When building a personal website, portfolio, or professional profile, your skills section is one of the first places visitors look to understand your capabilities. Listing your functional skills effectively can help you stand out, build credibility, and position yourself as the right fit for jobs, projects, or collaborations.
Functional skills refer to your technical proficiencies — for example, programming in Python, designing in Figma, or managing data with SQL — that are directly applicable to a specific field. Presenting these skills thoughtfully is key to making a strong, professional impression.
Here’s how you can do it:
1. Organize Your Skills into Clear Categories
Rather than simply listing skills in a long, hard-to-read paragraph, group them under distinct categories. This makes it easier for visitors to quickly find relevant information.
For example:
Programming Languages: Python, Java, C++
Data Analysis Tools: Excel, SQL, Tableau
Web Development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React
Breaking them into sections creates structure, mirrors how employers scan for skills, and demonstrates that you understand how your abilities fit into different domains.
2. Be Specific and Use Strong Action Verbs
Instead of listing vague terms like “technology” or “data,” specify what you know and how you’ve applied it. (Page 14 of the Wildcat Career Guide emphasizes selecting strong action verbs.)
For instance:
- Developed Python scripts to automate data processing
- Designed responsive web pages using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
- Analyzed customer feedback trends using SQL queries and data visualization tools
If appropriate, link your skills to projects or achievements elsewhere on your site.
3. Highlight Practical Application, Not Just Knowledge
Skills are most impressive when you show how you used them. Wherever possible, pair your skill list with examples:
“Developed an e-commerce website using Django and PostgreSQL, achieving a 25% increase in client sales.”
By combining the Action + Project/Problem + Result (APR) framework mentioned in the guide, you convey not just that you have the skill, but that you can deliver real-world results.
4. Include a Skills Summary or Visual Element
To make your skills section pop, consider adding:
- A “Skills at a Glance” sidebar
- Progress bars (if appropriate) showing proficiency levels
- Badges or icons next to each skill (only if clean and professional)
- Certifications or short descriptions next to critical tools/technologies
For example:
| Skill | Proficiency |
|---|---|
| Python | Advanced |
| Tableau | Intermediate |
| Figma | Advanced |
| SQL | Intermediate |
This helps reinforce your skills visually while keeping the information digestible.
5. Keep Your Skills Updated and Tailored
Your website should evolve as you learn new skills or sharpen existing ones. Regularly audit your skills list:
- Remove outdated or irrelevant tools
- Add new certifications, technologies, or projects
- Tailor skill highlights depending on the primary purpose of your site (e.g., tech portfolio vs. creative showcase)
Final Tip: Context Matters!
Functional skills should complement your broader professional narrative. Instead of making your site just a catalog of tools, think of your skills section as a strategic introduction to how you can contribute and excel.
By structuring your skills section thoughtfully and showing how you apply your knowledge, you’ll create a much stronger and lasting impression.
The content is based in part on information from Wildcat Career Guide by the Student Engagement and Career Development. For more details, visit:
https://career.arizona.edu/resources/wildcat-career-guide/
