You’ve finally refined your resume work experience section — complete with concrete examples and success stories showing why you’re the perfect fit for the job. But now your skills section is looking pretty redundant. How can a few bullet points at the end of your resume add any real value?
Your skills section is actually a handy tool for recruiters to see if you meet the requirements at a quick glance. And no, adding fancy progress bars or skills charts won’t make their life any easier. A simple list of relevant key skills is usually enough to catch their attention and entice them into reading exactly how you put your expertise into action.
But don’t just throw any and every skill into the mix. This guide will show you:
- How to add skills to a resume to get noticed.
- The most in-demand types of skills to put on your application.
- How to choose the right formatting for your skills section.
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For a deeper dive into what skills to put on a resume and how to describe them also in other resume sections (like summary or work experience), see this guide: Skills to Put on a Resume: Examples + How to Describe Them
What to Put In the Skills Section of a Resume?
A common resume-writing mistake is listing every skill under the sun. Throwing in “Spanish” when nobody in the office speaks beyond “Hola”? That’s a swing and a miss. You need to show why you’re the right fit for the job. The best way to do this? Keep your skills relevant to the role and the job description.
While the job ad can serve as a blueprint, you need to focus on genuine skills you’ve put into action throughout your job history, especially technical abilities. Just graduated or switching careers? Focus on transferable skills from other jobs, school, internships, or extracurriculars.
Check out this example resume skills section from someone working in sales:
Expert-Level Skills
• Sales Expertise: Consultative selling, Lead Generation, Client Relationship Management
• Technical Tools: CRM Software (Salesforce, HubSpot), Sales Automation Tools (Outreach, LinkedIn Sales Navigator)
• Leadership: Team Training, Mentoring, Cross-Functional Collaboration, Strategic Planning
Soft vs. hard skills
Hard skills are your measurable, teachable abilities, like coding, data analysis, or graphic design. You’ve learned them through classes, training, or on-the-job experience, and they’re easy to prove.
Soft skills are your people skills. They’re about how you work with others and handle situations, such as teamwork, communication, or adaptability. They’re harder to measure but just as important, especially when fitting into a company’s culture or managing workplace challenges.
According to research, here are some of the most in-demand skills for your resume:
Discover the top skills for any job: The Best Skills to Put on a Resume
How to List Skills on a Resume?
Your skills section is more than just a list of impressive-sounding clichés. It’s a summary of your abilities that you can back up in your work experience section with tangible examples and accomplishments. It’s your chance to draw them in and prove what you can really do.
Keep reading for a detailed breakdown of how to identify and include essential skills in your resume.
1. Identify the key skills for the position
Selling yourself is never easy, but your resume isn’t the place to be shy. Think back over your career (or academic escapades). What tools, techniques, or talents have you picked up along the way?
Start by splitting your skills into two main categories: soft and hard.
Soft skills include communication, teamwork, and problem-solving — abilities you often pick up naturally throughout life. But let’s be clear: this isn’t your opportunity to showcase your small talk prowess. Instead, focus on work-related strengths. Are you great at giving presentations? That’s the type of strength employers care about.
The same goes for hard and technical skills. Sure, you might know how to build a fire — but you’re working in an office, not the great outdoors. Your hard skills should be professional and tied to the position or industry. A good rule of thumb? Only include hard skills you’d feel confident talking about in an interview.
2. Research the company and industry
The company website should always be at the top of your list when writing a resume. The “About Us” page? Gold mine. Pay attention to their mission, values, and culture. If they’re throwing around terms like “collaboration,” or “customer-first,” those are hints about what they value in their employees. Bonus points if you can weave these themes into your skills.
Know someone who works there or did in the past? Send them a polite message and ask about which skills are celebrated. What abilities or traits do they see as adding value to the company? This insider information can help you fine-tune your resume to fit their ideal candidate.
And don’t forget to do a little industry sleuthing. What’s trending? What’s in demand? For example, if it’s a tech company, maybe they’re big on sustainable solutions or up-to-date technical expertise. By weaving this research into your skills section, you’re showing you’ve made the effort to learn about the company.
3. Align your abilities with the job requirements
You’ve shone the light on yourself and the company, but it’s the job description that usually reveals the most. Dissect the job ad and look for the key skills. If they mention specific tools, software, or methodologies, use those exact terms if you have the right experience.
