Resume
# min read

Top Resume Skills to Land Your Next Job

Your resume skills play a crucial role in showcasing your qualifications and impressing hiring managers. They can differentiate you from other candidates and influence the salary offered. In this article, we will explore the best job skills to put on a resume, how to match them to the job description, examples of both soft skills and hard skills, technical skills, computer skills used, and language skills, how many skills are used, how to discover which skills the company values, and how to create a resume skills section.

User ratingUser ratingUser ratingUser ratingUser rating
4.8
Trusted by 1.4m+ users
Written by
ResumeBuild
Updated on
December 24, 2023

Key Takeaways:

  • Highlighting relevant resume skills is essential for standing out in the job market.
  • Both hard skills (technical skills) and soft skills (interpersonal skills) are valued by employers.
  • Customizing your resume to match the job description increases your chances of getting noticed by recruiters.
  • Soft skills demonstrate your ability to fit into a company's culture and work effectively with others.
  • Including relevant hard skills on your resume showcases your proficiency in specific areas.

What are the Best Resume Skills to Put on a Resume?

When it comes to creating a standout resume, hiring managers value a combination of both hard and soft skills needed, and soft skills. Hard skills refer to the technical abilities acquired through education or training, while soft skills are the interpersonal qualities that reflect one's personality. By highlighting the right mix of the various soft skills, skills employers are needed for and hard skills out of job skills, you can position yourself as a strong candidate in the competitive job market.

Employers often request specific job skills that are relevant to the position. Examples of marketing skills are: research skills and analytical skills, sought-after computer skills, and engineering skills that may include:

  • Computer proficiency: Demonstrating proficiency in software programs or technical tools.
  • Leadership experience: Showcasing your ability to lead and manage teams effectively.
  • Communication skills: Highlighting your aptitude for clear and effective communication.
  • Organizational know-how: Demonstrating your ability to manage tasks, deadlines, and priorities.
  • Problem-solving abilities: Illustrating your critical thinking and analytical skills.

By incorporating a combination of hard and soft skills into your resume, you can present a well-rounded profile and stand out to potential employers.

How to Match Your Resume Skills to the Job Description

When customizing your resume, it's essential to match your skills to the job description. This not only demonstrates your suitability for the role but also increases your chances of getting noticed by recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS) that filter resumes based on keywords.

To ensure your resume aligns with the job description, here are some essential strategies to follow:

  1. Analyze the job description: Carefully read and understand the job description, noting the specific skills and qualifications required for the position.
  2. Identify keywords: Pay attention to keywords that appear multiple times or are mentioned prominently. These are often the skills that employers value the most.
  3. Highlight relevant skills: Include specific skills and certifications mentioned in the job posting that align with your own qualifications and experience.
  4. Repeat common words and phrases: Take note of common words and phrases from similar job descriptions within the same industry. Incorporate these into your resume to demonstrate familiarity with industry terminology.

By tailoring your skills to match the job description, you increase your chances of standing out among other applicants. Remember to be honest and provide evidence of your skills, such as achievements and measurable results, to support your claims.

What are Examples of Soft Skills for a Resume?

Soft and interpersonal skills, also known as interpersonal communication skills and, are essential attributes valued by employers. These skills reflect your personality and ability to work effectively with others, making you a valuable asset to any organization. Including relevant soft and interpersonal skills in on your resume can significantly impact your chances of success in the job market.

