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100+ Key Skills for a Resume in 2024 (Examples for any Job)

Learn how to professionally and efficiently list your skills on a resume.

Katerina Frye

How to List Skills on a Resume 

Your skills are just as important as your work experiences. Skills show a recruiter what you can do for the company -- without taking up too much space in your resume. 

Skills can be anything from “creativity” (a soft skill) to “JavaScript” (a hard skill). It’s important to include a mix of both on your resume.

Don’t know what skills you have? Read on to learn the difference between “soft” and “hard” skills, or skim our 250+ skills for each industry to jump right into the resume writing process. 

Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job

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Soft Skills vs Hard Skills

“Soft” skills are those that are not quantifiable, such as leadership. These skills also cannot be learned, but  are rather a facet of your personality. Nevertheless, soft skills are still critical to have, for they demonstrate that you are personable and competent.

Top Soft Skills to include on your resume

‍ Tip: Use some of the soft skills as adjectives when writing your profile summary . For example, try “enthusiastic entrepreneur,” “empathic childcare worker,” “organized nurses’ aid,” “supportive administration assistant” or “detail-oriented sales associate.”

The resume below is for a Childcare Worker and includes many soft skills that companies look for, including Creativity and Organizational skills.

Childcare Worker

In contrast, “Hard” skills are those that are learned -- either in school or through a certification program. These skills are quantifiable and can be continuously expanded upon through further education. Today, most hard skills have to do with computer technology, such as SEO, CSS/HTML, or Microsoft Suite. Even if you aren’t tech-savvy, chances are you still have a few hard skills.

Top Hard Skills to include on your resume

Tip: Be specific about your hard skills. Instead of listing “Programming Languages,” specify which ones you know -- Python, Java, C, etc. Same with photo editing software and any other platforms you are familiar with.

The resume below is for a Content Marketing Associate, and includes manyhard skills that companies in the marketing industry look for, including experience with Social Media tools. Remember, it's important to be specific in terms of defining and listing what softwares you know.

Content Marketing Associate

How to List Your Skills

Whether you’re a jack of all trades or a master of one, you absolutely must list some skills on your resume. Skills offer additional insight into what you can offer the company as an employee, and may just push your resume over the edge and into the interview pile. 

  • Only list relevant skills . If you’re applying for a position as an engineer, don’t brag about your marketing abilities. Instead, save the space to list the software and programming languages that you know. 
  • List around 5 Skills . Writing too many skills on your resume can be an overwhelming experience for the recruiter. He or she may not fully register your skills, and instead just blankly skim the long list. Conversely, listing too few skills is only selling yourself short. You definitely have more than two skills -- no matter your experience level! So shoot for around 5 skills, with a little wriggle room. 
  • Include both hard and soft skills . Even if your profession seems to rely on soft skills more than hard skills -- or vice versa -- including both makes your resume stronger. For example, if you’re applying to work as a laboratory assistant, list soft skills such as “teamwork,” “problem-solving,” “time management,” or “organization.” If you’re in a more creative field, hard skills include softwares such as “Adobe Creative Suite” and talents such as “photography,” “writing & editing,” or “videography.” 
  • Note your experience level . With each skill, specify whether you are a “beginner,” “expert,” or somewhere in between (using words like “intermediate” and “moderate”). Our resume templates have bars beneath each skill that you can toggle to reflect your expertise. 

The resume below is for a Human Resources Manager, and includes all of the above tips.

Human Resources Manager

250+ Skills for Each Industry  

Although we’ve split these skills up by industry, please note that many skills are applicable to a variety of careers. For example, someone working in marketing might find knowledge of JavaScript just as useful as someone working in the computer science field. 

Let’s jump in!

100+ Key Skills to include on your resume infographic

Office and Administrative Job Skills

  • Answering Phones
  • Bookkeeping (Excel, Turbotax)
  • Office Equipment
  • Welcoming Visitors
  • Calendar Management
  • Organization 
  • Time Management 
  • Problem Solving
  • Attention To Detail
  • Adaptability 
  • Written Communication 
  • Email Platforms (E.G., Gmail And iCloud Mail)
  • Word Processing Software (E.G., Google Docs)
  • Spreadsheet Software
  • Digital Calendars
  • Prioritization 

Sales, Retail, and Customer Service Job Skills

  • Product Knowledge
  • Lead Qualification
  • Lead Prospecting 
  • Customer Needs Analysis
  • Referral Marketing
  • Contract Negotiation
  • Self Motivation
  • Increasing Customer Lifetime Value (Clv)
  • Reducing Customer Acquisition Cost (Cac)
  • CRM Software (Salesforce, Hubspot, Zoho, Freshsales)
  • Cashier Skills
  • Knowledge Of Products And Services 
  • Customer Service
  • Communication (More Specifically -- Verbal Communication Skills, Listening Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Written Communication Skills, Public Speaking Skills, Presentation Skills)
  • Math Skills
  • Negotiation 
  • Persuasion  
  • Diplomacy  
  • Cold Calling
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
  • Lead Generation
  • Buyer-responsive Selling
  • Buyer Engagement

Nursing and Healthcare Job Skills

  • Patient Assessment
  • Taking Vital Signs
  • Patient Care
  • Recording Patient Medical History
  • Wound Dressing And Care
  • Urgent And Emergency Care
  • Record-keeping
  • Patient Education
  • NIH Stroke Scale Patient Assessment
  • Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
  • Medicine Administration
  • Blood Pressure Monitoring
  • Rehabilitation Therapy
  • Hygiene Assistance
  • Use Of X-ray, MRI, Cat Scans
  • Glucose Checks
  • Electronic Heart Record (EHR)
  • Decision-Making Ability 
  • Critical Thinking
  • Leadership 
  • Thorough Understanding Of HIPPA And Privacy Policies
  • Ability To Take And Record Vital Signs
  • CPR And First-Aid Certifications
  • Perform And Evaluate Diagnostic Tests
  • Maintain Patient Charts

IT Job Skills

  • Programming Languages
  • Web Development
  • Data Structures
  • Open Source Experience
  • Machine Learning
  • Front-End & Back-End Development
  • Cloud Management
  • Agile Development
  • CSS Preprocessors
  • Graphic User Interfaces (GUI)
  • Git/Version Control (Github, gitlab)
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
  • Application Programming Interface (API)
  • Adobe Photoshop, InDesign
  • Content Management Systems (CMS)
  • Testing/Debugging
  • Responsive Design Principles
  • Mobile and Web Development (e.g. iOS, Android)

Engineering & Technical Job Skills

  • STEM Skills
  • Prototyping
  • Troubleshooting
  • Project Launch
  • Lean Manufacturing
  • Workflow Development
  • Computer Skills
  • Technical Report Writing
  • Programming Languages HTML, CSS, CRM tools

Advertising & Marketing Job Skills

  • SEO (SEMRush, WordPress, and Ahrefs)
  • SEM (i.e., Google Adwords)
  • CRO and A/B Testing
  • Social Media Marketing and Paid Social Media Advertising
  • Sales Funnel Management
  • CMS Tools (WordPress, Weebly)
  • Graphic Design Skills (Adobe Creative Suite)
  • Email Marketing (MailChimp, Constant Contact)
  • Email Automation
  • Data Visualization
  • Print Design
  • Photography and Branding
  • Communication 
  • Creativity 
  • Data Analytics (Google Analytics )
  • Web Analytics
  • Email Writing 
  • Google Adwords
  • Social Media And Mobile Marketing 
  • Paid Social Media Advertisements
  • Consumer Behavior Drivers
  • Brand Management
  • B2b Marketing
  •  Writing Advertising Copy
  • Soliciting Feedback From Customers
  • Cutting Costs
  • Leadership skills
  • Task Delegation 
  • Strategic Management
  • Proposal writing
  • Problem-solving
  • Problem solving
  • Website Management
  • Social Media Outreach
  • Video Production
  • Campaign Management
  • Photo Editing
  • Logo Creation
  • Digital Printing
  • Interactive Media Design 
  • Color Sense & Theory
  • Social Media Publishing
  • Storytelling
  • Financial Analysis
  • Consumer Research
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Videography 
  • Technical Writing 

General Management and Project Management Job Skills

  • Agile Project Management (Kanban)
  • Managing Cross-Functional Teams
  • Scrum Management
  • Performance Tracking
  • Financial Modelling
  • Ideation Leadership
  • Feature Definition
  • Forecasting
  • Profit and Loss
  • Scope Management
  • Project Lifecycle Management 
  • Meeting Facilitation
  • Risk Management 
  • Cost Management 
  • Data Analysis 
  • Collaborative 
  • Collaborative Programs (Slack, WhatsApp, Dropbox)
  • Adobe Creative Suite

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key skills examples on resume

100 Good Skills to Put on a Resume [Complete Guide]

Jeff Gillis 0 Comments

key skills examples on resume

By Jeff Gillis

Updated 6/4/2022.

key skills examples on resume

When you’re adding skills to a resume, you don’t just want to focus on what you’re good at. Instead, relevancy has to be part of the equation. After all, every job you’re trying to land requires a very specific skill set, one that you need to show that you have.

Choosing the skills to put on a resume when you’re applying to a role isn’t something you should do haphazardly. Instead, you want to use the job description, company mission, and company values as a guide, creating a sense of alignment.

Additionally, it never hurts to have a handy list of skills by your side, making it easier to explore your options. So, if you’re on the hunt for good skills to put on a resume, here’s what you need to know.

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

There are two basic types of skillsets that a job seeker can have and include on their resume: hard skills or soft skills.

Hard skills are the skills or abilities for a resume that are easily quantifiable…that can be learned through classroom work, apprenticeships, or other forms of learning. These include things like operating tools, computer programming, speaking foreign languages, or different kinds of technical prowess.

Soft skills are more subjective and harder to quantify and are often grouped together by what we know as “people skills.” Some examples of soft skills include communication, relationship building, self-awareness, and patience.

Which Skills Are More Important?

The debate rages on about which of these two types of skills is more important.

According to executive consultant and Forbes contributor Naz Beheshti , “…There is an ongoing debate about the relative importance of soft and hard skills that imply a competition between the two. However, they are both necessary and complementary to one another.”

On the one hand, job seekers with proficiency in a specific hard skill may get hired more quickly. Many employers want to hire people that can deliver value with fewer resources (ex., the need for training, etc.), making hard skills their priority.

However, we are also seeing that many hiring managers are choosing to hire candidates with highly developed soft skills.

In the end, as Indeed puts it, “soft skills are necessary to create a positive and functional work environment.” Plus, hiring managers feel that they can always train the candidate in the hard skill that is required to complete the job, but soft skills are often skills that cannot necessarily be taught.

So, what does this mean for you? Mainly that you can’t simply just pick one or the other and cross your fingers. Instead, the best strategy is to take a balanced approach and make sure that your resume contains both hard and soft skills.

How Do You Choose the Skills to List on a Resume?

Here’s the deal; there’s a good chance you know what you’re good at in a professional sense. Often, you can use your experience, duties, training, and education as a guide, giving you a strong foundation. Then, it’s about diving a bit deeper, looking at traits that could help you stand out, and comparing it all to the job description.

By using a simple process, you can make progress faster. Here’s a quick way to get started.

1. Make a List of the Skills You Know You Have

As mentioned above, the easiest way to get a grip on your current skills is to reflect on your academic and professional experiences. Consider the tasks you’ve taken on, the training you’ve completed, and the courses you had in school. In most cases, that’ll give you some solid ideas about your hard skills.

After that, it’s time for soft skills. Here, you want to think of traits or capabilities that help you engage with others and navigate professional relationships. Often, these are reflections of your personality, so use that as a jumping-off point.

2. “Mine” the Job Descriptions for Must-Have Skills

The next step is to take a look at the job description for the position you are applying for and make a list of the required skills it includes. Then, compare it to your capabilities. Are any of the skills on both of the lists you just created? If so, these are must-haves for your resume.

Now, notice if there are any skills on the job description that you don’t have. If there aren’t any, great!

But if there are…don’t panic. There are things you can do, which we’ll dig into shortly.

If you’re dealing with a vague job description, you aren’t stuck either. Here is a link to a ton of job descriptions that can give you an idea of the skills needed.

3. Tailor Your Skills to the Company/Position

As you may have read in our other blog articles, it is always very important to “tailor” your resume to the company and position you want to land. For an in-depth look into how to make that happen, check out our Tailoring Method article. 

If you want a quick overview, the idea is to focus on capabilities the company wants to find. Every job requires a unique skill set, and you want to show you have it. As a result, it is absolutely essential that skills from the job description make an appearance on your resume.

However, you also want to dig deeper. Spend some more time researching the company, including going through all of their various web properties, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages.

Why? Because they will leave clues about the types of people they hire. That gives you more ideas about the best skills to put on a resume to land a job there, particularly when it comes to soft skills you may not find in a job description.

100 Resume Skills Examples

If you’re struggling with coming up with a list of skills based on your past experience, it can be easier if you have existing resume skills lists to work with. You don’t have to think up every possible skill; you can simply review the list and find the matches.

Here is a list of resume skills examples, divided into hard skills and soft skills, that you can use when applying for a job.

Hard Skills for a Resume

  • Advanced Bookkeeping
  • Appointment Setting
  • Automotive Repair
  • Cold Calling
  • Computer Programming
  • Conversion Testing
  • Copywriting
  • Customer Engagement
  • Customer Service
  • Data Analysis
  • Digital Marketing
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Environmental Cleanup
  • Forklift Operating
  • Graphic Design
  • Heavy Machinery Operation
  • Installation
  • Landscaping
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Coding
  • Paid Online Traffic
  • Patient Care
  • Photo Editing
  • Picking and Packing
  • Project Management
  • Schedule Management
  • Search Engine Optimization
  • Server Maintenance
  • Social Media
  • Spanish Fluency
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Systems Analysis
  • Technical Support
  • Telecommunications Systems
  • Travel Booking
  • Video Editing
  • Website Design
  • Word Processing

Soft Skills for a Resume

  • Accountability
  • Active Listening
  • Adaptability
  • Brainstorming
  • Business Etiquette
  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Contextualizing
  • Critical Thinking
  • Decision Making
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Flexibility
  • Goal-Setting
  • Handling Pressure
  • Influencing
  • Insightfulness
  • Interpreting
  • Negotiation
  • Open-Mindedness
  • Organization
  • Prioritization
  • Problem Solving
  • Relationship Building
  • Reliability
  • Resource Management
  • Responsibility
  • Self-Confidence
  • Strategical Thinking
  • Strong Work Ethic
  • Time Management

What If I Don’t Have the Required Skill?

Whether you need to possess a specific skill depends on the job and the skill in question. Usually, here’s where you have to be honest with yourself. If the skills required are part of the core competencies of doing the job, you may want to reconsider your application.

For example, if a golf course posts a job posting for a golf pro, you probably shouldn’t apply if you’ve never swung a golf club.

However, you will come across situations where what you bring to the table is close. In this case, moving forward might be okay.

You need to be able to demonstrate, using examples from your past, that you are capable of doing the required skill, even if you haven’t specially done it. So, go over your work history with a fine-tooth comb and try to come up with a few examples of you doing something in the right ballpark.

They are going to ask about it in your interview, so don’t think you can just wing it, and everything will be fine.

Also, many job descriptions have “nice-to-have” skills on the list. If you happen to possess them, great. But if not, don’t assume you shouldn’t apply if you have the must-have skills. In the end, those capabilities aren’t outright requirements, so don’t screen yourself out based on them.

How To List Skills on a Resume

There are a few different schools of thought when it comes to deciding where to put (or how to list) the skills on your resume.

According to our friends over at online resume-builder Zety.com , “…skills are so very, very important that they should show up all over your resume. Not just in the resume skills section.” In other words, it is imperative that there are elements of your skills throughout your resume, including your resume objective/summary and experience sections.

In addition, there isn’t one right answer for where to include your skill section because that depends on the industry, company, and position you’re trying to land. For example, for a job where technical competencies are of the utmost importance, it is often beneficial to list the skills closer to the top of the resume, right underneath the resume objective or resume summary statement.

However, if through your research you determine that the hiring manager will put more weight into your experience, you may want to lead with your experience. Then, put the skills section further down your resume.

At the end of the day, the selection of the skills themselves is the most important thing. After all, most hiring managers will easily find your skill section regardless of where it is on your resume.

What About Skills for My Job Application?

When you’re looking for skills to put on a job application, you do have to treat it a little differently than skills for a resume. Usually, you’re working with a finite amount of space on an application, not just in an overall sense but in each applicable section.

Since that’s the case, you need to lean heavily on the job description. Look for any capabilities that are listed as must-haves or that are repeated through the job ad. Then, make sure those skills are featured prominently in several areas, including in work history descriptions and skills areas.

If you have to answer essay questions, discuss those skills there, too, whenever possible. Use any other relevant capability as a supplement, treating it as supporting information instead of the primary point you’re sharing.

However, if an essay question asks about a skill that’s not in the job description, feel free to dig in a bit. It’s a capability that’s clearly on the hiring manager’s mind, so touch on it occasionally to show you shine in that area.

Putting It All Together

If you were wondering, “What are some good skills to put on a resume?” you should now have a solid answer. The most important thing to remember is to select skills that are relevant to the position you are interviewing for and, more important than that, skills that your company puts a tremendous amount of value in.

Once you get your skills straightened out, you should make sure that the rest of your resume is congruent with the skills you just selected, namely, that your experience shows that you both used those skills in a work environment and developed the skill with on-the-job tasks.

key skills examples on resume

Co-founder and CTO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Jeff is a featured contributor delivering advice on job search, job interviews and career advancement, having published more than 50 pieces of unique content on the site , with his work being featured in top publications such as INC , ZDnet , MSN and more.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Jeff gillis.

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Co-founder and CTO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Jeff is a featured contributor delivering advice on job search, job interviews and career advancement, having published more than 50 pieces of unique content on the site , with his work being featured in top publications such as INC , ZDnet , MSN and more. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

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key skills examples on resume

101 Essential Skills to Put on a Resume in 2024 [For Most Jobs]

Background Image

Skills make a huge chunk of a potential employer’s decision to hire you. 

You might think this section of your resume is easy - you just list your skills and you’re good to go.

But listing your skills the right way is a bit trickier.

How do you know if you’re mentioning the necessary skills for the job or if you’re just giving the hiring manager irrelevant information? 

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

In this guide, we’re going to walk you through the process of putting skills on your resume from start to finish.

You’re going to learn:

What Are the Different Types of Skills?

  • Why Should You List Your Skills on Your Resume?
  • How to List Skills on a Resume
  • 12 Best Skills to Put on Any Resume 
  • 400+ Skills to Put on a Resume for Different Professions

Let’s dive in!

Skills are the various abilities and attributes that you bring to the table when you’re applying for a job.

Your skills can be your ability to do a specific task or solve a problem with some level of proficiency, and they’re typically divided into hard skills and soft skills.

If you want to create an effective resume that catches the hiring manager’s attention, you need to mention both hard and soft skills.

Let’s break down what each means:

Hard Skills

Hard skills involve the technical knowledge or know-how one can gain through experience, training, or education. 

While hard skills are essential for completing tasks in just about any job, they’re also teachable and easily measurable. 

For example: 

  • Machinery skills. Some fields require operating specialized machinery or equipment. (E.g., operating a road roller, pallet-stalker, forklift, or others.)
  • Software skills. Depending on the field, you need to know how to use different software, such as the Adobe Creative Suite for designers or the Ableton Live Suite if you’re a DJ.
  • Tools. If you’re a digital marketer , you’ll need to know how to use tools like Stethoscope, Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Ahrefs, and SEMrush.
  • Languages. Being able to communicate in more than one language is an extremely useful skill. The more customers or teams you can communicate with, the more valuable you are as an employee. Some of the most sought-after languages today include German, Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic.
  • Computer skills. Most jobs will require that you have at least some basic computer knowledge in MS Office and G-Suite, emailing, and presentations. If you’re a web developer , your hard skills will likely include more specialized software knowledge or proficiency in coding languages such as Python, C++, or PHP.
  • Techniques. Different specialized techniques you’ve learned can be listed as individual skills. (E.g.: frequency analysis, crystallization, gamification, or even CPR and first aid.)
  • Mathematics. A lot of professions, such as accounting and finance, require mathematical skills. If you’re applying for a position in a field that uses advanced mathematics, such as a research assistant , you should be more specific with the types of mathematical skills you have. (E.g.: statistics, trigonometry, calculus, algebra, etc.)
  • Data analysis. Businesses are always looking for professionals who can gather and analyze data for various stakeholders and help make strategic decisions, making different types of data analysis a very in-demand hard skill.

…so, just about any field-specific skill is a hard skill you can list on your resume.

Soft Skills

The attributes and habits that describe how you work individually or with others are known as soft skills .

Generally speaking, soft skills aren’t job-specific, so they’re transferable skills that indirectly help you adapt to the work environment and company culture. 

Some examples of the most in-demand soft skills include: 

  • Time management
  • Communication
  • Adaptability
  • Problem-solving
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Conflict resolution
  • Stress management
  • Critical thinking
  • Organization

Soft skills are essential for just about any job out there.

While some soft skills can be critical to doing your job well, such as communication with a customer support representative , others ensure that you get along with your coworkers and foster a positive work environment.

Like hard skills, you can also learn how to develop soft skills, but it’s significantly harder. 

While you can acquire computer skills through a technical course, you’ll need to put in a lot more effort to develop your communication skills. 

For example, you would need to practice active listening in the workplace, learn how to notice nonverbal cues and practice your oral communication skills as much as possible to improve.

best soft skills

What’s the Difference Between Hard Skills and Soft Skills?

There are three main differences between hard skills and soft skills.

  • How you obtain them. You can obtain hard skills through work experience , education, training, and certifications. Soft skills, on the other hand, can be gained through life experience, both in and out of work.
  • How you use them. While you apply hard skills directly to the job, soft skills usually come into play indirectly and may often complement your hard skills. For example, you may be a communicative marketer or an office manager with great leadership qualities.
  • How you list them. Hard skills and soft skills should be listed separately on your resume, but unlike soft skills, hard skills can include your level of proficiency. You can say you’re an advanced user of Adobe Photoshop, but you can’t measure how creative you are in the same way.

When it comes to your employability, both sets of skills are crucial for your resume.

If a hiring manager is on the fence about two candidates with the same hard skills, it’s the soft skills that are going to tip the scales in someone’s favor.

Why Should You List Skills on Your Resume?

The skills section is one of the two most important resume sections , with the other being your work experience.

In fact, 41% of hiring managers notice skills on your resume first.

Let’s look at an example of a well-written skill section:

skills section in a resume

At first glance, listing some skills on your resume looks easy.

In reality, though, putting skills on your resume the right way is a bit more nuanced than that, and here’s why:

Most companies nowadays use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to help them go through the hundreds and thousands of resumes they receive every day.

ats skills in a resume

This software scans your resume for keywords relevant to the job you’re applying for, and if it doesn’t find them, the ATS automatically rejects your resume.

For example, let’s say you’re applying for a job as a software engineer , and the job requires an expert level of proficiency in Javascript.

If you focus on other programming languages and don’t mention Java as a skill on your resume, the ATS will probably discard it immediately.

Resume statistics show that nearly 75% of resumes are rejected at this first screening stage, and they never make it to a hiring manager .

But let’s assume the company doesn’t use an ATS, and your resume ends up on a hiring manager’s desk.

There’s a good chance the hiring manager is only going to skim through your resume in less than six seconds , looking for the right set of skills.

So, regardless of whether you’ll need to breeze past the ATS or the hiring manager, you have to mention the right skills.

How to List Skills on a Resume (And Stand Out)

Now that you have a clear understanding of how important skills are, let’s talk about how you should list them on your resume.

We’ve divided the process into a step-by-step guide you can follow, starting with:

#1. Tailor Your Skills to the Job

The key to an effective skills section is making sure the skills you list are relevant to the job.

For example, if you’re applying for a job as a backend developer, the customer service skills you gained working as a server during college don’t belong on your resume.

So, only list skills that are useful for the job you are applying for.

Start by thoroughly reading the job advertisement to find out what skills to include on your resume.

Job ads usually list a set of requirements or skills they expect from candidates. Take note of which skills and experiences you have, and remember to write them down on your resume.

Let’s look at an example of a job ad for a line cook position in a restaurant:

At Restaurant X, we are dedicated to delivering an exceptional dining experience that reflects the heart of French cuisine. We are currently seeking a skilled Line Cook to join our team for the summer season. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced, prestigious environment under the mentorship of our acclaimed chef.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Efficiently prep ingredients for service, ensuring high standards of quality and freshness.
  • Execute recipes to exact standards, contributing to the creation of signature dishes that delight our guests.
  • Maintain meticulous attention to detail in the plating and presentation of each dish.
  • Uphold the highest standards of cleanliness and sanitation in the kitchen before, during, and after service.

Requirements:

  • Proven experience as a line cook in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
  • A passion for French cuisine and a strong desire to learn and grow within the culinary field.
  • Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively under pressure.
  • Knowledge of best practices for food handling, safety, and sanitation.

From this job description, we can see that the restaurant is looking for someone who:

  • Is committed to excellence and is highly professional
  • Works well under supervision and as part of a team
  • Has experience working in a fast-paced kitchen environment
  • Pays great attention to detail when it comes to cooking and presentation

Based on this, some of the skills you should definitely mention in your resume include:

  • Culinary Expertise
  • Food Preparation
  • Knife Skills
  • Plating Techniques
  • Time Management
  • Attention to Detail
  • Safety and Sanitation
  • Stress Management

Don’t mention skills that aren’t directly related to the job. For example, a line cook doesn’t need to list computer skills on their resume, even if those skills are relevant for most other jobs.

