Top 12 Business Instructor Skills to Put on Your Resume

In today's competitive job market, standing out as a business instructor requires more than just a deep understanding of business principles; it necessitates a blend of both hard and soft skills that demonstrate your ability to teach, inspire, and adapt in various learning environments. Highlighting the top 12 skills on your resume can significantly enhance your appeal to employers, showcasing your comprehensive abilities and readiness to contribute effectively to educational settings.

Business Instructor Skills

1. PowerPoint
2. Zoom
3. Canvas LMS
4. Blackboard
5. Moodle
6. Excel
7. Salesforce
8. QuickBooks
9. Google Workspace
10. Slack
11. Tableau
12. SAP ERP

1. PowerPoint

PowerPoint is a presentation software developed by Microsoft, used for creating, editing, and displaying slideshows to visually support and enhance oral presentations, commonly utilized in business, educational, and training settings.

Why It's Important

PowerPoint is important for a Business Instructor as it facilitates structured, engaging, and visually appealing presentations, enhancing the effectiveness of teaching complex business concepts to students.

How to Improve PowerPoint Skills

To improve PowerPoint presentations for a Business Instructor, focus on these concise strategies:

1. Design Consistency: Use a consistent theme throughout your presentation to maintain professionalism. Microsoft's guide on templates can help.

2. Engaging Visuals: Incorporate high-quality images and charts. Canva and Pexels offer free, high-quality visuals.

3. Clear Structure: Start with an agenda, proceed with clear sections, and end with a summary. This guide provides structure tips.

4. Interactive Elements: Use hyperlinks for external resources and embed videos to make the content more engaging. Microsoft's hyperlink guide can assist.

5. Simplify Text: Use bullet points and short sentences. Focus on key messages. Tips on simplicity can be very useful.

6. Practice Delivery: Know your material well to ensure smooth presentation flow. Toastmasters offers resources on public speaking.

7. Feedback and Improvement: Seek feedback from peers and use it to improve future presentations. SurveyMonkey is a tool for collecting feedback.

Implementing these strategies will result in more effective and engaging PowerPoint presentations for business instruction.

How to Display PowerPoint Skills on Your Resume

2. Zoom

Zoom is a cloud-based video conferencing platform that allows businesses to conduct virtual meetings, webinars, and collaborate in real-time online.

Why It's Important

Zoom enables efficient remote communication, facilitating virtual meetings, training sessions, and webinars, essential for business instructors to deliver interactive and accessible learning experiences to a geographically dispersed audience.

How to Improve Zoom Skills

To improve Zoom for a Business Instructor, focus on these key areas:

1. Enhance Presentation Quality: Use HD video and high-quality microphones for clearer visuals and audio. Consider a professional webcam and external microphone. Zoom Video Quality.

2. Interactive Engagement: Utilize Zoom Polls and Breakout Rooms to increase participant interaction and engagement. Zoom Engagement Tools.

3. Secure Meetings: Implement passwords and waiting rooms to ensure only invited attendees join. Zoom Meeting Security.

4. Streamline Scheduling: Use the Zoom Scheduler Extension for Chrome or Firefox to easily schedule meetings directly from your calendar. Zoom Scheduler.

5. Record Sessions: Record your sessions for later review or for those who couldn't attend live. Ensure to inform participants about recording for consent. Zoom Recording.

6. Effective Use of Whiteboard: Leverage Zoom’s Whiteboard feature for real-time collaboration and explanation of concepts. Zoom Whiteboard.

7. Continuous Learning: Regularly update yourself with the latest Zoom features and educational strategies by attending Zoom Training webinars. Zoom Live Training.

By focusing on these areas, a Business Instructor can significantly enhance the learning experience, making it more engaging, interactive, and secure for participants.

How to Display Zoom Skills on Your Resume

3. Canvas LMS

Canvas LMS is a comprehensive cloud-based learning management system that enables business instructors to create, deliver, and manage online courses and training programs, fostering interactive learning experiences through features like assignments, quizzes, forums, and multimedia integration.

Why It's Important

Canvas LMS is important for a Business Instructor as it offers a centralized, flexible platform for creating, managing, and delivering engaging course content, facilitating communication and collaboration among students, and assessing student progress efficiently.

How to Improve Canvas LMS Skills

To enhance Canvas LMS for a Business Instructor, focus on integrating practical tools and resources tailored to business education:

1. Embed Real-Time Data Tools: Integrate platforms like TradingView for live financial data, enabling students to analyze current market trends within Canvas.

2. Use Project Management Add-Ons: Incorporate tools like Trello or Asana to manage group projects, fostering teamwork and organizational skills.

