All throughout college I was told not to list Microsoft Office as a skill on my resume, but is that really in my best interest?
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All throughout college, I was told not to list Microsoft Office as a skill on my resume, but is that really in my best interest?
As the title states, I’ve always been told by professors and career counselors to not list Microsoft Office as a skill because in this day and age it is assumed that basically everyone knows how to use Microsoft Office (even though that’s not exactly true).
But, with the current general advice to use words from the job description in your resume to get through the ATS and nearly every office job description mentions Microsoft Office, I’m questioning whether or not that is good advice to not list it? I’d love to hear others opinions on this. I can’t decide if I should put Microsoft Office on my resume or not.
Jobadvisor
While the advice to not list Microsoft Office as a skill has been a long-standing piece of conventional wisdom, the landscape of resume screening has changed significantly with the widespread use of Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).1 Here’s a breakdown of the arguments for and against listing it, which can help you decide what’s best for your situation.
The Argument Against Listing Microsoft Office
It’s a given: As you've been told, it's widely assumed that anyone applying for a professional office job has basic proficiency in Microsoft Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.2 Listing it might signal that you're a novice or that you're grasping for skills to fill your resume.
Wastes valuable space: Resume space is precious. Many career counselors argue that it's better to use that space to highlight more unique and valuable skills, such as advanced data analysis software, project management tools, or specialized design programs.
The Argument for Listing Microsoft Office
ATS keyword matching: This is the most compelling reason to reconsider the old advice. Applicant Tracking Systems are not sophisticated enough to make assumptions. They are programmed to scan for keywords from the job description. If a job posting explicitly mentions "Microsoft Office Suite," "MS Office," or specific applications like "PowerPoint" and "Excel," an ATS will be looking for those exact terms. If your resume doesn't contain them, it might be filtered out before a human ever sees it.
Demonstrating proficiency level: Not all Microsoft Office skills are created equal. Instead of just listing "Microsoft Office," you can be more specific and demonstrate a higher level of proficiency. For example, you could list:
Microsoft Excel (Advanced): Pivot tables, VLOOKUP, macros, data analysis3
Microsoft PowerPoint: Presentation design, animation, multimedia integration4
Microsoft Word: Document formatting, mail merge, template creation5
Targeting specific roles: For some jobs, particularly administrative, clerical, or data-entry roles, a strong command of Microsoft Office is a core requirement, not just a basic expectation.6 In these cases, it's crucial to list it to show you have the necessary foundational skills.
A Hybrid Approach: The Best of Both Worlds
A good strategy is to adopt a hybrid approach that satisfies both the ATS and the human reviewer.
Read the job description carefully. If the job description lists specific Microsoft Office skills, use those exact keywords in your resume.
Integrate skills into your experience section. Instead of a generic "Skills" section entry, show how you used these programs to achieve results. For example, instead of listing "Excel" under skills, write in your experience section: "Developed a new sales tracking spreadsheet using pivot tables and VLOOKUP functions, which reduced reporting time by 15%."7
Be specific and quantify your skills. If you're going to list it in a skills section, avoid the generic "Microsoft Office." Instead, use more descriptive terms that demonstrate a higher level of proficiency, as mentioned above.
Ultimately, the decision to list Microsoft Office on your resume should be strategic and dependent on the specific job you're applying for. Given the prevalence of ATS, it's no longer safe to assume a human will see your resume and "just know" you have the skills.
My recommendation is to put it on your resume if the job description mentions it. To make the best use of space, be specific about your proficiency level and, where possible, show how you've used these skills to create a positive impact in your work experience. This approach addresses the needs of the ATS while still demonstrating a high level of competency to a human reviewer.
Did you regret choosing a more employable job over your real passion?
I chose to go to college in a fine arts program, I enjoyed it a lot. Now, 4 years after graduating, I still did not get a stable full-time position. So I do have a sense of urgency and am thinking about doing an associate degree to find employment more easily.
For those in their late twenties who have been realistic and chosen a more practical major straight out of high school and gotten a stable job, do you regret your major choice, or you think you made the right choice?
Sometimes I am jealous of those whose passion are in a field in demand. For example, those passionate about IT, accounting etc. are really lucky. Instead, my biggest inerests are in music, literature, cinema, and in a lesser degree history or psychology, all unpractical fields. Yep, my curse lies in the fact that my passions lead mostly to unstable jobs.
Jobadvisor
This is a question many people grapple with, and it's understandable that you're feeling this way. It's tough when your passions don't align with more traditional, stable career paths. Hearing from others who made a different choice can definitely offer some perspective.
For those in their late twenties who chose a more "practical" major, the general sentiment is often a mix of relief and, sometimes, a feeling of "what if." They typically don't regret the stability and financial security that their choice has provided. They can buy a house, save for the future, and not have to worry about where their next paycheck is coming from. This peace of mind is incredibly valuable.
However, some of them do feel a bit of a creative void. They might have a passion for things like art, music, or writing that they've had to put on the back burner. They may feel a sense of "I wish I could have explored that more," but this usually doesn't amount to full-blown regret. Instead, they often find ways to incorporate their passions into their lives as hobbies. They might join a community theater group, play in a band on the weekends, or take a pottery class. They get the best of both worlds—a stable career and a creative outlet.
The fact is, you're not cursed because your passions are in the arts. You're just facing a common challenge: figuring out how to balance your desire for creative fulfillment with your need for financial stability. You've already invested four years into a fine arts program, and that's not for nothing. You've developed valuable skills like creative thinking, communication, and problem-solving, which are transferable to many different fields.
