112+ Job Skills for Your Resume: List & Examples

The skills you highlight and the way you structure the skills section of your resume can make or break your job application, so it’s essential you clearly and effectively communicate your skills on your resume if you want to land work soon.

To help you make a resume that stands out (one that showcases your most relevant job skills), this article will:

• Explain the difference between hard and soft skills
• Highlight the top hard skills for your resume
• Highlight the top soft skills
• Show you how to list skills on your resume the right way
• List some essential industry-specific skills
• Answer your most frequently asked questions about resume skills

The following skills are strong additions to any resume, no matter the industry:

• Analytical skills – Your ability to think critically about problems and analyze information to find data-driven solutions will make you a more attractive candidate to any employer.
• Communication skills – No matter what job you’re applying for, you’ll need to communicate with others in some form – whether in giving presentations, writing emails, or listening to coworkers in meetings. Employers are always looking for good communicators.
• Computer skills – As technology becomes an increasingly integral part of how we work, and hybrid and remote models of work continue, employers want to know that you have the technological skills you need to do the job well.
• Customer service skills – Even if you’re not working in a customer-facing position, understanding the customer and possessing these skills can make you a better employee.
• Interpersonal skills – Employers want to know that you’ll be able to engage and interact with others in a positive way and make social contributions in the role.
• People skills – If you’re good with people and adept at building strong relationships with others, employers will be able to count on you to help foster a positive work environment.
• Leadership skills – Being able to motivate, guide, and inspire others is a valuable trait in any employee, and ultimately makes the employer’s job easier.
• Management skills – If you’re looking for career advancement, you need to be able to show employers that you have the skills to manage others.
• Organizational skills – Organization is a critical skill in any job, even if you’re just using it to manage your own schedule and workload.
• Technical skills – For any position, there will be specific technical skills that make you more qualified. Employers definitely want to see these on your resume.
• Time management skills – If you can manage your time well, you’ll be a much more productive and efficient employee, which is what hiring managers want to see.
• Language skills – Your language skills set you apart from other candidates by giving you the unique ability to tap into global markets and connect with a wider audience or customer base.

What’s the difference between hard skills vs soft skills?

There are two types of job skills that hiring managers are looking for on your application – hard skills and soft skills. It’s important to include both skill types if you want to come off as a well-rounded candidate.

Your hard skills are skills that are acquired through education, training, or experience. They’re the abilities required to perform your job. On the other hand, soft skills help you interact with customers and your colleagues more effectively, and make you a stronger addition to any team.

12 examples of good hard skills for your resume

Employers like to see hard skills on your resume because it tells them you already have a solid foundation of industry knowledge and experience to draw from, and won’t require as much training and onboarding.

Here are 12 of the most in-demand hard skills to list on your resume that’ll help get you hired:

Design

Companies in nearly every industry need creatives with a strong sense of design to help them develop attractive products and content. Whether you specialize in graphic design, UI/UX design, or illustration, you should clearly list your design expertise on your resume to attract the attention of employers.

Specific examples of design-related hard skills include:

• UI/UX design
• Photography
• Web design
• Graphic design skills
• Industrial design
• Interior design

Marketing

An employee with strong marketing skills can take a struggling product and make it successful. That’s what makes marketing one of the most sought-after skills across nearly any industry.

Even if you don’t work in marketing, knowing how to pitch products and promote services effectively is a valuable skill for many different careers.

Here are some specific examples of marketing-related hard skills for your resume:

• Advertising
• Campaign management
• Consumer research
• SEO/SEM
• Social media outreach
• Email outreach

Data analysis

Data is more valuable than ever – more valuable than oil according to some experts – and with all that data comes the need for people experienced in data analysis. Candidates who are able to inspect, model, and pull useful insights from data are in high demand right now, especially in the tech industry.

