Adaptability is defined as “a person’s ability to adjust to changes in their environment.” In the working world, being adaptable is considered a ‘soft skill’ and in today’s modern labor market, it’s perhaps a more coveted skill than ever before. In fact, it was recently listed on the Forbes 11 Essential Soft Skills list for 2024.

So, let’s say you’re a job seeker who possesses the ability to adapt and other skills that go with it—how do you highlight your adaptability to future employers without just slapping the word somewhere on your resume? We’ve got you covered.

Adaptability Skills

While you can technically list ‘adaptable’ under the skills sections of your resume and call it a day, that doesn’t really show employers how you’re able to adapt. You should be more specific — not only in your skills list but also in your examples. That’s why we’ve kickstarted the process for you and listed not only the most impressive adaptability skills, but also provided examples for ways you can highlight these skills in your resume.

Sub-Skills:

Problem Solving — Problem solving is a very valuable skill. Not only does it show that you’re an out-of-the-box thinker, but it can also be an indicator that you’re a good leader—another thing employers are constantly on the lookout for.

In regards to listing this on your resume, specificity is key. If you have an example of a time you solved a problem in the workplace, you should include that underneath the details of your past work experience. If you only have non-work-related examples, however, keep them in your back pocket as potential interview responses.

Conflict Resolution — Did you know that 85% of employees report experiencing a workplace conflict at some point in their careers? Did you also know that workplace conflicts cost businesses somewhere in the realm of $359 billion each year?

Individuals with conflict resolution skills are extremely valuable in today’s political and social climate, so if you possess these skills you should absolutely be highlighting them. This could take the form of a specific example, listing conflict resolution under ‘soft skills’, or if you’ve had any special training or education relating to the topic, making sure it’s properly noted.

For example — “While studying psychology in undergrad, I took a lot of courses related to human behavior that I believe gave me a more rounded understanding of the ways people differ and are alike. My education provided me with unique insights that help me resolve conflicts both in and outside of the workplace.”

Time Management — One possible labor market shift that’s been growing in popularity the last few years is the concept of a four-day work week. This, combined with the continued enthusiasm for more flexible work schedules, means that time management has arguably never been more important for workers.

This is a skill that doesn’t need further explanation. That said, it should be put near or at the top of your skills list, and it’s something you might want to ask your references to directly attest to if/when they are contacted.

Creative Thinking — Creative thinking is often listed as the most important skill employers look for, especially at a time in which so many technical skills are being automated. In fact, more than 70% of companies report that ‘creative thinking’ skills will continue to rise in importance in the coming years.

Similar to problem solving, creative thinking is another skill that could benefit from being highlighted through specific examples. Was there ever a time your creative thinking helped you see a project in a different way? Are you someone who often comes to the table with new ideas, and if so, can you list some of the ideas you came up with for your last company? Etc.

Resilience — Resilience and adaptability often go hand and hand. When you are being asked to adapt to a new situation as a worker, that typically means things are not going according to plan. Employers want to know you’re going to stick around even when things get dicey, because retention is key to building a strong workforce.

One way to highlight this skill on your resume is by using any excuse to remind future employers of how long you stayed at your last job.

For example: “During my four years working for this company, I was given many opportunities to build on my technical skills as well as pick up new ones. Because I was with the company for an extended period of time, I had the pleasure of learning from many different mentors and peers…”

Final Thoughts

After years of economic shifts due to the pandemic, geopolitical issues, and other unexpected events, it makes sense that adaptability is high on the list of valued workplace assets. Business owners are looking for people who can acclimate to new situations or readjust to meet new challenges.

That said, even boosting your resume so that it better highlights how flexible, creative, and dedicated you are, won’t necessarily be enough to land your dream job.

For starters, you have to make sure you’re even looking in the right places, connecting with the right people—that’s where CyberCoders comes in. Let us help you upgrade your career through our unparalleled true-match recruitment technology. You’ve now got a stellar resume, so why not make sure it gets into the hands of a stellar boss?