Finding Your Path
It's clear you're at a crossroads, and it's a good idea to think strategically about your next steps. Here are a few things to consider:
Look for Related Fields: You have an interest in fields like history and psychology. You could explore careers that combine these interests with a more practical application. For example, a career as a graphic designer could blend your artistic eye with a stable, in-demand field. Or, consider becoming a user experience (UX) researcher—it requires an understanding of psychology and human behavior to design better websites and apps. These jobs can be both stable and creative.
Use Your Skills: An associate degree is a great idea. It can quickly give you new skills that are in demand. If you're interested in an IT-related field, for example, your artistic skills could be a huge asset in areas like web design, digital marketing, or content creation. Your background can help you stand out.
Don't Give Up Your Passion: Even if you get a more practical job, you don't have to give up your love for music, literature, or cinema. Your passions can become a source of joy and balance in your life, not just a career. You can take a creative writing course, join a band, or start a film review blog in your spare time. You can still be an artist, even if you don't get a paycheck for it.
The people who are truly "lucky" aren't just those whose passions align with a profitable field. The luckiest people are the ones who find a way to build a life that is both financially stable and personally fulfilling, whether that means working a stable job and pursuing their passion as a hobby, or finding a creative career that pays the bills. Your journey is not over yet.
What kind of associate degree are you thinking of pursuing?
Is it normal to not have a career at 25?
I am 25 years old and I am living with parents currently. I work as a security guard job which is dead end. I don't do much or have any real world skills at all. I was studying a degree in finance but I left college in 2022 due to not being certain of what career path to take. I am still lost as well but I want to find a good career where I can make decent money to move out and to not be dependent on anyone for anything at all. I was working in minimum wage jobs throughout my early 20s and couldn't develop any real world skills at that time. It sucks that I am here like this and I feel like some outcast or that something is seriously wrong with me due to the fact that I am 25 and I still don't have my life together and no real world skills except retail and customer service. Most people my age are buying houses and traveling the world while I am working some dead end job. Is there anyone else like this or not? I need you guys to be honest and be direct with me.
Jobadvisor
It's completely normal to feel this way, and you're not alone. Many people in their mid-20s are still figuring things out. The idea that everyone has their life together by this age is often an illusion created by social media and a selective view of others' lives.
Here's a breakdown of your situation and some things to consider:
The "Normal" Career Path is Not Always Linear
The traditional idea of getting a degree and immediately launching a successful career isn't the reality for everyone. The job market is more competitive and volatile than ever, and many people pivot their careers multiple times. A 2017 study by the Federal Reserve found that a significant portion of young adults are "underemployed" (working in jobs that don't fully utilize their skills or education) and that it's a long and winding road for many to find stable, well-paying careers.
The Feeling of Being Left Behind
The feeling of being an "outcast" or that something is "seriously wrong with you" is a common form of anxiety. It's often fueled by comparing your own reality to the highlight reels of others' lives. Remember that people don't post about their struggles or their dead-end jobs. The "friends" on social media who are traveling and buying houses often have different circumstances, such as:
Family wealth or support: They may have received financial help from their parents.
Significant debt: They may have taken on large loans for their home or travels.
Different life priorities: They may have sacrificed other things to achieve their current lifestyle.
Your focus on becoming independent and self-sufficient is a far more realistic and admirable goal than trying to keep up with an often-unrealistic ideal.
Your Situation is More Common Than You Think
Living with parents: A 2020 Pew Research Center study found that for the first time since the Great Depression, more than half of all adults aged 18-29 were living with their parents. The economic realities of student debt, low starting wages, and high housing costs make this a very common choice, not a sign of failure.
Lack of "real-world" skills: The skills you have—retail and customer service—are not "nothing." They are a foundation. You have experience in communication, problem-solving, and dealing with people. These are transferable skills that are highly valued in many industries. You just need to reframe your thinking and recognize their value.
Feeling "lost": The average American changes jobs 12 times in their lifetime. Feeling uncertain about a career path at 25 is not a sign of being "lost"; it's a sign that you are still exploring and learning about yourself.1
A Path Forward
You have identified a clear goal: to find a good career where you can make decent money to move out. This is an excellent starting point. The next steps are to create a realistic plan.
Reflect and Research: You have a degree in finance. Why did you choose it? What about it did you find interesting? Use this as a starting point.
What careers interest you? Go beyond "decent money" and think about what you find engaging. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Are there any industries that you're curious about?
Identify specific skills needed for those careers. A career in IT, for instance, requires technical skills. A trade like plumbing or electrical work requires hands-on training.
Skill Up:
Online courses: Websites like Coursera, edX, and Udemy offer courses in everything from data analysis to digital marketing. Many are affordable or free.
Certifications: Professional certifications (e.g., CompTIA for IT, PMP for project management) can demonstrate your competence and make you more marketable without needing another full degree.
Community College/Trade Schools: A local community college or trade school can be a great, cost-effective way to get hands-on skills in a specific field. Trades like welding, plumbing, or being an electrician often offer high pay and a clear career path.
Network: Talk to people. Find individuals in careers that interest you. Ask them how they got started, what skills they use daily, and what they like and dislike about their jobs. Informational interviews are a low-pressure way to gather valuable information.
Action over Perfection: Don't wait until you have a perfect plan. Take one small, concrete step forward each week. Whether it's researching a new career, taking an online course, or updating your resume, small actions build momentum.
You're not an outcast. You're in a common, albeit difficult, transition period. The good news is that you're self-aware and motivated to change your situation. That's the most important skill you can have right now.