This isn’t just to impress the human recruiters — you also need to outsmart the robots. Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan resumes for keywords and phrases that match the job listing. So, sprinkle those keywords, but only for skills you genuinely possess. Claiming to be a Python wizard when you’ve only watched a few TikToks? That’ll come back to bite you.
Be specific, but don’t go overboard. Think of your skills section as searchable tags. Including a skill that the company values can get your resume a second look. Just ensure you’re prepared to back it up if they decide to dig deeper.
Learn more about syncing your resume to the job: 5 Hacks to Tailor Your Resume
4. Add a relevant skills section using bullet points
There’s no solid rule for how many skills to add to your skill section — but there are guidelines on what type of skills to include. First and foremost? Make sure they’re relevant and match the job description. Next, keep it concise. If your skills section is taking up more space than half of your work experience section, it’s time for a trim.
And the first ones to get the chop is anything too vague. Don’t just say “proficient in communication tools” — name-drop the actual tools like Zoom or Slack. This tells recruiters you’re not just copying buzzwords you found online.
Just remember, these bullet-pointed skills serve as a summary of the main event: your work experience. They are there to help recruiters tick off those requirement boxes, but it doesn’t need to tell the whole story. You should back up every skill with solid examples in your work history.
Here’s what your skill section could look like:
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Knowledge of CRM tools like Salesforce and HubSpot
• Data analysis and visualization using Tableau and Excel
• Social media management and content creation tools (Hootsuite, Canva)
5. Categorize into different types of skills
Your resume finally makes it to the recruiter’s desk. But let’s be honest: after hours of sifting through resumes, a long, unorganized list of technical skills is likely to get skipped. Recruiters are quickly looking for key details — your job is to make their job easier.
One way to do that is by organizing your skills into categories. Think “Technical Skills,” “Certifications,” or if it’s a more specialized role, you could go with “Software,” “Programming Languages,” and “Tools.” These categories help the reader zero in on what they need without having to scan the entire document.
Use bullet points under each category to list your skills and avoid overwhelming them with too much information. Stick to about 3–5 categories, each with a few key skills listed — quality over quantity. You want to highlight the skills most relevant to the job, not everything you’ve ever learned.
Here’s how to categorize your skills:
• Technical: Cloud computing, Cybersecurity, Data Analysis, Machine Learning
• Programming: C++, Java, Python, SQL
• Software: Adobe Creative Suite, AutoCAD, Salesforce, Tableau
• Management: Budget Planning, Resource Allocation, Team Leadership
Find out more: How to Write a Skills-Based Resume
6. Give examples of skills in your work experiences
Meet John, an IT professional who thought copying and pasting a standard list of “IT” skills onto his resume would do the trick. It didn’t. Why? Because he didn’t tie any of his skills to actual work experience. Listing “Adobe” without mentioning how you use it is like claiming you’re a chef but only ever making instant noodles.
Focus on giving “receipts” for your skills — concrete examples of how you’ve used them. If your skills section says “data analysis,” your work experience could say, “Developed automated dashboards in Excel, reducing reporting time by 30%.” It’s specific, impactful, and connects your skills to a tangible result.
Mix it up with hard and soft skills, but avoid stating basic terms like “teamwork” or “communication.” Show them in action. Instead of saying, “Great team player,” you could write, “Led a team of five to deliver a product launch three weeks ahead of schedule.” Unique examples like these are worth more than a thousand generic adjectives.
Here’s how you can back up your skills in your work experience section:
• Problem-solving: “Resolved a client issue within 24 hours, preventing a potential loss of $1,000 in business.”
• Team collaboration: “Worked alongside different departments to launch a new software feature ahead of the deadline.”
• Project management: “Coordinated a project with 10 team members, keeping it on schedule and under budget by 5%.”
• Technical proficiency: “Used advanced Excel functions to automate data analysis, reducing manual entry by 20 hours per month.”
• Customer service: “Managed high-priority client accounts, maintaining a high satisfaction rating over the fiscal year.”
Adding numbers can help your skills and achievements pop while showing your potential. Whether it’s “increased sales by 15%,” “cut costs by $3,000,” or “trained 20+ team members” metrics give your skills credibility.
Learn more about backing up your skills: How to Write a Perfect Resume Work Experience Section
7. Include strengths in the resume summary
Your summary or objective is the first few lines at the top of your resume. But it’s just the teaser, not the novel. The goal is to get the recruiter’s attention and leave them wanting more by highlighting your key strengths for the role.
A resume summary is about what you can bring to the company — a concise summary of your top skills, achievements, and how you align with the role. A resume objective is better suited for those without direct experience, as it focuses more on your career goals and transferable skills.
