In a business sense, attention to detail essentially means focus that is directed on the multiple small tasks or concerns that make up a larger task or concern. It is considered an asset for employees in almost any field, so many people include examples of their capacity for attention to detail on their resumes. Those who wish to cultivate this quality may be able to do so by making a few small changes to their work routine.
Attention to detail usually refers to concentration on the minutiae that make up a larger job or issue. In many cases, those who have this skill perform better at their jobs than those who do not. This is because this quality can help ensure that tasks are completed fully and without errors that later need correction.
Paying attention to the details can be a major asset in just about any occupation. For instance, a carpenter must carefully measure each piece of wood he uses to build a staircase. While writing up a news story, a journalist must ensure that her facts are accurate while also giving focus to concerns like grammar and punctuation. To keep her employer’s day running smoothly, a personal assistant might take note of such preferences as his typical routines, his usual beverage order, and so forth.
Employers often consider attention to detail to be so crucial that many include it as a requirement when listing a job opening. Consequently, when writing a resume, it can be important to list past experiences that demonstrate an ability to break tasks down into their constituent parts. For example, a party planner might make a note of the detailed spreadsheet system she implemented at a past job to ensure that each event she planned fulfilled all of the client’s specifications.
Those who wish to strengthen their attention may try making some simple changes to their work routine. When assigned a new task, they should practice taking the time to mentally break it down into smaller tasks. It can be useful to write down these smaller tasks and check each one off as it is accomplished to ensure that no detail is overlooked. After consciously taking note of the minutiae involved in each task for a time, it is likely that a person’s capacity for attending to details will improve.