writing your own easier .)

More From Forbes

Why we need to evolve toward becoming a skills-based organization.

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Programmers cooperating at IT company developing apps. People business work office diversity concept

The past few weeks sparked several discussions about skills-based organizations, or SBOs, ranging from enthusiastic support to skeptical pushback. Some questioned the wisdom of embarking on this path without guaranteed success, while others expressed concerns about the risks involved.

This raises an important question: Are our current approaches to talent management truly effective? While my team and I have had success with rolling out various talent initiatives over the past twenty years, we have also consistently struggled with defining, tracking, developing, and rewarding the specific skills we both have and need across the entire talent lifecycle.

Traditional competency frameworks, while helpful, tend to become complex and outdated. Our HR systems, while functional, lack the integration needed to leverage talent data effectively.

There are three reasons more organizations need to become SBOs: pace, precision, and progress.

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The pace of change is moving faster than ever before. The half-life of skills is now 2.5 years for technical skills and less than 5 years for leadership skills. According to a 2023 study with the World Economic Forum, employees’ skills will be disrupted in next five years. Another study with Gartner found that the number of skills required for a job has increased by 10% YOY since 2017. A micro-focus on skills allows us to move more quickly with those changes.

Our technology stacks are also instrumental in allowing us to move at the pace of change. We need to leverage various technologies separately AND together. Integrating our Applicant Tracking System with our HR Information System, and leveraging cutting-edge skills intelligence platforms, provides us with a comprehensive view of the skills landscape within our organization. This unified approach enables us to identify current skill strengths, pinpoint areas for development, and strategically align our talent and development strategy with business objectives. The opportunity we have to leverage and link technologies is like no other time in my career–and we can do that at scale with AI. As learning and people leaders, we have to also be knowledgeable and understand the complexities of our systems and how we can make them interoperable at scale.

Staying ahead of the curve for all leaders requires not only technical skills but also a deep understanding of AI as a transformative force. While AI has been integrated into our lives through smartphones, webinars, and email, the emergence of large language models like ChatGPT has exponentially expanded its practical applications in our daily work. Practicing how, where, and how to apply AI throughout our work is both an opportunity to develop our knowledge together while also finding ways to augment and automate work. n

To bridge organizational skill gaps, precision is key. While talent development often lacks robust measurement, a skills-based approach offers a solution. Skills, as observable behaviors, provide tangible evidence of an individual's experience and capabilities. By focusing on skills, we can more accurately assess proficiency and identify areas for improvement.

This doesn't negate the value of competency frameworks, which have long been a cornerstone of HR. Skills are simply one component of a broader competency, which encompasses knowledge (understanding how to do something), skills (demonstrating the ability to do it), and ability (having the capacity to do it consistently).

Consider effective decision-making as an example. This competency involves:

• Knowledge: Understanding how to gather relevant information and context.
• Skill: Actively seeking input from others to challenge assumptions.
• Ability: Maintaining focus and clarity of thought under pressure.

While all three elements are essential, skills are the most readily observable and measurable aspect. This makes them a powerful tool for assessing an individual's current capabilities and identifying areas for targeted development.

While knowledge, skills, and ability are all crucial for effective decision-making, skills offer a unique advantage: they are observable and measurable. This allows both employees and organizations to track progress and identify specific areas for growth. Despite 40% of employees actively seeking to learn new skills, 98% of HR leaders still report significant skill gaps, underscoring the need for a more targeted, skills-focused approach to talent development.

Transitioning to a SBO

Transitioning to a skills-based organization is an evolutionary, not revolutionary, process. It's not about abruptly discarding existing frameworks but rather integrating skills-based approaches into our current talent practices.

For example, we can enrich job descriptions by including the top five skills required for success, alongside traditional requirements. We can continue to leverage educational credentials for technical roles while exploring opportunities to prioritize demonstrable skills over formal qualifications.

This approach aligns with our communication to Udemy employees: we're not abandoning our existing processes but enhancing them with a skills-based lens. We seek to complement, not replace, existing structures to create a more agile and dynamic talent ecosystem.

SBO leaders recognize that employees are not defined by static roles or titles. They are dynamic individuals with diverse skill sets that can be leveraged strategically across the organization. By hiring and promoting based on demonstrated skills, and providing accessible skill development opportunities, SBOs foster a workforce that can readily adapt to the rapidly changing demands of the modern business landscape.

Still, evolution is not without its friction. Recent Udemy research , which surveyed 1600 business leaders, employees, and individuals currently looking for work, revealed that even organizations making the intentional shift towards skills-based approaches experienced challenges. One is the disconnect between the implementation of these approaches and employee knowledge of what’s happening and why. Only 28% of all survey respondents report their leadership team is communicating their company’s skills-based organizational strategy and initiatives to employees very or extremely well. What’s more, despite the fact that 74% of managers observed changes because of the shift to skills-based strategies, nearly a third of all survey respondents reported not yet seeing any changes as a result of SBO initiatives. Yet, as we know, all large-scale change initiatives like this take years to gain momentum. Why is this any different?

While the transition to a skills-based organization may be challenging, the potential rewards are undeniable. By embracing this new approach, companies can build a more agile, adaptable, and future-ready workforce equipped to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Instead of forcing a radical revolution, let's embrace a strategic evolution toward skills-based talent management. By leveraging data, technology, and our growing understanding of skills, we can evolve toward a more adaptable and future-ready workforce together.

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