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

Jeff Gillis 0 Comments

how to write your skills on a resume

By Jeff Gillis

Updated 6/4/2022.

how to write your skills on a resume

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.

how to write your skills on a resume

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.

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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 .

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17 Best Skills to Put on Your Resume (with Examples)

20 min read · Updated on July 30, 2024

Marsha Hebert

Everything you need to know about adding the right skills to your resume

Whether your resume has been through 19 revisions lately or you're just revisiting it for the first time in years, spending some time taking stock of your skills section can generate more interest in your candidacy and be the key to winning interviews. 

However, there's a lot of conflicting information online and in books about maximizing the effectiveness of this section. 

Do you simply list all of your key skills on the resume? 

What are the right skills to put on a resume? 

What order is best? 

How will a jumble of technical qualifications help you stand out? 

And what about those  soft skills ?

Let's tackle those questions one at a time and learn the 17 best skills to put on your resume – starting at the beginning.

Why is the resume skills section there in the first place?

The number one reason to spend a fair amount of time crafting your skills list is employability. Being employable means that you have the right skills – academic skills, applied knowledge, technology skills, vertical and lateral thinking abilities, and interpersonal skills – that employers value and are willing to pay you for. 

When the hiring manager picks up your resume to determine whether you're a fit for the role they have open, one of the first things they'll look at is your skill level. Having the right skills on your resume is also important to ensure your CV pops up in recruiter searches. 

There are three key reasons to include the skills section in your resume and to organize it well:

To list your skills and abilities in one place for easy reference and scanning

To highlight the match between your background and the job requirements for the position you're interested in

To get your well-crafted resume through keyword screening by applicant tracking systems

The right mix of resume skills will get you past the first hurdle and towards a conversation. Here's a blueprint for making the most out of your skills section:

Relevancy is critical

Including a jumble of skills on your resume, beefed up with some basics that pretty much everyone knows (like Microsoft Office, as an example) won't help you to stand out. In fact, listing out skills that are considered to be a common baseline can actually hurt your candidacy by making you look like you're scrambling to establish credibility. 

PRO TIP: As a general rule, basic user-level proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint and email applications is  assumed to be a given . However, if you have advanced Excel skills (expert-level proficiency with macros and advanced analysis capabilities, for example), you should list those.  

Rather than go back to basics, you'll want to focus only on skills that look good on a resume.

So how can you tell that a skill is relevant? That's easy! Read the  job description . 

Interpret the job description

As you dissect the job description to learn what will be required of you if you're hired for the position, pay special attention to the “requirements” and “qualifications” bullets, as that's where you'll find the majority of the keywords your resume will need. Again, the goal is to ensure that your resume speaks to that particular job so you can impress the hiring manager. 

Let's say you're applying for a job as an Account Manager. You may see these bullets under the “requirements” part of the job description:

Build lasting relationships with new and existing clients

Maintain client records, including contract renewals 

Develop sales plans to meet key performance indicators

Understand product offerings to meet customer needs and upsell when available

The keywords you need to focus on in each bullet are:

Client relationships

Client records and contract renewals

Sales plans and KPIs

Product offerings, customer needs, and upsell

The question you then need to ask yourself is, “Do I have the skills to back up these keywords?” If the answer is “Yes,” then these skills should appear on your resume. 

This is called  tailoring your resume  and should be done with every job that you apply to. For example, if you are applying to be a Floor Manager at a store that sells musical instruments, your proficiency with inventory management and your ability to play guitar would both be relevant for the job.

The four main types of skills for your resume

As a human being, you have technical and interpersonal skills in a broad range of areas. You might be an expert whitewater rafter, or maybe you have advanced a World of Warcraft character all the way to level 80. Both of those accomplishments require dedication, practice, and technical proficiency, but they're probably not going to help you land a job. 

The general recommendation on standout skills for a resume is to only list skills that will, directly or indirectly, help you to be more effective in your job. 

To do this, you have to understand the different types of skills that employers look for. 

1. Hard skills for a resume

These are learned abilities that you've picked up during your career, either through education, training, or experience. They can be honed over time. When you add hard skills to your resume, you'll want to include numbers –   measurable accomplishments  – as often as possible. 

2. Soft skills for a resume

Soft skills are characteristics you possess that improve your ability to get along with others, solve problems, and communicate effectively. You'll find that hiring managers love soft skills. 

No matter how technical your position is, it will require interacting with people, dealing with deadlines, and adapting to change. It's not as easy to quantify soft skills as it is hard skills, but employers still want you to prove that you possess these traits.

While most skills can be categorized as hard or soft skills, there are other types of skills, too!

3. Transferable skills for a resume

In addition to hard and soft skills, you might consider whether you have any transferable skills. This becomes especially important if you're changing careers, as they allow you to provide tangible proof of your ability to adapt to new circumstances and use lateral or vertical thinking to apply knowledge about one thing to something else. 

When you're leaning on  transferable skills to sell your qualifications  to the hiring manager, you must take the time to relay how those skills will benefit them and their new team. So, rather than saying that you have good time management skills, prove it by demonstrating what you do to manage time and how this has benefitted previous employers. 

4. Adaptive skills for a resume

You can also show resiliency through skills in your resume if you're not changing careers. Let's face it, if there's one thing that's certain in life and work, it's that things change. If you're the type of person to leverage change as a learning opportunity, then you should definitely be highlighting your adaptability on your resume. 

how to write your skills on a resume

The 17 best skills to put on your resume

Now that we've defined what types of skills you can use on your resume, let's explore some specific examples of different skills you can include.

1. Computer skills and programming languages

When the job description wants you to prove that you possess programming skills, you can add “ Proficiency in Python, Java, or HTML, ” for example. This signals to employers that you can do everything from coding to automation and makes you a valuable candidate in the tech space.

Some roles that require an understanding of computer languages include:

Software Engineer

Computer Scientist

2. Data analysis

Saying that you possess data analysis skills allows you to demonstrate that you can interpret raw data and draw actionable insights to fuel change. It's adaptable across industries and can be easily backed by quantifiable data. 

Some roles that require an understanding of data analysis include:

Data Scientist

Marketing Consultant

Senior Accountant

3. Project management

You don't have to be a Certified Project Management Professional to include an ability to manage projects on your resume. If you're good at leading, organizing, and delivering successful outcomes, then you should add that you know how to manage projects. 

Some roles that require an understanding of project management include:

Construction Contractor

Industrial Engineer

IT Project Manager

4. Creativity

Creativity is one of the most highly sought-after skill sets. Not only can you leverage it to create tangible marketing pieces that connect with target audiences, but it can also be used to solve problems and bring fresh perspectives to projects. Creativity also signals that you're adaptable to dynamic environments. 

Some roles that require you to be creative include:

Graphic Designer

Digital Marketing Manager

Brand Manager

5. Languages

The world gets smaller every day, so being able to speak more than one language is a skill that you should definitely include on your resume. Adding multiple languages to your application makes you highly valuable in a globalized, connected working world.

Some roles that require you to be speak other languages include:

International  HR Director

Foreign Exchange  Investment Banker

Some  Teacher  roles

6. Communication

Every job everywhere requires employees to have good communication skills. But instead of simply saying that you are a good communicator, be prepared to demonstrate that you understand the value of everything from active listening to properly articulating complex concepts. 

Some roles that require great communication include:

Sales Representative

Public Relations

Nurse Practitioner

7. Teamwork

A lot of people will throw the word “teamwork” into the skills list on their resume without giving it much thought. However, given the vast amount of hybrid and remote working environments, teamwork is more important than ever. A happy team that works together reduces burnout and increases morale. 

Some roles that require good teamwork include:

Sports Fitness Coach

Product Manager

Scrum Master

8. Leadership

If you're applying for a role that will involve guiding others, then including leadership skills is a must. When you add leadership to your resume, you highlight that you're not afraid to take the initiative to make decisions that drive outcomes. 

Some roles that require you to be a leader include:

Director of IT

Sales Manager

9. Critical thinking

When you're known for making well-informed decisions by analyzing information and evaluating situations objectively, you possess critical thinking skills. You may see this pop up in job descriptions where the employer is seeking someone with high emotional intelligence. Basically, if you can navigate your way logically through problems, then critical thinking is probably something you should add to your resume.

Some roles that require critical thinking include:

Data Engineer

Telecommunications Professional

10. Cultural competence

Diversity, equity, and inclusion have become buzzwords in today's workforce. People want a voice and value having a psychologically safe place in which to get things done. This is even more true when you have people coming together from different cultures. 

Some roles that require you to have cultural competence include:

Military-to-Civilian

11. Quality assurance

Quality assurance has implications across a number of fields, including software development and cybersecurity. There is an emphasis on quality assurance in roles that require you to maintain compliance with regulations or particular guidelines and best practices. 

Some roles that require an understanding of quality assurance include:

Aviation Mechanic

Cyber Security Specialist

12. Time management

Ranking right up there with creativity as far as top-rated skills go, being able to properly manage time is critical in today's workforce. It's not only something that's found in professional settings, but across industries and jobs worldwide. A simple search of job descriptions will reveal that the majority of them want people who can meet deadlines, at the minimum. 

Some roles that require good time management include:

Administrative Office Assistant

Finance Director

Project Manager

13. Conflict resolution

Being able to de-escalate situations with irate clients by demonstrating empathy and clearly defining options for a resolution means you're probably good at conflict management. However, conflict management isn't only demonstrated in client interactions. You may also be able to showcase conflict resolution skills if you've solved problems within team environments, too. 

Some roles that require conflict resolution skills include:

Retail Merchandising

Insurance Agent

Information Technology

14. Sales and upselling

Sales is all about employing active listening to ascertain customers' needs, to sell the right product or service at the right time. Whether you're connecting with target audiences to get them to buy something through a digital marketing campaign or you're trying to sell someone a product, meeting client needs is critical to demonstrating that you're good at sales and upselling. 

Some roles that require you to be able to sell and upsell include:

Marketing Manager

Consulting Manager

Real Estate Manager

15. Data entry

As you progress in your career, showcasing that you're good at data entry will become less and less important, however, there are still some roles that value candidates who can quickly and accurately input data into a system. 

Some roles that require data entry include:

Recent Graduate

Mid-Career Professionals

16. Tech-savviness 

Being tech–savvy means that you're always on the cutting edge and consistently keep up with emerging technologies. It helps you to deliver innovative solutions that help your company remain competitive in the ever-changing IT landscape.

Some roles that require candidates to be tech-savvy include:

DevOps Engineer

Technical Project Manager

Senior Software Engineer

17. Continuous learning

Today's employers value job seekers and employees who are fastidiously committed to ongoing education and skill development. Most even provide some sort of knowledge bank or in-house professional development courses to allow you to engage in continuous learning. 

Some roles that value a commitment to continuous learning include:

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Electrical Engineer

Mechanical Engineer

How to add skills to your resume

Keep your skills specific and clear.

A common pitfall when it comes to resume skills is to list broad categories of abilities without going into sufficient detail. The problem with that approach is that it won't get your resume found in keyword searches, because they are looking for specific proficiency statements.

So, instead of writing “familiarity with accounting software,” list “Quickbooks, Quicken, Sage, and Xero.” 

Use numbers and descriptive words where appropriate – 

How many projects have you managed using Teamwork Projects? 

How many people have you trained to use Salesforce? 

A few well-placed quantifiers can position you as a serious candidate with supported qualifications.

Organize your skills list

When creating a long list of skills for a resume, consider how you organize everything. Ordering your skills strategically will make your resume easier to read and call the right attention to the right skills in the right place. 

This is especially true considering that our brains look for patterns. A well-organized skill section on your resume will improve the aesthetics and help the hiring manager to skim through it to find just what they're looking for. 

PRO TIP: There isn't a hiring manager alive who is reading your resume. They're  scanning through it in just a few seconds . This makes keeping things organized all the more important.

Another organizing tip is to list the most important skills for the job first. Specifics will vary by industry, but think through the critical technical skills that will drive your effectiveness and success in the role and put them at the top.

When you're starting to group your skills list together, deciding which is most important depends on the job description. While most employers want employees who are good communicators and can solve problems, you have to take the industry and employer preferences into consideration. 

Job relevance: This goes back to tearing the job description apart to find the relevant keywords

Industry trends: Stay on top of things that may be changing in your industry and highlight any new skills that come into demand

Employer preferences: Take some time to research the company and learn what they do, why they do it, and for whom – this will help you to get a feel for their company culture, so you'll know which soft skills will impress them the most

The best place to put skills on your resume

The placement of the resume skills section itself on the page is up to you. Many people prefer to have it positioned near the top of their resume, but it works at the bottom too.

PRO TIP: If you have a lot of skills to list, consider breaking them up (for example, technical skills at the top and additional skills at the bottom).

No matter where you place the skills section, the layout is critical in catching the eye of hiring managers and showcasing your qualifications in a way that helps you to stand out from the crowd. 

At the top of your resume

Technically speaking, your skills list shouldn't be at the top. The first things on your resume should be your  contact information ,  headline , and  summary paragraph . So, when we say “at the top of your resume,” we mean beneath the summary paragraph. 

When you put your skills list at the top of your resume, you call immediate attention to some key selling points. It's an effective technique if you have a strong set of skills that directly align with the job requirements. 

Here's what a skills list at the top of your resume would look like:

FIRST NAME, LAST NAME

City, ST 12345 • LinkedIn URL • [email protected] • 111-222-3333

REGIONAL MANAGER

Operations Management | Project Management | Sales Management | Business Analysis

Innovative and ambitious executive-level management professional offering extensive experience and an accomplishments-driven career in sales, marketing and operations, and key account management. Leverages an entrepreneurial spirit to orchestrate tactical business plans that challenge the status quo, allowing for reformation of process. Intuitive business acumen and skilled strategist who uses the most up-to-date business practices to create, implement, and oversee business continuity. Naturally assumes leadership roles to oversee and achieve organizational success.

Business Development • Executive Leadership • Strategic Business Planning • Data Analysis • Team Training & Development • Policy & Procedure Development • Marketing & Territory Expansion • Procurement, Sourcing, & Negotiation • Relationship-Selling • Customer Relations

This resume example actually has two skills lists. One just beneath the title and then the regular one beneath the summary paragraph. It's an effective way to separate out the skills that are most important – the specialized abilities that you want to call immediate attention to. However, if you do it like this on your resume, the skills listed beneath the title should only be one to two lines max!

At the bottom of the resume

If you've reached a point in your career where your work history and career achievements outshine your skills, then it's a good idea to place the skills list at the bottom of your resume. 

Here's what your skills could look like at the bottom of your resume:

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

[List your career history in reverse-chronological order, starting with the most recent and working backward about 10 years]

[List the degrees you've earned and the schools where you obtained your degrees. You can also mention any professional development classes you've taken and certifications or licenses you possess]

Core proficiencies:

Project Management | Lean Management | Change Management | Operations Management | 3PL | Inventory Management | Inventory Control | Inventory Planning | Logistics Management | Distribution & Processing | Budgeting | Procurement | Purchase Orders

Soft skills:

Team Leadership | Coaching | Persuasion | Creative Problem Solving | Negotiation

Technical skills:

Epicor | PeopleSoft | XAL(Concorde) | HighStage | Deltek (Costpoint) | KBM | Syteline | Kinaxis | Glovia (Oracle-based) | Oracle | Adept | Workflow | Data Vault (Oracle-based) | Intralink

English |  Spanish |  French

Throughout your resume

Since your resume is more than a list of skills, you should know that your master list of abilities and the keywords you've culled from the job description aren't limited to being placed only in a skills list. You can – and should – include hard, soft, adaptive, and transferable skills throughout your entire resume. 