Some examples of soft skills include:

  • Adaptability: The ability to adjust to new situations, handle change, and learn quickly.
  • Attention to Detail: A meticulous approach and the ability to notice and handle small details accurately.
  • Collaboration: The capacity to work harmoniously with others to achieve collective goals.
  • Communication: Skilled at conveying ideas clearly and effectively, whether verbally or in writing.
  • Creativity: The ability to think outside the box, develop innovative solutions, and bring fresh ideas to the table.
  • Customer Service: Exceptional customer-focused skills, ensuring customer satisfaction and resolving issues.
  • Decision Making: Capable of making informed judgments based on critical analysis and sound reasoning.
  • Empathy: Demonstrating empathy towards others, understanding their thoughts, feelings, and experiences.
  • Leadership: The ability to guide and inspire others, make effective decisions, and drive positive change.
  • Multitasking: Proficient in managing multiple tasks and responsibilities simultaneously.
  • Positivity: Maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude, even in challenging situations.
  • Problem-solving: Skilled in identifying, analyzing, and finding solutions to complex problems.
  • Self-motivation: Intrinsic motivation and drive to achieve goals, show initiative, and take ownership.
  • Time Management: Efficiently managing time and prioritizing tasks to maximize productivity.
  • Work Ethic: Demonstrating a strong commitment to hard work, reliability, and responsibility.

These examples of soft skills demonstrate your ability to fit into a company's culture and work effectively with teammates, project management and problem solving skills, organizational skills, time management skills, and build positive relationships with stakeholders time management. Incorporating these skills into your resume enhances your overall profile and makes you a more desirable candidate in the eyes of hiring managers.

Essential Soft Skills for Your Resume

When it comes to showcasing your qualifications on a resume, soft skills are just as crucial as hard skills. These interpersonal abilities are transferable across different industries and can greatly impact your success in the workplace. By highlighting essential soft skills on your resume, you can demonstrate your ability to collaborate, problem-solve, communicate effectively, provide leadership, and adapt to new situations.

Interpersonal Skills

  • Build strong relationships with colleagues and clients
  • Work effectively in a team environment
  • Empathize and understand the needs and perspectives of others

Communication Skills

  • Articulate ideas clearly and concisely
  • Listen actively and attentively
  • Provide constructive feedback and resolve conflicts

Collaboration

  • Work together with others to achieve common goals
  • Promote teamwork and cooperation
  • Contribute effectively to group projects

Problem-Solving

  • Analyze complex problems and find innovative solutions
  • Think critically and make sound decisions
  • Adapt and respond to unexpected challenges

Leadership

  • Inspire and motivate others
  • Take initiative and guide team members
  • Delegate tasks and provide direction

Adaptability

  • Thrive in changing environments
  • Quickly learn new skills and technologies
  • Adapt to new roles and responsibilities

By emphasizing these essential soft skills on your resume, you can demonstrate to potential employers your ability to effectively work with others, communicate clearly, solve problems, provide leadership, build positive relationships, and adapt to different situations. These qualities are highly valued in the workplace and can set you apart from other candidates, increasing your chances of impressing hiring managers and securing your dream job.

What are Technical or Hard Skills on Your Resume?

When crafting your resume, it's essential to also highlight skills, the most technical skills or other hard skills and most important soft skills, that demonstrate your proficiency in specific areas. These hard skills vs. important soft skills, are specific technical abilities design skills required for job-specific tasks and are acquired through practice, education, or training.

Here are some examples of technical writing hard skills vs. soft language skills, or soft and hard skills or computer skills vs soft interpersonal skills, that you can include on your resume:

  1. Web Design: Proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create visually appealing and user-friendly websites.
  2. Content Creation: Ability to develop engaging and relevant content for digital platforms, including blogging, social media, and video production.
  3. Computer Programming: Knowledge of programming languages like Java, Python, C++, or Ruby to develop software applications and solutions.
  4. Accounting: Expertise in financial analysis, budgeting, and bookkeeping to ensure accurate financial reporting.
  5. Data Analysis: Proficiency in data manipulation, statistical analysis, and data visualization using tools such as Excel, SQL, or Tableau.
  6. Foreign Languages: Fluency in one or more foreign languages, such as Spanish, French, or Mandarin, to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
  7. Editing: Strong editorial skills, including proofreading, copyediting, and knowledge of style guides, to ensure high-quality written content.

Including relevant technical or hard skills on your resume not only showcases your expertise but also provides concrete evidence of your capabilities. Remember to support these skills with certifications and work experience, reinforcing your proficiency project management software, project management professional, data analysis and professional research data analysis skills in specific, project management software, project management professional and areas.

