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Dive Into Expert Guides to Enhance your Resume

The Skills Section on a Resume

What skills to include, where to place them on your resume, and how to write them.

The skills you put on your resume are  vital for showing employers your knowledge  quickly. Knowing how to write one also helps incorporate vital keywords into your resume naturally and organically.

The following guide explains the  difference between hard and soft skills . It also includes tips on how to write a skills section, what to avoid, and examples of meaningful skills to include on your resume that will help you land your dream job.

Keep reading!

Example of a Skills Section in a Resume

Let’s start with the basics. Take a look at the following skills section of a resume to get an idea.

Technical Skills:

• Proficient in Python, Java, and JavaScript
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experienced in Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign)
• Skilled in using project management tools like Trello and Asana
• Fluent in English and Spanish
• Basic proficiency in French

Soft Skills:

• Strong verbal and written communication
• Team player and ability to collaborate effectively
• Proven adaptability and problem-solving abilities
• Resilient organization and time management skills
• Excellent customer service and client relations

Industry-Specific Skills: (Tailor according to the job role)

• Experience with CRM software, such as Salesforce
• Knowledge of digital marketing tools, such as Google Analytics, for marketing jobs
• Familiarity with editing software, such as Final Cut Pro
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and SketchUp

Hard skills vs. soft skills

Skills are typically categorized into two different types: soft and hard. Both categories encompass the broad range of technical or social abilities that are relevant to a working environment.

Soft Skills

Soft skills are capabilities that are either  naturally present in people  or are developed over time through relations and experience, but hey can also be learned. As stated by MIT Management, the  return on soft skill training  is roughly 250%. Don’t hesitate to get training if you need it. The payback is well worth it.

Also known as social skills, these abilities are considered personal attributes which are positive for jobseekers to bring to a professional situation.

Think of your character and choose some of your best personal traits. Consider how these attributes have either helped you to achieve something or have benefited your career in some way.

• Are you a people person?
• Have colleagues or friends described you as having great social skills?
• Are you able to mediate conflict or conversations between groups?
• Are you a natural-born leader?

Soft skills are advantageous in a wide variety of professions regardless of the industry or level of position.

Now that you have an idea of how important soft skills are, follow and  study professionals in your desired industry  to pinpoint skills they possess, or check out a similar job posting and take note of the desired or emphasized soft skills mentioned in the ad.

How to Identify Soft Skills

Soft skills are often  inherent or cultivated over time  and experiences. They are your  interpersonal skills , your ability to lead, adapt, cooperate, and communicate well with others.

To identify these, introspect about times you’ve found success in team projects, received praise for your communication skills, or leaned on your organization abilities to sail through a challenge. All these situations imply invaluable soft skills.

Hard Skills

Hard skills refer to  more technical , accumulative abilities specific to certain positions or industries. These skills are tangible and usually developed through studies, courses, or on-the-job experience. Hard skills can be qualified (or proven) via a certificate, diploma, or demonstration.

Good examples of hard skills for your resume are IT skills or the ability to speak a foreign language . Think about what skills are needed to do your job effectively and your level of proficiency for each.

• Do you have any specific computing abilities?
• Can you create a project budget or write up bidding contracts?
• Are you bilingual or proficient in a second language?

Hard skills can be quantified by your level of expertise in the subject or years of experience using a certain technique or program. It is important to use a common,  general range for measuring  your level that all employers understand such as  basic ,  intermediate , or  advanced .

Make your resume stand out by using an  online resume builder  to help you with the skills section of your resume.

How to Identify Hard Skills

They are the skills you’ve acquired and  sharpened through formal education ,  professional courses, or on-the-job experiences .

Have proficiency in a foreign language? Can you code fluently in Java or Python? Are you skilled in using Photoshop or Excel? Each of these denotes a hard skill— concrete, demonstrable, and indispensable.

Reflect on your education, past jobs, and certifications to identify these skills.

The Importance of Balance Between Hard and Soft Skills

When it comes to skills for a resume, achieving a fine balance between hard and soft skills is crucial.

In the vast professional landscape, we find that technical proficiency (hard skills) works in harmony with interpersonal aptitude (soft skills) to paint the most  holistic picture of an individual . This magical combination of know-how and know-when ensures you bring value to any role, blending technical mastery with social savvyness.

Personal Skills Vs Professional Skills

Personal skills are also referred to as “soft skills . As mentioned previously, these are generally innate or acquired through one’s experiences and include abilities such as problem-solving, adaptability, and interpersonal communication.

These skills are critical for successful interactions on a day-to-day basis, regardless of the specific professional context. They provide the groundwork for effective team collaboration in the workplace.

On the other hand,  professional skills, often called “hard skills”,  are more industry-specific and job-related. These skills are usually developed through formal training, education, and on-the-job experience.

As long as they’re relevant and can be  proven using real-life examples , most skills can be considered  work-related skills .

Examples of skills not to be included on a resume may come from hobbies or activities that are  not relevant to the sector or position  available.

On a different note,  a LinkedIn survey shows  that  nearly 80% of employers search for mostly personal skills  over more technical  professional skills .  This is especially important on  student resumes  and  entry-level resumes  and includes such skills as  leadership  and the  ability to work in a team .

The reason for this is that many applicants are likely to have the same professional skills if they’re applying for the same job and coming from similar academic or career backgrounds.

How to Present Your Skills Effectively

The skills section of a resume is more than just a list— It’s a snapshot of your talents. Presenting it effectively requires thought, precision, and a sprinkle of strategy.

Essentially, the key is to  emphasize relevance . This begins with a keen study of the job description. It’s there where you’ll find a dictionary of keywords that should resonate through your skills section.

The idea is not to echo these skills verbatim but to  filter them through your own experiences and proficiency . Each skill should reflect a facet of the job role.

The more precise your skills are, the more they resonate with employers.

How Many Skills Should I Include on My Resume?

Finding the perfect balance is key. Too few skills could appear unimpressive, while an abundance of skills might overwhelm the recruiter.

The objective is to feature your most relevant skills tailored to the job you’re targeting. For most job seekers,  listing 10-15 skills is generally adequate .

Where to List Skills on Your Resume

Listing skills on your resume strategically grants potential employers insight into your assets at the right time.

Placing the skills section after the resume summary or objective and  before the work experience section  is deemed effective. This placement ensures employers can swiftly acknowledge your skills at a glance.

If you’re just embarking on your career journey or transitioning industries, including the skills section before your work experience may emphasize your relevant skill set and also diminish the focus on the lack of directly related experience.

In addition to a dedicated skills section, weaving in your skills alongside your experiences or achievements can accentuate the practical application of these abilities.

The key is not to merely list your skills in a dedicated section but to  substantiate them through real-life examples and scenarios  throughout your experience section and professional objective or summary.

Skills for Different Job Roles

First and foremost, start by  carefully studying the job description . Chase the keywords you find there and modify your skills section to resonate with the job.

For instance, if you’re applying for a graphic design role, emphasize your proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, and layout design, alongside soft skills like attention to detail and effective communication.

The secret ingredient to making your skills section shine when addressing different job roles is  specificity and relevance . For every job you apply to, let your skills section speak the language of the role, echoing its unique keywords and requirements.

What Not To Do When Writing Skills For Your Resume

Certain pitfalls must be dodged to present a stellar skills profile:

• Avoid vagueness and ambiguity : The skills section of your resume is no place for generalities or undecipherable jargon. For instance, don’t state you’re ‘good with computers.’ Specify if this means you’re proficient in a particular software or IT concept.
• Don’t present an exhaustive list of skills : Ensure the skills you list are pertinent to the job description. Keep the list concise and focused, preventing it from becoming a bloated endorsement of every single skill you’ve ever acquired.
• Keep a balance between hard skills and soft skills : While hard skills demonstrate your technical prowess, soft skills are often the deciding factor for recruiters. It’s crucial not to neglect either.

By steering clear of these, you can craft a skills section that not only accurately represents your abilities but also resonates with potential employers. Make sure you avoid errors by generating useful suggestions with our AI-powered resume builder to help you come up with the best skills for your application. 

70+ example skills to add to your resume

It is important to include a range of abilities into your resume that encompass general skills as well job-specific skills or sector-specific skills.

The following is a list of skills that are general and transferable. Use this list as inspiration to write your own skills section, but be sure to tailor your list according to your career goals and your professional experience.

IT skills or computer-based program knowledge are highly favorable among employers today and they should be listed prominently in your resume .  Examples of technical skills to include on your resume are:

• Microsoft Office
• Social media management software
• Graphic design software
• iOS / Android
• Google Drive

Also, any languages you speak, write, and read are an essential aspect to include in your resume skills section. Remember, to indicate the level or any qualifications you have to support your claim of a second language.

You can use the  ResumeCoach  online resume maker to optimize your resume and tailor it for each vacancy using examples of job-specific and general skills, as well as advice on how to complete each resume section according to your background and experience.

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Top 14 Resume Skills to add on your Resume + Examples

By Biron Clark

Published: December 18, 2023

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

Putting skills on a resume is a great way to show hiring managers what you can do for them, while also including relevant keywords on your resume. However, there’s one BIG mistake that I’ve seen many job seekers make with their skills section on a resume… and it can cost them the interview.

So in this article, we’re going to look at real-life examples of resume skills sections, how to write this section and come up with ideas of skills to list, and the biggest mistake to avoid if you want to get the interview.

What Skills Should you add on your resume?

Your resume is essentially your first impression to a potential employer, so it must showcase your skills in the best possible light. Hence, it’s important to understand that there are two types of skills: hard skills and soft skills . 

Hard skills are those that are specifically related to the job at hand, such as technical skills like programming or accounting.

Examples of Hard Skills: 

• Proficiencies with tools or software.
• Hands-on work experience or degrees and certifications.
• Proficiencies in languages.

Meanwhile, soft skills are more personal traits such as interpersonal skills like communication, EQ, teamwork and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, transferable skills are those that can be used across different industries and job types, such as leadership, time management, computer skills and adaptability. Usually, job postings include a bullet list of role requirements that each feature a certain skill, skill set, aptitude, or ability.

Examples of Soft Skills:

• Active listening
• Problem-solving

Essentially, the skills, competencies, or core competencies section of your resume will give hiring managers a quick-glance guide to how closely your abilities match the role requirements.

With this in-mind, let’s take a closer look at each of those hard and soft transferable skills I mentioned above, to see why they really are the best skills to put on your resume. Let’s start with the soft skills because, even if you’ve never had a job or skills training, there’s a good chance you already have many of these skills.

Best Soft Skills to add on your resume:

1. communication skills.

These skills are essential to almost all roles because they allow you to receive and share ideas effectively. These skills are applied through a range of channels and may include both soft skills (like active listening) and hard skills (like social media writing). Communication skills include listening skills, verbal skills, body-language skills, visual skills, and contextual (or versatility) skills like cross-cultural, academic, crisis, professional, and online communication skills.

2. Problem-solving skills

Most roles will see you encountering problems at some point, that’s one of the reasons work can be stressful. Some roles are all about finding and making innovative solutions to problems. Problem-solving skills may include methodologies and various hard skills, but they’re also about the soft skills of defining problems, prioritizing issues, determining causes, brainstorming solutions, considering alternatives, and implementing solutions.

3. Creativity skills

These skills come naturally to some but, in general, can be learned by simply applying yourself to creative pursuits. Aside from the artistic side, however, creativity is a thinking skill that allows you to think outside the box, innovate solutions, imagine new concepts and ideas, and generally do things in an open-minded, original way. This is highly prized by employers who are trying to set their brand apart through creative, innovative products and services.

4. Organizational skills

Organizational skills refer to your ability to manage yourself, your time, and your productivity efficiently and effectively. They’re vital to employers because they indicate that you have a systematic, goal-oriented approach to working. Unless you have the ability to manage your calendar, your time, your thoughts, and your duties in a functional and efficient manner, you will be difficult to manage or rely on, and you certainly won’t be able to manage others.

5. Leadership skills

Some simply have a natural tendency to lead, while others seem ready to follow them–this is important to employers, as few things are more costly than an ineffective leader. Leadership skills, however, can be learned over time, and include a range of other hard and soft skills like communication, critical thinking, versatility, conflict management, relationship building, decisiveness, delegation, project management, and more.

6. Teamwork skills

Teamwork skills are vital to all interactive and collaborative job roles, as they allow you to work efficiently and effectively with others. Teamwork skills are very much a blend of communication and interpersonal skills, but there are specific soft skills, like collaboration, empathy, honesty, and integrity that will determine whether you can thrive in a team setting.

Best Hard Skills to add on your resume:

1. digital skills:.

In 2023 and beyond, you’d be hard-pressed to find a business that doesn’t rely largely on digital interaction and processes to get their products and services to market. So, adding digital skills means that employers will know that you can use a tablet, computer, mobile phone, and the internet to communicate, research, transact, manage tasks, and create. Examples of hard digital skills include market research, social media marketing, SEO, email marketing, digital project management, software development, and much more.

2. Design skills

Design skills start with foresight and imagination, and the ability to envision things that aren’t yet made. In that way, they are similar to creative skills. Other than that, design skills include a range of hard skills that depend on your profession, including coding abilities, branding skills, typography skills, architectural software skills, Adobe apps skills, Illustration skills, physics and engineering skills, and more. Design skills are vital to jobs that involve product innovation, marketing, and more.

3. Project management skills

Whether you’re applying for a post in marketing, product or service development, or something like events planning, project management skills are those skills that allow you to take a project (often requiring numerous employees and teams) all the way from ideation to completion. There are a range of factors involved and a number of hard and soft skills. Examples of PM skills include budgeting, scope planning, risk assessment stakeholder communication, problem-solving, team leadership, delegation, digital project management administration, and more.

4. Data analysis skills

Data analysis skills are important because they allow you to absorb, quantify, categorize, analyze, collate, and draw conclusions from data such as statistics , sales figures, customer queries and complaints, product tests, and more. Data analysis skills are essential to a range of roles and include hard and soft skills such as math, statistics , calculus, linear algebra, detail orientation, logical thought, troubleshooting, speed reading, database management, data mining, and more.

5. Customer service skills

Customer service skills are your ability to offer knowledge and support to prospective and existing customers and to act as the face of a business. As such, these are essential skills for a range of businesses. Core customer service skills include soft skills like discernment and emotional intelligence, communications skills, and persuasion skills, and hard skills like SaaS support, POS skills, FOH skills, outbound call skills, product/industry knowledge skills, and more.

6. Language skills

Language skills include proficiency in native and foreign language reading, writing, listening, and speaking, and they can be included among communication skills as well. In today’s globalized world and online marketplace, multilingual skills are in high demand. Employers are often willing to pay more for multilingual candidates, especially in fields like international business, hospitality, tourism, human resources , and more. Language skills are, however, largely made up of hard skills because language proficiency is a technical and measurable skill set. Correct use and grasp of grammar, syntax, tone, diction, vocabulary, and contextual language are essential in the professional world because they allow you to absorb and offer information in a way that is more accurate, conclusive, concise, and business-like.

7. Content writing skills

Incorporating many of the language skills mentioned above, content writing includes knowledge of formats, annotation systems, referencing skills, and tonal parameters that apply to all different types of business, sales, and marketing content. Companies value content writing skills because, using hard skills like knowledge of online content formats, research and referencing, SEO, and sales funneling, a content writer can target, engage, and convert new customers while retaining existing ones with regular, high-value content.

8. Marketing skills

Marketing is a powerful skill set that incorporates other skills like content writing, customer service, data analysis, communication, creativity, and problem-solving. Marketing allows businesses to target markets, figure out how to appeal to and reach those markets, and then effectively (and in conjunction with content writers, web designers, and other key members) funnel clients down the path to conversion. Marketing includes a broad range of highly technical hard skills as well, including UX design, CRM, CMS, CRO, marketing automation, social media and ad marketing, PPC, SEO, SEM, and more.

How Many Resume Skills Should You Put?

The number of skills to include on your resume will depend on the job you’re applying for, your industry, and your experience level. For example, an experienced software engineer may list 20 skills. However, for an entry-level job seeker, 8-10 skills are sufficient, and any more than that will be unlikely to be read by a hiring manager or recruiter .

Also, someone in a less technical field (like sales or customer service) might only need 8-10 skills on their resume, even if they have a few years of experience.

Overall, my recommendation as a recruiter is that you should have somewhere between 8 and 20 skills on your resume. You should list both hard and soft skills, but it’s more important to include hard skills. These are the skills that hiring managers look for first and foremost on your resume; soft skills are secondary.

Resume Skills Section Guide With Examples

Let’s look at some good examples of resume Skills sections (which you can also name “Core Competencies,” “Professional Skills,” etc.) Your goal when writing this resume section is to highlight your most relevant skills for the job, all in one place. So you want the list to be easy to read. I suggest one or two columns. 

And you don’t just want to list random skills. And you don’t want to list the same skills for every job! You really want to research the job and company (starting with the job description) and put the skills and keywords THEY mention. This is called “tailoring” your resume and will immediately boost the number of interviews you receive. I wrote a guide on the easiest way to do this HERE . (It’s much easier than people think).

So you really need to be looking at the specific job description for keywords.

Once you’ve done that, you’re ready to put together your Skills section. Here are some sample skills sections so you can see what it might look like:

Resume Skills Section Example #1 – Bullet Point format:

This resume skills section example is for a salesperson. You can see it contains a lot of keywords, and also highlights what this person is best at. That’s what you should aim to do.

Remember, don’t just guess which skills and keywords the employer wants. Study the job description.

Resume Skills Section Example #2:

This is another example of a simple layout for this section on your resume, this time using two columns.

Choose a format that is simple and not distracting. You want the employer’s attention to be on your skills and qualifications, not on your resume’s formatting.

If you take one idea away from these sample skill sections of a resume, it should be that the section is meant to be simple and clutter-free, and should only feature your top relevant skills for the jobs you’re pursuing now. It’s not a place to list every single skill you’ve ever used, and it shouldn’t have as much content as other, more important, sections like your resume work experience.

Resume Skills Section Example #3 – Skills Matrix Format:

Communication | Problem-Solving | Time Management | Teamwork | Technical Skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills | Strong analytical and creative problem-solving abilities | Proficient in prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines | Collaborative and able to work effectively in team settings | Proficient in MS Office and Google Workspace

Now, let’s look at examples of resume skills sections for popular professions:

1. Software Developer:

• Programming Languages: Java, Python, C++
• Web Development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript
• Database Management: SQL, MySQL
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and debugging skills
• Collaboration: Experienced in working in Agile development teams

2. Marketing Coordinator:

• Digital Marketing: SEO, SEM, PPC
• Social Media Management: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter
• Content Creation: Copywriting, blogging, content strategy
• Analytics: Google Analytics, data analysis
• Project Management: Organizing campaigns, coordinating with stakeholders

3. Registered Nurse:

• Patient Care: Assessing, planning, and implementing patient care
• Medical Procedures: IV insertion, wound care, medication administration
• Communication: Effective patient and family communication
• Critical Thinking: Rapid decision-making in emergency situations
• Team Collaboration: Working closely with doctors and healthcare professionals

4. Sales Representative:

• Relationship Building: Cultivating and maintaining client relationships
• Negotiation: Effective in closing deals and achieving sales targets
• Presentation Skills: Delivering persuasive sales presentations
• CRM Software: Proficient in Salesforce or other CRM platforms
• Prospecting: Identifying and pursuing new sales opportunities

5. Graphic Designer:

• Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign
• Typography: Knowledge of various typefaces and layout design
• Branding: Creating visually consistent brand identities
• User Experience (UX): Designing intuitive user interfaces
• Attention to Detail: Ensuring accuracy and precision in design wor

More Ideas of Skills to Include

If you’ve read the tips above and are still thinking, “I don’t have enough key skills to put on my resume,” here are a few ideas to help you… Along with looking at the job description for the role you’re applying for, you can also look at job descriptions for roles you’ve previously held. Which skills did you use most?

Look at current or most recent work, too. What did your typical week look like? Sit down and think about which skills you used the most throughout a normal week. Remember to think about hard skills and soft skills. That should help you come up with more ideas.

You can also look at LinkedIn’s list of skills that are available for your LinkedIn profile . (LinkedIn suggests skills when you go edit this section of your profile).

You can look at peers/colleagues on LinkedIn, too, to see which skills they’ve chosen! Look at a few current coworkers, for example. Which skills are they mentioning? Those are good skills to list on your LinkedIn and your resume, too. The LinkedIn skills section is a great way to get resume ideas overall.

You can also learn something new that will make you more attractive to employers…

I recommend doing this by taking a course via LinkedIn Learning and then adding it to your resume Skills section). This is a great option if you’re job searching after being unemployed because it shows employers you’re keeping your skills current and staying active.

You can learn soft skills like body language (this could help you if you’re in sales, customer service, etc.) or hard skills like front-end web development, social media management, and more.

Tip: Employers Want to See Where You Used Each Skill, Too

In general, employers want to see where and when you used each skill (especially for hard skills). So don’t just rely on a Skills section. You should put equal (or more) time into writing your work experience section and your resume bullets ).

Also, put effort into your resume summary paragraph.

I typically read those sections first as a recruiter. That’s where I can see which key skills you’ve used most in your career. In fact, even if you put your skills section very high up on a resume, I usually skip it and only return to read it AFTER I check out your recent work experience and bullets!

The bottom line is: Recruiters and hiring managers don’t want to see a big list of skills with no reference to where each skill was used… at least not at first. And they especially do not want to see a long list of soft skills. They’re mostly looking for hard skills and key skills from the job posting when they first glance at your resume.

So keep this in mind when writing your skills list. The hiring manager might skip it and look for your experience section first.

This resume section still has value – as a secondary place to show off your abilities and core competencies, and as a place to fill your resume with great keywords so you can get past the ATS (applicant tracking system). But the biggest mistake I see job seekers making is relying on the skills section too much to get interviews or get the employer’s attention.