Whichever you choose, aim to weave in your most impressive skills tailored to the job. If you’re applying for an analytics job, call out your knack for turning raw numbers into actionable insights. For a leadership role? Highlight your talent for building and inspiring teams.
A company is looking for someone detail-oriented and team-focused. Here’s what your resume summary could say:
Results-driven project manager with 4+ years of experience leading teams to deliver a range of projects on time and under budget. Proven ability to streamline operations, enhance team collaboration, and deliver solutions that exceed expectations. Skilled at managing multiple priorities while maintaining a keen eye for detail to drive business growth.
Need help highlighting your strengths? Try our Rezi AI Summary Generator. Just enter your details and our technology will generate a standout resume summary in seconds.
8. Avoid irrelevant skills and buzzwords
You don’t have to list everything. Just like cooking with garlic or ordering coffee in rush hour — sometimes less is more. Stick to the skills most relevant to the specific role you’re pursuing. A recruiter doesn’t care that you once dabbled in pottery if the job calls for proficiency in Python. Keep it relevant, and you’ll keep them interested.
Another way to keep them interested? Skip the vague buzzwords. Instead of saying “proficient in technology,” name the actual tools, like “Asana,” “Trello,” or “Adobe Illustrator.” Specifics show you’re not padding your resume with empty jargon but bringing tangible expertise.
And let’s keep it honest. Recruiters spend hours looking through resumes — they can spot fluff from a mile away, so it’s better to highlight what you can do rather than stretch the truth. Stick to what you’ve done, what you can back up, and where you’ve made an impact.
Types of Skills for a Resume (With Examples)
Imagine you’re on a first date, and you confidently declare, “I’m dedicated and a great communicator.” Would your date immediately decide you’re the one? Probably not. Recruiters feel the same way about bold claims on a resume — they need proof to believe you’re the real deal.
Listing your skills in their own section is a good start, but it means nothing unless you back them up. Saying you’re great at teamwork because you work well with others is basically just giving the definition of a team player. But detailing how you worked with different departments to finish a project ahead of schedule? That creates a more interesting picture.
Below, are some common skills, synonyms, and examples of how to weave your abilities into your work experience section.
Communication Skills
Effective communication is about listening, adapting your tone and message, and confidently presenting ideas. Give examples of simplifying technical jargon for non-experts, persuading colleagues to adopt a strategy, or bridging communication gaps.
Here’s how to frame your communication skills in your work experience:
“Prepared and delivered monthly presentations to senior executives, translating detailed project metrics into strategic recommendations, resulting in increased stakeholder buy-in.”
“Drafted detailed user guides and FAQs for cross-departmental use, ensuring clarity for technical and non-technical audiences”
- Active Listening
- Presentation Skills
- Conflict Resolution
- Interpersonal Skills
- Remote Collaboration
More info here: The Best Communication Skills to Put on a Resume
Technical skills
Technical expertise shows your proficiency with the tools, systems, and processes required for a role. Employers value candidates who can apply these skills to deliver positive results, learn new technologies, and adapt to changing trends. And the more specific you are, the better.
Take a look at how to show off your technical prowess:
“Developed and deployed a Python-based data pipeline, automating report generation and improving data accuracy, which saved the team over 15 hours per month.”
“Managed the migration of a legacy CRM system to Salesforce, including data cleansing and user training, ensuring a seamless transition for a team of 50.”
- Cybersecurity
- Cloud Computing
- AI & Machine Learning
- Coding & Programming
- Data Analytics & Science
Learn more: Technical Skills to Put on a Resume
Organizational skills
Being organized is great for a tidy desk, but it’s also about managing your time, projects, and resources to meet deadlines and deliver results. Strong organizational skills ensure nothing falls through the cracks, even when juggling competing priorities.
Here’s how to show off your organizational skills:
“Maintained a project tracking system that streamlined timelines for 15+ simultaneous initiatives, ensuring 95% were delivered on schedule.”
“Helped coordinate logistics for a company-wide training program, handling scheduling, resources, and follow-ups for over 200 employees.”
- Scheduling
- Goal Setting
- Workflow Analysis
- Time-Management
- Project Management
Problem-solving skills
Problem-solving isn’t limited to escape rooms and puzzles (lucky for me). It comes down to finding the right solutions. Managers can’t always be there to hold your hand when things go downhill. They want to know you can analyze challenges, consider various solutions, and choose the most effective path forward.