3. Incorporate Simulation Software: Embed business simulation software like Capsim, allowing students to apply business concepts in a risk-free environment.

4. External Content Libraries: Link to Harvard Business Review and Coursera for a wide range of up-to-date business cases and courses.

5. Financial Analysis Tools: Use Excel Online for financial modeling, ensuring students can work directly within Canvas on assignments.

6. Video Conferencing Integration: Embed Zoom or Microsoft Teams for live lectures, guest speakers, or virtual office hours.

7. Interactive Quizzes and Polls: Utilize Kahoot! or Poll Everywhere to create interactive class sessions, enhancing engagement and understanding.

By incorporating these tools, a Business Instructor can create a dynamic, interactive, and practical learning environment within Canvas LMS.

How to Display Canvas LMS Skills on Your Resume

4. Blackboard

Blackboard is a comprehensive online learning management system (LMS) that enables instructors to provide educational materials, assignments, assessments, and communication tools to students in a virtual environment.

Why It's Important

Blackboard is important for a Business Instructor because it serves as a comprehensive platform for organizing course materials, facilitating communication, and assessing student performance efficiently, enhancing the learning experience.

How to Improve Blackboard Skills

Improving Blackboard for a Business Instructor involves enhancing course organization, engagement, and accessibility:

1. Organize Content Efficiently: Use modules or folders to categorize materials by week or topic, making it easier for students to navigate.

2. Enhance Engagement: Incorporate interactive discussion boards and Blackboard Collaborate for real-time virtual classes to foster interaction.

3. Leverage External Resources: Embed relevant TED Talks or industry-related videos and articles directly within your course materials. Use the "Build Content" feature to add web links to external resources.

4. Use Assessment Tools: Take advantage of Blackboard's assessment and grading tools to provide timely feedback and grades.

5. Accessibility and Inclusivity: Ensure all materials are accessible, using tools like Blackboard Ally to check for accessibility issues and provide alternative formats.

6. Continuous Feedback: Use anonymous surveys within Blackboard to gather student feedback on the course, adapting based on their input.

By focusing on these areas, you can create a more engaging, accessible, and effective learning environment for your students.

How to Display Blackboard Skills on Your Resume

5. Moodle

Moodle is an open-source learning management system (LMS) designed to create and manage online courses, allowing instructors to deliver content, conduct assessments, and communicate with students in a virtual learning environment.

Why It's Important

Moodle is important for a Business Instructor because it provides a comprehensive, flexible platform for creating and managing online courses, facilitating interaction, and assessing student performance, ultimately enhancing the learning experience and outcomes.

How to Improve Moodle Skills

To enhance Moodle for a Business Instructor, focus on these key areas:

1. Customize Course Design: Utilize Moodle's customization options to create a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate course. Incorporate business themes and relevant imagery.

2. Integrate Interactive Tools: Employ Moodle plugins like H5P or interactive forums to facilitate engaging discussions and hands-on learning experiences.

3. Incorporate Real-World Business Tools: Embed external links to business news, market analysis websites, or financial tools within the course material to provide students with real-world context and applications.

4. Utilize the Workshop Module for Peer Review: Take advantage of Moodle's Workshop feature for peer assessment activities, allowing students to critique each other's business plans or marketing strategies, fostering a collaborative learning environment.

5. Implement Analytics for Personalized Feedback: Use Moodle's analytics to track student progress and provide personalized feedback, helping students identify areas for improvement.

6. Enhance Accessibility: Ensure all your course materials are accessible, including video transcripts and alternative text for images, adhering to Moodle's accessibility guidelines.

By focusing on these improvements, you can create a more engaging, effective, and accessible learning environment for your business students.

How to Display Moodle Skills on Your Resume

6. Excel

Excel is a spreadsheet software developed by Microsoft, widely used in business for organizing, analyzing, and storing data, featuring capabilities for calculations, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).

Why It's Important

Excel is crucial for business instructors because it facilitates data analysis, financial forecasting, and decision-making through its powerful tools for calculation, graphing, and data management, enhancing teaching effectiveness and practical business application.

How to Improve Excel Skills

Improving Excel skills, especially for a Business Instructor, involves focusing on advanced functions, data analysis, and visualization techniques. Here are concise strategies with relevant resources:

1. Master Advanced Functions: Enhance knowledge in functions like VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH, and array formulas. ExcelJet offers clear examples and shortcuts.

2. Explore Data Analysis Tools: Get proficient with tools such as PivotTables, Power Query, and Data Analysis Toolpak for insightful data analysis. Excel Easy provides step-by-step tutorials.