#2. Create a Skills Section

Once you’ve identified all the right skills to add to your resume, create a dedicated “Skills” section to list them under.

A dedicated section will help you pass the ATS, and it makes it easier for hiring managers to find the skills they’re looking for.

Here’s an example of what a skills section can look like on a resume:

skills section in a resume template

We recommend keeping your resume skills section somewhere near the top of the page so that the hiring manager can see it quickly. Usually, they should go either next to or after the work experience section, depending on your resume layout .

Next, here are a few tips you should keep in mind when listing your skills:

  • Be specific. “Verbal and written communication” sounds significantly better than just “communication.” 
  • Sort your skills by relevance. Order your skills based on how crucial they are for the role. The more important skills should go at the top, and the nice-to-have ones should go after them.
  • Format skills accordingly. Not everyone has dozens of skills they can show off on their resume, and that’s okay. If you don’t have a lot of skills, you can list both your hard and soft skills in a single section, just like the example we used above.
  • Don’t lie or exaggerate. If you don’t have one of the required skills for the role or you’re not very experienced, just be honest. It goes without saying that you should never lie about what you can do. The employer will find out you lied eventually, your professional reputation will bear the consequences, and you could even lose your job.

#3. Match Each Skill With Your Proficiency Level

While some skills are hard to measure, others can be put on a proficiency scale .

We recommend only using a proficiency scale for some hard skills, such as specific tools or software programs. Soft skills are difficult to measure objectively, so there’s no point in putting them on a scale.

Here’s how to show your proficiency level:

Match Each Skill With Your Proficiency Level

  • Beginner. You are just starting to learn this skill, or you haven’t practiced the skill through experience. This usually applies to students with no experience who only understand concepts through theories or classroom experience.
  • Intermediate. You have applied this skill in practice, and you rarely need help with it, but you still have room to grow.
  • Advanced. At this level, you know your stuff. You don’t need help with this skill anymore, and you can teach beginners how to use it.
  • Expert. You’re a recognized authority when it comes to this skill, and you’re the go-to person if anyone has any questions.

#4. Back-Up Your Skills in Other Resume Sections

Only listing your skills in their dedicated section will get you so far. After all, everyone else is doing the exact same thing. 

If you want to take your resume from good to great, you need your most critical skills to make an impression from the get-go.

This is where the resume headline and work experience sections come in.

Resume Headline

Your resume headline can be either a resume summary or a resume objective.

The resume summary is a short, two to four-sentence-long paragraph that summarizes your resume. When done right, it shows the hiring manager your strongest selling points as a candidate right from the start.

Here’s an example in action:

skills in the resume summary

But if you don’t have a lot of experience, you can use a resume objective instead.

The resume objective is a two to three-sentence statement of your career intent that goes at the top of your resume. It can include a snapshot of your professional experience, skills, achievements, and professional goals.

Here’s what it looks like:

skills in resume objective

Both the resume summary and resume objective go at the top of your resume, either before or after your contact information section .

Regardless of which resume headline you go for, the goal of this section is to pique the hiring manager’s curiosity and make them want to read your whole resume. You should always add one or two of the most necessary skills from the job description here.

Work Experience

Once you’ve mentioned some of your top skills in your resume headline, you have to prove you actually have them.

The best way to do that is by listing some impressive achievements in your work experience section and explaining how your skills helped you.

Let’s look at what the work experience section could look like for the data entry specialist from our resume summary example:

  • Achieve a 99% accuracy rate, surpassing departmental accuracy goals by 15%.
  • Leveraged advanced organizational abilities to streamline data entry processes, reducing task completion times by 20%.
  • Employed superior communication and interpersonal skills to resolve 95% of customer inquiries on the first contact, earning an Employee of the Month award.
  • Managed and maintained a complex database of over 10,000 records, ensuring data integrity and accuracy through effective office management practices.

Hobbies and Interests

Another section where you can back up your skills is your hobbies and interests section .

If you have leftover space on your resume, you can use this optional section to list a couple of hobbies or areas of interest that relate to your skills.

For example, let’s say you’re applying for a job as a writer, and the ad says you need to be creative, collaborative, and familiar with pop culture.

In that case, if one of your hobbies is playing a popular tabletop role-playing game with your friends, like Dungeons and Dragons, make sure to list it.

A hobby like that shows that you are genuinely creative, like writing for fun, and are capable of organizing with multiple people for a mutual goal.

#5. Put Transferable Skills to Use 

If you’re looking for your first job or if you’re making a career change , transferable skills are something you should make use of.

Transferable skills are skills that aren’t directly related to the job you are applying for, but they’re still useful and likely relevant for most jobs.

For example, if you're writing a career change resume and you’re going from a role as a sales associate to a copywriter, there are several transferable skills you can list on your resume.

Some of them include:

  • Written communication. Both roles involve communicating through text. A salesperson needs to send cold outreach emails, while a copywriter has to write newsletter emails.
  • Persuasion. A copywriter needs to create copy that drives sales, while a salesperson needs to be persuasive in person.
  • Computer skills. Both jobs require some degree of computer literacy. For a salesperson, that might mean using Customer Management Software, while for a copywriter, that’s publishing content online.

12 Best Skills to Put on Any Resume

Now that you know how to put skills on your resume, it’s time to talk about which skills you should add.

Every profession requires some role-specific hard skills. For example, a photographer needs to know how to use photo editing software like Photoshop. 

But when it comes to soft skills, a lot of them are universal across different industries.

Soft skills are the skills that define your approach to work, how well you cooperate with others, and if you can fit into a company’s culture.

And while the right soft skills for a job may be harder to point out, they’re just as essential in today’s job market. In fact, 93% of employers say that soft skills play a critical role in the hiring decision.

There are very few, if any, jobs out there that don’t require at least some level of communication skills .

So, let’s look at some of the most highly valued skills for any resume:

#1. Communication skills

Whether you’re a writer who needs to communicate a message to your readers, a marketing specialist who needs to communicate an advertising campaign to your client, or an employee who needs to communicate with a coworker to complete a task, communication skills are vital. 

Communication is a multi-faceted skill that includes several skills, such as: 

  • Oral and written communication
  • Non-verbal communication
  • Active Listening
  • Presentation
  • Public-speaking
  • Negotiation

#2. Problem-Solving

Problem-solving means you’re able to identify problems, find the root cause behind them, and come up with creative solutions.

Considering there isn’t a single job where you won’t face problems in one way or another, problem-solving skills are a great asset to have.

Throughout your career, you might have to troubleshoot technical glitches, resolve customer complaints, streamline processes, or drive strategic initiatives. In any of these cases, strong problem-solving skills will be crucial to your success. 

But problem-solving is a broad set of skills that can include:

  • Analytical thinking
  • Root cause analysis
  • Data gathering and evaluation
  • Creative thinking
  • Decision making
  • Strategic planning
  • Risk assessment and management

Whether you’re an IT professional debugging code or a manager implementing operational improvements, problem-solving skills let you tackle challenges head-on.

#3. Conflict Resolution

When working with diverse groups, disagreements are bound to happen. So, having the skills to resolve conflicts in a constructive manner is extremely valuable in any organization.

Conflict resolution skills are essential for managers addressing performance issues, HR professionals mediating workplace disputes, sales teams negotiating contracts, or coworkers with clashing personalities.

This multifaceted skill involves:

  • Impartiality and objectivity
  • Assertive communication
  • Creative problem-solving
  • Persuasion and influence
  • Patience and composure

#4. Computer Literacy

Over 70% of jobs require medium-to-high-level digital skills.  

This means that computer and technical skills are priceless assets, even if your job isn’t centered around technology. So, computer skills are almost always a great addition to any resume.

Here are some valuable computer skills for every professional: 

  • Office suites (MS Office, iWork)
  • Social media
  • Database management
  • Web (Internet savviness, basic HTML, CMS)
  • Troubleshooting
  • Equipment installation and configuration
  • Fast Typing

#5. Research

Effective research abilities are essential for making informed decisions and driving successful outcomes across any industry.

Whether you’re conducting market research to identify consumer needs, gathering data to explore a scientific hypothesis, or investigating to build a legal case, strong research skills are invaluable.

Some research skills include:

  • Finding credible sources
  • Evaluating information objectively
  • Organizing data
  • Identifying patterns
  • Documenting and reporting findings

#6. Teamwork

Teamwork skills enable you to work effectively with others towards a common goal.

Since teams tend to drive most major projects and workplace initiatives, learning how to work well with others is essential to most jobs. You might be part of a project team, a committee, or just coordinate across departments someday.

What you need for strong teamwork skills is:

  • Active listening
  • Reliability
  • Flexibility
  • Motivating others

#7. Project Management

Project management skills are usually associated with dedicated project manager roles, but in reality, that's not usually the case. Any type of professional can benefit from strong project management skills.

In a nutshell, project management skills involve being able to effectively handle resources, timelines, deliverables, and processes for driving projects to successful completion.

Here are some of the most in-demand project management skills:

  • Resource allocation and management
  • Project planning and scheduling
  • Risk identification and mitigation
  • Logistics and coordination
  • Action planning
  • Task planning and prioritization
  • Stakeholder management

#8. Leadership

Leadership includes both the ability to manage and inspire others. Managers are not always great leaders, but leaders almost always make good managers. 

People who are good at leading are emotionally intelligent, good communicators, and natural-born influencers. They can motivate others to reach their full potential and work together towards common goals. This makes leadership another great skill to have for many professions out there. 

Some important soft skills related to leadership include:

  • Relationship-building
  • Strategic thinking

#9. Organization

Organizational skills are a set of soft skills that help you keep track of information, materials, and even your time in such a way that you can tackle short and long-term tasks efficiently.

Organizational skills are among the top skills recruiters are looking for in 2022, primarily because they help employees be more productive, save companies time and money, and facilitate a more positive work environment. 

Here is what organizational skills consist of: 

  • Physical organization
  • Prioritization
  • Goal setting

#10. Time Management

Time management is the ability to effectively prioritize and organize your tasks and responsibilities.

Needless to say, it’s a crucial skill in nearly every job, since being able to manage your time well allows you to increase productivity, meet deadlines, and maintain a healthy work-life balance .

Time management includes:

  • Task prioritization and planning
  • Task delegation
  • Avoiding and Ignoring distractions
  • Adapting to changing priorities

#11. Customer Service

A lot of the jobs out there involve dealing with customers. 

From customer support representatives to cashiers, customer service skills are a great asset to have in 2024. Particularly, that’s because it encompasses a number of other valuable skills, such as:

  • Persuasion skills
  • Product knowledge

#12. Networking

Networking skills refer to how well you can build professional relationships and connections.

It goes without saying that they're extremely useful for roles like sales, business development, or entrepreneurship, as a lot of the work involves meeting and engaging new people.

However, these skills are also useful for roles where you don't expect to rely on professional networking as much.

Take, for example, project managers. To be really effective, they need to:

  • Understand the needs of stakeholders
  • Collaborate with various teams across the organization
  • Build rapport with people at all levels

Just like most other skills on our list, networking skills are multi-faceted. They include:

400 Must-Have Skills for Different Professions

Still not sure which skills to mention in your resume? We’ve got you covered.

We compiled a list of some of the most relevant skills on the market in 2024, for all sorts of different fields!

If you happen to possess some of these skills, make sure to mention them in your resume. If not, it’s never too late to learn something new!

#1. Retail and Sales Skills

Retail and sales are at the heart of successful business interactions.

Despite the rise of technology, the essence of sales hasn’t changed much . People still need contact with each other, and even with channels of communication becoming digital, communication skills and empathy still take top priority in this industry.

So, here’s a list of must-have skills for salespeople and retail workers :

  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
  • Cold-calling
  • Merchandising
  • Product demonstration
  • Public speaking
  • Inventory management
  • Lead generation
  • Buyer-Responsive selling
  • Buyer engagement
  • Point of Sale (POS) proficiency
  • Effective communication and sociability
  • Social media and digital communication
  • Listening skills
  • Personalized selling
  • Service-based selling
  • Follow-up techniques
  • Up-selling and cross-selling
  • Knowledge of return and exchange policies
  • Organizational skills
  • Multitasking capabilities

#2. Customer Service Skills

Customer service requires a specialized skill set centered around excellent communication and problem-solving. Success in this field relies on effectively managing various communication platforms and maintaining customer satisfaction through attentive service.

Some skills crucial for any customer service representative include:

  • Telephone etiquette
  • Data entry proficiency
  • Customer needs assessment
  • Crisis management
  • Multitasking
  • Ticket tracking systems
  • Scripted responses
  • Technical troubleshooting
  • Complaint resolution
  • Record-keeping
  • Team collaboration
  • Understanding of privacy and confidentiality
  • Customer education techniques
  • Feedback collection
  • Call center operations
  • Email Etiquette
  • Live chat management
  • Help desk support
  • Client retention strategies
  • Cultural sensitivity

#3. Hospitality Skills

Hospitality is all about making guests feel welcome and appreciated, no matter the setting - whether it’s a bustling hotel, a serene resort, or a cruise ship. Professionals in this field need to create memorable experiences for guests by providing impeccable service and making sure their every need is met with a smile.

Some of the most sought-after hospitality skills are:

  • Customer service excellence
  • Effective communication
  • Foreign languages
  • Reservation management
  • Event planning
  • Specialized software proficiency
  • Front desk operations
  • Tour and activity coordination
  • Guest Relations
  • Guest information management
  • Concierge services
  • Personalized guest experiences
  • Safety and security protocols
  • Marketing and upselling
  • Health and hygiene standards
  • Loyalty programs management
  • Quality control
  • Emergency response handling
  • Environmental sustainability practices
  • Check-in and check-out procedures

#4. Food and Beverage Skills

The food and beverage industry is one of the most dynamic and fast-paced environments you can work in. Here, professionals have to continually adapt to customers’ changing preferences, stay updated on culinary trends, and provide exceptional service.

Here are some skills that would look great on any food and beverage worker's resume:

  • Menu planning and design
  • Recipe development
  • Food safety and hygiene
  • Culinary arts
  • Plate presentation
  • Portion control
  • Cost control and budgeting
  • Wine pairing
  • Beverage service
  • Detailed menu knowledge
  • Order taking and processing
  • Table setting and arrangement
  • Food preparation techniques
  • Dietary restrictions and allergen awareness
  • Staff training
  • Quality assurance
  • Health and safety regulations compliance
  • Event catering management
  • Customer feedback management
  • Upselling techniques
  • Point of sale (POS) system operation
  • Kitchen equipment operation and maintenance
  • Communication skills

Looking for more skills? Check out our server resume example here.

#5. Marketing and Advertising Skills

With new technologies developing faster than ever, it’s essential to move beyond the basics of traditional marketing and advertising to succeed in the industry. New skills keep popping up, and even the biggest marketing executives out there need to stay up to date on the latest developments.

So, here are some  of the most important marketing and advertising skills for any level:

  • Data analysis
  • Web analytics 
  • Email marketing
  • Web scraping
  • CRO and A/B testing
  • Data visualization
  • Pattern-finding through critical thinking
  • Project/campaign management
  • Social media and mobile marketing 
  • Paid social media advertisements
  • B2B Marketing
  • The four P-s of Marketing
  • Consumer Behavior Drivers
  • Brand management
  • Copywriting
  • Storytelling
  • Digital advertising
  • Multichannel marketing
  • Public relations
  • Content strategy
  • Market research
  • Budget management
  • Compliance and legal considerations
  • Affiliate marketing

#6. Administrative Skills

If you work in an office setting, there are some skills you should know, regardless of your job. Whether you’re a secretary, office manager, or executive assistant , you can put these skills on your resume.

Some basic administrative skills include:

  • Microsoft Office
  • Google Suite
  • Filing and paper management
  • Bookkeeping
  • Research and data analysis
  • Office management
  • Technical writing
  • Cloud networking and file sharing
  • Prioritization and task management
  • Customer service skills
  • Meeting planning and coordination
  • Event management
  • Travel management
  • Document preparation
  • Confidentiality and data protection
  • Minute taking
  • Report generation
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Calendar management
  • Expense reports
  • Reception duties
  • Correspondence handling
  • Presentation skills
  • Project management skills

#7. Human Resources Skills

Human Resources is a field that needs a strategic blend of soft and hard skills.

HR specialists are essential for managing diverse workforce needs and enhancing employee and company productivity in the long run.

Here are some examples of HR skills that always come in handy:

  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Motivation techniques
  • Technological savviness
  • People management
  • Business development
  • Strategic management
  • Negotiation skills
  • Recruitment and selection
  • Training and development
  • Performance management
  • Knowledge of compensation and benefits
  • Employee relations
  • Labor law compliance
  • Succession planning
  • HR analytics
  • Diversity and inclusion initiatives
  • Change management
  • Employee engagement strategies
  • Workplace safety
  • Talent acquisition strategies
  • Policy formulation and implementation
  • Employee counseling and support
  • HR information systems (HRIS)
  • Cross-cultural communication

#8. Business Skills

Business professionals are increasingly vital to organizations since they offer operational support and strategic insights that can drive growth.

Experts in the business industry need a broad set of skills to analyze trends , optimize processes, and predict future outcomes so their companies remain competitive and responsive to changes in the market.

Here are some examples of skills any business professional could add to their resume:

  • Financial forecasting
  • Profit and loss management
  • Market analysis
  • Trend identification
  • Competitive analysis
  • Risk management
  • Project management
  • Operations management
  • Leadership and team building
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Supply chain management
  • CRM software proficiency
  • ERP systems
  • Business reporting
  • Compliance and ethics
  • Sales and marketing strategies
  • Customer service
  • Business writing
  • Analytical reasoning
  • Cloud computing
  • E-commerce management
  • Social media strategy
  • Digital marketing
  • Innovation management

#9. Finance and Accounting Skills

The days of filing financial data and taxes by hand are long behind us, and now there are countless digital platforms and apps you can use instead.

So, it goes without saying that anyone working in finance or accounting should be familiar with the most popular skills and tools in the industry.

Some examples include:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Enterprise Resource Planning 
  • Big Data Analysis
  • Know Your Customers (KYC)
  • Cognos Analytics (IBM)
  • Visual Basic
  • Accounting Software
  • Revenue recognition
  • Anti-money laundering
  • Clear communication
  • General business knowledge
  • Numerical competence
  • Financial reporting
  • Cost accounting
  • Tax preparation and planning
  • Financial modeling
  • Investment analysis
  • Credit analysis
  • Cash flow management
  • Portfolio management
  • Compliance and regulatory management
  • Audit coordination
  • Project financing
  • Mergers and acquisitions

#10. IT Skills

New technology is popping up every other day, and that’s a great reason for anyone working in IT to keep their skills updated.

That said, if you are proficient in a programming language or two, you pretty much have a leg up on the competition.

Here’s a list of some of the most useful skills for any IT professional out there:

  • Programming languages (Python, Java, C#)
  • Web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
  • Frameworks (React, Angular, Vue.js)
  • Mobile app development (iOS, Android)
  • Database management (SQL, NoSQL)
  • Cloud computing services (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
  • DevOps practices (CI/CD, automation)
  • Containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
  • Network security protocols
  • Cybersecurity best practices
  • Data analysis and visualization
  • Machine learning and AI algorithms
  • Version control systems (Git, SVN)
  • Agile and Scrum methodologies
  • Software testing and debugging
  • System architecture design
  • API design and development
  • Performance optimization
  • IT project management
  • IT support and troubleshooting
  • Operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux)
  • Scripting (Bash, PowerShell)
  • IT infrastructure management
  • Virtualization technologies
  • IT compliance and governance
  • UX/UI design principles
  • SEO and web analytics
  • Blockchain technology

#11. Nursing and Healthcare Skills

More than any other profession, healthcare professionals need to stay updated on the latest technologies, medicines, and techniques.

While the skills a registered nurse or other healthcare professional needs are countless and can be extremely specific to their specialization, the most basic skills boil down to:

  • Mathematics
  • Paperwork/record-keeping abilities
  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • Physical endurance 
  • Infection control
  • Surgery preparation
  • Medication administration
  • Emergency room care
  • Psychiatric support
  • Geriatric health
  • Pediatric nursing
  • Oncology knowledge
  • Patient education
  • Medical software proficiency
  • Phlebotomy skills
  • Vital signs monitoring
  • Palliative care
  • Obstetric and neonatal care
  • Medical terminology
  • Ethical decision-making
  • Team coordination
  • Cultural competency

#12. Art and Design Skills

Today, knowing the basics of art and design isn’t enough. To get hired as part of a creative team, be it as a designer or illustrator , you need to know how to create content with different tools and for different channels, like the web and social media.

Some of the most important art and design skills for your resume include:

  • Graphic design
  • Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop)
  • Dreamweaver
  • Infographics
  • Web and app development (HTML, CSS, UX/UI)
  • Photo Editing 
  • Typography (spacing, line height, layout, choosing fonts)
  • Storyboarding
  • Targeting and marketing through visual communications
  • Logo creation
  • Digital printing
  • Integration of visual communication in social media platforms
  • Attention to detail and aesthetics
  • Interactive media design
  • Color sense and theory
  • 3D modeling and animation (Blender, Autodesk Maya)
  • Video editing (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro)
  • Motion graphics (Adobe After Effects)
  • Print design
  • Packaging design
  • Branding and identity design
  • Environmental graphic design
  • Exhibition design
  • Illustration
  • Sketching and conceptual visualization
  • User interface design
  • User experience design
  • Prototyping (digital and physical)
  • Content management systems (WordPress)
  • Accessibility standards for design
  • Composition
  • Crafting and use of traditional media
  • Client relations and communication
  • Augmented reality (AR) design
  • Virtual reality (VR) design

#13. Education Skills

You might have three PhDs and still struggle to get the latest educational programs to work in front of your classroom. You’re likely missing some crucial skills for your field.

Teaching methods have evolved, and so have the skills you need to be a teacher or professor at the top of your game. So, here are some essential skills if you want to work in education:

  • Updated curriculum knowledge
  • Educational platforms (Elearn)
  • Technological and digital literacy
  • Lesson planning
  • Classroom management
  • Student assessments
  • Differentiated instruction
  • Educational theory and practice
  • Parent and community engagement
  • Child psychology
  • Educational policy knowledge
  • Student safety and welfare
  • Career counseling
  • Technology integration in the classroom
  • Remote learning management
  • Curriculum adaptation
  • Educational software proficiency

Looking for a job in academia? Learn how to write an academic CV to get started.

Bonus Infographic: Skills to Put on a Resume

Skills to Put on a Resume Infographic

FAQs About Putting Skills on Your Resume

Do you still have some questions about what skills you should put on your resume and how? Check out the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions here:

#1. What kind of skills should I include in my resume?

Your resume should include a combination of two types of skills: hard skills and soft skills.

Hard skills involve job-specific skills that are acquired through education, training, or work experience, while soft skills involve personality traits that can be indirectly useful at the workplace and help you adapt to the company culture better.

Depending on your industry, some examples of hard skills you can list on your resume include copywriting, database management, graphic design, foreign languages, public speaking, and more.

Examples of soft skills include communication, creativity, leadership, teamwork, time management, and conflict resolution.

#2. What top skills do employers look for?

Currently, some of the top hard skills hiring managers are on the lookout for include blockchain development, SEO, virtual reality development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, business analysis, Java development, affiliate marketing, UX design, machine learning, project management, video production and editing, sales, and business development .

The top soft skills hiring managers are looking for include creativity, collaboration, persuasion, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.

#3. How can I identify my skills?

If you want to identify your skills, start by considering your greatest accomplishments . Have you been recognized for a specific achievement? What skills helped you do it? You’re probably still skilled in those areas.

Next, consider asking friends and coworkers. Sometimes, it’s easier for others to recognize your strengths . If you’re new to the job market, you can ask former professors and classmates to give you some insight, too.

#4. Where do skills go on a resume?

Your skills should go under a separate ‘Skills’ section on your resume, typically placed right below or next to your work experience section.

That said, you should further prove that you have the skills you list in this section. Weave the most relevant skills for the job in other resume sections, such as the resume summary and your work experience sections, to show the hiring manager how those skills are put to use.

#5. How many skills should I include in my resume?

The number of skills to add to your resume depends on the job you’re applying for, as well as your level of expertise and work history.

If you’re a seasoned professional with plenty of job-related skills, you should definitely include them in your resume.

As a rule of thumb, listing up to ten skills on your resume is typically a safe choice, as long as they don’t make your resume spill over to page two .

#6. What are the best skills for a candidate with no experience?

If you’re a student with no experience and few job-specific skills, you can benefit from adding transferable skills to your resume. These are skills that can be applied to many jobs across several industries.

Some examples of good skills for a no-experience resume include communication, organization, problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, and computer skills.

#7. What are the top 12 skills to put on your resume?

There are several skills that could go on just about any resume, regardless of your targeted job. These include both hard skills and soft skills that can be used in any industry.

We recommend including skills like communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, computer literacy, research, teamwork, project management, leadership, organization, time management, customer service, and networking.

#9. Does a CV need skills?

There are a few differences between a CV and a resume . But for the most part, if you’re writing a CV for a job application, the structure should be similar to a resume.

So, you should add a skills section to your CV and list skills relevant to the job you’re applying for. The only exception to this rule is when you’re writing an academic CV, in which case skills are optional or even discouraged.

#10. What’s the best way to list skills on a resume in 2024?

To really impress with your skills in 2024, don’t just list some random skills under a separate section and call it a day!

Instead, make them more credible by finding out more about the company culture, tailoring your skills to the job description, mentioning the most critical skills in your resume summary or resume objective, and using your achievements to explain exactly how you used your skills to your advantage.

Key Takeaways

And that’s all there is to putting skills on a resume!

