Have you been thinking about learning Excel so you can improve your job skills, and then wondered to yourself, “what Excel skills are employers looking for, anyway?”
If you are reading this now, rest assure that you’re in the right place, and the answer to your question will be revealed. Not only will you know what Excel skills employers are looking for, but we’ll also discuss the best ways of adding those skills to your resume.
The world is becoming more data-driven by the day, which has lead to an increased dependency on data manipulative tools like Microsoft Excel. The increased dependency on Excel has led to an increase in demand for Excel experts who can keep up with the pace.
Do you want to be one of those Excel-savvy folks? By the end of this guide, you will know what skills employers are looking for, and you will be able to use your newly found knowledge to get yourself a job or promotion.
Did You Know?
Did you know that over the last 30 years, Microsoft Excel software has become the professional standard in the business world, all around the globe?
So many companies rely on the ‘small but mighty’ Excel software to carry out their day to day business. Although basic Excel skills are gradually becoming a mandatory requirement for most office-based professionals today, employers still look for certain Excel skills in candidates before they are being employed. Ready to find out what they are?
Whether you are a candidate looking for a job or an employee planning to remain a useful asset in your organization, or you have been in a position for too long and are looking for promotion, here is a list of skills you should learn.
Perform Basic Arithmetic Using Excel
This may sound funny but not everybody knows how to navigate the Excel software arithmetic function. No one has time to teach you how to do this when you are on the job, and that’s why most employers check to see if you are familiar with Excel and capable of performing basic arithmetic.
Here is a link to a guide that will teach you how to perform one of the most basic arithmetic operations.
Data Validation & Protection
Data validation is a very vital skill set, and employers are always on the lookout for this. It is the process of tweaking and fine-tuning data to get the highest possible quality. As you know, data can come in every form and style, and knowing how to format and validate data is very important.
Also, when you are dealing with sensitive data, you will most likely want to protect it from unauthorized access and give permissions to only select portions. This is where data protection comes in, and it is a ‘must know’ for anyone wanting to become Excel-savvy.
Formula Functions
Formulas are what makes Excel an interesting piece of software. Formulas help you perform complex and stressful tasks in less time. These formulas will help you analyze and manipulate data.
There is a growing demand for people who can write excellent formulas to solve business problems, and knowing how to use them and when to use them is an important asset.
Filtering
Employers are always on the lookout for those who know how to get smart results quickly. Filtering helps you accomplish that. Knowing how to filter data is very helpful, because it saves you time while giving you the exact data you want.
Pivot Tables and Charts
A pivot table is a data summarization tool found in data visualization programs such as spreadsheets.
Pivot tables are highly valued in Excel, because they show an interactive view of certain data in a spreadsheet or among many other spreadsheets. Not everybody wants to know about the hard work you have done, all they care about is the end result. What better way to summarize your result than with pivot tables?
There are so many other Excel skills out there – like knowing how to use graphs and charts, Formatting, and knowing how to write a macro. There are more Excel skills out there, but learning the skills listed above will give you a head start in the workplace, as they are certainly Excel skills employers are looking for.
How Do You Showcase Your Excel Skills On Your Resume?
Be Specific
Take the time to outline your skills in Microsoft Excel in the clearest possible way. Do not beat around the bush or give a generic skill name. Go straight to the point and make sure to hit the nail on the head.
Feature Your Strongest Skills and Highlight What You Have Achieved
Featuring your strongest skills sends a message to the hiring manager that you are knowledgeable. But don’t just list those skills; instead, share what tasks you’ve performed with those skills and how you’ve used them to be an asset in your current position.
Mention Certificates You Have Earned Or Courses You Have Taken
Mention any Excel courses or certificates you’ve earned on your resume, as these can add credibility to your skillset.
Finally, if you’re looking for a smart way to boost your Excel skills, remember that we have excellent tutors here at TakeLessons, eager to help you learn essential job skills.
Adedayo Ajao