Be Prepared to Answer Interview Questions About the Skills You’ve Listed

If you say you’re an expert in Phone Sales, Digital Marketing , Social Media Marketing, Customer Service, or any other hard skill… you need to be ready to defend this in an interview. If you say you’ve done a lot of time management, be prepared with examples. If you say problem-solving is one of your strengths , be ready to back it up with a success story!

They will want to know where you used that skill and details about how you used it and what results you got in recent jobs. And if you say you’re an “expert” at something, they might ask what makes you an expert. So if you’re not an expert or highly proficient, don’t say you are. You can still list the skill, but don’t exaggerate and go overboard by saying “expert.”

I made this mistake early in my career, costing me the job! I said the word “expert” when describing my Microsoft Excel skills, and they asked me about it in an interview and I completely crumbled. I wasn’t an expert and I wasn’t ready to defend why I had said that on my skills list.

Also, don’t list skills you’ve never used. Even if they do hire you, you could immediately be fired if they discover you lied about your skills in your interview. Lying in your job search is usually not a good tactic. So be honest when listing skills on your resume, and review your own resume as you prepare for the interview so you’re not caught off-guard by the interview questions they ask .

You should be ready to answer questions related to any or all skills mentioned in your resume skills section – both soft and hard skills.

What Not to Include in Your Resume Skills Section

Quality over quantity always wins, and this applies while listing resume skills. Highlighting the most relevant skills in your resume is important. Otherwise, your resume may look disorganized and unfocused. Therefore, avoid listing every skill you possess, and follow these tips to ensure your skills align with the job posting. 

1. Irrelevant Skills : Only include skills directly related to the job you’re applying for. Avoid listing unrelated or outdated skills, as they can take up valuable space on your resume and distract from your qualifications.

2. Generic Skills : Avoid using overly broad or generic skills that are not specific or actionable. Instead, highlight skills specific to the job and industry you’re targeting.

3. Obvious Skills : Skip listing skills considered basic or commonly expected in the industry. For example, including “proficient in Microsoft Office Suite” may not be necessary, as it is generally expected in most professional roles.

4. False or Exaggerated Skills : Be honest about your skills and avoid exaggerating or fabricating information. Employers may verify your skills during hiring, and misrepresenting your abilities can have negative consequences.

Recap: Putting the Right Skills in a Resume

• Choose 8-20 skills, depending on your industry and level of experience
• Put mostly hard skills and skills that relate directly to the employer’s job
• Avoid putting too many soft skills; employers will judge this primarily in the interview and aren’t looking for soft skills as much on your resume
• Whenever listing a hard skill, make sure also to mention it on your work experience; employers want to see where you used each skill, too, and this is how to show them
• Use the job description to identify important skills for this position
• Include exact phrases from the job description to improve your chances of getting past automated job application systems
• If you need more ideas for which skills to put, review past jobs you’ve held and/or look at peers on LinkedIn to see skills they’ve chosen
• Use one or two columns and simple formatting to make your Skills section easy to read
• Never put your Skills section before your Employment History section on your resume
• If you’re an entry-level job seeker, never put your Skills section before your Education section
• Be prepared to answer interview questions about any skills listed on your resume
• Avoid including irrelevant or generic skills, obvious skills, and false or exaggerated skills in the skills section. 

If you read the tips above, you now know how to write a great skills section of a resume, including examples of what it should look like.

You also know the other important pieces to focus on, like your resume work experience . If you follow these guidelines that I shared, you’ll get more interviews and get noticed by better employers in your job search.

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

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Writing a Resume Skills Section: Top Skills to Include & Examples

3 key takeaways

• A resume Skills section breakdown, including what it is and why it's important
• How to determine the right number of resume skills for your experience
• The best way to build a resume Skills section with Teal’s free Resume Builder

There's an art to creating an impactful resume Skills section that grabs attention and helps you stand out.

TL; DR? A great Skills section should focus on specific abilities tailored to the job you're applying for. Think: technical capabilities, tools, software, or specialized training relevant to the position. This approach is more effective than listing all your skills because it demonstrates how your qualifications align with a job's requirements.

So, where do you start? And how do you simplify this process to save time and maximize impact?

Ready to build a free resume Skills section in minutes? Try Teal now !

Format of a resume Skills section

The Skills section of your resume is a dedicated place to list soft and hard skills relevant to the role you're applying for. 

Hard skills refer to specific technical skills or measurable abilities learned through on-the-job experience or education. Things like:

• Search engine optimization (SEO) copywriting

In contrast, resume soft skills are more subjective and relate to personal attributes around how you interact with others. For example:

• Communication skills
• Organizational skills
• Cross-functional collaboration

The importance of a skills section on your resume

While you should always incorporate both types of skills in every section of your resume, a dedicated resume Skills section will help you:

• Clarify experience,  making it easy for prospective employers to see your qualifications quickly.
• Optimize for ATS searches  by including relevant keywords.
• Complement your work history  with   a detailed view of the skills that underpin your professional experiences and achievement-based bullet points.
• Improve readability,  breaking up text with a clear, easy-to-read resume section.
• Highlight technical proficiency  by   showcasing   your expertise in relevant software, tools, or methodologies.
• Differentiate yourself  from other job seekers who have similar experiences but may not showcase their skills as effectively.

Classifying skills on a resume

Before you begin writing resume Skills sections, it's key to understand a few skill types you may have.

Why? Because a variety of skills can help differentiate you from the competition. 

Pro Tip:  Use the free Teal AI Resume Builder to store all of your skills in one place. With Teal you can categorize each skill by type (and toggle them on and off or add new skills whenever you need to!). ‍

Types of skills for your resume 

Beyond the hard and soft skills, there are other types to consider. Remember, the goal is to present a balanced view of your experience.

Including a range of skills that align with the job description helps to show your qualifications comprehensively.

Soft skills

Hard skills, transferable skills, industry-specific skills.

Soft skills are also called interpersonal skills or people skills. These non-technical abilities relate to how you interact with others and approach work.

Interpersonal skills examples

• Leadership skills: delegation, empathy, mentoring
• Communication skills: conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, active listening
• Organizational skills: time management, goal setting, attention to detail

Hard skills on a resume are quantifiable and teachable abilities you've gained through formal education, training, or certifications. (Things like data analysis, social media marketing, proficiency in a foreign language, or computer programming.) 

Hard skills examples

• Data analysis: data visualization, forecasting, statistics
• Social media management: TikTok, Google Analytics, community management
• Product management: market research, technical writing, UX analysis

Industry-specific skills are those required for a particular field. For instance, Java, Phlebotomy, and Quickbooks fall into this category. 

Examples of industry-specific skills

• Tech software development : debugging, cloud computing, API integration\
• Retail management : merchandise planning, sales forecasting, customer relationship management
• Cybersecurity : threat analysis, network security, encryption techniques

Transferable skills are those that can be applied across various industries and jobs. Often, they're things you learned in one specific role that prepare you for success in another position. (Think verbal communication, customer service skills, active listening, and time management.) Many transferable skills are also considered soft skills. 

Some of the most common transferable skills are business skills. Business skills encompass a wide range of valuable abilities across industries—particularly in roles that involve decision-making, strategy, and interaction with clients or stakeholders.

Transferable skills examples:

• Leadership skills: team motivation, strategic decision-making, conflict resolution
• Communication skills : active listening, presentation, non-verbal communication
• Sales and negotiation skills : market analysis, client acquisition, deal closure
• Project management skills: resource allocation, timeline management, risk assessment

How to include transferable skills on a resume

Once you clearly understand which transferable skills align with your experience, you can incorporate them by showcasing how you used them to create impact.

For example, let's say you're transitioning from growth marketing to product marketing; you could highlight a bullet achievement like this:

Drove a 40% increase in product sign-ups by optimizing marketing funnels and leveraging data analytics, improving product engagement 3x through market understanding.

Unique skills for your resume

In addition to the four primary types of skills, there are also unique skills. Unique skills are even more distinctive. They're more specialized or rare and aren't commonly found in the job market.

Including unique but important skills on your resume can have a significant impact (if they're relevant to the role) because they capture the attention of hiring managers—making you a more memorable candidate.

Whether it's expertise in a niche technology, a rare language, or a specific artistic talent, including these unique skills can increase your chances of landing an interview as long as they're relevant to the job.

How to identify what skills to put in your resume skills section

Determining which skills to include on your resume can be challenging because even with minimal work experience, you've gained a diverse range of skills across different areas. 

Knowing how to choose the best skills for your resume comes down to 3 basic steps. 

Step 1: Brainstorm your skill set 

Before you refine your resume, you should identify all the skills you've gained over your professional journey (Or, if you're a recent graduate, during your academic experience).  

• Review past roles, projects, and impact
• Think about your hobbies and interests
• Consider your education
• Ask for feedback 
• Take an online skills or personality assessment 

Pro Tip: Uncover what skills you actually like to use and where your strengths are by taking Teal's Work Style Assessment , a free career personality quiz, to discover what energizes and drains you.

Step 2: Eliminate irrelevant skills

Once you've brainstormed your skills, the next step is to carefully evaluate and eliminate any skills irrelevant to the job or industry you want.

While some skills (like your ability to fly a drone or your deep knowledge of the coonhound psyche) might be impressive, if they don't directly contribute to the type of role you're seeking, it's best to leave them out. 

Step 3: Align your skills with job descriptions

Finally, once you have a refined list of skills, save them all in one central location with our free resume creator . Then, it's time to tailor them to each role you're applying for. 

While specific skills for each job are going to vary, it can be helpful to see a few examples of how they're listed in a job description:

• Marketing: execute marketing campaigns, increase brand awareness, generate leads
• Software: design and maintain software applications, meet user needs
• Data science: develop machine-learning algorithms, support strategic initiatives

To tailor your skills the right way, you’re going to have to:

• Examine the job description of the position you're interested in. What are the top skills the hiring manager or recruiter is looking for? Organization skills? Airtable? Miro? Written communication skills? Critical thinking skills?
• Look for important keywords and phrases. For example, words like Python, writing skills, critical thinking, analytical skills, data analysis, problem-solving, adaptability, SEO, etc.
• Compare these keywords with the key skills you've identified, and make sure you incorporate them throughout each section to demonstrate impact (how you used them) and in your dedicated Skills section. (And you’re going to do this for every application!) 

The Teal AI Resume Builder compares the skills from the job description to the skill set in your resume with a Match Score tool. Match Score grades your content so you're never left guessing about how your skills stack up against a job. 

You want your resume score to be as close to 80% as possible. (You can incorporate more skills and keywords from a job description into your content to improve your score.)

How to create the skills section on a resume

Now that you understand how to identify your relevant skills, let's get into how to write a resume Skills section with some best practices and tips for layout, formatting, and how many skills to list on a resume (like, actually). 

• Choose the right skills : Select skills that are most relevant to the job you are applying for. Review the job description carefully and match your skills to the requirements outlined by the employer.
• Categorize your skills : Group similar skills together to make the section more organized and easier for the reader to scan. For example, you can categorize skills into software, certifications, or tools.
• Be specific:  Instead of listing generic skills like "communication tools," list the tool name, ie. "Loom, Zoom, Slack."
• Use keywords from the job description : Incorporate keywords from the job description that show your skills align with what the employer is looking for.
• Limit the number of skills : Aim to balance showcasing a wide range of skills and keeping your list concise.

How to list skills on a resume

To build a dedicated Skills section for a chronological resume, you should incorporate it near the bottom. (A chronological resume format presents your work experience in reverse chronological order—listing your work history, starting with your most recent position and moving backward.)

Your resume sections should look something like this: 

• Contact Information
• Target Title
• Professional Summary 
• Work Experience
• Certifications
• Optional – Projects – Awards and Scholarships – Volunteering and Leadership – Publications

If you want to create a Skills section for a functional resume (only recommended if you're transitioning careers or industries or if you've been out of the workforce for some time), incorporate your Skills section as your work experience.

How many skills to list on a resume

Striking the right balance between showcasing relevant skills and avoiding a lengthy list can seem tricky; Teal Director of Talent Mike Peditto says:

"While there isn't a magic number of skills, a long list can become overwhelming and take focus away from the top skills needed for a job. Focus on the skills that appear early and often throughout the job description. Here, you'll likely find the top 5-8 skills the job is asking for, above all else."

How to describe skills on a resume

Even with a dedicated Skills section on your resume, providing concrete examples of how those skills were instrumental in your success is what makes your claims credible. 

When it comes to describing those top 5-8 skills Peditto highlights:

"These 5-8 skills are the ones you want to highlight not only in a Skills section but in other sections, too, by showing how you've used them. Specific examples offer recruiters and hiring managers concrete proof of what you can do, which is much more effective than simply listing them in the Skills section."

Skills in a professional summary

In your professional summary, you could highlight your communication skills in combination with your hard project management skills by saying something like:

 "As a highly motivated and results-oriented marketing generalist, I have a proven track record in project management, delivering a 20% increase in team productivity through effective communication strategies and streamlined task allocation."

Skills in work experience

In your Work Experience section, you should write resume bullet points that highlight specific hard skills. Let's say you have skills in MySQL and performance optimization and you used them in tandem with your soft skills like team leadership. A resume bullet point could look like this:

"Led a team of 3 to implement an optimized database schema using MySQL and performance optimization, reducing query response times by 40%."

In either situation, use strong action verbs on your resume to convey a sense of movement and impact.

Example of a resume skills section

In your resume's skills section, organizing skills by type improves readability.

For example, categorize your skills into groups like "Technical Proficiency," "Communication Tools," or "Tech Stack." Under each category, use bullets or list relevant skills.

This layout not only highlights your strengths in a structured manner but also allows recruiters to identify your key competencies in specific areas quickly.

Resume Skills section best practices

Now that you know how to create a resume Skills section, here are some best practices for getting it right every time.

• Relevance is key: Ensure that the hard and soft skills you include are directly relevant to the job you are applying for. 
• Be specific and honest: Only provide accurate information about your key skills and avoid exaggeration. 
• Use keywords : Incorporate relevant keywords from the job description in your Skills section and other resume sections. 

Your resume Skills section and honesty

Even though you want to list skills that are relevant and align with a job description as closely as possible, sometimes, you might fall short. And that's okay.

Here's the thing: you only want to apply for roles where you meet at least 70% of the qualifications. Why? Because you want to be capable, competent, and successful in the position you land. 

Exaggerating or lying about skills on your resume can have severe consequences, like being disqualified from consideration. Or, if you claim to have skills you don't, you may find yourself in a position where you can't perform.

Create your Skills section with Teal

Strategically writing a resume Skills section with a variety of abilities is vital to your job search.

Incorporating a mix throughout your resume and in a dedicated Skills section will give a prospective employer a clear and holistic view of your qualifications. 

But creating this section doesn’t have to be time-consuming. 

With Teal, you can create a resume , save all of your skills and then add and remove specific ones based on the role you’re applying for. (You can also move your Skills section to any position in your resume with a drag-and-drop editor.) 

Then, leverage tools like Job Description Keywords and Match Score to see how your entire resume compares to the language of the job description!

Sign up for Teal for free today to get started .

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best skills to put on a resume.

The best skills to include on a resume are those specific to the job you're applying for, including both hard and soft skills that align with the job description. Focus on skills that demonstrate your qualifications for the position. Want to find the top skills for any job? Try Teal's Job Description Keyword Finder .

How can I describe my skills on a resume?

Describe your skills on a resume by giving concrete examples of how you've applied them in past roles or projects, showcasing the impact and value they brought to your work.

How many skills should I list on my resume?

There isn't a definitive number of skills to list on a resume, but it's recommended to focus on the top 5-8 skills that are most relevant and frequently mentioned in the job description to avoid overwhelming the reader.

What skills should I not put on my resume?

Avoid listing skills on your resume that are irrelevant to the job you're applying for or that don't contribute to the type of role you're seeking. Keep your skills list focused and relevant to the job.

Do employers want to see soft skills on a resume?

Yes, employers value soft skills on a resume, as they show how you interact and work with others. Include a mix of hard and soft skills along side metrics and impact to present a balanced view of your capabilities in relation to the role.

If you need help identifying which soft skills to include, Teal's Job Description Keyword Finder can help you tailor the right soft skills for every role.

Kayte Grady

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Every Question You Have About Resume Skills Sections, Answered

When you’re trying to keep your resume length down to accommodate that one-page limit , your skills section may seem like a prime contender for the chopping block. You might wonder why you ever included one in the first place. After all, it’s full of information that can be gleaned from other parts of your application, right?

Not so fast! Before you axe your resume skills section to make more space, read on to get the full picture of what you’d be giving up. And once you’re convinced not to scrap it, find out what types of skills you should include on a resume, how you should format a dedicated skills section, and how to figure the right skills for each job application.

Why do I need a skills section?

Overall, your resume skills section gives your application a nice optimization bump for both the human and digital review process. The whole point of keeping your resume concise is to allow a recruiter or hiring manager to figure out the value you could create for the company after just a quick skim.

For certain roles, it can be a nonstarter for a candidate to not have specific skills. You can’t be a ballerina if you don’t know how to dance, obviously, just like you won’t get a front-end developer role if you don’t know HTML.

Outside of these situations, however, the hiring managers I’ve spoken to are looking at the big picture. Monica Orta, a hiring manager at the MIT Media Lab, says the skills section gives her “a sense of the suite of skills a person has—it’s another way to look at their experience and helps paint a fuller picture.” They’re trying to connect the dots, and skills help fill in the gaps a bit.

Another reality of the job application process is the ubiquity of applicant tracking systems (ATS) —software that most employers use to organize and parse candidate resumes. Keyword scanning is one way an ATS flags resumes for closer review, and a skills section, conveniently, can serve as an extra block of relevant keywords.

What do I include in my skills section?

Hiring managers are trying to pull together a story about you, so the first rule is that your skills section should match the experience you’ve written about in your resume.

Here’s what you should include:

Skills relevant to  this job

Each job will require different skills to be successful, so each skills section you write will be a bit different as well. But how do you figure out the right combination of skills for a particular job application? Check the answer key!

That is, print out the job description of the role you’re interested in and take a highlighter to it (or copy and paste it into a doc and highlight there), marking any skills you see listed that you have. Then, make sure these skills are listed on your resume. For example, here’s a job description with some of the key skills bolded:

Email Marketing Manager

Responsibilities

• Manage email marketing strategy and calendar
• Monitor, analyze, and report on campaign performance
• Improve campaign success through conversion optimization, A/B testing, segmentation, and more
• Collaborate with the design and editorial teams to maintain consistent brand and voice across platforms
• Work cross-functionally with sales, product, product marketing, and data teams

Requirements

• 3+ years in email marketing
• Experience with content management systems and email service providers such as MailChimp or Constant Contact
• Experience with Google Analytics, HTML, CSS, Photoshop, Microsoft Excel, and SEO a plus
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Team player with strong interpersonal, relationship-building, and stakeholder management skills
• Excellent problem solving and time management skills

And here’s a list of skills you might include in your skills section if you were applying to the job:

Conversion optimization, A/B testing, segmentation, MailChimp, Constant Contact, Google Analytics, HTML, CSS, Photoshop, Microsoft Excel, SEO

All of that is just from one job description. Even better, find a few different job postings for the kind of role you’re interested in. Then, start looking for common skills among the different postings. These are the skills you definitely want on your resume—and likely in your skills section.

When crafting your skills section, pay particular attention to skills that the employer is looking for, but haven’t necessarily been part of your daily job. Perhaps you took an online course on how to use InDesign or independently studied web design and HTML for your personal website. These skills will be absent from your experience section, which means the skills section is a great place to highlight them.

Hard skills

Your resume skills section should mainly be reserved for your hard skills . Think programming languages, business or design software, analytics programs, subject-matter expertise, or even carpentry skills—anything that can be taught, defined, and measured.

Hiring managers often consider soft skills (like teamwork, communication, time management, and leadership) to be just as important as hard skills, if not more so. That said, these skills are not often included in a separate skills section since they’re usually intangible and harder to evaluate. While your soft skills are incredibly important, they’re better portrayed (and more believable) if you give them some context. So save your soft skills for resume bullets and your cover letter, where you can tell a story that shows them in action.

Read More: Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: What the Heck Is the Difference?

Bonus skills that show your passion

You can also add skills that will show how passionate you are about the job. For example, one hiring manager I know in tech finds it interesting and noteworthy to see skills that are kind of esoteric, but still relevant. Functional programming languages in particular always catch his eye. To him, it indicates that the candidate has a keen interest in programming and possibly went out of their way to learn it on their own. That’s a pretty efficient way to show your enthusiasm—listing a juicy, related, but kind-of-obscure skill.

Read More:  The Right Way to Add Skills to Your Resume (With 250+ Example Skills)

What shouldn’t  I include in my skills section?

Here’s what doesn't belong in your skills section:

• Irrelevant skills: Particularly for people who are pivoting to another career, it can be a good branding move to not include the skills you don’t want to use anymore, especially if they’re not relevant or inherently interesting. For example, if you’re an executive assistant who wants to move into diversity and inclusion work, you probably don’t want to list all the flight booking and calendaring tools you’re familiar with. If you must include these skills in your experience section to accurately describe your previous roles, that’s fine, but don’t reiterate them in your skills section.
• Very basic skills: There’s generally no need to put “ Microsoft Word ” or similar on your resume, unless the job description specifically lists this skill.
• Skills you don’t have: Listing skills on a resume implies you’re confident in your abilities. So you should also leave off anything that you’re still working on or don’t feel comfortable training someone else in (like foreign languages you haven’t spoken since high school).
• Unrelated hobbies: You might be an amazing knitter, but that probably doesn’t belong in your skills section if you’re applying to be a social media manager for a hotel chain. (You can always include these kinds of hobbies under “Interests,” of course.)

How do I write a skills section?

