Whether you are contemplating a career in applied math solving real world problems or pure mathematics expanding the realm of what is known (and unknown), make sure your CV or resume includes these 10 skills and abilities.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, mathematicians should have at least these 10 skills and abilities if they want to succeed in mathematical research, education, or as an industrial mathematician at a Fortune 100 company.

While there are many skills and abilities that make a successful mathematician, employers will review your application materials for a high degree of competency in these skills that show your knowledge as a mathematician. Displaying the ability to exercise information ordering, inductive reasoning, and mathematical reasoning will support your case for employment no matter where you are in your career.

And don’t forget, once you land the interview, share examples of how you used these analytical skills and abilities to succeed.

Skills

  1. Mathematics — Using mathematics to solve problems.  

  2. Complex Problem Solving — Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.  

  3. Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.  

  4. Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.  

  5. Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.  

Abilities

  1. Mathematical Reasoning — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.  

  2. Number Facility — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.

  3. Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.  

  4. Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

  5. Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).