“Special skills” on a job application asks for the abilities you have that are useful in the job but may not show up in your work history: things like a second language, software you know well, a certification, a licence, or a hands-on skill such as forklift operation or first aid. Write 3 to 6 short, specific items that match the job, such as “Fluent in Spanish (spoken and written)” or “Microsoft Excel: pivot tables, VLOOKUP, charts”.
The field is short, but it is one of the few places on a standard form where you can point the employer at what makes you a better fit than the next applicant. Here is what they are looking for, how to fill it in, and examples for different kinds of jobs.
What Employers Mean by Special Skills
Most application forms are built around dates, job titles and duties. The special skills box catches everything that does not fit that grid. Employers use it to check three things quickly:
- Job-specific abilities. Can you run the register, drive the forklift, use the software, or speak with customers in their language?
- Credentials. Licences and certificates such as a driver’s licence class, food handler card, CPR or a trade certification.
- Useful extras. Skills that are not required but make you more valuable, like bookkeeping for a retail supervisor or social media for a small business.
It is not asking for personality traits. “Hard-working” and “team player” belong in an interview answer, not in this box.
How to Fill In Special Skills
- Read the job ad first. List the skills and tools it mentions and tick off the ones you have. Those go first.
- Be specific. Name the software, the language level or the machine. “Computer skills” says nothing; “QuickBooks Online and Google Sheets” says a lot.
- Add proof where you can. A certification name, an expiry date, typing speed, or how long you have used a tool.
- Keep it short. Use a list or separate items with semicolons. Three to six items is plenty.
- Only list what you can demonstrate. If you claim a skill, expect to be tested on it or asked about it at interview.
Special Skills Examples by Job Type
| Job | What to write |
|---|---|
| Retail or cashier | Cash handling and POS systems; bilingual English/Spanish; visual merchandising |
| Restaurant or food service | Current food handler certificate; espresso machine operation; opening and closing procedures |
| Warehouse | Certified forklift operator; RF scanner and inventory systems; able to read pick lists and bills of lading |
| Office or admin | Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, formulas); fast, accurate typing; scheduling in Outlook |
| Customer service | Fluent in French; CRM software (Zendesk); de-escalating complaints by phone and chat |
| Healthcare support | CPR and First Aid certified; medical terminology; electronic health records |
| Driving or delivery | Clean driving record; commercial driver’s licence; GPS route planning |
| Skilled trades | Hand and power tools; reading blueprints; OSHA safety training |
| Childcare or education | First Aid certified; American Sign Language (basic); lesson planning |
| Marketing or social media | Canva and Adobe Photoshop; scheduling tools; basic video editing |
| First job, no experience | Google Docs and Slides; bilingual; volunteer event setup; reliable transportation |
What Not to Write
- Personality traits. “Friendly”, “motivated” and “fast learner” are not skills in this box.
- Vague labels. “Good with computers” or “people skills” without anything specific behind them.
- Skills you cannot back up. Saying you are fluent when you are a beginner is easy to catch.
- Unrelated hobbies. Unless a hobby builds a skill the job needs, leave it out.
- “N/A”. Almost everyone has something useful to list; see the first-job row above.
Related Fields on the Same Form
- Licences and certifications: some forms have a separate box; if so, list credentials there and keep special skills for abilities.
- Languages spoken: include the level (basic, conversational, fluent).
- Achievements and awards: see our guide to achievements on a job application.
- Areas of interest: covered in areas of interest on a job application.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is special skills the same as qualifications? Not quite. Qualifications are usually education and credentials; special skills are practical abilities, though certifications can go in either.
- How many skills should I list? Three to six relevant ones is ideal. A long list of weak items hides the strong ones.
- Should I list soft skills? Only if you can phrase them concretely, for example “trained new staff on the opening checklist” rather than “leadership”.
- What if the box is optional? Fill it in anyway. It is free space to show fit.
Final Thoughts
Treat the special skills field as a short, targeted list: the specific tools, languages, licences and hands-on abilities that the job ad asks for, stated plainly and honestly. A few precise entries do more for an application than a paragraph of general strengths.
Related
- Objective on a Job Application: What to Write (With Examples)
- Negotiable on a Job Application: Meaning and When to Use It
- Nature of Business Meaning on an Application Form (With Examples)