Land more interviews by showcasing the right hard and soft skills. Our AI-powered skills generator analyzes your target job title or description and suggests the most relevant skills, ranked by importance and tailored to your role.
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Get general skills recommended for any role. Great when you don't have a specific job posting.
The skills section provides a quick reference for hiring managers to scan your core competencies, demonstrates how well your background matches the specific requirements of the position, and helps your resume pass through keyword screening by applicant tracking systems. With skills-first hiring now the dominant approach, 70% of recruiters say finding candidates with the right skills is their biggest challenge.
Hiring managers spend an average of just six to seven seconds scanning each resume. That means your skills need to stand out immediately and communicate exactly why you're the right candidate. With ATS filtering resumes before human eyes ever see them, knowing which skills to include and how to present them has become more important than ever.
Hard skills are the teachable, measurable abilities you've acquired through education, training, certifications, and hands-on experience. They're specific to particular jobs or industries and can be tested or demonstrated. When listing hard skills, specificity is key. Rather than writing 'familiarity with accounting software,' list the actual programs.
Soft skills are the interpersonal and character traits that determine how you work with others and handle challenges. While harder to quantify, soft skills are equally valued by employers because they indicate how well you'll fit into their team and culture.
For most roles, aim for a 60/40 split between hard and soft skills. Lead with hard skills in a dedicated skills section, and weave soft skills into your work experience descriptions with concrete examples and quantifiable achievements.
Analyze the job description: Highlight every skill, tool, and qualification mentioned. Pay attention to keywords that appear multiple times. These are your priorities. If a position repeatedly mentions 'stakeholder management' or 'Agile methodologies,' those should be front and center.
Match your experience honestly: Create an inventory of your skills, then cross-reference with the job requirements. Only include skills you're confident discussing in an interview. If you're listing SQL, you should be able to write queries on the spot.
Research the company beyond the job description: Check their About Us page, read employee reviews, and research their mission. If they emphasize innovation, highlight your creativity and adaptability. If they stress customer focus, showcase your client relationship experience.
Prioritize strategically: List your most relevant and impressive skills first. Front-load technical skills for technical roles, or lead with leadership abilities for management positions. The first items readers see should immediately signal you're qualified.
Quantify when possible: Numbers make skills concrete. Instead of 'Experience with Excel,' try 'Advanced Excel: pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and macros for processing 10,000+ data records monthly.' This demonstrates proficiency level and practical application.
Programming languages (Python, JavaScript, SQL), cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), Agile/Scrum methodology, API design, version control (Git), problem-solving, and collaboration.
Financial modeling, Excel (advanced), ERP systems, GAAP knowledge, risk analysis, attention to detail, analytical thinking, and compliance awareness.
SEO/SEM, content strategy, data analytics, social media management, CRM platforms, creative thinking, project management, and communication.
Group similar skills together for easy scanning. Categories might include Technical Skills, Software Proficiency, Languages, and Certifications. This structure helps both ATS systems and human readers quickly locate relevant qualifications.
If the job says 'Python,' write 'Python,' not 'python programming.' ATS systems match exact terms. Include both the acronym and full name for technical skills like 'Search Engine Optimization (SEO).'
Don't confine skills to a single section. Open your summary with key skills, use action verbs and quantifiable results in work experience, and transform your headline into a keyword-rich title.
Don't just list skills. Show how you used them. 'Led cross-functional team of 8 to implement new CRM system, reducing customer response time by 40%' is far stronger than just listing 'CRM' or 'Teamwork.'
Too few skills looks underwhelming; too many dilutes your strongest qualifications. Quality matters more than quantity. Every skill should earn its place.
Each role has different requirements. A generic skills list is less effective than one customized to match specific job requirements. The extra effort signals to employers that you're serious about the opportunity.
Listing outdated skills: Remove technologies you haven't used in years. 'Microsoft Office' is assumed for most roles. focus on advanced capabilities if relevant. Skills like 'typing speed' waste valuable resume space.
Being vague with buzzwords: 'Good communicator' or 'team player' means nothing without context. Show, don't tell, by describing specific communication achievements with measurable results.
Exaggerating abilities: Never claim skills you can't demonstrate in an interview. If you listed 'advanced Python,' be prepared to write code during a technical assessment. Dishonesty damages credibility permanently.
Using skill rating graphics: Progress bars and star ratings waste space and can't be read by ATS systems. Let your experience and achievements speak for your proficiency level instead.
Copying the same skills section for every application: Each role has different requirements, and ATS systems detect generic applications. Always customize your skills to match the specific job description.
Neglecting soft skills entirely: When candidates have similar technical qualifications, soft skills like leadership, communication, and adaptability tip the balance and often determine who gets the final job offer.
Put your skills to work with a professional resume that gets past ATS filters and impresses hiring managers. Our AI-powered builder helps you create the perfect resume.
