Microsoft Office Proficiency

Mergers & Inquisitions as many of you know has a resume template that they have designed and make available to the public. They also give out resume tips. One of them being that you should NOT list microsoft office skill proficiencies (excel, powerpoint, etc...) on your resume. However, I hardly ever see people omitting them.

Thoughts on whether you should or shouldn't omit microsoft office programs?

I mean in this day & age it just seems like common sense to be able to work with all of them...and I doubt anybody is "highly proficient" in any of them coming out of college.

8 Comments
 

It seems like common sense to us, but HR people aren't the brightest. I'm getting a higher amount of callbacks per application ratio than I was before when I didn't have it on.

Some phone interviews they asked about my proficiency in microsoft word, I was like "uh.. yeah I've been using it since middle school I know how to use word"

My skills bullet now has : "Excel, Powerpoint, Word, Bloomberg, Factset" instead of just "Bloomberg, Factset"

 
Best Response
WSOWillIt seems like common sense to us, but HR people aren't the brightest. I'm getting a higher amount of callbacks per application ratio than I was before when I didn't have it on.

Some phone interviews they asked about my proficiency in microsoft word, I was like "uh.. yeah I've been using it since middle school I know how to use word"

My skills bullet now has : "Excel, Powerpoint, Word, Bloomberg, Factset" instead of just "Bloomberg, Factset"

I don't think it hurts to have it on...but the question is, are you TRULY proficient in Excel? You dont use the mouse? That's what I woudl ask you if I was in a bad mood interviewing you :-)

 

In 2023, are HR still this dumb?

I mean, is it likely for HR to dinge me because I do not have a skills section (as Office is a minimum requirement)

 

It seems as relevant as including e-mail, Internet, & 'computers' proficiency. I can't imagine anybody being impressed that someone knows Microsoft applications.

 

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