Check out these examples to show your expertise in finding solutions:
“Resolved a critical supply chain issue by negotiating with vendors and adjusting workflows, reducing delays and saving $5,000 in potential losses.”
“Helped redesign a customer feedback process, identifying root causes of complaints and implementing solutions that improved customer satisfaction”
- Research
- Data Analysis
- Critical Thinking
- Decision-Making
- Logical Reasoning
Customer service skills
Strong customer service reflects your ability to build relationships, address concerns, and repeatedly explain the meaning of “no-refunds” to Sharon. It’s one of those great transferable skills, as it’s not just for external customers. You can put this skill into practice across internal teams and stakeholders, showing dedication to delivering a positive experience.
Here’s how you can show your people skills in your work experiences:
“Handled customer inquiries with a high-resolution rate, turning dissatisfied clients into repeat customers through personalized service and quick problem-solving.”
“Contributed toward a client onboarding process that earned a 4.8/5 average satisfaction rating across 300+ customers.”
- Data Entry
- Negotiation
- Language Skills
- Customer Support
- Emotional Intelligence
Find out more: 20+ Top Customer Service Skills to Put on a Resume
Creative skills
Creativity is more than just sticking a multi-millionaire banana on a wall (if you know, you know). It’s about finding unique solutions, improving processes, and challenging the status quo. Highlight how you’ve solved problems unconventionally or introduced fresh ideas that delivered measurable results.
Take a look at these creative skills in action:
“Redesigned the company’s product packaging to align with rebranding efforts, resulting in an increase in shelf appeal and a 15% boost in sales within the first quarter post-launch.”
“Developed a low-cost marketing strategy using social media trends, resulting in a 40% increase in campaign engagement.”
- Video Editing
- Graphic Design
- Presentation Design
- Social Media Marketing
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Computer skills
Nowadays, mentioning that you can use email or Microsoft Word is like saying you know how to say hello. Don’t bother listing subpar skills that everyone and their uncle knows. Get specific with computer programs, tools, software, or coding languages relevant to the role to show technical competency.
Here’s how to get specific with your computer skills:
“Automated weekly reporting using Excel macros, saving hours of manual work per week.”
“Worked with a team to build and maintain a company website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, enhancing site traffic by 20%.”
- Data Visualization
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Network Management
- Cloud Service Platforms
- Microsoft Excel Proficiency
Check out the most popular tech-savvy skills: Computer Skills for a Resume
Beginner skills
You may not have all the skills of a seasoned professional, but you have something many lose along the way — fresh perspectives and an eagerness to learn and grow. Employers value enthusiasm and your ability to contribute meaningfully, even in a learning phase. Plus, you probably have more skills than you think through education, extracurriculars, or volunteer work.
Here’s how to outline important skills if you have no direct experience:
“Helped organize a team of 15 volunteers for a community fundraiser, ensuring smooth event execution and meeting attendance goals.”
“Secured $5,000 in sponsorships by pitching to local businesses to fund new and diverse college initiatives”
- Discipline
- Growth Mindset
- Positive Attitude
- Strong Work Ethic
- Willingness to Learn
Don’t let a lack of work experience hold you back. Take a look: How to Write a Resume With No Experience
Transferable skills
Thinking about switching careers but doubting your skills? Don’t worry — you’ve got more to offer than you think. Many sought-after abilities, like problem-solving and communication, aren’t tied to just one field. In fact, showing transferable skills like adaptability and organization tells employers you’re versatile and ready to contribute in any setting.
Here’s how to highlight transferable skills if you were moving from retail to IT support:
“Provided exceptional customer service to over 50 customers daily, troubleshooting issues and finding solutions to enhance their shopping experience.”
“Trained and mentored a team of 8 staff members, teaching new technology-based systems like POS software to improve operational speed.”
- Teamwork
- Resilience
- Adaptability
- Self-Confidence
- Attention to Detail
Heading in a new direction? Find out more: How to Write a Career Change Resume
Leadership skills
You don’t have to be going for the CEO position to show off your leadership skills. Whether you want to climb the ladder or simply looking to mentor others, leadership is more than titles. Show how you’ve motivated others, taken initiative, managed responsibilities, or driven results to show your potential.
Check out these work experience examples highlighting your leadership skills:
“Championed a feedback-driven approach to team communication, encouraging a culture of collaboration and improving project outcomes.”
“Coordinated a team of 12 to execute a seasonal sales strategy, achieving a 25% increase in revenue compared to the previous quarter.”