Hard Skills vs Soft Skills: What's the Difference?

When it comes to showcasing your skills, it's important to distinguish between two main categories: hard skills and soft skills. Understanding the difference between these skill sets is crucial in effectively presenting your capabilities as a job candidate.

Hard Skills

Hard skills are specific and measurable abilities that are acquired through education, training, or experience. These skills are typically related to technical expertise and can be easily demonstrated or proven. Examples of hard skills include proficiency in programming languages, data analysis, project management skills, research skills or any other job-specific skills that you have acquired through training or education.

Soft Skills

On the other hand, soft skills are personality traits and interpersonal abilities that are harder to measure but are equally important in the workplace. These skills are more related to how you interact with others and how you approach tasks and challenges. Examples of soft skills include effective and good communication skills, teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, adaptability, and even time management skills.

Both hard and soft skills hold value in the eyes of hiring managers. While hard skills demonstrate your technical expertise and qualifications for a specific job, soft skills highlight your interpersonal abilities and how well you can work with others.

When crafting your resume, it's essential to strike a balance between showcasing your hard skills and soft skills. Highlighting your technical expertise is important, but don't overlook the importance of demonstrating your ability to effectively communicate, collaborate, and adapt to new situations. By showing a combination of hard and soft skills, you can present yourself as a well-rounded candidate who can not only excel in a role but also contribute positively to the work environment.

How to Discover Skills the Company Values

To determine which top project management skills, project management institute excellent organizational skills, sales skills, customer service skills and leadership skills the company values, it is essential to conduct thorough research and analysis. Here are some steps of data analysis you can follow:

  1. Review the job description: Carefully read the job description and highlight the key skills and qualifications mentioned. Take note of any specific technical or job-specific skills they are looking for.
  2. Research the company's career pages: Visit the company's website and explore their career pages. Look for any information on the skills and qualities they value in their employees. Pay attention to any company values, mission statements, or culture descriptions that highlight certain skills.
  3. Identify frequently mentioned keywords and phrases: Analyze the job description and company website for recurring keywords and expressions. These are strong indicators of the skills the company prioritizes. Incorporate these keywords into your resume to enhance its visibility.
  4. Connect with professionals in similar roles: Network with individuals who work in similar roles or industries to gain insights into the most valuable skills. Engage in conversations and ask for their opinions on the key skills that companies in the industry value. Their firsthand experiences can provide valuable information.

Remember that skills highly valued by a particular company may vary from one organization to another. Therefore, tailoring your resume to showcase the best skills, that align with the company's values increases your chances of catching the attention of hiring managers.

How to Create a Resume Skills Section

Organizing your skills effectively within this section can make a significant impact on the overall impression of your resume. Here's how you can create a compelling skills section:

Categorize Your Skills

Begin by categorizing your skills into relevant sections of organization skills themselves your skill set, such as hard skills vs soft, and soft skills. Hard organizational skills are technical abilities healthcare skills that are specific to a particular job or industry. Soft organization skills, on the other hand, refer to interpersonal, project management and organization skills and personal attributes that enhance your work performance. Separating these universal skills into two skill sets provides recruiters with a clear understanding of your capabilities.

Prioritize Key Skills

While listing your skills, prioritize the most important ones and list the best skills only that align with the job you're applying for. Carefully review the job description to identify the required skills and tailor your resume skills section accordingly to highlight the best skills only. By highlighting the top skills only that the employer emphasizes, you increase your chances of making a positive impression.

Utilize Bullet Points and Examples

Use bullet points to present your skills in a concise and easily scannable format. This format enables hiring managers to quickly assess your capabilities. To further strengthen the impact of your skills, consider providing concrete examples or measurable achievements that demonstrate your proficiency. By substantiating your claims with specific examples, you establish credibility and showcase your ability to apply your skills in practical situations.

