As seen in 1

Table of contents

What are adaptability skills and why do they matter on a resume?
35+ Adaptability skills examples to include on your resume
How to list adaptability skills on your resume
How to improve your adaptability skills
More skills resources
Key takeaways

In any field or career stage, being adaptable is crucial for achieving exceptional results. But what does it truly mean to be adaptable in the workplace?

Adaptability involves the ability to quickly adjust to new circumstances, embrace change and thrive in dynamic environments. Our guide on adaptability skills, along with examples, will help you showcase these skills on your resume and show you how to enhance your abilities to grow professionally.

Here you’ll find:

A definition of adaptability skills to underscore their importance.
Examples of adaptability skills that can be integrated into your resume to demonstrate your capacity to excel in evolving scenarios.
Guidance on leveraging adaptability skills on your resume effectively.
Tips for improving your skills and adeptly managing tasks in any work setting.
Key takeaways to reinforce the most crucial points.

Looking to create a well-rounded, adaptable resume? Give our AI Resume Builder a try. It provides fully customizable content suggestions, automatic formatting, stylish templates and practical tips to assist you in quickly crafting a professional resume.

What are adaptability skills and why do they matter on a resume?

Adaptability skills allow you to adjust to new situations. This is a vital ability for any worker, as the workplace is full of dynamic situations with constantly changing demands. But that’s not all adaptability skills do. If we were to define adaptability skills in one sentence, it would be the skills that empower you to thrive under uncertain conditions and tackle a wide range of challenges.

This adaptability skills definition should help you understand why employers value this skill set so highly, and why you should feature them on your resume to make the best possible impression. Adaptability skills include a range of abilities that enable you to embrace change, think creatively and remain resilient in the face of adversity. They demonstrate to employers that you can handle the demands of the job and excel in dynamic environments.

When writing a resume, adaptability skills are a valuable asset. Consider including examples that demonstrate your flexibility, problem-solving abilities and willingness to take on new responsibilities. These skills will not only make you a more attractive candidate but also showcase your potential for growth and development in any role.

35+ Adaptability skills examples to include on your resume

We’ve divided adaptability skills into three key categories to illustrate the different forms adaptability skills can take and how they can fit into your resume.

Cognitive adaptability

Adaptability begins with the way you think. When facing a problem, do you look for creative solutions? Does learning new software in the workplace intimidate you or would you treat the challenge as an opportunity to grow your computer skills? How you think through problems is a huge part of what makes you an adaptable worker.

Examples of adaptability skills to showcase your cognitive flexibility:

Problem-solving
Critical thinking
Creativity
Learning agility
Open-mindedness
Strategic thinking
Attention to detail
Decision-making
Analytical skills
Innovation
Organization
Quick thinking
Rapid decision-making
Managing deadlines

Interpersonal adaptability

Dealing with other people is an inescapable part of working. Even if your work isn’t collaborative or customer-facing, every employer wants to hire team players who take instructions well and communicate effectively. These vital interpersonal skills make you more adaptable in social situations.

Skills to demonstrate your interpersonal adaptability:

Communication
Collaboration
Conflict resolution
Empathy
Networking
Leadership
Teamwork
Relationship-building
Building trust

Emotional adaptability

Finally, the workplace is bound to become emotionally charged from time to time. Whether it’s receiving constructive feedback, stressing under a tight deadline or simply getting burnt out from a repetitive routine, work will always influence our emotional states. That’s why emotional adaptability skills are so important. They allow you to process your emotions and adjust your responses so that stressful or upsetting circumstances don’t throw you for a loop.

Here are some adaptability skills to help you emotionally regulate at work:

Resilience
Stress management
Flexibility
Patience
Self-awareness
Optimism
Emotional intelligence
Confidence
Self-regulation
Healthy coping skills
Emotional stability
Positive attitude
Self-confidence
Working under pressure
Managing uncertainty
Mental agility

How to list adaptability skills on your resume

Now that you’ve equipped yourself with a full range of adaptability skills, let’s explore how you can demonstrate these skills on your resume to portray yourself as a flexible and reliable candidate.

Step 1

Begin by reviewing the job description

To tailor your resume effectively, customize it based on the specific job’s requirements. This demonstrates how well your skills and experiences align with the role and can help you pass applicant tracking system (ATS) screenings.

To achieve this, look for keywords in the job ad describing the desired skills and responsibilities. These keywords will guide you in selecting the appropriate adaptability skills to highlight on your resume, along with the technical skills and experiences that demonstrate your suitability for the role.

For example, consider this job listing:

Our ideal candidate for the role of engineer is someone with:

Five to seven years of experience as an engineer, or a master’s degree in engineering and three to five years of experience.
A creative mindset and strong problem-solving capabilities.
The ability to manage multiple projects under tight deadlines.
A passion for engineering and a desire to contribute to an enthusiastic and innovative team.

