The skills on your resume determine whether you get an interview or get ignored. Hiring managers spend just 7 seconds scanning each resume — and your skills section is where they look first. Including all the skills you possess is not always the best approach; instead, focusing on the top skills that are most relevant to the job will make your resume more effective.
The best skills to put on your resume are a mix of hard skills (technical abilities like Excel, Python, or project management) and soft skills (interpersonal abilities like communication and leadership). Employers value a broad range of important skills, but organizing them strategically is key. Choose 6-12 skills that match the job posting, then prove them with examples in your work experience.
Including a jumble of skills to put on your resume won’t help you to stand out. Organizing your skills strategically will make your resume easier to read and call the right attention to the right skills in the right place.
🎯 Quick Check: Not sure which skills you’re missing? Our free resume scanner compares your resume to any job posting in 30 seconds.
Introduction to Resume Skills
When you’re building your resume, the skills section is more than just a list—it’s your chance to show potential employers exactly what you bring to the table. In today’s fast-paced job market, hiring managers are searching for candidates who offer a strong blend of hard and soft skills that match the job description. Hard skills are your technical expertise—think proficiency in a particular software program, data analysis, or coding languages. These are the measurable abilities that prove you can handle the technical demands of the role.
Equally important are your soft skills: interpersonal skills, communication skills, and personality traits that help you collaborate, solve problems, and adapt to new challenges. Employers value candidates who can communicate effectively, work well in teams, and demonstrate leadership skills. By carefully selecting and highlighting the right mix of hard and soft skills in your skills section, you’ll stand out to hiring managers and increase your chances of moving forward in the hiring process. For job seekers, tailoring your skills to each job description is key—showing not just what you know, but how you’ll add value to the company.
What Skills Should You Put on a Resume?
Your resume needs two types of skills:
Hard Skills — Teachable, measurable abilities like Excel, SQL, Photoshop, accounting, or welding.
Soft Skills — Interpersonal and character traits like communication, leadership, and problem-solving. Soft skills are more difficult to quantify and are often related to personality traits and how you interact with others. Employers often prefer candidates with strong soft skills because they are harder to find and develop compared to hard skills.
Most skills can be categorized as either hard or soft skills.
The perfect balance: Most resumes should be 60-70% hard skills and 30-40% soft skills. Technical roles lean heavier on hard skills; management and customer-facing roles can emphasize soft skills more.
100+ Best Skills to Put on a Resume
Top 10 Skills Employers Want Most (Any Industry)
Employers typically look for the following top 10 skills to put on your resume:
- Communication — Written and verbal
- Problem-solving — Finding solutions independently
- Teamwork — Collaborating effectively; teamwork skills are increasingly important in hybrid and remote working environments
- Leadership — Guiding and motivating others
- Time management — Meeting deadlines consistently
- Adaptability — Adjusting to change
- Technical proficiency — Industry-relevant tools
- Critical thinking — Analyzing and deciding; critical thinking skills are highly sought after by employers across various job postings
- Attention to detail — Accuracy and quality
- Work ethic — Reliability and dedication
Computer & Technical Skills
Essential for most jobs:
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
- Email management
- Video conferencing (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet)
- Cloud storage (Dropbox, Google Drive)
Data & Analytics:
- Excel (advanced: pivot tables, VLOOKUP, macros)
- SQL
- Tableau
- Power BI
- Google Analytics
- Python/R for data analysis
Data analysis skills are valuable because they allow employees to interpret raw data and draw actionable insights.
Programming & Development:
- Python
- JavaScript
- Java
- HTML/CSS
- React/Angular/Vue
- Git/GitHub
- AWS/Azure/Google Cloud
Proficiency in computer languages such as Python, Java, and HTML is essential for technical roles like software engineer and IT manager.
Marketing & Sales:
- SEO/SEM
- Google Analytics
- HubSpot
- Salesforce
- Social media management
- Email marketing (Mailchimp, Klaviyo)
- Google Ads / Facebook Ads
Soft Skills for Any Resume
Communication:
- Written communication: Written communication skills are highly valued, especially as workplace correspondence shifts to digital formats.
- Verbal communication
- Active listening: Active listening skills involve fully concentrating on a speaker, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully, helping you to comprehend information and engage effectively.
- Public speaking: Public speaking skills are important, especially in roles that require clear communication in front of groups.
- Presentation skills
- Negotiation
- People skills: People skills are interpersonal and communication abilities essential for effective interaction with others.
- Customer service skills: Customer service skills rely heavily on problem-solving and communication to address customer needs and create a positive experience.
