How to List Skill Levels On Your Resume (with Examples)

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When you make your skills section, you have the option of specifying what your skill levels are for each ability, like this:

Should you add skill levels to your resume?

In most cases, you should only include skill levels for hard skills (like software tools, programming languages, or other technical skills) where you have a solid working proficiency.

Skill levels help employers quickly understand what you can do, but they can also raise expectations. If you wouldn’t feel confident using a skill under pressure or on day one, it’s better to leave it off of your resume.

There are a few exceptions:

Language skills can be included even if you’re not fluent, as long as you clearly state your level (e.g., Conversational Spanish)
Entry-level resumes can include developing skills if you’re transparent about your proficiency level

A good rule of thumb: if you wouldn’t feel comfortable being tested on the skill in an interview, don’t include it on your resume.

Dos and don’ts

Here are a few guidelines to follow when adding skill levels to your resume:

Do

List your strongest skills first
Tailor your skills list to the job you’re applying for
Be specific (e.g., “Vue.js” rather than “front-end development”)
Use consistent proficiency categories

Don't

Rate yourself (e.g., 4/5 stars or 85%)
Add proficiency levels for soft skills
Use large or distracting graphics
Include skills you have little or no experience with

3 ways to list proficiency levels on your resume

Here are three simple ways to write a resume with skill levels:

Method 1: Add skill levels in parentheses

Place your skill level in parentheses directly after the skill name. This approach is clear and doesn’t require adding graphics or extra formatting. Use consistent terms like Beginner, Proficient, Advanced, or more specific labels when needed, such as Fluent or Conversational for languages.

For example:

French (Conversational)
Python (Advanced)
Excel (Proficient)
Tableau (Beginner – currently learning)

Ideal for:

Languages, where fluency levels need clarification
Software proficiency (office tools, design platforms, or CRM systems)
Emerging technical skills where you’re still building expertise

Method 2: Add skill level graphics

Use visual elements like dots or bars to represent proficiency. This format adds visual interest to your resume and can quickly communicate your strengths.

For example:

An example of skill level graphics for a resume.

Ideal for:

Creative fields (graphic design, marketing, or UI/UX) where your visual design skills will boost your application
Tech roles where you want to show gradations in tool or language expertise at a glance
Resumes where space is tight, as visuals can convey more with less space

Method 3: Specify your years of experience

Another clear way to show your proficiency is by listing how many years you’ve used a particular skill. This method is especially helpful when job descriptions ask for a minimum number of years in specific tools or technologies.

Examples:

JavaScript (4+ years)
Project management (7 years)
Adobe Photoshop (2 years)
SQL (3 years, daily use)

Ideal for:

Tech roles that ask for X years of experience in programming languages or frameworks
Mid- to senior-level professionals, where depth of experience matters more than breadth
Hybrid roles (e.g., marketing and analytics) where showing sustained experience strengthens your candidacy

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Articles Written

Lauren Mastroni is a Digital Content Writer dedicated to creating engaging content and providing actionable advice that empowers people in their job searches. An enthusiastic contributor to the Resume Genius team, Lauren has a passion for developing valuable resources for job seekers.

Lauren holds an M.S. in Psychology from University of Derby and currently lives in Taipei, Taiwan. She enjoys learning all she can about the career space, and is committed to helping job seekers of all experience levels navigate the job hunt and advance their careers.

She has been cited in HuffPost, Newsweek, Forbes, and more.

You can reach Lauren at lauren@resumegenius.com.

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