Keep it Concise and Readable

When creating your resume skills section, remember to keep it concise and easily readable. Avoid lengthy descriptions or paragraphs that can overwhelm recruiters. Instead, opt for short and impactful statements that effectively communicate your capabilities. The easier it is for recruiters to identify your best skills within, the more likely your resume will stand out.

By following these guidelines, you can master the art of creating an effective resume skills section that highlights your relevant skills and differentiates you from other candidates.

Ways to Weave Your Skills for a Job Into the Rest of the Resume

When crafting your resume, it's important to showcase your skills throughout the document, not just in the dedicated skills section. By strategically incorporating your transferable skills and job-specific skills in various sections, you can effectively demonstrate your qualifications to recruiters and hiring managers.

One effective way to grab the recruiter's attention is to weave your transferable skills into your resume summary or objective statement. This introductory section provides an opportunity to highlight your key strengths and abilities right at the beginning of your resume. Emphasize the skills that are most relevant to the job you're applying for, using the resume summary as a platform to showcase your unique and valuable skill set.

In the work experience section, focus on highlighting your job-specific skills and how they have contributed to your achievements and success in previous roles. Use concrete examples and quantify your accomplishments whenever possible to show sales and marketing and sales skills used, project management, and provide evidence of your capabilities management and customer service skills. This demonstrates to employers how you applied your skills in a practical setting and achieved tangible results on the job experience.

Showcasing Specific Skills

  • Describe how you effectively utilized your job-specific skills to solve problems, streamline processes, or improve productivity.
  • Highlight any specific projects or initiatives where your skills were instrumental in achieving success.
  • Use action verbs to vividly portray your role in utilizing your skills and the impact it had on the organization.
  • Provide quantifiable results to showcase the effectiveness of your job-specific skills. For example, mention how your skills led to a certain percentage increase in sales or cost savings.

By effectively incorporating your transferable skills and job-specific skills throughout your resume, you create a cohesive narrative that highlights your qualifications and aligns with the job requirements. It's essential to adapt your resume for each position you apply for, ensuring that all the skills you emphasize are directly relevant to the job description and responsibilities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid with Resume Skills

When it comes to showcasing your skills on your resume, it's crucial to be mindful of certain common mistakes that can hinder your chances of impressing hiring managers. By avoiding these pitfalls, you can ensure that your resume effectively highlights your relevant skills and increases your chances of landing your desired job.

1. Including Irrelevant Skills

One of the most important aspects of listing your skills on a resume is ensuring their relevance to the job you're applying for. Make sure to carefully review the job description and only include skills that are directly applicable to the position. Including irrelevant skills can make your resume appear cluttered and unfocused, potentially raising concerns about your fit for the role.

2. Being Too Vague in Your Descriptions

Avoid using generic or vague language that doesn't clearly demonstrate your abilities. Instead, use action verbs and quantitative results to illustrate the impact of your skills in previous roles or projects. This will help hiring managers understand the value you can bring to their organization.

3. Failing to Provide Concrete Examples

Mentioning your skills is not enough; you need to back them up with tangible examples. Instead of simply listing your skills, provide specific instances where you have successfully utilized them. This could include problem-solving scenarios, achievements at previous jobs, or outcomes of projects you have worked on. Examples help validate your skills and make them more credible to potential employers.

4. Neglecting to Prioritize Relevant Skills

Not all skills are created equal when it comes to the job you're applying for. It's important to prioritize the most relevant skills that align with the requirements of the position. This can be achieved by thoroughly analyzing the job description and identifying the key skills that the hiring manager is looking for. By focusing on these skills, you can demonstrate your suitability for the role and increase your chances of getting noticed.

5. Overwhelming Hiring Managers with Excessive Skills

While it's important to showcase a variety of skills on your resume, it's equally essential not to overwhelm hiring managers with an excessive list. Instead, aim for a concise and targeted selection of your most relevant skills. This allows hiring managers to quickly identify your strengths without getting lost in a long list. Remember, quality over quantity is key when it comes to listing resume skills.