Hopefully, at this point you’ve been convinced to keep your skills section intact and perhaps even to add a couple things you hadn’t thought of before. But how do you best present all this important information in a way that isn’t just a jumble of keywords? That might be okay for an ATS, but no human being wants to read that. So follow these steps:

1. Group your skills.

Sort your skills into reasonable categories, then name each group of skills something appropriate. Think of subheadings as beautiful things that make even the most unruly mess of words look sleek and organized. For example, if you happen to be multilingual, a good subheading for all the languages you speak would be, unsurprisingly, “Languages.” Or if you’re a designer who also codes, label your sections “Design” and “ Technical .”

2. Format your skills section so it’s easy to read.

For example, you might put each category on a new line with the subheading in bold at the beginning of the list. Even though this section is short, it still needs to be easy to skim. Bullets and subheadings prompt the reader to start reading again.

3. Decide where to place your skills section.

Generally a skills section lives at the bottom of a resume. It’s meant to reiterate or summarize what the reader learned from your experience section. There are some exceptions though. If you’re a career changer who’s been slowly accumulating the necessary skills for a shift, for example, it might make sense to move this section up to a more prominent spot on your resume—possibly even the top—to create a hybrid , functional , or skills-based resume. If you work in a technical field where hard skills are paramount, you might also want to put your skills section at the top.

Example skills section

Here’s an example of a good skills section for someone who is looking for work as a designer:

Visual Design: InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere, XD, Animate, Lightroom 3D Modeling & 2D Drafting: Rhino, VRay, AutoCAD, Vectorworks, Autodesk Fusion 360 Programming: Grasshopper, Processing, HTML, CSS

Regina Borsellino also contributed writing, reporting, and/or advice to this article.

101 Essential Skills to Put on a Resume in 2024 [For Most Jobs]

Skills make a huge chunk of a potential employer’s decision to hire you. 

You might think this section of your resume is easy - you just list your skills and you’re good to go.

But listing your skills the right way is a bit trickier.

How do you know if you’re mentioning the necessary skills for the job or if you’re just giving the hiring manager irrelevant information? 

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

In this guide, we’re going to walk you through the process of putting skills on your resume from start to finish.

You’re going to learn:

What Are the Different Types of Skills?

• Why Should You List Your Skills on Your Resume?
• How to List Skills on a Resume
• 12 Best Skills to Put on Any Resume 
• 400+ Skills to Put on a Resume for Different Professions

Let’s dive in!

Skills are the various abilities and attributes that you bring to the table when you’re applying for a job.

Your skills can be your ability to do a specific task or solve a problem with some level of proficiency, and they’re typically divided into hard skills and soft skills.

If you want to create an effective resume that catches the hiring manager’s attention, you need to mention both hard and soft skills.

Let’s break down what each means:

Hard Skills

Hard skills involve the technical knowledge or know-how one can gain through experience, training, or education. 

While hard skills are essential for completing tasks in just about any job, they’re also teachable and easily measurable. 

For example: 

• Machinery skills. Some fields require operating specialized machinery or equipment. (E.g., operating a road roller, pallet-stalker, forklift, or others.)
• Software skills. Depending on the field, you need to know how to use different software, such as the Adobe Creative Suite for designers or the Ableton Live Suite if you’re a DJ.
• Tools. If you’re a digital marketer , you’ll need to know how to use tools like Stethoscope, Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Ahrefs, and SEMrush.
• Languages. Being able to communicate in more than one language is an extremely useful skill. The more customers or teams you can communicate with, the more valuable you are as an employee. Some of the most sought-after languages today include German, Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic.
• Computer skills. Most jobs will require that you have at least some basic computer knowledge in MS Office and G-Suite, emailing, and presentations. If you’re a web developer , your hard skills will likely include more specialized software knowledge or proficiency in coding languages such as Python, C++, or PHP.
• Techniques. Different specialized techniques you’ve learned can be listed as individual skills. (E.g.: frequency analysis, crystallization, gamification, or even CPR and first aid.)
• Mathematics. A lot of professions, such as accounting and finance, require mathematical skills. If you’re applying for a position in a field that uses advanced mathematics, such as a research assistant , you should be more specific with the types of mathematical skills you have. (E.g.: statistics, trigonometry, calculus, algebra, etc.)
• Data analysis. Businesses are always looking for professionals who can gather and analyze data for various stakeholders and help make strategic decisions, making different types of data analysis a very in-demand hard skill.

…so, just about any field-specific skill is a hard skill you can list on your resume.

Soft Skills

The attributes and habits that describe how you work individually or with others are known as soft skills .

Generally speaking, soft skills aren’t job-specific, so they’re transferable skills that indirectly help you adapt to the work environment and company culture. 

Some examples of the most in-demand soft skills include: 

• Time management
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Problem-solving
• Interpersonal skills
• Attention to detail
• Emotional intelligence
• Conflict resolution
• Stress management
• Critical thinking
• Organization

Soft skills are essential for just about any job out there.

While some soft skills can be critical to doing your job well, such as communication with a customer support representative , others ensure that you get along with your coworkers and foster a positive work environment.

Like hard skills, you can also learn how to develop soft skills, but it’s significantly harder. 

While you can acquire computer skills through a technical course, you’ll need to put in a lot more effort to develop your communication skills. 

For example, you would need to practice active listening in the workplace, learn how to notice nonverbal cues and practice your oral communication skills as much as possible to improve.

What’s the Difference Between Hard Skills and Soft Skills?

There are three main differences between hard skills and soft skills.

• How you obtain them. You can obtain hard skills through work experience , education, training, and certifications. Soft skills, on the other hand, can be gained through life experience, both in and out of work.
• How you use them. While you apply hard skills directly to the job, soft skills usually come into play indirectly and may often complement your hard skills. For example, you may be a communicative marketer or an office manager with great leadership qualities.
• How you list them. Hard skills and soft skills should be listed separately on your resume, but unlike soft skills, hard skills can include your level of proficiency. You can say you’re an advanced user of Adobe Photoshop, but you can’t measure how creative you are in the same way.

When it comes to your employability, both sets of skills are crucial for your resume.

If a hiring manager is on the fence about two candidates with the same hard skills, it’s the soft skills that are going to tip the scales in someone’s favor.

Why Should You List Skills on Your Resume?

The skills section is one of the two most important resume sections , with the other being your work experience.

In fact, 41% of hiring managers notice skills on your resume first.

Let’s look at an example of a well-written skill section:

At first glance, listing some skills on your resume looks easy.

In reality, though, putting skills on your resume the right way is a bit more nuanced than that, and here’s why:

Most companies nowadays use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to help them go through the hundreds and thousands of resumes they receive every day.

This software scans your resume for keywords relevant to the job you’re applying for, and if it doesn’t find them, the ATS automatically rejects your resume.

For example, let’s say you’re applying for a job as a software engineer , and the job requires an expert level of proficiency in Javascript.

If you focus on other programming languages and don’t mention Java as a skill on your resume, the ATS will probably discard it immediately.

Resume statistics show that nearly 75% of resumes are rejected at this first screening stage, and they never make it to a hiring manager .

But let’s assume the company doesn’t use an ATS, and your resume ends up on a hiring manager’s desk.

There’s a good chance the hiring manager is only going to skim through your resume in less than six seconds , looking for the right set of skills.

So, regardless of whether you’ll need to breeze past the ATS or the hiring manager, you have to mention the right skills.

How to List Skills on a Resume (And Stand Out)

Now that you have a clear understanding of how important skills are, let’s talk about how you should list them on your resume.

We’ve divided the process into a step-by-step guide you can follow, starting with:

#1. Tailor Your Skills to the Job

The key to an effective skills section is making sure the skills you list are relevant to the job.

For example, if you’re applying for a job as a backend developer, the customer service skills you gained working as a server during college don’t belong on your resume.

So, only list skills that are useful for the job you are applying for.

Start by thoroughly reading the job advertisement to find out what skills to include on your resume.

Job ads usually list a set of requirements or skills they expect from candidates. Take note of which skills and experiences you have, and remember to write them down on your resume.

Let’s look at an example of a job ad for a line cook position in a restaurant:

At Restaurant X, we are dedicated to delivering an exceptional dining experience that reflects the heart of French cuisine. We are currently seeking a skilled Line Cook to join our team for the summer season. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced, prestigious environment under the mentorship of our acclaimed chef.

Key Responsibilities:

• Efficiently prep ingredients for service, ensuring high standards of quality and freshness.
• Execute recipes to exact standards, contributing to the creation of signature dishes that delight our guests.
• Maintain meticulous attention to detail in the plating and presentation of each dish.
• Uphold the highest standards of cleanliness and sanitation in the kitchen before, during, and after service.

Requirements:

• Proven experience as a line cook in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
• A passion for French cuisine and a strong desire to learn and grow within the culinary field.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Knowledge of best practices for food handling, safety, and sanitation.

From this job description, we can see that the restaurant is looking for someone who:

• Is committed to excellence and is highly professional
• Works well under supervision and as part of a team
• Has experience working in a fast-paced kitchen environment
• Pays great attention to detail when it comes to cooking and presentation

Based on this, some of the skills you should definitely mention in your resume include:

• Culinary Expertise
• Food Preparation
• Knife Skills
• Plating Techniques
• Time Management
• Attention to Detail
• Safety and Sanitation
• Stress Management

Don’t mention skills that aren’t directly related to the job. For example, a line cook doesn’t need to list computer skills on their resume, even if those skills are relevant for most other jobs.

#2. Create a Skills Section

Once you’ve identified all the right skills to add to your resume, create a dedicated “Skills” section to list them under.

A dedicated section will help you pass the ATS, and it makes it easier for hiring managers to find the skills they’re looking for.

Here’s an example of what a skills section can look like on a resume:

We recommend keeping your resume skills section somewhere near the top of the page so that the hiring manager can see it quickly. Usually, they should go either next to or after the work experience section, depending on your resume layout .

Next, here are a few tips you should keep in mind when listing your skills:

• Be specific. “Verbal and written communication” sounds significantly better than just “communication.” 
• Sort your skills by relevance. Order your skills based on how crucial they are for the role. The more important skills should go at the top, and the nice-to-have ones should go after them.
• Format skills accordingly. Not everyone has dozens of skills they can show off on their resume, and that’s okay. If you don’t have a lot of skills, you can list both your hard and soft skills in a single section, just like the example we used above.
• Don’t lie or exaggerate. If you don’t have one of the required skills for the role or you’re not very experienced, just be honest. It goes without saying that you should never lie about what you can do. The employer will find out you lied eventually, your professional reputation will bear the consequences, and you could even lose your job.

#3. Match Each Skill With Your Proficiency Level

While some skills are hard to measure, others can be put on a proficiency scale .

We recommend only using a proficiency scale for some hard skills, such as specific tools or software programs. Soft skills are difficult to measure objectively, so there’s no point in putting them on a scale.

Here’s how to show your proficiency level:

• Beginner. You are just starting to learn this skill, or you haven’t practiced the skill through experience. This usually applies to students with no experience who only understand concepts through theories or classroom experience.
• Intermediate. You have applied this skill in practice, and you rarely need help with it, but you still have room to grow.
• Advanced. At this level, you know your stuff. You don’t need help with this skill anymore, and you can teach beginners how to use it.
• Expert. You’re a recognized authority when it comes to this skill, and you’re the go-to person if anyone has any questions.

#4. Back-Up Your Skills in Other Resume Sections

Only listing your skills in their dedicated section will get you so far. After all, everyone else is doing the exact same thing. 

If you want to take your resume from good to great, you need your most critical skills to make an impression from the get-go.

This is where the resume headline and work experience sections come in.

Resume Headline

Your resume headline can be either a resume summary or a resume objective.

The resume summary is a short, two to four-sentence-long paragraph that summarizes your resume. When done right, it shows the hiring manager your strongest selling points as a candidate right from the start.

Here’s an example in action:

But if you don’t have a lot of experience, you can use a resume objective instead.

The resume objective is a two to three-sentence statement of your career intent that goes at the top of your resume. It can include a snapshot of your professional experience, skills, achievements, and professional goals.

Here’s what it looks like:

Both the resume summary and resume objective go at the top of your resume, either before or after your contact information section .

Regardless of which resume headline you go for, the goal of this section is to pique the hiring manager’s curiosity and make them want to read your whole resume. You should always add one or two of the most necessary skills from the job description here.

Work Experience

Once you’ve mentioned some of your top skills in your resume headline, you have to prove you actually have them.

The best way to do that is by listing some impressive achievements in your work experience section and explaining how your skills helped you.

Let’s look at what the work experience section could look like for the data entry specialist from our resume summary example:

• Achieve a 99% accuracy rate, surpassing departmental accuracy goals by 15%.
• Leveraged advanced organizational abilities to streamline data entry processes, reducing task completion times by 20%.
• Employed superior communication and interpersonal skills to resolve 95% of customer inquiries on the first contact, earning an Employee of the Month award.
• Managed and maintained a complex database of over 10,000 records, ensuring data integrity and accuracy through effective office management practices.

Hobbies and Interests

Another section where you can back up your skills is your hobbies and interests section .

If you have leftover space on your resume, you can use this optional section to list a couple of hobbies or areas of interest that relate to your skills.

For example, let’s say you’re applying for a job as a writer, and the ad says you need to be creative, collaborative, and familiar with pop culture.

In that case, if one of your hobbies is playing a popular tabletop role-playing game with your friends, like Dungeons and Dragons, make sure to list it.

A hobby like that shows that you are genuinely creative, like writing for fun, and are capable of organizing with multiple people for a mutual goal.

#5. Put Transferable Skills to Use 

If you’re looking for your first job or if you’re making a career change , transferable skills are something you should make use of.

Transferable skills are skills that aren’t directly related to the job you are applying for, but they’re still useful and likely relevant for most jobs.

For example, if you're writing a career change resume and you’re going from a role as a sales associate to a copywriter, there are several transferable skills you can list on your resume.

Some of them include:

• Written communication. Both roles involve communicating through text. A salesperson needs to send cold outreach emails, while a copywriter has to write newsletter emails.
• Persuasion. A copywriter needs to create copy that drives sales, while a salesperson needs to be persuasive in person.
• Computer skills. Both jobs require some degree of computer literacy. For a salesperson, that might mean using Customer Management Software, while for a copywriter, that’s publishing content online.

12 Best Skills to Put on Any Resume

Now that you know how to put skills on your resume, it’s time to talk about which skills you should add.

Every profession requires some role-specific hard skills. For example, a photographer needs to know how to use photo editing software like Photoshop. 

But when it comes to soft skills, a lot of them are universal across different industries.

Soft skills are the skills that define your approach to work, how well you cooperate with others, and if you can fit into a company’s culture.

And while the right soft skills for a job may be harder to point out, they’re just as essential in today’s job market. In fact, 93% of employers say that soft skills play a critical role in the hiring decision.

There are very few, if any, jobs out there that don’t require at least some level of communication skills .

So, let’s look at some of the most highly valued skills for any resume:

#1. Communication skills

Whether you’re a writer who needs to communicate a message to your readers, a marketing specialist who needs to communicate an advertising campaign to your client, or an employee who needs to communicate with a coworker to complete a task, communication skills are vital. 

Communication is a multi-faceted skill that includes several skills, such as: 

• Oral and written communication
• Non-verbal communication
• Active Listening
• Presentation
• Public-speaking
• Negotiation

#2. Problem-Solving

Problem-solving means you’re able to identify problems, find the root cause behind them, and come up with creative solutions.

Considering there isn’t a single job where you won’t face problems in one way or another, problem-solving skills are a great asset to have.

Throughout your career, you might have to troubleshoot technical glitches, resolve customer complaints, streamline processes, or drive strategic initiatives. In any of these cases, strong problem-solving skills will be crucial to your success. 

But problem-solving is a broad set of skills that can include:

• Analytical thinking
• Root cause analysis
• Data gathering and evaluation
• Creative thinking
• Decision making
• Strategic planning
• Risk assessment and management

Whether you’re an IT professional debugging code or a manager implementing operational improvements, problem-solving skills let you tackle challenges head-on.

#3. Conflict Resolution

When working with diverse groups, disagreements are bound to happen. So, having the skills to resolve conflicts in a constructive manner is extremely valuable in any organization.

Conflict resolution skills are essential for managers addressing performance issues, HR professionals mediating workplace disputes, sales teams negotiating contracts, or coworkers with clashing personalities.

This multifaceted skill involves:

• Impartiality and objectivity
• Assertive communication
• Creative problem-solving
• Persuasion and influence
• Patience and composure

#4. Computer Literacy

Over 70% of jobs require medium-to-high-level digital skills.  

This means that computer and technical skills are priceless assets, even if your job isn’t centered around technology. So, computer skills are almost always a great addition to any resume.

Here are some valuable computer skills for every professional: 

• Office suites (MS Office, iWork)
• Social media
• Database management
• Web (Internet savviness, basic HTML, CMS)
• Troubleshooting
• Equipment installation and configuration
• Fast Typing

#5. Research

Effective research abilities are essential for making informed decisions and driving successful outcomes across any industry.

Whether you’re conducting market research to identify consumer needs, gathering data to explore a scientific hypothesis, or investigating to build a legal case, strong research skills are invaluable.

Some research skills include:

• Finding credible sources
• Evaluating information objectively
• Organizing data
• Identifying patterns
• Documenting and reporting findings

#6. Teamwork

Teamwork skills enable you to work effectively with others towards a common goal.

Since teams tend to drive most major projects and workplace initiatives, learning how to work well with others is essential to most jobs. You might be part of a project team, a committee, or just coordinate across departments someday.

What you need for strong teamwork skills is:

• Active listening
• Reliability
• Flexibility
• Motivating others

#7. Project Management

Project management skills are usually associated with dedicated project manager roles, but in reality, that's not usually the case. Any type of professional can benefit from strong project management skills.

In a nutshell, project management skills involve being able to effectively handle resources, timelines, deliverables, and processes for driving projects to successful completion.

Here are some of the most in-demand project management skills:

• Resource allocation and management
• Project planning and scheduling
• Risk identification and mitigation
• Logistics and coordination
• Action planning
• Task planning and prioritization
• Stakeholder management

#8. Leadership

Leadership includes both the ability to manage and inspire others. Managers are not always great leaders, but leaders almost always make good managers. 

People who are good at leading are emotionally intelligent, good communicators, and natural-born influencers. They can motivate others to reach their full potential and work together towards common goals. This makes leadership another great skill to have for many professions out there. 

Some important soft skills related to leadership include:

• Relationship-building
• Strategic thinking

#9. Organization

Organizational skills are a set of soft skills that help you keep track of information, materials, and even your time in such a way that you can tackle short and long-term tasks efficiently.

Organizational skills are among the top skills recruiters are looking for in 2022, primarily because they help employees be more productive, save companies time and money, and facilitate a more positive work environment. 

Here is what organizational skills consist of: 

• Physical organization
• Prioritization
• Goal setting

#10. Time Management

Time management is the ability to effectively prioritize and organize your tasks and responsibilities.

Needless to say, it’s a crucial skill in nearly every job, since being able to manage your time well allows you to increase productivity, meet deadlines, and maintain a healthy work-life balance .

Time management includes:

• Task prioritization and planning
• Task delegation
• Avoiding and Ignoring distractions
• Adapting to changing priorities

#11. Customer Service

A lot of the jobs out there involve dealing with customers. 

From customer support representatives to cashiers, customer service skills are a great asset to have in 2024. Particularly, that’s because it encompasses a number of other valuable skills, such as:

• Persuasion skills
• Product knowledge

#12. Networking

Networking skills refer to how well you can build professional relationships and connections.

It goes without saying that they're extremely useful for roles like sales, business development, or entrepreneurship, as a lot of the work involves meeting and engaging new people.

However, these skills are also useful for roles where you don't expect to rely on professional networking as much.

Take, for example, project managers. To be really effective, they need to:

• Understand the needs of stakeholders
• Collaborate with various teams across the organization
• Build rapport with people at all levels

Just like most other skills on our list, networking skills are multi-faceted. They include:

400 Must-Have Skills for Different Professions

Still not sure which skills to mention in your resume? We’ve got you covered.

We compiled a list of some of the most relevant skills on the market in 2024, for all sorts of different fields!

If you happen to possess some of these skills, make sure to mention them in your resume. If not, it’s never too late to learn something new!

#1. Retail and Sales Skills

Retail and sales are at the heart of successful business interactions.

Despite the rise of technology, the essence of sales hasn’t changed much . People still need contact with each other, and even with channels of communication becoming digital, communication skills and empathy still take top priority in this industry.

So, here’s a list of must-have skills for salespeople and retail workers :

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
• Cold-calling
• Merchandising
• Product demonstration
• Public speaking
• Inventory management
• Lead generation
• Buyer-Responsive selling
• Buyer engagement
• Point of Sale (POS) proficiency
• Effective communication and sociability
• Social media and digital communication
• Listening skills
• Personalized selling
• Service-based selling
• Follow-up techniques
• Up-selling and cross-selling
• Knowledge of return and exchange policies
• Organizational skills
• Multitasking capabilities

#2. Customer Service Skills

Customer service requires a specialized skill set centered around excellent communication and problem-solving. Success in this field relies on effectively managing various communication platforms and maintaining customer satisfaction through attentive service.

Some skills crucial for any customer service representative include:

• Telephone etiquette
• Data entry proficiency
• Customer needs assessment
• Crisis management
• Multitasking
• Ticket tracking systems
• Scripted responses
• Technical troubleshooting
• Complaint resolution
• Record-keeping
• Team collaboration
• Understanding of privacy and confidentiality
• Customer education techniques
• Feedback collection
• Call center operations
• Email Etiquette
• Live chat management
• Help desk support
• Client retention strategies
• Cultural sensitivity

#3. Hospitality Skills

Hospitality is all about making guests feel welcome and appreciated, no matter the setting - whether it’s a bustling hotel, a serene resort, or a cruise ship. Professionals in this field need to create memorable experiences for guests by providing impeccable service and making sure their every need is met with a smile.

