22 Best Skills to Put on a Resume + Examples
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Skills for resumes. This topic brings many questions. What are good skills to put on a resume? How many skills to list on a resume? What are the best resume skills examples?
These are just a few doubts that many people have regarding skills for resumes. But—no matter what you'd like to learn about resume skills, I've got you covered. Read on and find out everything you need to know to create a perfect resume skills section of your resume!
This guide will show you:
- The best skills for resumes for all jobs.
- What skills to put on a resume to grab the employer's attention.
- The difference between hard and soft skills for resumes.
- How to list skills on your resume to prove your qualifications and get interviewed for your dream job.
You’ve been tinkering with that skills list for hours, even though you didn’t need to. Instead, you could use the Zety resume builder and simply drag & drop the skills onto your resume template. So go ahead. Pick one and create a resume that’ll get you the job you actually want.
Sample resume made with our builder—See more resume examples here.
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- How to Make a Resume With No Experience?
- Free Resume Examples for All Jobs
22 Best Skills to Put on Your Resume
What are good skills for resumes? Actually, the best skills to put on a resume are a mix of soft and hard skills. Remember: both of these types of skills for resumes are equally important. Below, you’ll find 22 resume skills examples to enrich your job application.
1. Communication
Communication skills are used for receiving, understanding, and giving all kinds of information. But these skills also include respecting others' points of view, explaining thoughts and ideas, and listening to others. Communicating with your superiors, colleagues, and customers, whether verbally, nonverbally, in writing, or via visuals, is essential in any workplace, as research shows that 50% of job postings require communication skills.
What resumes require great communication skills?
2. Organizational Skills
Having great organizational skills means you can remain focused while executing different tasks. You're also able to juggle multiple tasks at once and organize work not only for yourself but also for other people. Being organized sends a simple message to the recruiter: you’re efficient and effective. And that's something valuable for every job.
What resumes require great organizational skills?
3. People Skills
Sometimes called interpersonal skills, these skills are about interacting with others in an effective and friendly way. People skills include mediating disputes, tolerating differences, trusting, and persuading others to your ideas. According to a survey, 62% of recruiters identify interpersonal skills as necessary, so showing them on your resume is always good.
What resumes require great people skills?
4. Problem-Solving
Problem-solving helps you identify and address the problem, think about possible solutions, select the one that will work best, and successfully implement it. Solving unexpected issues on time is vital for recruiters, as it shows you're someone the company can rely on in case of any unforeseen difficulties.
What resumes require great problem-solving skills?
5. Creativity
According to the World Economic Forum’s report, creativity is among the most desirable skills an employee can possess. Creative thinking allows you to see things from a new perspective. This can lead to surprising conclusions and completely new approaches to successfully completing old tasks.
What resumes require great creativity skills?
- Writer Resume
- Graphic Designer Resume (make sure to also use some great graphic design skills!)
6. Teamwork
Being able to work as a group helps you build strong relationships, both between you and your work colleagues and between you and your customers. No wonder why teamwork skills are so valuable. Having strong collaboration skills is something that can impress every recruiter.
What resumes require great teamwork skills?
7. Active Listening
Listening and responding to what other people say in a manner that helps you move forward with your tasks, find solutions to problems, and improve your work is what you call active listening. Giving your full attention to what other people say and reacting to it is helpful in many situations, and proving that during a job interview is a great way to show that you care. And that’s what makes a great hire.
What resumes require great active listening skills?
8. Decision–Making
Being able to choose between two or more alternatives to reach the best outcome in the shortest time is a valuable quality. If you have good decision-making skills, you'd be able to assess the facts, see the current situation, and select the best action for the company based on facts, numbers, consultations, and rational thinking.
What resumes require great decision-making skills?
9. Time Management
Did you know that according to a study by the Economist Intelligence Unit of the Economist Group, approximately 28% of work time is lost due to digital distractions? That’s one of the reasons why having good time management skills is something that every employer values in their employees. Being able to focus on work and not getting distracted is a perfect way of showing you’re the right person for the job.
What resumes require great time management skills?
10. Adaptability
Adjusting to unexpected changes without too much stress involved can be tricky. But having adaptability skills will allow you to be flexible, no matter how many changes you need to take. Adapting to a new situation is very useful in the workplace and everyday life, whether it's a project schedule, objectives, or sudden obstacles.