Leadership:
- Team leadership
- Delegation
- Mentoring
- Decision-making
- Strategic thinking
- Conflict resolution: Conflict resolution skills are valuable in many job roles, as they help mediate and diffuse workplace conflicts.
Problem-Solving:
- Critical thinking: Critical thinking skills are highly sought after by employers.
- Analytical skills
- Creativity
- Research
- Troubleshooting
- Innovation
Work Habits:
- Time management
- Organization
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking
- Prioritization
- Meeting deadlines
For a deeper dive on interpersonal abilities, see our complete guide to soft skills for resumes.
How to Choose the Right Skills for Your Resume
Step 1: Analyze the Job Posting
Read the job description and highlight every skill mentioned. These are your priority keywords.
Example job posting:
“Seeking a marketing coordinator with experience in social media management, content creation, and email marketing. Must have strong organizational skills and proficiency in HubSpot and Google Analytics.”
Skills to include: Social media management, content creation, email marketing, organizational skills, HubSpot, Google Analytics
Step 2: Match Your Skills to the Job
Create two columns and check off what you have:
- Social media management ✅
- Content creation ✅
- Email marketing ✅
- HubSpot ✅
- Google Analytics ✅
- Organizational skills ✅
When matching your skills to the job, also consider your job experience—highlight relevant previous employment, certifications, and applicable skills that align with the job description. You can include skills you’re only slightly familiar with, but be honest about your proficiency level.
Step 3: Prove Your Skills with Examples
Don’t just list skills — demonstrate them:
Skills section:
Marketing: Social media management, content creation, email marketing, SEOAnalytics: Google Analytics (certified), HubSpot, TableauExperience section (proving the skills):
- “Managed social media accounts with 50K+ followers, increasing engagement by 40%”
- “Created email campaigns achieving 35% open rates (industry avg: 21%)”
Learn more about finding the right keywords in our resume keywords guide.
🎯 Mid-Article Check
Wondering if your skills match the job you want?
Paste your resume and a job description into our free scanner. You’ll see exactly which skills are missing and where to add them.
Skills to Put on Resume by Job Type
Administrative & Office Jobs
Hard Skills:
- Microsoft Office Suite (advanced Excel)
- Calendar management
- Data entry
- CRM software
Soft Skills:
- Organization
- Attention to detail
- Professional communication
- Time management
Customer Service Jobs
Hard Skills:
- CRM systems (Zendesk, Salesforce)
- Point-of-sale systems
- Live chat platforms
Soft Skills:
- Active listening
- Patience
- Empathy
- Conflict resolution
Sales Jobs
Hard Skills:
- CRM (Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Sales forecasting
- Lead generation
- Contract negotiation
Soft Skills:
- Persuasion
- Relationship building
- Resilience
- Goal orientation
Entry-Level / No Experience
Hard Skills:
- Microsoft Office
- Google Workspace
- Social media
- Any certifications
Soft Skills:
- Eagerness to learn
- Reliability
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
If you’re just starting out, check our guide on writing a resume with no experience.
Skills Section Format Examples
Format 1: Simple List
SKILLSExcel • SQL • Tableau • Project Management • Client Communication • Problem-SolvingFormat 2: Categorized
SKILLSTechnical: Python, SQL, Tableau, Excel (advanced), Power BIManagement: Agile methodology, stakeholder communication, budget oversightSoft Skills: Team leadership, cross-functional collaborationFormat 3: With Proficiency
TECHNICAL SKILLSExpert: Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, WordAdvanced: SQL, Tableau, Google AnalyticsIntermediate: Python, R, Power BIBest Practices
To make your resume skills section truly stand out, follow these best practices:
1. Tailor Your Skills to the Job Posting:Always customize your skills list for each application. Carefully read the job description and identify the key skills and qualifications the employer is seeking. Use the same language and keywords from the posting to ensure your resume passes applicant tracking systems and catches the eye of hiring managers.
2. Balance Hard and Soft Skills:Showcase a mix of technical skills (like data analysis, project management, or specific software skills) and soft skills (such as communication skills, organizational skills, and critical thinking abilities). This demonstrates that you’re not only capable of handling the technical aspects of the job but also able to work well with others and solve problems creatively.
3. Be Specific and Relevant:List only the most relevant skills for the position. Focus on key skills that directly relate to the job requirements and company culture. Avoid generic or outdated skills, and instead highlight those that reflect your current technical knowledge and professional experience.