Some of the most sought-after hospitality skills are:

• Customer service excellence
• Effective communication
• Foreign languages
• Reservation management
• Event planning
• Specialized software proficiency
• Front desk operations
• Tour and activity coordination
• Guest Relations
• Guest information management
• Concierge services
• Personalized guest experiences
• Safety and security protocols
• Marketing and upselling
• Health and hygiene standards
• Loyalty programs management
• Quality control
• Emergency response handling
• Environmental sustainability practices
• Check-in and check-out procedures

#4. Food and Beverage Skills

The food and beverage industry is one of the most dynamic and fast-paced environments you can work in. Here, professionals have to continually adapt to customers’ changing preferences, stay updated on culinary trends, and provide exceptional service.

Here are some skills that would look great on any food and beverage worker's resume:

• Menu planning and design
• Recipe development
• Food safety and hygiene
• Culinary arts
• Plate presentation
• Portion control
• Cost control and budgeting
• Wine pairing
• Beverage service
• Detailed menu knowledge
• Order taking and processing
• Table setting and arrangement
• Food preparation techniques
• Dietary restrictions and allergen awareness
• Staff training
• Quality assurance
• Health and safety regulations compliance
• Event catering management
• Customer feedback management
• Upselling techniques
• Point of sale (POS) system operation
• Kitchen equipment operation and maintenance
• Communication skills

Looking for more skills? Check out our server resume example here.

#5. Marketing and Advertising Skills

With new technologies developing faster than ever, it’s essential to move beyond the basics of traditional marketing and advertising to succeed in the industry. New skills keep popping up, and even the biggest marketing executives out there need to stay up to date on the latest developments.

So, here are some  of the most important marketing and advertising skills for any level:

• Data analysis
• Web analytics 
• Email marketing
• Web scraping
• CRO and A/B testing
• Data visualization
• Pattern-finding through critical thinking
• Project/campaign management
• Social media and mobile marketing 
• Paid social media advertisements
• B2B Marketing
• The four P-s of Marketing
• Consumer Behavior Drivers
• Brand management
• Copywriting
• Storytelling
• Digital advertising
• Multichannel marketing
• Public relations
• Content strategy
• Market research
• Budget management
• Compliance and legal considerations
• Affiliate marketing

#6. Administrative Skills

If you work in an office setting, there are some skills you should know, regardless of your job. Whether you’re a secretary, office manager, or executive assistant , you can put these skills on your resume.

Some basic administrative skills include:

• Microsoft Office
• Google Suite
• Filing and paper management
• Bookkeeping
• Research and data analysis
• Office management
• Technical writing
• Cloud networking and file sharing
• Prioritization and task management
• Customer service skills
• Meeting planning and coordination
• Event management
• Travel management
• Document preparation
• Confidentiality and data protection
• Minute taking
• Report generation
• Problem-solving skills
• Calendar management
• Expense reports
• Reception duties
• Correspondence handling
• Presentation skills
• Project management skills

#7. Human Resources Skills

Human Resources is a field that needs a strategic blend of soft and hard skills.

HR specialists are essential for managing diverse workforce needs and enhancing employee and company productivity in the long run.

Here are some examples of HR skills that always come in handy:

• Emotional Intelligence
• Motivation techniques
• Technological savviness
• People management
• Business development
• Strategic management
• Negotiation skills
• Recruitment and selection
• Training and development
• Performance management
• Knowledge of compensation and benefits
• Employee relations
• Labor law compliance
• Succession planning
• HR analytics
• Diversity and inclusion initiatives
• Change management
• Employee engagement strategies
• Workplace safety
• Talent acquisition strategies
• Policy formulation and implementation
• Employee counseling and support
• HR information systems (HRIS)
• Cross-cultural communication

#8. Business Skills

Business professionals are increasingly vital to organizations since they offer operational support and strategic insights that can drive growth.

Experts in the business industry need a broad set of skills to analyze trends , optimize processes, and predict future outcomes so their companies remain competitive and responsive to changes in the market.

Here are some examples of skills any business professional could add to their resume:

• Financial forecasting
• Profit and loss management
• Market analysis
• Trend identification
• Competitive analysis
• Risk management
• Project management
• Operations management
• Leadership and team building
• Stakeholder engagement
• Supply chain management
• CRM software proficiency
• ERP systems
• Business reporting
• Compliance and ethics
• Sales and marketing strategies
• Customer service
• Business writing
• Analytical reasoning
• Cloud computing
• E-commerce management
• Social media strategy
• Digital marketing
• Innovation management

#9. Finance and Accounting Skills

The days of filing financial data and taxes by hand are long behind us, and now there are countless digital platforms and apps you can use instead.

So, it goes without saying that anyone working in finance or accounting should be familiar with the most popular skills and tools in the industry.

Some examples include:

• Microsoft Excel
• Enterprise Resource Planning 
• Big Data Analysis
• Know Your Customers (KYC)
• Cognos Analytics (IBM)
• Visual Basic
• Accounting Software
• Revenue recognition
• Anti-money laundering
• Clear communication
• General business knowledge
• Numerical competence
• Financial reporting
• Cost accounting
• Tax preparation and planning
• Financial modeling
• Investment analysis
• Credit analysis
• Cash flow management
• Portfolio management
• Compliance and regulatory management
• Audit coordination
• Project financing
• Mergers and acquisitions

#10. IT Skills

New technology is popping up every other day, and that’s a great reason for anyone working in IT to keep their skills updated.

That said, if you are proficient in a programming language or two, you pretty much have a leg up on the competition.

Here’s a list of some of the most useful skills for any IT professional out there:

• Programming languages (Python, Java, C#)
• Web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
• Frameworks (React, Angular, Vue.js)
• Mobile app development (iOS, Android)
• Database management (SQL, NoSQL)
• Cloud computing services (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
• DevOps practices (CI/CD, automation)
• Containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
• Network security protocols
• Cybersecurity best practices
• Data analysis and visualization
• Machine learning and AI algorithms
• Version control systems (Git, SVN)
• Agile and Scrum methodologies
• Software testing and debugging
• System architecture design
• API design and development
• Performance optimization
• IT project management
• IT support and troubleshooting
• Operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux)
• Scripting (Bash, PowerShell)
• IT infrastructure management
• Virtualization technologies
• IT compliance and governance
• UX/UI design principles
• SEO and web analytics
• Blockchain technology

#11. Nursing and Healthcare Skills

More than any other profession, healthcare professionals need to stay updated on the latest technologies, medicines, and techniques.

While the skills a registered nurse or other healthcare professional needs are countless and can be extremely specific to their specialization, the most basic skills boil down to:

• Mathematics
• Paperwork/record-keeping abilities
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
• Physical endurance 
• Infection control
• Surgery preparation
• Medication administration
• Emergency room care
• Psychiatric support
• Geriatric health
• Pediatric nursing
• Oncology knowledge
• Patient education
• Medical software proficiency
• Phlebotomy skills
• Vital signs monitoring
• Palliative care
• Obstetric and neonatal care
• Medical terminology
• Ethical decision-making
• Team coordination
• Cultural competency

#12. Art and Design Skills

Today, knowing the basics of art and design isn’t enough. To get hired as part of a creative team, be it as a designer or illustrator , you need to know how to create content with different tools and for different channels, like the web and social media.

Some of the most important art and design skills for your resume include:

• Graphic design
• Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop)
• Dreamweaver
• Infographics
• Web and app development (HTML, CSS, UX/UI)
• Photo Editing 
• Typography (spacing, line height, layout, choosing fonts)
• Storyboarding
• Targeting and marketing through visual communications
• Logo creation
• Digital printing
• Integration of visual communication in social media platforms
• Attention to detail and aesthetics
• Interactive media design
• Color sense and theory
• 3D modeling and animation (Blender, Autodesk Maya)
• Video editing (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro)
• Motion graphics (Adobe After Effects)
• Print design
• Packaging design
• Branding and identity design
• Environmental graphic design
• Exhibition design
• Illustration
• Sketching and conceptual visualization
• User interface design
• User experience design
• Prototyping (digital and physical)
• Content management systems (WordPress)
• Accessibility standards for design
• Composition
• Crafting and use of traditional media
• Client relations and communication
• Augmented reality (AR) design
• Virtual reality (VR) design

#13. Education Skills

You might have three PhDs and still struggle to get the latest educational programs to work in front of your classroom. You’re likely missing some crucial skills for your field.

Teaching methods have evolved, and so have the skills you need to be a teacher or professor at the top of your game. So, here are some essential skills if you want to work in education:

• Updated curriculum knowledge
• Educational platforms (Elearn)
• Technological and digital literacy
• Lesson planning
• Classroom management
• Student assessments
• Differentiated instruction
• Educational theory and practice
• Parent and community engagement
• Child psychology
• Educational policy knowledge
• Student safety and welfare
• Career counseling
• Technology integration in the classroom
• Remote learning management
• Curriculum adaptation
• Educational software proficiency

Looking for a job in academia? Learn how to write an academic CV to get started.

Bonus Infographic: Skills to Put on a Resume

FAQs About Putting Skills on Your Resume

Do you still have some questions about what skills you should put on your resume and how? Check out the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions here:

#1. What kind of skills should I include in my resume?

Your resume should include a combination of two types of skills: hard skills and soft skills.

Hard skills involve job-specific skills that are acquired through education, training, or work experience, while soft skills involve personality traits that can be indirectly useful at the workplace and help you adapt to the company culture better.

Depending on your industry, some examples of hard skills you can list on your resume include copywriting, database management, graphic design, foreign languages, public speaking, and more.

Examples of soft skills include communication, creativity, leadership, teamwork, time management, and conflict resolution.

#2. What top skills do employers look for?

Currently, some of the top hard skills hiring managers are on the lookout for include blockchain development, SEO, virtual reality development, data analysis, artificial intelligence, business analysis, Java development, affiliate marketing, UX design, machine learning, project management, video production and editing, sales, and business development .

The top soft skills hiring managers are looking for include creativity, collaboration, persuasion, adaptability, and emotional intelligence.

#3. How can I identify my skills?

If you want to identify your skills, start by considering your greatest accomplishments . Have you been recognized for a specific achievement? What skills helped you do it? You’re probably still skilled in those areas.

Next, consider asking friends and coworkers. Sometimes, it’s easier for others to recognize your strengths . If you’re new to the job market, you can ask former professors and classmates to give you some insight, too.

#4. Where do skills go on a resume?

Your skills should go under a separate ‘Skills’ section on your resume, typically placed right below or next to your work experience section.

That said, you should further prove that you have the skills you list in this section. Weave the most relevant skills for the job in other resume sections, such as the resume summary and your work experience sections, to show the hiring manager how those skills are put to use.

#5. How many skills should I include in my resume?

The number of skills to add to your resume depends on the job you’re applying for, as well as your level of expertise and work history.

If you’re a seasoned professional with plenty of job-related skills, you should definitely include them in your resume.

As a rule of thumb, listing up to ten skills on your resume is typically a safe choice, as long as they don’t make your resume spill over to page two .

#6. What are the best skills for a candidate with no experience?

If you’re a student with no experience and few job-specific skills, you can benefit from adding transferable skills to your resume. These are skills that can be applied to many jobs across several industries.

Some examples of good skills for a no-experience resume include communication, organization, problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, and computer skills.

#7. What are the top 12 skills to put on your resume?

There are several skills that could go on just about any resume, regardless of your targeted job. These include both hard skills and soft skills that can be used in any industry.

We recommend including skills like communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution, computer literacy, research, teamwork, project management, leadership, organization, time management, customer service, and networking.

#9. Does a CV need skills?

There are a few differences between a CV and a resume . But for the most part, if you’re writing a CV for a job application, the structure should be similar to a resume.

So, you should add a skills section to your CV and list skills relevant to the job you’re applying for. The only exception to this rule is when you’re writing an academic CV, in which case skills are optional or even discouraged.

#10. What’s the best way to list skills on a resume in 2024?

To really impress with your skills in 2024, don’t just list some random skills under a separate section and call it a day!

Instead, make them more credible by finding out more about the company culture, tailoring your skills to the job description, mentioning the most critical skills in your resume summary or resume objective, and using your achievements to explain exactly how you used your skills to your advantage.

Key Takeaways

And that’s all there is to putting skills on a resume!

By now, we’re sure you’re a pro and ready to impress the hiring manager with the skills on your resume.

But before you go, let’s sum up the most important things we mentioned in this article:

• One of the most important sections on your resume is the skill section, and over 41% of hiring managers check it first.
• The skill section is crucial for making it past the ATS because some of the most important resume keywords are skills you should list on your resume.
• Skills are divided into hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are technical skills you can gain through experience, training, or education, while soft skills can be attributes or habits related to how you work.
• Your resume should only list skills that are relevant to the job. Find out which skills these are by scanning through the job ad picking out the required skills that you have, and adding them to your resume.
• Some skills are universally useful across different professions, like adaptability, communication, and teamwork.

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How To List Skills On Your Resume Skills Section (With Examples)

• Most Common Skills
• Resume Skill Sets
• Skills For An Entry-Level Resume

The skills section of your resume is your chance to emphasize your qualifications for the job you’re applying to help you stand out from other candidates. Knowing how to list good skills on your resume skills section correctly will help you show hiring managers what you bring to the table.

Whether you need to list hard or soft skills or have to update new skills you’ve learned, we’ll go over how to list skills on your resume section and provide examples of common hard and soft skills, as well as how many skills you should list.

Key Takeaways

You should include 3-10 skills in your resume skills section.

In addition to a standalone skills section, you can and should incorporate your skills throughout the rest of your resume.

Hard skills are your job-specific and technical abilities, while soft skills are the intangible traits and abilities that make you an effective employee and team member.

Match the skills you list on your resume to the job description you’re applying for.

How to list skills on your resume

Where else can you put skills on your resume, 80 hard skills examples for your resume, 30 soft skills examples for your resume, what skills should i put on my resume, how many skills should i put on my resume, what’s the difference between hard skills vs. soft skills, tips for identifying your skills, skills to list on your resume faq, final thoughts, ask the experts.

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You can list your skills section in the chronological resume format, functional resume format, or a combination resume format depending on your resume template and format. Regardless of the format you choose, a stand-alone skills section should be on your resume, so a hiring manager can find it at a glance. Below is a more detailed list of how to list the skills section on your resume:

The chronological resume format is the most popular, and we recommend putting your skills section near the bottom of the page for this format. Your work history is the star of the show, but a recruiter can also easily find your skills and check that they’re relevant.

For a chronological resume, you can separate your skills into hard and soft skills or list them all together. Use a bullet point for each skill. You can also put them side by side to save space, separating each skill with a comma or line.

Additional Skills Hard Skills: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Acrobat, etc.) Illustrator UX design Print design Soft Skills: Creativity Adaptability Time management Problem-solving

Here’s an example of a chronological resume with the skills section at the bottom:

For the functional resume format , your skills and qualifications are front and center, while your work history takes a back seat. It’s good for people with gaps in their employment or without formal experience in the field of their target job.

You should still open with your contact info and a resume summary statement , but follow that with your skills section. Make a subheading for each skill, and then explain it further with bullet points or a short few sentences.

Technical Skills Programming Languages Expert with HTML/CSS and Javacript Proficient with Python and SQL Some experience with PHP Security SSL certificate configuration and management FireEye CMS/ETP Juniper Netscreen Operating Systems Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 Linux + CentOS Ubuntu Kali

A combination resume format (you guessed it) combines the above two formats. It’s usually used for senior-level positions and career changes , so we still recommend putting your skills section before your work history.

You should also spend time explaining each skill more fully, as you would with a functional resume format.

Relevant Skills Audit Engagements Audited financial statements for compliance with GAAP under US Audit Standards. Maintained clear lines of communication between management and associates throughout. Worked with CPAs and other staff accountants on the audit team for governmental and nonprofit audits. Financial Statements Prepared and analyzed financial statements along with monthly, semi-annual, and annual reports in accordance with SEC (GAAP) requirements. Researched corporate actions, past due incomes, and income entitlements. Posted income adjustments according to fund policies. Payroll Administered payroll using ADP into QuickBooks with full accountability for hiring, training, and performance assessment. Assisted in the investigation of various outstanding payroll tax liabilities with a team of other contractors. Managed and processed daily payroll and reconciled credit card activity with bank statements.

Regardless of which format you choose or where you put your skills section, make sure that it’s clearly labeled. You can call it “Skills,” “Additional Skills,” “Relevant Skills,” or “Technical Skills” — whatever you think works best with the rest of your resume.

For example, someone in sales might call their section “Additional Skills,” someone in IT might label it “Technical Skills,” and someone making a career change might use “Relevant Skills.”

Just make sure the word skills is in there, because that’s probably what the applicant tracking system (ATS) is looking for to assess your skill set.

One caveat: don’t use the term “Additional Skills” as your section header unless it’s at or near the bottom of your resume, or it will look strange.

You can include skills in your resume summary, in your work history, or in your certifications section as long as they fit. Below is a more detailed list of where else you can include skills in your resume:

Resume summary, profile, or objective. You should try to include 2-3 key skills in your resume summary, profile, or objective. This is your quick pitch, and likely one of the only things the hiring manager will read. Use those keywords that came up multiple times in the job description if you can.

Using action verbs throughout. Additionally, try to incorporate the same sorts of action verbs used in the job posting to give your skills greater relevant context.

Work history section. Your work history section is another place to emphasize your skills. A recruiter who’s impressed with your skills section will turn to your professional history next to see when you actually leveraged these skills.

That’s why you need to make sure that every skill listed in your skills section comes up somewhere in your work history, even if you don’t use the exact wording. Whenever possible, quantify your accomplishments .

Volunteer section. Depending on the role you’re applying for and your relevant experience, you may also include some skills in the volunteering or education sections of your resume. This is especially helpful for recent graduates without much more experience who still want to demonstrate their skills in action.

Certifications section. Finally, certain positions might have specific certification requirements. In these cases, it’s usually best to have a separate certification section in addition to your skills section.

Hard skills such as computer skills, management skills, and marketing skills are just what you need to get a competitive edge in the job market. It’s tough to say outright what hard skills are most in-demand because it’s heavily industry-dependent. But to give you a better idea of hard skills you can list on your resume, we’ve broken them down into categories:

Computer skills . Computer skills can range from pretty basic to super advanced, but they all count as hard skills.

Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, etc.)

Scheduling software

Database management

Billing software

Other coding languages (Python, SQL, PHP, etc.)

Cloud computing

CRM Platforms

Management skills . If you’re applying for a supervisory position, soft skills are important. But it’s equally important to show you have the hard skills required of a manager.

Project management

Agile software

Business analytics

Project management software

Financial planning

Project lifestyle management

Scrum management

KPI tracking

Marketing skills . Marketing may have always been around, but marketing in today’s world is filled with new techniques and technologies that qualify as hard skills.

SEO/SEM (search engine optimization/marketing)

AdWords, Facebook ads

Google analytics

A/B testing

CMS like WordPress

Social media marketing

Marketing campaign management

PPC (pay-per-click)

Graphic design skills

Data visualization

Accounting skills . Hard accounting skills are pretty essential in the daily life of an accountant . But many of these hard skills are applicable for non-accountant jobs as well.

Advanced Excel

Financial statement preparation

Data modeling

Microsoft Visual Basic

Accounting software

Analytical skills . Data has become one of the most important assets in our economy. But it’s not worth very much if you don’t have the right analytical skills to make sense of it.

Data mining

Data presentation

Diagnostics

Data engineering

Web analytics

Analytical reasoning

Design skills . Design skills are a must for those in visually creative fields. However, they can be equally important skills for those involved in marketing and web development.

Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Acrobat, etc.)

Illustrator

User interface design

Video production

Digital product design software

Print design

Hard communication skills . Communication skills usually fall under the soft skill category, but some can be categorized as hard skills.

Language fluency (multilingual)

Press releases

Translation

Transcription

Proposal writing

Technical writing

Academic writing

Medical writing

SEO copywriting

Sales and retail skills. Those who work in sales need a bunch of soft skills to make the client feel comfortable and understood. But these jobs also require hard skills.

CRM software like Salesforce

Referral marketing

Contract negotiation

Customer lifetime value

POS (point of sale) systems

Lead generation and qualification

Product-specific knowledge

Customer acquisition cost

Window display design

Task-oriented skills. Your task-oriented skills help you know how to fulfill your responsibilities or the functions of your job.

Account management

Classroom management

Recruitment

Some examples of soft skills include organizational skills, leadership, and active listening skills. Keep in mind that soft skills are more difficult to prove than hard skills.

With that in mind, make sure the rest of your work experience provides proof of your soft skills in action. After all, anyone can call themselves a “team player,” but having numbers to back up your successful collaborative efforts is much more impressive.

Organizational skills

Written and verbal communication

Active listening

Emotional intelligence

Decision-making

Time management

Collaboration

Goal-oriented

Detail-oriented

Conflict resolution

Problem-solving

Flexibility

Negotiation skills

Public speaking

Responsiveness

Resourcefulness

The skills you list on your resume should relate to the job description and should be a combination of your hard and soft skills. The ultimate goal is that your skills align so perfectly with what the recruiter is looking for that they have no choice but to call you in for an interview .

Here’s a five-step process for choosing the skills you list on your resume:

Create a master list of all the skills you possess. Not only is it a truly self-affirming experience, but you’ll have a much easier time picking and choosing relevant skills for your customized resume if you have a big list, to begin with.

Brainstorm without judgment and challenge yourself to come up with 50 skills — the last few might be huge stretches, but it’s still a good exercise.

Separate your list into hard and soft skills. As you sort and rearrange your list, also try to loosely organize them based on marketability. You should end up with one list that has your most impressive hard skills at the top, and another your most impressive soft skills.

Edit your list for a specific job title. Remove all the irrelevant skills for the type of job you’re looking for. For example, your customer service skills won’t help you land an accounting job that has no customer interaction. If you’re on the fence about whether a skill is relevant, leave it in for now.

Review the job description. Highlight any skills or action verbs closely related to skills. Use a different color for hard and soft skills.

You may need to read between the lines for some hints, but you can find out what skills hiring managers are looking for in job seekers if you pay attention. Feel free to add new skills to your master list if you pick up on any extras in your research.