By now, we’re sure you’re a pro and ready to impress the hiring manager with the skills on your resume.

But before you go, let’s sum up the most important things we mentioned in this article:

  • One of the most important sections on your resume is the skill section, and over 41% of hiring managers check it first.
  • The skill section is crucial for making it past the ATS because some of the most important resume keywords are skills you should list on your resume.
  • Skills are divided into hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are technical skills you can gain through experience, training, or education, while soft skills can be attributes or habits related to how you work.
  • Your resume should only list skills that are relevant to the job. Find out which skills these are by scanning through the job ad picking out the required skills that you have, and adding them to your resume.
  • Some skills are universally useful across different professions, like adaptability, communication, and teamwork.

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The Right Way to Add Skills to Your Resume in 2023 (With 250+ Example Skills)

person working on a laptop while sitting at a table on a balcony with worn stone pillars and a plant in the background

Stripped down to the core, the most important thing to show employers in any job search is your skills.

Everything in your application and candidacy comes down to your skills: Your past experience shows how you’ve used your skills to help other employers, your interview shows you understand what skills an employer is looking for and proves you have both the hard and soft skills needed to work well as part of their company, and your skills test…well it’s right in the name. Even checking your references—that’s just asking other people to vouch for how you’ve used your skills in the past.

If you’ve heard that employers care about all your interactions throughout the hiring process—like how you’ve greeted receptionists, how you’ve answered emails, and whether or not you sent that thank you note —that’s true, and it’s because these things show off your communication , interpersonal , and other professional skills.

Skills matter. And your first encounter with most employers is going to be via your resume. So how you put skills on your resume can make or break your job search.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Hard vs. soft skills

There are two major categories of skills:

  • Hard skills are the abilities or knowledge you need to complete specific work tasks. For example writing software code, driving a specific kind of vehicle, and scheduling social media posts are all hard skills.
  • Soft skills are the traits and qualities that categorize how you work and relate to the people you work with. For example, managing your time well, motivating others, and being curious are all soft skills.

For any job, you’ll need a mix of soft and hard skills—and you’ll want to show them both on your resume. Hard skills are fairly clear cut: You either have them or you don’t. They’re also easier than soft skills to prove that you possess—and to add to a resume. Meanwhile, soft skills are a bit more open to interpretation—for example, everyone’s definition of a good leader is different. But you can still show them on your resume if you use the right techniques.

Read More:   Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: What the Heck Is the Difference?

Top skills for your resume

Every resume will need skills that are specific to the job you want. For example, to be a software engineer you’ll need coding skills. But here are some of the types of skills that can be valuable for any job or industry:

1. Communication skills

Whether you’re a teacher interacting with students all day, a copywriter making sure you understand the needs of a given project, or an employee working in any other role, you’re going to need to give and receive information. Employers are always looking for those who can communicate clearly and effectively—in writing , in person, or over the phone, email, or any other platform.

Read More: Your Communication Skills Matter for Every Job—Here’s How to Use, Improve, and Show Off Yours

2. Time management skills

Time is a social construct, but unfortunately it’s one we’ve all more or less agreed on. Every job will require you to get tasks done on time, show up for scheduled meetings and events, and organize your schedule effectively. If you’re applying to a role with many different responsibilities or one where you’ll be managing or collaborating with a team, time management skills are even more vital to ensure that you’re hitting goals.

Read More: These Time Management Skills Can Make You a Better Employee—and Improve Your Work-Life Balance

3. Organizational skills

Organization is more than just making sure a physical area is well arranged and clean—though it is that too! Organization skills also encapsulate ensuring digital files are accessible, teams are well coordinated, events and projects are efficient, your work is on schedule, and a lot more. Though the type of organization you’ll be doing will vary from job to job, the need to logically arrange and plan is universal.

Read More: Your Guide to Organizational Skills on the Job—and During the Job Hunt

4. Technical skills

Technical skills are the knowledge you need to use a certain piece of technology, equipment, or technique. They’re a subset of hard skills and most jobs will require specific technical know-how to complete core tasks. However, there are also broader technical skills that are useful for all or many jobs such as the ability to use email, office suite software, and common communication programs like Zoom.

Read More: What Are Technical Skills and How Should You Include Them On Your Resume? (Plus a List of Examples)

5. Computer skills and literacy

Technology is constantly changing, and of course you can’t know how to use any new feature or piece of software immediately after it comes out. But if you can show employers that you have digital literacy, they’ll be confident in your ability to quickly adapt to new technology and troubleshoot basic computer issues.

Read More: Computer Skills You’ll Need in the Workplace—and How to Show Them Off on a Job Search

6. Management and leadership skills

You don’t need to be an executive or anyone’s boss to need management and leadership skills. These are the skills that help you plan, coordinate, motivate (both yourself and others), and complete any project or initiative. They also help you hit long-term goals and allocate resources well.

Read More: How to Improve Your Management Skills (and Show Them Off in a Job Search)

7. Analytical skills

Lots of jobs have the word “analyst” right in the title, but these skills aren’t just for them. Analytical skills cover any of the skills you need to take in or gather information, organize and synthesize it, and use it to make decisions or predictions.

Read More: No, Analytical Skills Aren’t Just for Analysts—Here’s How to Show Yours Off in a Job Search

8. Interpersonal skills

These are the skills that help you work, communicate, and build relationships with others. Employers are always looking for people with strong interpersonal skills like empathy, persuasion, and conflict resolution because it allows them to work well as part of a team. Employees with good interpersonal skills are better at resolving and avoiding issues with others, which helps keep companies working efficiently. For jobs where you’d be working with clients or customers, interpersonal skills are especially important to help drive business and uphold a company’s reputation.

Read More: How Strong Interpersonal Skills Can Help You at Work—and in Your Job Search

9. Problem-solving skills

Most roles are created to solve a problem the company is facing—whether it’s broad like “we need more business” or specific like “we need an expert in Javascript who has experience boosting page-load speed to make our web pages more appealing to the Google algorithm.” Even if a job feels like it’ll follow a set daily routine, issues are still going to pop up, and employers are more likely to hire people who can spot and identify potential or ongoing problems, communicate those problems, look for causes, brainstorm solutions, and/or implement them. 

Read More: How to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills (and Show Them Off in Your Job Hunt)

10. Decision-making skills

Many jobs require you to make choices all the time. For example, picking a new vendor for office supplies, making cuts to a budget, deciding to bring other people in to solve an issue, or prioritizing work tasks on your to-do list all require decision-making skills. Employers want to know you can identify options, weigh the pros and cons, and choose a path in a logical way.

Read More: You’ll Need Decision-Making Skills in Any Job—Here’s How to Get Them, Use Them, and Show Them Off

11. Other transferable skills

Broadly speaking, your transferable skills are any abilities you gained or used in one context that are also helpful in another. Some transferable skills, like the ability to communicate in a second language, pay attention to detail , or manage a project can be useful in almost any job or workplace. But others might be transferable in only certain situations.

For example, maybe you managed the budget for a club in college and now you’re applying to a position where you’d be managing a budget for freelancers. Or maybe you’ve used Excel to do data analysis in the past, but the company you’re applying to uses Excel to track project progress.

As you’re making your resume, don’t discount any of your skills just because you haven’t used them in exactly the same way and context this job opening calls for.

Read More: Transferable Skills: The Key to Landing Your Dream Job

How to list skills on a resume

Here are some tips for making sure anyone who reads your resume comes away with the right impression of what you can do for them if they hire you.

1. Identify which skills belong on your resume.

Recruiters and hiring managers don’t necessarily have a lot of time to devote to looking at your resume for the first time—about 7.4 seconds, according to the most recent data . So your resume has to make it very clear very quickly that you’re qualified for any job you apply to. The best way to do this is to tailor your resume —or change your resume for every application to match the specific requirements and language of the job description . Take a good look at any posting you’re applying to and note any mentions of skills you have. Also, think about any experience or skills you have that might be transferable to the role. These are the skills that belong on your resume.

For soft skills, you might need to read between the lines a bit. Some postings might mention that they’re looking for a skilled multitasker, but you’re not necessarily going to get an explicit list of all the qualities the employer is looking for in a hire. So think about which of your soft skills can help you accomplish the duties of the job. If there’s a lot of mentions of other teams you’ll be working with, for example, you’ll want to emphasize your collaboration abilities in your resume. Or if you’ll be giving a lot of presentations, you might want to highlight your public speaking chops.

And don’t feel like you need to include every skill you have. Scuba diving is a hard skill, but only relevant to very specific jobs. Remember, hiring managers are reviewing your resume with the job you applied for in mind, so keep your skills at least tangentially relevant to avoid a “Wait, why did they apply for this?” reaction.

2. Don’t oversell or undersell your skills.

Before you add skills to your resume, be honest with yourself (and companies you’re applying to) about your ability level. A hiring manager in the finance industry once told Muse writer Lily Zhang that he hated it when people listed skills in their resume and then added the word “basic” in parenthesis next to it. If you only have a basic understanding of something, it may not belong in your skills section. But if you’re saying your skill level is basic just to be modest, maybe don’t do that. Your future employer can’t pick up how humble you are from this document—you’ll just look less qualified than you are.

Hiring managers might also use your skills section to judge how truthful a candidate has been in their application. If a candidate lists a string of 20 programming languages, but only has done projects in one, it’s not a good look. In general, a good rule of thumb is to only include skills you’re comfortable talking about in an interview.

3. Create a skills section.

A skills section is one of the most important parts of your resume. Remember that 7.4-second initial look that you get from recruiters? That’s why the skills section exists. If you’re applying for a role where a certain skill or skill set is absolutely required for consideration, it’s not unusual for the reader to take a little shortcut and scan the skills section of all the resumes submitted to see if they’re there—and only look at those more intently.

Generally, your skills section is a list of the skills you have without any additional context. If you have a lot of skills to list, consider grouping your skills to make the section even easier to scan. For example, a web developer may have a “design skills” and a “coding skills” subheading within their skills section.

Note that your skills section is usually reserved for hard skills over soft skills.

4. Put your skills section in the right place.

Most commonly, you’ll place your skills section after your work experience section, toward the bottom of the page. But in certain situations , you may decide to put it elsewhere—most commonly near the top of the page just after your heading or your summary (if you have one). You might do this if:

  • You’re using a hybrid resume format. As opposed to the more common chronological resume , a hybrid resume puts your skills at the top of the page along with some additional context around how you’ve used your skills.
  • You’re in a career where skills sections commonly go at the top of the page. For example, product management resumes often list skills before experience. Look for example resumes for your field to see if they have any specific quirks
  • You’re changing or pivoting careers. If your previous job titles might make someone reading your resume assume you applied to the wrong position, consider putting your skills section first. Career pivots and transitions are often dependent on transferable skills or skills you’ve picked up outside of your main work experience. (For career changes, you should probably also lead with a resume summary to help clear up any confusion.)
  • You’re in any other situation where your skills boost your qualifications more than your past work experience. For example, if you’ve recently graduated, you may choose to put your skills ahead of your experience (though often after your education section) rather than have a reader comb through your internships, part-time jobs, and extracurriculars looking for what you can do.

5. Show how you’ve used your skills in your bullet points.

Anyone can list skills in a skills section. To really prove that you have them, you need to show how you’ve used your skills in the past—and that you’ve gotten results. Your skills section should actually be rather redundant. Ideally, a close read of your experience section should get across all your hard and soft skills.

Rather than just listing job duties under your past positions, phrase your bullet points as accomplishments . Then, add in the skills you used to achieve those accomplishments and what the results were. Inserting numbers when possible will also show anyone reading your resume just how much your skills have done for your past employers.

Tuck soft skills into your bullets rather than adding them to your skills section. Making the first word relate to your soft skills is particularly effective. For example, instead of, “Assisted with annual corporate retreat,” you could write, “Collaborated in a group of four to plan and facilitate annual corporate retreat for 200 employees.” While both bullets describe the same task, only the second one shows that you’re a team player. Instead of, “Attended monthly sales meetings,” you could write, “Presented product insights to 12 clients in monthly sales meetings,” to demonstrate strong communication skills.

For example, here’s a solid bullet point for your resume with the skills bolded:

  • Produced and edited three 10-minute “Day in the Life” videos for different jobs at the company; running initial brainstorming meetings for each over Zoom ; coordinating and communicating with 10+ employees for each video using Airtable, Google Calendar, email and Slack ; arranging shot composition, lighting, and sound and overseeing shoots ; editing using Final Cut Pro and Adobe Creative Suite ; and uploading to YouTube resulting in 200K views and a 10x boost in job applications for focus jobs.

All your bullet points don’t need to be this hefty, of course. But it shows just how many skills can go into one professional accomplishment.

6. Include your skills in other resume sections.

Your work experience isn’t the only place you can drop in those skills. You can also weave them into your:

  • Resume summary
  • Education section (especially if you’re a recent graduate)
  • Volunteer section
  • Activities section
  • Projects section
  • Awards section

7. Add certificates, classes, and certifications that prove your skill set.

If you’ve gotten certifications that prove you’re skilled at something, like project management, don’t forget to put that on your resume. If you’ve taken courses to further your professional development, you can add those too—particularly if you haven’t gotten the chance to use all the skills you learned in your day job yet.

8. Use the same language as the job description.

Most employers use applicant tracking systems (ATSs) to parse and organize candidate’s resumes. Hiring managers and recruiters will search ATSs for the most relevant resumes using skills as their search terms. So whenever possible, use the same language as a job description to describe your skills to increase your chances of landing an interview. For example, if a job listing wants experience with project management software, say “project management software” on your resume, not just “Trello.”

List of skills for different jobs

Below are some examples of specific roles you might be applying for and skills that could be appropriate to list, but remember that a job posting is always the best place to find the skills you need for a specific role. To get a more robust list for your specific industry, you can check out O*NET , a resource developed by the U.S. Department of Labor that breaks down occupations by skills, tasks, and activities.

Accountant resume skills

  • Accounting software
  • ADP Workforce Now
  • Analytical software
  • Budget forecasting
  • Cash flow analysis
  • Cost accounting
  • Credit/debt management
  • Estate planning
  • Financial accounting
  • Financial compliance
  • Financial reporting
  • Forensic accounting
  • Google Sheets
  • Income tax planning
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Management accounting
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Payroll management
  • Reconciliation
  • Revenue forecasting
  • SPSS Statistics
  • Tax preparation

Administrative assistant resume skills

  • Administrative support
  • Booking travel
  • Calendaring
  • Customer service
  • Google Workspace
  • Meeting coordination
  • Meeting minutes recording
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Office support
  • Proofreading
  • Social media management
  • Video conferencing software

Back-end developer resume skills

  • Application scaling
  • Back-end framework
  • Back-end programming languages
  • Database administration
  • Front-end web technologies
  • Hosting environment
  • Load changes
  • Security compliance
  • Version control (e.g. Git)

Customer service resume skills

  • Account management
  • Chat support
  • Language skills (spoken and/or written)
  • Phone support
  • Resolutions

Data scientist resume skills

  • Apache Hadoop and Spark
  • AWS software
  • Data analysis
  • Data cleaning
  • Data modeling
  • Data sampling
  • Data structure
  • Git and GitHub
  • Key libraries
  • Scikit-learn
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • UNIX command line

Executive assistant resume skills

  • Corporate communications
  • Editing and proofreading
  • Preparing agendas
  • Report generation
  • Reviewing contracts

Financial analyst resume skills

  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Montgomery Investment Technology FinTools
  • Montgomery Investment Technology Utility XL
  • Oracle Business Intelligence
  • S&P Capital IQ
  • SAP software
  • SAS Financial Management

Front-end developer resume skills

  • Back-end data display
  • Dynamic web page design
  • Framework templates
  • Search engine optimization (SEO)
  • Software workflow
  • Styling and color design
  • Web page creation
  • Website content display
  • Website navigation optimization

Full-stack engineer resume skills

Graphic designer resume skills.

  • Adobe Creative Cloud
  • After Effects
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Data visualization
  • Design principles
  • Dreamweaver
  • Illustrator
  • Product Design

Human resource manager resume skills

  • Applicant tracking systems (ATS)
  • Benefits administration and management
  • Benchmarking
  • Candidate screening
  • Climate surveys
  • Conducting background and reference checks
  • Conflict resolution and management
  • Contract negotiations
  • Human resource information systems (HRIS)
  • Interviewing
  • Legal and regulatory compliance
  • Organizational development
  • Orientation
  • Payroll administration and management
  • Performance improvement and management
  • Recruitment
  • Vendor negotiation
  • Writing and posting job descriptions

Marketer resume skills

  • Audience building
  • Blog writing
  • Brand management
  • Content creation
  • Content marketing
  • Conversion rate optimization
  • Customer acquisition
  • Copywriting
  • Demand generation
  • Digital marketing
  • Email marketing
  • Facebook management
  • Google Analytics
  • Instagram management
  • Lead generation
  • LinkedIn management
  • Marketing automation and technology
  • Market research
  • Marketo marketing automation
  • Power editor
  • Project management
  • Search engine marketing (SEM)
  • Social media
  • TikTok management
  • Twitter management

Office manager resume skills

  • Billing software
  • Document management
  • Executive support
  • Expense reporting
  • Facilities management
  • Inventory management
  • Office supply management
  • Payroll processing
  • Reports generation
  • Vendor management

Product designer resume skills

  • Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
  • ADA compliance
  • Crashlytics
  • Google Design Sprint Method
  • Omnigraffle
  • Story mapping
  • Style guides/Pattern libraries for React
  • Ubertesting

Product manager resume skills

  • A/B Testing
  • Beta testing
  • Customer analysis
  • Data analytics
  • Financial analysis
  • Forecasting
  • Quality assurance
  • Release management
  • Risk management
  • Roadmapping
  • Scrum management
  • SWOT analysis
  • Troubleshooting
  • User research
  • UX/UI design

Project manager resume skills

  • Change management
  • Client communication
  • Deployment management
  • Development and testing
  • Impact assessment
  • Microsoft Project
  • Process development
  • Process improvement
  • Project life cycle
  • Project management software
  • Quality control
  • Resource allocation
  • Scheduling and planning
  • Scope management
  • Stakeholder management

Sales resume skills

  • Business analysis
  • Business development
  • Cold calling
  • Consultative selling
  • Customer relations
  • Executive relationships
  • Prospecting
  • Relationship management

Teacher resume skills

  • Blended learning
  • Character education
  • Classroom management
  • Collaborative environments
  • Data-driven instruction
  • Inclusive classroom
  • Interactive classroom
  • MAP Testing
  • Mystery Math
  • Personalized learning
  • Remote instruction
  • Social-emotional learning
  • Student-guided learning

Web developer resume skills

  • Application coding
  • Command line tools
  • Google Angular
  • LAMP development
  • Object-oriented design
  • Responsive design
  • Server-Side scripting
  • Writing modules

Lily Zhang  also contributed writing, reporting, and/or advice to this article.

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150 Top Skills for Your Resume + How to List Skills in 2024

Stephen Greet

  • Best General Skills

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

  • How to Include Skills on Your Resume
  • Job-Specific Skills
  • Skills FAQs

When it comes to your resume skills, the more specific you can get, the better. That’s why we broke down the  most in-demand job skills by career type .

Still, it can be helpful to start by looking at the skills employers generally might be wanting right now.

We analyzed countless job descriptions across all careers and identified 150 of the most sought-after and widely applicable skills you can put on your resume (like this one) in 2024.

Software Engineer Resume

or download as PDF

Software engineer resume example with 12 years experience

20 Good Skills to Put on a Resume

Young man in front of his laptop reading his resume

While we’re going to give you plenty of job-specific resume skills you can add to your AI cover letter and resume, there are some that work across just about any field. These can add value for candidates who either lack work history or are creating an  entry-level resume .

  • Data Analysis
  • Problem-solving
  • Collaborative
  • Detail-oriented
  • Written Communication
  • Public Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Multi-tasking
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Time Management
  • Accountable
  • Results-oriented
  • Project Management
  • Compassionate/ Empathetic

A PC monitor and laptop showing well written resumes.

Before we jump into which skills to put on your resume, we need to get some definitions out of the way:

  • Hard skills  are the tools and software you use to get your job done. Excel and QuickBooks are examples of hard skills.
  • Soft skills  are those that are hard to measure or prove expertise in. “Communication” is a textbook example of a soft skill.

Quickly distinguish between hard and soft skills by asking, “Is there a specific tool or software associated with the skill?” If “yes,” you’re likely dealing with a hard skill. If not, you’re talking about a soft skill.

As we explained earlier, companies often use an ATS to filter out job applicants based on whether they include the right skills on their resumes.

The ATS filters are looking primarily for hard skills; they want to be sure the people they end up hiring know the right tools and software needed to succeed.

This doesn’t necessarily mean you should exclude soft skills from your resume. Why? After the ATS approves your resume, it’s passed on to the human hiring manager. They’ll likely want to see soft skills depending on the kind of industry and role you’re applying to.

Try out this quick guide to determine whether to put soft skills on your resume:

Should I include soft skills on my resume?

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you should likely include soft skills on your resume (we’ll detail how in the next section). 

  • Technical roles are those primarily dominated by hard skills (software engineering, data science, accounting, etc.)
  • Just listing soft skills on your resume isn’t as impactful as  showing how you used them to do your job .
  • For example, if you’re in sales or customer service, you need the ability to communicate persuasively with customers!

Examples of hard skills according to industry

  • Predictive Modeling (Finance)
  • eQUEST (Energy)
  • Crop Rotation (Agriculture)
  • eZee Frontdesk (Hospitality)
  • Google Classroom (Education)
  • X-ray Diagnostics (Healthcare)
  • Mailchimp (Marketing)
  • AutoCAD (Engineering)

Examples of soft skills

  • Self-starter
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Attentive to Details

How to List Skills on Your Resume

Young man sitting behind his computer screen happily typing away.

Now that you know whether you should put hard skills, soft skills, or a combination on your resume, how do you actually include them?

  • When it comes to your resume skills, the presentation can matter just as much as the content! 
  • Before we get to structure,  a word of warning :

Don’t list too many skills  in your skills section! While it’s all right to dump all sorts of skills into your  resume outline , it’s a big red flag to the hiring manager if they see a resume where an applicant lists 15+ skills.

First, it might mean the applicant is exaggerating their skillset (a big no-no). Second, a hiring manager would rather hire someone who’s a master of a few skills than a novice in many.

Different  resume formats  may display your skills in various ways, but regardless of the layout you choose,  there are three places you should mention your most important skills : 

  • In your resume objective or resume summary (if you include this section)
  • In a dedicated “skills” section on your resume
  • In your work experience or projects ( show how you used your skills to do your job)

Your resume objective should only be two to three sentences , so you should include your top one to two skills most relevant to the job you’re applying for here. In addition to our objective sample below, we’ve got plenty more great examples of how to mention your best skills in your  resume objective  or  resume summary .

Organized, considerate administrative assistant with a history of remaining cool under high-pressure situations where multiple priorities are managed. Genoa Telepsychiatry is doing invaluable work for underserved housing populations, and I would be an asset in enabling Ms. Garcia to focus on that mission by alleviating her organizational burden.

key skills examples on resume

How to organize skills on your resume

When it comes to skills for a resume, there are a couple of ways you can structure them:

  • By skill category (technology type, soft skills vs. hard skills)
  • Experience level

These kinds of breakdowns aren’t mandatory. You can just list all of your skills in your skills section, provided you keep the number to under 10.

First,  you can break up your skills by category . This is most appropriate if you’re applying for a technical role since you can group different technologies you use by type.

For example, as a data analyst, you might want to divide your skills by the different facets of your job (programming, modeling, and data visualization).

Data analyst skills be different facets

This breakdown of your skills can also work well if soft skills are your biggest strength. For example, you can chunk your soft skills into categories like leadership, customer service, communication, etc.

Another way to classify your skills on your resume is by your experience level . Convey your expertise either in terms of years of expertise with that skill or by a rating you choose (beginner, intermediate, expert, for instance).

Here’s an example of this skills breakdown in action:

Resume skills organized by proficiency

And again, you can also just list all of your skills without categories like the example below if there are fewer than 10:

Resume skills without categories

Let your work experience vouch for your job skills

Now that you’ve got your top one to two skills in your resume objective and a dedicated skills section, it’s time to talk about how you’ve used your skills in your previous roles and projects.

This is especially important for soft skills.  Put yourself in the shoes of the hiring manager .

Does seeing that someone described themselves as “attentive to detail” in their skills section mean much without seeing that skill in action?

It’s much more valuable if you highlight a time you were attentive to detail in a previous job. So, if you’re an administrative assistant, you might say you “re-organized thousands of customer contacts in HubSpot without losing any customer data.”

Remember, it’s one thing to say you have a skill, but  showing your knowledge of that skill in a work or personal project carries far more weight  in the eyes of the hiring manager.

Let’s make this practical with an example: This software engineer lists NodeJS and Django in her resume skills list.

Software engineer resume skills example

This won’t be the last we see of these skills, though. Take a look at this job seeker’s work experience at MarketSmart. For instance, see how she weaves NodeJS into improving CTR? And even her intern experience shows how Django played a role in increasing reporting speed.

Software engineer skills in resume work experience

Pro tip: Try starting with specific work experience and then work backward to determine which skills you used instead of the other way around.

Regarding technical skills, try to be specific about what you did with the tool/ software you’re describing. Microsoft Excel is a program that can be used for many different applications, for example. Discuss specifically which functionality you used to accomplish your task (pivot tables, vlookups, etc.).

key skills examples on resume

Match your resume skills to the job description

How can you identify the most common skills for the industry or role you’re applying for? The best way is to look at job ads for positions that grab your attention.