3. Learn Visualization Techniques: Develop skills in creating dynamic charts, dashboards, and using Power BI for data visualization. Chandoo is a great resource for learning Excel visualization.

4. Automate Repetitive Tasks: Understand how to use macros and VBA for automating tasks, saving time, and improving efficiency. Automate Excel has comprehensive guides on VBA and macros.

5. Stay Updated: Excel continuously evolves, so regularly check Microsoft Excel Tech Community for updates, tips, and tricks.

Dedicating time to practice and applying these skills in real-world scenarios will significantly improve Excel proficiency for any Business Instructor.

How to Display Excel Skills on Your Resume

7. Salesforce

Salesforce is a cloud-based software company that provides customer relationship management (CRM) services and enterprise applications focused on customer service, marketing automation, analytics, and application development.

Why It's Important

Salesforce is crucial for businesses as it provides a comprehensive customer relationship management (CRM) solution, enabling companies to streamline sales, marketing, customer service, and analytics, fostering better customer relationships and driving sales growth.

How to Improve Salesforce Skills

Improving Salesforce proficiency for a Business Instructor involves a combination of enhancing platform knowledge, applying best practices, and leveraging resources for continuous learning. Here's a concise guide:

1. Get Certified: Pursue Salesforce certifications relevant to your role. Start with the Administrator certification and consider others based on your instructional needs.

2. Utilize Trailhead: Engage with Trailhead, Salesforce's free online learning platform, to find modules and trails tailored to educators and business users.

3. Join the Community: Participate in Salesforce Community Groups to connect with other educators and business professionals. Share insights, ask questions, and stay updated on best practices.

4. Implement Salesforce Labs Solutions: Explore Salesforce Labs on the AppExchange for free, ready-to-use apps that can enhance your Salesforce environment and instructional material.

5. Stay Updated: Follow the Salesforce Blog to keep up with the latest trends, updates, and tips directly from Salesforce professionals and thought leaders.

6. Leverage Salesforce Playgrounds: Use Salesforce Developer Edition environments or Trailhead Playgrounds for hands-on practice and to test out new features without affecting your production environment.

By following these steps and actively engaging with Salesforce's vast ecosystem, Business Instructors can significantly enhance their ability to teach and apply Salesforce principles effectively.

How to Display Salesforce Skills on Your Resume

8. QuickBooks

QuickBooks is a comprehensive accounting software designed for small to medium-sized businesses, offering features for managing invoices, payroll, expenses, and inventory, facilitating streamlined financial operations and reporting.

Why It's Important

QuickBooks is important because it streamlines financial management and accounting tasks, enabling businesses to efficiently track income, expenses, and inventory, ensure accurate bookkeeping, and simplify tax preparation.

How to Improve QuickBooks Skills

Improving QuickBooks, especially from a Business Instructor's perspective, involves enhancing both the efficiency of use and the depth of understanding among users. Here are concise strategies:

1. Utilize QuickBooks Training Resources: Encourage the use of QuickBooks' official training and certification (QuickBooks Training) to ensure users have a strong foundation.

2. Integrate Practical Exercises: Develop real-world business scenarios for students to solve using QuickBooks, enhancing their practical application skills.

3. Promote the Use of QuickBooks Online Accountant: This version offers more features and flexibility for managing multiple clients (QuickBooks Online Accountant).

4. Stay Updated: Regularly update course materials to reflect the latest QuickBooks features and best practices (What's New).

5. Leverage QuickBooks Community and Forums: Encourage participation in QuickBooks community discussions for real-life problem-solving and networking (QuickBooks Community).

6. Incorporate Third-Party Tools and Apps: Teach how to use QuickBooks-compatible apps for extended functionality, available in the QuickBooks App Store (QuickBooks App Store).

By focusing on these areas, a Business Instructor can significantly enhance the QuickBooks learning experience for their students, ensuring they are well-equipped to use the software efficiently in a professional setting.

How to Display QuickBooks Skills on Your Resume

9. Google Workspace

Google Workspace is a collection of cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools developed by Google, designed to help businesses streamline communication, create and share documents, and manage tasks and projects. It includes applications like Gmail, Docs, Drive, Calendar, Meet, and more.

Why It's Important

Google Workspace is crucial for a Business Instructor because it provides a comprehensive suite of collaborative and productivity tools (like Docs, Sheets, and Meet) that facilitate efficient communication, seamless collaboration, and streamlined project management, enabling effective teaching and learning in a business context.