After your contact information, the first thing that should appear on your resume is a headline. A lot of people will simply put a title, but if you take a moment to spruce it up and turn it into a headline, you'll be able to inject a few keywords on the top line of your resume. 

For example, if you're applying for a role as a Real Estate Broker, here's the difference between a title and a headline:

Title: Real Estate Broker

Headline: Real Estate Broker with Expertise in Property Valuation and Team Management

Put yourself into the shoes of a hiring manager and ask yourself, which of those would give you more information about the job seeker? The headline not only indicates which role you want, but also includes two keywords – property valuation and team management. 

Summary paragraph

As you move on to write your career summary, that appears just beneath the headline, you'll want to continue adding relevant skills from your career that are mirrored in the job description. Doing this will ensure that your resume presents a cohesive and powerful message that your experience and achievements will serve the new company well. 

In sticking with the example of Real Estate Broker, perhaps you find that the new company wants you to coordinate marketing events and client activities, write weekly reports, and have a solid understanding of the MLS (Multiple Listing Service) platform for listing properties. 

The keywords to include in your profile paragraph would be:

Marketing events

Client activities

Multiple Listing Service (MLS)

Thus, your profile paragraph could look like this:

Veteran real estate professional with a strong background in orchestrating impactful marketing events for single and multi-family residences. Specializes in managing client activities that turn passive consumers into active clientele. Proficient in maximizing MLS to enhance property visibility and streamlining documentation and reporting processes. Known for creating a culture of excellence and client satisfaction by maintaining an open-door policy that encourages communication among team members.

As you can see, the profile paragraph isn't a long and drawn-out diatribe of things you've done in your career. Rather, it's a short paragraph that matches your skills to the job you're applying for. 

Work experience

Let's move on to the meat of your resume - the part the hiring manager is going to spend the most time on – your  career history . You may be wondering how you can put future-facing keywords into the historical part of your resume, but all it takes is a bit of finesse. 

For example, if you have a history of closing multi-million-dollar deals in high-end neighborhoods, you could work a few keywords into an achievement bullet like this:

  • Closed 5 multi-million-dollar property sales per month by leveraging MLS for property exposure

While you could stop after you say how many multi-million-dollar deals you closed, because that's a great achievement statement, expanding the bullet to include a keyword makes your overall resume all the more compelling. 

TopResume wants to do more than write your resume. We want to give you the tools you need to succeed in your job search and career. Click on the following link for more  resume and career advice .

Stand out from the crowd

When you master including the best skills in your resume, you reach a level of job search preparedness that propels your resume to the top of the pile. The whole idea is to make it easy for potential employers to see how you'll fit within the folds of their organization and team. That's where tailoring the skills on your resume comes in – wherever you include them. 

Want to see how your resume stacks up? Try out our  free resume review  today!

Recommended reading:

How to Write a Powerful LinkedIn Summary

How to Format a Resume for Multiple Jobs at One Company

The Best Resume Format to Get Hired  

Related Articles:

7 Signs Your Resume is Making You Look Old

Don't “Snowplow” Your Kids' Job Search — Set Them Up for Success Instead

What Kind of Job Candidate Are You?

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

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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.

best soft skills

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:

skills section in a resume

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.

ats skills in a resume

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:

skills section in a resume template

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:

Match Each Skill With 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:

skills in the resume summary

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:

skills in resume objective

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

Skills to Put on a Resume Infographic

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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Resume Skills: How to Write a Skills Section in 2024? [+Examples]

Martin Poduška — Editor in Chief / Resume Writer

No matter the job and no matter the experience level, skills are essential to a resume.

So much so, that amongst recruiters there's a new saying brewing — “ the future is skill-based ”.

And it makes sense, as mundane jobs get automated, those with a strong skill-set are able to shift focus and remain relevant in a fast-evolving job environment.

In this article, we'll not only show you how to write a skills section for your resume but also show you the differences between soft and hard skills and when to apply them. Moreover, you'll also learn some of the most sought-after skills by recruiters in today’s job market.

TL;DR Video Guide: How to List Skills on a Resume

Learn to write a great skills section for your resume in under 60 seconds. Watch our quick video guide, save time, and skip straight to the most important takeaways. 

What is considered a skill?

In broad terms, a skill is an ability to perform certain tasks well. Some skills can be measured and acquired through deliberate effort, while other are related to your personality traits.

In other words, not all skills are created equal. That’s why we call some of them “hard” and others “soft”.

  • Hard skills . These are the skills that you’ve acquired through deliberate effort. They can be learned, taught, and measured. Examples of hard skills include: English, Spanish, HTML, Python, copywriting, data analysis, SEO, SEM, and others.
  • Soft skills , on the other hand, are closely tied to one’s personality traits. They arise from your previous experiences and the environment you grew up in. These could be your leadership, communication, or other interpersonal skills . As opposed to hard skills, soft skills cannot be easily taught. Examples of soft skills include: problem-solving, negotiating, multitasking, time management, presenting, and others.

Both types of skills are highly valued by employers and have an important role to play in your job search.

You can think of your hard skills as a foundation upon which your entire application is built. They give you a fighting chance to score the job you want.

Your soft skills, on the other hand, are something extra that can make your application stand out. They give you an edge over other equally capable candidates.

resume skills section example

Why do I need a skills section on my resume?

A well-put-together skills section can help a recruiter figure out whether you have what it takes for the job — and do it quickly . Speed is of the essence here.

Why? Because most recruiters only have about six seconds to decide whether a resume is worth reading in full. That means you only have a very limited time to get the most important, most impressive points across. Otherwise, your resume ends up in the bin.

With that in mind, having an entire section designated to your skills makes a lot of sense. After all, it’s through your skills that you can be useful to a company. By devoting an entire section to them you help the employer quickly assess if you can bring something to the table.

Get through the applicant tracking system (ATS)

What’s more, your resume isn’t for human eyes only. Every larger company nowadays uses an applicant tracking system (ATS) to weed out weak candidates. Because of that, most resumes never get to a human reader.

Fortunately, your resume’s skills section can help you punch through the ATS wall.

How? One way an ATS flags a resume for closer (human) review is by scanning it for relevant keywords. Luckily, by definition, any good skills section contains a relatively large number of these keywords and can help you get invited for a job interview .

As you can see there are also resume qualifications and a well-constructed skills section will help you make your resume more attractive both to human and computer eyes.

Finally, you should know that a large majority of your skills should already be shown in the work experience section of your resume. In other words, the skills section will always be a bit redundant. Don’t worry about that. For the reasons described above, it’s still worth it even if it comes at the cost of little redundancy.

what skills to put on resume

How to write a skills section for your resume?

Although, at a first glance the skills resume section might seem straightforward. Once you start getting into the nitty-gritty of it, you will soon realize that you have a pile of practical questions that will require some research –– both about you and the job at hand.

A good way to start preparing for writing the skill section of your resume is by researching the job listing, the company, and its work culture and asking yourself these 4 questions:

  • What are the skills needed for this job?
  • Do my skills align with the job?
  • Am I proficient in such skills?
  • Is it essential to add these skills to my resume?

Once you’ve answered these questions, you can begin adding the skills that meet your requirements.

How to format skills on a resume?

Formatting your skills on your resume will depend on a few factors such as your choice of resume template and resume style. With the style of resume bearing the most weight; will it be a chronological, functional, or a combined resume?

  • Chronological resume : This style of resume is the standard. It adds your work experience to the top of the resume and lists your jobs in chronological order from newest to oldest. Though anyone can use this style, those with greater experience benefit the most.
  • Functional resume : If you want your resume to highlight your skills then picking a functional resume is the way to go, as it prioritizes them by adding them to the forefront of your resume. This is a great choice for those working in the tech industry or if you’re new to the workforce.
  • Combined resume : As the name suggests, this is a mix of both a functional and chronological resume. This style of resume is a good way to go if you’re someone with a large gap in your employment or if you are switching careers. Where to put skills on a mixed resume depends on what you want to emphasize to your employer. If your skills are unique and in demand, put them at the top.

As for your resume template, you have more freedom and can pick from a variety of templates that meet your needs. However, not all resume templates are created equal and some are more suitable than others depending on the occupation.

If you’re having a hard time deciding what kind of resume template to use, go through resume examples to gauge what kind of templates are typically used for certain jobs.

Best skills to add to your resume in 2024

The rule of thumb is: stay relevant . What does it mean in practice?

First, it’s advised to limit the length of your resume to no more than two pages. This shouldn’t be a problem, as nowadays resume builders make it really simple to keep things concise.

Basically, by having a long resume you risk the hiring manager losing interest.

Hence, you need to provide only the most relevant information, and because things move so fast in today’s day and age you also need to make sure the information is up to date.

But how can you tell which of your skills are up to date and relevant for the job you want?

Easy, by following these 3 tips:

  • Study the job advertisement.
  • Print it out.
  • Highlight skills that are essential for the job.

These skills are the keywords that both the hiring managers and the ATS will be looking for.

Once you’ve done that, see how many of those skills you already have and list them in your skills section.

Best hard skills to put on a resume in 2024

Like we said earlier on, the job landscape is evolving, and we don’t mean your typical slow pace Darwin-type of evolution. Nope. This is a fast computer-age evolution, and you’re going to have to put in some effort and come up with some great resume ideas for skills if you don’t want to be left in the dust.

This is especially true for careers that depend heavily on hard skills, such as those in the tech, industrial, and construction industries. So, just like bringing the right tool for the job, it’s important to bring the right set of hard skills.

With that said, these 10 hard skills are in huge demand in 2024:

  • Cybersecurity
  • Business analysis
  • Sales processing
  • Product Marketing
  • Clinical research
  • Creative writing
  • Video editing
  • Web development

Now, we don’t mean for you to just go jotting down as many hard skills as you can on your resume just because they’re in demand. No, unique skills for a resume or any additional skill for a resume should only be added if you can at least perform the skills with some proficiency.

Another good way to decide what skill to add to your skill summary is by asking yourself this question, “ Would I be able to answer a hiring manager’s in-depth questions about such skill ?”. If not, then scrap it from your resume and cover letter .

Best soft skills to put on a resume in 2024

It doesn’t matter how technical your profession is. At the end of the day, you’ll have to interact with people in some form or another. That’s where soft skills come into play.

Think about it, if you were a recruiter, who would you rather hire? A programmer who’s also emotionally intelligent and has a way with people? Or someone equally skilled but who is anti-social?

If you’d prefer the former candidate, you wouldn’t be alone. In fact, 67 percent of HR managers said they’d hire a candidate with strong soft skills even if his or her technical abilities were lacking. On the contrary, only 9 percent would hire someone with strong technical credentials but weak soft skills. Even when it comes to hard-to-fill positions, the candidate’s soft skills still amount to about 25 percent of the hiring decision .

Having said that, here are 10 of the most marketable soft skills in 2024:

  • Time management
  • Communication
  • Conflict resolution
  • Problem-solving
  • Negotiation
  • Attention to detail
  • Flexibility
  • Analytical thinking
  • Collaboration

Most companies understand that efficiency alone doesn’t make an organization stand out. They need to be innovative too — and create an environment where talented workers want to come and stay.

Pro tip:  If you have a LinkedIn profile filled with all the important details, including your skills, work experience, academic background, and qualifications, you can  turn it into a polished resume with just one click.

Top skills by career field to add to a resume

Some general skills can be a plus for nearly any job out there, particularly soft skills.

However, the number one rule on how to write a resume applies here, too, always tailor your resume with skills that align with the job. Also, keep in mind that sometimes skills that don’t seem relevant actually are, you just have to learn how to describe skills on a resume. Here are a few soft and hard skill examples for popular career fields you can add to your resume (assuming you possess such skills).

Skills to put on an art and design resume (examples)

For those who want to work in a creative field, it's imperative to understand that a blend of both soft and hard skills are needed. Few jobs out there require you to be a lone wolf and because of this, regardless of how good you're at your craft, it's equally important to hone your soft skills.

  • Soft skills: creativity, communication, collaboration, flexibility, planning, multitasking, troubleshooting, independence, perceptivity, accuracy
  • Hard skills : basic HTML, print knowledge, Adobe Create Suite, Dreamweaver, typography knowledge, photo editing, logo creation , marketing, storyboard creation, layout

Get inspired by this stylish resume example for an illustrator .

Best skills to put on a marketing resume (examples)

As someone in the marketing field, you're likely very aware of how fast the world is changing, especially if you’re into digital marketing. Hence, it’s important for you to highlight that you’re keeping up with the latest trends.

  • Soft skills : collaboration, intuitive, creativity, problem-solving, multitasking, curiosity, innovation, networking, quantitative thinking, forward-thinking
  • Hard skills : content marketing, WordPress, mobile marketing, social media, email marketing, lead nurturing, SEO, Mailchimp, Adobe Photoshop, video production

Check out this well-researched resume example from an online marketing specialist for inspiration.

Best project manager skills (examples)

Since the start of the pandemic, project management skills have been in high demand, according to research from McKinsey . Keeping up with the competition means that project managers need to continually upskill themselves. To make the most of your resume, here are the best project management skills to include.

  • Soft skills: problem-solving, negotiation, leadership, effective communication, organization, prioritization
  • Hard skills: Project Management Methodologiesdata analysis and visualization, programming (in relevant fields), marketing, use of AI 

If you want to learn more about these skills, have a look at the article we dedicated to the top skills for a project manager that includes an example of a project manager resume .

Skills to put on a finance resume (examples)

There’s a rule (hopefully a joke) amongst those working in finance –– always put your job ahead of your personal life. Now, whether that’s hyperbole or not, it should tell you a bit about what’s expected in the field.   

  • Soft skills : Leadership, presentation skills, compliance, diligence, being focused, initiative, thick-skinned, communication, execution, patience
  • Hard skills : SQL, VBA, Python, index matching, Excel, pivot tables, advanced charting, financial modeling, CFA, C++

Take a look at this well-presented and executed resume example for an equity analyst for inspiration.

Skills to put on an IT resume (examples)

Many think that working in IT means you don’t really need soft skills and honestly, they couldn’t be more wrong. Soft skills are just as important as hard skills when it comes to IT, so make sure that your IT resume contains both sets of skills.

  • Soft skills : Communication, attention to detail, logical thinking, adaptability, prioritizing, decisive, deadline management, problem-solving, collaboration, accuracy
  • Hard skills : AI, data science, cloud services, blockchain, VR, Cyber security, python, AWS, CSS, cyber security

Start your resume strong, get inspired with this in-depth and well-formatted resume example for an IT analyst , or just watch the video below: 

Skills to put on a sales resume (examples)

Salespeople are "people people" and should definitely emphasize their soft skills on their resumes. However, many sales roles like B2B are becoming more tech-dependent and should also include hard skills on their resumes.

  • Soft skills : Persuasion, negotiation, confidence, public speaking, active listening, responsibility, written communication, flexibility, intuition, business acumen
  • Hard skills : Powerpoint, SEO, data analysis, SaSS, content writing, cold calling, CRM, email management, pitch creation, product knowledge

Have a peek at this persuasive resume example for a sales representative if you're in need of inspiration.

