So a trend I’ve seen – for some time, I’m just finally getting to complaining about it – with WordPress template designs is the “Skills Bars”. Basically a bar chart of “proficiency” in different skills.

Now I admit, it’s appealing, and its a chance to say “We are Experts”. But lets look at the reality of it. Outside of the sample live demo that the designer puts together, how many real sites have low values? Ultimately if you are selling a service that is represented by any skill set, don’t you think your client wants you to be an expert? You are basically saying: “Yeah, we are pretty good at Print and App Design, but we aren’t really creative” or that you’ll give them something mediocre.

I could see SEO as a valid reason for including even mediocre skills, but in the previous argument I would again challenge you: “SHOULD I be selling this skill set?” There are ways to introduce those to a client as potential areas of interest/experimentation, and still be upfront with them, without giving a negative perception to prospects that you don’t have an open dialog with to explain. During the proposal hit all the key skills, and then offer “extension” options with a discount for being an item you guys will be learning with.

For years on my own resume I keep Bio and a Skills List on the first page. This gets the Buzzword-Bingo points, plus gives them a super quick view as to me fitting the checkboxes they need for screening. At first I started with “Levels”, but ultimately just whittled it down to just the skills I want to promote.