Critical Thinking Skills for a Resume

By Peter Newfield | June 15, 2021 |

Critical thinking skills are the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection between ideas. Critical thinking could be described as the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking. It requires you to use your ability to reason.

For example, you can research the pros and cons of running two miles a day. A quick Google search will give you plenty of information for and against this idea. Reasons why it is good for your health and reasons why it is hard on your body. You can find data and research to back up either side of the claim. Then, using critical thinking skills, you decide for yourself if running two miles a day will be more or less beneficial for you personally.

Why are critical thinking skills important on a resume?

Critical thinking is the only way to make sense of the world. You’ll constantly challenge what seems given. For example, in your job, even if something appears to be functioning properly, critical thinking will help you try and identify new, better solutions.

Employers and hiring managers want to be sure you can process what is going on around you and use that information in your career. Critical thinking skills are the cornerstone of self-development and improvement. That’s why they’re so critical to have in today’s job market.

The Seven Steps of Critical Thinking

1. Identify the problem or question. Be as precise as possible: the narrower the issue, the easier it is to find solutions or answers.

2. Gather data, opinions, and arguments. Try to find several sources that present different ideas and points of view.

3. Analyze and evaluate the data. Are the sources reliable? Are their conclusions data-backed or just argumentative? Is there enough information or data to support the given hypotheses?

4. Identify assumptions. Are you sure the sources you found are unbiased? Are you sure you weren’t biased in your search for answers?

5. Establish significance. What piece of information is most important? Is the sample size sufficient? Are all opinions and arguments even relevant to the problem you’re trying to solve?

6. Make a decision/reach a conclusion. Identify various conclusions that are possible and decide which (if any) of them are sufficiently supported. Weigh the strengths and limitations of all possible options.

7. Present or communicate. Once you’ve reached a conclusion, present it to all stakeholders.

How to demonstrate Critical Thinking Skills on a Resume

Here are some examples of critical thinking skills you could include on your resume:

Analysis: The ability to collect and process information and knowledge.
Interpretation: Concluding what the meaning of processed information is.
Inference: Assessing whether the knowledge you have is sufficient and reliable.
Evaluation: The ability to make decisions based on the available information.
Explanation: Communicating your findings and reasoning clearly.
Self-Regulation: The drive to constantly monitor and correct your ways of thinking.
Open-Mindedness: Taking into account other possibilities and points of view.
Problem-Solving: The ability to tackle unexpected problems and resolve conflicts.

However, it is not enough to just list them as skills. You have to demonstrate how you use them in your job to improve performance, solve a problem, and more.

Start by asking yourself these questions:

What do I already know?
How do I know that?
What am I trying to prove?
What are my motivations?

Then, think about the following job-related scenarios where you may be able to demonstrate critical thinking:

Describe a situation where you challenged the way you and your colleagues did their jobs?
Think of a situation where you saw a problem and took steps to fix it.
Describe a time you had to persuade someone to see your side of things.

List examples to SHOW your skills. This is much more powerful than just TELLING that you have the skills.

By the way, the above 3 questions may also be asked in an interview, so practice your answers.

Critical Thinking Skills- The Wrap Up

Review the seven steps to critical thinking: analysis, interpretation, inference, explanation, self-regulation, open-mindedness, and problem-solving.

Follow these steps: identify the problem, gather data, analyze and evaluate, identify assumptions, establish significance, make a decision, and communicate.

In order to demonstrate your skills, ask simple questions, challenge common assumptions, be aware of your biases, and read more.

How do you use critical thinking every day? Do you think it is important to demonstrate these skills on a resume? Leave your thoughts in the comments.

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Posted in Career Discussions, Resumes and tagged Career Advice, career discussions, career strategies, careers, Critical Thinking Skills, resume, resume advice, Resume Skills, resume writing, update your resume

Critical Thinking Skills for a Resume

Why are critical thinking skills important on a resume?

The Seven Steps of Critical Thinking

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