Best Skills to Put on a Resume

Finding the best skills to put on a resume is one of the most important steps in landing a job today. As more companies shift their focus from degrees to real abilities, your resume skills section has become your strongest selling point. A clear, well-structured list of skills shows who you are professionally and helps employers instantly see whether you’re a fit for the role.

This guide covers why skills matter and how to choose the right skills to put on a resume, and 120+ examples you can use.

Why It’s Important to Highlight Skills on Your Resume

Employers now hire based on skills, performance and potential not just degrees. Listing the right skills to put on your resume helps employers quickly understand three things:

1. You can handle the job’s core responsibilities

Recruiters scan resumes within seconds. Your skills show whether you meet the basic requirements.

2. You bring strengths that other candidates may not have

Skills demonstrate what makes you different and how you can add value to the team.

3. You control how employers perceive your professional identity

Your selected skills represent what you’re good at, what type of worker you are, and what career direction you want to move toward.

A strong skills section is also especially important for:

Fresh graduates
Career changers
Applicants without degrees
Remote and hybrid job seekers

Types of Skills to Put on a Resume

Skills fall into two main categories: soft skills and hard skills. Both matter and the best resumes use a balanced mix of both.

Soft Skills – Personal Qualities That Help You Work Better

Soft skills define how you work, communicate, and collaborate.
These are essential skills to put on a resume, especially for remote or hybrid jobs.

1. Communication Skills

Communication is the foundation of teamwork, clarity, productivity, and customer satisfaction.

Skills to put on resume (Communication):

Active listening
Storytelling
Written communication
Presentation skills
Nonverbal communication
Reporting and documenting
Customer service communication
Teaching & explaining
Summarizing information
Body language awareness
Negotiation
Editing & proofreading
Public speaking
Asking insightful questions
Open-minded communication

2. Interpersonal Skills

These help you build relationships, read emotions and collaborate effectively.

Skills to put on resume (Interpersonal):

Empathy
Patience
Conflict resolution
Team collaboration
Motivating others
Networking
Compassion
Flexibility
Coaching
Mediation
Positivity
Reliability
Inspiring teammates
Sourcing feedback
Strong work ethic

3. Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving Skills

These show employers you can think intelligently, solve issues and make good decisions.

Skills to put on resume (Critical thinking):

Analyzing
Troubleshooting
Brainstorming
Evidence based decision making
Conceptual thinking
Cost-benefit analysis
Identifying root causes
Evaluating data
Simplifying complex ideas
Researching
Observing patterns
Creative thinking
Streamlining workflows
Assessing risks
Problem solving

4. Leadership & Management Skills

These skills show initiative, confidence and the ability to guide others.

Skills to put on resume (Leadership):

Delegation
Supervising
Leading teams
Project planning
Training employees
Goal setting
Crisis management
Influencing
Earning team trust
Strategy building
Adaptable leadership
Decision-making
Performance evaluation
Team development
Vision building

Hard Skills – Technical, Measurable Abilities That Prove Your Expertise

Hard skills help employers measure your knowledge and technical strength.
These are some of the most powerful skills to put on a resume for almost any role.

1. Technical Skills

These are learned through training, education or hands-on experience.

Skills to put on resume (Technical):

Coding
Programming
Data entry
Word processing
Accounting
Spreadsheet skills
Quality control
Equipment operation
Testing & experimenting
Hardware repairing
Software installation
Blueprint drafting
Product development
System maintenance
IT troubleshooting

2. Language Skills

Language abilities are highly valued in global workplaces.

Skills to put on resume (Language):

Translating
Interpreting
Multilingual communication
Public speaking in multiple languages
Writing in another language
Code-switching
Cultural communication
Proofreading
Rephrasing
Reading comprehension
Listening accuracy
Technical language understanding
Sign language
Explaining concepts clearly
Following linguistic etiquette

3. Design & Creative Skills

These involve both creativity and technical knowledge.

Skills to put on resume (Design):

Graphic design
UX design
UI design
Web design
Typography
Layout creation
Photo editing
Video editing
Branding
Wireframing
CAD modeling
Concept sketching
Motion graphics
Storyboarding
Data visualization

4. Analytical Skills

These skills help professionals work with information, understand patterns and make data driven decisions.

Skills to put on resume (Analytical):

Data analysis
Forecasting
Predicting trends
Graphing
Modeling
Organizing data
Researching
Statistical analysis
Performance tracking
Market research
Processing information
Computing
Investigating
Survey analysis
Trend identification

How to Choose the Best Skills to Put on a Resume

Not all skills will fit every job. Choose skills that:

Match the job description
Reflect your strongest abilities
Support your career goals
You can confidently demonstrate

The ideal resume includes:

4–5 soft skills
5–7 hard skills
2–3 industry-specific skills
1–2 unique strengths

This combination makes your resume powerful, balanced, and role-ready.

Conclusion

In today’s skill-driven job market, knowing the best skills to put on a resume can transform your chances of getting hired. The right skills communicate your value, strengthen your professional identity, and help employers see what you’re capable of achieving.

Whether you’re starting fresh, switching careers or aiming for a higher role your skills section is the secret weapon that can set you apart.

FAQs

What are the best skills to put on a resume in 2025?
A mix of soft skills (communication, teamwork) and hard skills (data analysis, digital tools).

How many skills should I list?
Around 10–14 total, depending on relevance.

Should I list every skill I have?
No, only job-relevant skills.

Difference between soft and hard skills?
Soft = personal abilities; Hard = technical measurable abilities.

How do I choose the right skills?
Match them with the job description.

Are soft skills important?
Yes, equally important as hard skills.

Should freshers include skills?
Yes, it’s the strongest part of a fresher’s resume.

Can I list skills without experience?
Yes, use transferable skills.

Do I need to rate my skills?
Optional, not required.

Should I include industry-specific skills?
Yes, they show you understand the field.

What skills do employers want most?
Communication, problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability and tech skills.

Can I add certifications as skills?
Better to list them separately.

Should I customize skills for each job?
Yes, always.

Can I add skills learned online?
Yes, if they are relevant.

What skills should I avoid?
Outdated or irrelevant ones like typing speed or basic MS Word.

120+ Best Skills to Put on a Resume (Complete Guide)