Skills to Include on a Resume
Short answer
Skills to include on a resume are specific abilities that demonstrate to employers you can perform a job effectively. These include both hard skills—like technical expertise—and soft skills—like communication and teamwork. Tailoring your skills to the job and clearly listing them helps your resume stand out and boosts your chances of landing an interview.
What are resume skills in plain language?
Resume skills are the specific abilities you list on your resume to show what you bring to a job. They indicate what you can do, whether learned through work, school, or other experiences. These skills fall into two main categories: hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are teachable and measurable, such as using a computer program, speaking a foreign language, or operating machinery. For example, knowing how to use Excel or speak Spanish are hard skills you can list. Soft skills are personal qualities and habits that affect how you work, like communication, problem-solving, or teamwork. Saying you have “strong written communication” or “great time management” highlights soft skills. Together, these skills give employers a snapshot of your abilities beyond your job titles or education.
How do you identify which skills to include on your resume?
To pick the right skills, start by carefully reading the job description. Employers usually list the skills they want in the “requirements” or “qualifications” section. For example, a customer service job might ask for “excellent communication” and “conflict resolution.” If you have those skills, include them on your resume. Next, reflect on your own experience—jobs, volunteer work, classes, or hobbies—and make a list of skills you actually use and feel confident about. Avoid listing skills you don’t know well, as you may be asked to explain them in an interview. It helps to create different versions of your resume tailored to each job, focusing on the most relevant skills each time. For example, if applying for a retail job, emphasize skills like “cash handling” and “customer service,” but if applying for an office job, highlight “data entry” and “calendar management.”
Why do skills on a resume matter for job seekers?
Skills on a resume help employers quickly see if you can handle the job. Many companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) — software that scans resumes for keywords, including skills found in the job description. If your resume includes those keywords, your application is more likely to pass this first screening. Additionally, skills demonstrate your ability to perform specific tasks. For instance, a graphic designer who lists “Adobe Photoshop” and “creative problem-solving” shows they have relevant technical and personal abilities. This strengthens your case compared to someone who only lists job titles and dates. Including the right skills also helps you prepare for interviews, where you can explain how you’ve used these skills in previous roles. Employers want to know you can do the work and fit well with the team.
What are some commonly confused terms related to resume skills?
People often confuse skills with related but different resume content:
- Qualifications: Usually refer to education, certifications, or licenses. For example, a “Certified Nurse Assistant” certificate is a qualification, not a skill.
- Duties or Responsibilities: These are tasks you performed on the job, like “answered customer calls” or “managed inventory.” They describe what you did, but not necessarily how well.
- Achievements or Accomplishments: These highlight specific successes, such as “increased sales by 15%” or “reduced customer wait time by 10 minutes.”
- Skills: These are the abilities you use to perform duties and achieve results, like “effective communication,” “data entry,” or “time management.”
Understanding these differences helps you write a clear and focused resume. Skills should be presented as your capabilities, distinct from what the job involved or what you accomplished, although all three are important.
What are examples of hard skills and soft skills to include on a resume?
Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities you can demonstrate and measure. Soft skills are traits that affect how you work and interact with others. Here are examples of both:
| Hard Skills | Soft Skills |
|---|---|
| Computer programming (Python) | Communication |
| Foreign language fluency (French) | Teamwork |
| Data analysis | Problem-solving |
| Machine operation | Time management |
| Graphic design software (Photoshop) | Adaptability |
| Typing speed | Leadership |
For example, if applying for an administrative assistant job, your hard skills might include “Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)” and “data entry,” while your soft skills could be “organization” and “attention to detail.” When listing skills, use exact or similar wording from the job posting to increase chances of passing automated resume screenings.
How can you improve and learn new skills for your resume?
Improving your skills involves intentional learning and practice. Here are concrete steps to build your resume skills:
- Identify skill gaps: Compare your current skills to the ones required for jobs you want.
- Find learning resources: Use free or paid online courses, community college classes, or workshops.
- Practice regularly: Apply new skills in real-life situations, such as volunteering, personal projects, or part-time jobs.
- Track progress: Keep notes on what you learn and examples of applying the skills.
- Get feedback: Ask mentors, supervisors, or peers to evaluate your abilities and suggest improvements.
For instance, if you want to add “project management” as a skill, you might take an online class on project management basics, then volunteer to organize a community event to practice. This real-world experience lets you confidently add the skill to your resume and discuss it in interviews.
What is the best way to list skills on your resume?
You can include skills in two main places on your resume:
- Dedicated Skills Section: Create a clear “Skills” or “Relevant Skills” section near the top or bottom of your resume. List your strongest and most relevant hard and soft skills here as short phrases or bullet points. For example:
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Customer Service
- Bilingual in English and Spanish
- Time Management
- Within Work Experience Descriptions: Incorporate skills when describing your job duties and accomplishments. For example:
- “Used Excel to create monthly sales reports, improving data accuracy by 10%.”
- “Provided excellent customer service, resolving client issues promptly.”
Combining both methods shows skills clearly and demonstrates how you’ve used them. Use the exact skill names from job ads when accurate. Avoid listing too many skills without evidence of experience, as employers prefer examples of how you applied them.
What should you do after choosing and listing your skills?
Once you have chosen and included relevant skills on your resume, prepare to explain them in interviews. Practice answering questions like “Can you give an example of how you used [skill] in a past job?” Use specific examples with clear results. For example, “I used my time management skills to balance school and part-time work, meeting all deadlines.” You can also improve your cover letter by briefly highlighting a key skill and describing how it helped you succeed. For more ideas, check related articles like How to Explain Your Skills in a Cover Letter. Finally, keep updating your resume as you gain new skills or experience, ensuring it stays relevant for the jobs you want.
Frequently asked questions
Should I include soft skills or only hard skills on my resume?
Both types matter. Hard skills show your technical abilities, while soft skills show how well you work with others and solve problems. Including a balanced mix tailored to the job strengthens your resume.
How many skills is ideal to list on a resume?
Aim for 5 to 10 relevant skills. Too many can clutter your resume; too few may not fully show your qualifications. Focus on those most important for the job.
Can I list skills I learned outside of work?
Yes. Skills gained through school, volunteering, hobbies, or internships can be relevant if they relate to the job and demonstrate your abilities.
How should I mention skills I’m still learning?
Use phrases like “basic knowledge of” or “familiar with” before the skill, but be honest. Be ready to explain your experience in interviews.
Do certifications count as skills on a resume?
Certifications are qualifications that prove you have certain skills. List certifications separately but also mention the related skills on your resume.