Tailor your skills to the job description. Some of your skills might not be an exact match, but it’s okay to bend the truth a bit. In general, try to keep a similar number of hard and soft skills. But the role has a lot to do with your decision. For example, a programmer might list more hard skills, while a waitress might list more soft skills.

If the job description you’re working with doesn’t provide a whole lot of skills to work with, try reading similar job descriptions in the same industry. Similar roles in similar industries usually require the same skills, so it’s a safe bet to use this as a guide .

You can also check company website for a mission statement that might clue you in to what they value.

If all else fails, check out LinkedIn profiles of people who have the job you want. Read their resumes and summaries to find out what sorts of keywords they use to talk about themselves.

You should include anywhere between 3-10 skills, with a healthy mix of hard and soft skills, in the skills section of your resume. For a chronological resume, aim for the higher end of that range, and for a functional resume aim for the lower end.

A functional resume is skills-focused, so you should go more in-depth for each skill and write about how you’ve leveraged that skill for professional success.

If you feel that you have more than 10 skills that align with the job description, use your strongest skills or the skills you feel are most relevant for the job. It’s up to you whether you separate your hard and soft skills.

Additionally, consider putting a proficiency level beside each skill you list. You don’t have to do this, but it can be helpful if you want to emphasize your strongest skills and not mislead a recruiter about skills you only have a basic grasp of.

Hard skills are skills you learn through training and indicate expertise with a job-specific responsibility, while soft skills are your personality traits, interpersonal abilities, and intangible qualities that make you more effective in the workplace.

The best job applicants will demonstrate a healthy mix of hard and soft skills on their resumes. For the best shot at being called in for an interview, your resume should include at least a few hard skills from the job description. After all, those are usually non-negotiable (or at least 1-2 key ones are).

Soft skills are just as important, and more employers are seeking applicants who possess strong interpersonal abilities . Since soft skills are more transferable between industries and positions, you shouldn’t need to customize these for each job application as much. Still, if you notice that a soft skill like communication comes up a lot in the job description, consider adding it.

You should talk to a coworker or think through your awards and achievements if you’re having a hard time determining your skills. Below are more ways to help determine which skills you have:

Talk to a coworker. Ask a coworker you know well what they’d consider some of your top skills to be. Often other people can see your skills more clearly than you can, which can be helpful for identifying what you’re good at.

Think through your awards and achievements. Even the informal ones. If you were recognized for something, it’s likely that it’s related to a skill you have.

Take a skills assessment. These quizzes aren’t always the most accurate, so take them with a grain of salt, but they can help remind you of some skills you forgot you had or help you identify your level of expertise within a skill.

What are good skills to put on a resume?

Communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills are good skills to put on a resume. Some other skills to list on a resume include:

Analytical skills

Computer skills

What are technical skills on a resume?

Technical skills also referred to as hard skills, are skills gained by performing physical or digital tasks. Typically, people working in mathematics, computer science, or mechanics use technical skills. Some examples of technical skills include:

Accounting skills

What are interpersonal skills?

Interpersonal skills are traits you rely on when interacting and communicating with others. Some examples of interpersonal skills are:

Communication

The skills section of your resume may be small, but it should pack a punch if you want to hear back from hiring managers . Remember to customize your skills section for the position, provide a healthy mix of hard and soft skills, and ensure that the rest of your resume shows your skills in action.

Don’t forget about the power your cover letter has to further emphasize your skill set. It can be tough accurately describe your relevant skills on a one-page resume, but a cover letter gives you a chance to tell a richer story of how you’ve excelled with certain skills in the past.

That’s your skills section done — now it’s time for the other resume sections .

What tips would you give to optimize a resume?

Amanda Traugutt Content Director | Career Coach Elevated Resumes

The best way to optimize your resume is to identify your core values and skills that align with the type of position and industry you are looking to enter.

To do so, start by doing some research on other people who have been successful in that type of role. Identify trends and skills that you often find yourself using in your current or past positions. Then, position your resume around those skill sets and expand on the experience that will help you be successful in your new role.

Keep these core themes consistent throughout your resume by highlighting how you have used these relevant skills throughout your career.

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Ryan Morris was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog who tried to make the job process a little more entertaining for all those involved. He obtained his BA and Masters from Appalachian State University.

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.

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• List Of Skills

How to Create A Resume Skills Section To Impress Recruiters (+10 Examples You Need to See)

In This Guide:

Essential job skills and transferable skills, what if you have several skills to showcase, auditor resume example:, graphic designer resume:, video editor resume example:, teaching assistant resume example:, marketing manager resume example:, ux/ui designer resume example:, cybersecurity analyst resume example:, information technology resume example:, sales consultant resume example:.

Legal assistant resume example.":

How compelling is your resume skills section to let employers know you’re more than capable of the job vacancy?

Most applicants forget to include the key skills on their resume the job recruiters are demanding. But after reading this article, you’ll understand how to implement and structure those skills effectively to impress recruiters so that you can get called in for an interview.

However, it’s important to even know what skills to include in the first place.

We have a full guide for the 200+ resume skills that are in demand, and how you need to list and identify them accurately for the job you’re applying for. I highly advise you to check that out before getting into this one.

What skills should you include on your resume?

Sometimes we think that having more is better, so we end up trying to include as much as possible. In the end, we force unnecessary information that’s irrelevant which is a common resume mistake.

You need the right mix and balance between soft and hard skills. Recruiters want to know that you’re more than capable of handling the tasks and responsibilities at a high standard.

Look at what skills the company needs by taking note of the job description. Then, after you’ve identified your strengths, meet and tailor the skills that are essential for the job.

For example, if you’re applying to become a dentist, then recruiters might expect to see some of the following skills:

• Orthodontics
• Oral surgery

In Shawna’s dentistry resume , she does just that. See below how she explicitly implemented those skills to demonstrate why she’s going to be a perfect fit:

BUILD MY RESUME LIKE THIS

One fact about all resume skills sections is that the skills applicants use must correspond with the job description. Otherwise, you’ll have lower chances of getting that interview because they can tell whether you understand what they need or if you’ve sent the same resume to 1000 other companies.

Recommended read: Resume Sections: Everything You Need to Know

Every job position requires certain skills to ensure you meet the minimum standards and expectations. E.g. If you’re creating a mechanical engineer resume , recruiters expect you to have mechanical engineering skills.

The essential job skills are the pinnacle requirements candidates need. This way, it lets employers know they’re capable of taking on some of the duties and responsibilities.

On the other hand, transferable skills are skills you have that can benefit across several different job positions and industries. In the case of a project manager’s resume, it’s necessary to have good project management skills. However, it would also be beneficial if you included skills such as:

• Communication
• Teamwork skills

Any advantages you have to show that you can do your job better, bring them up on your resume! If you’re going to be working as a group in a collaborative environment, it would be worth mentioning you’re a team-player with good leadership skills.

Doing this not only impresses the hiring manager but increases your chance of getting invited for an interview.

Most transferable skills are usually soft skills, but there are still hard skills that are transferable. A good example of this includes:

• Data analysis
• Technical and software proficiency
• Research and analytical skills

It’s another way to create an eye-catching resume because you’re demonstrating how and why you’re going to be a better fit than the other candidates applying for the same role.

If there are any relevant transferable skills you have, don’t forget to include it on your resume. It shows you’ll quickly get up to speed and won’t have as much difficulty doing your job.

Tip: one common resume mistake is stuffing as many skills as possible. Just ensure they’re all directly relevant!

“I feel limited. There are more skills I want to talk about, what should I do?”

In that case, to include multiple skills, you should include a subsection for it. Take a look at how Alex did it on his software engineer resume with Enhancv below:

It’s very simple, yet highly effective. We can see his technical skills and software proficiency on the “toolbox” section of his resume. And, we can see his transferable skills in the “power skills” section. As a reader, it’s very easy and quick for us to identify his core skills to determine how well he’ll be able to do his job as a software engineer.

The reason we emphasize having minimal details is that it’s easier to highlight the key details. Therefore, you can get straight to the point without beating around the bush.

If you have loads of skills that exceed the limit, you may want to consider creating a skill-based resume. When you’re creating your resume skills section, you need to decide not only what skills to include, but how you’re going to structure and format it.

By now, you probably have a good idea of what skills to showcase in your resume. Next, we’ll take a look through 10 well-structured resume skills section examples to learn from.

10 effective resume skills section examples

Notice in the resume example above the skills section. It’s short, but it gets the job done. It’s not fancy, and it’s not overly complex. At first sight, you can recognize immediately that this candidate has the core skills for taking on the role of an auditor.

In Darren’s graphic designer resume, he highlights his key skills under the strengths section of his resume. The way it’s laid out with enhancv, he follows up to describe those skills with a short description underneath.

Having subheaders, as well as icons improves the readability and helps with catching the recruiter’s eye to continue reading.

Heather’s video editor resume clearly demonstrates her knowledge and expertise with editing software. We can instantly tell that she has strong technical proficiency and knows how to operate with different programs relevant to video editing.

This time, Abubakar’s teaching assistant resume labels the technical skills that will help him do his job. Notice how he has a section dedicated to his language skills . It’s effective in drawing the employer’s eyes to impress them with his proficiency in French. And, it’s transferable and beneficial to have in a learning environment such as school.

Also, the chart demonstrates how he spends his time. It lets us know that he has good time management and capable of using his time productively.

Like the previous example, Belina uses a bar chart underneath the language section to display her language skills. Below that, we can see her core skills that are needed for the job. Just by seeing that, we know that she’s qualified enough to work as a marketing manager.

In Anite’s UX/UI designer resume, she has two sections to display her software and hardware skills. It’s neatly laid out and helps the reader quickly identify if she has the essential ability to work for them.

We can even see her industry expertise in design research through the bar chart below. And even below that, we notice that she’s labeled herself as proficient in HTML and CSS. It lets us know straight away that she’s a good fit for the job vacancy.

Don’s resume application outlines the necessary skills required to work in the field as a cybersecurity analyst. What you should know by now is that the skills section isn’t complicated to dissect. With Enhancv, it’s designed to stand out and give the employers exactly what they’re looking to see from your resume.

Unlike the previous skills sections, this one looks slightly different. Nancy’s IT resume highlights her strengths for what makes her a great person to work within the technical space.

She follows up with a short brief description after labeling her strengths to consolidate her skills and what she’s capable of. And, there’s also a section for her industry expertise that showcases her knowledge through the use of bar charts.

In Marie’s application, we can see all of her skills on the right-hand side of her resume. She starts off with her strengths and uses a subheader alongside an inner section to give a brief description. The icons beside it and the way it’s formatted gives the reader a positive experience because it’s easy to consume.

Below that, she tags other helpful skills that enable her to do her job better. And, she includes a language section to display her proficiency in English as well as her fluency in Spanish.

Legal assistant resume example.":

The last example from Hope clarifies her skills on the bottom right. We can see that she meets the requirements to work as a legal assistant. On top of the essential skills that have been labeled, the overall clean design that improves readability is sure to impress the recruiter.

Are any of these chosen examples in your working profession? If not, you can find a strong resume example for your job title by checking out the 530+ examples here.

Additional advice

• You should never feel limited by filling in your resume skills section. If you need more, either include an extra sub-section with specific headers for those types of skills. Or, have a skill-based resume devoted to displaying your capabilities
• Only pinpoint critical skills that are going to be useful. If they’re not helpful in any way to help you do your job better, there’s no point mentioning them
• Aim to have a one-page resume that’s extremely specific for the ATS and to create a strong impression to the hiring managers
• Ensure there’s a balance between your soft and hard skills, and that you properly list the skills out on your resume

With the Enhancv resume builder , you can craft a resume that blows all other applicants out of the water. From design options to bullet and section suggestions and content writing tips, we’re here to help you land your dream job!

Don’t force all of your skills into your resume. Only include the skills that are helpful, and beneficial in your next career path. The resume skills section is one of the deciding factors that determine whether you’re a good fit and if you can nurture into a high-performing asset in the future.

Tired of trying to figure out and perfect your resume from scratch?

At least try to get started using Enhancv’s templates. They’re free, easy to use and have everything laid out for you. It even caught the attention of a billionaire who admired the way they’re built!

Is there anything else we’ve missed or a certain topic you want us to cover? Let me hear from you in the comments below!

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100 Good Skills to Put on a Resume [Complete Guide]

Jeff Gillis 0 Comments

By Jeff Gillis

Updated 6/4/2022.

When you’re adding skills to a resume, you don’t just want to focus on what you’re good at. Instead, relevancy has to be part of the equation. After all, every job you’re trying to land requires a very specific skill set, one that you need to show that you have.

Choosing the skills to put on a resume when you’re applying to a role isn’t something you should do haphazardly. Instead, you want to use the job description, company mission, and company values as a guide, creating a sense of alignment.

Additionally, it never hurts to have a handy list of skills by your side, making it easier to explore your options. So, if you’re on the hunt for good skills to put on a resume, here’s what you need to know.

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

There are two basic types of skillsets that a job seeker can have and include on their resume: hard skills or soft skills.

Hard skills are the skills or abilities for a resume that are easily quantifiable…that can be learned through classroom work, apprenticeships, or other forms of learning. These include things like operating tools, computer programming, speaking foreign languages, or different kinds of technical prowess.

Soft skills are more subjective and harder to quantify and are often grouped together by what we know as “people skills.” Some examples of soft skills include communication, relationship building, self-awareness, and patience.

Which Skills Are More Important?

The debate rages on about which of these two types of skills is more important.

According to executive consultant and Forbes contributor Naz Beheshti , “…There is an ongoing debate about the relative importance of soft and hard skills that imply a competition between the two. However, they are both necessary and complementary to one another.”

On the one hand, job seekers with proficiency in a specific hard skill may get hired more quickly. Many employers want to hire people that can deliver value with fewer resources (ex., the need for training, etc.), making hard skills their priority.

However, we are also seeing that many hiring managers are choosing to hire candidates with highly developed soft skills.

In the end, as Indeed puts it, “soft skills are necessary to create a positive and functional work environment.” Plus, hiring managers feel that they can always train the candidate in the hard skill that is required to complete the job, but soft skills are often skills that cannot necessarily be taught.

So, what does this mean for you? Mainly that you can’t simply just pick one or the other and cross your fingers. Instead, the best strategy is to take a balanced approach and make sure that your resume contains both hard and soft skills.

How Do You Choose the Skills to List on a Resume?

Here’s the deal; there’s a good chance you know what you’re good at in a professional sense. Often, you can use your experience, duties, training, and education as a guide, giving you a strong foundation. Then, it’s about diving a bit deeper, looking at traits that could help you stand out, and comparing it all to the job description.

By using a simple process, you can make progress faster. Here’s a quick way to get started.

1. Make a List of the Skills You Know You Have

As mentioned above, the easiest way to get a grip on your current skills is to reflect on your academic and professional experiences. Consider the tasks you’ve taken on, the training you’ve completed, and the courses you had in school. In most cases, that’ll give you some solid ideas about your hard skills.

After that, it’s time for soft skills. Here, you want to think of traits or capabilities that help you engage with others and navigate professional relationships. Often, these are reflections of your personality, so use that as a jumping-off point.

2. “Mine” the Job Descriptions for Must-Have Skills

The next step is to take a look at the job description for the position you are applying for and make a list of the required skills it includes. Then, compare it to your capabilities. Are any of the skills on both of the lists you just created? If so, these are must-haves for your resume.

Now, notice if there are any skills on the job description that you don’t have. If there aren’t any, great!

But if there are…don’t panic. There are things you can do, which we’ll dig into shortly.

If you’re dealing with a vague job description, you aren’t stuck either. Here is a link to a ton of job descriptions that can give you an idea of the skills needed.

3. Tailor Your Skills to the Company/Position

As you may have read in our other blog articles, it is always very important to “tailor” your resume to the company and position you want to land. For an in-depth look into how to make that happen, check out our Tailoring Method article. 

If you want a quick overview, the idea is to focus on capabilities the company wants to find. Every job requires a unique skill set, and you want to show you have it. As a result, it is absolutely essential that skills from the job description make an appearance on your resume.

However, you also want to dig deeper. Spend some more time researching the company, including going through all of their various web properties, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages.

Why? Because they will leave clues about the types of people they hire. That gives you more ideas about the best skills to put on a resume to land a job there, particularly when it comes to soft skills you may not find in a job description.

100 Resume Skills Examples

If you’re struggling with coming up with a list of skills based on your past experience, it can be easier if you have existing resume skills lists to work with. You don’t have to think up every possible skill; you can simply review the list and find the matches.

Here is a list of resume skills examples, divided into hard skills and soft skills, that you can use when applying for a job.

Hard Skills for a Resume

• Advanced Bookkeeping
• Appointment Setting
• Automotive Repair
• Cold Calling
• Computer Programming
• Conversion Testing
• Copywriting
• Customer Engagement
• Customer Service
• Data Analysis
• Digital Marketing
• Electrical Engineering
• Environmental Cleanup
• Forklift Operating
• Graphic Design
• Heavy Machinery Operation
• Installation
• Landscaping
• Mathematics
• Medical Coding
• Paid Online Traffic
• Patient Care
• Photo Editing
• Picking and Packing
• Project Management
• Schedule Management
• Search Engine Optimization
• Server Maintenance
• Social Media
• Spanish Fluency
• Statistical Analysis
• Systems Analysis
• Technical Support
• Telecommunications Systems
• Travel Booking
• Video Editing
• Website Design
• Word Processing

Soft Skills for a Resume

• Accountability
• Active Listening
• Adaptability
• Brainstorming
• Business Etiquette
• Collaboration
• Communication
• Conflict Resolution
• Contextualizing
• Critical Thinking
• Decision Making
• Emotional Intelligence
• Flexibility
• Goal-Setting
• Handling Pressure
• Influencing
• Insightfulness
• Interpreting
• Negotiation
• Open-Mindedness
• Organization
• Prioritization
• Problem Solving
• Relationship Building
• Reliability
• Resource Management
• Responsibility
• Self-Confidence
• Strategical Thinking
• Strong Work Ethic
• Time Management

What If I Don’t Have the Required Skill?

Whether you need to possess a specific skill depends on the job and the skill in question. Usually, here’s where you have to be honest with yourself. If the skills required are part of the core competencies of doing the job, you may want to reconsider your application.

For example, if a golf course posts a job posting for a golf pro, you probably shouldn’t apply if you’ve never swung a golf club.

However, you will come across situations where what you bring to the table is close. In this case, moving forward might be okay.

You need to be able to demonstrate, using examples from your past, that you are capable of doing the required skill, even if you haven’t specially done it. So, go over your work history with a fine-tooth comb and try to come up with a few examples of you doing something in the right ballpark.

They are going to ask about it in your interview, so don’t think you can just wing it, and everything will be fine.

Also, many job descriptions have “nice-to-have” skills on the list. If you happen to possess them, great. But if not, don’t assume you shouldn’t apply if you have the must-have skills. In the end, those capabilities aren’t outright requirements, so don’t screen yourself out based on them.

How To List Skills on a Resume

There are a few different schools of thought when it comes to deciding where to put (or how to list) the skills on your resume.

According to our friends over at online resume-builder Zety.com , “…skills are so very, very important that they should show up all over your resume. Not just in the resume skills section.” In other words, it is imperative that there are elements of your skills throughout your resume, including your resume objective/summary and experience sections.

In addition, there isn’t one right answer for where to include your skill section because that depends on the industry, company, and position you’re trying to land. For example, for a job where technical competencies are of the utmost importance, it is often beneficial to list the skills closer to the top of the resume, right underneath the resume objective or resume summary statement.

However, if through your research you determine that the hiring manager will put more weight into your experience, you may want to lead with your experience. Then, put the skills section further down your resume.

At the end of the day, the selection of the skills themselves is the most important thing. After all, most hiring managers will easily find your skill section regardless of where it is on your resume.

What About Skills for My Job Application?

When you’re looking for skills to put on a job application, you do have to treat it a little differently than skills for a resume. Usually, you’re working with a finite amount of space on an application, not just in an overall sense but in each applicable section.

Since that’s the case, you need to lean heavily on the job description. Look for any capabilities that are listed as must-haves or that are repeated through the job ad. Then, make sure those skills are featured prominently in several areas, including in work history descriptions and skills areas.

If you have to answer essay questions, discuss those skills there, too, whenever possible. Use any other relevant capability as a supplement, treating it as supporting information instead of the primary point you’re sharing.

However, if an essay question asks about a skill that’s not in the job description, feel free to dig in a bit. It’s a capability that’s clearly on the hiring manager’s mind, so touch on it occasionally to show you shine in that area.

Putting It All Together

If you were wondering, “What are some good skills to put on a resume?” you should now have a solid answer. The most important thing to remember is to select skills that are relevant to the position you are interviewing for and, more important than that, skills that your company puts a tremendous amount of value in.

Once you get your skills straightened out, you should make sure that the rest of your resume is congruent with the skills you just selected, namely, that your experience shows that you both used those skills in a work environment and developed the skill with on-the-job tasks.

Co-founder and CTO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Jeff is a featured contributor delivering advice on job search, job interviews and career advancement, having published more than 50 pieces of unique content on the site , with his work being featured in top publications such as INC , ZDnet , MSN and more.

Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

About The Author

Jeff gillis.

Co-founder and CTO of TheInterviewGuys.com. Jeff is a featured contributor delivering advice on job search, job interviews and career advancement, having published more than 50 pieces of unique content on the site , with his work being featured in top publications such as INC , ZDnet , MSN and more. Learn more about The Interview Guys on our About Us page .

Copyright © 2024 · TheInterviewguys.com · All Rights Reserved

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How to Write a Resume Skills Section in 2024

The resume skills section is a critical component of any job application. It can make or break your chances of getting an interview, which is why it’s essential to put a lot of thought and effort into crafting a strong skills section. In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of a strong skills section, its purpose, and the common mistakes to avoid when writing one.