Skills to put on a hospitality resume (examples) 

Do you like to be surrounded by people? Does it bring you joy to make someone's day (or week) better by being able to accommodate their needs and create unforgettable experiences?

Then you were born for the hospitality industry! However, it's also important to demonstrate these qualities on a resume. Make sure that these hard skills and soft skills are included in your hospitality CV. 

  • Soft skills : Multi-tasking, empathy, teamwork, problem-solving and conflict-resolution, active listening, flexibility, adaptability, resistance to stress;
  • Hard skills : POS systems, front desk management, basic computer skills, event planning, knowledge of multiple languages, bartending course, social media marketing, and networking, vendor relations.

Are there any skills I should NOT include on a resume?

Sure, most skills you have might come in handy at some point. But that doesn’t mean that every skill belongs on a resume. In fact, the number of unsuitable skills is so large we had to split them into five categories:

  • Skills you DON’T have . Remember, most skills take a lot of effort to acquire. Don’t fabricate them just to get hired. It will come back to haunt you in the long run — probably as soon as you get to the job interview. It’s bad enough to look incompetent but far worse to be seen as a liar.
  • Obsolete skills. Do you know how to back up files on a floppy disk? Good, but don’t put it on your resume. You don’t want to look as obsolete as floppy disks. The same goes for other outdated technologies and skills related to them.
  • Skills that have nothing to do with the job. Scuba diving is an impressive skill to have. But it’s also completely irrelevant if you’re applying for a job on dry land. Remember, hiring managers only have a limited attention span. Make sure they focus on those of your skills that can actually get you the job.
  • Overused buzzwords. Are you a flexible quick learner? Are you passionately creative, always motivated, and focused on the strategic vision? Even if it’s true, don’t mention it. These are some of the most overused words on resumes, and hiring managers are tired of seeing them. What’s more, these buzzwords don’t really mean anything.
  • Skills everybody should have. Never list skills like Microsoft Word, email, or web searching. It’s a given that anyone applying for an office job nowadays has these skills. Would you hire someone who considers the ability to browse the internet an achievement?

skills to avoid listing on your resume

One more thing. If you’re struggling to fit your resume on a single page, consider shortening your skills section. Leave only the key skills on a resume, relevancy is what matters the most here. Prioritize the hard skills mentioned in the job advertisement and ditch anything less relevant. 

What are professional skills?

Professional skill is a hard or soft skill that was learned with the intention (either at school, job, or certifications) of applying it in an employment setting. Examples of such skills are computer languages, machine skills, and writing skills.

What to put under skills on a resume?

When deciding what to put under skills on a resume, it's advised to research the job ad. Once that is done, then you can list the skills you possess that align with the job ad description.

You can add hard skills, such as: Microsoft Word, Photoshop, and Excel. You can also add soft skills, such as: punctuality, teamwork, and problem solver.

How to list soft skills on a resume?

Listing soft skills can be done in multiple ways, you can sprinkle them through your work experience section of your resume, you can add them under the skills section, or create an independent section titled “Soft Skills”.

Martin Poduška — Editor in Chief / Resume Writer

Martin Poduška

Martin is a resume expert and career advice writer at Kickresume. In his five years at Kickresume, he has written hundreds of in-depth, painstakingly researched resume advice articles and, as chief editor, he has also edited and revised every single article on this website. Tens of thousands of job seekers read Martin’s resume advice every month. He holds a degree in English from the University of St Andrews and a degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Amsterdam .

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How to write a professional resume summary [+examples], how to put your education on a resume [+examples], how to describe your work experience on a resume [+examples], let your resume do the work..

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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 Skills Section

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?

how to write your skills on 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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100+ Key Skills for a Resume in 2024 (Examples for any Job)

Learn how to professionally and efficiently list your skills on a resume.

Katerina Frye

How to List Skills on a Resume 

Your skills are just as important as your work experiences. Skills show a recruiter what you can do for the company -- without taking up too much space in your resume. 

Skills can be anything from “creativity” (a soft skill) to “JavaScript” (a hard skill). It’s important to include a mix of both on your resume.

Don’t know what skills you have? Read on to learn the difference between “soft” and “hard” skills, or skim our 250+ skills for each industry to jump right into the resume writing process. 

Beautiful resume templates to land your dream job

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Soft Skills vs Hard Skills

“Soft” skills are those that are not quantifiable, such as leadership. These skills also cannot be learned, but  are rather a facet of your personality. Nevertheless, soft skills are still critical to have, for they demonstrate that you are personable and competent.

Top Soft Skills to include on your resume

‍ Tip: Use some of the soft skills as adjectives when writing your profile summary . For example, try “enthusiastic entrepreneur,” “empathic childcare worker,” “organized nurses’ aid,” “supportive administration assistant” or “detail-oriented sales associate.”

The resume below is for a Childcare Worker and includes many soft skills that companies look for, including Creativity and Organizational skills.

Childcare Worker

In contrast, “Hard” skills are those that are learned -- either in school or through a certification program. These skills are quantifiable and can be continuously expanded upon through further education. Today, most hard skills have to do with computer technology, such as SEO, CSS/HTML, or Microsoft Suite. Even if you aren’t tech-savvy, chances are you still have a few hard skills.

Top Hard Skills to include on your resume

Tip: Be specific about your hard skills. Instead of listing “Programming Languages,” specify which ones you know -- Python, Java, C, etc. Same with photo editing software and any other platforms you are familiar with.

The resume below is for a Content Marketing Associate, and includes manyhard skills that companies in the marketing industry look for, including experience with Social Media tools. Remember, it's important to be specific in terms of defining and listing what softwares you know.

Content Marketing Associate

How to List Your Skills

Whether you’re a jack of all trades or a master of one, you absolutely must list some skills on your resume. Skills offer additional insight into what you can offer the company as an employee, and may just push your resume over the edge and into the interview pile. 

  • Only list relevant skills . If you’re applying for a position as an engineer, don’t brag about your marketing abilities. Instead, save the space to list the software and programming languages that you know. 
  • List around 5 Skills . Writing too many skills on your resume can be an overwhelming experience for the recruiter. He or she may not fully register your skills, and instead just blankly skim the long list. Conversely, listing too few skills is only selling yourself short. You definitely have more than two skills -- no matter your experience level! So shoot for around 5 skills, with a little wriggle room. 
  • Include both hard and soft skills . Even if your profession seems to rely on soft skills more than hard skills -- or vice versa -- including both makes your resume stronger. For example, if you’re applying to work as a laboratory assistant, list soft skills such as “teamwork,” “problem-solving,” “time management,” or “organization.” If you’re in a more creative field, hard skills include softwares such as “Adobe Creative Suite” and talents such as “photography,” “writing & editing,” or “videography.” 
  • Note your experience level . With each skill, specify whether you are a “beginner,” “expert,” or somewhere in between (using words like “intermediate” and “moderate”). Our resume templates have bars beneath each skill that you can toggle to reflect your expertise. 

The resume below is for a Human Resources Manager, and includes all of the above tips.

Human Resources Manager

250+ Skills for Each Industry  

Although we’ve split these skills up by industry, please note that many skills are applicable to a variety of careers. For example, someone working in marketing might find knowledge of JavaScript just as useful as someone working in the computer science field. 

Let’s jump in!

100+ Key Skills to include on your resume infographic

Office and Administrative Job Skills

  • Answering Phones
  • Bookkeeping (Excel, Turbotax)
  • Office Equipment
  • Welcoming Visitors
  • Calendar Management
  • Organization 
  • Time Management 
  • Problem Solving
  • Attention To Detail
  • Adaptability 
  • Written Communication 
  • Email Platforms (E.G., Gmail And iCloud Mail)
  • Word Processing Software (E.G., Google Docs)
  • Spreadsheet Software
  • Digital Calendars
  • Prioritization 

Sales, Retail, and Customer Service Job Skills

  • Product Knowledge
  • Lead Qualification
  • Lead Prospecting 
  • Customer Needs Analysis
  • Referral Marketing
  • Contract Negotiation
  • Self Motivation
  • Increasing Customer Lifetime Value (Clv)
  • Reducing Customer Acquisition Cost (Cac)
  • CRM Software (Salesforce, Hubspot, Zoho, Freshsales)
  • Cashier Skills
  • Knowledge Of Products And Services 
  • Customer Service
  • Communication (More Specifically -- Verbal Communication Skills, Listening Skills, Interpersonal Skills, Written Communication Skills, Public Speaking Skills, Presentation Skills)
  • Math Skills
  • Negotiation 
  • Persuasion  
  • Diplomacy  
  • Cold Calling
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
  • Lead Generation
  • Buyer-responsive Selling
  • Buyer Engagement

Nursing and Healthcare Job Skills

  • Patient Assessment
  • Taking Vital Signs
  • Patient Care
  • Recording Patient Medical History
  • Wound Dressing And Care
  • Urgent And Emergency Care
  • Record-keeping
  • Patient Education
  • NIH Stroke Scale Patient Assessment
  • Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
  • Medicine Administration
  • Blood Pressure Monitoring
  • Rehabilitation Therapy
  • Hygiene Assistance
  • Use Of X-ray, MRI, Cat Scans
  • Glucose Checks
  • Electronic Heart Record (EHR)
  • Decision-Making Ability 
  • Critical Thinking
  • Leadership 
  • Thorough Understanding Of HIPPA And Privacy Policies
  • Ability To Take And Record Vital Signs
  • CPR And First-Aid Certifications
  • Perform And Evaluate Diagnostic Tests
  • Maintain Patient Charts

IT Job Skills

  • Programming Languages
  • Web Development
  • Data Structures
  • Open Source Experience
  • Machine Learning
  • Front-End & Back-End Development
  • Cloud Management
  • Agile Development
  • CSS Preprocessors
  • Graphic User Interfaces (GUI)
  • Git/Version Control (Github, gitlab)
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
  • Application Programming Interface (API)
  • Adobe Photoshop, InDesign
  • Content Management Systems (CMS)
  • Testing/Debugging
  • Responsive Design Principles
  • Mobile and Web Development (e.g. iOS, Android)

Engineering & Technical Job Skills

  • STEM Skills
  • Prototyping
  • Troubleshooting
  • Project Launch
  • Lean Manufacturing
  • Workflow Development
  • Computer Skills
  • Technical Report Writing
  • Programming Languages HTML, CSS, CRM tools

Advertising & Marketing Job Skills

  • SEO (SEMRush, WordPress, and Ahrefs)
  • SEM (i.e., Google Adwords)
  • CRO and A/B Testing
  • Social Media Marketing and Paid Social Media Advertising
  • Sales Funnel Management
  • CMS Tools (WordPress, Weebly)
  • Graphic Design Skills (Adobe Creative Suite)
  • Email Marketing (MailChimp, Constant Contact)
  • Email Automation
  • Data Visualization
  • Print Design
  • Photography and Branding
  • Communication 
  • Creativity 
  • Data Analytics (Google Analytics )
  • Web Analytics
  • Email Writing 
  • Google Adwords
  • Social Media And Mobile Marketing 
  • Paid Social Media Advertisements
  • Consumer Behavior Drivers
  • Brand Management
  • B2b Marketing
  •  Writing Advertising Copy
  • Soliciting Feedback From Customers
  • Cutting Costs
  • Leadership skills
  • Task Delegation 
  • Strategic Management
  • Proposal writing
  • Problem-solving
  • Problem solving
  • Website Management
  • Social Media Outreach
  • Video Production
  • Campaign Management
  • Photo Editing
  • Logo Creation
  • Digital Printing
  • Interactive Media Design 
  • Color Sense & Theory
  • Social Media Publishing
  • Storytelling
  • Financial Analysis
  • Consumer Research
  • Statistical Analysis
  • Videography 
  • Technical Writing 

General Management and Project Management Job Skills

  • Agile Project Management (Kanban)
  • Managing Cross-Functional Teams
  • Scrum Management
  • Performance Tracking
  • Financial Modelling
  • Ideation Leadership
  • Feature Definition
  • Forecasting
  • Profit and Loss
  • Scope Management
  • Project Lifecycle Management 
  • Meeting Facilitation
  • Risk Management 
  • Cost Management 
  • Data Analysis 
  • Collaborative 
  • Collaborative Programs (Slack, WhatsApp, Dropbox)
  • Adobe Creative Suite

Browse more resume templates that fit your role

Katerina Frye

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how to write your skills on a resume

300+ Resume Skills to Use on Your Resume in 2024

Wondering what skills to put on your resume? Dive into our list of 300+ resume skills we’ve extracted from analyzing over 1,000,000 resumes, learn how to include them in yours, and increase your chances of landing a job interview.

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Our resumes get people hired at top companies:

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Skills are great but…

Making a resume is more than just skills. Use our resume builder and let us take care of the design while you focus on your skills and experience!

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Have you considered how difficult it is to select the right skills for your resume ?

You have to curate resume skills that:

  • reveal as many details about your proficiency; without going over the two-page limit .

Writing about your skills seems daunting - like you're fighting an uphill battle.

Yet, the potential wins are worth it: from landing an interview to getting a job offer.

So, here's our explicit guide on how to write about your skills on your resume:

  • Over 150 popular niche skills for over 15 industries.

The difference between hard skills and soft skills

Recruiters look for both hard and soft skills in a job application.

Before we get into the details of what both types of skills imply, we'd like to focus on how the skills are acquired, used, demonstrated, and measured.

Skill acquisition

Hard skills are attained via on-the-job experience, education, training, or certification.

While soft skills are obtained in a more intangible manner: via life or work experience.

Skill usage

Hard skills are used directly within your role - you need them to complete specific tasks.

Soft skills are most often related to how your flexible mindset is able to adapt, communicate, and excel within a new (potentially unfamiliar) work environment.

Skill showcase

It's easy to demonstrate your hard skills through various resume sections - showing recruiters what you're capable of.

Soft skills often complement your hard skills, thus providing unique value to your professional resume.

Skill measurement

Hard skills can be quantified based on your achievements, certifications, proficiency level, etc.

While soft skills could be a bit more difficult to pinpoint and could mainly be understood via your resume highlights.

Now, for a more brief definition of the two types of skills.

Hard skills comprise of the technical know-how and capabilities you possess: they are learned through studying and can be measured based on your performance.

Some of the more popular hard skills include:

  • Foreign Languages - opening doors to more international opportunities.

Soft skills are transferable skills: characteristics and habits that are most associated with you as a person. They indicate to recruiters just how well you will adapt, perform, and grow within a new environment.

Recruiters are constantly on the lookout for these types of soft skills:

Presentation

Why listing skills is important.

Your skills are one of the most important sections, as they help your potential employers to identify whether you would be a good fit for the role.

Consider the whole recruitment process from the recruiter's point of view.

You have a thousand applications for the same role.

You’ll either briefly skim the document to identify relevant skills. Or work with an Applicant Tracker System (ATS) to identify relevant keywords .

So, including a separate skills section, gives recruiters the opportunity to familiarize themselves with:

  • the specific (or unique) potential you'll bring with your in-demand, rare, or relevant skills.

Lack of relevant skills (keywords), placed at the top of their resume, often leads to a rejection from the ATS.

To avoid this, include this separate skills section to hint that:

  • you can bring the desired skill set to the table.

The best skills to put on your resume

Building your skills section would very much depend on the role you're applying for.

For example, say you’re applying for a Cloud computing architect job. In this case, your ability to implement relevant technologies are a prerequisite for recruiters.

But if you do include instances where you've had to present information to stakeholders, this would set you apart from other candidates.