Try this two-step process to list skills on your resume:

  • Look across 5-10 different job descriptions for roles you’re interested in and identify the 10-15 most common skills in those job listings.
  • For each specific role you apply to, choose the 5-7 skills from your list that are most relevant to that job .

Yup, this means you’ll have to  customize your resume  for each role. Customizing your skills section, however, will vault you into the top five percent of applicants and is the quickest way to increase the number of interviews you get!

Let’s walk through an example of how to customize your skills for a specific job.

Say you’re looking for a position as a digital marketer, and after looking at some job descriptions, you notice the most common skills employers are looking for are the following:

  • CRM: HubSpot, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, Pipedrive
  • Web Analytics: Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Mixpanel, Heap
  • General Tools: Microsoft Excel/ Word/ PowerPoint, Google Sheets/ Docs/ Slides
  • Optimization: A/B testing, customer segmentation, attribution modeling
  • Paid Ads: Facebook, AdWords, LinkedIn, Google Display Network, retargeting
  • Social Media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
  • Email Marketing: Mailchimp, ConvertKit, Drip
  • SEO: Content creation, keyword research, backlink building

Now, you’re specifically interested in a digital marketing role at Barnes and Noble with the following job description:

Digital marketing manager

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Develop and execute data-driven marketing strategies and campaigns with a strong focus on driving acquisition, engagement, and retention across multiple channels (e.g., SMS, mobile, email, social media, etc.) on time and on budget.
  • Aim to generate revenue and deliver on key business objectives, ROI, and KPI targets.
  • Own, measure, deliver, and optimize key metrics and reporting on marketing activities across channels and platforms.
  • Identify trends and insights, optimize segments, spend, and performance based on data.
  • Utilize strong analytical ability to evaluate end-to-end customer experience across multiple channels and customer touchpoints and work cross-functionally to drive qualified traffic, improve conversion, and identify new opportunities to boost user engagement and retention through A/B and multivariate testing.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Minimum 5-7 years of digital marketing experience with a minimum of 3 years demonstrated success in mobile, email, social media, PPC, and SEM marketing from concept to completion with a proven track record of success.
  • Results-driven mentality with exceptional detail orientation and knowledge of metrics, A/B testing, and ROI analysis.
  • Experience with testing and optimization platforms.
  • Strong track record of distilling actionable insights from data to improve multi-channel marketing strategies.
  • In-depth familiarity with email service providers and knowledge of marketing automation platforms.
  • Solid understanding of website analytics tools (Google Analytics, Amplitude, Appsflyer), email systems (Sailthru, Salesforce Marketing Cloud), and ad-serving tools (Adroll, Facebook.)

Finally, we cross-reference our list of 10-15 skills with the skills this specific job is looking for (underlined above). This leaves us with the remaining five key skills:

  • Optimization: A/B Testing, Segmentation
  • CRM: Salesforce
  • Web Analytics: Google Analytics
  • Paid Ads: Facebook
  • Social Media: Email Marketing

There you have it! These skills are what will make up your skills list for this specific role. Don’t forget to include the seemingly most essential skills in your resume objective (for this position, we’d say those are optimization and A/B testing) and mention relevant work experience where you used some of these skills.

Remember, it’s important to be truthful about which skills you know and which you don’t. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself whether you’d be comfortable being interviewed about a skill. If the answer is “yes,” then include it. Otherwise, it’s best to leave it off your resume. 

And for the grand finale to this digital marketing example: Check out how this resume integrates key skills into the career objective, skills section, and work experience.

Digital Marketing Manager Resume

Digital marketing manager resume with 8 years experience

Why this resume works

  • Starting with the most obvious section—the skills section—Giselle lists skills important to Barnes & Noble, grouping them in easy-to-read categories.
  • Don’t be deterred, even if you lack experience in an area or two! Demonstrating a willingness to learn is highly valuable.
  • The work experience section is a prime opportunity to showcase skills in action. Like Giselle, start with active verbs to show how you used skills, software, and tools to impact the company positively. 

Job-Specific Resume Skills

Job specific resume skills.

We promised an extensive list of resume skills, organized by profession, and we’re not ones to break our promises!

Below, you’ll find countless role-related skills you can put on your resume, along with informational tidbits for each profession.

Remember that honesty is critical when you  build a resume , so we stand behind a shorter list of genuine skills rather than a slew of half-truths you’ll blush over later in an interview.

key skills examples on resume

Web developer skills for your resume

Web developers build the web apps we interact with in our everyday lives. From banking to transportation to Netflix, it’s hard to find a facet of life that isn’t touched by web development.

We did an  extensive analysis of the top web developer skills  employers are looking for in 2024, and below are the results in order of those most in demand.

Open URL icon

Top web developer skills

  • JavaScript (React, Angular, Vue)
  • SQL (MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Oracle)
  • Cloud Storage (GCP, AWS, Azure)

Data analyst skills for resume

Companies are currently swimming in large pools of data. Marketing, product, engineering, and executive teams all rely on data to make the most effective decisions in the face of uncertainty.

That’s where data analysts come in. To be a successful data analyst, you need the right skills to clean, organize, visualize, and make actionable recommendations from data.

We analyzed over 100 job openings and determined the  most in-demand data analyst skills  needed to get a data analyst position in 2024. Below are the results in order of the most popular skills.

Top data analyst skills

  • Business Intelligence Tools (Tableau, PowerBI, Qlik, Looker)
  • Excel/ Google Sheets
  • Python (Pandas, Matplotlib, Scikit-learn, Numpy)
  • R (Dplyr, ggplot2)

key skills examples on resume

Marketing skills for resume

No matter how great a product or website—unless a successful marketing campaign drives customers to that product, it won’t succeed.

Marketers must strike a balance between creativity and science to reach the right people at the right time to make them customers.

To do this successfully, marketers need a wide range of skills.

Top marketing skills

  • CRM: Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics, Pipedrive, HubSpot
  • Web Analytics: Adobe Analytics, Mixpanel, Heap, Google Analytics
  • General Tools: Google Sheets/ Docs/ Slides, Microsoft Excel/ Word/ PowerPoint
  • Optimization: Customer Segmentation, Attribution Modeling, A/B Testing
  • Paid Ads: AdWords, LinkedIn, Google Display Network, Retargeting, Facebook
  • Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter
  • Email Marketing: ConvertKit, Drip, Mailchimp
  • SEO: Keyword Research, Backlink Building, Content Creation
  • Direct Mail

key skills examples on resume

Customer service skills for resume

When a customer has a problem or a question, they need to get a prompt and accurate answer to ensure they remain a customer.

More than that, a strong customer service representative will build relationships with customers to help identify potential new features or directions to take a product.

To do this successfully, you need a potent blend of people skills while also knowing the tools of the trade.

Top customer service skills

  • Strong Communication & Interpersonal Skills
  • Curious, Empathetic, and Professional
  • Willing to Learn
  • Goal-oriented
  • Enterprise Software
  • Experience with Business Processes
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Zendesk, HubSpot, Helpscout

key skills examples on resume

Management skills for resume

No matter how effective a person is as an individual contributor, management is an entirely different job that requires an altogether different skill set.

To be an effective manager, you must first understand and relate to your employees while ensuring company initiatives are hit on time. To get this done, you need a mix of different skills.

Top management skills

  • Financial Analysis
  • Self-motivation
  • Conflict Resolution & Management
  • Managing Career Growth
  • Performance Reviews
  • Ability to Motivate
  • Foster Team Environment
  • Ability to Work Under Pressure
  • Result-driven

key skills examples on resume

Accounting skills for resume

Accountants are the unsung heroes of any well-oiled company. A company is only as successful as it can demonstrate through its financial reports.

Accountants need to be wizards with reporting and data while maintaining a culture of rigorous organization. Accounting is a field that requires knowledge of particular hard skills.

Top accounting skills

  • Financial Reporting
  • General Ledger Accounting
  • Quarterly Close Processes
  • Quarterly Financial Statements
  • Tax Accounting
  • GAAP Accounting Principles
  • Expense Reporting
  • Accounts Payable & Receivable
  • Account Reconciliation

key skills examples on resume

Project manager skills for resume

Project managers keep the trains on the rails. To be a successful project manager, you must know how to ensure deadlines are met on time and on budget.

In this role, you’ll need the ability to communicate with diverse teams and technical knowledge to help engineers remove roadblocks they encounter that will prevent them from getting their job done.

Top project manager skills

  • Project Management Software (Jira, Trello)
  • Microsoft Office/Google Suite (Excel/Google Sheets, PowerPoint/Slides)
  • Project Management Frameworks and Methodologies (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, Kanban)
  • Programming Languages and Frameworks (JavaScript, Node.js, Python, Django)
  • CRM Experience (HubSpot, Salesforce)
  • Digital Marketing

key skills examples on resume

Sales skills for resume

An effective salesperson can form meaningful relationships with new sales prospects very quickly.

To be able to sell a new customer on your product or tool, you first need to intimately understand their pain points and what they’re trying to solve.

In addition to solid soft skills, you need to know the technical tools to track and manage prospects through the sales pipeline.

Top sales skills

  • Strong Communication
  • Negotiation
  • CRM (HubSpot, Salesforce)
  • Presentation Skills
  • Lead Generation (LinkedIn, Email)
  • Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

key skills examples on resume

Administrative assistant skills for resume

When it comes to a career as an administrative assistant, there’s no skill more valuable than organization. How can you help others be at their best without ensuring all ducks are in a row?

Of course, other skills are needed to succeed as an administrative assistant, and we’ve analyzed numerous administrative assistant job openings to determine the most in-demand skills for this career.

Top administrative assistant skills

  • Microsoft Excel/Google Sheets
  • Microsoft Word/Google Docs
  • Microsoft PowerPoint/Google Slides
  • Scheduling (Microsoft Outlook/Google Calendar)
  • Words per Minute you Type
  • Languages you Speak
  • Database Management
  • CRM (Salesforce, HubSpot)
  • Personable and Welcoming

key skills examples on resume

Nursing skills for resume

The value of nurses in our society has never been more apparent than during the COVID-19 crisis.

A good nurse must have a rigorous understanding of the medical procedures and documentation they need to complete while also maintaining the soft skills necessary to build trust and understanding with patients.

It’s a very tricky balance to strike. To help you pursue a new job in nursing, we compiled the most popular skills employers are looking for across a wide range of nursing disciplines.

Top nursing skills

  • EMR Systems
  • Ambulatory Care
  • Emergency Care
  • CPR Certified
  • Best Practices
  • Long-term Patient Care
  • Compassionate
  • Organized & Reliable
  • Infant & Child Care
  • Medical Documentation

key skills examples on resume

Teacher skills for resume

With the shift to remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the skills required to be an effective teacher from afar are also changing.

Teachers now need to be more in tune with the technologies used for remote learning to reach students.

Still, there are some skills required to be a great teacher that haven’t changed. Based on our analysis, here are the top skills schools want when they hire teachers.

Top teacher skills

  • Lesson Planning
  • Blackboard/Moodle
  • Google Apps (Gmail, Sheets, Slides)
  • SMART Boards
  • Remote Teaching (Zoom)
  • Safe, Supportive Classrooms
  • Accountability
  • Communication with Parents and Students
  • Organization
  • Focused on Student Performance

Software engineer skills for resume

Software engineer is a broad, all-encompassing term. There are hundreds of specific disciplines within this umbrella that require different skills.

Still, there are fundamental and common skills that all developers must have. First and foremost, you need to be able to program! 

We collected the most in-demand skills for software developers to help you make the best resume possible.

Top software engineer skills

  • Python (Django)
  • Java (Spring)
  • Ruby (Ruby on Rails)
  • PHP (Laravel)
  • JavaScript (Node, React, Vue, jQuery)
  • SQL (MySQL, PostgreSQL, NoSQL)
  • AWS, GCS, Azure

Business analyst (BA) skills for resume

Business analysts combine skills from many areas to help drive outcomes that materially improve a customer’s core metrics.

A BA is a great communicator, a robust data analyst, and an effective project manager. After a project is complete, the BA then has to be able to communicate the outcomes to the executive team.

Top business analyst skills

  • SQL (MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, SQL Server)
  • Excel, Google Sheets
  • PowerPoint, Google Slides
  • Tableau, Looker, Chartio
  • Salesforce, NetSuite, HubSpot, Pipedrive
  • A/B testing, Linear Regression, Logistic Regression
  • Project Management (JIRA, Trello)

Student skills for resume

When you’re a student, it can be challenging to know which of your skills you should highlight when applying for your first job or internship.

It varies depending on the position, but at this point in your career, hiring managers don’t expect you to be an expert in all the tools you’ll need for the job.

The key is to mention which skills you have some familiarity with and express an openness to learning on the job.

Top student skills

  • Microsoft Outlook/Gmail
  • Hard-working
  • Social Media
  • Collaboration

Data scientist skills for resume

Data scientists are hybrid programmers and statisticians. It can be tough to figure out which of your technical skill sets should be the focus of your resume.

Touch on your primary programming language and put context around the modeling techniques you use regularly.

After studying over 100 data scientist job openings, here are the top skills employers are looking for in these roles.

Top data scientist skills

  • Python (Numpy, Pandas, Scikit-learn, Keras, Flask)
  • R (Dplyr, Shiny)
  • SQL (MySQL, PostgreSQL, Oracle)
  • AWS (Redshift)
  • Supervised Learning (Linear and Logistic Regression, Decision Trees, Support Vector Machines, Recommendation Engines)
  • Unsupervised Learning (K-Means Clustering, Principal Component Analysis)
  • Customer Segmentation, Price Optimization

Human resources (HR) skills for resume

When it comes to the skills you need to get your next job as a human resources manager, it’s important to demonstrate a combination of people skills (it’s in the job title, after all), but you also have to show command of the tools needed to get the job done.

You should demonstrate which phases of HR you have experience in. Whether that’s recruiting, benefits, compensation, or a combination thereof, these should be clear.

Top human resources skills

  • ATS (Workday, Jobvite, Greenhouse)
  • Compensation & Benefits
  • Performance Management
  • Recruiting (Sourcing & Interviewing)
  • Employee Onboarding
  • Benefits Planning & Administration
  • Employee Coaching
  • LOA, FMLA, PLOA, Disability
  • Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint
  • Recruiting Coordination
  • Compliance (OFFCP, FLSA, Unemployment)
  • Employee Retention
  • Organizational Strategy
  • Labor Relations
  • Succession Planning
  • HR Analytics

Product manager skills for resume

Product managers help steer the direction of a company by working to understand new features and products customers are looking for.

A successful PM should have the technical skills to communicate fluently with engineers. They also need strong data analysis skills to determine whether new feature launches are working.

Top product manager skills

  • Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Mixpanel
  • Google Tag Manager
  • A/B Testing
  • Optimizely, Google Optimize
  • Basic Python scripting, APIs
  • Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, Kaban
  • Jira, Github, Confluence
  • Google Analytics, Microsoft Excel

Recruiter skills for resume

Since recruiters are the first people prospective employees interact with in a company, they must have strong people skills.

Outside of that, a recruiter needs to be familiar with using an ATS to keep track of candidates as they go through the application funnel.

In addition, they need to know various tools to effectively source prospective candidates for a job opening.

Top recruiter skills

  • Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word
  • HR Information Systems (Workday, Oracle HCM, Zoho, SAP)
  • ATS (Greenhouse, Lever, Workable, Breezy HR, BambooHR)
  • Sourcing Tools (LinkedIn Recruiter, TalentNest, Connectifier)
  • Full Cycle Recruiting, Intakes, Sourcing, Screening, Evaluating Talent
  • CRM (HubSpot, Marketo, Hootsuite)

Scrum Master skills for resume

As a Scrum Master, it’s vital you demonstrate which project management frameworks you have experience in on your resume.

Scrum Masters help ensure project deadlines are hit by establishing and monitoring incremental goals along the way.

Communication and management skills are must-haves, in addition to a few technical tools.

Top Scrum Master skills

  • Agile Development & Best Practices
  • Agile Frameworks—Scrum, Kanban, XP
  • JIRA & JIRA Portfolio
  • Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Visio
  • User Stories, ATDD, TDD, Continuous Integration, Automated Testing
  • Project Planning & Scoping

key skills examples on resume

Social media manager skills for resume

As the name implies, a social media manager must show prospective employers they can use social media to drive customers toward a business.

It’s not enough, however, to demonstrate experience with various social media platforms. You must also clearly understand data and analytics to prove that your campaigns can and will work for a business.

Top social media manager skills

  • Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube, TikTok
  • Sprout Social, Hootsuite
  • Google Analytics
  • Google Docs/Microsoft Word
  • Google Sheets/Microsoft Excel
  • Paid Social Media Advertising
  • Data Analytics

IT manager skills for resume

IT managers need to possess razor-sharp technical skills while demonstrating the ability to mentor and guide employees under their leadership.

Since the number of potential technical skills an IT manager can have is vast, you must demonstrate a firm command of at least a few skills.

On your resume, it’s much better to demonstrate expertise in a few skills than a weak command of a large number of tools.

Top IT manager skills

  • Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
  • Agile/Lean Methodologies
  • Network Infrastructure (DNS, DHCP, SSL)
  • Linux/ Unix

key skills examples on resume

Design skills for resume

As you might imagine, designers need to convince the hiring manager reviewing their resume of their creative ability. This is usually done via a portfolio.

Outside of your creativity, you also need to quickly and effectively communicate which tools you use to complete your design work. One of the first things a prospective employer will check is whether you have the technical skills they’re looking for in a designer.

Top design skills

  • Design Principles
  • Color Theory
  • Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
  • Storytelling
  • Canva, Vectr
  • Print Design
  • Photography

Your skills should directly correlate with the job you’re applying for so recruiters can tell what makes you special at a glance. Refer to the job description for keywords or mission statements that show what the organization values and what the job role emphasizes. Prioritize skills that relate directly to your profession over those that could enhance your qualifications for other fields.

Try to limit your array of abilities to just 6 to 10 skills per resume. If you have more to choose from, choose to meet the optimal resume skill range with abilities that specifically answer the call of the job description. You don’t want a skills list that looks too “hodgepodge,” so hone your skills to a trade-specific edge that demonstrates your expertise.

Soft skills are the tools you use to socially function with grace and efficiency. They refer to your interpersonal abilities like negotiation, communication, and team delegation (just to name a few!). Keep in mind that you don’t want to overdo your skills list and appear disorganized, so select only the most relevant soft skills to list. You can use them as context for your professional experiences.

Technical skills, or hard skills, can refer to anything from software proficiency to specialized actions or tasks you can perform that relate to your job. Physical technology or machinery, digital meeting programs, and the ability to interpret industry-specific data all count! These important skills show off your specialties and highlight your unique candidacy for the job role.

Every skills list should be technical, but yours especially so: This is your opportunity to demonstrate your expertise instantly. By naming precisely which software programs you use (think: Adobe Photoshop, AutoCAD, or Salesforce to name a few) instead of generalizing, you effectively spotlight your skills ahead of time. Recruiters often skim the skills list first since they move fast, so seize the chance to align yourself with the job!

Honestly, that depends on you! Which of your resume sections is the strongest: skills, experience, internships, or stuff like your degree and academic achievements? Resume layouts with a side column can put your skills list in a highly visible space. If your experiences are super strong, you can also list your skills at the bottom of the page. Just make sure your best qualities are the most eye-catching!

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17 Best skills to put on your resume to stand out

woman-creating-a-resume

The best resume immediately answers a hiring manager's most pressing question: “Does this person have the necessary skills?” 

You don’t have much time to answer this question, either. Recruiters scan a resume in just seven seconds to form a first impression and decide whether they’ll offer an interview. 

You must understand the key skills for each job application and express your proficiency quickly to get ahead. We’ll discuss how to choose skills for a resume and add them effectively.

What is a resume skill?

A professional skill is a knowledge, ability, or competency to perform specific tasks or respond to challenges. Each skill is either a hard or soft skill . Hard skills or technical skills refer to our ability to perform knowledge-based tasks, like proficiency with a graphic design program. 

Interpersonal skills , or soft skills, refer to our interactions with others, like our ability to tap into our emotional intelligence to manage a team or our leadership communication skills . 

Learning new skills relevant to your job or reskilling to start a new career is crucial preparation. Every industry and job role requires proficiency in a wide range of job skills, so it's critical to know the most relevant ones for your profession and target the company and highlight them in your resume.

Hard skills for your resume

Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities or knowledge that are often quantifiable and job-specific. Hard skills are gained through experience, practice, and education. They can be measured straightforwardly by our ability to perform a technical task. Hard skills are crucial for performing tasks and functions within a particular field or industry. 

Here are a few hard skills you could include on your resume:

  • Foreign languages 
  • Project management 
  • Marketing fluency, like SEO or SEM
  • Computer skills
  • Software management, like CRM
  • Coding languages, like CSS or Python
  • Design, like Photoshop or Illustrator
  • Data analysis 

Soft skills for your resume

Soft skills are non-technical abilities that relate to how individuals interact with others and navigate social situations. These skills encompass qualities and attributes that shape one's emotional intelligence, communication style, and overall interpersonal effectiveness. They inform how we approach a task or challenge and are unique personal attributes that make us stand out and succeed as employees and leaders.

Unlike hard skills, soft skills are not job-specific but are universally valuable across various roles and industries. Soft skills play a critical role in building strong relationships, collaborating effectively with colleagues, and enhancing overall workplace dynamics.

Here are a few soft skills you could include on your resume:

  • Problem-solving
  • Communication
  • Time management
  • Attention to detail
  • Collaboration

Soft and hard skills often complement one another. Speaking a foreign language is a hard skill requiring specific vocabulary, diction, and grammar knowledge. The communication skills needed to speak this language effectively — knowing how to work through a concept, tell a story, and keep an audience engaged — are soft skills.

How many skills should you add to a resume?

In general you'll want to have 10 to 15 skills listed on you resume. But this varies depending on your level of experience, the specific job you're applying for, and the resume format you're using . Here are some general guidelines to help you determine how many skills to include:

  • Relevance : Focus on skills that are directly relevant to the job you're applying for. Tailor your resume by carefully reviewing the job description and identifying the skills and qualifications the employer is seeking. Highlight the skills that align with the job requirements.
  • Balance : While it's important to include relevant skills, it's equally important not to overwhelm your resume with an excessively long list of skills. Aim for a balance that showcases your key strengths without making your resume too lengthy .
  • Prioritization : Prioritize the most important and sought-after skills . Place the most relevant and impressive skills towards the top of your resume, particularly in the skills section. This ensures that the hiring manager sees your strongest qualifications early in the document.
  • Quantify : Where possible, quantify your skills or provide context. For example, if you are proficient in a programming language, you can mention the number of years of experience you have with it or highlight specific projects where you applied that skill.
  • Quality over quantity : It's better to emphasize a few highly relevant and valuable skills rather than listing a wide range of skills that may not be as important for the job. Hiring managers often appreciate depth and expertise in key areas.
  • Consider resume length : If you have many years of experience and a lot of relevant skills, you may have a longer resume. However, for most applicants, a one-page or two-page resume is typically sufficient. Ensure that your skills section doesn't dominate the entire document.
  • Group skills : You can group similar skills together to save space. For example, you might create categories like "Technical Skills" and "Soft Skills" to organize your skills more effectively.
  • Keep it honest : Only list skills that you genuinely possess and can confidently discuss in an interview. Exaggerating or fabricating skills can lead to problems during the hiring process.

businessman-checking-his-watch-resume-skills-for-resume

Types of skills to add to your resume and cover letter

To show your versatility, try including a diverse set of skills on your resume. Choose a couple from each of the three main categories below:

1. Transferable or functional skills

This covers your competency to perform an action and apply that skill to different tasks, job roles, and industries. Your aptitude to perform a transferable or functional skill is measured by your ability to optimize this skill to various situations.

Transferable or functional skills include:

  • Organization and time management skills
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Writing 
  • Project management
  • Active listening and communication
  • Customer service skills

2. Personal skills

This covers personality traits, behaviors, or perspectives that guide your approach to a task or situation. These are likely interpersoanl skills you’ve developed since childhood through different life experiences.

Personality skills include:

  • Assertiveness
  • Independence
  • Detail-orientedness
  • Strong emotional intelligence
  • Ability to perform under pressure
  • Relationahip-building skills

3. Knowledge-based skills

This includes a theoretical or practical understanding of a specific task or process learned through consistent work experience or education. These are often industry or career-specific and, depending on the expertise required for a particular position, the most in-demand.

Knowledge-based skills include: 

  • Computer skills, including programming languages, web development, or experience with specific programs like Microsoft Office, Excel, or Quickbooks
  • Analytical skills, including data analysis, strategy, or economic forecasting
  • Industry-specific skills, including a content creator with social media apps or marketing skills or a software engineer with specific expertise in Python or HTML

Top 3 skills to put on a resume

We recommend choosing transferable, knowledge-based, and personal skills relevant to the job description and the company’s values. When in doubt, you can’t go wrong using these three top skills on your resume:

1. Managerial skills

If you have any managerial experience, add it to the relevant job description. Good managers can see the bigger picture, organize their teams around a common goal, and demonstrate effective communication techniques.

This experience also shows you’re willing to take on more responsibility and can handle different personalities. 

Expressing your management skills might look like this:

  • 15 years of experience developing multiple teams to [name accomplishment]
  • Ideated and managed [project] and increased revenue by [percentage]
  • Certified in Conflict Resolution from [institution's name]

2. Communication skills

Strong communication skills are essential at every professional level. These skills include actively listening, speaking effectively, observing people and situations, and empathizing and supporting our co-workers, colleagues, and managers.

Expressing your communication skills might look like this:

  • Thrives on constructive criticism
  • Four years of public speaking experience
  • Certified in Non-Verbal Communication at [institute name]

3. Computer skills

Expertise in various technologies or the ability to learn new ones are great hard skills to advertise. These include knowledge of hardware, software, work platforms, or coding languages.