What resumes require great adaptability skills?
11. Management Skills
Management skills are among the most valued qualifications that employers are looking for. Every leader needs these leadership skills to relate with co-workers, take care of their well-being, and understand how to deal with subordinates while also ensuring the company progresses and operates efficiently.
What resumes require great management skills?
12. Analytical Skills
Collecting, organizing, visualizing, and assimilating data are all connected to analytical skills. Having them in your skill set allows you to see patterns, draw conclusions, and solve different problems. It’s a valuable skill set for many positions, as you can work with data, and in the modern world, it’s something irreplaceable.
What resumes require great analytical skills?
13. Technical Skills
Technical skills are required to perform specific, job-related tasks and are learned through on-the-job experience and structured learning. Those skills are many different types because they all depend on the job. Technical skills often require the use of certain tools and the technologies required to use those tools.
What resumes require great technical skills?
14. Computer Skills
Different computer skills are extremely important in the modern world, primarily since everything you do is somehow related to computers. These skills combine knowledge and ability that allow you to use computers efficiently and effectively. Different things can go under the umbrella term of computer skills, such as MS Office, Google Drive, Spreadsheets, Web, Software, Hardware, etc.
What resumes require great computer skills?
15. Language Skills
Being able to communicate properly is good to have. But being able to communicate in different languages is something impressive. Language skills are useful in many different scenarios, so if you have a knack for them, you should definitely include them in your resume. Having someone who speaks more than one language on board can be helpful when the company grows.
What resumes require great language skills?
16. Presentation Skills
Effective presentation skills are crucial in the current job market, as they allow to convey ideas and proposals in a convincing way. Whether you’re addressing a small team or a large audience, strong presentation skills will let you make an impact by sharing your knowledge or persuading others to your point of view.
What resumes require great presentation skills?
17. Research Skills
Research skills are the foundation of informed decision-making and problem-solving across various industries and professions. Proficient researchers possess the ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize information from diverse sources. Thanks to strong research skills you can contribute to evidence-based insights, innovation, and strategic planning within organizations.
What resumes require great research skills?
18. Marketing
Marketing skills can often come in handy even if you don’t actually work in marketing. Knowing how to highlight the key benefits of the company’s products or services is a valuable hard skill that many employers view as a huge plus. Investing in improving marketing skills can be a wise career move for many professionals.
What resumes require great marketing skills?
19. Customer Service
Customer service skills are absolutely crucial for all professionals who hold client-facing jobs. Providing a great customer experience increases client satisfaction and retention which are crucial for a stable business growth. Strong customer service skills are one of the top skills employers are looking for and they involve an intricate mix of emotional intelligence, problem-solving skills and other competencies.
What resumes require great customer service skills?
20. Project Management
Efficient project management skills are a prized asset in any industry as they ensure that goals are reached efficiently and on time. Professionals with strong project management capabilities are good at coordinating teams, assessing and mitigating risks, and ensuring successful project outcomes.
However, you can also embody project management skills even if you work by yourself and don’t manage other people’s work. Organizing your various work tasks in an efficient manner is an important part of project management.
What resumes require great project management skills?
21. Critical Thinking
Critical thinking skills allow you to effectively analyze various types of information. These skills are crucial in the decision-making process and developing innovative solutions. Employers within various industries seek individuals who can take on challenges with logical reasoning and creative problem-solving skills.
What resumes require great critical thinking skills?
22. Attention to Detail
Attention to detail is much more than just a skill. It's a mindset that sets exceptional professionals apart from the rest. Professionals with above-average attention to detail easily notice even the smallest errors and inconsistencies, which allows them to deliver high-quality work.
Recruiters highly value candidates with strong attention to detail, as this trait leads to enhanced efficiency and productivity in the work environment.
What resumes require great attention to detail skills?
Read more: Skill Levels on a Resume: How to Showcase Your Skill Set
Making a resume with our builder is incredibly simple. Follow our step-by-step guide, use ready-made content tailored to your job and have a resume ready in minutes.
When you’re done, Zety’s resume builder will score your resume and our ATS resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.
Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills for a Resume
Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities acquired through education or experience. They’re teachable, measurable, and related to a specific job. For instance, if you work in customer service, your hard skills include Zendesk, data entry, and product knowledge.
Soft skills, on the other hand, encompass interpersonal traits like communication, teamwork, and more. Soft skills are often transferable skills. Such abilities are universal and not associated with a particular job or industry—they’ll make fantastic employment skills no matter the job title.
While hard skills are essential for performing tasks, soft skills are crucial for effective collaboration and navigating interpersonal dynamics in the workplace. On resumes, hard skills show what you can do. Soft skills indicate how you’ll perform your duties.
Find out more about the differences between soft and hard skills for resumes:Hard Skills vs Soft Skills: The Best Examples for Your Resume
What to Put for Skills on a Resume
There are various types of skills that employers want to see on your job application. When putting skills on a resume, you should focus on showcasing your employability skills—skills that make you a highly desirable candidate for any recruiter. These include soft and hard skills and character traits that your employers want and that make a person a highly attractive candidate.
According to a study, employability is one of the most researched areas regarding workers.
Different studies list different employability skills. Having them all on your resume and then proving them to your employer is rather impossible. That’s why, when creating a list of skills, you should distinguish three different types of skills:
- Transferable skills—also known as portable or functional skills, they’re abilities you can transfer from one job to another. They’re based on ability and aptitude and describe actions needed to perform a task, transferable to various positions and industries. Transferable skills can be both hard and soft skills, and due to their versatility, those skills are attractive to any recruiters, regardless of the industry.
- Self-management skills—traits or characteristics that can contribute to performance at work. They’re based on what you have learned throughout your life. These are soft skills, such as patience, independence, or active listening
- Knowledge-based skills—they’re the results of your education, training, experience, and understanding of specific topics, procedures, dos and don'ts, and information required to perform certain tasks properly. These are hard skills, such as speaking a foreign language, computer skills, or technical skills.
Why should you determine these three types of skills for your resume? Because combining them gives you a higher chance for your resume to pass the ATS screening and land on your recruiter’s desk.
Pro Tip: Position yourself as a specialist and someone who’s kept learning and improving throughout your life, gaining abilities from different sources. This leads to the thought that you will only keep improving once hired!
How to List Skills on a Resume
Having a great list of skills for resumes is one thing. But presenting them in your resume is also important! It’s time to find out how to put skills on a resume in the best possible way:
1. Tailor Your Resume Skills to the Job Offer You’re Targeting
Customize the skills list on every resume you send to match the job offer requirements.
Show recruiters that you’ve crafted a tailored resume specifically for this particular job offer and beat resume-screening ATS software that searches for relevant resume keywords.
Tailoring your skill set to match the employer's needs not only showcases your qualifications but also increases your resume's chances of passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Also, make sure to regularly update your skills section to reflect new competencies and trends in your industry. This ensures your resume stays relevant and shows employers you are committed to continuous professional development.
How to make a resume skills list tailored to the job ad?
- Start with a master list of all your professional skills, both hard and soft ones.
- Read the job description carefully, especially the “Requirements” or “Key Skills” sections.
- Look for skills-related words and phrases and jot them down.
- Compare your master list of skills with those you see in the job ad. All that match have to go on your resume.
2. Put Relevant Resume Skills in a Separate Section
This way, you’ll help recruiters spot strengths on your resume in a flash. Use a standalone skills section where you put your most important qualifications. Make sure to be precise—e.g.“Written and verbal communication,” instead of “good communicator.” You can indicate how advanced your abilities are using descriptive words, such as “Advanced,” “Intermediate,” or “Basic.”
3. Add Your Work-Related Skills to the Experience Section
That’s right, your work history section with descriptions of past jobs is evidence of the skills you’ve just listed. That is where you must prove you can apply your skillset in real-life professional situations. Check out how to put skills in your resume’s work experience section in the example below:
Skills on a Resume: Work Experience Sample
Customer Service Representative
XYZ Corp Long Island, NY
April 2018–Present
- Displayed expertise in the characteristics and features of 100+ flagship products.
- Provided support to clients in highly technical roles.
- Worked with a team of 20+ CSRs and Sales Reps, applying Agile frameworks to solving unexpected problems such as new complaint types.