4. Use Categories for Clarity:Organize your skills section by grouping similar skills together—such as technical skills, management skills, or interpersonal skills. This makes it easier for employers to quickly scan and identify your strengths.
5. Demonstrate Skills with Examples:Whenever possible, back up your skills with concrete examples in your work experience section. For instance, instead of just listing “project management,” mention a project you led and the results you achieved. This provides actionable insights into how you apply your skills effectively.
6. Keep It Concise:Aim for 6-12 skills in your skills section, focusing on those that are most important for the role. Too many skills can dilute your impact, while too few may leave employers questioning your qualifications.
7. Update Regularly:As you gain new skills or certifications, update your resume to reflect your latest abilities. Staying current with technology skills, software programs, and industry trends shows employers that you’re proactive about your professional development.
By following these best practices, you’ll ensure your resume skills section is clear, relevant, and compelling—helping you stand out from other candidates and move forward in your job search.
How Many Skills Should You List?
| Resume Section | Number |
|---|---|
| Skills section | 6-12 skills |
| Work experience | Demonstrate 3-5 per job |
| Summary | Mention 2-3 key skills |
When deciding which skills to put on a resume, it’s just as important to consider how many you include. You should include around six to eight key skills on your resume that are directly related to the jobs you apply for.
Total unique skills: 10-15 across your entire resume is the sweet spot.
For the complete breakdown, see how many skills to list on your resume.
Skills to AVOID Putting on Your Resume
| Don’t Include | Why |
|---|---|
| “Microsoft Word” | Too basic — everyone has this |
| “Internet research” | Assumed in 2024 |
| “Hard worker” | Vague and unverifiable |
| “People person” | Unprofessional phrasing |
| Irrelevant skills | Forklift cert for office job |
| Skills you can’t discuss | Don’t list it if you’ll stumble in interview |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top 5 skills to put on a resume?
- Communication (written and verbal)
- Problem-solving
- Technical skills relevant to the job
- Leadership/teamwork
- Time management
These appear in most job postings and are valued across industries. Leadership and social influence involve taking initiative and motivating others, which are important even if you are not in a formal management position.
What are good skills to put on a resume with no experience?
Focus on transferable skills: communication, teamwork, time management, customer service, computer skills (Microsoft Office, Google Workspace), and any technical skills from school or self-learning. Transferable skills are qualities that are useful to any employer as you change jobs or careers.
Should I put soft skills on my resume?
Yes, but strategically. Include 3-5 soft skills and prove them with examples. “Led team of 6” demonstrates leadership better than just listing “leadership.”
How do I know which skills to include?
Read the job posting carefully. Skills mentioned multiple times are priorities. Match your skills to their requirements and use similar language.
Check If Your Skills Match the Job
Not sure if your skills section is optimized? Our free resume scanner compares your skills against any job description and tells you:
✅ Which skills are missing ✅ Keywords to add for ATS systems ✅ How to phrase your skills more effectively
Takes 30 seconds. No signup required.
Rate My Resume Skills — Free →
Looking to strengthen specific areas? Check out our guides on communication skills and soft skills for more detailed examples.
Conclusion
Your resume skills section is one of the most important tools you have to impress potential employers and land interviews. By thoughtfully selecting the best skills to put on your resume—balancing hard skills, soft skills, and technical expertise—you’ll show hiring managers that you’re the right fit for the job. Remember to tailor your skills for each job posting, focus on relevant and current abilities, and provide examples that demonstrate your strengths in action.
Whether you’re highlighting time management skills, software skills, or your ability to communicate effectively, a well-crafted skills section can set you apart from other job seekers. Keep your skills list concise, up-to-date, and aligned with the job requirements to maximize your chances of success in the hiring process.
Ready to see how your skills stack up? Use our free resume scanner to check if your resume includes all the right skills for your next role—and take the next step toward your dream job.
✍️ About the Author
Alex Rivers is a resume coach and career advisor who has reviewed over 5,000 resumes and helped job seekers land roles at companies like Google, Amazon, and McKinsey. After years of seeing the same mistakes cost qualified candidates interviews, Alex built ratemy.cv to give everyone access to instant, actionable resume feedback — for free.
Check If Your Skills Match the Job
Not sure if your skills section is optimized? Our free resume scanner compares your skills against any job description and tells you:
✅ Which skills are missing
✅ Keywords to add for ATS systems
✅ How to phrase your skills more effectively
Takes 30 seconds. No signup required.
Rate My Resume Skills — Free →
Looking to strengthen specific areas? Check out our guides on communication skills and soft skills for more detailed examples.
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