Are you looking to enter a new industry? Maybe you’re a fresh graduate who’s searching for a first job. Or, maybe you’re a job seeker who wants to stand out among the crowd.
Whatever the case, you’ll need to prove to a potential employer that you have the willingness to learn new knowledge and skills. But how do you demonstrate that in a resume, cover letter, and interview?
I’m here to give you the best willingness to learn new knowledge and skills examples for a resume, cover letter, and interview. I’ll also show you why this is important.
Why Is It Important to Demonstrate Your Willingness to Learn?
Here’s one thing you probably didn’t know: 85% of hiring managers and employers listed willingness to learn as the #1 soft skill that they look for in job seekers (as shown in an Express Employment Professionals survey).
As you can see, this is a crucial soft skill to boast about. And here’s why it’s so important:
- It shows that you’re a fast learner. Hiring new employees is going to take a lot of dedication. Employers don’t want to spend any more time with you than they need to. So when you can prove that you’re very quick to acquire new skills and knowledge, you’ll be a star recruit in their eyes. They’ll see that you can get into the flow of things right away.
- You become a good long-term investment. When companies hire new employees, they usually don’t just look for those that fit the current role. In the back of their heads, they want someone who can adapt well to the changes that are very likely to happen over the years. If you’re willing to learn new skills and gain more knowledge, that means that you can easily develop your skills and knowledge in the changing industry.
- It means you’re up to date. Industry trends and technology shift all the time. If you’re not eager to learn, you’ll find yourself out of the loop. However, someone eager to learn new skills and knowledge is always on top of industry trends. And this is what employers want, workers who are on top of their game.
- It proves that you’re highly motivated. Your eagerness to learn shows something about your motivation. It shows that you’re motivated and interested enough to take on new knowledge and skills to improve your work. And what employer doesn’t want an employee like that?
- It means you’re a team player. Someone who demonstrates a willingness to learn always listens to others to gain new insights from their experiences, feedback, or ideas. This is what makes a great team player. And this is what makes YOU a great job candidate.
- Your problem-solving skills improve. The more you learn, the more you know. The more you know, the sharper your problem-solving abilities become. This is because you’ll be able to tackle challenges with a well-informed and resourceful mind.
Now that you know its importance, let’s go over examples of how you can prove this soft skill to potential employers.
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Willingness to Learn New Knowledge and Skills Examples for Resume
OK, let’s start with the willingness to learn new knowledge and skills examples for a resume. Now, in a resume, you don’t have much space to go into deep detail (you can leave that for your cover letter). Usually, a resume template gets to the point right away.
So to demonstrate willingness to learn, you need to get creative. Here are a few examples of what you can do:
- Highlight hard and soft skills
- Show real examples of what you’ve achieved
- List certifications and credentials you earned on your own
- Don’t forget your side projects
- Say if you’re part of any professional groups
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Highlight hard and soft skills
If you have a list of hard and soft skills on your resume, this will show the hiring manager that you’re someone who likes to learn and grow your skills. In turn, that will highlight your willingness to learn.
Here’s a resume example given by talent advisor Darci Davis:
Skills
Understanding of data analysis tools such as Tableau and Power BI to evaluate strategy and operation efficacy | Software development and data analysis | Proficiency in navigating operating systems | Understanding of hardware applications and online and cloud functions
Moreover, Paul McDonald, senior executive director at Robert Half, recommends that you, “Include your level of expertise for each critical skill set. This can range from beginner to advanced. It shows the employer where you excel and where you’re willing to improve.”
Show real examples of what you’ve achieved
Under your work experience, provide specific achievements and how you used your knowledge and skills to accomplish them. To show your willingness to learn on a resume, give a few details of the tools and resources you sought out and used. This shows that you went above and beyond when doing your previous tasks.
Here’s what Davis advises, “Describe how a personal project led to your learning a new technical skill that enabled you to increase your productivity and number of deliverables.” This will show the recruiter that your ability to learn (even outside of work) is effective and leads to positive results.
Here’s one example of this: “Acquired proficiency in Python scripting and data manipulation techniques through self-directed learning, leading to a 20% increase in data processing efficiency.”
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List certifications and credentials you earned on your own
Under the education section, this is where you can really convey your willingness to learn new skills and knowledge. You can list down online courses that you took, certificates that you gained, and even continuing education credits.
Again, Davis says:
If you hold a certification that you have to renew regularly and the renewal process requires continuing education credits, showcase this on your resume to demonstrate your willingness to learn. This shows employers that you take your career seriously and that you’re dedicated to keeping your credentials current.
Here’s an example of how to write down certifications in your resume: Education
- The SEO Expert Writer (Contenthacker.com), 2020
- Unlearn Essay Writing (Contenthacker.com), 2020
- 10x Emails (Copyschool.com), 2021
- Content Marketing Certification (Smartblogger.com), 2021
All this shows that you search for opportunities to learn and develop your professional skills and knowledge.
Don’t forget your side projects
Yes, side projects are good to list down, too, whether it’s work, personal, or academic. However, this should be related to the role you’re applying for.
Doing a side project shows you’ve learned skills and gained experience that fit well with the job. This is especially helpful if you’re a fresh graduate or switching careers. It will prove to a potential employer that you’re learning all you can about the industry so that you can excel in it.