Software Development and Programming

With the rise of technologies, these will continue to be one of the most in-demand hard skills for the next decade or so.

Demonstrating your software development knowledge could be via various resume sections - as long as you've noted the outcome of your use of the particular skill.

As this is a pretty vast field that includes numerous abilities - Web and Mobile Development; Version Control; Various Frameworks and Databases; Agile Methodologies; Software Testing and more - we've listed some of the most popular technologies:

Data Analysis and Statistics

Data has become one of the most valuable assets - those with the ability to understand and interpret it will discover many opportunities ahead.

This field again includes various hard skills, from Data Manipulation and Mining to Big Data and Machine Learning.

Discover a list of some of the most popular Data technologies:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)

With the rise of ChatGPT and similar platforms, one thing is evident - AI will continue to expand into uncharted territories.

And as a skill set, both AI and ML will continue to be in demand and take over multiple industries.

So, brush up on your:

Cloud Computing

Your knowledge of cloud platforms could land you the dream job in a dynamic environment.

Make sure you constantly upgrade your skill set with the most recent certificates , as this field is ever-evolving.

Meet job requirements by demonstrating your knowledge of:

  • Azure Functions
  • Cybersecurity

As a cybersecurity professional, it’s important to show on your resume not just your relevant certification, but adaptability in particular skills.

Referencing experience to project labs you’ve experimented with in your free time, can show your knowledge of the industry.

Here is a list of popular cybersecurity hard skills for your resume:

  • Digital Forensics

Project Management

Project management includes a combination of both hard and soft skills you'll need to be able to showcase via your resume.

While the end results are important, highlight instances where you've had to use any of these skills for successfully delivered projects:

  • Project Closure and Evaluation
  • Digital Marketing

Digital marketing encompasses many different roles, responsibilities, and industries.

Our advice is to highlight the skill set that would be most useful for your chosen career path.

For example, if you’re applying for a role in social media, include on your resume your experience with different channels and how your communication strategy succeeded.

Digital marketing skills may include:

  • Influencer Marketing

Graphic Design

While imagination and creativity may be at the center of the graphic designer's work, there are plenty of technologies that are important to success.

The list of graphic design skills includes:

UX/ UI Design

UX/UI design contains multiple skills from research, architecture, and wireframing to design and analysis.

Discover our top picks for your resume:

  • Accessibility Design

Financial Analysis

Plain and simple, financial analysis skills are focused on understanding data to make informed decisions.

They integrate an abundance of hard and soft skills, such as:

  • Data visualization tools

Foreign Languages

When listing foreign languages on your resume, it’s vital you explain your capabilities via your proficiencies and specializations.

It’s not enough to say you know a certain language - you need relevant certification or at least some widely-accepted reference as to your reading, comprehension, listening, and speaking skills.

Make sure to note your:

  • Interpersonal Communication
  • Communication

Perhaps your ability to communicate is one of the most important soft skills you'd need to show to recruiters - for any role.

Make sure that your communication efforts are always linked with relevant achievements.

Popular communication skills include:

  • Cultural awareness
  • Collaboration

Collaboration is your ability to participate within a team environment with the end goal of success.

While collaboration also covers various communication soft skills, here's the list of some other abilities you could list within your resume:

Problem-Solving

Problem-solving requires demonstrating your analytical abilities and shows the way you think in certain situations.

Can you take time-sensitive decisions or under pressure?

Skills that are linked with problem-solving include:

  • Systematic thinking
  • Critical Thinking

Like problem-solving, critical thinking is another must-have cognitive skill recruiters are on the lookout for.

Apart from your projects , you could also demonstrate your approach by incorporating various achievements through your resume as a result of your critical-thinking skills.

Showcase some of these skills to further prove your critical-thinking abilities:

  • Effective Communication

Adaptability

Within the past three plus years, it has become more and more evident that individuals who can navigate through dynamic environments (and thrive) become the most sought-out professionals.

Showcase you can adapt to new challenges on your resume via these skills:

Effective leaders are able to enable their teams to progress while creating a work environment with a vision.

While your leadership approach may be more evident during the interview stage of your application process, it's a good idea to note cases where you've shown some of the following skills:

  • Fostering a culture of growth

Organization

If you're apt at maintaining an organization's efficiency, definitely list your skills within your resume.

Organization skills hint at your abilities as a manager, but also, include:

  • Adaptation to technology
  • Negotiation

Navigating complex discussions, reaching agreements, and building relationships - that's what the ultimate outcome of your negotiation skills is.

Include as many of these relevant soft skills to highlight your negotiation abilities further:

  • Relationship building

The ability to think outside the box, while driving forward-facing initiatives, is surely impressive.

Highlight innovation on your resume with these soft skills:

  • Growth mindset

Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills help you to build positive relationships with others: whether those be third-party vendors, stakeholders, or team members.

Demonstrate your interpersonal skills via these abilities:

  • Valuing contributions

The ability to deliver information in a manner that's informative, engaging, and persuasive is one that leaves a lasting impression on recruiters.

Hone your presentation abilities with these soft skills:

  • Visual and verbal communication alignment

Within the next section of this guide, discover more practical advice to writing your resume skills.

How to list skills on your resume

To list skills on your resume, consider what works in light of the job requirements and will match your authentic skill set (and voice).

We've discovered six best practices that highlight strategy, space, and thought process, so you could make the most of your resume skills.

Find skills the company is looking for

First, read the advert job description.

It is most often the case that recruiters include all relevant keywords under the requirements or qualifications section.

As a final step to your research process, check out the company's website for even more gold nuggets related to what the company is all about.

This way, you'll be able to identify if you'll be a good match for the company culture (and vice versa - if it'll match your expectations).

What if the job advert you have doesn't provide enough information?

Search on other popular recruitment platforms for the job advert. The missing link is out there somewhere - you just need to find it.

Another option, in this case, will be to reach out to recruiters on LinkedIn - ask them just a few questions about the desired, specific skill set.

Match your skill set with the company's ideal profile

The ugly truth is that when every single company is hiring, they have an ideal candidate profile in mind. They might make a couple of compromises for an "out of the blue" Cinderella, but...

... practice goes to show that skill alignment is no fairy tale.

Here's where you have to learn to read between the lines of the advert.

Not just because you have to consider the technical capabilities as described, but also because you have to look deeper into the tone of voice, soft skills, and preferred culture.

Aim to synthesize this information for yourself, so you can better understand what is it that the company needs from the specific candidate:

  • A nod to the future - what would my potential be in the job?

Ultimately, your application shouldn't be set to just fill in a tangible (or not) vacancy but it should answer your and the company's expectations.

Here's an example with a job description for a UX Copywriter. We've highlighted the hard skills in green, while the soft skills are in blue. This exercise should help you better understand the preferable skill set of the ideal candidate.

  • Collaborate with Product Managers, UX Designers, UX Program Managers, and other key stakeholders to develop online device setup instructions and engagement pieces.
  • Maintain brand voice and alignment with packaging through copyediting.
  • Create and maintain editorial style guides and master copy documents.
  • Ensure the highest standards of style and writing (e.g., grammar, spelling, syntax, diction, punctuation, brand alignment).
  • Help improve processes for how content is created, delivered, and maintained.
  • Proofread all final documents before print.
  • Work closely with the subject matter experts, advocating for product and documentation innovation on behalf of the customer.
  • Pursue automated content development.
  • Create and maintain standards/guidance for localized translations.
  • 3 years of design experience.
  • An available online portfolio.
  • Degree in English, Technical Writing.
  • Experience in writing and editing technical documentation.
  • Strong written and verbal communications skills.
  • Ability to earn trust, engage, and influence people and teams at every level in the organization.
  • Experience with content management systems and project management tools.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

Want to make your resume stand out even further? Always match each skill with precise role accomplishments.

This would give social proof that you're adept at the skill and that your application is as close to the ideal candidate profile as it can be.

Use the STAR methodology to talk about your skills and experiences

The STAR method is one of the recruiters' favorite tools during behavioral-based interviews.

The acronym stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result(s).

Apart from the interview stage, you can also use the S-T-A-R methodology to describe specific achievements which really stand out.

  • Results or final outcomes: highlight precisely what “fruit” did your efforts bring in? BONUS: if you can add numbers and data to the results stage, then this will make quite an impression on recruiters.

Here are six more reasons why recruiters are huge fans of the STAR method.

These types of responses:

  • show how you'd handle similar situations.

The STAR method also brushes up on your reflection skills - as any professional should be able to look back on their work and highlight what worked.

So, even when writing your resume, it's helpful to think about various situations or projects where you can apply the STAR method .

The outcome should be strong, evidence-based answers that highlight your suitability for the position. Check out this example:

Situation : a DevOps engineer for a finance website

Task : eliminate poor website performance during peak hours (stock opening hours)

Activity : migrated the existing website's database to a more optimal noSQL solution

Result : reduced complaints rate to 3% and 100% website uptime during peak visit hours

Communicate your skills proficiency

Which one sounds more professional to you, when listing your language skills - "French C2" or "French"?

Adding your level of proficiency helps employers better understand just how good you are at using that particular skill.

  • Building trust with the organization from the get-go with transparency and honesty about your unique skill set.

But how can you - all by yourself - evaluate your skill set proficiency?

A popular framework that's used is the National Institutes of Health one; here's how it classifies the different experience levels:

  • Expert - with unparalleled knowledge that surpasses that of most professionals, you're recognized as a thought leader in the industry. With experience that spans years (or decades) on end, you've mastered various challenges and situations to always achieve an outcome. You're able to mentor others to achieve even higher peaks in their skill set.

There are many ways to map your skill proficiency. Our practice has shown us that some of the best ways include visual level bars and charts, used in more creative resumes , and simple labels, used in most modern resumes .

Make a separate resume skills section

A separate skills section serves to improve your score with the ATS - and also helps recruiters understand whether you have the expertise they're searching for.

First, consider the skills that are listed closer to the top of the advert. Those will be most vital for the role.

Next, reflect upon your skill strengths - those should also be listed within the dedicated skills section with more prominence.

Don't forget about including a couple of soft skills - this will help you align your profile even further with the ATS.

If you want to take this activity a step further, create a separate, niche skills section. One that could list, for example, your technology proficiency or specific soft skills.

Back up your skills in other sections of your resume

The more you can integrate skill keywords within your whole resume, the better you’d meet recruiters’ requirements. Here are five other sections that could include your skill set.

  • List accomplishments and skills in the experience section of your resume

Your experience bullets are the perfect opportunity to provide recruiters with some proof of your skill capabilities.

By quantifying your expertise with achievements (and possibly data), you'll provide them with the necessary background to better understand your skill set.

The more impressive your achievements were, the closer they should be to the top of your list (under each experience item).

Also, do consider what the requirements are for the job and use those to qualify your experience and skill set.

For example, if the role requires you to be able to apt in community management, your resume could list that you:

"Implemented communication strategies to attain a feeling of closeness amongst community members to attain a 107% growth and 65% more structured community management"

Let's take a look at a well-structured experience section that communicates the relevant skills of the applicant.

  • • Significantly reduced past due receivables from $7M to $5M within four months, accelerating cash flow
  • • Reduced company costs 50% through centralized purchasing
  • • Trained and supervised more than 4 summer interns each for a period of 3 weeks

Write a summary of qualifications

Going back to the top one-third of your resume, we have the summary and headline .

The resume summary - those brief three-to-five sentences - is the best chance you'd get to integrate your skills.

Once again, go back to the advert at hand and select up to five skills that you feel most confident in (that are important for the job). Use those to structure your resume summary.

Here's an example from our practice:

With your resume headline, you could also make a lasting impression.

Even though it should be short and simple, while matching the job requirements, the headline could integrate one-to-three skills.

Both of these sections provide you with an opportunity to further "stuff" your resume with skill keywords. But you don't want to go over the top with that.

Use the limited space you have wisely to demonstrate your highlights, achievements, and unique skill set.

Use certifications and courses

The hidden gem of the certifications and courses resume sections is that they allow you to further expand on your skill set. They are also a must in certain industries, such as cybersecurity.

Including a certification section on your resume will:

  • showcase your professional recognition.

A courses section is recommended for entry-level roles, where certifications (or more experience) are yet to be attained.

The courses could once again highlight the skills you've learned via your education or in your free time.

Showcase your transferable skills if you’re switching between career fields

Transferrable skills are universal skills you can easily apply from one role or responsibility to another.

They are basically what makes your experience unique and show that you can thrive within any work environment.

150+ Must-Have Skills (for Every Field)

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Soft resume skills

Including this category of skills within your resume showcases the transferable skills and unique value you’d bring about as an applicant.

  • Work Under Pressure
  • Flexibility
  • Independent
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Collaborative
  • Strong Work Ethic
  • Decision Making
  • Detail Oriented
  • Organizational
  • Problem Solving
  • Responsibility
  • Interpersonal
  • Team Leadership
  • Time Management
  • Coordinating
  • Reliability
  • Multi-Tasking
  • Creative Thinking
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Dealing with Ambiguity
  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Active Listening
  • Transferable
  • Fast Learner
  • Public Speaking
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Willingness to Learn
  • Dealing with Objection
  • Creating Good Rapport
  • Resource Allocation
  • Goal-Oriented
  • Remote Work Skills

How to List Soft Skills On Your Resume icon

Computer skills for your resume

Computer skills are your technical competencies - basically, your ability to use various computer software and applications.

  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Data analysis and interpretation
  • Database management (e.g., SQL, Oracle, MySQL)
  • Programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, C++)
  • Web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
  • Front-end frameworks (e.g., React, Angular, Vue.js)
  • Back-end frameworks (e.g., Node.js, Django, Laravel)
  • Cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
  • Networking protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP)
  • Cybersecurity principles and best practices
  • Virtualization and containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)
  • Data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
  • Machine learning and data mining
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) concepts and frameworks
  • Natural language processing (NLP)
  • Big data technologies (e.g., Hadoop, Spark)
  • Statistical analysis software (e.g., R, SAS, SPSS)

How to List Computer Skills On Your Resume icon

Design resume skills

With design skills, you have to be able to showcase to recruiters that you’re able to use an array of technology (and/or software), yet also have a creative vision.

Perhaps the strongest asset you have that demonstrates your graphic design skills are your past projects and portfolio. Make those easily discoverable by recruiters with links within the resume header .

  • Videography
  • Graphic design
  • User interface (UI) design
  • User experience (UX) design
  • Branding and identity design
  • Print design
  • Mobile app design
  • Layout design
  • Illustration
  • Icon design
  • Logo design
  • Visual communication
  • Color theory
  • Composition
  • Motion graphics
  • Video editing
  • 3D modeling and rendering
  • Infographic design
  • Data visualization
  • Art direction
  • Photo editing and retouching
  • Virtual reality (VR) design
  • Augmented reality (AR) design
  • Game design
  • Brand guidelines
  • Style guides

How to List Design Skills On Your Resume icon

Business and management resume skills

Show that you’re the top candidate by featuring the right skills on your resume. Explore a list of the most popular business and management skills in 2022 below.