Avoiding these common mistakes will enable you to create a strong and compelling resume that effectively highlights your qualifications and skills. By showcasing your relevant skills in a precise and specific manner, you can impress hiring managers and increase your chances of securing your dream job.

What Shouldn't You Do with Job Skills on Your Resume?

When it comes to showcasing your job skills on your resume, it's important to avoid common mistakes that can hinder your chances of landing your dream job. By following these resume tips, you can ensure that your skills section is effective and aligns with the company's requirements.

  1. Avoid listing irrelevant skills: One of the most common mistakes job seekers make is including skills that are not relevant to the job they are applying for. It's essential to focus on skills directly related to the position and prioritize the most relevant ones. This will demonstrate your suitability for the role and make your resume stand out among other candidates.
  2. Avoid including skills without evidence: Simply listing skills on your resume without any supporting evidence can be a mistake. Whenever possible, provide concrete examples or measurable achievements that demonstrate your proficiency in those skills. This will make your skills more credible and compelling to potential employers.
  3. Avoid exaggerating your skills: It can be tempting to exaggerate your skills or claim proficiency in areas where you lack experience. However, this can backfire during the interview process if you're unable to demonstrate your abilities. Be honest and transparent about your skill level, focusing on areas where you have genuine expertise.

Remember, tailoring your skills to each job application is crucial. Take the time to research the company's full list skills requirements and incorporate relevant skills that align with their needs when writing skills yourself. By avoiding these common mistakes and using time management skills and presenting your skills effectively, you can increase your chances of impressing hiring managers and securing your desired job.

Conclusion

Your resume skills are crucial in securing your desired job and making a strong impression on hiring managers. By effectively using sales and marketing skills together, highlighting a combination of a particular, skill set or set of hard and soft skills, aligning your skills with the job description, and providing concrete examples, you can differentiate yourself from other candidates and significantly improve your chances of landing your next job.

It's important to continuously refine and update your skills to remain competitive in the ever-evolving job market. Stay informed about industry trends marketing skills, and advancements to ensure that your skills are up-to-date and relevant to the positions you are applying for.

Remember, your resume skills section is where you can strategically showcase your abilities. Organize your skills into categories, prioritize the most relevant ones, and use bullet points to create a visually appealing and readable section. By tailoring your skills to each job application, you can tailor your resume to meet the specific demands and requirements of the hiring manager.

Ultimately, your resume skills section is your opportunity to stand out from the competition and highlight your value as a potential employee. With the right combination of hard and soft skills, a tailored approach to each job application, an active listening and communication skills used throughout, presentation skills and a commitment to continuous improvement, you can make a lasting impression on hiring managers and enhance your job search success.

FAQ

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

The best job skills to put on a resume include the list skills: computer skills and proficiency, leadership experience, communication skills, excellent organizational skills and know-how, creative solutions, and other problem solving skills:-solving abilities and other problem solving skills. Hard skills are technical skills acquired through education or training, while soft skills are interpersonal skills that reflect one's personality.

How can I match my resume skills to the job description?

To match your resume skills to the job description, carefully review the job description and research the company's career pages. Look for keywords and phrases that are frequently mentioned in job search, as well as the skills and qualifications required for the particular job. Tailor your resume to the job search and include specific skills and certifications mentioned in the job posting.

What are examples of soft skills for a resume?

Examples of soft skills for a resume include adaptability, attention to detail, collaboration, good communication skills, creativity, and customer service skills, decision making, empathy, leadership, multitasking, positivity, and critical thinking skills and problem solving, creative solutions,-solving, self-motivation project management, and time management skills, and work ethic. These skills demonstrate your ability to fit into a company's culture and work effectively with others.

What are technical or hard skills on a resume?

Technical skills or hard skills on a resume are specific technical abilities required to perform job-specific tasks. Examples of hard skills include: web development skills, and design skills, and web development skills, data analysis, content creation, computer programming, accounting, data analysis, foreign languages, editing, and Java programming. These hard skills are measurable and can be proven through certifications and work experience.