Importance of a Strong Skills Section

Employers want to see what skills you have that are relevant to the position you’re applying for. A strong skills section highlights your qualifications and can make your resume stand out. This section can also help recruiters and hiring managers quickly determine if you’re a good fit for the job.

Purpose of the Skills Section

The purpose of the skills section is to showcase your relevant skills and abilities that make you an ideal candidate for the job. This section should be tailored to the specific job you’re applying for, so make sure to read the job description carefully and match your skills with the requirements listed. The skills section should also be easy to read and include bullet points for each skill.

Common Mistakes in Writing a Skills Section

One of the most common mistakes in writing a skills section is listing irrelevant skills or skills that are not backed up with specific examples. For example, saying that you have excellent communication skills doesn’t mean much unless you back it up with specific examples of how you’ve used those skills in past roles. Another mistake is including too many skills that aren’t relevant or important to the job you’re applying for. It’s better to have a short list of specific and relevant skills than a long list of unrelated ones.

Your skills section is a crucial part of your resume and can make a big difference in getting an interview. As long as you take the time to tailor it to the position you’re applying for and give specific examples, you should be on your way to impressing recruiters and hiring managers.

Types of Skills

When it comes to writing a resume, the skills section is a critical piece. This section not only demonstrates your qualifications but also helps recruiters assess if you are the right fit for a particular role. In this section, you should include the skills you have obtained through your work and educational experiences. Here are the different types of skills to consider:

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

Hard skills are typically measurable and specific to a particular job or industry. They can be learned through formal education, on-the-job training or through certifications. Examples of hard skills include proficiency in a particular programming language, knowledge of a specific software or operating system, and fluency in a second language.

Soft skills, on the other hand, are intangible and harder to quantify. They typically involve personality traits, interpersonal communication, and social skills. Examples of soft skills include problem-solving, leadership, communication, and teamwork.

While both hard and soft skills are essential, the specific blend of these skills will depend on the job you are targeting.

Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are those that can be applied to different positions and industries. They are not job-specific but are more general and can be used to market yourself to multiple employers. Examples of transferable skills include time management, critical thinking, and project management.

One important thing to note is that transferable skills are not meant to replace industry-specific skills but instead complement them. Employers want to see that you have core skills that will contribute to their team and that you can bring a unique perspective to the position.

Technical Skills

Technical skills refer to the practical skills and knowledge needed to perform specific tasks or activities. They are specific to a particular job or industry and can range from installing computer hardware to operating heavy machinery safely. Employers in technical industries such as engineering, manufacturing or IT are looking for candidates with technical skills to perform their day-to-day job duties.

Industry-Specific Skills

Industry-specific skills are essential skills that are specific to a particular industry. Employers are looking for these skills to ensure that the candidate is familiar with the industry’s requirements, jargon, and regulations. Examples of industry-specific skills include financial analysis, marketing research, and digital marketing for the finance, marketing, and digital media industries, respectively.

When writing a skills section, it’s important to incorporate all these different kinds of skills. A well-rounded skill set will catch the eye of hiring managers and increase your chances of landing an interview. Remember to tailor your skills section to the job you are targeting by including the relevant hard, soft, transferable, technical, and industry-specific skills.

How to Identify Your Skills

When writing a resume, it’s crucial to highlight your skills to stand out from other candidates. But how do you identify your skills? Here are three ways:

Self-Assessment

One way to identify your skills is through self-assessment. Start by making a list of your previous work experiences, including your job duties and responsibilities. Then, identify the skills you used in those roles, such as project management, communication, or problem-solving. You can also consider the skills you possess outside of work, such as writing, programming or public speaking. Once you have a list of skills, you can categorize them based on their relevance to the job you’re applying for.

Skills-Based Resume vs. Chronological Resume

Another way to highlight your skills is by using a skills-based resume instead of a chronological resume. A skills-based resume focuses on your skills and accomplishments rather than your work history. This format is useful when you have gaps in your employment history, changing careers, or looking to emphasize your skills. On the other hand, a chronological resume lists your work experience in reverse chronological order, highlighting your work history rather than your skills.

Job Description Analysis

Finally, you can identify your skills by analyzing the job description. Read the job posting carefully and look for the skills and qualifications required for the position. Make note of these skills and compare them to your own list of skills. This analysis can help identify any gaps in your skillset that you need to address before submitting your application.

Identifying your skills is critical in writing an effective resume. You can identify your skills through self-assessment, using a skills-based resume or analyzing the job description. Remember to tailor your skills section to the job you’re applying for and be honest about your skill level. By highlighting your skills, you can make a strong case to a potential employer and increase your chances of getting hired.

Choosing Skills to Highlight

When it comes to writing your resume, your skills section is one of the most important areas that will make or break your chances of landing a job. It’s where you showcase your qualifications and strengths as a candidate. Choosing the right skills to highlight is crucial, as it can make a huge difference in whether or not you get hired. In this section, we’ll cover three essential components of writing a resume skills section – relevant skills for the job, keyword optimization, and matching skills with job requirements.

Relevant Skills for the Job

The first thing you need to do to write an effective skills section is to identify the skills that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for. It’s important to focus on the skills that the employer is looking for, as it shows that you’re a good fit for the role. To identify the most relevant skills, carefully read through the job description and make a list of the required and desired qualifications. This will give you a good idea of the skills you need to highlight to impress the employer.

Keyword Optimization

Keyword optimization is another critical component of writing an effective skills section. Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan resumes for relevant keywords. These systems are designed to identify the most qualified candidates based on keywords found in their resumes. This means that you need to use the right keywords in your skills section to get noticed by the employer.

To optimize your skills section for keywords, use the same language and phrasing that the employer uses in the job description. For instance, if the job description requires “proficient in Microsoft Word,” make sure you use the same phrase in your skills section. This will show the employer that you have the skills they’re looking for and improve your chances of making it through the ATS screening.

Matching Skills with Job Requirements

The final component of writing an effective skills section is to match your skills with the job requirements. This means that you need to demonstrate how your skills and qualifications make you the best fit for the job. To do this, use specific examples and accomplishments to back up your skills.

For example, if the job requires excellent communication skills, you might highlight that you presented at a national conference or that you led a team to successfully complete a project. This shows the employer that you have the skills they’re looking for, and you have the experience to back it up.

Writing an effective skills section is critical to landing a job. By focusing on the relevant skills for the job, keyword optimization, and matching skills with job requirements, you’ll increase your chances of making it through the ATS screening process and impressing the employer. Take the time to carefully review the job description and tailor your skills section to meet the employer’s needs, and you’ll be well on your way to landing your dream job.

Formatting the Skills Section

The skills section of a resume is a critical component that showcases an applicant’s expertise and abilities. Presenting your skills in the best possible way will help you stand out to potential employers. This section highlights four key aspects of formatting the skills section of your resume: placement, bullet points, order, and number of skills to include.

Placement on the Resume

The placement of the skills section on your resume is crucial. Typically, it is placed after the summary or objective statement, making it one of the first sections a recruiter or employer sees. It is essential to ensure the skills section is highlighted so it catches the hiring manager’s attention.

Using Bullet Points

Using bullet points when listing skills is an effective way to highlight them and make them easier to read. Use short, precise, and relevant phrases that stand out. It is also important to avoid using full sentences, long paragraphs, or exceeding two lines per bullet point. By keeping the bullet points concise and straightforward, you’ll enable the potential employer to scan the section efficiently.

Order of Skills

The order of the skills section also matters. It is best to place the most relevant and critical skills at the top of the list. This section should be tailored to the position you are applying for. By listing the most relevant and critical skills, you can demonstrate how you are suitable for the role and match the requirements for the job.

Number of Skills to Include

The number of skills you should include depends on your level of experience and the industry you are in. Entry-level candidates should look to include about ten skills related to the position they are applying for, while experienced professionals can list up to 15 – 20 skills. However, it is essential to note that quality trumps quantity. It would be best to focus on specific skills relevant to the position and showcase how they make you an ideal candidate for the role.

By following these formatting tips, you will create a skills section that stands out to potential employers. Remember to be concise, tailor your skills to the job, and showcase your strengths relevant to the role. By doing so, you will get the attention of the right recruiters and land your dream job.

Writing Tips for Skills Section

The skills section of your resume is one of the most important parts, as this is where you showcase your qualifications and abilities. It’s crucial to get this section right, as it can make the difference between getting hired and getting passed over. Here are some writing tips to help you create an effective skills section:

Using Action Words and Phrases

When describing your skills and accomplishments, make sure to use action words and phrases. Words such as “managed,” “created,” “implemented,” “organized,” and “achieved” indicate that you took active steps to achieve results.

Using action words in the skills section helps you stand out and shows the employer that you are proactive and results-driven. It also helps add some fun and interest to your resume, as action words may be more engaging to read than passive phrases.

Quantifying Achievements and Results

In addition to using action words, quantifying your achievements and results in the skills section is essential. Instead of just stating that you “increased sales,” for instance, mention by how much, and over what time period.

Quantifying achievements in the skills section provides more context for your experience and accomplishments. It also gives the employer a better understanding of your capabilities and can set you apart from other candidates.

Being Specific and Concise

Another tip for writing a great skills section is to be specific and concise. Instead of listing every skill you have, only include the ones that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Focus on the skills that are most critical to the position and provide specific examples of how you’ve used them. Be concise and to the point, as hiring managers may only have a few seconds to review your resume.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Finally, you’ll want to avoid common mistakes when writing your skills section. One of the most common mistakes is listing soft skills without backing them up with concrete examples.

Another mistake is being vague or generic. For instance, stating that you have “good communication skills” is not as useful as providing an example of how you’ve successfully communicated in a challenging situation.

Taking time to craft a great skills section can have a significant impact on your job search success rates. Use action words and quantify your achievements to highlight your skills, be specific and concise and avoid common mistakes. With these writing tips, you can present your skills in the best possible light, making employers notice you and move forward with a job interview.

Example Skills Section

When it comes to writing a skills section for your resume, it can be difficult to know what to include and how to structure it. One effective way to gain some inspiration is to look at example skills sections for various jobs. This can give you a better sense of what types of skills and abilities are valued in different industries and positions.

Here are some sample skills sections for various jobs:

Example 1: Marketing Manager

• Brand management
• Market research and analytics
• Digital marketing
• Content creation and strategy
• Project management
• CRM and email marketing
• Social media management
• Public relations

This skills section is tailored to a marketing manager position and emphasizes skills related to branding, market research, digital marketing, and content creation. The inclusion of skills such as project management and CRM indicate the ability to work effectively within a team and manage workflows.

Example 2: Software Developer

• Object-oriented programming languages (Java, C#)
• Web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
• Frameworks (React, Angular, Vue)
• Database management (MySQL, MongoDB)
• Agile development methodologies
• Git and GitHub
• Problem-solving and debugging

The skills section for a software developer highlights technical proficiencies in programming languages, web development, and frameworks. Additionally, the inclusion of agile development methodologies and Git/GitHub demonstrate knowledge of teamwork best practices and version control.

Example 3: Registered Nurse

• Patient assessment and evaluation
• Medication administration
• Care plan development and implementation
• Patient education
• Infection control and prevention
• Communication and critical thinking
• Electronic health record (EHR) software
• Teamwork and collaboration

This skills section for a registered nurse emphasizes clinical skills related to patient care, such as administering medication and developing care plans. The inclusion of skills such as infection control and communication highlight the importance of preventing and addressing potential issues in a healthcare environment.

When analyzing these example skills sections, one can notice that each section is tailored to a specific industry and job title. It is also evident that most skills sections include a mix of technical and soft skills relevant to the job. Additionally, skills are often presented in bullet points, making it easy to read and scan.

A skills section on a resume is an excellent opportunity to showcase your relevant skills and demonstrate your potential as a candidate. By taking inspiration from these sample skills sections, you can craft a compelling and effective skills section for your own resume.

Skills Section for Career Changers and Recent Graduates

If you’re a career changer or recent graduate, you may feel like you don’t have enough experience to fill out your resume’s skills section. However, you can highlight transferable skills and emphasize your education and training to create a standout section.

Highlighting Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are abilities that can be applied to different jobs and industries. For example, communication, problem-solving, and teamwork are all transferable skills that employers look for. If you don’t have job-specific skills, focus on demonstrating your transferable skills in your resume’s skills section.

To identify your transferable skills, review job postings and make a list of the skills and abilities that they require. Also, think about the skills that you developed in your previous education and work experiences. Once you have a list of your transferable skills, include them in your resume’s skills section.

It’s important to provide examples of how you demonstrated your transferable skills in your work, education, or extracurricular activities. For instance, if you’re applying for a job in customer service, you can describe a time when you resolved a customer’s problem using your excellent communication skills.

Emphasizing Education and Training

As a recent graduate or career changer, you may not have much work experience, but you can emphasize your education and training in your resume’s skills section. Include your degree, relevant coursework, certifications, and any relevant training programs that you completed.

When describing your education and training, highlight how they relate to the job you’re applying for. For instance, if you’re applying for a job in marketing, you can describe how your marketing coursework and extracurricular activities prepared you for the role.

If you don’t have a degree, you can still highlight your education and training. For example, if you completed an apprenticeship or training program, include it in your resume’s skills section.

Skills Section for Freelancers and Entrepreneurship

When it comes to writing a resume for freelance and entrepreneurship positions, the skills section is arguably the most important part. It’s the place where you can showcase your unique talents, achievements, and most importantly, the skills that are relevant to your clients and projects.

Choosing Skills Relevant to Clients and Projects

When deciding which skills to highlight, it’s important to first understand the clients and projects you’ll be working with. Take note of the specific industry you’ll be working in, as well as the tasks and responsibilities involved in each project.

Once you have a clear understanding of the job requirements, you can start selecting the skills that are most relevant. For example, if you’re a web developer, skills such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript would be critical, whereas skills like Adobe Photoshop may not be as important. On the other hand, if you’re a graphic designer, skills such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop would be essential.

Always make sure to tailor your skills section to each specific job you apply for. This will show potential clients that you understand their needs and are focused on delivering the best results possible.

Highlighting Unique Talents and Achievements

In addition to your core skills, it’s important to highlight your unique talents and achievements in your skills section. This can include any specific certifications, awards or accolades received, or any noteworthy projects you’ve worked on in the past.

For example, if you’re a writer, you may want to highlight any writing awards you’ve received or any high-profile publications you’ve written for. If you’re a photographer, you may want to showcase any exhibitions or galleries that have featured your work. Whatever your skill set is, don’t be afraid to highlight your unique accomplishments and talents.

Keep in mind that the goal of the skills section is to grab the attention of potential clients and show them why you’re the best fit for the job. By showcasing your relevant skills, unique talents, and achievements, you’ll be able to stand out from the competition and increase your chances of landing your next project.

When writing a skills section for freelance and entrepreneurial positions, it’s important to focus on choosing skills that are relevant to each job, while also highlighting your unique talents and achievements. By doing so, you’ll be able to make a lasting impression on potential clients and set yourself up for success in your career.

Examples of Skills to Include in a Resume Skills Section

When it comes to writing a resume skills section, it’s important to include skills that are both relevant to the job you’re applying for and demonstrate your proficiency in them. Here are some examples of both common skills and industry-specific skills to consider including in your resume:

List of Common Skills

• Communication: This includes both verbal and written communication skills, as well as the ability to actively listen and understand others.
• Time Management: Being able to prioritize tasks effectively and manage your time efficiently is an important skill for many job roles.
• Teamwork: The ability to work well with others and collaborate effectively towards a common goal is a valuable skill in any workplace.
• Problem-solving: The ability to analyze information and come up with solutions to complex problems is a desirable skill for many job roles.
• Attention to detail: Being meticulous and thorough in your work is important for many roles, particularly those in industries such as finance and law.

Skills by Industry

Here are some examples of industry-specific skills to consider including in your resume:

Marketing & Advertising

• Digital Marketing: Skills in areas such as SEO, PPC, and social media marketing are important for roles in digital marketing.
• Branding: Knowledge of brand strategy, brand identity, and brand management is important in marketing and advertising roles.
• Market Analysis: The ability to analyze market trends and consumer behavior is crucial for marketing and advertising roles.

Engineering

• Technical Skills: Depending on the specific engineering field, technical skills such as coding, 3D modeling, and computer-aided design may be important to include in your resume.
• Project Management: Being able to manage projects effectively, work with budgets and timelines, and coordinate with team members is important in engineering roles.
• Problem-solving: As with many job roles, problem-solving is a crucial skill in engineering, particularly when it comes to designing and troubleshooting complex systems.
• Clinical Skills: Depending on the specific healthcare field, clinical skills such as administering medication, performing certain tests, and interpreting lab results may be important to include in your resume.
• Patient Care: Soft skills such as empathy, bedside manner, and communication are important for healthcare professionals who work directly with patients.
• Medical Terminology: Having a thorough knowledge of medical terminology is important for healthcare professionals in roles such as medical transcriptionist or medical coder.

In general, it’s important to tailor your resume skills section to the job you’re applying for. By researching the specific skills and traits that the employer is looking for, you can identify which of your own skills are most relevant and highlight them accordingly. Remember to use specific examples of how you’ve demonstrated these skills in your work experience or education to show the employer that you have the real-world experience they’re looking for.

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How To Write a Resume Skills Section

A skills section is a core part of your resume and helps you get past resume screeners. Here's what to include, what to avoid and examples you can use.

3 years ago   •   9 min read

For something so small, the skills section on your resume can be awfully hard to get right. But even though they’ve occasionally gotten a bad rap for being gimmicky, skills sections can also be a valuable way to highlight your expertise. Here’s how it can help you stand out — and not in a bad way.

What is a skills section on your resume?

The skills section is a small section on your resume where you can list your key proficiencies. It’s a great way to show off your skills at a glance, especially if you haven’t been able to include them elsewhere in your resume.

Why you need a skills section on your resume

When it comes to writing a resume, you don’t have time for subtlety. If you have the skills a job opening is looking for, you need to explicitly say so, and the skills section lets you do just that. Adding a separate section means you don’t have to try to stuff a bunch of keywords into your achievements and allows both hiring managers and Applicant Tracking Systems to easily screen your resume for key skills.

A skills section is also one of the easiest parts of your resume to customize. You’ve heard how important it is to target your resume to fit the job you’re applying to — simply switching out the content of your resume skills section is a quick and easy way to do just that.

Where does the skills section go?

Generally, at the bottom of your resume. Hiring managers won’t always have time to read your entire resume in depth, which means you should always lead with the most relevant parts — that is, your recent work experience — and save additional information for the end. If you prefer a two-column resume, your skills can go on the side.

The step by step guide to writing a resume skills section

There are two ways of listing skills on your resume — in a dedicated skills section, and in your work experience section .

How to create a resume skills section

Your resume skills section is for hard skills, like certifications or computer skills. Here's how to create one:

• Create a skills section at the bottom of your resume, underneath your work experience.
• Label your section 'Skills' (if you're only including skills) or 'Additional information' (if you also want to list things like hobbies or volunteer work ).
• List your relevant skills in 2-3 lines.
• Search for specific skills in the job description. Make sure you include one skill or accomplishment for each 'must have' listed.
• Only include skills that are relevant to the specific job you're applying for. The hiring manager for a social media marketing role is unlikely to care that you know seven programming languages, no matter how impressive that is.

How to include skills in your work experience section

A separate skills section isn’t the only place to highlight your skills to a hiring manager — the accomplishments in your work experience section are the core of your resume, and they're what recruiters primarily look at when reviewing your resume. Here's how to highlight skills — especially soft skills — in your bullet points:

• Make a list of the hard and skills mentioned in the job ad.
• Include at least one accomplishment demonstrating each of these skills. Recruiters don't just want to see a lot of skills — they want to know how you've actually used them.
• Structure your bullet points in the format [action verb] + [what you did] + [what the result was].
• Never simply list soft skills . For example, never say that you possess "strong leadership skills;" instead, describe an accomplishment where you coached or led a group of people , which immediately tells a hiring manager you have leadership skills.
• Use hard numbers and metrics to quantify your achievements .
• Add skills into your resume summary . This puts your most desirable skills front and center at the start of your resume.

A good way to check if the accomplishments in your work experience section highlight the soft skills required for the job you’re applying for is to upload your resume to the tool below — it’ll scan your resume and let you know if you’ve shown enough of the required skills.

Examples of resume skill sections

There’s no one right way to format your resume skill section, but here are some ideas to get you started.

Group skills by category

Breaking your skills down into discrete categories can make an otherwise long list easier to read and digest. If you have skills in different areas that aren’t obviously related but are both relevant to the position — for example, programming and project management, or sales and data analysis — this is a good way to group them.

Grouping skills by category can also be useful if you have skills in a number of related but separate areas, like design, modeling, and programming. Breaking down your proficiencies by the specific software or programming language is a lot more compelling than simply listing “modeling and design skills.”

If your skills are all in the same area, you can still group them in other ways. Technical, software, and programming skills can be grouped according to their function like in this example. This keeps your skills together so they can be seen at a glance but avoids having a single list that’s too long to easily digest.

Indicate proficiency levels in your resume's skills section

It’s okay to indicate your level of proficiency next to a skill, especially if you’d like to differentiate between skills you’re an expert at versus those you only have an intermediate knowledge of . Just make sure your self-assessments are accurate, and back them up with real evidence elsewhere in your resume.

A better way to indicate your level of proficiency with skills is to list your years of experience. Not only is this more reliable than a self-assessment of skill level , but it’s also easier to verify and understand. “Expert” level knowledge could mean nearly anything, but “10 years” of experience is clear and straightforward.

List technical qualifications

If you’re trying to establish hard or technical skills, one of the best ways to do this is to list any courses or qualifications . This proves that you’ve actually learned the skill and is a great way to present additional qualifications that may not be necessary for the role but are still nice to have.

Use a simple skills list

If you’re trying to save space in your resume, a simple list is an efficient way of presenting your skills. This works well for hard skills in particular, which don’t need a lot of elaboration. A simple list like this makes it easy for hiring managers to tell at a glance if you have the essential skills they’re looking for and is well-formatted for an ATS.

