Skills to Put on a Resume
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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Why Your Resume Skills Section Matters More Than Ever
Three Critical Purposes
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.
- Provides a quick reference for hiring managers to scan your core competencies
- Demonstrates how well your background matches the specific position requirements
The 6-Second Resume Scan
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.
- Helps your resume pass through ATS keyword screening automatically
- 70% of recruiters say finding candidates with the right skills is their biggest challenge
Understanding Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills
Before diving into specific skills to include, it's essential to understand the two main categories that employers evaluate. A strong resume strategically balances both types.
Hard Skills: Your Technical Toolkit
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: Your Professional Personality
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.
How to Choose the Right Skills for Each Application
The golden rule of resume skills? Relevance over quantity. A shorter list of targeted skills beats a long list of generic ones every time.
- 1Analyze 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.
- 2Match 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.
- 3Research 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.
- 4Prioritize 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.
- 5Quantify 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.
Industry-Specific Skill Examples
Different fields prioritize different skill combinations. Here's what employers are seeking in key industries based on analysis of millions of job postings.
Technology & Software
Programming languages (Python, JavaScript, SQL), cloud platforms (AWS, Azure), Agile/Scrum methodology, API design, version control (Git), problem-solving, and collaboration.
Business & Finance
Financial modeling, Excel (advanced), ERP systems, GAAP knowledge, risk analysis, attention to detail, analytical thinking, and compliance awareness.
Creative & Marketing
SEO/SEM, content strategy, data analytics, social media management, CRM platforms, creative thinking, project management, and communication.
How to Format and Present Your Skills
Organize by category
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.
Use the exact terminology from the job description
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).'
Integrate skills throughout your entire resume
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.
Back up skills with evidence
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.'
Aim for 8-15 skills in your skills section
Too few skills looks underwhelming; too many dilutes your strongest qualifications. Quality matters more than quantity. Every skill should earn its place.
Tailor your skills for every application
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.
Critical Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced professionals make these common mistakes when listing skills. Avoiding these pitfalls can significantly increase your interview rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about choosing and listing skills on your resume.
What skills should I put on my resume?
Include a mix of hard skills (technical abilities like programming, data analysis, or financial modeling) and soft skills (like leadership, communication, or problem-solving) that are directly relevant to the job you're applying for. Always tailor your skills to match the specific job description.
How many skills should a resume have?
Most resumes should have 8-15 skills in the dedicated skills section. Focus on quality over quantity — each skill should be relevant to the position. You can include additional skills woven naturally into your work experience bullet points.
Should I list soft skills on my resume?
Yes, but demonstrate them rather than just listing them. Include 2-3 soft skills in your skills section, and back them up with examples in your work history. 'Led a team of 8 engineers' is better than simply writing 'Leadership.'
How do I match skills to a job description?
Read the job description carefully and highlight every skill, tool, and qualification mentioned. Use our AI skills generator to automatically analyze job descriptions and get ranked skill suggestions. Use the exact terminology the employer uses in your resume.
What are the most in-demand skills in 2026?
AI and machine learning, cloud computing (AWS, Azure), data analysis, cybersecurity, and project management are among the most sought-after technical skills. Adaptability, emotional intelligence, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic thinking lead the soft skills demand.
Should I include skills I'm still learning?
You can include skills you have foundational knowledge of, but be honest about your proficiency level. Consider adding 'Familiar with...' or 'Basic knowledge of...' for skills you're developing. Never claim expertise in something you can't demonstrate.
How does the AI skills generator work?
Our tool uses AI to analyze the job title and/or description you provide. It identifies the most relevant skills for the role, categorizes them (technical, soft, tools, certifications, industry), and ranks each by relevance on a scale of 1-10.
What's the difference between hard skills and soft skills?
Hard skills are specific, measurable abilities learned through training (Python, Excel, CPR certification). Soft skills are interpersonal traits (communication, leadership, adaptability). Both are important — hard skills get you past ATS screening, while soft skills often determine the final hiring decision.
Where should I put skills on my resume?
Place a dedicated skills section near the top of your resume, typically after your professional summary and before your work experience. This ensures both ATS systems and hiring managers see your key qualifications quickly.
How do I list technical skills without cluttering my resume?
Group related skills under clear subcategories like 'Programming Languages,' 'Tools & Platforms,' and 'Certifications.' Use a clean, scannable format — comma-separated lists or a simple grid work well. Avoid long paragraphs describing each skill.
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