Computer skills might include:

  • Type 145 words per minute
  • Fluency in CRM and CSM
  • Knowledge of Python, Javascript, and HTML
  • Experience with project management softwares like Monday, ClickUp, and Notion
  • Adobe Photoshop

businesswoman-working-with-important-document-resume-skills-for-resume

17 of the best skills to add to your resume

In addition to the three above, here are some of the most important skills to add to your resume skills section. When updating your resume, be sure to include the most relevant skills for the job you're applying to. Social media marketing, for instance, is more of a must-have skill across various marketing roles but fewer project management roles.

1. Conflict resolution

Conflict resolution involves mediating disputes and finding mutually acceptable solutions. This skill is crucial for maintaining a harmonious work environment and productive relationships among team members.

2. Adaptability

Adaptability is the ability to adjust to new circumstances and challenges. In today's rapidly changing world, individuals who can quickly learn and adapt to new technologies, work processes, or environments are highly valuable.

3. Negotiation

Negotiation skills are essential for reaching agreements that benefit all parties involved. Whether in salary negotiations or business deals, effective negotiation can lead to favorable outcomes.

4. Creativity

Creativity involves thinking outside the box to generate innovative ideas and solutions. It's particularly valuable in roles that require problem-solving and innovation, such as marketing or product design.

5. Strategic planning

Strategic planning is the process of setting long-term goals and developing a roadmap to achieve them. This skill is crucial for leaders and managers responsible for guiding an organization's direction.

6. Public speaking

Public speaking is essential for presentations, pitches, and effective communication with large audiences. Confidence and clarity in public speaking can enhance your professional image.

7. Mentoring and coaching

The ability to mentor and coach others in their professional development is valuable for leadership roles and fostering a positive workplace culture.

8. Crisis management

Crisis management involves responding effectively to unexpected and high-pressure situations, minimizing damage, and maintaining business continuity.

9. Risk management

Identifying and mitigating risks is vital in fields such as finance, insurance, and project management to protect against potential losses.

group-of-colleagues-in-a-meeting-resume-skills-for-resume

10. Data privacy and security

With increasing concerns about data breaches and privacy, knowledge of data security measures and compliance with regulations is essential, especially in IT and healthcare industries.

11. Foreign language proficiency

Proficiency in a foreign language can open up opportunities in international business, diplomacy, and global organizations, enhancing your marketability.

12. Sales and marketing

Sales and marketing skills involve promoting products or services and persuading customers to make purchases. These skills are vital in sales and business development roles.

13. Conflict management

Conflict management focuses on identifying, addressing, and resolving conflicts within teams or organizations to maintain a productive and harmonious work environment.

14. Research and data analysis

Strong research and data analysis skills are valuable in fields like market research, academia, and policy analysis, enabling evidence-based decision-making.

15. Digital Marketing

Digital marketing skills, including SEO, social media management, and online advertising, are crucial for businesses looking to expand their online presence and reach.

16. Problem-solving skills

Problem-solving skills are vital for identifying, analyzing, and creatively resolving challenges. They enable individuals to make informed decisions, find innovative solutions, and adapt to changing circumstances. 

17. Project management skills

Project management skills involve planning, organizing, and coordinating resources and teams to achieve specific goals within set constraints. Effective project managers excel at goal-setting, task breakdown, and timeline management. They ensure projects stay on track, meet deadlines, and stay within budget, making them highly sought after across industries.

man-sitting-with-laptop-an-a-dog-resume-skills-for-resume

How to add skills to your resume 

There are endless resume templates to choose from when designing your resume, and most offer a skills section. We’ve outlined four tips for adding skills to catch a recruiter's attention with resume skills examples to help you get started.

1. Choose wisely

Study the company by visiting its website, LinkedIn profile , and other public sources. What values do they promote? Which team members do they highlight and why? 

Read through the job ad and take note of the responsibilities, job requirements, and skills listed by the employer. Use this research to choose skills for your resume. It’s a good idea to list skills the job posting specifically seeks. 

Here’s an example of how to translate a job responsibility into skills when describing work experience on your resume:

Responsibility: Fact-check, proofread, and edit content for accuracy and comprehensiveness. 

Skill on resume: 

  • Eight years of copy and content writing experience with brands and PR agencies
  • Wrote objective-oriented, SEO-driven content for brands
  • Versed in workflow apps, Google Office, and grammar platforms

2. Include a skills section

If a hiring manager spends just seven seconds on a resume, make sure yours is readable. Design the resume to direct the reader's eye to critical information, and include a skills section close to the start. Use relevant action verbs to sell your experience and describe your skills from the beginning.

Don't over-clutter — insufficient white space will deflect the eye rather than attract it. This section should include bullet points with concise information.

3. Subtly mention skills in other sections

Sneak skills throughout your resume, including in the summary and work experience sections. Frequently referencing them will help show the hiring manager you really do possess the skills. 

Here are two examples of a writer's position:

Resume summary with a mixture of transferable and personal skills:

  • Curious, creative, and self-motivated journalist and content writer with six years of experience working independently for agencies and publications.

Work experience section with a mixture of technical and interpersonal skills:

Digital Content Writer, [Company name], [time frame]

  • Experience in Google Workspace, Surfer SEO, and workflow platforms
  • Responsible for writing 10 1500-word SEO and keyword-driven articles weekly
  • Detail-oriented and personable — never missed a deadline and facilitated feedback calls with clients directly

4. Be specific about your proficiency level

Always be clear about your level of expertise. You’ll likely be asked to showcase some of your skills in an interview, so it’s best to be upfront. 

Here are a few examples:

Languages spoken: 

  • English, native
  • Spanish, fluent
  • Japanese, intermediate conversation and listening comprehension, beginner written
  • High-level expertise in Python and Java
  • Mid-level expertise in CSS

Feel confident about the skills on your resume

Building a good resume takes a lot of work. You have to read through the job description and tailor resumes to each post to make sure your profile best aligns with what the recruiter is looking for.

But the effort is worth it. You've spent your entire career learning and nurturing new skills — show them off in your resume and you'll be one step closer to getting the job. You’ve worked hard to get where you are, and listing the right skills will help hiring managers see that.

Understand Yourself Better:

Big 5 Personality Test

Maggie Wooll, MBA

Maggie Wooll is a researcher, author, and speaker focused on the evolving future of work. Formerly the lead researcher at the Deloitte Center for the Edge, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Princeton University and an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Maggie is passionate about creating better work and greater opportunities for all.

How and when to write a functional resume (with examples)

Resume best practices: how far back should a resume go, how to put babysitting on a resume: 6 skills to highlight, best work accomplishments to list on your resume (with examples), how to create a resume with chatgpt, 7 types of resumes to suit various scenarios, chronological resume: how and why to write one, how to get a remote job in 2024, unique skills for resumes to attract attention, hard skills versus soft skills and which to use on your resume, all eyes on it: how to make a page-turning portfolio, use these honors and awards resume examples to land your next job, what are professional skills, and which should you add to your resume, 7 tips to make your resume stand out and get that job, 20 marketing skills professionals should have in 2023, what are hard skills & examples for your resume, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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CVs & Résumés

  • Oct 3, 2023
  • 10 min read

100 Key Skills to Put on Your Résumé (List of Examples)

They’ll help you show your value to your future employer.

Chris Leitch

Chris Leitch

Editor-in-Chief & Résumé Expert

Reviewed by Electra Michaelidou

Best resume skills

When writing your résumé or CV, you’ll probably be focusing on your education and experience. But a PhD or a five-year stint at a family-run business will only get you so far. Indeed, employers care more about seeing that you have what it takes to do the job you’re applying for .

And they look at the practical professional skills that you bring to the table to determine this. As such, it’s imperative that you carefully and strategically market your top skills to potential employers during the résumé-writing process if you want a fighting chance in your 2024 job search .

But which key skills should you put on your résumé, and how?

In this article, we’ll answer those questions — and more.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Why include skills in your résumé
  • List of skills to include
  • How to include them
  • Examples for specific jobs

The importance of adding your best skills to your résumé

There are many important reasons to create a résumé skills section.

Firstly, you’re expected to . As one of the five main sections of a résumé , omitting this makes you look careless and unprofessional, and inevitably results in your application’s rejection — even if you are the most qualified candidate.

Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, employers want to know you have the abilities required to succeed in the job you’re applying for, and listing your skills in your résumé helps you reveal the important information they’re seeking . Essentially, it’s your opportunity to quickly show what you bring to the table, what you’re capable of and that you’re a perfect fit.

And last but certainly not least, including job-specific skills and keywords in your résumé helps you get past applicant tracking systems . If these tools can’t locate any correlation between your application and the position, they’ll automatically discard your résumé — before it’s even read by a human recruiter.

Top 100 skills to include in your résumé

Need some inspiration? Check out our list of the 100 best skills to put on your résumé, organized by type:

Communication and interpersonal skills

Effective communication is essential for both individual and team success, and is a skill that every single employer looks for in candidates . Some of the best communication and interpersonal skills you should convey in your résumé include:

  • Active listening
  • Collaboration
  • Communication (verbal, non-verbal, visual and written)
  • Conflict management
  • Emotional intelligence
  • Negotiation
  • Public speaking
  • Presentation

Writing skills

Good writing skills are required in almost every industry and every job, whether it’s at the core of the role or a small part of the position’s responsibilities. Examples of writing skills to put on your résumé include:

  • Content management systems
  • Proofreading
  • Publishing software
  • Researching
  • Storytelling
  • Style guides (such AP and MLA)
  • Writing (including copywriting, report writing and technical writing)

Critical thinking skills

Employers want employees who can not only identify problems but also solve them. As such, it’s always a good idea to highlight your critical thinking skills on your résumé, whether it was solving a problem or making a quick decision . Good skills that demonstrate critical thinking include:

  • Brainstorming
  • Conceptual thinking
  • Cost-benefit analyzing
  • Creative thinking
  • Deductive reasoning
  • Evidence collecting
  • Inductive reasoning
  • Troubleshooting

Time management skills

Good time management helps you achieve bigger goals, reduce procrastination and increase your productivity — which is exactly what employers want from you. Key skills to highlight in your résumé include:

  • Goal-setting
  • Multitasking
  • Organization
  • Prioritization
  • Resource management
  • Strategic thinking
  • Time tracking

Accounting and finance skills

Although highlighting these types of skills is mostly beneficial to financial professionals , more and more industries are increasingly requiring some basic form of accounting and finance proficiency. Below are some useful skills worth showcasing:

  • Accounting software (such as QuickBooks and NetSuite)
  • Billing and invoicing
  • Budgeting and forecasting
  • Cashflow analysis
  • Expense tracking
  • Financial reporting
  • Mathematical comprehension
  • Tax planning
  • Vendor management

Management skills

If your current or target role involves managing people or projects (or both), you’ll need to prove to potential employers that you have what it takes to be successful. Key skills for management roles and functions include:

  • Adaptability
  • Change management
  • Employee development
  • Problem solving
  • Project management
  • Risk management
  • Team-building

Marketing skills

Since marketing controls the way a company functions, many employers look for employees who possess a variety of skills in this area. Here are 10 good examples for your résumé:

  • Customer relationship management
  • Data analytics
  • Email marketing
  • Google Analytics
  • Mobile advertising
  • Search engine marketing
  • Search engine optimization
  • Social media marketing
  • Video marketing

Retail and sales

If you’re in a customer-facing role, your retail and sales skills should take centerstage on your résumé. Some good examples to list in your skills section include:

  • Buyer engagement
  • Buyer-responsive selling
  • Cold-calling
  • Customer service
  • Friendliness
  • Lead generation
  • Product knowledge
  • Understanding body language

Design skills

Design skills are no longer restricted to creative professionals who design products and experiences for consumers, and are often required across a wide range of industries and roles. Here are some examples of useful design skills for your résumé:

  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Graphic design
  • Layout development
  • Photo and video editing
  • User experience development
  • User interface development
  • Wireframing

Computer skills

As most jobs today require at least some basic knowledge of information and communication technology, it’s always a good idea to showcase your computer skills on your résumé. Some of the best examples worth listing include:

  • Cloud computing (such as AWS and Google Cloud)
  • Databases (such as Oracle RDBMS and MySQL)
  • Machine learning
  • Operating systems (such as MacOS and Windows)
  • Presentation software
  • Programming/coding (such as HTML, Ruby on Rails and C++)
  • Project management software
  • Spreadsheets (such as Excel and LibreOffice)
  • Systems and networks
  • Word processing (such as Google Docs and Microsoft Word)

Top resume skills types

How to list skills in your résumé

Now that you have a general idea of what skills to put on your résumé, you’re probably wondering how to go about listing them.

Here are some quick tips to keep in mind:

  • Showcase your job skills as a bulleted list in a dedicated section towards the end of your résumé. To save space, you can group similar skills together under specific categories or themes — for example: “Frameworks: Django, Laravel, Meteor”.
  • Make sure to strategically refer to both your hard and soft skills throughout your résumé — not just in the skills section. For example, adding “Managed a team of 15 outbound sales specialists” as a bullet point in your experience section clearly encapsulates your leadership skills.
  • Always choose skills that are directly relevant to the position you’re applying for . Read the job description to get a better idea of what the employer is looking for, and match your unique skill set to the specific job requirements.

Example résumé skills for specific jobs

Here are a few examples of résumé skills sections for different professions:

Web content editor

Web content editors rely on a mix of soft and hard skills that embraces technology to be successful in their job, which they should always highlight in their résumé — as done in the following example skills section:

  • CMS platforms (HubSpot, Wix, WordPress)
  • Content calendar management
  • Content proposals
  • Editing and proofreading
  • Fact-checking
  • Social media management

Working as a nurse requires a very specialized and technical skill set, and employers want to know you have exactly what it takes to succeed on the job. The following list of skills can be useful when writing your nurse CV or résumé :

  • Clinical nursing
  • Communication
  • CPR and BLS skills
  • EMR charting
  • Medication management
  • Patient assessment
  • Patient safety and wellbeing
  • Urgent care

Teachers require a variety of skill sets to effectively create lesson plans, instruct students and interact with parents, and it’s essential that they market these skills to prospective employers — like in the example skills section below:

  • Behavior management
  • Compassion and empathy
  • Conflict resolution
  • Classroom management
  • Curriculum planning
  • Effective communication
  • Leadership skills
  • Performance evaluations
  • Teaching methods

FAQs about résumé skills

Got questions about résumé skills? We got answers!

What are professional skills?

Professional skills are competencies and abilities that help you succeed in a job . They consist of hard skills (which are learnable, and which allow you to perform job-specific tasks, such as copywriting and graphic design) and soft skills (personal habits or traits that shape how you work, which are developed over time, such as creativity and emotional intelligence).

How many skills should you list in your résumé?

For most jobseekers, listing between 10 and 15 skills is generally adequate. Any more than that, and you risk making your résumé look cluttered and unfocused. The most important thing to remember when listing your skills, though, is to choose the ones that are most relevant to the position you’re applying for.

What skills should you include if you have no experience?

If you’re just starting out in your career or you’re moving into an industry in which you have no (or little) relevant experience, your best bet is to focus on your transferable skills .

These are skills that have been acquired throughout your life (either in a personal, professional, academic or voluntary capacity) and can be applied to any job and work environment. For example, if you led a project team or founded an organization at university, you could use this experience to showcase your leadership skills.

Where is the best place to include skills in your résumé?

Traditionally, skills are listed towards the end of a résumé , after the experience and education sections and before supplemental sections for things like awards and professional memberships.

If you’re using a skills-based format for your résumé, meanwhile, you’ll need to add a skills summary section (immediately after your career profile) in addition to the standard skills section. Here, you’ll focus on 3–5 of your most relevant skills, providing examples of when — and how — you used each one.

Key takeaways

Here’s a quick rundown of everything we covered in this article:

  • Including skills in your résumé is a great way to demonstrate your expertise, knowledge and strengths to potential employers.
  • Some of the best examples to highlight are communication, critical thinking, management and computer skills .
  • They are best featured in a dedicated section towards the end of a résumé , and they should always be tailored to the job you’re targeting.
  • Specific professions and industries require specific skill sets; as such, it’s imperative that you understand what is required of you and how you fit the bill .
  • When it comes to how many skills you should list, 10–15 usually does the trick .

Remember: listing your best and most relevant skills in your résumé is not an option — it is a necessity. They could, after all, be the make or break of your application, so make sure you get it right.

Got a question or want to suggest some other useful résumé skills? Let us know in the comments section below!

Originally published on September 4, 2017.

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300+ Resume Skills to Use on Your Resume in 2024

Wondering what skills to put on your resume? Dive into our list of 300+ resume skills we’ve extracted from analyzing over 1,000,000 resumes, learn how to include them in yours, and increase your chances of landing a job interview.

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Skills are great but…

Making a resume is more than just skills. Use our resume builder and let us take care of the design while you focus on your skills and experience!

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Have you considered how difficult it is to select the right skills for your resume ?

You have to curate resume skills that:

  • reveal as many details about your proficiency; without going over the two-page limit .

Writing about your skills seems daunting - like you're fighting an uphill battle.

Yet, the potential wins are worth it: from landing an interview to getting a job offer.

So, here's our explicit guide on how to write about your skills on your resume:

  • Over 150 popular niche skills for over 15 industries.

The difference between hard skills and soft skills

Recruiters look for both hard and soft skills in a job application.

Before we get into the details of what both types of skills imply, we'd like to focus on how the skills are acquired, used, demonstrated, and measured.

Skill acquisition

Hard skills are attained via on-the-job experience, education, training, or certification.

While soft skills are obtained in a more intangible manner: via life or work experience.

Skill usage

Hard skills are used directly within your role - you need them to complete specific tasks.

Soft skills are most often related to how your flexible mindset is able to adapt, communicate, and excel within a new (potentially unfamiliar) work environment.

Skill showcase

It's easy to demonstrate your hard skills through various resume sections - showing recruiters what you're capable of.

Soft skills often complement your hard skills, thus providing unique value to your professional resume.

Skill measurement

Hard skills can be quantified based on your achievements, certifications, proficiency level, etc.

While soft skills could be a bit more difficult to pinpoint and could mainly be understood via your resume highlights.

Now, for a more brief definition of the two types of skills.

Hard skills comprise of the technical know-how and capabilities you possess: they are learned through studying and can be measured based on your performance.

Some of the more popular hard skills include:

  • Foreign Languages - opening doors to more international opportunities.

Soft skills are transferable skills: characteristics and habits that are most associated with you as a person. They indicate to recruiters just how well you will adapt, perform, and grow within a new environment.

Recruiters are constantly on the lookout for these types of soft skills:

Presentation

Why listing skills is important.

Your skills are one of the most important sections, as they help your potential employers to identify whether you would be a good fit for the role.

Consider the whole recruitment process from the recruiter's point of view.

You have a thousand applications for the same role.

You’ll either briefly skim the document to identify relevant skills. Or work with an Applicant Tracker System (ATS) to identify relevant keywords .

So, including a separate skills section, gives recruiters the opportunity to familiarize themselves with:

  • the specific (or unique) potential you'll bring with your in-demand, rare, or relevant skills.

Lack of relevant skills (keywords), placed at the top of their resume, often leads to a rejection from the ATS.

To avoid this, include this separate skills section to hint that:

  • you can bring the desired skill set to the table.

The best skills to put on your resume

Building your skills section would very much depend on the role you're applying for.

For example, say you’re applying for a Cloud computing architect job. In this case, your ability to implement relevant technologies are a prerequisite for recruiters.

But if you do include instances where you've had to present information to stakeholders, this would set you apart from other candidates.

Software Development and Programming

With the rise of technologies, these will continue to be one of the most in-demand hard skills for the next decade or so.

Demonstrating your software development knowledge could be via various resume sections - as long as you've noted the outcome of your use of the particular skill.

As this is a pretty vast field that includes numerous abilities - Web and Mobile Development; Version Control; Various Frameworks and Databases; Agile Methodologies; Software Testing and more - we've listed some of the most popular technologies:

Data Analysis and Statistics

Data has become one of the most valuable assets - those with the ability to understand and interpret it will discover many opportunities ahead.

This field again includes various hard skills, from Data Manipulation and Mining to Big Data and Machine Learning.

Discover a list of some of the most popular Data technologies:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

With the rise of ChatGPT and similar platforms, one thing is evident - AI will continue to expand into uncharted territories.

And as a skill set, both AI and ML will continue to be in demand and take over multiple industries.

So, brush up on your:

Cloud Computing

Your knowledge of cloud platforms could land you the dream job in a dynamic environment.

Make sure you constantly upgrade your skill set with the most recent certificates , as this field is ever-evolving.

Meet job requirements by demonstrating your knowledge of:

  • Azure Functions
  • Cybersecurity

As a cybersecurity professional, it’s important to show on your resume not just your relevant certification, but adaptability in particular skills.

Referencing experience to project labs you’ve experimented with in your free time, can show your knowledge of the industry.

Here is a list of popular cybersecurity hard skills for your resume:

  • Digital Forensics

Project Management

Project management includes a combination of both hard and soft skills you'll need to be able to showcase via your resume.

While the end results are important, highlight instances where you've had to use any of these skills for successfully delivered projects:

  • Project Closure and Evaluation
  • Digital Marketing

Digital marketing encompasses many different roles, responsibilities, and industries.

Our advice is to highlight the skill set that would be most useful for your chosen career path.

For example, if you’re applying for a role in social media, include on your resume your experience with different channels and how your communication strategy succeeded.

Digital marketing skills may include:

  • Influencer Marketing

Graphic Design

While imagination and creativity may be at the center of the graphic designer's work, there are plenty of technologies that are important to success.

The list of graphic design skills includes:

UX/ UI Design

UX/UI design contains multiple skills from research, architecture, and wireframing to design and analysis.

Discover our top picks for your resume:

  • Accessibility Design

Financial Analysis

Plain and simple, financial analysis skills are focused on understanding data to make informed decisions.

They integrate an abundance of hard and soft skills, such as:

  • Data visualization tools

Foreign Languages

When listing foreign languages on your resume, it’s vital you explain your capabilities via your proficiencies and specializations.

It’s not enough to say you know a certain language - you need relevant certification or at least some widely-accepted reference as to your reading, comprehension, listening, and speaking skills.

Make sure to note your:

  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Communication

Perhaps your ability to communicate is one of the most important soft skills you'd need to show to recruiters - for any role.

Make sure that your communication efforts are always linked with relevant achievements.

Popular communication skills include:

  • Cultural awareness
  • Collaboration

Collaboration is your ability to participate within a team environment with the end goal of success.

While collaboration also covers various communication soft skills, here's the list of some other abilities you could list within your resume:

Problem-Solving

Problem-solving requires demonstrating your analytical abilities and shows the way you think in certain situations.

Can you take time-sensitive decisions or under pressure?

Skills that are linked with problem-solving include:

  • Systematic thinking
  • Critical Thinking

Like problem-solving, critical thinking is another must-have cognitive skill recruiters are on the lookout for.

Apart from your projects , you could also demonstrate your approach by incorporating various achievements through your resume as a result of your critical-thinking skills.

Showcase some of these skills to further prove your critical-thinking abilities:

  • Effective Communication

Adaptability

Within the past three plus years, it has become more and more evident that individuals who can navigate through dynamic environments (and thrive) become the most sought-out professionals.

Showcase you can adapt to new challenges on your resume via these skills:

Effective leaders are able to enable their teams to progress while creating a work environment with a vision.

While your leadership approach may be more evident during the interview stage of your application process, it's a good idea to note cases where you've shown some of the following skills:

  • Fostering a culture of growth

Organization

If you're apt at maintaining an organization's efficiency, definitely list your skills within your resume.

Organization skills hint at your abilities as a manager, but also, include:

  • Adaptation to technology
  • Negotiation

Navigating complex discussions, reaching agreements, and building relationships - that's what the ultimate outcome of your negotiation skills is.

Include as many of these relevant soft skills to highlight your negotiation abilities further:

  • Relationship building

The ability to think outside the box, while driving forward-facing initiatives, is surely impressive.

Highlight innovation on your resume with these soft skills:

  • Growth mindset

Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills help you to build positive relationships with others: whether those be third-party vendors, stakeholders, or team members.

Demonstrate your interpersonal skills via these abilities:

  • Valuing contributions

The ability to deliver information in a manner that's informative, engaging, and persuasive is one that leaves a lasting impression on recruiters.

Hone your presentation abilities with these soft skills:

  • Visual and verbal communication alignment

Within the next section of this guide, discover more practical advice to writing your resume skills.

How to list skills on your resume

To list skills on your resume, consider what works in light of the job requirements and will match your authentic skill set (and voice).

We've discovered six best practices that highlight strategy, space, and thought process, so you could make the most of your resume skills.

Find skills the company is looking for

First, read the advert job description.

It is most often the case that recruiters include all relevant keywords under the requirements or qualifications section.

As a final step to your research process, check out the company's website for even more gold nuggets related to what the company is all about.

This way, you'll be able to identify if you'll be a good match for the company culture (and vice versa - if it'll match your expectations).

What if the job advert you have doesn't provide enough information?

Search on other popular recruitment platforms for the job advert. The missing link is out there somewhere - you just need to find it.

Another option, in this case, will be to reach out to recruiters on LinkedIn - ask them just a few questions about the desired, specific skill set.

Match your skill set with the company's ideal profile

The ugly truth is that when every single company is hiring, they have an ideal candidate profile in mind. They might make a couple of compromises for an "out of the blue" Cinderella, but...

... practice goes to show that skill alignment is no fairy tale.

Here's where you have to learn to read between the lines of the advert.

Not just because you have to consider the technical capabilities as described, but also because you have to look deeper into the tone of voice, soft skills, and preferred culture.