  • Client Relations
  • Stakeholder Management
  • Team Management
  • People Management
  • Procurement
  • Contract Management
  • Implementation
  • Fundraising
  • Sustainability
  • Client Management
  • Crisis Management
  • Manufacturing
  • Performance Management
  • Quality Management
  • Microsoft Project
  • Event Management
  • Report Writing
  • Inventory Management
  • Relationship Management
  • Risk Management
  • Lean Six Sigma
  • Process Improvement
  • Quality Assurance
  • Faciliation
  • Vendor Management
  • Financial Modeling
  • Asset Management
  • Customer relationship management
  • Supply chain management
  • Key performance indicator (KPI) tracking

How to List Management Skills On Your Resume icon

Accounting and finance resume skills

Accounting and finance skills could open your doors to opportunities within various sectors. Your proficiency and technological capabilities would be a definite must for some roles.

These are also transferable skills, as they focus further on growing your analytical thinking and the ability to back up your decisions via data.

The more numbers that pinpoint results you could integrate (e.g. that show how your financial decisions have brought about a 56% increase in ROI), the better you’d be able to demonstrate your success.

  • Budget Management
  • Financial analysis
  • Financial reporting
  • Financial modeling
  • Tax preparation and planning
  • Risk management
  • Cost accounting
  • Managerial accounting
  • Financial statement analysis
  • Cash flow management
  • Revenue recognition
  • Accounts payable
  • Accounts receivable
  • General ledger management
  • Financial planning and analysis (FP&A)
  • Internal controls
  • Financial systems and software (e.g., QuickBooks, SAP, Oracle)
  • Compliance and regulatory knowledge (e.g., GAAP, IFRS)
  • Financial statement preparation
  • Variance analysis
  • Investment analysis
  • Capital budgeting
  • Treasury management
  • Financial risk assessment
  • Cash management
  • Financial operations management
  • Cost control and reduction
  • Financial reconciliation
  • Financial statement consolidation
  • Financial data analysis and interpretation
  • Microsoft Excel proficiency (advanced functions, pivot tables, macros)
  • Financial forecasting and planning
  • Inventory management and costing
  • Financial controls and procedures
  • Debt management and financing
  • Forecasting

How to List Accounting Skills On Your Resume icon

Engineering resume skills

Engineering skills encompass various fields - from mechanical and chemical engineering to aerospace and civil engineering. It's no surprise that there's an array of skills that you could demonstrate across your resume.

Once more, remember to select the ones that are most relevant for the job you're applying for. In this industry, it'll be very often that your technical competencies would serve as your base for getting the job.

Soft skills are also a very good at showing not only your people skills but that you're adaptable to growth.

  • Prototyping
  • Technical drawing and drafting
  • Engineering design and analysis
  • Mathematical modeling and simulation
  • Technical documentation and reporting
  • Risk assessment and management
  • Quality control and assurance
  • Materials selection and testing
  • Manufacturing processes and techniques
  • Electrical circuit design and analysis
  • Mechanical design and analysis
  • Structural analysis and design
  • Thermodynamics and heat transfer
  • Fluid mechanics and hydraulics
  • Control systems and automation
  • Systems engineering
  • Environmental sustainability in engineering
  • Engineering ethics and professionalism
  • Root cause analysis
  • Failure analysis and prevention
  • Statistical analysis
  • Geotechnical engineering principles
  • Engineering

How to List Engineering Skills On Your Resume icon

Marketing resume skills

Marketing encompasses many different activities (e.g. social media, content creation, PPC strategies) all aiming to bring brands closer to audiences.

It's an ever-evolving sector that presents opportunities for professionals with different levels of proficiency.

One of the best things you could do, if you're looking to grow into the field, is to get as much hands-on experience as possible and always stay up to date with relevant technologies.

  • Lead Generation
  • Content Management
  • Storytelling
  • Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
  • Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
  • Social Media Management (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, etc.)
  • Content Marketing
  • Email Marketing
  • Online Advertising
  • Mobile Marketing
  • Video Marketing
  • Affiliate Marketing
  • Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
  • Google Analytics
  • Social Media Analytics
  • Marketing Automation
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
  • Marketing Strategy
  • Marketing Campaign Management
  • Market Research
  • Competitor Analysis
  • Consumer Insights
  • Brand Development
  • Brand Positioning
  • Brand Messaging
  • Brand Management
  • Copywriting
  • Content Creation
  • Website Copy
  • Community Management
  • Public Relations (PR)
  • Event Planning
  • Customer Acquisition
  • Customer Retention
  • Customer Segmentation
  • Customer Experience (CX)
  • A/B Testing
  • User Experience (UX)
  • Landing Page Optimization
  • Marketing Analytics
  • Data Analysis

How to List Marketing Skills On Your Resume icon

Sales resume skills

Demonstrate your sales skills with the actual achievements of your role, like maintaining a 95% positive customer feedback score or the number of units you've sold.

Your resume should also showcase the technology you feel comfortable using (e.g. Salesforce) and put a particular focus on your communication skills.

As in the words of Jeff Gitomer, "Great salespeople are relationship builders..."

  • Telecommunications
  • Cold Calling
  • Product Knowledge
  • Customer Service
  • Prospecting
  • Sales Process Knowledge
  • CRM Software
  • Territory Management
  • Sales Forecasting
  • Team Collaboration
  • Goal Orientation
  • Consultative Selling
  • Rapport Building
  • Objection Handling
  • Value Proposition Development
  • Competitive Analysis
  • Strategic Account Management
  • Cross-Selling
  • Solution Selling
  • Qualifying Leads
  • Pipeline Management
  • Relationship Development
  • Relationship Marketing
  • Customer Satisfaction
  • Sales Presentations
  • Sales Funnel Management
  • Closing Techniques
  • Contract Negotiation
  • Sales Analytics
  • Relationship Building
  • Business Development
  • Customer Engagement
  • Sales Training
  • Key Account Management
  • Territory Planning
  • CRM Administration

How to List Sales Skills On Your Resume icon

IT and Data management resume skills

Data has become the most valuable asset across our digital-driven world. That's why professionals with expertise in data management and information technology will be presented with a multitude of chances for professional growth.

IT careers allow professionals to experience versatile industries with ever so many rising challenges that require a new, more adaptive skill set for creative problem-solving and innovation.

But, as a starting point, make sure you can demonstrate how you can use your knowledge in the real world with projects , experience items , and technical skills .

  • Active Directory
  • Database Management
  • Data Management
  • Penetration Testing
  • Data Warehouse
  • Technical Support
  • Mathematics
  • Machine Learning
  • Integration
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Software Testing
  • Data Modelling
  • Data Collection
  • Data Center
  • Statistical Analysis
  • artificial intelligence
  • data center
  • data collection
  • data management
  • data modelling
  • machine learning
  • microsoft access
  • penetration testing
  • software testing
  • data warehouse
  • microsoft office
  • statistical analysis

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Office resume skills

These skills are indispensable in any industry (or sphere) as they prove your ability to communicate and how you handle some office software.

If you're looking to find an admin role, definitely showcase your office skills, supported by relevant strengths, within your resume.

This particular skill set is also a nice-to-have for more entry-level candidates and candidates with less ( or no ) professional experience.

  • Documentation
  • Administrative
  • Data Entry and Management
  • Office Equipment Operation
  • File Management
  • Record Keeping
  • Calendar Management
  • Office Supply Management
  • Office Space Planning
  • Office Decorum and Etiquette
  • Document Sharing and Collaboration Tools (e.g., SharePoint, Google Drive)
  • Presentation Software (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote)
  • Task Management Tools (e.g., Trello, Asana)
  • Web Conferencing Platforms (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams)
  • Customer Complaint Resolution
  • Risk Assessment
  • Performance Tracking
  • Data Reporting
  • Workplace Ergonomics
  • Employee Relations
  • Knowledge of Labor Laws and Regulations
  • Benefits Administration Support
  • Recruitment and Onboarding Coordination
  • Workplace Culture Enhancement
  • Employee Engagement Initiatives
  • Employee Recognition Programs
  • Workplace Wellness Initiatives
  • Diversity and Inclusion Support
  • Business Correspondence Etiquette

How to List Office Skills On Your Resume icon

Food service resume skills

Bring your A-game to the table with your previous experience and food service skills.

The food and beverage industry allows professionals to grow a multitude of unique (and transferable) skills, from customer service to system operations and creativity.

On a side note, your patience and active listening skills should be at a superior level.

  • Food Safety and Sanitation
  • Menu Knowledge
  • Order Taking
  • Food Preparation
  • Food Presentation
  • Cash Handling
  • POS Systems
  • Menu Specials Promotion
  • Food Handling Equipment
  • Cleanliness and Organization
  • Knowledge of Dietary Restrictions
  • Menu Planning
  • Inventory Ordering and Management
  • Quality Control
  • Culinary Skills
  • Recipe Development
  • Food Cost Analysis
  • Portion Control
  • Knife Skills
  • Food Sourcing and Procurement
  • Food Plating Techniques
  • Food Styling
  • Beverage Service
  • Wine and Beer Knowledge
  • Coffee Brewing Techniques
  • Cash Register Operation
  • Cross-selling
  • Table Setting
  • Dining Etiquette
  • Special Event Catering
  • Buffet Setup and Management
  • Food Allergies and Dietary Restrictions
  • Safe Food Handling and Storage
  • Menu Engineering
  • Health and Safety Regulations
  • Food Service

How to List Food Service Skills On Your Resume icon

Medical and healthcare resume skills

From patient care to managing various software, creating a separate resume section to showcase your medical and healthcare skills is always a good idea.

Take the time to consider which medical skills would be most relevant for the job and align those with your experience .

Also, include your healthcare skills within various parts of your resume. This should also be done to showcase your commitment to the industry and the steps you've taken to ensure that you're the most up-to-date with recent R&D.

  • Patient Assessment
  • Administering Injections
  • Patient Care
  • Taking Vital Signs
  • Medical Administration
  • Recording Patient Medical History
  • TB Test Clearance
  • Teamwork Abilities
  • Medical Procedures
  • Electronic Medical Records (EMR)
  • Medical Terminology
  • Diagnostic Testing
  • Infection Control
  • Surgical Assistance
  • Medical Equipment Operation
  • Clinical Documentation
  • HIPAA Compliance
  • Medical Ethics
  • Emergency Response
  • Patient Education
  • Quality Improvement
  • Cultural Competence
  • Healthcare Regulations
  • Patient Advocacy

How to List Medical Skills On Your Resume icon

Legal resume skills

All rise for the honorable legal resume skills!

While the skills may encompass various roles within the legal system, the field of regulatory compliance has been gaining more traction in the past decade or so.

The best way to highlight your legal capabilities (apart from the dedicated skills section ) is also to boost your relevant legal certification and trial/ jury/ job success.

  • Contract Law
  • Civil Litigation
  • Legal Writing
  • Legal Research
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Criminal Law
  • Legal Analysis
  • Case Management
  • Contract Review and Negotiation
  • Litigation Support
  • Legal Document Preparation
  • Legal Terminology
  • Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility
  • Oral Advocacy
  • Legal Citations
  • Client Counseling
  • Legal Due Diligence
  • Legal Compliance
  • Mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
  • Legal Software and Technology
  • Courtroom Procedures
  • Document Drafting and Editing
  • Contract Drafting
  • Deposition Preparation
  • Legal Brief Writing
  • Trial Preparation
  • Mediation Techniques
  • Legal Research Methodologies
  • Legal Research Databases (e.g., Westlaw, LexisNexis)
  • Discovery Process

How to List Legal Skills On Your Resume icon

Customer service resume skills

Anyone who's ever had a customer-facing role, can let you know one thing - the experience teaches you so many personal skills in handling communications.

It's all about taking the time to understand the party opposing you, to find ways to show them both empathy and compassion, and - in the end - have a tangible outcome.

The STAR methodology could be a great way to showcase your customer service skills on your resume within the projects section .

Another good idea would be to create a supplementary experience section that focuses more on your soft and customer service skills.

  • Dispute Management
  • Oral Communication
  • CRM Systems
  • Technical Expertise
  • Knowledge of Policies and Procedures
  • Complaint Handling
  • Follow-Up and Resolution
  • Telephone Etiquette
  • Customer Feedback Analysis
  • Customer Service Training
  • Problem Escalation and Resolution
  • Customer Retention Strategies
  • Upselling Techniques
  • Customer Satisfaction Enhancement
  • Customer Needs Assessment
  • Service Recovery
  • Social Media Customer Service
  • Customer Service in Multilingual Environments
  • Professional Phone Etiquette
  • Knowledge of Industry Regulations
  • Customer Education and Training
  • Product Demonstrations
  • Technical Troubleshooting
  • Knowledge Base Creation and Management
  • Continuous Improvement
  • Service Level Agreement (SLA) Management
  • Customer Success Management
  • Voice of Customer Analysis
  • Service Recovery Strategies

How to List Customer Service Skills On Your Resume icon

Warehouse resume skills

There's an array of warehouse resume skills that entangle various aspects of operations. Those include third-party vendor communications and logistics to operating equipment and workplace health and safety procedures.

Your resume allows for a multitude of opportunities to list these skills - so don't miss your chances to include them, for example within your headline . Thus, optimizing it for the ATS and recruiters.

Look no further for inspiration as to your warehouse resume skills.

  • Cleaning Equipment
  • Forklift Operation
  • Loading and Unloading Trucks
  • Record-Keeping
  • Lifting Heavy Items
  • Warehouse Operations
  • Order Fulfillment
  • Shipping and Receiving
  • Warehouse Organization
  • Safety Compliance
  • Physical Stamina
  • Problem Identification
  • Vendor Coordination
  • RF Scanner Usage
  • Warehouse Safety Training
  • Lean Principles
  • Warehouse Software Proficiency
  • Cycle Counting
  • Stock Replenishment
  • Hazardous Materials Handling
  • Inventory Auditing
  • Cross-Docking
  • Shrinkage Prevention
  • Material Handling
  • Workflow Optimization
  • Reverse Logistics
  • Space Utilization
  • Stock Rotation
  • Returns Processing
  • Freight Management
  • Customs Compliance
  • Container Unpacking and Consolidation
  • Inventory Forecasting
  • Routing and Scheduling
  • Warehouse Layout Design
  • Supplier Negotiation
  • Supply Chain Management

How to List Warehouse Skills On Your Resume icon

Human Resources (HR) resume skills

If you're apt at working with people and supporting the acquisition functions (or funnel) of an organization - this next list is especially for you.

Demonstrate your abilities to support one of the most crucial areas of the business - that is talent management - with an array of hard and soft skills that support your understanding.

Have you implemented any changes that have improved the lives of individuals or perhaps increased interest in the organization? Make sure you dedicate a special section to those, and also quantify the impact your decisions have made.

  • Human Resource Management (HRM)
  • Applicant Screening
  • HR Strategy Creation
  • Career Coaching
  • HR Reporting
  • Recruitment and Selection
  • Employee Onboarding
  • HR Policies and Procedures
  • Training and Development
  • Compensation and Benefits
  • Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) HR Systems
  • Employee Engagement
  • Labor Law Compliance
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Employee Performance Improvement
  • Employment Law Knowledge
  • Compliance Reporting
  • Ethics and Confidentiality
  • Employee Wellness Programs
  • Employee Performance Evaluation
  • Succession Planning
  • Employee Benefits Administration
  • Organizational Development
  • Employee Engagement Surveys
  • Employee Coaching and Development
  • HR Policy Development
  • Workforce Planning
  • Compensation Analysis and Benchmarking
  • HR Training and Facilitation
  • Talent Acquisition and Retention
  • Human Resources

How to List Human Resources Skills On Your Resume icon

Technical resume skills

Technical skills have to do with the specific technologies that are a must to complete a job.

