When crafting your resume, the skills section is one of the most critical components. Employers are on the lookout for specific skills that indicate you’re a good fit for the role. These can be a combination of both hard and soft skills, each playing a vital role in showcasing your professional strengths. This guide will walk you through the best skills to include on your resume, and how to present them to grab the attention of hiring managers.
Including the best skills on your resume is crucial because employers increasingly value these interpersonal and adaptable skills alongside technical expertise. Soft skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively, handle challenges, and adjust to dynamic work environments. These skills can set you apart in competitive job markets and often play a key role in shaping how well you integrate into a company’s culture and contribute to its success.
10 of the Best Skills to Put on a Resume
Below are 10 essential skills that employers value across industries. We’ll break these skills down with examples, showing you how to highlight them on your resume.
1. Active Listening Skills
Active listening is a crucial skill in every profession. It shows that you can pay attention, understand, and retain information, which is vital in teamwork, problem-solving, and customer service roles.
Example: “Effectively communicated and understood client needs by applying active listening, resulting in a 20% increase in customer satisfaction.”
2. Communication Skills
Effective communication is at the heart of every role, whether you’re collaborating with colleagues or presenting to clients. Strong communication skills highlight your ability to express ideas clearly and engage in conversations productively.
Example: “Led team presentations and facilitated discussions, improving team collaboration by 30%.”
3. Computer Skills
With technology integral to most job functions, listing computer skills is essential. Whether it’s proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, or specialized software, these skills show your tech-savviness.
Example: “Proficient in Microsoft Excel, including advanced formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis.”
4. Customer Service Skills
Customer service skills are necessary for positions that deal with clients or customers. This skill emphasizes your ability to provide positive experiences and resolve issues effectively.
Example: “Managed customer inquiries and complaints, reducing response time by 50% while increasing customer retention rates by 15%.”
5. Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal skills focus on your ability to work with others. They include qualities like empathy, patience, and team collaboration, which are highly sought after in many professions.
Example: “Collaborated with cross-functional teams to improve project efficiency and client satisfaction.”
6. Leadership Skills
Whether you’re in a managerial role or not, leadership skills show your potential to inspire and guide a team. Highlighting leadership experience, even in small tasks, can demonstrate your ability to motivate others.
Example: “Led a team of 5 to successfully complete a project ahead of the deadline, resulting in a 10% increase in productivity.”
7. Management Skills
Management skills reflect your ability to plan, organize, and oversee projects or teams effectively. These skills are valuable whether you’re managing people, resources, or time.
Example: “Managed a $500,000 project from initiation to completion, ensuring it was delivered on time and within budget.”
8. Problem-Solving Skills
Problem-solving is a critical skill in almost every job. It shows that you can approach challenges logically, think critically, and come up with effective solutions.
Example: “Analyzed client requirements and created a new process that reduced project delays by 20%.”
9. Time Management Skills
In fast-paced work environments, managing time effectively is crucial. This skill demonstrates your ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines without compromising quality.
Example: “Efficiently managed multiple projects, consistently meeting deadlines while maintaining a 98% client satisfaction rate.”
10. Transferable Skills
Transferable skills are abilities that you can carry from one job to another, regardless of the industry. These can include communication, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability.
Example: “Utilized strong interpersonal and project management skills to lead cross-departmental initiatives that improved internal processes.”
Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills on a Resume
Understanding the difference between hard and soft skills is important when crafting your resume. Employers are typically looking for a mix of both:
- Hard Skills: These are specific, teachable abilities or knowledge sets that can be measured (e.g., proficiency in a programming language or the ability to operate machinery).
- Soft Skills: These are interpersonal skills that reflect how you work and interact with others (e.g., communication, teamwork, leadership).
When listing skills on your resume, make sure to balance both hard and soft skills, as both are critical in today’s job market.
Example Resume Skills per Job Type
Here’s a breakdown of resume skills based on different job types:
- IT Professional:
- Hard skills: Python, SQL, Cloud Computing
- Soft skills: Problem-solving, Analytical thinking
- Marketing Professional:
- Hard skills: SEO, Google Analytics, Copywriting
- Soft skills: Creativity, Communication
- Project Manager:
- Hard skills: Agile Methodology, Budget Management
- Soft skills: Leadership, Time Management
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many skills should I list on my resume?
A: It’s ideal to list around 5-10 relevant skills, combining both hard and soft skills, depending on the job description.
Q: Should I include a skills section even if I have little work experience?
A: Yes, especially if you’re a recent graduate or changing careers. Focus on transferable skills and any relevant hard skills you’ve acquired through internships or education.
Q: How do I know which skills to include?
A: Tailor the skills section to the job you’re applying for by matching the required skills listed in the job description.
For more guidance on optimizing your resume skills, explore the Resume Skills Generator to generate a customized skills list.
Explore More Tools
- Free Resume Tools: Get help in building an optimized resume that highlights your skills.
- Resume Bullet Point Generator: Use this tool to craft impactful resume bullet points.
- Resume Summary Generator: Create a compelling resume summary with the help of this tool.