Here’s an example: Personal Finance App | [Date Started – Date Completed]
- Developed a user-friendly personal finance application using Python and Django.
- Implemented features for expense tracking, budgeting, and financial goal setting.
- Showcased project on GitHub: [Link to GitHub Repository]
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Say if you’re part of any professional groups
Show your dedication to learning more about the industry by mentioning in your resume summary the professional groups you’re part of. Here’s how Skye Schooley from Business News Daily puts it, “Being a member of specialized groups can show your commitment to the industry, desire to stay on top of the latest trends, and interest in improving related skills.”
Example: Tech Innovators Meetup | [Date Joined – Ongoing]
- Actively participate in local Tech Innovators Meetup, attending monthly events and engaging in discussions on emerging technologies.
- Collaborated with fellow members on a workshop about [Specific Topic].
Willingness to Learn New Knowledge and Examples for Cover Letter
OK, you might think, “Ahh, it’s a cover letter. I can simply write I’m willing/eager to learn ____”. However, someone from Quora makes an excellent point about this:
The fact is, all job seekers are willing/eager to learn, and every recruiter takes that for granted. After all, how many other people out looking for jobs are not ‘willing to learn?’ Who would put on their application ‘No training wanted – I already know everything needed for this job’?
The point is this: You need to show it more than say it. The examples I gave above for your resume are great to add to your cover letter, too. Only this time, you can go into more detail.
Here are a few cover letter willing to learn new skills examples…
Example 1
“In my previous role as a [Previous Position], I recognized the growing importance of data analysis in our industry. Proactively, I took it upon myself to enroll in an advanced data analytics course, where I not only grasped complex statistical techniques but applied them to optimize our internal processes. The result was a 15% reduction in operational costs. This showcases my commitment to learning and its direct impact on achieving organizational objectives.
I am eager to bring this same level of dedication to learning and application of new skills to the dynamic environment at [Company Name].”
Example 2
“I am enthusiastic about contributing to the innovative projects at [Company Name]. In my previous position, I identified a gap in our team’s proficiency in [Specific Technology]. Recognizing the potential impact, I spearheaded a training initiative, leading workshops for the team. Through this effort, not only did we bridge the skills gap, but we also successfully implemented the technology in a client project, resulting in a 25% increase in client satisfaction.
This experience illustrates my proactive approach to learning and my ability to translate new knowledge into tangible achievements. I am eager to bring this mindset to your team.”
Example 3
“In my recent experience as a Marketing Coordinator at [Previous Company], I recognized a need to enhance our social media strategy to better engage with our target audience. Despite having limited expertise in influencer marketing, I took the initiative to learn the intricacies of this dynamic field.
Through extensive research, collaboration with influencers, and a hands-on approach to campaign management, I successfully executed a series of influencer partnerships that resulted in a 30% increase in brand visibility and a 20% growth in social media followers.”
Willingness to Learn New Knowledge and Skills Examples for Interviews
Let’s say it worked. Your excellent resume and cover letter shortlisted you for a job interview. Congrats!
However, that’s just the beginning. You have to impress even more during your interview. To do that, you can follow this willingness to learn new knowledge and skills examples for an interview:
- Ask a lot of well-thought-of questions in the interview
- Show you’re committed to getting better
- Be open to new technology
- Give examples of teaching yourself
- Share new ideas from your research
- Ask about training and growth chances
Ask a lot of well-thought-of questions in the interview
Asking questions is not a sign of dumbness. It’s the opposite. This means you’re someone who has a great willingness to learn important things about the company. In turn, the interviewer will see you as someone always willing to learn as much as they can.
Show you’re committed to getting better
When asked about your previous work, make it a point to highlight what you learned and how it has made you grow. Ciara Hautau, the lead digital marketing strategist at Fueled, says, “Receiving a promotion in a previous company can speak volumes. Even a minor title bump demonstrates your ability to adapt quickly and take on new tasks.”
Be open to new technology
A study by Gartner showed that around 91% of companies use some form of technology. Want to show you’re able to learn new technologies as the years go on? Give the interviewer examples of how you stayed on top of trends by learning all the previous technology and digital aspects of your industry. You can state it outright or hint at knowing about this technology trend and that digital aspect.
Give examples of teaching yourself
Another way to demonstrate your willingness without using the words is to tell the story about the time you taught yourself something. Explain how you gained that specific knowledge or skill. Don’t forget to highlight what you achieved with that self-taught skill/knowledge.
Share new ideas from your research
It’s a good idea to do deep research before your interview to learn more about the company. This way, you can provide new ideas and show that you’re eager and quick to pick up on things. Here’s one example provided by the Indeed editorial team, “If you’re applying for a marketing coordinator role, you could review their social media pages and provide hiring managers with suggestions on ways to earn more followers. You may impress interviewers with your self-motivation to independently research and learn more about the company.”
Ask about training and growth chances
What if you’re wondering how to say you have no experience but willing to learn? Instead of just saying this repeated cliche, you can prove your willingness by asking about training and growth chances. Don’t just ask. Be very interested in it. This is one way to show the interviewer that you’re genuine and not just saying what you’re supposed to be saying.
Final Words
Proving your willingness to learn is crucial if you’re seeking a new job. This is why it’s so important to use the willingness to learn new knowledge and skills examples for your resume, cover letter, and interview. This will help you stand out and land a job much sooner.
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