Aim to synthesize this information for yourself, so you can better understand what is it that the company needs from the specific candidate:

  • A nod to the future - what would my potential be in the job?

Ultimately, your application shouldn't be set to just fill in a tangible (or not) vacancy but it should answer your and the company's expectations.

Here's an example with a job description for a UX Copywriter. We've highlighted the hard skills in green, while the soft skills are in blue. This exercise should help you better understand the preferable skill set of the ideal candidate.

  • Collaborate with Product Managers, UX Designers, UX Program Managers, and other key stakeholders to develop online device setup instructions and engagement pieces.
  • Maintain brand voice and alignment with packaging through copyediting.
  • Create and maintain editorial style guides and master copy documents.
  • Ensure the highest standards of style and writing (e.g., grammar, spelling, syntax, diction, punctuation, brand alignment).
  • Help improve processes for how content is created, delivered, and maintained.
  • Proofread all final documents before print.
  • Work closely with the subject matter experts, advocating for product and documentation innovation on behalf of the customer.
  • Pursue automated content development.
  • Create and maintain standards/guidance for localized translations.
  • 3 years of design experience.
  • An available online portfolio.
  • Degree in English, Technical Writing.
  • Experience in writing and editing technical documentation.
  • Strong written and verbal communications skills.
  • Ability to earn trust, engage, and influence people and teams at every level in the organization.
  • Experience with content management systems and project management tools.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Want to make your resume stand out even further? Always match each skill with precise role accomplishments.

This would give social proof that you're adept at the skill and that your application is as close to the ideal candidate profile as it can be.

Use the STAR methodology to talk about your skills and experiences

The STAR method is one of the recruiters' favorite tools during behavioral-based interviews.

The acronym stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result(s).

Apart from the interview stage, you can also use the S-T-A-R methodology to describe specific achievements which really stand out.

  • Results or final outcomes: highlight precisely what “fruit” did your efforts bring in? BONUS: if you can add numbers and data to the results stage, then this will make quite an impression on recruiters.

Here are six more reasons why recruiters are huge fans of the STAR method.

These types of responses:

  • show how you'd handle similar situations.

The STAR method also brushes up on your reflection skills - as any professional should be able to look back on their work and highlight what worked.

So, even when writing your resume, it's helpful to think about various situations or projects where you can apply the STAR method .

The outcome should be strong, evidence-based answers that highlight your suitability for the position. Check out this example:

Situation : a DevOps engineer for a finance website

Task : eliminate poor website performance during peak hours (stock opening hours)

Activity : migrated the existing website's database to a more optimal noSQL solution

Result : reduced complaints rate to 3% and 100% website uptime during peak visit hours

Communicate your skills proficiency

Which one sounds more professional to you, when listing your language skills - "French C2" or "French"?

Adding your level of proficiency helps employers better understand just how good you are at using that particular skill.

  • Building trust with the organization from the get-go with transparency and honesty about your unique skill set.

But how can you - all by yourself - evaluate your skill set proficiency?

A popular framework that's used is the National Institutes of Health one; here's how it classifies the different experience levels:

  • Expert - with unparalleled knowledge that surpasses that of most professionals, you're recognized as a thought leader in the industry. With experience that spans years (or decades) on end, you've mastered various challenges and situations to always achieve an outcome. You're able to mentor others to achieve even higher peaks in their skill set.

There are many ways to map your skill proficiency. Our practice has shown us that some of the best ways include visual level bars and charts, used in more creative resumes , and simple labels, used in most modern resumes .

Make a separate resume skills section

A separate skills section serves to improve your score with the ATS - and also helps recruiters understand whether you have the expertise they're searching for.

First, consider the skills that are listed closer to the top of the advert. Those will be most vital for the role.

Next, reflect upon your skill strengths - those should also be listed within the dedicated skills section with more prominence.

Don't forget about including a couple of soft skills - this will help you align your profile even further with the ATS.

If you want to take this activity a step further, create a separate, niche skills section. One that could list, for example, your technology proficiency or specific soft skills.

Back up your skills in other sections of your resume

The more you can integrate skill keywords within your whole resume, the better you’d meet recruiters’ requirements. Here are five other sections that could include your skill set.

  • List accomplishments and skills in the experience section of your resume

Your experience bullets are the perfect opportunity to provide recruiters with some proof of your skill capabilities.

By quantifying your expertise with achievements (and possibly data), you'll provide them with the necessary background to better understand your skill set.

The more impressive your achievements were, the closer they should be to the top of your list (under each experience item).

Also, do consider what the requirements are for the job and use those to qualify your experience and skill set.

For example, if the role requires you to be able to apt in community management, your resume could list that you:

"Implemented communication strategies to attain a feeling of closeness amongst community members to attain a 107% growth and 65% more structured community management"

Let's take a look at a well-structured experience section that communicates the relevant skills of the applicant.

  • • Significantly reduced past due receivables from $7M to $5M within four months, accelerating cash flow
  • • Reduced company costs 50% through centralized purchasing
  • • Trained and supervised more than 4 summer interns each for a period of 3 weeks

Write a summary of qualifications

Going back to the top one-third of your resume, we have the summary and headline .

The resume summary - those brief three-to-five sentences - is the best chance you'd get to integrate your skills.

Once again, go back to the advert at hand and select up to five skills that you feel most confident in (that are important for the job). Use those to structure your resume summary.

Here's an example from our practice:

With your resume headline, you could also make a lasting impression.

Even though it should be short and simple, while matching the job requirements, the headline could integrate one-to-three skills.

Both of these sections provide you with an opportunity to further "stuff" your resume with skill keywords. But you don't want to go over the top with that.

Use the limited space you have wisely to demonstrate your highlights, achievements, and unique skill set.

Use certifications and courses

The hidden gem of the certifications and courses resume sections is that they allow you to further expand on your skill set. They are also a must in certain industries, such as cybersecurity.

Including a certification section on your resume will:

  • showcase your professional recognition.

A courses section is recommended for entry-level roles, where certifications (or more experience) are yet to be attained.

The courses could once again highlight the skills you've learned via your education or in your free time.

Showcase your transferable skills if you’re switching between career fields

Transferrable skills are universal skills you can easily apply from one role or responsibility to another.

They are basically what makes your experience unique and show that you can thrive within any work environment.

150+ Must-Have Skills (for Every Field)

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Soft resume skills

Including this category of skills within your resume showcases the transferable skills and unique value you’d bring about as an applicant.

  • Work Under Pressure
  • Flexibility
  • Independent
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Collaborative
  • Strong Work Ethic
  • Decision Making
  • Detail Oriented
  • Organizational
  • Problem Solving
  • Responsibility
  • Interpersonal
  • Team Leadership
  • Time Management
  • Coordinating
  • Reliability
  • Multi-Tasking
  • Creative Thinking
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Dealing with Ambiguity
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Active Listening
  • Transferable
  • Fast Learner
  • Public Speaking
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Willingness to Learn
  • Dealing with Objection
  • Creating Good Rapport
  • Resource Allocation
  • Goal-Oriented
  • Remote Work Skills

How to List Soft Skills On Your Resume icon

Computer skills for your resume

Computer skills are your technical competencies - basically, your ability to use various computer software and applications.

  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Data analysis and interpretation
  • Database management (e.g., SQL, Oracle, MySQL)
  • Programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, C++)
  • Web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
  • Front-end frameworks (e.g., React, Angular, Vue.js)
  • Back-end frameworks (e.g., Node.js, Django, Laravel)
  • Cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
  • Networking protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP)
  • Cybersecurity principles and best practices
  • Virtualization and containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)
  • Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
  • Machine learning and data mining
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) concepts and frameworks
  • Natural language processing (NLP)
  • Big data technologies (e.g., Hadoop, Spark)
  • Statistical analysis software (e.g., R, SAS, SPSS)

How to List Computer Skills On Your Resume icon

Design resume skills

With design skills, you have to be able to showcase to recruiters that you’re able to use an array of technology (and/or software), yet also have a creative vision.

Perhaps the strongest asset you have that demonstrates your graphic design skills are your past projects and portfolio. Make those easily discoverable by recruiters with links within the resume header .

  • Videography
  • Graphic design
  • User interface (UI) design
  • User experience (UX) design
  • Branding and identity design
  • Print design
  • Mobile app design
  • Layout design
  • Illustration
  • Icon design
  • Logo design
  • Visual communication
  • Color theory
  • Composition
  • Motion graphics
  • Video editing
  • 3D modeling and rendering
  • Infographic design
  • Data visualization
  • Art direction
  • Photo editing and retouching
  • Virtual reality (VR) design
  • Augmented reality (AR) design
  • Game design
  • Brand guidelines
  • Style guides

How to List Design Skills On Your Resume icon

Business and management resume skills

Show that you’re the top candidate by featuring the right skills on your resume. Explore a list of the most popular business and management skills in 2022 below.

  • Client Relations
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Team Management
  • People Management
  • Procurement
  • Contract Management
  • Implementation
  • Fundraising
  • Sustainability
  • Client Management
  • Crisis Management
  • Manufacturing
  • Performance Management
  • Quality Management
  • Microsoft Project
  • Event Management
  • Report Writing
  • Inventory Management
  • Relationship Management
  • Risk Management
  • Lean Six Sigma
  • Process Improvement
  • Quality Assurance
  • Faciliation
  • Vendor Management
  • Financial Modeling
  • Asset Management
  • Customer relationship management
  • Supply chain management
  • Key performance indicator (KPI) tracking

How to List Management Skills On Your Resume icon

Accounting and finance resume skills

Accounting and finance skills could open your doors to opportunities within various sectors. Your proficiency and technological capabilities would be a definite must for some roles.

These are also transferable skills, as they focus further on growing your analytical thinking and the ability to back up your decisions via data.

The more numbers that pinpoint results you could integrate (e.g. that show how your financial decisions have brought about a 56% increase in ROI), the better you’d be able to demonstrate your success.

  • Budget Management
  • Financial analysis
  • Financial reporting
  • Financial modeling
  • Tax preparation and planning
  • Risk management
  • Cost accounting
  • Managerial accounting
  • Financial statement analysis
  • Cash flow management
  • Revenue recognition
  • Accounts payable
  • Accounts receivable
  • General ledger management
  • Financial planning and analysis (FP&A)
  • Internal controls
  • Financial systems and software (e.g., QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle)
  • Compliance and regulatory knowledge (e.g., GAAP, IFRS)
  • Financial statement preparation
  • Variance analysis
  • Investment analysis
  • Capital budgeting
  • Treasury management
  • Financial risk assessment
  • Cash management
  • Financial operations management
  • Cost control and reduction
  • Financial reconciliation
  • Financial statement consolidation
  • Financial data analysis and interpretation
  • Microsoft Excel proficiency (advanced functions, pivot tables, macros)
  • Financial forecasting and planning
  • Inventory management and costing
  • Financial controls and procedures
  • Debt management and financing
  • Forecasting

How to List Accounting Skills On Your Resume icon

Engineering resume skills

Engineering skills encompass various fields - from mechanical and chemical engineering to aerospace and civil engineering. It's no surprise that there's an array of skills that you could demonstrate across your resume.

Once more, remember to select the ones that are most relevant for the job you're applying for. In this industry, it'll be very often that your technical competencies would serve as your base for getting the job.

Soft skills are also a very good at showing not only your people skills but that you're adaptable to growth.

  • Prototyping
  • Technical drawing and drafting
  • Engineering design and analysis
  • Mathematical modeling and simulation
  • Technical documentation and reporting
  • Risk assessment and management
  • Quality control and assurance
  • Materials selection and testing
  • Manufacturing processes and techniques
  • Electrical circuit design and analysis
  • Mechanical design and analysis
  • Structural analysis and design
  • Thermodynamics and heat transfer
  • Fluid mechanics and hydraulics
  • Control systems and automation
  • Systems engineering
  • Environmental sustainability in engineering
  • Engineering ethics and professionalism
  • Root cause analysis
  • Failure analysis and prevention
  • Statistical analysis
  • Geotechnical engineering principles
  • Engineering

How to List Engineering Skills On Your Resume icon

Marketing resume skills

Marketing encompasses many different activities (e.g. social media, content creation, PPC strategies) all aiming to bring brands closer to audiences.

It's an ever-evolving sector that presents opportunities for professionals with different levels of proficiency.

One of the best things you could do, if you're looking to grow into the field, is to get as much hands-on experience as possible and always stay up to date with relevant technologies.

  • Lead Generation
  • Content Management
  • Storytelling
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
  • Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
  • Social Media Management (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc.)
  • Content Marketing
  • Email Marketing
  • Online Advertising
  • Mobile Marketing
  • Video Marketing
  • Affiliate Marketing
  • Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
  • Google Analytics
  • Social Media Analytics
  • Marketing Automation
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
  • Marketing Strategy
  • Marketing Campaign Management
  • Market Research
  • Competitor Analysis
  • Consumer Insights
  • Brand Development
  • Brand Positioning
  • Brand Messaging
  • Brand Management
  • Copywriting
  • Content Creation
  • Website Copy
  • Community Management
  • Public Relations (PR)
  • Event Planning
  • Customer Acquisition
  • Customer Retention
  • Customer Segmentation
  • Customer Experience (CX)
  • A/B Testing
  • User Experience (UX)
  • Landing Page Optimization
  • Marketing Analytics
  • Data Analysis

How to List Marketing Skills On Your Resume icon

Sales resume skills

Demonstrate your sales skills with the actual achievements of your role, like maintaining a 95% positive customer feedback score or the number of units you've sold.

Your resume should also showcase the technology you feel comfortable using (e.g. Salesforce) and put a particular focus on your communication skills.

As in the words of Jeff Gitomer, "Great salespeople are relationship builders..."

  • Telecommunications
  • Cold Calling
  • Product Knowledge
  • Customer Service
  • Prospecting
  • Sales Process Knowledge
  • CRM Software
  • Territory Management
  • Sales Forecasting
  • Team Collaboration
  • Goal Orientation
  • Consultative Selling
  • Rapport Building
  • Objection Handling
  • Value Proposition Development
  • Competitive Analysis
  • Strategic Account Management
  • Cross-Selling
  • Solution Selling
  • Qualifying Leads
  • Pipeline Management
  • Relationship Development
  • Relationship Marketing
  • Customer Satisfaction
  • Sales Presentations
  • Sales Funnel Management
  • Closing Techniques
  • Contract Negotiation
  • Sales Analytics
  • Relationship Building
  • Business Development
  • Customer Engagement
  • Sales Training
  • Key Account Management
  • Territory Planning
  • CRM Administration

How to List Sales Skills On Your Resume icon

IT and Data management resume skills

Data has become the most valuable asset across our digital-driven world. That's why professionals with expertise in data management and information technology will be presented with a multitude of chances for professional growth.

IT careers allow professionals to experience versatile industries with ever so many rising challenges that require a new, more adaptive skill set for creative problem-solving and innovation.

But, as a starting point, make sure you can demonstrate how you can use your knowledge in the real world with projects , experience items , and technical skills .

  • Active Directory
  • Database Management
  • Data Management
  • Penetration Testing
  • Data Warehouse
  • Technical Support
  • Mathematics
  • Machine Learning
  • Integration
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Software Testing
  • Data Modelling
  • Data Collection
  • Data Center
  • Statistical Analysis
  • artificial intelligence
  • data center
  • data collection
  • data management
  • data modelling
  • machine learning
  • microsoft access
  • penetration testing
  • software testing
  • data warehouse
  • microsoft office
  • statistical analysis

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Office resume skills

These skills are indispensable in any industry (or sphere) as they prove your ability to communicate and how you handle some office software.

If you're looking to find an admin role, definitely showcase your office skills, supported by relevant strengths, within your resume.

This particular skill set is also a nice-to-have for more entry-level candidates and candidates with less ( or no ) professional experience.

  • Documentation
  • Administrative
  • Data Entry and Management
  • Office Equipment Operation
  • File Management
  • Record Keeping
  • Calendar Management
  • Office Supply Management
  • Office Space Planning
  • Office Decorum and Etiquette
  • Document Sharing and Collaboration Tools (e.g., SharePoint, Google Drive)
  • Presentation Software (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote)
  • Task Management Tools (e.g., Trello, Asana)
  • Web Conferencing Platforms (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams)
  • Customer Complaint Resolution
  • Risk Assessment
  • Performance Tracking
  • Data Reporting
  • Workplace Ergonomics
  • Employee Relations
  • Knowledge of Labor Laws and Regulations
  • Benefits Administration Support
  • Recruitment and Onboarding Coordination
  • Workplace Culture Enhancement
  • Employee Engagement Initiatives
  • Employee Recognition Programs
  • Workplace Wellness Initiatives
  • Diversity and Inclusion Support
  • Business Correspondence Etiquette

How to List Office Skills On Your Resume icon

Food service resume skills

Bring your A-game to the table with your previous experience and food service skills.

The food and beverage industry allows professionals to grow a multitude of unique (and transferable) skills, from customer service to system operations and creativity.

On a side note, your patience and active listening skills should be at a superior level.

  • Food Safety and Sanitation
  • Menu Knowledge
  • Order Taking
  • Food Preparation
  • Food Presentation
  • Cash Handling
  • POS Systems
  • Menu Specials Promotion
  • Food Handling Equipment
  • Cleanliness and Organization
  • Knowledge of Dietary Restrictions
  • Menu Planning
  • Inventory Ordering and Management
  • Quality Control
  • Culinary Skills
  • Recipe Development
  • Food Cost Analysis
  • Portion Control
  • Knife Skills
  • Food Sourcing and Procurement
  • Food Plating Techniques
  • Food Styling
  • Beverage Service
  • Wine and Beer Knowledge
  • Coffee Brewing Techniques
  • Cash Register Operation
  • Cross-selling
  • Table Setting
  • Dining Etiquette
  • Special Event Catering
  • Buffet Setup and Management
  • Food Allergies and Dietary Restrictions
  • Safe Food Handling and Storage
  • Menu Engineering
  • Health and Safety Regulations
  • Food Service

How to List Food Service Skills On Your Resume icon

Medical and healthcare resume skills

From patient care to managing various software, creating a separate resume section to showcase your medical and healthcare skills is always a good idea.

Take the time to consider which medical skills would be most relevant for the job and align those with your experience .

Also, include your healthcare skills within various parts of your resume. This should also be done to showcase your commitment to the industry and the steps you've taken to ensure that you're the most up-to-date with recent R&D.

  • Patient Assessment
  • Administering Injections
  • Patient Care
  • Taking Vital Signs
  • Medical Administration
  • Recording Patient Medical History
  • TB Test Clearance
  • Teamwork Abilities
  • Medical Procedures
  • Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
  • Medical Terminology
  • Diagnostic Testing
  • Infection Control
  • Surgical Assistance
  • Medical Equipment Operation
  • Clinical Documentation
  • HIPAA Compliance
  • Medical Ethics
  • Emergency Response
  • Patient Education
  • Quality Improvement
  • Cultural Competence
  • Healthcare Regulations
  • Patient Advocacy

How to List Medical Skills On Your Resume icon

Legal resume skills

All rise for the honorable legal resume skills!

While the skills may encompass various roles within the legal system, the field of regulatory compliance has been gaining more traction in the past decade or so.

The best way to highlight your legal capabilities (apart from the dedicated skills section ) is also to boost your relevant legal certification and trial/ jury/ job success.

  • Contract Law
  • Civil Litigation
  • Legal Writing
  • Legal Research
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Criminal Law
  • Legal Analysis
  • Case Management
  • Contract Review and Negotiation
  • Litigation Support
  • Legal Document Preparation
  • Legal Terminology
  • Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility
  • Oral Advocacy
  • Legal Citations
  • Client Counseling
  • Legal Due Diligence
  • Legal Compliance
  • Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
  • Legal Software and Technology
  • Courtroom Procedures
  • Document Drafting and Editing
  • Contract Drafting
  • Deposition Preparation
  • Legal Brief Writing
  • Trial Preparation
  • Mediation Techniques
  • Legal Research Methodologies
  • Legal Research Databases (e.g., Westlaw, LexisNexis)
  • Discovery Process

How to List Legal Skills On Your Resume icon

Customer service resume skills

Anyone who's ever had a customer-facing role, can let you know one thing - the experience teaches you so many personal skills in handling communications.

It's all about taking the time to understand the party opposing you, to find ways to show them both empathy and compassion, and - in the end - have a tangible outcome.

The STAR methodology could be a great way to showcase your customer service skills on your resume within the projects section .

Another good idea would be to create a supplementary experience section that focuses more on your soft and customer service skills.

  • Dispute Management
  • Oral Communication
  • CRM Systems
  • Technical Expertise
  • Knowledge of Policies and Procedures
  • Complaint Handling
  • Follow-Up and Resolution
  • Telephone Etiquette
  • Customer Feedback Analysis
  • Customer Service Training
  • Problem Escalation and Resolution
  • Customer Retention Strategies
  • Upselling Techniques
  • Customer Satisfaction Enhancement
  • Customer Needs Assessment
  • Service Recovery
  • Social Media Customer Service
  • Customer Service in Multilingual Environments
  • Professional Phone Etiquette
  • Knowledge of Industry Regulations
  • Customer Education and Training
  • Product Demonstrations
  • Technical Troubleshooting
  • Knowledge Base Creation and Management
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Service Level Agreement (SLA) Management
  • Customer Success Management
  • Voice of Customer Analysis
  • Service Recovery Strategies

How to List Customer Service Skills On Your Resume icon

Warehouse resume skills

There's an array of warehouse resume skills that entangle various aspects of operations. Those include third-party vendor communications and logistics to operating equipment and workplace health and safety procedures.

Your resume allows for a multitude of opportunities to list these skills - so don't miss your chances to include them, for example within your headline . Thus, optimizing it for the ATS and recruiters.

Look no further for inspiration as to your warehouse resume skills.

  • Cleaning Equipment
  • Forklift Operation
  • Loading and Unloading Trucks
  • Record-Keeping
  • Lifting Heavy Items
  • Warehouse Operations
  • Order Fulfillment
  • Shipping and Receiving
  • Warehouse Organization
  • Safety Compliance
  • Physical Stamina
  • Problem Identification
  • Vendor Coordination
  • RF Scanner Usage
  • Warehouse Safety Training
  • Lean Principles
  • Warehouse Software Proficiency
  • Cycle Counting
  • Stock Replenishment
  • Hazardous Materials Handling
  • Inventory Auditing
  • Cross-Docking
  • Shrinkage Prevention
  • Material Handling
  • Workflow Optimization
  • Reverse Logistics
  • Space Utilization
  • Stock Rotation
  • Returns Processing
  • Freight Management
  • Customs Compliance
  • Container Unpacking and Consolidation
  • Inventory Forecasting
  • Routing and Scheduling
  • Warehouse Layout Design
  • Supplier Negotiation
  • Supply Chain Management

How to List Warehouse Skills On Your Resume icon

Human Resources (HR) resume skills

If you're apt at working with people and supporting the acquisition functions (or funnel) of an organization - this next list is especially for you.

Demonstrate your abilities to support one of the most crucial areas of the business - that is talent management - with an array of hard and soft skills that support your understanding.

Have you implemented any changes that have improved the lives of individuals or perhaps increased interest in the organization? Make sure you dedicate a special section to those, and also quantify the impact your decisions have made.

  • Human Resource Management (HRM)
  • Applicant Screening
  • HR Strategy Creation
  • Career Coaching
  • HR Reporting
  • Recruitment and Selection
  • Employee Onboarding
  • HR Policies and Procedures
  • Training and Development
  • Compensation and Benefits
  • Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) HR Systems
  • Employee Engagement
  • Labor Law Compliance
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Employee Performance Improvement
  • Employment Law Knowledge
  • Compliance Reporting
  • Ethics and Confidentiality
  • Employee Wellness Programs
  • Employee Performance Evaluation
  • Succession Planning
  • Employee Benefits Administration
  • Organizational Development
  • Employee Engagement Surveys
  • Employee Coaching and Development
  • HR Policy Development
  • Workforce Planning
  • Compensation Analysis and Benchmarking
  • HR Training and Facilitation
  • Talent Acquisition and Retention
  • Human Resources

How to List Human Resources Skills On Your Resume icon

Technical resume skills

Technical skills have to do with the specific technologies that are a must to complete a job.

The best way to showcase your technical expertise, of course, is by showing the skills' practical side with on-the-job experience, projects, and relevant certification.

The more results of your technical skills you can include, the better it'd be for recruiters to understand precisely your understanding of the given technology.

Speaking of which - in some cases - it could be good to also note your proficiency level.

  • Lean Manufacturing
  • Payment Processing
  • Linear Regression
  • Programming Languages (e.g., Python, Java, C++, Ruby)
  • Web Development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
  • Database Management (SQL, Oracle, MySQL)
  • Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
  • Version Control Systems (Git, SVN)
  • Agile/Scrum Methodologies
  • Network Administration
  • System Administration (Windows, Linux)
  • IT Troubleshooting
  • Cloud Computing (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
  • DevOps Tools (Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins)
  • Scripting Languages (Shell Scripting, PowerShell)
  • Big Data Technologies (Hadoop, Apache Spark)
  • Data Analysis and Visualization (Excel, Tableau, Power BI)
  • Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP)
  • Data Mining
  • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Mobile App Development (Android, iOS)
  • User Interface (UI) Design
  • User Experience (UX) Design
  • Web Frameworks (React, Angular, Django)
  • Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
  • Test Automation (Selenium, JUnit)
  • Quality Assurance (QA) Testing
  • Data Structures and Algorithms
  • Data Warehousing
  • Mathematical Modeling
  • Embedded Systems
  • Computer Vision
  • Operating Systems (Windows, Linux, macOS)

How to List Technical Skills On Your Resume icon

Hospitality resume skills

In spite of the global pandemic, the hospitality sector continues to thrive and be an indispensable part of people's lives.