The best way to showcase your technical expertise, of course, is by showing the skills' practical side with on-the-job experience, projects, and relevant certification.

The more results of your technical skills you can include, the better it'd be for recruiters to understand precisely your understanding of the given technology.

Speaking of which - in some cases - it could be good to also note your proficiency level.

  • Lean Manufacturing
  • Payment Processing
  • Linear Regression
  • Programming Languages (e.g., Python, Java, C++, Ruby)
  • Web Development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
  • Database Management (SQL, Oracle, MySQL)
  • Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
  • Version Control Systems (Git, SVN)
  • Agile/Scrum Methodologies
  • Network Administration
  • System Administration (Windows, Linux)
  • IT Troubleshooting
  • Cloud Computing (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
  • DevOps Tools (Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins)
  • Scripting Languages (Shell Scripting, PowerShell)
  • Big Data Technologies (Hadoop, Apache Spark)
  • Data Analysis and Visualization (Excel, Tableau, Power BI)
  • Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP)
  • Data Mining
  • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • Mobile App Development (Android, iOS)
  • User Interface (UI) Design
  • User Experience (UX) Design
  • Web Frameworks (React, Angular, Django)
  • Object-Oriented Programming (OOP)
  • Test Automation (Selenium, JUnit)
  • Quality Assurance (QA) Testing
  • Data Structures and Algorithms
  • Data Warehousing
  • Mathematical Modeling
  • Embedded Systems
  • Computer Vision
  • Operating Systems (Windows, Linux, macOS)

How to List Technical Skills On Your Resume icon

Hospitality resume skills

In spite of the global pandemic, the hospitality sector continues to thrive and be an indispensable part of people's lives.

With that being said, perhaps one of the most important skills within hospitality is the ability to adapt (and accept) change.

By managing customers' expectations and experiences of the given hospitality service, you've surely also attained a variety of other soft, transferrable skills.

Even if a certain skill doesn't seem that important to you, yet it's a must-have on the job advert, and you have relevant, result-driven experience of it - make sure you dedicate some resume space to quantify your experience.

  • Hotel Management and Operations
  • Maintenance and Cleaning
  • Staff Management
  • Central Reservation System “CRS”
  • Event Planning and Coordination
  • Front Desk Operations
  • Property Management Systems (PMS)
  • Sales and Marketing Knowledge
  • Housekeeping Coordination
  • Concierge Services
  • Wine and Beverage Service
  • Event Setup and Breakdown
  • Venue Management
  • Guest Satisfaction Enhancement
  • Time-sensitive Issue Management
  • Venue and Room Management
  • Staff Training and Development
  • Revenue Management
  • Hospitality

How to List Hospitality Skills On Your Resume icon

Key Takeaways

Frequently asked questions about resume skills, what are the top skills to list on your resume.

There are no "top" skills, but rather ones that answer two-part criteria.

The first is the job requirements, and the second - is your capability and practical knowledge of using particular skills.

Now, both criteria could be met by both:

  • soft skills - transferrable, personal traits that showcase the unique value of working with you as a professional.

How many skills should I list on my resume?

It's not a question of how many, but rather which skills showcase you as the best fit for the role and also prove your unique expertise and knowledge.

Asses what are the key skills for the job advert (select between five and ten) and align those with the five to ten skills you're best at.

Remember to strike a balance between hard and soft skills, and to make use of every section of your resume to demonstrate your achievements.

Can I list soft skills on my resume?

Of course - soft skills are hints of how you'd adapt and grow within new work dynamics and environments.

Soft skills support your experience and tell a further narrative: that you've grown up both as a professional and a person.

They make a fantastic first impression on more experienced recruiters who are on the lookout for more than just the check-box-fitting candidate.

Should I tailor my skills to the job description?

This is perhaps the best strategy out there for creating your professional resume. First, take notice of what skills are important to the role, recruiters, and subsequently the organization.

If from the get-go you take the time to target your skills section to the advert at hand, this would go to show that you're ready to take the next steps and subsequently - are more than prepared for the role.

As you know, the whole job application process is one of meeting expectations and aligning visions.

How do I showcase my skills on my resume?

Make use of all the resume space (or real estate) you have to highlight your versatile skill set.

What this means is that you shouldn't just limit this to a dedicated skills section. You could also talk about these capacities within your resume:

  • niche/specific skills section.

It's entirely up to you to choose which sections of your resume would best fit your skill set.

When talking about your hard and soft skills, remember to also quantify your achievements.

Instead of saying you're apt at using "AutoCAD", note that you've "created 65+ full building plans in AutoCAD that have helped make the design 35% more understandable and efficient for contractors".

You could also use the STAR methodology (situation, task, action, result), when talking about your skills.

Can I include skills I learned outside of work?

If those skills are relevant to the job you're applying for and fully support your application, there isn't a reason why you shouldn't include them.

For example, you could further build your education, certifications, or hobbies section to detail those specific skills.

Test labs that you've done in your free time or side-projects that have taught you a specific skill could also work in showcasing your capabilities.

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

Kayte Grady

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

A skills section on a resume

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.

A graphic of types of skills for a resume

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 

A graphic of Teal's Work Styles Assessment to evalute skills for a resume

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. 

Selected skills on a resume

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. 

Skills examples found in a job description compared to a resume skills section with Teal's Match Score

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.

A resume Skills section

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.

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How to Write a Resume for Today's Job Market

Posted on 03 sep 2024.

According to Gitnux, recruiters spend less than 15 seconds on 55% of job applications. This makes it crucial to build an eye-catching resume that effectively conveys your skills and qualifications to keep recruiters reading. This guide explores what to write in a resume to make it stand out, a resume sample, and additional tips.

How to Write a Resume for a Job

It's important to understand how to present yourself as the ideal candidate by highlighting key aspects of your professional background. Follow these eight steps to make a resume that stands out to hiring managers.

1. Gather the Relevant Information

Gathering information relevant to your desired job enables a smooth resume-writing process and the inclusion of all important details. Carefully review your qualifications and create a comprehensive list that includes:

  • Soft skills, hard skills, and technical skills
  • Job titles, dates of employment, and key duties
  • Impressive measurable accomplishments
  • Educational credentials that demonstrate your expertise
  • Volunteer work that helped you develop skills and experience relevant to the job
  • Notable awards and honors you received

Once gathered, you can sort through them and exclude information less relevant to your desired job.

2. Choose the Right Format

There are three different resume formats you might use, each organized differently to best highlight your selling points.

  • Chronological : This resume format emphasizes an individual's work experience, making it ideal for those with a strong work history and professional achievements.
  • Functional : The functional resume format focuses on the individual's skills, training, and education. It is an excellent formatting choice for those entering the workforce or changing careers.
  • Combination : A combination or hybrid resume combines the functional and chronological styles to highlight your skills and work experience if you want to advance in your career.

3. Add Your Contact Information

Clearly display your name and contact information at the top of your resume so recruiters know exactly how to contact you for a job interview. Contact information should include your phone number and email address. Your name and job title should be in a bolder and larger font than the rest of the document text. You may also include a link to your professional online portfolio.

4. Write a Compelling Resume Summary

Write a concise and impactful resume summary that gives an overview of your skills, qualifications, and career goals and conveys your professional personality. Hiring managers may only review your resume briefly — display your most attractive qualities as a candidate so recruiters feel compelled to explore your resume further.

5. Add a Persuasive Work Experience Section

A persuasive work experience section should include a comprehensive summary of your past job roles. Each job role included in your work history section might include some of the following features:

  • Dates of employment
  • Company location
  • Primary job responsibilities related to the job you're applying for
  • Noteworthy work accomplishments during your employment

6. List Your Education History Accurately

If you have recent education credentials, you may also make a comprehensive and accurate education section. Each listing might include:

  • The name of the school, college or university
  • Location of the school
  • Year and month of graduation or the expected graduation date
  • Degree received
  • Relevant coursework
  • Relevant achievements, such as awards, scholarships, and honors

7. Use a Skills Section to Highlight Your Strengths

There are three categories of skills you might include on your resume, including:

  • Hard skills : Hard skills are typically gained through coursework and work experience, such as computer forensics skills, email and social media marketing, or risk management and identification.
  • Soft skills : These cannot always be taught and are generally traits that help individuals excel in the workplace. Examples include attention to detail, creativity, and adaptability.
  • Technical skills : Technical skills include specialized knowledge and expertise in certain areas that allow you to perform specific tasks well. These skills may include using specific tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Java extremely well.

8. Highlight Accomplishments in Optional Resume Sections

If you have relevant accomplishments that might catch the recruiter's attention, include them in a section on certifications, licenses, and training. Specify its title, when you received it, and a brief description. You can also create an awards, honors, and volunteer work section if you have achievements relevant to the desired job.

Sample Resume Example

Here is one of the best sample resume examples following the combination resume:

Chanelle Cooper Certified Project Management Professional Los Angeles, CA 90058 555-555-5555 [email protected]

Highly reliable, result-oriented project manager with four years of experience in product and project management involving implementing, developing, and supporting complex infrastructures for fast-growing startups. As an eager and hardworking individual, I adapt to changing project requirements well and have a proven history of solution-oriented problem-solving.

Professional Experience

Project Manager

[Company name] 2022-Present | Los Angeles, CA

  • Led a team of developers to build a proprietary CRM system
  • Curated a $2 million business implementation project that helped save around $3 million in operational inefficiencies between the development and sales departments
  • Optimized the company's sales process and increased sales revenue by 20%

Customer Success, Product Support

[Company Name] 2021-2022 | San Francisco, CA

  • Streamlined post-sales support and increased customer retention rate by 28%
  • Researched user behavior and led a strategic product roadmap across multi-functional teams
  • Integrated a reporting system into BI sales workflow, increasing post-meeting inquiries for the technical sales department
  • Technical skills: Tableau, SQL, JIRA and Python
  • Hard skills: Process management, project initiation and planning, risk management, and documentation
  • Soft skills: Critical thinking, leadership, prioritization, and coaching

University of California, Berkeley | 2016-2020 | Berkeley, CA Bachelor of Science, Industrial Engineering, 3.8 GPA

Resume Writing Tips to Help You Land the Job

Here are a few valuable resume-writing tips on how to put together a compelling resume.

  • Include keywords related to your target job : Recruiters typically use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to filter through resumes and narrow them down to applicants that meet the job position's needs. To help ensure the hiring manager sees your application, include keywords related to your desired job , often found in the job description itself.
  • Dedicate time to form and proofread your resume : You may make a good impression on the company by proofreading your work and dedicating time to tailor your resume for each job.
  • Make the resume scannable and ATS-friendly : You can make it easier for the ATS to understand your resume by incorporating good formatting , such as using consistent spacing and alignment; avoiding complex headers, tables and graphics; and using words and headings that are easily recognizable to the ATS.
  • Get help from a professional resume writer : If you lack time to work on a resume or need assistance forming a compelling one, professional resume writers may help you create one that accurately and appropriately outlines your professional background.

Leverage Resume-Writing Services From Resumeble

Do you need assistance writing a resume that portrays you as a reliable professional? Resumeble offers premium resume-writing services. Our certified resume writers work to understand your unique qualities, work background, and career goals and craft a personalized ATS-optimized resume that accurately reflects your specific skills and experiences. For more information, review the perks of our resume service and place an order today.

  • 7 seconds: this is how long your resume has either to impress or be ignored by the recruiter
  • 300+: average number of applications one corporate job opening posted online receives
  • 3%: number of sent resumes that result in interviews

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How to Write a Resume Job Description (Examples Included!)

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Hiring managers receive anywhere from dozens to even thousands of resumes and job applications daily. That's why a well-crafted resume is crucial to helping you stand out from the competition. And your experience section in particular—where your resume job descriptions live—really needs to shine.

This section highlights your previous experiences—whether in a formal job, internship , volunteer work , or other roles—demonstrating your achievements and capabilities.

To make an impact, you need to strategically tailor your experiences and skills to align with the job you’re applying for, showing recruiters that you’re a perfect fit for the role.

Below, you'll find key tips on how to write job descriptions for resumes and examples to guide you through it.

Get that resume out there! Browse open jobs on The Muse and find your dream job »

Job descriptions for resumes: Why does it matter?

When you apply for jobs , you'll see a description of the role and what the company is looking for. To really stand out, your resume should match those requirements as closely as possible. That’s where the job description section comes in handy. It’s your chance to highlight past experiences and make sure they align with the job you’re aiming for.

Your resume job description should include:

  • Company name
  • Date of employment
  • Responsibilities and achievements

Of course, this section alone won't land you a job—your whole resume should be written to impress the recruiters. However, when you're an experienced professional, even if you're not a senior in your position yet, well-written job descriptions can at least guarantee you some interviews .

How to write a resume job description in 4 steps

The following tips will give you some insights into what this section of your resume should look like—and what hiring managers are looking for in candidates' resumes.

1. Start with a clear heading

If you're not new to resume building, you probably know that each section of the file should have a heading . It should be clear and concise, telling the recruiter exactly what they're going to read next.

Here are some examples:

Work Experience

  • Professional Experience

2. Lay out basic info about your role

Next step is filling out the experience section —or whatever you decide to name it—with your professional background. You'll always start with basic information from each job (or internship, volunteer work, and such), like your title, the company name, location, and date of employment.

For example:

Sales associate

Orlando, FL

July 2022-August 2024

You can change the order as you see fit—for instance, putting the company name first and your title second. However, it's important to keep the same formatting throughout the resume, so be sure your choice works well for every experience.

There's no set amount of experiences you should include in your resume. But keep in mind that, ideally, it should only have relevant and recent experience, listed in reverse chronological order (from the most recent to the least recent). Additionally, most recruiters prefer a one- to two-page resume , max.

3. List achievements instead of tasks

Now, it's time to write the actual job descriptions. It's typically ideal to use bullet points and one to two sentences for each. As a standard, most resume templates have three to four bullet points for each experience, but you can use more (or less) as long as the information is relevant and you're not simply trying to fill out the page.

In describing your role, avoid falling into the trap of only listing job responsibilities. Muse career coach Andrea Gerson says that candidates should expand task-focused language into action-driven, accomplishment-oriented information.

For example, instead of writing “Performed X, Y, and Z,” try “Performed X, Y, and Z, which led to [achievements].” “This information showcases your capabilities—which is exactly what employers want to see,” Gerson says.

A commonly used formula to describe accomplishments within your roles is the context-scope-outcome strategy. You start with action verbs , show how you fulfilled each responsibility, and finish with an achievement that resulted from those actions. If possible, present your achievement with a quantifier , meaning metrics or numerical data that illustrates the impact of your work.

If you have a hard time identifying your impactful actions and accomplishments within your job responsibilities, Gerson suggests asking yourself these contextual questions:

  • What was the setting I was working in?
  • Was it a fast-paced pizzeria? If so, how many customers were served on a daily/weekly basis?
  • If it's a smaller company that's not very well-known, what products or services did they provide?
  • What was their scope of operations? Local, regional, global?
  • Who was their target customer base?

4. Describe the company in the first bullet point

Your resume job description could also benefit from including some relevant context about the companies you previously worked for, such industry, size, or differentiating factors. You can add this info within the first bullet of a position—which is called an introductory bullet.