How can I discover which skills the company values?

To discover which skills the company values, carefully review the job description and research the company's career pages. Look for keywords and phrases that show critical thinking active listening skills are frequently mentioned, as well research skills that are critical thinking analytical skills as well active listening skills such as the skills and qualifications required for the particular job. Connect with professionals in similar roles to gain insights into skills employers call the most valuable skills in particular a skill set in that industry.

How can I create a resume skills section?

To create a skills section, organize your skills into categories such language skills as hard skills and soft skills. Prioritize the most important soft and hard skills skills needed for the job you're applying for and list your top skills below. Use bullet points to list your top personal skills and consider providing concrete examples or measurable achievements to support your claims personal skills. Keep the skills section concise and easy to read for recruiters.

How can I weave my skills for a job into the rest of the resume?

To weave your skills for a job into the rest of the resume, incorporate your transferable skills into your resume summary or objective statement to grab the recruiter's attention. Highlight job-specific skills in your work experience section by describing how you used those skills to achieve results. Use concrete examples of sales, marketing or customer service skills used, or project management software or engineering skills used, or administrative skills, and quantify your achievements whenever possible to provide evidence of your abilities.

What shouldn't I do with job skills on my resume?

When it comes to job skills on your resume, avoid common mistakes such as listing irrelevant skills or including skills without any supporting evidence. Focus on skills directly related to the job you're applying for and prioritize the most relevant ones. Don't exaggerate your skills or claim proficiency in areas where you lack experience. Tailor your skills to each job application and ensure they align with the company's requirements.

Outline of this article
58.2% off Lifetime
Flash Deal
Get lifetime deal
Try ResumeBuild
$249 -> $129  discount applied automatically at checkout

Latest blog posts

The latest tips for resume making, cover letters, interviews, and more.
Resume

Including References on your Resume

Learn the best practices for including references on your resume, ensuring you manage this crucial aspect of your job application effectively. Discover when to provide references, how to format them, and how to choose the right individuals to support your professional qualifications and boost your candidacy.
Annet Blanco
July 1, 2024
5 min read
Resume

Crafting a Harvard Resume: Stand Out to Your Employers

Master the art of crafting a Harvard resume to stand out in the job market. Learn how to strategically tailor your resume using specialized templates and expert advice, ensuring it showcases your unique qualifications and aligns with your career aspirations effectively.
Annet Blanco
July 1, 2024
5 min read
Cover Letter

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

Master the art of the perfect cover letter length! Learn how a concise, one-page document can powerfully convey your qualifications and seamlessly align with a company’s culture, ensuring you capture the attention of any hiring manager.
Annet Blanco
November 29, 2024
5 min read
Cover Letter

Cover Letter vs. CV: Key Differences and When to Use Each

Discover the distinct roles and key differences between a cover letter and a CV in the job application process. Learn how to effectively use each document to highlight your professional background and qualifications, enhancing your chances of securing an interview.
Annet Blanco
July 1, 2024
5 min read

Writing the Perfect Resume as a Students

Discover essential tips for crafting a standout college resume, from selecting the right template to highlighting your academic and extracurricular achievements. This guide helps you create a resume that effectively showcases your potential to prospective employers and academic programs.
June 22, 2024
5 min read
Resume

A Comprehensive Guide to Crafting the Perfect Resume

Unlock the secrets to crafting the perfect resume with this comprehensive guide. Learn how to tailor your resume, optimize it for different platforms, and complement it with a professional cover letter, ensuring you stand out in today’s competitive job market.
Annet Blanco
June 22, 2024
5 min read

ResumeBuild is the sole reason I was able to increase my salary by 47% in just under 3 years.

Koray Okumus
UX Designer, Accenture

I've used ResumeBuild to progress my career and impress during interviews. I can't imagine not using it now.

Candice Wu
Product Manager, Segment
Powered By