The bolded phrases in this example represent the adaptability skills that stand out as keywords you might consider emphasizing on a resume tailored for this role.

Pro Tip

Adaptability skills can manifest in various ways in job listings, from “critically solving problems” to “collaborating with others.” Pay close attention to the abilities the role demands and include the ones you excel at.

Step 2

Incorporate adaptability skills in your skills section

Your resume’s skills section is the perfect place to list some of your adaptability skills. While you’ll want to highlight hard skills related to your specific field, don’t overlook broader soft skills like adaptability to provide balance to your resume.

Step 3

Integrate adaptability skills throughout your resume

Don’t limit yourself to the skills section! Your entire resume provides opportunities to show what you can do. Your work history section, in particular, is an excellent place to demonstrate your adaptability skills in action. Use it to show off the results you’ve achieved thanks to your flexibility in the workplace.

For example:

Engineer
ABC Manufacturing, New York, NY
June 2018 – May 2024

Led a creative team of five engineers in the design and development of a new, innovative hydraulic system, enhancing machine efficiency by 20% and reliability by 30%.
Applied advanced problem-solving skills to overcome design challenges and meet rigorous performance specifications.
Managed project timelines and coordinated with cross-functional departments, ensuring all phases of the prototype development adhered strictly to set deadlines.
Fostered a collaborative environment that encouraged teamwork and knowledge sharing, which was instrumental in rapidly resolving unforeseen technical issues during project execution.

Pro Tip

If you’re new to the workforce, consider using a functional resume format to highlight your adaptability skills and other hard and soft skills. This format allows your resume to convey competence even without a lengthy work history.

Step 4

Include adaptability skills in your cover letter

Your cover letter is crucial for demonstrating your enthusiasm for the role and what a good fit you are for it. It’s also a great place to elaborate on some of your adaptability skills.

For help getting started on your cover letter, refer to cover letter examples that effectively showcase the candidate’s adaptability skills. Our Cover Letter Builder can also help you create a compelling cover letter quickly and confidently.

How to improve your adaptability skills

Becoming more adaptable can greatly help many different areas of your life. Rolling with the punches takes the sting out of life’s many ups and downs, not to mention that it makes you a stronger professional, allowing you to handle your work responsibilities better.

There are a lot of different ways to approach improving your adaptability skills. Here are a few that we think you might find helpful.

Improve your adaptability skills by:

Working on your problem-solving abilities

According to Asana, problem-solving is one of the best ways to get better at adapting to challenges. When you have a strong toolkit of problem-solving skills to draw from, you feel empowered to approach change instead of fearing or shying away from it. The next time an issue comes up in your life, try to look at it from a creative perspective. Think of it as a puzzle you can chew on to flex your problem-solving muscles!

Seeking out new experiences

When we struggle with adaptability, we often struggle with fear of the unknown. When faced with a new challenge, if you don’t know how to respond, then you also can’t predict the outcome. This is unsettling, but it’s also inevitable. So, BetterUp recommends diving into the unknown. Expose yourself to novel situations and seek out new things without expectations. You’ll learn to trust yourself to respond even if you don’t know exactly what to do. Your gut is your best friend; the more comfortably you listen to your instincts, the more flexible you’ll become.

Relying on the experts

Sometimes we need expert help to figure out how best to improve. Fortunately, you live in the 21st century where resources are abundant and accessible. The internet is full of helpful guides and training courses to get you started. For example, the learning platform, Udemy, has a course designed to help you hone your adaptability skills.

More skills resources

Looking for help understanding, improving or showcasing a different career skill on your resume? Check out our other skills guides for assistance.

Now, let’s explore some key takeaways to help you remember what’s important!

Key takeaways

Showcase adaptability skills on your resume

Your resume is the perfect opportunity to give future employers a taste of how reliable, flexible and confident you can be. Showcase the skills that help you respond to dynamic challenges in the skills, work history and resume profile sections of your resume.
Demonstrate cognitive adaptability

A creative and agile mind is better at adapting to changing circumstances. Show off your cognitive adaptability skills to prove that you can problem-solve and innovate when presented with challenges.
Highlight interpersonal skills

Part of adapting is managing how you work with others. Working on a team means being flexible to the needs of the entire team. This takes a lot of interpersonal skills and your resume should show this by emphasizing communication, collaboration and empathy.
Showcase emotional adaptability

Managing stress and regulating your emotional state are vital life skills that allow you to navigate challenges at work and beyond. Show employers your healthy and productive mindset by emphasizing emotional regulation.
Improve your adaptability skills

From trying new things to practicing creative problem-solving, there are many ways that you can work on improving your adaptability in the workplace and at home. We recommend doing your research and seeking help from experts if you want extra support on your adaptability journey.

Hailey Brophy is an experienced writer with a diverse career in digital publication. She is passionate about using her unique skills and experiences to help job seekers find the information that they need to succeed.