“These introductory bullets should highlight your most impressive or transferable responsibilities in the context of the company that you were working for,” Gerson says. The following job responsibilities templates show examples of introductory bullets you can adjust for your resume:

  • “Contributed to [ achievement, outcome ] on behalf of [ company ]”
  • “Managed key aspects of [ project responsibilities ] for [ company ]”
  • “Assisted in [ a project ] on for [ company ]”

Here are examples of how these templates would look like filled out:

  • “Billed 50 clients on behalf of the company's national and international enterprise clients ”
  • “Managed key aspects of product development and management on for the national launching a hair care brand ”
  • “Assisted in the development of the rebranding and repositioning of a dating app with 5+ million users for a international tech company ”

Bonus tip: Use keywords from the open job description

These days, most hiring managers use application tracking systems (ATSs) to segment and quickly scan resumes to select the best based on their similarity to the open job description. This similarity is determined by keywords .

Keywords are specific phrases or terms within a job description precisely used to describe or explain responsibilities, skills, abilities, and knowledge the employer is looking for. These terms usually repeat throughout the job listing, signaling their importance for that specific role.

For this reason, you should do your best to incorporate keywords from the open job description on your resume, wherever it accurately reflects your prior work experience. “It not only makes your resume stronger but encourages you to think deeply about what the position is asking for and how your skills match,” says Muse career coach Lauren Wethers .

Review the job description you want to apply for and segment phrases that explain the specific duties or skills required for the role, which could be technical skills or transferable skills. For example:

If the company's job description for an account manager says:

The employee responsibilities are:

  • Creating a market specific sales plan that meets set sales goals
  • Educate the community on the company's values
  • Meeting regularly with sales market's customers to understand their needs
  • Identifying local marketing needs to enhance presence and grow sales

You could write your job description like this:

  • Created a market specific sales plan to meet company's set sales goals for a skincare brand
  • Educated the community on the company's value by meeting regularly with customers to understand their needs
  • Enhanced presence and sales by 20% by identifying local marketing needs and implementing a new sales strategy

Be sure to use the exact same language as is used in the open job description, because the ATS machine might not understand synonyms. “The computer doesn't know the difference between ‘coached’ and ‘advised’ on your resume—it's looking for one over the other,” Wethers says.

Resume job description: Examples

Here are some examples of job descriptions for resumes for different roles you can adapt for yourself:

Example #1: Cashier job description for resume

Head Cashier

Star Market

Oct 2021 - Jan 2024

  • Streamlined checkout and return transactions on behalf of a multinational chain with 10+ locations in Florida working simultaneously
  • Supervised and trained front-end cashiers for two consecutive years, enhancing 15% crew performance in PoS transactions and reducing shrink
  • Provided excellent customer service and assistance to customers, processing 155+ transactions per shift while identifying selling opportunities for cross and up-sells
  • Balanced cash drawers with a 98% monthly accuracy, handling $119,000 of annual revenue

Example #2: Server job description for resume

Restaurant Server & Crew Member

Blu Trattoria

Jan 2022 - February 2023

  • Performed table management on behalf of a family-owned, award-winning Italian restaurant from downtown Denver
  • Picked up and delivered patrons' orders from the bar and kitchen, satisfying +75 patrons per shift
  • Collaborated with Head Chef to streamline order communication processes, inventory shortages, and event assistance, reducing 25% of overall waiting time
  • Provided excellent customer service with a 96% NPS while calculating multiple patron’s accounts & payments through cash, PoS, and e-wallets

Example #3: Customer service job description for resume

Customer service representative

May 2017 - July 2022

  • Responded to thousands of calls each month on behalf of one of the fastest-growing CMS companies worldwide, generating 15% in revenue or serving 5.000 customers each year
  • Worked closely with the IT division to address and resolve a high volume of customer issues pertaining to software functionality and technical issues, achieving a 97% NPS score
  • Contributed to the development and implementation of upselling and cross-selling strategies which led to over $35,000 in new annual revenue
  • Leveraged CRM tools to improve response times by nearly 25%, impacting nearly 1.000 customers/accounts

Example #4: Sales associate job description for resume

Sales Associate

Blake Auto Co.

Portland, OR

Jun 2018 - April 2024

  • Managed sales initiatives on behalf of Fortune 500 manufacturing companies generating over $12M in annual revenue, specializing in car sales
  • Achieved 35% increase in lead conversion rates, working to qualify over 500 customers each month
  • Negotiated contracts valued at up to $1 million, interfacing with 35+ major accounts

Example #5: Caregiver job description for resume

Senior Caregiver

Rainfall Care Nursing Center

Oct 2015 - March 2019

  • Worked with over 50 adults on behalf of a specialized health center, focusing on cardiac patients
  • Worked closely with patients and family members to ensure high quality of life, providing weekly reports on the patient's health status
  • Contributed to 45% reduction in emergency room visits during tenure, closely monitoring patient conditions throughout short-term and long-term stays

Example #6: Housekeeping job description for resume

Apartment Housekeeper

Fresh Clean Agency

Raleigh, NC

Feb 2013 - Sep 2016

  • Provided monthly housekeeping services on behalf of a specialized cleaning agency for apartments and small houses
  • Cleaned over 150 apartments and houses resulting in a satisfaction rate of 97%
  • Achieved a 95% rate of returning clients by performing cleaning and maintenance tasks, along with preferred requests solicited by clients
  • Assured high-standard quality cleaning process on each property, decreasing by 15% the agency’s average apartment turnaround time

Bottom line

Writing resume job descriptions can seem difficult at first, but the key is going beyond responsibilities to list accomplishments , starting with a strong action verb (e.g. “implemented,” “created,” “managed”) and following up with quantifiable results. Remember to only include experiences that are relevant for the position you're applying for, use keywords from the job listing, and use a simple and clean formatting to make your resume ATS-friendly. That’s all there is to it—now go out there and get that dream job !

how to write your skills on a resume

Effective Ways to Start a Resume: A Step-by-Step Guide

The beginning of your resume is crucial – it’s the first thing a recruiter sees, so it must concisely and accurately describe your skills, experience, and achievements. Whether you choose a summary or an objective, this professional description has to convince the hiring manager to continue reading your application. This guide teaches you how to start a resume and includes compelling tips and examples.

Types of resume introductions

There are multiple types of resume introductions and they all suit unique situations and job seekers. The four most common resume introductions include:

  • Summary : Describes your career experience and achievements. Best for established professionals who have been in their industry for over two years.
  • Objective : Explains your skills and career goals. This is ideal for recent graduates, junior professionals, or people changing careers.
  • Qualifications summary : Details your most important skills and competencies in a bullet list. Perfect for people switching industries, who need to highlight transferable skills.
  • Profile : Describes your career experience as well as your top skills. This is a combination of a resume summary and a qualifications summary and is useful for a wide range of professional levels.

Resume summaries and objectives are the two most common types of resume introductions. Our resume samples provide realistic examples of both and showcase many different professional levels.

Crafting a compelling resume introduction

A well-written resume introduction concisely communicates who you are and why you’re an excellent fit for their open role. Let’s explore two powerful ways to add depth and clarity to your resume intros, making them more compelling and impactful to each recruiter who reads them.

Tailor it to the job description

Carefully read the job description and make note of specific keywords, including skills, achievements, and even the job titles they use. For example, the same role can be referred to as both Web Developer and Full-stack Developer.

Using these terms in your resume introduction shows your direct relevance and positions you as a candidate with the exact qualifications the company is looking for. Hiring managers often sift through hundreds of resumes to fill one role, and they’ll be happy to see the required skills right in the introduction.

This practice also helps you build an effective ATS resume . The right keywords show applicant tracking systems that your resume is relevant and push them through for review.

Highlight relevant skills and achievements

Choose a handful of powerful skills and accomplishments and mention them right away. You’ll provide a more extensive list in your Work Experience and Skills sections, but your summary or objective is a great opportunity to introduce powerful statements early on.

The most impactful elements are achievements and hard skills, such as Python expertise or completing a successful project, but it’s also important to provide soft skills if they’re vital to the role. For example, emphasizing your patience and emotional intelligence is a good idea for registered nurses.

Expert Tip:

Include eye-catching information in your resume introduction, such as measurable metrics and relevant certificates and licenses. These powerful details clearly convey your qualifications and the impact you have on a company right at the start, encouraging hiring managers to continue reading your resume.

Writing your resume introduction

Now that you know what goes into a strong resume introduction, let’s take a closer look at writing one. 

We recommend all intros be two- to four-sentence long descriptions. This gives you just enough space to discuss your primary skills and spark their interest but it doesn’t go on so long that the recruiter loses interest.

Start with your job title and how long you’ve been in that specific industry to give immediate context to your resume. If you’re new to the industry, start your introduction with your job title and relevant education, such as GPA or college degree.

After this, highlight a few essential skills throughout one to two sentences. Add a small description of how you use your skills for better context, such as: “ Expert in stakeholder management, contributing to the success of crucial projects and ensuring client satisfaction.”

End with a strong line describing a license or certification, or simply say you’re excited to bring your talents to their team. This is a great opportunity to use their company name and show you don’t just copy/paste your application between organizations.

Resume introduction examples

Now, we’ll review some realistic resume introduction examples to help inspire you. Choose which type of resume intro you need, and then study the structure to see how it applies to you and your skills.

Energetic Restaurant Manager with 8 years of experience handling a fast-paced five-star restaurant. Expertise in training staff in customer service techniques, leading to 97% customer satisfaction rate and a Best Service award. Excited to use powerful leadership skills to help The Black Rooster achieve higher profitability, efficiency, and performance.

Dedicated graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration seeking a Human Resources Coordinator position. Eager to use emotional intelligence and business acumen to encourage a healthy work culture and build solid working relationships. Looking to grow my career by using my interpersonal skills and building my HR experience.

Qualifications summary

  • Bilingual, comfortably conversing in fluent English and Mandarin Chinese.
  • Expert stakeholder management, addressing concerns with ease and maintaining a 98% client satisfaction rate.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, quickly building relationships with colleagues and clients.
  • Winner of “Project of the Year” in 2018 and 2020

Passionate Web Developer with 7 years of experience managing website and application projects. Keen skills in JavaScript, CSS, jQuery, SQL, and HTML5. Adept in using UX/UI abilities to build a better customer experience. Excited to bring sharp programming skills to Mint Industries.

Tips when writing your introduction

Here are a few tips to help you get started writing your resume introduction:

  • Choose an intro type that suits your experience level
  • Highlight crucial soft skills like leadership, initiative, safety, and cost-saving skills
  • Showcase your best, most relevant technical skills
  • Start each sentence with an action word like “ Expertise in…” or “Keen skills in… ”
  • Write your intro from the implied first-person perspective. This means writing in the first person but removing unnecessary, distracting words like “I” and “my.”
“A well-written resume introduction concisely communicates who you are and why you’re an excellent fit for their open role.”

Best practices for resume introductions

Lastly, we’ll cover the top do’s and don’ts for an impactful, meaningful resume introduction. Bookmark this page and keep this list in your back pocket – take it out whenever you’re building a resume, and you’ll have a quick reference.

Here are our best tips and tricks:

  • Keep your resume introduction concise and informative. Hiring managers only spend a few seconds on each resume, and a lengthy summary may turn them off.
  • Ask colleagues and friends for feedback and make adjustments where necessary.
  • Use keywords from the job description, including skills and job titles, to help your resume get through applicant tracking systems.
  • Take advantage of pre-made resume templates to ensure your introduction looks clean and professional. 
  • Don’t be afraid to add bits of your personality into your summary, especially if you’re applying to a more relaxed company. Many small companies appreciate this; it helps you stand out from hundreds of other applicants.

Learn how to start a resume the right way

An impactful resume introduction grabs the reader’s attention and immediately conveys your fit and relevance. Create an excellent intro using our top tips:

  • Choose a type that suits your career level – recent graduates should opt for objectives, and experienced professionals are better off choosing summaries.
  • Start sentences with strong words like Energetic, Dedicated, Experienced, Expertise, Adept in , and Expert in .
  • Tailor it to the job description and use relevant keywords
  • Keep it concise; quickly describe yourself in two to four sentences.

Ready to use these tips and build a winning resume today? Head over to CVwizard’s resume maker where you can easily use whichever resume introduction you want, flexing header titles and using bullets or plain text for the body.

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In today's competitive job market, technical skills are not just advantageous; they are essential. Employers increasingly rely on technology in various sectors, making a robust knowledge set crucial for candidates across numerous professions.

This article aims to guide readers on effectively presenting their technical skills on a resume . The focus will be on clarity and precision, ensuring your skills align perfectly with job requirements.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to showcase your abilities effectively, increasing your chances of landing a job in your desired field.

Employer reading potential employee's resume.

Understanding Technical Skills

Technical skills are the abilities and knowledge necessary to perform specific technology-related tasks. This expertise is often practical and related to information technology, machinery operation, or quantitative data management. Strong technical skills can significantly boost employability and career progression in today's tech-driven environment.

In IT, it includes programming languages such as Python or Java, cybersecurity practices, and network administration. To effectively present your talents, affordable resume writing services can enhance your ability to showcase these abilities.

On the other hand, engineers rely on skills related to CAD software, project management, and knowledge of manufacturing processes. Data analysts must be proficient in data manipulation tools like SQL and visualization software like Tableau.

Across all these fields, technical knowledge enables professionals to execute their roles effectively, ensuring operational efficiency and enabling companies to stay competitive in rapidly evolving industries.

As technology advances, the demand for skilled professionals in these areas shows a clear trend towards growth, making the acquisition and listing of these skills on a resume more critical than ever.

Identifying Your Technical Skills

Identifying and listing technical abilities on a resume effectively starts with a strategic self- assessment. Here are some tips on how to list technical skills on resume:

Inventory Skills : List every technical skill you possess relevant to the fields you are interested in or have experience in.

Prioritize Skills : Order your capabilities by relevance to the job you’re targeting and by your level of expertise in each.

Match Job Requirements : Carefully align your listed skills with the technical requirements specified in the job descriptions. This ensures that your resume speaks directly to potential employers' needs.

These steps guide you in listing expertise and enhance how you present your technical qualifications to align with employer expectations, increasing your visibility and chances of landing a job.

Structuring Technical Skills on Your Resume

Effectively structuring your resume can significantly enhance its readability and impact. Here are a few straightforward formats to consider:

Categorized Format : Organize your abilities into categories such as 'Programming Languages', 'Software Proficiency', 'Project Management', and 'Data Analysis'. List skills within these categories in order of proficiency or relevance to the job you're applying for.

Integrated Format : Weave your technical skills into the descriptions of your work experience. This shows what you know and how you’ve applied these abilities in real-world situations. For example, in a software developer role , you could highlight using Java to create features that improved customer satisfaction by 20%.

Hybrid Format : Start with a concise section that lists your top knowledge in categories, then detail how you applied them in your work history.

Consider incorporating various visual elements to improve your resume's readability and visual appeal. Bullet lists are an effective tool for breaking technical skills into easily digestible items, allowing hiring managers to assess your capabilities quickly.

Info boxes can spotlight crucial certifications, drawing the recruiter's attention to your essential qualifications. This makes your CV more engaging and helps employers gauge your expertise quickly at a glance.

Tailoring Technical Skills to the Job Application

When applying for jobs, actively customize the technical skills section of your resume to align with each job description. Start by identifying the essential knowledge that the employer highlights. Prominently display them on your resume, especially if they match your strengths.

For instance, a job ad for a web developer stresses expertise in JavaScript and Angular; highlight this knowledge at the top of your resume. Demonstrate where and how you've used it in previous roles to solve problems or enhance processes.

