What Skills to Put on a Resume
Short answer
To decide what skills to put on a resume, start by analyzing the job description to identify key hard and soft skills the employer seeks. Then, match these to your genuine abilities and experiences, listing about 6 to 10 relevant skills clearly and specifically. Tailor this list for each application to improve your chances of landing interviews.
What information do you need before adding skills to your resume?
Before crafting the skills section on your resume, gather detailed information about the job and your own background. First, obtain the full job description for the position you want. Carefully read it to identify skills mentioned multiple times or emphasized as essential. These might include specific software knowledge, certifications, or interpersonal traits like leadership or teamwork. Next, take inventory of your skills from past jobs, education, volunteer work, and any training courses. Separate them into hard skills—technical abilities like programming or operating machinery—and soft skills such as communication or problem-solving. Research industry trends and common skills for your field to ensure your list is up-to-date. Lastly, collect examples or achievements that demonstrate these skills in action, as you will use these later in your work experience descriptions. Preparing this information creates a strong foundation for a targeted and impressive skills section.
What are the steps to choose and write skills on your resume?
Creating an effective skills section follows clear steps:
- Analyze the job description for keywords. Highlight terms that describe required skills. For example, if the job says “proficiency in Excel” and “team collaboration,” these should be prioritized.
- List your own skills. Write down all hard and soft skills you have, including software you know, languages, certifications, and interpersonal skills.
- Match and select relevant skills. From your list, choose 6 to 10 skills that best fit the job description and your strongest capabilities. For example, if applying for a customer service role, include “conflict resolution” and “CRM software” rather than unrelated skills like “graphic design.”
- Use clear, specific language. Instead of vague words like “good communication,” write “effective verbal and written communication with customers.” This precise wording helps both employers and applicant tracking systems (ATS) recognize your qualifications.
- Create a distinct skills section near the top of your resume. Use bullets or separated phrases so it’s easy to scan. Example: Advanced Excel | Data analysis | Project management Customer service | Team collaboration | Time management
- Incorporate skills into your experience descriptions. For instance, “Led a team of five to complete a project ahead of deadline, demonstrating leadership and time management.” This shows practical application rather than just listing skills.
- Customize your skills section for each application. Adjust your list based on different job requirements to make your resume more relevant and appealing.
By following these steps, you ensure your skills section is both focused and powerful.
How can you tell if your resume skills section is effective?
An effective skills section leads to tangible outcomes. The clearest sign is an increase in interview invitations after sending out resumes with your chosen skills. If you apply to several jobs and receive callbacks, your skills presentation is likely resonating with employers and passing ATS filters. Another way to evaluate effectiveness is by comparing your skills against multiple job postings; your list should closely mirror the requirements employers seek. During interviews, if employers ask detailed questions about your skills or request examples, it means those skills caught their attention. Conversely, if you receive little to no response, it may indicate your skills section needs improvement. You can also seek feedback from career counselors or mentors, who can assess whether your skills are relevant and well-articulated. Tracking these signs helps you adjust your resume and tailor your skills for better impact.
What should you do if your skills section isn’t getting results?
If your resume skills section isn’t yielding interviews, take a systematic approach to fix it. First, verify that you are using keywords exactly as they appear in the job description because many companies use ATS software, which filters resumes based on keyword matches. For example, if the job requires “project management,” don’t substitute it with “project coordination” unless the latter is also mentioned. Second, avoid listing overly generic skills such as “hardworking” or “team player” without context; these don’t help your resume stand out. Replace them with measurable or observable skills like “managed a team of four” or “met deadlines consistently.” Third, be honest—only include skills you can confidently discuss or demonstrate. Fourth, ask someone knowledgeable to review your resume and suggest improvements. Fifth, update your skills list as you gain new experience, trainings, or certifications. Finally, if your skills are very general, add a brief summary or cover letter explaining how your skills relate to the specific job to improve clarity. These steps will boost your resume’s effectiveness.
How do you adapt your skills section for different types of jobs or industries?
Different industries and job roles require distinct skills, so adapting your skills section is essential. Start by carefully reading the job description and noting which skills are prioritized. For example, a software developer role might emphasize coding languages like Java or Python, while a retail job focuses on customer service and sales skills. When transitioning to a new field, identify transferable skills like communication, organization, or leadership that apply broadly. For example, if you were a teacher moving into corporate training, highlight your presentation and instructional skills. Use industry-specific jargon and certifications to demonstrate familiarity with the field. Also, format your skills section to highlight the most relevant skills first, showing employers that you understand their needs. Regularly researching your target industry’s skill requirements and updating your resume accordingly is a good practice. This targeted approach makes your resume more compelling to recruiters in different sectors.
What are examples of hard and soft skills to put on a resume?
Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities often related to technology, tools, or procedures. Examples include:
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Data entry and database management
- Coding languages like Python, Java, or SQL
- Graphic design using Adobe Creative Suite
- Operating machinery or equipment
Soft skills, sometimes called interpersonal or people skills, refer to how you work with others and handle situations. Examples include:
- Strong verbal and written communication
- Effective teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Time management and organization
- Adaptability to changing environments
When listing skills on your resume, combine these categories to show a rounded skill set. For example, “Advanced Excel skills paired with strong problem-solving abilities to streamline data processes.” Use examples in your work experience to back up these claims, such as “Trained new staff on database software, improving accuracy by 20%.”
How do you format the skills section for clarity and impact?
Your skills section should be easy to scan and visually distinct. Common formatting methods include:
- Bulleted list: Each skill or skill phrase on its own line, making it simple to read. Example:
- Customer service excellence
- Conflict resolution
- CRM software proficiency
- Two-column list: Saves space and groups similar skills together. For example:
| Technical Skills | Interpersonal Skills |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Excel | Team collaboration |
| Data analysis | Time management |
| Adobe Photoshop | Effective communication |
- Comma-separated phrases: Use in resumes with limited space but don’t overload. Example:
Skills: Data analysis, social media marketing, event planning, customer relations
Use a bold or larger font size for the “Skills” heading to draw attention. Place the skills section near the top of your resume, just after your summary or objective, so employers see it quickly. Avoid lengthy paragraphs or vague terms; keep descriptions straightforward and brief. If you want to explore more examples and formatting ideas, visit Resume Skills Tips and Tricks for Job Seekers and How to Put Skills in Resume Examples.
Frequently asked questions
Should I include skills I learned through hobbies or volunteer work?
Yes, if those skills are relevant to the job you’re applying for. For example, organizing events for a volunteer group can demonstrate project management skills.
How often should I update the skills section on my resume?
Update your skills whenever you acquire new abilities, certifications, or when applying to a different type of job. Regular updates keep your resume current and competitive.
Can I include soft skills like “leadership” on a resume?
Yes, but pair them with examples or use precise phrasing like “led a team of five to complete a sales project ahead of schedule.”
Is it okay to have a separate section for technical and interpersonal skills?
Yes, dividing skills into categories can improve readability, especially if you have a long list or are applying for technical positions.
How do I describe proficiency levels for skills?
Use terms like “basic,” “intermediate,” “advanced,” or “fluent” for languages and software. For example, “Advanced Excel skills” or “Fluent in Spanish.”
What if I have no professional experience—what skills should I put on my resume?
Focus on transferable skills gained from school, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities such as communication, teamwork, and basic computer skills.