Related : How To Showcase Your Areas of Expertise on a Resume

What skills should you include?

You should only be including hard skills in your resume's skills section.

You can approach the skill selection process in one of two ways. The first is to start by thinking about the skills that you possess. What are your most marketable or desirable skills? List them first and then customize them according to the specific job you’re applying for.

The second — and arguably quicker — way is to start with the job itself. Look at the job description and think about what skills you have that are a match. You can find relevant skills by searching for the most popular hard skills for each job , looking through similar job descriptions, and checking existing employees’ LinkedIn profiles to see what skills they list.

Remember to back up your claims with examples — especially when listing transferable skills . If you want to demonstrate your work ethic and initiative, mention times you helped out other teams or developed a new initiative that saved your company time and money. If the job you’re applying for emphasizes the importance of good communication skills , list your public speaking engagements or published work you’ve written.

Hard skills to include on a resume

Hard or technical skills are ones you can easily prove. Good technical skills to list on your resume might include:

• Degrees, certifications, and other qualifications
• Software proficiency
• Coding skills and programming languages
• Foreign language proficiency
• Experience with specific hardware, machines, and techniques relevant to the job

If you’re unsure which of your technical skills to include on your resume, use the skills search tool below to get a list of hard and technical skills relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Soft skills (do not include these directly on your resume)

Soft skills, also known as transferable skills, are skills that are relevant to any job — things like interpersonal skills or professional qualities. You should not include these words on your resume , but instead, highlight these skills through your experiences.

• Teamwork skills
• Communication skills
• Leadership and management skills
• Organization skills
• Attention to detail
• Analytical and problem solving skills
• Critical thinking
• Creativity and design skills
• Conflict resolution

What not to do when writing your resume skill section

• Don’t include skills that aren’t relevant to the specific job you’re applying to. Not only are you wasting space that could be used for more important things, but including too much irrelevant information can make it look like you haven’t bothered to target your resume at all — a big no-no.
• Don’t include skills you don’t want to use. This is particularly important for career changers , but it’s also good advice for anyone who’s attempting to transition away from a job or duty they didn’t enjoy. If you have a lot of experience in project management and you’re trying to move into graphic design, you shouldn’t mention your PMP certification or proficiency with PM tools, but you absolutely should mention any experience you have using design software.
• Don’t include basic skills like using Microsoft Office , email, or using the internet. These are skills everyone should have. If you’re trying to highlight extra proficiencies like creating Excel formulas or merging mail docs, list those directly. If you only have basic skills, there’s no need to draw attention to that.
• Don’t include outdated skills. If you know how to save to a floppy disk or troubleshoot a dot matrix printer, save it as an anecdote to tell your friends. Not only do employers not care, it could save you from indirect age discrimination.
• Don’t include skills you don’t really have. This sounds like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised how many people list language skills they haven’t studied since high school, or social media skills just because they have a Facebook account. Stick to skills you’d be confident using in a business environment.
• Don’t include a massive list of skills. Your skills section — much like your resume in general — isn’t about cramming as much in as possible, it’s about selectively highlighting your strongest attributes. Choose the most relevant skills and/or the ones you’re most proficient with.
• Don’t use gimmicks like bar graphs, ratings, or infographics. In other words, do not do this:

You may think it’s eye-catching, but once the novelty wears off, it’ll come across as trying too hard at best and unprofessional. Additionally, this is not only hard to read by recruiters, but also by Applicant Tracking Systems and resume screeners..

Don’t include a bunch of buzzwords or vague self-assessments. There are a couple of good reasons to steer clear of overused “skills” like “Excellent communication skills” or “strong initiative.” The first is that these are skills almost everyone thinks they possess — very few people wouldn’t say they work well with others (and especially not on a resume). The second is that self-assessments are notoriously unreliable, and without evidence to back them up, are likely to be disregarded by hiring managers.

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How to Write a Resume Skills Section

• Customize Your Skills Section

Resume Skills Section Example

Multiple resume skills sections, lists to review, skills: hard vs. soft, job specific vs. transferable.

• Don't Include Everything

Ran Zheng / The Balance

What's the best way to write a skills section for your resume, and highlight your qualifications for the job? The skills section of your resume includes your abilities that are related to the jobs you are applying for. In this section, you should list skills that are relevant to the position or career field that you are interested in, such as  computer skills , software skills, and/or language skills.

Customize Your Resume Skills Section

Customize the skills section  of your resume to match, as much as you can, the requirements listed in the job posting. The closer a match your skills are to  the job requirements , the better your chances are for being selected for an interview.

For example, if you are applying for an administrative position, include in your skills section Microsoft Office skills, QuickBooks skills (if you have them), and other software programs you can use. If you are a computer programmer, list the programming languages, software, platforms, and other Information Technology skills you have. 

Having a skills section makes it easy for a hiring manager to pinpoint if you have a specific skill required for a position. It is also an easy way to get  resume keywords  onto your resume.

Many employers utilize automated applicant tracking systems (ATS) to scan candidate resumes; these systems are programmed to search for specific keywords.

The more keywords your resume can “match,” the more likely it is that your resume will be selected for review by human eyes. 

This is an example of a resume with a skills section. Download the resume template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

• Mastery of Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Experience with QuickBooks and with maintaining office budget
• Ability to work with several operating systems, including Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux

If there are multiple types of skills that are important to the job you’re applying for, you can include more than one skills list in your resume. 

For example, if you are applying for a job in education, you might include a “Computer Skills” list and a “Language Skills” list.

Resume Example With a Skills Section

Caroline Applicant 6739 Blossom Street Kingsport, TN 37617 (000) 123-4567 email@email.com

SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST

Expert in heightening organizational recognition and reach across social media channels.

Highly creative and upbeat Social Media Specialist with 6 years’ experience building social media presence for real estate professionals and small business owners. Well-versed in social media marketing and analytics, content writing, video editing, and digital photography.

Key skills include:

Social Media : Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, SnapChat, Pinterest, Google+, YouTube

Content Editing : Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Outlook), WordPress

Graphic Design : Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver, Premiere Pro)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

HOMEFRONT REAL ESTATE AGENCY, Kingsport, TN SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST (08/2014 – Present) Brought on board to support team of 18 real estate agents in creating a dynamic social media presence across Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and SnapChat channels. Notable accomplishments:

• Increased Facebook followers by 74% through diligent and responsive social media analytics.
• Assisted real estate team members to engage in a collaborative real estate ad posting strategy on Craigslist.
• Created and built firm’s first YouTube channel, posting slideshow walk-throughs of home listings.

FREELANCE ASSIGNMENTS, Kingsport, TN SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST (06/2012 – Present)

Generated a network of ongoing small business clients in need of small-scale social media and website management services. Established social media accounts, designed websites, and authored posts and blogs. Notable Accomplishments:

• Built lasting relationships with companies including Jane Matthews, Realtor, Line-Dry Laundry, Home Garden Foods, and Spring Hill Farms.
• Trained clients in WordPress and other digital tools, enabling them to manage their own web properties.

EDUCATION AND CREDENTIALS

UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE , Knoxville, TN Bachelor of Arts in Media Management, 2012 Dean’s List; School of Journalism and Electronic Media Scholarship; Junior Year Abroad in France

Not sure what skills to include? Here's a list of  resume and cover letter keywords  you can use to describe your skills, as well as lists of resumes skills for a variety of occupations and types of jobs.

Skill sets include both  hard skills  and soft skills. Hard skills are teachable abilities or skills that can be quantified.  Soft skills  are subjective interpersonal skills (such as “communications,” “leadership,” “teambuilding,” or “motivational” skills) that are much harder to quantify.

Both types of skills may be included on a resume and in cover letters. Here's more information on  the difference between hard skills and soft skills , and a  list of soft skills .

Job-specific skills  are those abilities that allow a candidate for employment to excel in a particular job. Some skills are attained by attending school or training programs. Others can be acquired through experience learning on the job.

Job-specific skills vary based on the position. For example, an IT help desk worker needs computer skills, teachers need lesson planning skills, and carpenters need skills working with power tools.

Job-specific skills can be contrasted with  transferable skills  like communication, organization, presentation, teamwork, planning, and time management, which are required in a broad array of jobs.

Transferable skills are those that you use in almost every job. Both types of skills can be included in a resume.

Not Every Skill Should Be Included in Your Resume 

While listing your skills is a good thing, not every skill you possess needs to be - or should be - included .

Do not list skills that you do not actually have. Leave off obsolete skills (that program you learned to use in the dawn of computer technology, for instance).

Plus, there is no need to include skills that do not relate to the job at hand. Unless you're applying to entertain at children's parties, your ability to make balloon animals shouldn't be included.

Related: Best Resume Writing Services

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Every Question You Have About Putting Skills on Your Resume, Answered

• Share This: Share Every Question You Have About Putting Skills on Your Resume, Answered on Facebook Share Every Question You Have About Putting Skills on Your Resume, Answered on LinkedIn Share Every Question You Have About Putting Skills on Your Resume, Answered on X

by Lily Zhang, originally published at TheMuse

When you’re trying to keep your resume length down to accommodate that  one-page limit , it’s easy to want to put your skills section on the chopping block. You might wonder why you ever included one in the first place. After all, it’s full of information that can be gleaned from other parts of your application, right?

Not so fast! Before you axe your resume skills section to make more space, read on to get the full picture of what you’d be giving up. And once you’re convinced not to scrap it, find out what types of skills you should include on a resume, how you should format a dedicated skills section, and how to figure the right skills for each job application. Plus, see a list of skills for your resume depending on what type of job you’re after.

Why Do I Need a Skills Section?

The whole point of keeping your resume concise is to allow for a recruiter or hiring manager to figure out the value you could create for the company after just a quick skim. With that in mind, having a section that basically spells out your  hard skills  makes a lot of sense,

Your skills section should actually be rather redundant. Ideally, a close read of your experience section should get across all your  soft and hard skills . But the reason the skills section exists is because a resume so rarely gets a close read on a first pass. Considering the limited amount of time recruiters typically spend on a resume—about six seconds—a bit of repetition might actually be good. So cover your bases and put your skills in your bullet points  and  in a skills section. You never know what kind of reader you’re going to get.

Another reality of the job application process that this section addresses is the ubiquity of  applicant tracking systems (ATS) . Keyword scanning is one way an ATS flags resumes for closer review, and a skills section, conveniently, can serve as an extra block of relevant keywords.

Overall, your resume skills section gives your application a nice optimization bump for both the human and digital review process.

What Are Hiring Managers Looking for in My Resume Skills?

For certain roles, it can be a nonstarter for a candidate to not have specific skills. You can’t be a ballerina if you don’t know how to dance, obviously, just like you won’t get a front-end developer role if you don’t know HTML. By and large, though, the hiring managers I’ve spoken to are looking at the big picture. They’re trying to connect the dots, and skills help fill in the gaps a bit.

Hiring managers are trying to pull together a story about you, so list skills that match the experience you’ve written about in your resume. One hiring manager I know in tech finds it interesting and noteworthy to see skills that are kind of esoteric, but still relevant. Functional programming languages in particular always catch his eye. To him, it indicates that the candidate has a keen interest in programming and possibly went out of their way to learn it on their own. That’s a pretty efficient way to show your enthusiasm—listing a juicy, related, but kind of obscure skill.

Monica Orta, a hiring manager at the MIT Media Lab, says the skills section gives her “a sense of the  suite  of skills a person has—it’s another way to look at their experience and helps paint a fuller picture.”

What Can I Include in a Skills Section?

Your resume skills section should mainly be reserved for your hard skills. Think programming languages, business or design software, analytics programs, subject-matter expertise, or even carpentry skills—anything that can be taught, defined, and measured.

Keywords are important, but that doesn’t mean you should cram every last thing in here. Pay particular attention to skills that are relevant, but haven’t necessarily been part of your daily job. Perhaps you took an  online course  on how to use InDesign or independently studied web design and HTML for your personal website. These skills will be absent from your experience section, which means the skills section is the only chance you get to highlight them.

Just a word of warning: Listing skills on a resume implies you’re confident in your abilities. So leave off anything that you’re still working on or don’t feel comfortable training someone else in (like foreign languages you haven’t spoken since high school).

What Skills Should I  Not  Include at All?

For people who are pivoting to another career, it can be a good branding move to  not  include the skills you don’t want to use anymore, especially if they are not relevant or inherently interesting. For example, if you’re an executive assistant who wants to move into diversity and inclusion work, you probably don’t want to list all the flight booking and calendaring tools you’re familiar with. If you must include these skills in your experience section to accurately describe your previous roles, that’s fine, but don’t reiterate them in your skills section.

Skills that are a bit obvious can also be scrapped. There’s generally no need to put “Microsoft Word” on your resume, unless the job description specifically lists this skill. And avoid anything that is completely unrelated to the position you’re applying for. You might be an amazing knitter, but that probably doesn’t belong in your skills section if you’re applying to be a social media manager for a hotel chain. (You can always include these kinds of hobbies under “Interests,” of course.)

Should I Include Soft Skills in My Skills Section?

Hiring managers often consider  soft skills  (like teamwork, communication, time management, and leadership) to be just as important as hard skills, if not more so. That said, these skills are not often included in a separate skills section since they are usually intangible and harder to evaluate. While your soft skills are incredibly important, they’re better portrayed (and more believable) if you give them some context. In other words, tell a story.

To include soft skills in your resume, tuck them into your bullets. Making the first word relate to your soft skills is particularly effective. For example, instead of, “Assisted with annual corporate retreat,” you could write, “Collaborated in a group of four to plan and facilitate annual corporate retreat for 200 employees.” While both bullets describe the same task, only the second one shows that you’re a team player. Instead of, “Attended monthly sales meetings,” you could write, “Presented product insights to 12 clients in monthly sales meetings,” to demonstrate strong communication skills.

What Are the Biggest Mistakes I Can Make With Skills on My Resume?

Now that you have a sense of what you  should  be doing, here are a few mistakes you want to avoid:

• Underselling your proficiency:  Downplaying your abilities is a big one. A hiring manager in the finance industry once told me he hated it when people listed skills in their resume and then added the word “basic” in parenthesis next to it. If you only have a basic understanding of something, it may not belong in your skills section. Or if you’re just being modest, maybe don’t be.
• Overselling your skills:  On the other hand, another hiring manager uses the skills section to judge how truthful a candidate has been in their application. If a candidate lists a string of 20 programming languages, but only has done projects in one, it’s not a good look. In general, a good rule of thumb is to only include skills you’re comfortable talking about in an interview.
• Hiding skills in your experience section:  Don’t assume recruiters or hiring managers will necessarily find your skills stashed away in the bullets of your experience section. If you’re applying for one of those roles where a certain skill is absolutely  required  for consideration, it would be a huge mistake to not list it in the skills section, even if you go into more detail elsewhere. For these roles, it’s not unusual for the reader to take a little shortcut and scan the skills section of all the resumes to figure out which ones to look at more intently.
• Using the skills section as a catch-all:  Don’t use the skills section as a catch-all. You might  really  want to mention that one time you were an extra in a movie or the fact that you’ve run five marathons, but don’t put it in the skills section.  If  you include them, these things would go under “Additional,” “Activities,” or “Interests.”

How Should I Format a Skills Section?

Hopefully, at this point you’ve been convinced to keep your skills section intact and perhaps even to add a couple things you hadn’t thought of before. But how do you best present all this important information in a way that isn’t just a jumble of keywords? That might be okay for an ATS, but no human being wants to read that.

If you have a long list of skills, think of subheadings as beautiful things that make even the most unruly mess of words look sleek and organized. Group your skills into reasonable categories, then name each group of skills something appropriate. For example, if you happen to be multilingual, a good subheading for all the languages you speak would be, unsurprisingly, “Languages.” Or if you’re a designer who also codes, label your sections “Design” and “ Technical .” Start each category on a new line with the subheading in bold at the beginning of the list. That’s it!

If your skills only fill one to two lines, you can change the section to “Skills and Interests” or “Skills and Certifications” and add the appropriate additional subheadings for interests, certifications, awards, and the like.

So What Does This All Actually Look Like?

Here’s an example of a good skills section for someone who is looking for work as a designer:

Visual Design:   InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, Premiere, XD, Animate, Lightroom 3D Modeling & 2D Drafting:   Rhino, VRay, AutoCAD, Vectorworks, Autodesk Fusion 360 Programming:   Grasshopper, Processing, HTML, CSS Interests:   Sailing, running, cooperative board games

And here is one that is  less  good:

InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Lightroom, Quark, Rhino, Grasshopper, VRay, AutoCAD, After Effects, Premiere, XD, Vectorworks, Processing, Animate, Autodesk Fusion 360, HTML, CSS, Microsoft Office, typography, teamwork, creativity, multitasking, sailing, running, cooperative board games

The difference, as you can see, is all about pulling out relevant hard skills and breaking them up into relevant subheadings. Even though this section is short, it still needs to be easy to skim (because no human will make it to the third, or even second, line of skills in the second example). Bullets and subheadings prompt the reader to start reading again. And as a bonus, they cue the reader on what broad skills the candidate has.

Where on the Page Should My Skills Section Go?

Generally a skills section lives at the bottom of a resume. It’s meant to reiterate or summarize what the reader learned from your experience section. There are some exceptions though.

If you’re a career changer who’s been slowly accumulating the necessary skills for a shift, for example, it might make sense to move this section up to a more prominent spot—possibly even the top to create a  hybrid ,  functional , or  skills-based  resume. Listing your skills before your experience section will color the way your whole resume is reviewed and help tell your career story. If you work in a technical field where hard skills are paramount, you might also want to put your skills section at the top.

How Do I Figure Out the Right Combination of Skills to Include on My Resume for a Particular Job Application?

Check the answer key! That is, print out the job description of the role you’re interested in and take a highlighter to it (or copy and paste it into a doc and highlight there), marking any skills you see listed that you have. Then, make sure these skills are listed on your resume. 

What Are Some Examples of Skills for a Resume?

It all depends on your industry and role. Scuba diving is a hard skill, but only relevant to very specific jobs. Remember, hiring managers are reviewing your resume with the job you applied for in mind, so keep your skills section at least tangentially relevant to avoid the dreaded “Why did they apply for this?” reaction.

Below are some examples of specific roles you might be applying for and skills that could be appropriate to list, but remember that a job posting is always the best place to find the skills you need for a specific role. To get a more robust list for your specific industry, you can check out  O*NET , a resource developed by the U.S. Department of Labor that breaks down occupations by skills, tasks, and activities.

For a robust list of skills broken down by job title/function, visit: 250+ Skills for Your Resume and How to Show Them Off | The Muse

How to outline work experience in a resumé

You’ve got the job experience to back up your suitability for a role – but what’s the best way to add it to your resumé ? To stand out against other qualified applicants, it’s important that your work experience section highlights your strongest points. 

In this article, we explore how you can effectively display your professional journey, highlighting past positions, key responsibilities and relevant achievements. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, wording your resumé experience correctly can make all the difference in landing your next role.

How to include work experience in a resumé

How to format your resumé work experience section, resumé work experience examples, why is work experience in a resumé so important.

A well-written work experience section can be one of the most important elements of your resumé . It gives the hiring manager a quick look into your employment history, including previous employers, dates of employment, skills and responsibilities.

Detailing your work experience is important as it demonstrates how you use your qualifications, skills and level of experience handling various tasks. It can also help showcase your work ethic and commitment, and highlight your career progression. 

The work experience section should be the main focus of your resumé. Here are some quick steps on how to write experience in a resumé. 

Step 1. Identify your resumé format

The right resumé format depends on the job and what’s normal practice in your industry, so it’s worth taking time to decide which one best suits this application. Having a consistent format ensures your resumé looks professional and presents your information clearly,  while showcasing your attention to detail and organisation skills. 

The 3 most commonly used resumé formats for your work experience section are:

1. Reverse chronological format 

This is the most commonly used format, where you list your jobs in reverse date order. Start with your most recent job first, then the job before that second, and so on. It’s a great option if you’ve got at least a few years of job history in a related field.

2. Functional format

This format focuses on what you do rather than where you’ve worked. Your skills and abilities are grouped into categories (rather than spread out across different jobs) with quantitative examples of how you demonstrated these qualities in previous roles. The categories can be tailored to the role you’re applying for by using the keywords and skills listed in the job description. 

For example, categories could include:

• Complaint-resolution skills
• Management skills
• Leadership skills
• Sales skills

A skills-based resumé is a good format to consider if you have gaps in your work history, are changing careers, or have limited work experience. 

3. Combination format

A hybrid of chronological and functional formats, the combination format highlights both work history and relevant skills. Start with a summary of your most relevant skills first, before listing your work history. This format is useful for those who want to emphasise specific skills, while also showing a steady work history. 

Choose the format that best highlights your skills and experience for the job you’re applying for.

Step 2. Discuss achievements instead of responsibilities

To give insight into what makes you the best choice for an employer, highlight your achievements that had a positive impact on the business. This lets an employer know how well you performed your job, not just the mechanics of the role itself. When giving examples of your accomplishments, make sure to use action verbs and quantifiable achievements (backed by numbers) whenever possible.

Here are some examples of responsibility-based vs achievement-based sentences, so you can see the difference:

• Responsibility based : sales of travel products
• Achievement based: increased sales revenue by 20% in the first quarter
• Responsibility based:  managed customer enquiries and resolved issues in a timely manner
• Achievement based:  increased customer satisfaction by 20% through efficient issue resolution
• Responsibility based:  developed marketing campaigns for new product launches
• Achievement based:  lead marketing strategy, resulting in a 30% increase in product awareness year on year

Tip:  Don’t list every job duty you’ve had. Stick to transferable skills relevant to the role you want, and use bullet points to keep your resumé clear and concise.

Step 3. List relevant job titles 

When putting together an employment history , it’s common practice to start with the most recent position, following a reverse-chronological order. This puts your most recent experience upfront, while allowing your resumé to be easily read by ATS software used by hiring managers. 