- Trained new hires to use JIRA, Zendesk, and Salesforce support tools.
- Commanded by supervisors for quick and efficient decision-making.
To learn more about how to include skills and abilities in a resume work experience section, see: Work Experience on a Resume: Duties, Skills, Achievements
4. Weave the Most Relevant Skills Into Your Resume Profile
Yes, you guessed it—for the best resume, you need to mention a few of your most relevant skills in the profile, too. After all, you don’t just tell recruiters about your skills. You show them.
See how this candidate shows their skills in the resume summary sample below:
How to Put Skills on a Resume: Example of a Resume Summary
Customer service specialist with 2+ years of experience working with clients in highly technical roles seeking a Customer Service Associate position with ABC Company. Applied Agile frameworks to facilitate problem-solving procedures for new complaints, slashing ticket resolution time by 40%. A power user of JIRA, Zendesk, and Salesforce.
See tips for making the most of your skills for a job in a resume summary or objective. Read: Resume Summary Samples and Professional Resume Objectives
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Key Takeaway
Here’s how to list skills on a resume:
- Pick skills for your resume to match the job offer requirements.
- Create a separate resume skills section and add up to ten skills.
- Refer to your top skills in your work experience.
- Add 2–3 most relevant skills to your resume profile.
Thanks for reading my article! Now, I’d love to hear from you! What are the biggest challenges when putting skills on resumes? What skills do you think are the most crucial? Do you need further assistance with your resume skills list? Let’s chat!
About Zety’s Editorial Process
This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines. We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.
Sources
- HR Dive, "New research shows top soft skills are requested four times more than top hard skills"
- Graduate Management Admission Council, "2023 corporate recruiters report"
- World Economic Forum, "The future of jobs report 2023"
- Virginia Tech, "Factors affecting employee engagement in remote work environments"
- ScienceDirect, "A comprehensive review on the role of emotional intelligence in employee performance"
- ScienceDirect, "The impact of leadership styles on organizational performance"
Frequently Asked Questions about What Skills to Put on a Resume
How many skills to list on a resume?
You should list 5–10 skills in your resume skills section. Listing more job skills will make this resume section too overwhelming and difficult to scan. Aim for a mix of hard and soft skills, and ensure that all of the skills for your resume are relevant to the particular job offer you're targeting.
What are the top skills employers are looking for?
The top skills that employers look for on a resume are:
- Technical skills: computer skills, programming languages, social media, and enterprise software
- Problem-solving skills: creativity, critical thinking, and analytical skills
- Customer-service skills: active listening, time management, and prioritization
- Interpersonal skills: communication, teamwork, and empathy
- Leadership skills: decision-making, stress management, and organization
What are good skills to add to a resume?
There’s no definitive answer to this question because there are no universally good skills. It depends on what you know and can do and what skills employers are looking for. To hit the nail on the head, read the job description and mark the keywords you’ll later match with your resume.
If you’re writing a resume to change your career, go for transferable skills that are equally relevant to the job you’re applying for. If you’re writing your first resume without much work experience, do the same but with a mix of top-notch employability skills.
Should you list skills on a resume?
Yes, you should definitely list skills on your resume. Apart from your work experience, the recruiters expect to find out what job skills and qualifications you have. Remember to not only include them in the skills section of your resume but also weave them into other resume sections.
Do employers care about the skills on a resume?
Yes, employers do care about the skills on your resume. More and more recruiters focus on your skills rather than just your work experience or educational background. That's why being strategic about picking skills for a resume can boost your chances of getting invited to a job interview.
How do you highlight skills on a resume?
To properly highlight skills on a resume, focusing just on the resume skills section is not enough. Make sure to also prove some of your skills in the work experience section. Also, include some examples of your skills in the resume profile to grab the recruiter's attention more effectively.
Is it okay to just list skills on a resume?
No, just listing skills on a resume is not the best way to highlight them. Yes, you should list them, but you should also add some of them to the resume profile and the experience section for a much more effective strategy. This way, your resume will look more professional and convincing.
What skills should not be on a resume?
Skills that should not be on a resume are the ones that are too general or job skills not relevant to the particular position you're applying for. You shouldn't also list skills you don't possess, as lying on your resume is always a bad idea.