Additionally, include the exact keywords from the job description. Many companies use software that scans resumes for these keywords, and including them can significantly increase the likelihood of your resume catching a hiring manager’s attention.

Furthermore, when targeting remote positions, it's essential to highlight skills for online work , such as proficiency in remote collaboration tools and strong self-management abilities. By aligning your resume directly with the job requirements, you show employers that you understand and meet their needs.

Examples of Effectively Listed Technical Skills

When crafting the technical skills section of your CV, the clarity and organization of your presentation can significantly improve your chances of capturing the attention of hiring managers. Here are two examples of well-structured sections and insights from industry experts on why these approaches work effectively.

Example 1: Software Engineer Resume

  • Technical Skills:
  • Languages : Proficient in Python, Java, C++
  • Frameworks : Experienced with Angular, React
  • Tools : Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes
  • Systems : Linux, Windows Server 2019

This resume format categorizes technical skills, making it straightforward for hiring managers to quickly assess the candidate’s proficiency and expertise.

Example 2: Data Analyst Resume

  • Data Management : SQL, Oracle, MongoDB
  • Analytical Tools : R, MATLAB, Excel Advanced Features
  • Visualization : Proficient with Tableau, Power BI

Understanding how to showcase skills on a CV is essential to ensure your resume is noticed. By organizing all by function, this layout aligns the candidate’s abilities with the specific job responsibilities, enhancing their relevancy for potential employers.

Expert Insight: "Employers need to immediately see that you have the necessary abilities for the job. A well-organized section showcases your qualifications and demonstrates your understanding of the job requirements," explains John Dole, a senior tech recruiter.

This guide has outlined critical strategies for effectively listing knowledge on your resume. By categorizing skills, integrating them with your work experiences, and aligning them with job descriptions, you can present a clear and compelling skill set to potential employers.

Additionally, visual elements like bullet lists and info boxes can make your resume more readable and engaging.

Remember, the technology landscape is constantly evolving, so it’s crucial to review and update it regularly. Keeping your skills current boosts your resume and ensures you remain competitive in the job market. Regular updates demonstrate your commitment to professional development and readiness to tackle new challenges.

About the Author

Courtney Johnson: As a former high school teacher and career coach, I’ve always been passionate about helping others succeed. If you need advice on listing technical skills on your resume, feel free to reach out—I’m here to help.

Continue to: Applying for a Job Writing a Covering Letter

See also: How to Showcase Skills on a CV or Resume How Soft Skills Can Help You Get Ahead in a Tech World What Are Hard Skills?

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Find Your Career

GST Accountant Resume Samples

GST Accountant Resume Samples

Table of Contents

In today’s job market a well written resume can be the key to getting your dream job. For those looking to become a GST (Goods and Services Tax) Accountant, you need to show not only your accounting skills but also your GST skills, tax compliance and filing skills. A right resume can make you stand out from the crowd and make a lasting impression on the employer.

In this blog we will guide you through everything you need to know to write a GST Accountant Resume that showcases your skills using the best formats and templates.

GST Accountant Resume SAMPLE – FREE PDF

Introduction

As a GST Accountant your job revolves around ensuring a business is GST compliant. This involves tasks like preparing and filing GST returns, auditing financial statements for compliance, managing invoicing systems and more. A good resume should clearly show your GST and accounting skills, tax knowledge and financial record management skills.

This blog will cover:

  • GST Accountant resume format.
  • Sections to include.
  • Resume templates.

GST Accountant Resume Example Format

Choosing the right format for your GST Accountant resume is important. The format you choose should showcase your skills, experience and qualifications in a way that is easy for the employer to see your fit for the job.

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1. Reverse Chronological Format

Reverse chronological format is the most common resume format and is suitable if you have a consistent work history. This format emphasizes your work experience, listing your most recent job first. Good for experienced professionals who want to showcase their growth and achievements in previous roles.

  • Contact Information: Name, phone number, email address, LinkedIn profile.
  • Resume Summary: A brief summary of your qualifications and career goals.
  • Work Experience: List your most recent jobs first, including job title, company name, location and employment dates. Highlight achievements and responsibilities in each role.
  • Skills: A separate section for your accounting and GST skills.
  • Education: Highest qualification.
  • Certifications: GST, accounting and finance related certifications.

2. Functional Format

If you are just starting your career or making a career switch, functional format may be a better option. This format focuses more on your skills and qualifications rather than your work history. Good for those with limited work experience but strong technical skills.

  • Contact Information
  • Resume Objective: A statement of your goals and how they match with the company’s requirements.
  • Skills: GST skills like GST compliance, returns filing and invoicing.
  • Work Experience: Briefly mention your work history but focus on your skillset.
  • Certifications and Education

3. Combination Format

Combination of reverse chronological and functional format. Suitable for experienced professionals who have a lot of experience but also want to showcase their skills. Good for mid-level professionals.

How to Write a GST Accountant Resume

Writing a GST Accountant resume is all about showcasing your experience, skills and education. Here’s how to do it professionally:

1. Contact Details

At the top of your resume include your full name, phone number and email address. Also include a link to your LinkedIn profile or website if you have one.

2. Resume Summary or Objective

Example: “GST Accountant with 5+ years experience in GST compliance, tax returns and financial record keeping. Proficient in Tally and QuickBooks to manage financials and stay up to date with tax laws.

Or if you’re new to the field:

Recent accounting graduate with focus on GST regulations and tax compliance. Looking for an entry level GST Accountant role to apply my tax filing, returns management and financial record keeping skills.”

In the skills section highlight specific skills relevant to a GST Accountant role. Include both hard and soft skills:

  • GST compliance and returns.
  • Proficiency in accounting software (Tally, QuickBooks, SAP).
  • Invoice processing and reconciliation.
  • Taxation and financial analysis.
  • Attention to detail and organisational skills.
  • Knowledge of Indian tax laws and regulations.

4. Experience

  • Filed monthly, quarterly and annual GST returns for multiple clients.
  • Managed tax records and prepared GST audit reports.
  • Identified discrepancies in invoices and reconciled vendor accounts, reduced outstanding payments by 15%.
  • Provided consultancy services to businesses on GST regulations and best practices.

5. Education

List your education qualifications in reverse chronological order.

  • Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) | [University Name] | [Year of Graduation]
  • Specialisation in Accounting and Taxation

6. Certifications

Certifications related to GST, accounting or financial management can add weight to your resume. Mention any certifications you hold:

  • GST Practitioner Certification
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
  • Certified Financial Analyst (CFA)
  • Entri’s GST Course (recommended for beginners and professionals to brush up their GST skills).

7. Additional Sections (Optional)

You can also add sections like Languages, Volunteer Work or Professional Memberships to your resume.

GST Accountant Resume Templates

Using a template can make creating a professional looking resume easier. Here are a template for a GST Accountant resume with examples :

OBJECTIVE: Experienced GST Accountant with [X] years of experience looking to utilize my skills in GST compliance and financial management to help [Company Name] grow.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

  • Handled GST compliance for 50+ clients across different industries
  • Filed monthly, quarterly and annual GST returns with 100% timely submission
  • Conducted internal audits, found and rectified GST errors, saved clients ₹500,000
  • Coordinated with tax authorities during GST assessments and resolved queries
  • Implemented GST software, increased return filing efficiency by 30%
  • Assisted in migrating 30+ clients from VAT to GST
  • Processed input tax credit claims, claimed maximum credits
  • Reconciled GST data with financial statements
  • Conducted training sessions for clients on GST compliance and best practices
  • GST Portal, Tally ERP 9, SAP
  • GST Act, Rules, amendments
  • Analytical and problem solving
  • Communication and client relationship management

CERTIFICATIONS:

  • CGSTP, [Year]
  • CPA, [Year]

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

  • Attended [X] GST workshops and seminars
  • Member of [Professional Accounting Body]

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

  • English, Hindi, [Regional Language]
  • Volunteer financial advisor for small businesses

Remember to fill this template with your own experiences, achievements and skills. Customize your resume to the job description of the position you are applying for, highlight the most relevant qualifications and experiences for GST accounting.

To create a GST Accountant resume that stands out you need a mix of technical skills, relevant experience and ability to communicate your skills. Use a professional resume format, highlight your GST compliance skills and showcase your achievements and you will increase your chances of getting the job you want.

Also stay updated with the latest GST laws and practices. Enroll in a GST course and get a competitive edge. Entri’s GST Course provides comprehensive training in GST accounting, compliance and auditing, perfect for both new and experienced GST Accountants.

New or experienced, a good resume is your key to success in accounting. So get it right and you will get your next GST Accountant role.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What format should i use for my gst accountant resume.

The reverse chronological format is ideal for experienced professionals, while the functional or combination format works well for those with limited experience or career changers.

What skills should I highlight on a GST Accountant resume?

Focus on GST compliance, returns filing, invoice processing, proficiency in accounting software (e.g., Tally, QuickBooks), and knowledge of tax regulations.

What certifications can boost my GST Accountant resume?

Certifications like GST Practitioner Certification or courses like Entri’s GST Course can enhance your resume and increase your job prospects.

How do I write an effective resume summary for a GST Accountant role?

Your summary should highlight your experience, GST knowledge, and skills, while aligning with the job you’re applying for. Tailor it to each application.

Why should I enroll in Entri’s GST Course?

Entri’s GST Course offers in-depth knowledge of GST regulations, practical training, and expert guidance, making it ideal for anyone seeking to excel as a GST Accountant.

how to write your skills on a resume

Akhil Mohan

Akhil is a seasoned software engineer and content writer with a deep passion for technology and innovation. Holding an B.Tech in Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Akhil combines his technical expertise with a knack for clear and engaging communication. His unique blend of skills allows him to bridge the gap between complex technical concepts and accessible, reader-friendly content.

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IMAGES

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COMMENTS

  1. 10 Best Skills To Put On Your Resume (With Examples and FAQ)

    10 Best Skills To Put On Your Resume (With Examples and ...

  2. How to List Skills in Your Resume Skills Section

    You can categorize these skills under the heading "hard skills.". Hard skills are the skills or certifications necessary to do the job. For example, you need a driver's license to be a taxi driver. List your soft skills next. You can categorize these skills under the heading "soft skills" or "additional skills.".

  3. 100 Good Skills to Put on a Resume [Complete Guide]

    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.

  4. 17 Best Skills to Put on Your Resume (with Examples)

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    10. Decision-making skills. Many jobs require you to make choices all the time. For example, picking a new vendor for office supplies, making cuts to a budget, deciding to bring other people in to solve an issue, or prioritizing work tasks on your to-do list all require decision-making skills.

  6. How To Write a Skills-Based Resume: Template and Examples

    Related: Writing a Resume With No Experience When to use a skills-based resume There are a few situations in which a skills-based resume would be most appropriate when applying for a new job. These situations include: You are changing your career or the industry in which you work and have little to no experience in the new field.

  7. 101 Essential Skills to Put on a Resume in 2024 [For Most Jobs]

    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.

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    Soft skills are just as important as hard skills when it comes to IT, so make sure that your IT resume contains both sets of skills. Soft skills: Communication, attention to detail, logical thinking, adaptability, prioritizing, decisive, deadline management, problem-solving, collaboration, accuracy.

  9. 200+ Best Skills To List on Your Resume in 2024

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

    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.

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  12. 22 Best Skills for Resumes (Examples for 2024)

    Below, you'll find 22 resume skills examples to enrich your job application. 1. Communication. Communication skills are used for receiving, understanding, and giving all kinds of information. But these skills also include respecting others' points of view, explaining thoughts and ideas, and listening to others.

  13. How to Write Skills on a Resume [10+ Examples]

    1. Brainstorm your skills. It's important to know what you're working with. Create a "master list" of your talents, including soft, hard and technical skills. By doing so, you'll have a comprehensive inventory of your abilities that you can tailor to the job post. 2. Study the job post.

  14. 180+ Skills to Put on a Resume in 2024 [Examples for Most Jobs]

    Hard skills are technical or job-specific skills learned through education or training. They are tangible and can be tested or measured. Examples include proficiency in a foreign language, computer programming or operating machinery. Soft skills, on the other hand, are interpersonal or "people" skills.

  15. What are the best job skills to put on a resume?

    Even if you have a degree in product design, you'd want to talk up your specific skills on your resume. Project management — In your work history and resume skills sections, show your familiarity with the software and best practices required for seeing a project through from beginning to end. (A Project Manager Professional [PMP ...

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    In a resume skills section, it's standard practice to list six to eight skills. However, it's also crucial that you include skills in other places in your resume! For a professional summary or objective statement, which sits near the top of your resume, highlight your top two to four skills. In your work experience, however, the sky's the ...

  17. How To List Your Skills On A Resume (With Examples)

    Follow these steps to find out how to list your skills on a resume: 1. Select the most crucial skills for the role and industry. Talk to your peers, mentors and supervisors to understand the different skills and abilities employers value in your industry. List all these skills and segregate the general soft skills from advanced technical skills ...

  18. 100+ Key Skills for a Resume in 2024 (Examples for any Job)

    For example, if you're applying to work as a laboratory assistant, list soft skills such as "teamwork," "problem-solving," "time management," or "organization.". If you're in a more creative field, hard skills include softwares such as "Adobe Creative Suite" and talents such as "photography," "writing & editing ...

  19. 300+ Resume Skills to Use on Your Resume in 2024

    Soft skills are transferable skills: characteristics and habits that are most associated with you as a person. They indicate to recruiters just how well you will adapt, perform, and grow within a new environment. Recruiters are constantly on the lookout for these types of soft skills: Communication. Collaboration.

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

    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.

  21. Writing Skills for a Resume (Guide + Examples List)

    Create your resume. As seen in 1. Effective communication is one of the most important skills for a professional, no matter your field, industry or seniority level. Your resume needs to showcase your ability to convey your ideas to co-workers and shareholders. For this, you need to demonstrate your writing skills.

  22. 10 Best Skills to Include on a Resume (2024)

    Software. Foreign languages. Operating certain equipment or machinery. Soft skills, on the other hand, are abilities that can be applied in any job. Often, soft skills may be referred to as "people skills" or "social skills" and include proficiency in things like: Communication. Customer service. Problem-solving.

  23. How To Write a Skills-Based Resume in 5 Steps

    How to create a skills-based resume. 1. Determine which skills to highlight. When deciding on the skills to highlight, you should first identify the most critical skills for the job you are seeking. Divide these into three or four broad sets of skills and fill in each group with your specific qualifications.

  24. How To Write An Eye-Catching Resume In 8 Steps

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    Qualifications summary: Details your most important skills and competencies in a bullet list. Perfect for people switching industries, who need to highlight transferable skills. Profile: Describes your career experience as well as your top skills. This is a combination of a resume summary and a qualifications summary and is useful for a wide ...

  27. How to List Technical Skills on Resume

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  28. How to Write an HR Generalist Resume That Gets Noticed

    Use a plain font in size 11 or 12, such as Arial or Times New Roman. Also, write clear headings, and keep your resume to a single page if possible. Tailor your resume to the role you're applying for, carefully matching your skills, experience, credentials, and keywords to the job description. Be positive and enthusiastic.

  29. GST Accountant Resume Samples

    How to Write a GST Accountant Resume. Writing a GST Accountant resume is all about showcasing your experience, skills and education. Here's how to do it professionally: 1. Contact Details. At the top of your resume include your full name, phone number and email address. Also include a link to your LinkedIn profile or website if you have one. 2.