That degree from Harvard Law looks pretty impressive written down on your resume. Your brainiac skills are impressive but I’ve got news for you Poindexter, companies are looking for more than just smarts nowadays. Employers want to know that you have soft skills and that your team work and optimism are just as great as your brain power. It’s a tricky situation: you aren’t hired yet so how do you impress a hiring manager who can’t see if you really work well in a team? The answer is all in your resume.

Your resume should include a few key words that trigger the attention of the employer. It is easy for your resume to list education and job experience but listing soft skills can come across as a more powerful attention grabber. The first word all employers want to see is ‘teamwork’. More than ever projects are being tackled by teams in the workplace because many employers believe that collaboration increases the quality of work and the level of productivity. By saying that you are a team player you are telling the employer that you are a great listener and willing to help your co-workers.

Next, integrate the word ‘flexible’ into your resume. Employers eat this up. If you are willing to stay late for deadlines or put in the extra hours and make work your priority then you will climb the ranks at work in no time. Being able to do any task at any moment shows your commitment to your company. Another key word to utilize is ‘detail-oriented’. This tells employers that you are organized, meticulous about your work, and that you can work independently without having a boss supervise your every move.

Finally you need to use the word ‘self-motivated’ somewhere on your resume. Employers value people who are self-starters and who bring new and creative ideas to the table. Knowing that you can walk into the office every morning and start on a task without being assigned something is a great asset. A self-motivated person will work hard and go the extra mile if anyone needs help.

Next time you are updating your resume make sure you use key words that highlight your soft skills. If an employer is between two qualified candidates both possessing bachelors’ degrees how does he choose? Make the choice easy for him by showing that you are an optimistic self-starter with great team skills.