With that being said, perhaps one of the most important skills within hospitality is the ability to adapt (and accept) change.

By managing customers' expectations and experiences of the given hospitality service, you've surely also attained a variety of other soft, transferrable skills.

Even if a certain skill doesn't seem that important to you, yet it's a must-have on the job advert, and you have relevant, result-driven experience of it - make sure you dedicate some resume space to quantify your experience.

  • Hotel Management and Operations
  • Maintenance and Cleaning
  • Staff Management
  • Central Reservation System “CRS”
  • Event Planning and Coordination
  • Front Desk Operations
  • Property Management Systems (PMS)
  • Sales and Marketing Knowledge
  • Housekeeping Coordination
  • Concierge Services
  • Wine and Beverage Service
  • Event Setup and Breakdown
  • Venue Management
  • Guest Satisfaction Enhancement
  • Time-sensitive Issue Management
  • Venue and Room Management
  • Staff Training and Development
  • Revenue Management
  • Hospitality

How to List Hospitality Skills On Your Resume icon

Key Takeaways

Frequently asked questions about resume skills, what are the top skills to list on your resume.

There are no "top" skills, but rather ones that answer two-part criteria.

The first is the job requirements, and the second - is your capability and practical knowledge of using particular skills.

Now, both criteria could be met by both:

  • soft skills - transferrable, personal traits that showcase the unique value of working with you as a professional.

How many skills should I list on my resume?

It's not a question of how many, but rather which skills showcase you as the best fit for the role and also prove your unique expertise and knowledge.

Asses what are the key skills for the job advert (select between five and ten) and align those with the five to ten skills you're best at.

Remember to strike a balance between hard and soft skills, and to make use of every section of your resume to demonstrate your achievements.

Can I list soft skills on my resume?

Of course - soft skills are hints of how you'd adapt and grow within new work dynamics and environments.

Soft skills support your experience and tell a further narrative: that you've grown up both as a professional and a person.

They make a fantastic first impression on more experienced recruiters who are on the lookout for more than just the check-box-fitting candidate.

Should I tailor my skills to the job description?

This is perhaps the best strategy out there for creating your professional resume. First, take notice of what skills are important to the role, recruiters, and subsequently the organization.

If from the get-go you take the time to target your skills section to the advert at hand, this would go to show that you're ready to take the next steps and subsequently - are more than prepared for the role.

As you know, the whole job application process is one of meeting expectations and aligning visions.

How do I showcase my skills on my resume?

Make use of all the resume space (or real estate) you have to highlight your versatile skill set.

What this means is that you shouldn't just limit this to a dedicated skills section. You could also talk about these capacities within your resume:

  • niche/specific skills section.

It's entirely up to you to choose which sections of your resume would best fit your skill set.

When talking about your hard and soft skills, remember to also quantify your achievements.

Instead of saying you're apt at using "AutoCAD", note that you've "created 65+ full building plans in AutoCAD that have helped make the design 35% more understandable and efficient for contractors".

You could also use the STAR methodology (situation, task, action, result), when talking about your skills.

Can I include skills I learned outside of work?

If those skills are relevant to the job you're applying for and fully support your application, there isn't a reason why you shouldn't include them.

For example, you could further build your education, certifications, or hobbies section to detail those specific skills.

Test labs that you've done in your free time or side-projects that have taught you a specific skill could also work in showcasing your capabilities.

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  • 85 Key Skills to Put on a Resume in 2024: Tips & Examples
  • Resume writing /

While the resume summary and work experience section are essential parts of a resume, so are the skills you include on the document. Resume writing has to take into consideration the top skills a hiring manager will be impressed to see. It’s another way to share why you’re a great candidate for a position with people at the company.

Even knowing that it is essential to include your skills, it can be challenging to decide which to add, which to exclude, how many to incorporate, and more. This guide will delve into each of those topics to help you build the best resume possible. In addition, we’ll share position-specific skills, general skills, and more.

Why Add Skills to Your Resume?

Are you wondering, “Why do I need job skills for a resume?” There are several reasons that it’s a common practice on modern resumes. First, if nothing else, it’s considered best practice, so most hiring managers expect to see it. However, it isn’t always required to follow all the rules, so you may want to know what other reasons skills are helpful.

One of those reasons comes down to the use of an applicant tracking system for resumes. What this means is that you send in a resume digitally and it is processed by a machine. The machine looks for specific keywords, including skills related to the job. Before a human sees the resume, the computer determines if it is relevant.

Even after the resume hits a hiring manager’s desk, skills are helpful. If you include skills related to a job description, it shows that you have the abilities for the job. In addition, items that might not fit in other sections of the resume can be added to skills to make you come off as well-rounded and show precisely what you are capable of.

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: Understanding the Difference

Recruiters and hiring managers want to see both hard and soft skills in the skills section. Hard skills for a resume are skills gained through education, experience, and practice. A few examples include reading, writing, and coding. Hard skills are essential since they show how efficient, productive, and satisfied you may be in a position.

Soft skills for a resume, on the other hand, are based on personality and may not be easy to learn. These skills are what make someone perform well in a specific position or do better at a job than someone else. A few soft skills include adaptability, communication, and other social skills.

Deciding What Skills to List on Your Resume: How to Choose the Right Ones?

Even knowing you need to list skills, you may wonder exactly what skills to put on your resume. This section will help you better understand the best skills to put on the professional document. You can go through all your skills to determine which are good resume skills and which are not. Below are a few tips to help you decide which skills to include on a resume.

Consideration #1: Ensure Your Skills are Relevant to the Position

Of the skills to list on a resume, you want only the most relevant. After you make a list of skills and put them on paper – you need to go through them. Think about each one and how it pertains to the job. If the skill has nothing to do with the position, you should not add it. Instead, add something in its place that has a bit more relevance.

For example, someone working in finance might prioritize number skills and time management skills. However, someone applying to be a teacher might focus on teaching-related soft skills, certifications, and related things. After you make sure the skills on your list relate to the job, you can move forward.

Consideration #2: Group Skills into Categories

When you’re questioning what skills to put on a resume, make groupings for them so you can think about them by category. This can help you ensure you only add skills that matter and don’t state something several times in the process. For example, you can group the skills in terms of soft skills vs. hard skills or categorize them by type of skill, such as communication skills, technical skills, etc.

Start by writing down the relevant skills you have, whether on paper or in Word or Google Docs. Then, organize them into categories so you have an idea of where all the skills fit. When you choose the final skills for the resume, select some from each category to show how versatile and capable you are.

Consideration #3: Pay Attention to the Job Listing

Another tip when it comes to creating an excellent skills section is to read through the job listing. Read it a few times and choose skills that are mentioned in the job description and/or relevant to what you would be doing if you were hired. Many skills will be stated explicitly in the ad, but sometimes you may need to look for hints about skills, too.

So look for comments about the duties and determine what skills are related to them. Then, search your list of professional skills to see what matches up. Both explicit and hidden skills are essential to show that you can handle the rigors of the position. It also shows that you can read between the lines and understand the position well.

Consideration #4: Speak with Industry Professionals

If you still aren’t sure which skills to put on a resume for a particular job, it may be worth speaking to a professional in the same field. Talk to someone who has or is working in a position similar to the one you are interested in. This person can likely tell you which skills are the most essential. See which you have and make sure to use them.

At the same time, even if you know a skill is valuable, you shouldn’t place it on a resume unless you are experienced with it. If you’re starting to learn the skill, you don’t have to add it simply because it’s on the job description or a professional mentions it. If you move on to an interview and the skill is brought up, you can explain where you are in the learning process and how you are improving your abilities.

How to List Skills on a Resume

The number of skills you choose to add to your resume will vary. If you have a considerable number, make sure you spread them out in places like the experience section and resume summary. (Check out these excellent resume summary examples to help with that!) The other specific skills should be listed in the resume skills section. But remember that you will have limited space to do so.

All of your skills should be relevant and will typically be listed through bullet points. You can also choose a type of skills list, such as additional skills, relevant skills, or additional skills as a heading. Below is a resume skills example that you can use to get an idea of how this section is typically designed and placed on the page.

15 Must-Have Resume Skills for Most Common Jobs

When it comes to examples of skills for a resume, a lot of it comes down to the type of job and industry the role is based in. For instance, you wouldn’t list the same skills on an engineer resume as you might for a marketing resume. However, in some cases, there are good skills to have on a resume for any job, which we’ll delve into later.

Below, you’ll find skills for resume examples based on common positions. You’ll learn more about good skills to have on a resume so you can make a list that you’re sure fits the position. Each of the examples below will highlight examples of skills for a resume and why those skills are vital.

Advertising and Marketing

If the resume is for a job posting in advertising and marketing, you must show that you can take a product and make it seem like the best thing in the world. Many skills are helpful in marketing, but a few are extra relevant. Of course, the actual position will dictate the right skills to include, whether graphic design, research, or something else.

Calendar Management Skills

Whether you do marketing on social media like LinkedIn or your skills lie somewhere else, advertising and marketing are time-sensitive positions. Knowing when things have to be done and making sure they are completed is crucial. You should be organized and capable of flipping between tasks as needed based on priority.

Data Analysis Skills

Data analysis is vital in several jobs, but none is more essential than marketing. A considerable part of a marketing job involves analyzing metrics and determining how to make changes based on that data. Having knowledge of data analysis is something employers want to see for this specific job. It’s a valuable skill to include.

SEO & SEM Skills

Depending on the type of job, you may be expected to have SEO skills, SEM skills, or both. SEO focuses on ensuring a site gets lots of organic traffic, while SEM looks at improving traffic through paid and organic means. If you already know how to add keywords and optimize a website for Google, make sure you include that to the skills section.

Technical & Engineering

If your job search involves the technical or engineering fields, you want to show that you can handle that work without a problem. In addition, you’ll want to show that you understand the technology used in the position, are capable of making good decisions, can troubleshoot, and have some writing skills to stand out.

Programming Languages Skills

Whether you only know HTML and CSS or you have a knowledge of JavaScript, Python, and more, you’ll want to highlight those competencies in your skills section. Showing a hiring manager what you can do and what tools you’re experienced with can be the difference between getting a job and not.

Troubleshooting & Decision Making Skills

Another of the required skills for a tech or engineering work environment is troubleshooting. This also leads to the ability to make decisions on your own using logic. In addition, the work experience in these jobs often involves making changes based on new information, so these types of skills make it clear you can excel in the position.

Adaptability Skills

One of the most crucial skills for tech and engineering is adaptability. In tech and engineering, you have to be capable of flexibility. Problem-solving and a dynamic nature play into this type of skill. Showing you can use different approaches to reach a goal is something that can make you stand out from other applicants.

Nursing & Healthcare

Having a work history that speaks to a great work ethic is essential for nurses or other healthcare providers. However, the right skills are also going to be essential, and you want to be sure you show those on your resume. Of course, medical skills are the most important, but other things can be more vital than you might expect.

Medical Skills

Everything from general nursing or medical skills to the ability to carry out wound dressing and work on patients with urgent needs is vital in healthcare. Whatever medical skills you’ve earned from education or work experience are something to focus on when you create a resume in this kind of position.

Technical Skills

Many healthcare providers will also expect nurses and other professionals to have technical skills. You may need to do record-keeping on a computer, look up information for patient education, and take down the medical history of a patient. Being capable with computers and healthcare software is a huge benefit.

Patient Care Skills

While this falls under general nursing skills, you do need to provide evidence that you can care for patients well. This could simply be through knowing how to take vital signs and perform phlebotomy, or it could mean you have experience with medication administration, use of scans, glucose checks, and more.

Retail, Customer Service, and Sales

Sales, retail, and customer service are all different jobs – but many of them make use of the same kinds of skills. All of these jobs involve working with customers, so anything related to that will be a boon for your resume. There are also other skills that might be less obvious that you should include on your resume.

Teamwork Skills

When you fill out a job application, a hiring manager wants to know you can work well with others. Many retail, sales, and customer service jobs involve working with others on a team, even if it’s only part of the time. Showing that you can collaborate and work with others is a soft skill that is worth noting on a resume.

People Skills

As you might guess, an immense skill set not to ignore is people skills. You should highlight any customer service skills you have for this sort of position. Focusing on interpersonal skills is an excellent way to ensure you show you’re qualified for one of these positions. Try to weave these abilities throughout the entire resume.

Sales Skills

In a sales job, clearly, skills related to getting people to buy things are essential. However, these skills can also be helpful for retail or customer support positions. There will be chances to get sales in these positions in many cases, and a manager who knows you have experience in that may be more likely to contact you.

Administrative & Office Jobs

The final common positions that we want to go over are office and administrative jobs. You need to have the skills employers want to get the best positions with top pay and excellent benefits. Offices may all be slightly different, but most jobs in them will be working with the same things. Make sure you note those on your resume.

Microsoft Office Skills

Microsoft Office skills, such as Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, are often needed in administrative positions. However, placing these abilities on your resume can also show that you have general computer skills and won’t need that kind of training. An alternative is listing similar skills, like knowledge of Google Docs, Sheets, and other items.

Project Management Skills

Depending on the office job you choose, some relevant skills will be used more or less than others. For example, a large number of those in administrative positions will be in the place of needing to handle project management, whether that’s heading up a company’s party planning or doing something in a specific department.

Time Management Skills

One of the skills that fit office jobs and many others is time management skills. When you have a variety of projects to get done with different timelines and deadlines, you need to have a method of organizing things so they are completed. Therefore, listing time management skills shows you could be an asset to the job.

Looking for Other Good Skills to Put on a Resume in 2023? Consult the Full List of Skills for Resumes

Now that you’ve seen our resume skills list for specific jobs, we want to look at transferable skills. These are the top skills that managers want to see on a resume of any kind. This section of our guide will focus on the major categories of skills and which skills are the most desirable by employers. We’ll delve into special skills for a resume that you might not think of yourself.

Communication Skills

  • Foreign languages (Spanish, French, German, etc.)
  • Public speaking
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Verbal communication
  • Written communication
  • Active listening
  • Constructive criticism
  • Nonverbal communication
  • Presentations
  • Corporate communication

Active Listening Skills

  • Asking questions
  • Note-taking
  • Punctuality
  • Organization

Interpersonal Skills

  • Communication
  • Flexibility

Time Management & Organizational Skills

  • Task delegation
  • Prioritization
  • Goal setting
  • Dependability

Computer Skills

  • Email management
  • Word processing
  • Spreadsheets
  • Coding language knowledge
  • Systems administration

Leadership Skills

  • Team leadership
  • Time management
  • Ability to mentor and teach
  • Team building
  • Risk-tasking
  • Decision-making
  • Stress management
  • Conflict resolution
  • Problem-solving

Customer Service Skills

  • Reliability
  • Interpersonal skills

Problem-Solving Skills

  • Critical thinking
  • Attention to detail
  • Collaboration
  • Analytical skills

Management Skills

  • Team communication
  • Project planning

Transferable Skills

Final points about the best skills to add to resume.

Creating the best resume possible takes work, whether you work with a resume template, a resume builder, or build it on your own in word processing software. Learning  how to make a resume is a good start before looking at templates, choosing a resume format , adding skills, and writing up a cover letter.

When it comes to the skills you should add, this article provides you with some great information to ensure your resume looks fantastic. After that, you can finish the resume and send it to an employer, knowing you did the best you could. Good luck out there!

FAQs Related to the Skills Section of a Resume

What skills should you not put on a resume.

The skills you should avoid adding to a resume are those that don’t pertain to the job description. If the skill isn’t valuable, avoid adding it. Try to list only skills that you are the most experienced with. It’s also intelligent to have soft and hard skills on your resume.

What are individual skills?

Individual skills are often referred to as soft skills or personal skills. These skills cannot be taught or require a considerable investment to see any change. This includes things like core values or social skills. Examples include analytical skills, dependability, problem-solving, motivation, and adaptability.

What are employability skills for students?

For students going into a first job, there are essential core skills. Some of these include communication, conflict resolution, resume writing, accepting criticism, and interviewing skills. Other valuable skills include working with a team, proper use of electronics in the workplace, and workplace etiquette.

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Key strengths to highlight on your resume (with 25 examples)

A well-crafted resume can catch your prospective employer’s eye. But you know what’s even more compelling? An excellent resume with a list of your strengths.

Highlighting your key strengths will boost your chances of getting called for an interview. Including your core competencies will give you an edge over other applicants. But it’s crucial to identify which strengths you should write on your resume. It’s important to choose the ones that show your fit for the job you’re vying for.

In this guide, we will discuss 25 strengths that you can put in your resume and how best to include them. ⁠ ⁠Also read: How to answer: What are your strengths and weaknesses? (with 14 examples)

Identifying your key strengths

  • Verbal communication
  • Written communication
  • Active listening
  • Negotiation
  • Public speaking
  • Conflict resolution
  • Cultural competence
  • Time management
  • Detail-oriented
  • Project management
  • Multitasking
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Decision-making
  • Analytical skills
  • Strategic planning
  • Change management
  • Computer literacy
  • Data analysis
  • Social media management
  • Programming
  • Graphic design

How to best showcase your strengths

Common mistakes to avoid while listing strengths.

  • Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Take some time to reflect on your key professional and personal strengths. These are qualities, skills, and competencies that show your mettle. They demonstrate your capability to perform a specific job role. They provide the employer with an overview of what you can do. And how your best strengths can benefit their company.

Understanding your personal strengths will help you build greater self-awareness. It will also help you in communicating them in your resume. You'll be able to share more about those strengths during your job interview.

Your personal strengths can affect job satisfaction, performance, and growth. Use them in your resume to find roles and organisations that value your hard and soft skills.

Besides personal strengths, also identify and analyse your professional strengths. These may come from education, training, and work experience. Highlighting strengths in your resume shows you're qualified for the job. Emphasise highly-valued strengths to show the hiring manager how you are a good fit.

Check out this list of examples that you can include in your resume. You’ll be sure to stand out!

1. Verbal communication

men at work talking to each other

Effective verbal communication is crucial in conveying information and expressing ideas. It also helps you engage in productive conversations with colleagues, clients, or stakeholders.

Excellent at giving impactful presentations and explaining complex concepts to diverse audiences.

2. Written communication

Strong written communication skills are essential to convey information. These are important when writing emails, reports and other materials.

Demonstrated skills in writing compelling and error-free content. These include blog articles, reports, and client communications. My efforts have led to higher engagement and positive feedback.

3. Active listening

Active listening involves focusing on and understanding the speaker's message. This facilitates effective collaboration, builds positive relationships, and avoids miscommunication.

Skilled in active listening, clarifying questions, and providing thoughtful responses during meetings. This led to improved team dynamics in my current company.

4. Negotiation

Negotiation skills enable individuals to reach agreements that benefit the parties involved. This is important in resolving conflicts, and achieving successful outcomes in professional situations. These include contract negotiations or salary discussions.

Negotiated win-win agreements with clients. This has resulted in increased contract values, long-term partnerships, and positive work relationships.

5. Public Speaking

Public speaking is a valuable skill for many purposes. It allows individuals to deliver presentations and share ideas with confidence. This helps in influencing audiences in meetings, conferences, or client pitches.

Engaged audiences through dynamic public speaking and impactful presentations. These resulted in positive feedback, increased brand visibility, and successful partnerships.

6. Conflict resolution

Conflict resolution skills enable individuals to address and resolve conflicts or disagreements. This fosters  harmonious work environments and helps maintain productive relationships.

Mediated conflicts using effective communication and problem-solving skills, improving team dynamics and issue resolution.

7. Cultural competence

Cultural competence involves understanding and respecting diverse cultures, beliefs, and perspectives. It enables individuals to work and build meaningful relationships in multicultural environments. This builds inclusive teams, and establishes meaningful connections with various stakeholders.

Worked with diverse individuals to integrate perspectives with a growth mindset.

8. Networking

Networking skills involve building and nurturing professional relationships. An expanded professional network creates opportunities for career advancement, collaboration, and business growth.

Proactive networker skilled in building valuable connections and accessing new opportunities.

9. Time management

Effective time management allows individuals to prioritise tasks, meet deadlines, and maintain productivity. It demonstrates your ability to organise your work in an efficient manner. It should also translate into how you maximise your productivity.

Proven track record in completing projects within or before the deadlines. This is achieved through effective time management, clear goal-setting, prioritising tasks, and strategic resource allocation.

10. Detail-oriented

two employees planning for a project together

Attention to detail ensures accuracy and precision in any task or project. This minimises errors and helps deliver high-quality results. Hiring managers will value this critical ability to notice small details.

Reputation for producing error-free work. Detail-oriented when reviewing documents, identifying potential issues, and enhancing quality.

11. Project management

Project management involves planning, organising, and overseeing projects. You may also need to use sector-specific hard skills to manage resources. 

Completed projects within budget and timeline using project management methodologies. Managed stakeholder expectations.

12. Multitasking

Multitasking involves handling many tasks or responsibilities at the same time. You have to prioritise and manage your time in an efficient manner. It demonstrates your ability to work in fast-paced environments and handle various demands.

Spearheaded many projects at a go and delivered high-quality outcomes within the deadlines.

13. Critical thinking skills

Critical thinking skills involve analysing information and evaluating different perspectives. This is important for making sound decisions based on logic and reasoning. It demonstrates your ability to assess situations from a neutral perspective. It also reflects your ability to make informed judgments.

Knows how to approach complex problems with a critical mindset to improve efficiency.

14. Decision-making

Strong decision-making skills involve assessing options, considering implications, and making informed choices. It showcases your ability to make sound judgments under pressure when solving problems.

Known for making well-informed decisions in fast-paced environments. This involves leveraging data and analysing risks to decide on the best course of action.

15. Analytical skills

Analytical skills involve gathering and interpreting data, identifying patterns, and drawing meaningful insights. It demonstrates your ability to analyse information and make data-driven decisions.

Known for utilising advanced data analysis techniques to interpret complex data sets. This includes deriving actionable insights that have improved business strategies and increased profitability.

16. Innovation

Innovation is generating new ideas, embracing change, and driving continuous improvement. It showcases your capacity to adapt to evolving environments and introduce creative solutions.

Recognised for contributing innovative ideas and solutions that have transformed business operations. Streamlined processes with strategies and enhanced efficiency and competitiveness.

17. Delegation

Delegation requires assigning tasks to suitable individuals. You empower them to take ownership and handle responsibility. It showcases trust in others, effective workload management, and focus on higher-level responsibilities.

Proven ability to delegate by matching team members' skills and strengths to tasks. This approach has optimised productivity, fostered professional growth, and achieved project goals.

18. Mentorship

Mentorship includes guiding others and developing their skills. It involves sharing knowledge and supporting others' growth and professional development. It fosters a supportive work environment and contributes to team success.

Mentored and coached team members. Provided guidance and constructive feedback. Facilitated professional development opportunities resulting in enhanced skills, improved performance, and career advancement.

19. Strategic planning

Strategic planning requires setting long-term goals and defining strategies. It involves aligning actions to achieve organisational objectives. It highlights strategic thinking, anticipation of future challenges, and contribution to organisational success.

Developed and implemented comprehensive strategic plans. Identified growth opportunities and executed initiatives. These strategies have increased market share, revenue growth, and competitive advantage.

20. Change management

Change management skills involve navigating and adapting to organisational changes. They include leading teams through transitions and maintaining productivity. They exhibit an ability to embrace change and maintain communication throughout the process. This will also enable you to handle smooth transitions between projects.

Led and supported teams through organisational changes. Managed resistance and implemented change strategies. These actions have increased employee engagement, improved processes, and yielded successful outcomes.

21. Computer literacy

Computer literacy is about using technology in an efficient manner. It's about navigating digital tools and software and adapting to emerging technologies. It proves your skill in using digital resources to enhance productivity and efficiency.

Expert in utilising various software and digital tools. Experienced in using project management platforms, data analysis software, and collaborative tools. This expertise involves streamlined processes, improved efficiency, and effective project delivery.

22. Data analysis

Data analysis involves collecting, interpreting, and drawing insights from data. It supports decision-making and drives business strategies. It shows an ability to extract valuable information and use data to meet objectives.

Utilised advanced data analysis techniques. Conducted statistical analysis and data visualisation. Identified trends, generated insights, and provided actionable recommendations. These actions have improved business strategies and informed decision-making.

23. Social media management

Social media management involves managing and leveraging social media platforms. It enhances brand visibility, helps brands engage with their audiences, and drives business results. It displays an ability to optimise social media presence with digital marketing strategies.

Developed and executed successful social media campaigns. Increased brand awareness, grew the follower base, and drove customer engagement. These strategies increased website traffic and business growth.

24. Programming

Programming skills involve writing and developing code. It includes creating software, applications, and websites. These computer skills exhibit technical expertise and problem-solving abilities, particularly in software development.

Proficient in programming languages like Python, Java, or JavaScript. Developed and delivered high-quality software solutions. Optimised performance and resolved technical issues.

25. Graphic design

Conceptualised and designed eye-catching graphics. It includes layouts and graphics to convey messages. It showcases creativity, aesthetic sense, and an ability to communicate through visual media.