- Delegation
- Mentorship
- Public Speaking
- Budget Planning
- Constructive Feedback
More details in this guide: 10+ Leadership Skills for a Resume (and How to Describe Them)
Want to find out what type of leader you are? Take a look: 10+ Leadership Styles
How to Format Skills on a Resume?
Check out these formatting do’s and don’ts for the skills section on your resume:
- Stay simple: Avoid going overboard. Your skills section shouldn’t hog precious space or push your resume onto a second page unless absolutely necessary. Keep your skills in straightforward bullet points and stay away from progress skills bars or fancy charts.
- Group skills into categories: Organize skills into logical clusters like “Languages,” “Tools,” or “Software” based on what’s relevant. This makes it easy for the hiring manager to see if you meet the requirements. Bold your category headings and leave some white space in between each cluster for readability.
- Use clear bullet points: Nobody likes a cluttered list. Use bullet points to separate each skill or skill group. While you’re at it, you should also add bullet points for your experiences and education to make your overall resume more digestible.
- Opt for a professional font: Sans-serif fonts (like Calibri or Helvetica) say “modern professional,” while serif fonts (like Arial) lean “classic and traditional.” Steer clear from fancy or outdated resume fonts and keep the size between 10–12 points.
- Choose the right position: Your skills section usually sits at the end of your resume, summarizing what the experience section has already detailed. Exceptions? If the job is highly skill-specific (think IT or design), consider moving it to the side or closer to the top for more impact.
Learn more about cleaning up your resume: The Best Resume Format
Summary
Here’s an overview of what to consider when creating your resume skills section:
- Include skills that match the job description to show your fit and make it through Applicant Tracking Systems.
- Focus on the most relevant skills for the role and avoid unrelated or outdated abilities.
- Use specific terms by naming actual tools, software, or processes rather than vague buzzwords like “tech-savvy.”
- Organize your skills into clear groups, such as “Technical Tools,” “Languages,” or “Management” for easier reading.
- Aim for a concise, focused section that doesn’t dominate your resume or unnecessarily push it to an extra page.
- Use bullet points to list skills clearly, making them easy for recruiters to quickly scan.
- Place the skills section where it makes the most sense — usually at the bottom, but higher for skill-heavy roles like IT or design.
- Choose professional, readable fonts like Calibri or Helvetica, and stick to sizes between 10–12 points.
- Ensure you support every skill with concrete examples and measurable results in your work experience or education sections.
FAQ
Do you need a skills section on your resume?
Ideally, yes. The skills section helps recruiters quickly spot your qualifications and shows ATS systems that you’re a match for the job. Without it, you’re relying on them digging through your work experience, and let’s be real — many recruiters don’t have that kind of time.
What type of skills to put on a resume?
Focus on a mix of hard skills (specific, teachable abilities like coding, copywriting, or data analysis) and soft skills (personal traits like leadership, problem-solving, or communication). Once you’ve identified your skills, check the job description and align your abilities with the role requirements and duties.
How many skills to list on a resume?
Stick to 6–10 skills. If you include too many, it starts to look like you’re throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. Group related skills together, so recruiters can quickly find what they’re looking for. Remember, it’s better to highlight a few relevant skills than overload it with unnecessary ones.
What are the most common skills for a resume?
You can categorize common strengths and abilities into hard and soft skills. You should tailor your hard skills to match the technical requirements in the job description, while your soft skills need to demonstrate your ability to collaborate, adapt, and communicate.
Hard skills are specific, measurable abilities, often tied to the role. Common examples include:
- Data analysis
- Project management
- Software proficiency (e.g., Microsoft Office, Salesforce)
- Coding languages (e.g., Python, Java)
- Foreign language fluency
Soft skills are interpersonal and applicable across industries. Examples include:
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
- Time management
How to list software skills on a resume?
Be specific and professional. Instead of saying “good with technology,” list the actual programs or tools, like “Microsoft Excel, Adobe Photoshop, or Salesforce.” Bonus points if you include measurable achievements tied to your expertise, like “Streamlined workflows using Asana, increasing productivity by 20%.” in your work experience section.
What are the best soft skills to put on a resume?
Leadership, adaptability, communication, and time management are some of the most in-demand soft skills that can be applied across most industries. But don’t just list them — show how you’ve applied them. Instead of adding “teamwork,” you might say, “Collaborated with different teams to deliver projects ahead of schedule.” Always give them context in your experience section.