You should also include:

• Specific job titles (especially ones relevant to the role you’re applying for)
• Company names
• Company locations (city and region)
• Dates of employment for each position

An example of this might look like:

01/2018–11/2023     Manager at ABC Company, Auckland

Always use the full name of each organisation, be as specific as you can regarding job title, and use the MM/YYYY format so the dates can be easily read by an ATS.

Step 4. Begin each bullet point with an action verb

Your accomplishments speak volumes about your work ethic, commitment and abilities. Make your accomplishments impactful by starting each bullet point with an action word. Use words like:

• Implemented
• Streamlined

Avoid industry jargon and overly complex terminology.

Instead of: Responsible for workplace safety  Say:  Implemented comprehensive safety protocols, reducing workplace incidents by 20%. 

The latter sounds more active and engaging, highlighting the impact you had on your company.

Step 5. Highlight quantifiable achievements 

Your resumé speaks on your behalf, so you want it to be as persuasive as possible. Using quantifiable achievements helps prove your successes by adding measurable results like numbers, percentages or other metrics. It’s a great way to clearly demonstrate your ability to deliver above and beyond the KPIs set. 

Instead of:   Video production and editing   Say:   Produced 25 x 2-minute videos per week

Here are more quantifiable achievements examples:

• Increased social media following by 30% by creating more engaging content.
• Decreased production costs by 15% by implementing new efficiency measures.
• Boosted sales revenue by 25% through a targeted marketing campaign.

Step 6. Tailor your bullet points to the job you want

Before submitting your resumé, read through the job description and make note of the specific skills and work experiences that are mentioned. With this in mind, tailor your work experience descriptions to highlight these same key skills and qualities, while choosing workplace achievements that demonstrate your ability to put these skills into action.

Here are some tips on how to format your work experience on your resumé.

1. Create a dedicated section for your professional experience

Create a clear section entitled Work Experience or Professional Experience underneath the Resumé Summary part of your resumé. This makes it easy for the hiring manager to quickly see where you’ve worked. You can also add a section called Additional Experience or Volunteer Experience if you have relevant knowledge or transferable skills from outside the workplace that you want to highlight.

2. List your most recent work experience first

While there are different ways you can format your resumé, most ATS and employers tend to prefer reverse chronological order. So list your most recent experience first, followed by your previous positions in descending order. This allows hiring managers to quickly see your most relevant and up-to-date experience.

3. Consistent formatting and clear concise points 

Maintain consistent formatting throughout your work experience section. This makes it easier for the hiring manager to read, while also making your resumé visually appealing. Use the same professional font , font size, spacing and bullet point style for each entry, and ensure your bullet points are clear and concise.

If you don’t know where to start, it can help to see how others in your line of work put together their work experience. To give you a head start, below are work experience resumé examples for a variety of different work backgrounds. Use this as a base to form your own work experience section in your resumé. 

Example resumé work experience for fresh graduates with no experience

As a graduate, you may not have any relevant work experience yet. If you’re applying for your first job, you can include things like volunteer roles or extracurricular roles you had at school. Below is an example of how you can list these roles on your resumé.

02/2023–present    Intern at The Bridge Company, Wellington

Organising events and meetings as assistant to the PR manager.

Analysing e-commerce data in the developer team.

07/2020–12/2022     Volunteer at Helping Hands Charity, Wellington

Managed social media accounts, boosting engagement by 20% on 6 months.

Organised fundraising events as assistant to team leader

Example resumé work experience for a mid-career switch 

If you’re making a career change from one industry to another, it’s important to focus on showing transferable skills. You can also highlight the parts of your previous experience that are relevant to the new role. For example moving from a career in sales to a role in human resources.

06/2021–present     Account Executive at Salesby Ltd, Christchurch

Develop marketing campaigns and promotions with ad sales team

Negotiate client contracts to consistently meet revenue targets

08/2017–03/2021     Business Development at Sei, Christchurch

Develop proposals and presentations to pitch products and services to potential clients.

Identify new business opportunities and partnerships, expanding the client base by 40%.

Example resumé work experience for professionals

If you’ve been working in your industry for awhile, you may have multiple relevant roles to add to your work experience section. Make sure you avoid adding too many previous roles , instead stick to the most relevant. 

02/2022–present     Marketing Manager, Biotech, Auckland

Develop and execute marketing campaigns to increase customer engagement by 25%.

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to launch new products, driving a 15% increase in sales.

06/2019–02/2022      Communications Specialist, Treehill, Auckland

Managed internal communications, improving employee engagement by 20%.

Strategised content for the company website and newsletters, increased website traffic by 40%.

Example resumé work experience for managers 

Leadership and management roles will often require some level of management experience. It’s important to highlight your experience in similar roles, or skills that may be transferable from other roles. 

05/2023–present     Hotel Manager at Brydges Hotel, Wellington

Manage hotel budget and expenses, achieving a 15% cost reduction.

Implement training programs for staff, resulting in improved customer satisfaction scores by 20%.

08/2019–04/2023     Assistant Manager at Oaks Inn, Wellington

Co-managed day-to-day hotel operations, including guest check-in/check-out and room reservations.

Resolved guest complaints in a timely and professional manner.

Showcasing your work experience in your resumé is more than simply listing previous job titles. It’s highlighting your achievements, skills and career progression , relevant to the job you’re going for. Make a strong impression by using action verbs and including any quantifiable achievements, and choose a format that best highlights your skills and experience, keeping it consistent throughout. With the above in mind, you can create a work experience resumé that stands out and gets you to the next step in the hiring process.  

Can I just put years on my resumé?

Yes, you can just put years on your resumé. However, it’s best to also include the months, preferably in MM/YYYY format. This provides a clearer picture of your work history for the hiring manager, and matches the format that ATS software is programmed to read.

How long should a resumé be for a job?

Your resumé should be one page , or two pages at most, if you have a lot of relevant experience. If your resumé is in multi-page territory, consider whether you have gone for quantity over quality. Check if you’ve been clear and concise, removing experience not relevant to the role, and consider limiting quantified achievements to two to three bullet points per job or skill category.

What jobs should you put on a resumé?

Include relevant jobs and experience that showcase the skills and qualifications required for the position you’re applying for. Focus on roles that demonstrate your ability to perform the job you're wanting to get.

What order should work experience be listed on a resumé?

List your work experience in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent job and working backward. This format highlights your most recent and relevant experience first and is the most commonly used. Other format types include functional and combination formats.

Can you leave jobs off your resumé?

If they’re not relevant to the position you’re applying for, there’s no need to include every job you’ve ever had. If you have a long work history, only include the most relevant roles. If an employer wants an explanation about any employment gaps, then they may ask you this during the interview.

How to address maternity leave on your resumé?

Maternity leave can simply be included in the date range you worked for a company. If however you were not employed during your maternity leave, then the best approach is to list this in your work experience section as ‘Parental Leave’.  

How to overcome an employment gap in your work history?

Be upfront about gaps in your employment by including these as you would a jobs in the work experience section of your resumé. There can be many reasons for gaps in your work history, such as health problems, job loss, study, caring responsibilities, or taking time off to travel. You don’t need to give an explanation, but you can include any relevant skills or experience you gained during your employment break.

How many years of work experience should be on a resume?

You should include all work experience relevant to the job you’re applying for, but focus on the most recent 10–15 years unless earlier experience is highly relevant to the position. Highlight accomplishments and skills gained throughout your career, remembering to keep it clear and concise so your resumé is only a page or two long.

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People Operations Specialist Resume Skills for 2024

Written By : Pitch N Hire

Wed Sep 04 2024

Getting the People Operations Specialist role requires a resume highlighting your experience and adequately showcasing the skills needed for the position. This article guides you in building a structured resume to attract hiring managers . We will add essential skills for success in this role.

By understanding the specific skills recruiters seek, you can craft your resume to define how your qualifications match their needs. Let's start crafting a resume that positions you as the ideal candidate for a People Operations Specialist position.

Enhancing Your People Operations Specialist Resume Skills

All-in-one Hiring OS

Revolutionizing Interviews, Hiring, and Job Opportunities

Core People Operations Skills

• Data Analytics: Showcase expertise in using HR data to identify trends, inform decisions, and measure HR program impact on employees.
• Process Improvement: Highlight your ability to simplify HR processes, reduce costs, and improve efficiency.
• Employer Branding: Highlight your experience, creating a positive company image to attract employees and keep them safe.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Be committed to building a workplace where everyone feels happy and respected.
• Benefits Analysis: Show expertise in analyzing the market, set fair salaries for all employees, and offer benefits and appraisals to motivate employees.

Technical Skills

• Human Resource Information Tool and ATS Expertise: List the HR Information Systems and Applicant Tracking Systems you have worked with, such as Workday, BambooHR, ADP, Greenhouse, and many more.
• Automation: Highlight experience with HR automation tools to do tasks faster and improve accuracy for people operations specialist resume skills .
• Data Visualization: Demonstrate ability to turn data into easily understandable pictures using tools like Tableau or Power BI.

Soft Skills

• Adaptability: Highlight your ability to adjust to a changing environment and face new challenges with a good spirit.
• Problem Solving: Highlight your ability to analyze challenging situations and provide creative solutions.
• Business Expertise: Demonstrate understanding of how the business works and ensure HR helps the company reach its goals.
• Communication: Showing your communication skills when interacting with employees.
• Interpersonal: Demonstrating your power to build strong relationships with employees through understanding, care, and reliability.
• Organizational: Highlight your skills in setting priorities, managing time properly for work, and being attentive to minor details.
• Active listening: Properly listen to what is being said and the speaker's perspective.
• Conflict resolution: Resolving problems and finding fair solutions for all.
• Leadership: Ability to inspire and motivate your team for joint success and a healthy environment .
• Negotiation: Reaching the perspective that satisfies both parties.

Example of People Operations Specialist Resume Skills Section

• Human Resources Management
• Recruitment & Onboarding
• Employee Relations
• Organizational Development
• Training & Development
• Performance Management
• HR Compliance
• Benefits Administration
• Workforce Planning
• HRIS (Pitch N Hire, BambooHR)
• ATS (Pitch N Hire, Lever)
• Data Analysis (Excel, Google Analytics)
• Project Management
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills
• Problem-Solving
• Process Improvement
• Data Analytics
• Employer Branding
• Compensation & Benefits Analysis
• Automation (e.g., Zapier)
• Data Visualization (Tableau, Power BI)
• Adaptability
• Business Acumen

Remember to craft your skills according to the specific job description . Highlight the skills most related to the position you're applying for.

How to Highlight Skills on Your Resume?

Here are some tips to highlight your technical and interpersonal skills:

• Dedicated Skills Section: Create a separate " Technical Skills " section to list your expertise.
• Keyword Optimization: Use extracted keywords from the job description to get qualified by applicant tracking systems.
• Quantify Achievements: Use numbers and metrics to define your impact as proof. Instead of saying, "Proficient in HRIS," say, "Managed HRIS data for 500+ employees, resulting in a 20% reduction in data entry errors."
• Software Proficiency: List specific HRIS software and your level of expertise.
• Incorporate into Experience Sections: Showcase interpersonal people operations specialist resume skills through action verbs and use numbers for achievements. Instead of "communication skills," say, "Effectively communicate challenging HR policies to employees, and get an increment of 90% in understanding."
• Consider the Job Description: Highlight soft skills mentioned in the description so that the ATS selects them over keywords.
• Use Action Verbs: Start bullet points with strong action verbs (e.g., achieved, implemented, collaborated) to showcase your abilities powerfully.
• Showcase Examples: Provide examples of soft skills you used in your previous role and succeeded.
• HRIS: Workday, ADP (Advanced)
• Data Analysis: Excel, SQL (Proficient)
• Benefits Administration: Open Enrollment, COBRA (Proficient)

People Operations Specialist

Resolved employee conflicts through effective mediation, leading to improved team morale. (Showcase problem-solving nature, communication skills, and finding the best solution)

• Keep your resume short and focused on skills.
• Use consistent formatting for both technical and soft skills.
• Proofread carefully to avoid errors.

Following these guidelines, you can adequately highlight your people operations specialist resume skills, either technical or soft on your resume and get your desired People Operations Specialist position.

Let's Build Your People Operations Specialist Resume

Follow the given sequence and build an eye-catching resume .

Structure to Consider

A standard resume typically includes the following sections:

• Your full name with correct spelling
• Professional title (People Operations Specialist)
• Contact information (phone number, email, LinkedIn profile)

Summary or Objective

• Detailed information about your experience and career goals
• Highlight skills and achievements
• Technical skills (HRIS, software expertise, data analysis)
• Soft skills (communication, problem tackling, leadership)
• Past Job Title (Company Name, Location, Dates)
• Previous responsibilities and achievements
• Use action verbs and provide statistics for proof
• Degrees, institutions, locations, and dates
• Related courses or certifications

Certifications (optional)

• HR certifications
• Professional Affiliations (optional)
• Membership in HR organizations

Remember to edit this resume template according to requirements by highlighting relevant people operations specialist resume skills and experiences.

Additional Tips:

• Use clean and easily readable fonts (e.g., Times New Roman , Arial , Calibri ).
• Keep your resume focused, short, and easy to understand (write on one to two pages).

Resume Template for People Operations Specialist

Your Phone Number

Your LinkedIn

Provide short and detailed information about your experience and skills as a People Operations Specialist, highlighting your strengths and achievements.

• Core People Operations Skills: HR Management, Recruitment, Onboarding, Talent Development, Performance Management, Planning of Success.
• Technical Skills: Employee Relations, Employee Engagement, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Employer Branding, Compensation & Benefits Analysis.
• Soft Skills: Communication, Adjustment, Situation Handling, Project Management, Teamwork, Business Expertise, and experience of people operations specialist resume skills.

Company Name | City, State | Dates

• Showcasing responsibilities and achievements by using strong action verbs and proven impacts.
• Example: Using a new onboarding process reduced hiring time by 20% and increased employee satisfaction by 15%.
• Highlight the required skills and tools you used in previous roles.

[Previous Role]

Related experience and achievements.

Degree Name

University Name | City, State | Year

Certifications (Optional)

• HR certifications (SHRM-CP, PHR, SPHR, etc.)

Projects (Optional)

Highlight any job-required project you led.

Sample Resume For Example

Divyansh Tyagi

[email protected]

+91 9058406162

https://www.linkedin.com/in/divyansh-tyagi-72381ujy3u

I have 5+ years of experience improving workplaces. I help companies find great candidates, keep employees happy, and ensure smooth operations. I'm skilled at using HR tools and data to improve things.

• Human Resources Information System: Workday, ADP, BambooHR
• Hiring: ATS, Screening, interviewing, onboarding
• Employee Relations: Performance management, conflict resolution
• Benefits Administration: Open enrollment, compliance
• Data Analysis: Excel, SQL, HR analytics
• Soft Skills: Communication, leadership, Teamwork, Handling Situations

Shomi Industry, Kolkata, India (2019 - Present)

• Used a new ATS and increased hiring quality by 30%.
• Made things fun for employees and made them 15% happier.
• Found and hired new people from sourcing, screening, and onboarding.
• Helped employees in improving their skills by giving them feedback and advice.
• Made sure we followed all the rules and HR regulations for employees.

HR Generalist

Dev Sol, Jaipur, India (2017-2019)

• Helped people with health insurance, retirement savings, and time off work.
• Made sure everyone got paid on time and correctly.
• Answered questions and helped workers with problems.

BBA Graduate in Human Resources

Alingua University, Siyana, India (2015)

Note: This is an example resume, so edit it and use it according to your experience and the job requirements. Use strong action verbs and numbers as proven impact of people operations specialist resume skills.

Advantages of a People Operations Specialist in Modern Business

People Operations Specialists are the primary source of a successful business. They're the ones who make sure everyone feels valued, supported, and excited to come to work. Here are some People's Operations skills and responsibilities:

Increasing Business Performance

• Talent Exploring: Finding the best candidates, performing hiring processes , and knowing how to build a winning team by keeping employees happy and motivated by offering opportunities to grow and a workplace that feels like home.
• Employee Engagement: Building a healthy atmosphere that makes employees happy and satisfied. When people are happy and engaged, they work harder and smarter.
• Operational Efficiency: Simplifies HR processes using HR technology and improves achievements with better decision-making.

Enhancing Workplace

• Diversity: Making everyone feel worthy and not being judged at work and bringing together people from all corners creates a place where different ideas and perspectives are respected is essential for people operations specialist resume skills.
• Employee Well-Being: Ensuring employees' physical and mental health and ensuring everyone has sufficient tools and support to stay healthy and happy. This means less time off sick and more energy for work.
• Brand Image: Building a strong brand image to attract top talented candidates and improve the company's reputation.

Risk Reduction

• Compliance: Rule-keepers who ensure the company follows all the laws and rules regarding employee treatment.
• It's like being a legal eagle, always watching for potential problems.
• Workplace Safety: Keeping employees safe by setting safety rules and regularly checking things.
• Crisis Management: Creates detailed plans for crises, natural disasters, or workplace incidents. I have a backup plan to tackle problems.

10 Common Mistakes to Avoid in People Operations Specialist Resume Skills

A well-crafted skills section is crucial for a People Operations Specialist resume. Here are common mistakes to avoid:

1. Generic and Overused Skills

• Avoid General terms like "problem-solving," "communication," or "teamwork." These are expected and don't differentiate you.
• Instead, Specify the skills within the context of your role, such as "conflict resolution in a high-pressure environment" or "building trust with remote teams."

2. Irrelevant Skills

• Avoid: Including skills unrelated to HR or people operations.
• Instead, Focus on skills directly applicable to the role, like performance management, employee relations, or HRIS systems.

3. Lack of Quantifiable Achievements

• Avoid: Simply listing skills without demonstrating their impact.
• Instead, use statistics and numbers as proof to show your achievements and impacts.

4. Overusing Technical Skills

• Avoid: Focusing solely on HRIS or software proficiency, neglecting soft skills.
• Instead, Balance technical skills with interpersonal and strategic abilities.

5. Ignoring Industry-Specific Skills

• Avoid Using generic HR skills without considering the industry.
• Instead, Use your skills according to the specific industry.

6. Poor Keyword Utilizing

• Avoid: Neglecting using relevant keywords from the job description.
• Instead, Use keywords naturally in your resume, including the skills section.

You can create a professional resume by avoiding these mistakes and following these tips for people operations specialist resume skills.

By carefully creating the right structured People Operations Specialist resume skills section and avoiding mistakes by proofreading, you can qualify for a favorable job. Remember to focus on relevant skills, achievements, and technical knowledge, use your expertise according to the position, and balance technical and soft skills. Following these tips and tricks, you'll create a professional resume highlighting your professional behavior as a perfect choice for a People Operations specialist.

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7 Python Django Developer Resume Examples for 2024

Navigating the job market as a Python Django developer requires a good resume. This article offers you proven resume examples and advice tailored to your role. You will learn how to highlight your skills, align your experience with the job descriptions, and format your resume to get noticed.

• 04 Sep 2024 - 5 new sections, including 'Education section placement', added
• 04 Sep 2024 - 5 new resume templates, including Aspiring Python Django Developer, added
• 02 Sep 2024 - Article published

  Next update scheduled for 12 Sep 2024

Here's what we see in the best resumes for this role.

Show Impact With Numbers : The best resumes show impact with numbers like time savings , reducing bugs , increasing efficiency , and scaling applications . Metrics show your work's effectiveness.

Include Relevant Skills From Job Description : Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned in the job description. Some popular ones are Django , REST APIs , PostgreSQL , JavaScript , and Docker . Do not include every skill, only those you have.

Highlight Your Technical Projects : Show your work on projects using phrases like built REST API or optimized Django queries . This gives proof of your skills.

use this maybe to have a resume upload button widget 1: yellow Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. If your symptoms get worse or do not improve after 1 day, go to a lower altitude if you can. Try to go around 300 to 1,000 metres lower.

widget 2: red / but not serious Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. If your symptoms get worse or do not improve after 1 day, go to a lower altitude if you can. Try to go around 300 to 1,000 metres lower.

helpful blue / but not serious Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include. Here's a short quick tip / warning for people to include.

Python Django Developer Resume Sample

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Education section placement

As a hiring manager, you know that the order in which information is presented on a resume is vital. For a python django developer, if you are new to the field or have recently completed relevant education such as a specialized bootcamp or a computer science degree, it's best to position your education section at the start of your resume. This helps to quickly show your formal training in the technology.

In contrast, if you have substantial work experience, place your professional history first. Your practical skills in developing with python and django should take the forefront as it is a technical position. This does not mean you should hide your education – it's still important, but not as critical as your experience. For most developers, education will go after the experience section. Always remember that relevance to the job you are applying for should guide where you place your education on your resume.

Key skills to feature

Showcase your knowledge of Python frameworks, particularly Django. Detail any personal or professional projects where you have used these skills. Specific mentions of RESTful APIs, ORM, and version control systems like Git are important.

Including proficiency in other web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript can set you apart. Demonstrate your ability to integrate Django with these technologies through examples.

Junior Python Django Developer Resume Sample

Optimal resume length.

For python django developers, your resume should be concise. If you have worked for less than 10 years, aim for one page. This is enough space to show your strong coding skills and projects. Senior developers with over a decade of experience may use two pages.

Remember, it's crucial to make the first page count. Highlight your most relevant work and skills here. To keep it short, you may need to choose a more spaced-efficient template or reduce less relevant sections. Think about what you would look for if you were hiring a developer and put that on your resume.

Lead Python Django Developer Resume Sample

Important certifications.

Certifications in Python and Django from recognized institutions can be valuable. They show your dedication and formal knowledge. Include them prominently in your resume, especially if you lack extensive work experience.

Also consider certification programs in related fields such as cloud computing or database management. This broadens your skill set and makes you more versatile to employers.

Python Django Developer with Data Science Specialization Resume Sample

Aspiring python django developer resume sample.

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