Conceptualised and designed eye-catching graphics. Created marketing materials and user interfaces. These designs enhanced brand identity, improved user experience, and increased customer engagement.

men presenting his work at a meeting

  • Add strengths to your Professional Summary:  Use your resume's summary to showcase strengths. Highlight strengths related to the job, and craft a concise, impactful statement. Example: "Results-driven project manager, delivering complex projects on time and within budget." instead of "Experienced project manager". 
  • List strengths in a dedicated section:  Add to your resume sections a list of key strengths. Organise this section with bullet points for readability. Use specific industry-related keywords to optimise for  applicant tracking systems (ATS) .
  • Highlight strengths in your work experience:  Focus on achievements and results. Use action verbs and data for impact. For example, "Led a team of 10, boosting productivity by 20% and surpassing project targets."
  • Don’t be too generic:  Avoid generic phrases like "strong communicator". Be specific and use concrete examples to showcase strengths. For example, "Delivered presentations, resulting in a 20% increase in client conversions."
  • Don’t overstate your abilities:  Highlight your own strengths well, but don't exaggerate. Overstating can disappoint both you and potential employers. The negative effects can hurt your chances of landing a job. Provide genuine strengths with relevant examples.
  • Support your strengths:  Always give positive experiences to support your list of strengths. Employers like concrete evidence of your capabilities. Use specific examples or achievements to prove your strengths. This makes your resume more credible and convincing. As we mentioned before, study the job listing in-depth so that you have what the role requires.

Highlighting key strengths and transferable skills on your resume  can help attract employers. Remember to personalise your resume and provide concrete examples that support your strengths. Whether for managerial positions or otherwise, your strengths will take you far.

Discover more career advice, tips, and guides on  JobStreet today! Check out our  Career Resources Hub or download the JobStreet app on  Google Play or the  App Store . 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Should I use the same list of strengths for every job application? ⁠ You should adjust your list of strengths to fit the job's needs. Review the job description and identify crucial skills. Then, customise your strengths for each application. Emphasise the most relevant ones, and provide examples. ⁠
  • How many strengths should I list on my resume? ⁠ List 5 to 10 key strengths on your resume. Prioritise the ones most relevant to the job. Focus on impactful and relevant strengths and provide examples to support them. Avoid listing many strengths without evidence or context. ⁠
  • Can I include personal strengths on my resume? ⁠ Include personal strengths on your resume if they're relevant to the job. Showcase qualities like adaptability, resilience, creativity, and problem-solving. Provide examples of how these strengths have affected your professional performance. ⁠
  • Where else can I showcase my key strengths besides the resume? ⁠ You can also showcase your key strengths in a range of job application documents. These include  cover letters , interviews, and other online profiles. In the cover letter, explain how your strengths match the job requirements. In job interviews, give examples of using strengths in previous roles. On your profiles in other relevant sites, highlight strengths in the summary and skills sections.

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Job-Winning UX Design Architect Resume Example & Tips

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  • • Led user research initiatives that improved customer satisfaction scores by 20%, resulting in a 15% increase in platform engagement.
  • • Developed interactive prototypes using Figma, reducing the design approval process time by 25%.
  • • Collaborated with cross-functional teams to redesign the mobile application interface, boosting user retention rate by 30%.
  • • Implemented user feedback mechanisms, which resulted in the identification and resolution of 50 usability issues within six months.
  • • Conducted A/B testing on various design elements, which contributed to a 10% upswing in user conversion rates.
  • • Streamlined the design handoff process, improving efficiency by 15% and ensuring more consistent delivery of design specifications.
  • • Assisted in conducting user journey mapping workshops, resulting in improved understanding of user pain points and needs.
  • • Participated in design sprints that led to the creation of new feature prototypes within two weeks.
  • • Supported the implementation of design systems, which increased design consistency by 40% across all product lines.
  • • Designed wireframes for a new search feature, contributing to a 25% increase in user searches and interactions.
  • • Conducted usability testing sessions, gathering valuable user feedback that was incorporated into subsequent iterations.
  • • Provided UX consultancy to startups, helping to refine application interfaces and improving usability, resulting in 15% higher user retention rates.
  • • Created pixel-perfect mockups which accelerated the product development cycle by 20%.
  • • Conducted competitive analysis and user research that informed strategic design decisions for client projects.
  • • Developed and presented user personas and journey maps that enhanced stakeholder alignment on user-centric design.

Imagine creating an online space so user-friendly that visitors naturally feel at ease; that's the superpower of a UX Design Architect. These professionals don't just design interfaces; they craft experiences that bridge the gap between technology and human interaction. Their work is the heartbeat of effective digital designs, making them invaluable assets in any project.

How to Structure a Job-Winning UX Design Architect Resume

Creating a comprehensive resume for a UX Design Architect requires including several key sections. These sections reflect your experience, skills, and knowledge in the field, providing insight into your capabilities to potential employers.

  • Contact information: Your contact details should always be easily accessible on your resume’s header. Include your full name, phone number, email address, and a relevant portfolio link. Simple and straightforward contact information ensures that an employer knows how to reach you.
  • Professional summary: Provide a brief overview of your career and what you bring to the table. This section should be three to four sentences long and sum up your UX design expertise, major achievements, and your career goals. A well-written professional summary can capture an employer’s attention quickly.
  • Experience: Detail your previous roles in chronological order, starting with the most recent position. For each role, include your job title, the name of the company, and your key responsibilities and accomplishments. This section shows your work history and the impact you've made in past positions.
  • Skills: List both your technical skills and soft skills relevant to UX design. Tools like Sketch, Adobe XD, and Figma, combined with abilities in user research and prototyping, should be highlighted. This section allows employers to assess your proficiency with essential tools and methodologies.
  • Education: Include your academic background, starting with the most recent degree or certification. Detail the name of the institution, the title of your degree, and your dates of attendance. This section showcases your formal training and educational achievements in UX design.

In addition to the main sections, there are some additional sections that can make your resume stand out. These sections provide a fuller picture of your capabilities and experiences, making you a more attractive candidate.

  • Certifications: Include any UX design-related certifications you've obtained. Mention the issuing organization, the name of the certification, and the date it was awarded. Certifications demonstrate your commitment to continued learning and mastering your craft.
  • Projects: Highlight specific projects you’ve worked on that are relevant to UX design. Outline the scope of the project, your role, and the outcomes or benefits realized. This section allows employers to see concrete examples of your work and your impact on project success.
  • Awards and recognitions: List any awards or recognitions you’ve received in your career. Include the name of the award, the issuing organization, and the date it was received. This section can add additional weight to your resume by proving that your work is valued and respected by peers and industry leaders.

Top Hard Skills for UX Design Architect Resumes

  • Wireframing
  • Prototyping
  • User Research
  • Usability Testing
  • Interaction Design
  • Information Architecture
  • Visual Design
  • Responsive Design
  • UX Software (e.g., Sketch, Figma)

Top Soft Skills for UX Design Architect Resumes

  • Communication
  • Collaboration
  • Problem Solving
  • Adaptability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Time Management
  • Critical Thinking

Top Action Verbs for UX Design Architect Resumes

  • Implemented
  • Collaborated

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should my ux design architect resume be.

Your UX Design Architect resume should ideally be one to two pages long. If you have many years of experience and a diverse portfolio, you might extend it to two pages. However, ensure every piece of information is relevant and contributes to showcasing your key skills, experiences, and achievements.

What is the best format for a UX Design Architect resume?

The reverse-chronological format works best for a UX Design Architect resume. This format highlights your most recent experience first, making it easy for potential employers to track your career progress and see how your skills have evolved. By starting with your latest roles, you draw attention to your most pertinent experiences, ensuring your expertise is evident from the start.

What should I highlight on my UX Design Architect resume to stand out?

You should emphasize your unique design processes, successful projects, and any methodologies you've championed. Highlighting your problem-solving abilities and how you've improved user experiences through specific examples can make a significant impact. Including any awards, publications, or speaking engagements related to UX design can further bolster your profile.

What are some ways to quantify my experience on my UX Design Architect resume?

Quantify your experience by detailing the impact of your work. Mention the number of users affected by your designs, percentage increases in user satisfaction, or improvements in usability metrics. Including specifics, such as the size of teams you've led or the budgets you've managed, can provide a clearer picture of your capabilities and achievements.

For more inspiration, why not check out our free resource of job-focused resume examples?

Entry-Level UX Designer resume example

Entry-Level UX Designer

Entry-Level UX Designers are the bridge between a user's needs and a product's capabilities. Your fresh perspectives and innovative ideas shine a light on user experiences that seasoned professionals might overlook. You have the power to influence how people interact with technology in their everyday lives. You'll need to possess strong design and analytical skills, as well as the ability to empathize with users. Your curiosity and knack for problem-solving will be highly valued when crafting intuitive and engaging user interfaces. When drafting your Entry-Level UX Designer resume, it's important to highlight these skills and showcase any hands-on experience you have.

UX Design Instructor resume example

UX Design Instructor

UX Design Instructors are the unsung heroes guiding the next generation of digital experience creators. Their insight transforms vague ideas into intuitive, accessible designs. They influence how we interact with technology by bridging the gap between users and complex systems. Having a keen understanding of human behavior and the ability to communicate design principles effectively are must-have traits for any UX Design Instructor. Your skills will be valued in teaching usability testing, wireframing, and interactive prototyping. Your UX Design Instructor resume should clearly highlight your teaching abilities, design expertise, and practical experience.

Junior UX Designer resume example

Junior UX Designer

Junior UX Designers are the unsung heroes of digital product development. Your fresh perspectives and eager enthusiasm breathe life into projects, driving innovation. Your efforts help make technology more accessible and enjoyable for all users. You must have a mix of creative and analytical skills to thrive in this field. Employers will value your ability to conduct user research, create wireframes, and test prototypes. Remember, your Junior UX Designer resume should highlight these skills and showcase your hands-on experience.

7 AI Engineer Resume Examples for 2024

Starting a career as an AI engineer can be tough. In this article, find proven resume examples and get key tips from hiring managers. Learn how to highlight technical skills, structure your resume, and showcase project experience. Make sure your resume stands out in the AI industry.

Portrait of Jason Lewis

  • 07 Sep 2024 - 5 new sections, including 'Position your education smartly', added
  • 07 Sep 2024 - 5 new resume templates, including Aspiring AI Engineer, added
  • 05 Sep 2024 - Article published

  Next update scheduled for 15 Sep 2024

Here's what we see in the best AI engineer resumes.

Show Impact Using Numbers : The best resumes use metrics to show impact. Look for 30% reduction in processing time , 20% increase in efficiency , 15% fewer errors , or 10% boost in accuracy .

List Relevant Skills : Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are Python , TensorFlow , PyTorch , SQL , Machine Learning . But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

Highlight Project Experience : Detail specific projects with phrases like developed AI model or optimized data algorithms . This shows your hands-on experience.

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AI Engineer Resume Sample

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Upload your resume now for a quick, unbiased assessment. You'll get a score and tips to improve your chances of landing interviews for ai engineering roles.

Position your education smartly

Decide the placement of your education based on your work history. If you have been working as an AI engineer or in a related field for some time, your education should follow your experience on your resume. This shows that you have applied your learning in the real world. Highlight any degrees in computer science, machine learning, or related fields, as these are very relevant to your role.

For those new to the field, perhaps fresh from university or a recent bootcamp graduate, place your education at the top of your resume. Make sure to include any projects or coursework related to artificial intelligence that show your hands-on experience and knowledge. Remember, your goal is to immediately show your qualifications for the AI engineering role without making the hiring manager search for them.

Relevant technical skills

For an AI role, list technical skills such as Python, TensorFlow, and PyTorch. Mention any experience with cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure.

If you have worked with large datasets or have experience in data pre-processing, make that clear. These skills are crucial in AI development.

AI Specialist in Computer Vision Resume Sample

Ideal resume length.

For an AI engineer, your resume should fit within one to two pages. If you have less than 10 years of experience in the field, focus on creating a concise one-page resume. This shows you can summarize your skills and experiences efficiently. Including details like programming languages you are proficient in, algorithms you have worked with, or machine learning projects you've completed can help highlight your expertise.

Senior AI engineers with a wealth of experience may extend to a two-page resume. In this space, you can go into more depth about your past projects and their impacts. Remember to keep your formatting clean and readable. Use space-saving templates if necessary, but ensure the first page spotlights your most impressive achievements because hiring managers will look at this page first and foremost.

Senior AI Engineer Resume Sample

Highlighting projects.

In AI engineering, employers want to see your practical experience. Include a 'Projects' section where you list AI projects you have worked on, even if they were part of a course.

Describe the problem you solved, the algorithms you used, and the results you achieved. This shows your hands-on skills.

Junior AI Engineer Resume Sample

Aspiring ai engineer resume sample.

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10 Java Developer Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

10 Java Developer Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

Jacob Meade

Java Developer Resume Templates and Examples (Download in App)

Most popular java developer resumes.

  • Java Full-Stack Developer
  • Java Software Developer
  • Java Backend Developer
  • Java Application Developer
  • Database Developer
  • Front-End Developer
  • Software Developer
  • Resume Text Examples

How To Write a Java Developer Resume

  • Entry-Level
  • Senior-Level

10 Java Developer Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

Java Full-Stack Developer Resume Example

Java Full-Stack Developer Resume Example

Java Software Developer Resume Example

Java Software Developer Resume Example

Java Backend Developer Resume Example

Java Backend Developer Resume Example

Java Application Developer Resume Example

Java Application Developer Resume Example

Database Developer Resume Example

Database Developer Resume Example

Front-End Developer Resume Example

Front-End Developer Resume Example

Software Developer Resume Example

Software Developer Resume Example

Java Developer Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

Curtis Samuel (123) 456-7890 [email protected] 123 Your Street, San Diego, CA 12345

A Java Developer with entry-level experience, specializing in software development, JavaScript, SQL, and computer science. A strong background in supporting the design and development of user-centric mobile applications. Adept at performing complex testing to refine application performance and functionality.

Professional Experience

Java Developer, SoCal Tech Group, San Diego, CA May 2021 – Present

  • Design, develop, and deploy Java microservices for a suite of applications supporting insurance companies and enterprise customers
  • Coordinate with the development team to identify automation opportunities and improve technical support for end users
  • Perform code optimization, conduct unit testing, and develop frameworks using object-oriented design principles
  • Attend meetings with the development team, IT Department, and Product Owner to evaluate project progress and ensure alignment with business specifications

Academic Experience

Academic Projects, University of San Diego, San Diego, CA May 2020 – May 2021

  • Participated in a university hackathon event, which included interfacing with software developers, web developers, graphic designers, and engineers
  • Designed a web survey platform featuring questions on music genre preferences using Java and SQL

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Computer Science University of San Diego, San Diego, CA September 2017 – May 2021 GPA: 3.85

  • Software Engineering
  • Object-Oriented Design (OOD)
  • Application Development
  • Unit Testing

Certifications

  • Oracle Certified Associate Java Programmer (OCAJP), 2021

Michelle Gellar (123) 456-7890 [email protected] 123 Your Street, Charleston, SC 12345

A Java Developer with five years of experience, specializing in software engineering, data analytics, full stack development, and REST APIs. A proven track record of collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop and implement technical infrastructure and solution architecture for internal and external stakeholders.

Java Developer, Charleston Tech Group, Charleston, SC November 2018 – Present

  • Drove full stack development of technical infrastructure and custom software to enhance data-driven decision making for client businesses valued at $300K – $2.5M
  • Test, implement, and deploy external software applications for customer accounts using Angular, JavaScript, and J2EE
  • Coordinated cross-functionally with technical teams and client stakeholders to develop new features in alignment with business specifications
  • Analyze existing business applications and leveraged knowledge of data analytics to identify opportunities to enhance functionality

Java Developer, SouthEast Tech Partners, Charleston, SC May 2016 – November 2018

  • Coordinated with a team of developers to build web-based applications and software for e-commerce client businesses, which included writing high-quality code and supporting all aspects of front-end and back-end development
  • Performed quality assurance testing on software applications, conducted debugging, and identified technical solutions to ensure a superior user experience

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Computer Science University of Charleston, Charleston, SC September 2012 – May 2016

  • Software Development
  • Full Stack Development
  • Data Analytics
  • Oracle Certified Professional Java Programmer OCPJP, 2019
  • Oracle Certified Associate Java Programmer OCAJP, 2017

Cody Morrison (123) 456-7890 [email protected] 123 Your Street, Cincinnati, OH 12345

A Senior Java Developer with 10+ years of experience, specializing in Agile development, technical project management, back-end development, and Oracle. A strong history of leading diverse global teams across all phases of the software development lifecycle. Adept at identifying innovative software solutions and driving new feature development.

Senior Java Developer, Ohio Software Solutions Inc., Cincinnati, OH November 2016 – Present

  • Design, develop, and deploy Java microservices for a suite of applications supporting insurance companies and enterprise customers valued at up to $30M
  • Manage on-shore and off-shore teams of 20 to 30 developers and software engineers, define workflows, prioritize project tasks, and drive the implementation of Agile development methodologies to enhance software development and deployment
  • Interface cross-functionally with client executives, sales teams, and IT personnel to align application features with business requirements and objectives
  • Drive the professional development of team members and establish a work culture of collaboration and accountability to improve organizational effectiveness

Java Developer, Cincinnati Tech Leaders Corp., Cincinnati, OH May 2011 – November 2016

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Information Technology University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH  September 2007 – May 2011

  • Technical Project Management
  • Agile Development
  • Global Cross-functional Leadership
  • Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
  • Oracle Certified Professional Java Programmer OCPJP, 2015
  • Oracle Certified Associate Java Programmer OCAJP, 2012

With this role in high demand, your Java developer resume should include your skills in project management, software development, and more. Use this guide to craft your ideal resume and highlight your skills and accomplishments as a Java developer.

1. Craft an outstanding profile with a summary of your java developer qualifications

The profile is the first thing the hiring manager looks at when evaluating whether you’re a good fit for the position, so it requires extra attention. Summarize your experience and skills by focusing on the specific languages and frameworks you use. Note anything that could make you stand out from other candidates, such as management experience or the ability to work well as part of a larger team. Use succinct sentences full of keywords from the job description.

Senior-Level Profile Example

A senior Java developer with over 10 years of experience specializing in Agile development, technical project management, back-end development, and Oracle. A strong history of leading diverse global teams across all phases of the software development lifecycle. Adept at identifying innovative software solutions and driving new feature development.

Entry-Level Profile Example

A Java developer with entry-level experience specializing in software development, JavaScript, SQL, and computer science. A strong background in supporting the design and development of user-centric mobile applications. Adept at performing complex testing to refine application performance and functionality.

2. Showcase your java developer experience

Your resume must demonstrate to a prospective employer you have the experience and knowledge needed to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. To accomplish this, you must provide examples of your past work. Include your day-to-day responsibilities, tying them to the bigger picture. For example, you can show how an application you worked on increased revenue or customer engagement.

Senior-Level Professional Experience Example

Senior Java Developer Ohio Software Solutions Inc., Cincinnati, OH | November 2016 – present

  • Design, develop, and deploy Java microservices for a suite of applications supporting insurance companies and enterprise customers valued at up to $30 million
  • Manage on-shore and off-shore teams of 20 to 30 developers and software engineers, define workflows, prioritize project tasks, and drive the implementation of Agile methodologies to enhance software development and deployment

Entry-Level Professional Experience Example

Java Developer SoCal Tech Group, San Diego, CA | May 2021 – present

  • Design, create, and deploy Java microservices for a suite of applications supporting insurance companies and enterprise customers
  • Attend meetings with the development team, IT department, and product owner to evaluate project progress and ensure alignment with business specifications

3. Include you java developer-related education and certifications

Developer positions commonly require a degree in computer science or various certifications in programming languages, SQL, and other popular frameworks. List any relevant credentials in a separate section of your resume with a clear header so the hiring manager can find it easily. Include the name of the certification or degree, the awarding institution if applicable, and the year that you obtained it. You can also list any education that is currently in progress, as an employer may be willing to hire you knowing you’ve almost met the requirements.

  • [Degree Name]
  • [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] | [Graduation Year]
  • Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
  • University of Charleston, Charleston, SC | 2016
  • [Certification Name], [Completion Year]
  • Oracle Certified Professional Java Programmer (OCPJP), 2019

4. List java developer-related skills and proficiencies

Java developers need a strong understanding of Java frameworks and programming languages, but that’s not where the list ends. Hiring managers are also looking for those who can code efficiently and accurately and be part of a team constantly updating applications, doing QA, and responding to user feedback. Here are some key skills to list on your resume that a hiring manager may be looking for.

Key Skills and Proficiencies
Continuous learning mindset Databases and SQL
Debugging and solution-finding abilities Effective communication skills
Experience with development tools Familiarity with build tools
Java frameworks Object-oriented programming skills
Software methodologies Software testing principles familiarity
Strong in analysis Understanding of web development
Version control systems knowledge Writing clean, efficient code

How To Pick the Best Java Developer Resume Template

Distilling your skills, experience, and qualifications into one streamlined resume isn’t easy, but using a template can help. Wireframes with headers and places to plug in your information, templates come in various designs and styles. Look for a straightforward one. Keep the hiring manager focused on your skills, not the font or color scheme. Use bullets, bolding, and italics to separate chunks of text and make it easier to read.

Frequently Asked Questions: Java Developer Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for java developer resumes -.

Each of the bullets in the professional experience section should start with a different action verb, but it can be hard to come up with a new word for every line. Use descriptive, high-impact words that show the value of your work and what you contributed to the organization. If you need help getting started, check out the list below of common action verbs for Java developer resumes.

Action Verbs
Analyzed Created
Debugged Deployed
Designed Developed
Documented Implemented
Integrated Maintained
Optimized Refactored
Resolved Tested

How do you align your resume with a Java developer job description? -

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for software developers is projected to increase by 25% through 2031, significantly faster than the average job growth rate. Position yourself as a front-runner candidate by tailoring your resume for the position before applying. Use words and phrases from the job description to state the required qualifications on your resume clearly.

What is the best Java developer resume format? -

Resumes for Java developers can take various forms, but the two likely to work the best for this position are reverse chronological and functional. A reverse chronological resume focuses on your work experience, which is better for those with an extensive professional history. In contrast, a functional resume focuses more on skills, which can be ideal for entry-level candidates just starting in the field.

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A cover letter may seem like extra work, but it’s time well spent to make a good impression on the hiring manager and stand out from other candidates. The letter should focus on what you can bring to the organization and how you can find solutions to issues. Learn how to write a cover letter and get more tips in this guide.

Jacob Meade

Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

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  4. 99+ Key Skills to Include on Your CV

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  5. 100+ Key Skills for a Resume in 2020 (Examples for any Job)

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COMMENTS

  1. 10 Best Skills To Put On Your Resume (With Examples and FAQ)

    10 Best Skills To Put On Your Resume (With Examples and ...

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    120 Essential Skills To List on a Resume

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    200 Best Skills To List on Your Resume in 2024

  5. 100+ Key Skills for a Resume in 2024 (Examples for any Job)

    For example, try "enthusiastic entrepreneur," "empathic childcare worker," "organized nurses' aid," "supportive administration assistant" or "detail-oriented sales associate.". The resume below is for a Childcare Worker and includes many soft skills that companies look for, including Creativity and Organizational skills ...

  6. 100 Good Skills to Put on a Resume [Complete Guide]

    Here's a quick way to get started. 1. Make a List of the Skills You Know You Have. As mentioned above, the easiest way to get a grip on your current skills is to reflect on your academic and professional experiences. Consider the tasks you've taken on, the training you've completed, and the courses you had in school.

  7. 101 Essential Skills to Put on a Resume in 2024 [For Most Jobs]

    101 Essential Skills to Put on a Resume in 2024 [For Most ...

  8. 250+ Skills for Your Resume (and How to Add Them)

    10. Decision-making skills. Many jobs require you to make choices all the time. For example, picking a new vendor for office supplies, making cuts to a budget, deciding to bring other people in to solve an issue, or prioritizing work tasks on your to-do list all require decision-making skills.

  9. How to List Skills in Your Resume Skills Section

    You can categorize these skills under the heading "hard skills.". Hard skills are the skills or certifications necessary to do the job. For example, you need a driver's license to be a taxi driver. List your soft skills next. You can categorize these skills under the heading "soft skills" or "additional skills.".

  10. 150 Top Skills for Your Resume + How to List Skills in 2024

    While we're going to give you plenty of job-specific resume skills you can add to your AI cover letter and resume, there are some that work across just about any field. These can add value for candidates who either lack work history or are creating an entry-level resume. Data Analysis. Problem-solving. Collaborative.

  11. 17 Best Resume Skills to Land Your Dream Job in 2024

    17 Best Resume Skills to Land Your Dream Job in 2024

  12. 100 Key Skills to Put on Your Résumé (List of Examples)

    Effective communication is essential for both individual and team success, and is a skill that every single employer looks for in candidates. Some of the best communication and interpersonal skills you should convey in your résumé include: Active listening. Collaboration. Communication (verbal, non-verbal, visual and written) Conflict management.

  13. 300+ Resume Skills to Use on Your Resume in 2024

    Project management includes a combination of both hard and soft skills you'll need to be able to showcase via your resume. While the end results are important, highlight instances where you've had to use any of these skills for successfully delivered projects: Project Planning and Scheduling. Project Budgeting.

  14. Professional Skills for a Resume: Examples for 2024

    Professional Skills for a Resume: Examples for 2024

  15. 20+ Skills for a Resume: Examples & How to List Them in 2020

    Take a look at the following example of a resume with a key skills section: Even if you do have the appropriate amount of work experience, listing your skills at the top of your resume is a clever way of showing the employee your unique capabilities and strengths as an individual. 3. Technical / Computer Skills Section

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    11 key skills to include on your resume. Here's a list of key skills employers often look for on resumes: 1. Communication skills. Communication skills include written, verbal and nonverbal abilities that professionals use to work with colleagues, clients and other businesses.

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  18. 10 Best Skills to Include on a Resume (2024)

    10 Best Skills To Include on a Resume (2024)

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    10 Best Skills To Include On A Resume (With Examples)

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    17 Core Competencies To Include on Your Resume

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    Java Developer Resume Examples and Templates for 2024