How to Improve Google Workspace Skills

To enhance Google Workspace for a Business Instructor, consider these concise strategies:

1. Leverage Google Classroom: Use it for organizing courses, assignments, and feedback. Google Classroom Help

2. Utilize Google Meet for Live Sessions: Enhance engagement with interactive sessions. Google Meet Help

3. Incorporate Google Forms for Surveys and Quizzes: Collect feedback and assess learning. Google Forms Help

4. Optimize Google Drive for Resource Sharing: Organize course materials effectively. Google Drive Help

5. Implement Google Calendar for Scheduling: Plan and share your course schedule. Google Calendar Help

6. Use Google Sheets for Tracking: Monitor student progress and grades. Google Sheets Help

By integrating these tools into your teaching methodology, you can create a more organized, interactive, and productive learning environment.

How to Display Google Workspace Skills on Your Resume

10. Slack

Slack is a business communication platform that facilitates messaging, file sharing, and collaboration among team members in real-time, supporting both direct messaging and group channels.

Why It's Important

Slack is important because it streamlines communication, enhances collaboration, and centralizes information, making it easier for teams to work together efficiently and effectively.

How to Improve Slack Skills

To improve Slack for a Business Instructor, focus on:

1. Integration: Integrate Slack with project management and educational tools (Trello, Asana), and Google Drive for seamless workflow.
2. Channels: Create dedicated channels for different topics, projects, or classes to keep discussions organized.
3. Bots & Automation: Utilize bots (like Workflow Builder) for automating routine tasks, reminders, and collecting feedback.
4. External Communication: Use Slack Connect to communicate with external parties securely.
5. Training & Resources: Offer regular Slack training sessions and provide resources (Slack Help Center) to ensure everyone can use Slack effectively.

How to Display Slack Skills on Your Resume

11. Tableau

Tableau is a powerful data visualization tool used in business intelligence to transform raw data into easily understandable visual representations, such as charts and graphs, facilitating data-driven decision-making.

Why It's Important

Tableau is important because it enables businesses to visually analyze their data, facilitating quicker and more informed decision-making.

How to Improve Tableau Skills

Improving your Tableau skills as a Business Instructor involves a combination of practice, learning advanced techniques, and staying updated with the latest features. Here’s a concise guide to help you enhance your Tableau proficiency:

1. Master the Basics: Ensure you have a solid foundation. Begin with Tableau's official training videos which are structured and comprehensive.

2. Take Online Courses: Enroll in specialized courses. Platforms like Coursera and Udemy offer in-depth courses designed for various proficiency levels.

3. Join the Community: Participate in the Tableau Community Forums to learn from peers, share knowledge, and get answers to your questions.

4. Follow Blogs and Tutorials: Websites like Tableau Public provide a wealth of tutorials and examples to inspire you and demonstrate best practices.

5. Practice Regularly: Apply your knowledge by working on real-life data sets. Kaggle is an excellent source for diverse datasets.

6. Stay Updated: Tableau regularly updates its software. Keep abreast of the latest features and improvements through the Tableau Blog.

By following these steps and consistently applying yourself, you'll see significant improvement in your Tableau skills, enhancing your ability to teach and apply business analytics effectively.

How to Display Tableau Skills on Your Resume

12. SAP ERP

SAP ERP is an integrated enterprise resource planning software that centralizes data and processes across various departments such as finance, HR, procurement, and manufacturing, enabling businesses to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and make informed decisions.

Why It's Important

SAP ERP is crucial as it integrates core business processes, enhancing efficiency, streamlining operations, and providing real-time data insights for informed decision-making, driving overall business performance and competitive advantage.

How to Improve SAP ERP Skills

Improving SAP ERP involves enhancing efficiency, user experience, and integration. Here are concise strategies:

1. Regular Training: Conduct continuous training sessions for users to keep them updated on new features and best practices.

2. Process Optimization: Review and streamline business processes regularly to ensure they leverage SAP ERP capabilities fully.

3. Data Quality: Maintain high data quality by implementing strict data entry standards and regular audits.

4. Customization and Updates: Customize SAP ERP to fit business needs precisely and keep the system updated to leverage new features and security improvements.

5. Integration: Enhance system integration by utilizing SAP's Integration Suite for seamless connectivity with other business applications.

6. Feedback Loop: Establish a feedback loop with users to continuously identify pain points and areas for improvement.

7. Use of Add-Ons: Explore and integrate SAP-certified add-ons to extend ERP functionality.

8. Performance Monitoring: Regularly monitor system performance and undertake optimization exercises to ensure efficiency.

By focusing on these areas, businesses can significantly enhance the effectiveness and user experience of their SAP ERP systems.

How to Display SAP ERP Skills on Your Resume