How to Show Employers You're a Quick Learner

A quick learner is someone who is capable of understanding new information at a rapid pace. Fast learning also goes beyond just comprehension — you need to be able to show that you can apply what you learned to your work. When someone is a fast learner, they usually have strong communication and listening skills. Likewise, they have the analytical skills to process new information and find meaningful conclusions from it.

When trying to convey that you are a fast or quick learner, there are ways to more eloquently say so. Use these words and phrases when creating your own application materials:

• Active listener
• Adaptable
• Attentive learner
• Detail-oriented
• Receptive to training
• Research-focused
• Resourceful
• Versatil

When applying to jobs, you need to tailor your resume to each specific role you apply to. One way to stay organized is by having a master resume that you always work off of. This way, you don’t have to restart each time you apply for another job. You can simply make edits to your resume to make it more relevant to a job. When you want to show employers that you are a quick learner, mention these your skills in the following sections of your resume:

1. Create a list in your skills section

The way your skills section looks will vary based on the format of your resume. Most people add a brief bulleted list of skills at the bottom of their resume. This is a quick way to highlight specific skills that show you’re a fast learner. Since many employers use a keyword scanner, look through the job posting for any skills that you have. By including them in your resume, you may increase your chances of having your resume seen by a real person. Your skills section may look something like this: Relevant Skills

• Adaptable
• Attentive learner
• Detail-oriented
• Resourceful

2. Show you’re a life-longer learner

The education section of a resume often reads like a list. Although you should still include all of the degrees you have earned, you could also use your education section as a way to show that you are still actively learning new things. For instance, you could list any online courses, certifications, or training you have either completed or are currently pursuing. When listing these things, make sure they are relevant to the role you’re applying to. It wouldn’t make sense to say you are enrolled in an online cooking course if you’re applying to be an accountant (though this could be a fun fact to share if you got the job.) Instead, choose things that show you are trying to enhance your applicable skills. Here is an example of an education section that shows you’re a life-long learner: Education University of Wisconsin — Madison, 2010-2014 Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics Continuing Education in Ceramic Techniques MasterClass: Ceramic Review, 2019-present

3. Add it to your experience section

Your work experience section is the most important part of your resume. This is your chance to explain previous tasks and accomplishments you completed. Under each experience, you can include information that shows you’re a quick learner. For instance, by showing your rapid success in a new position, this indicates that you catch on quickly. Here is an example of an experience section that shows you’re a fast learner: Experience Lead Sales Associate ABC Company November 2016 – December 2019

• Promoted from Junior Sales Associate to Lead Sales Associate within the first six months of employment. Received this promotion due to my ability to learn quickly and book over $50,000 in sales.
• Training incoming sales staff on the processes and procedures of the company.

Follow these steps when writing a cover letter that shows you’re a quick learner:

1. Understand the role

Employers use your cover letter to see if you have the right skills and experiences they’re looking for. Before writing your cover letter, get a good understanding of which skills they are looking for. When discussing how you’re a fast learner, try to use the specific keywords they use in their job posting.

2. Share examples

Within your body paragraphs, share a few professional experiences that highlight that you’re a fast learner. For instance, you could explain how you can catch onto new tasks easily or that you can use problem-solving to figure out things you’re unfamiliar with. Here is an example from a body paragraph of a cover letter:

I have the ability to take on a fast-paced role like this thanks to my quick learning skills. For instance, in my previous role, I was to learn how to use a new coding language. Although I was quite familiar with JavaScript, this was still a huge undertaking. By using various resources, such as YouTube, coding books, and my network of programming friends, I was able to get the basics of this language down within a month. My manager was pleased with how promptly I grasped the new information.