On a resume, how can I explain self-taught software?

Question

I took on the bookkeeping position at my former job, just prior to the firing of the bookkeeper. I knew nothing about the bookkeeping software and had to teach myself the A/R, A/P, payroll and tax payment functions in QuickBooks immediately to stay current. In my other position, I had to teach myself a graphics program to replace one that was becoming non-functional. How do I explain this "self-teaching" on my resume?

Answer 1

The term, as far as I know is - self learning.

In your cover letter, or in the personal summary, you can post this as a skill - you have a couple of very good examples on this.

Self learner - learned the main functions of QuickBooks just prior to the bookkeeper leaving company X. In another job, learnt the XXX graphics program. I can learn new software by myself.

Answer 2

I've never seen this sort of detail listed explicitly; software skills are typically listed in a section on their own, oftentimes categorized by experience ("Expert in A, B, C, Proficient in D, E, F, Familiar with G and H"). I would simply list the software in the appropriate section, and if someone asks how you learned to use the software I would provide the "self learning" answer suggested by Oded.

Answer 3

Have a section on your resume for formal education and applicable skills gained via them.

Next, have a smaller section (just a sentence or two, no fancy formatting or anything) called "Experience With and Knowledge Of:"

and list them there.

In this competitive market, you need to communicate everything you know and they will appreciate it.

Answer 4

Autodidact is a fancy way to describe a "self-learner". Here is an example of how to use it in a sentence:

I am an autodidact and therefore automatically procure the knowledge to update and improve my skill set. This means that company investment in my skill set is never a necessity, although if fore-coming it's always appreciated.

I have demonstrated this in previous roles where I.... blah blah Quickbooks.... blah blah Graphics package.

If applying for a job in the UK, less-complex language that's part of an extended vocabulary can still possess some allure. Take into account your culture when deciding what sort of vocabulary to use. This extended vocabulary is a more interesting and less-dull way of saying you're a self-learner.