If you have strong data analysis skills, you should list your expertise on your resume to grab the attention of employers. Additional examples of data analysis-related skills include:

• Microsoft Excel
• Data visualization
• Data cleaning
• SQL & NoSQL
• MATLAB
• Python

Computer technology & software

Today nearly every job requires some level of computer literacy. Companies value candidates who have a range of technical skills relevant to their profession.

However, being tech-savvy in general is also valuable for many different jobs because it helps you adapt to new software as it’s introduced.

Here are some specific examples of basic computer skills to list on your resume:

• Adobe Creative Suite
• Microsoft 365
• Google Workspace (Google Docs, Drive, & Google Sheets)
• Knowledge of operating systems (MacOS, Windows, Linux)
• Communication platforms (Skype, Slack, Microsoft Teams)
• Team management software (Jira, Trello, Monday)

A recent survey of hiring managers revealed that employers hiring for technical roles want to see an especially high percentage of technical skills on your resume.

That means if you’re applying for a technical role, it’s extra important to highlight your hard skills on your resume.

Project management

Knowing how to guide a project from conception to completion is essential for nearly any position. Even if you’re not seeking a job as a project manager, strong project management skills are still valuable for many different careers and should be highlighted on your resume.

Some examples of project management-related skills are:

• Methodologies like Scrum, Agile, and Waterfall
• Kanban boards
• Risk assessment
• Budget management
• Scheduling
• Jira

Mathematics

Whether you work in software development or retail, having at least a basic understanding of math is a valuable hard skill for most industries.

If math is highly relevant to the job you’re applying to, go into detail about the types of mathematics you have experience with.

Here are some specific math-related skills to put on your resume:

• Calculus
• Mental arithmetic
• Geometry
• Python
• Trigonometry
• Statistics
• Logic

Research

Knowing how to conduct research efficiently is an important hard skill for many different jobs. If you work in journalism, market research, or business analysis, you’ll want to prominently display your research skills on your resume.

Some specific research-related skills include:

• Data collection
• Scientific experimentation
• Survey tools (Pollfish, Qualtrics, Toluna)
• Critical thinking
• Data analysis
• Data interpretation
• Interviewing

Writing & editing

Being a strong writer isn’t only helpful if you work as an editor. Being able to write clear, effective emails, papers, presentations, and messages is a valuable skill for many different jobs, especially those in business and marketing.

Here are some writing-related skills to include on your resume:

• Grammatical knowledge
• Style guides (APA, MLA, Chicago Manual of Style)
• Email drafting
• Copywriting
• Proofreading
• Blog writing
• Storytelling

Scientific expertise

If you work as a lab researcher or in another field in the hard sciences, your resume needs to highlight your relevant scientific skills. The skills you need will differ depending on your position, but they should always be displayed prominently because they’re one of your key qualifications for the job.

Here’s some general scientific expertise that you might list on your resume:

• Measuring
• Inference
• Experimental design
• Prediction
• Qualitative observation
• Classification
• Data analysis
• Scientific software (e.g., sequence analysis tools, image processing software)

Social media

Social media has become an essential method for companies – both big and small – to promote and market themselves. Today, employers are always on the hunt for applicants with strong social media skills — hoping to find effective brand ambassadors to cast their businesses in the most positive light.

Having good social media skills is especially important if you’re writing a social media marketing or brand ambassador resume. Specific social media-related skills include:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• TikTok
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Social media management software (Hootsuite, Sendible)
• Video editing software (Adobe Premiere Pro, Movavi Video Editor)

Foreign language skills

Whether you work in retail or in finance, knowing how to speak multiple languages makes you a valuable asset to any company.

Some of the most in-demand languages (aside from English) include Spanish, Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, French, and German.

Here are some specific resume language skills to highlight when applying to jobs:

• Translation
• Verbal fluency
• Written fluency
• Conversational skill
• Language proficiency level (based on formal test scores for that language)

Accounting & finance

Companies always need employees who can handle their finances and perform accurate bookkeeping. Even if you don’t work as an accountant, being able to handle basic finance tasks is helpful for a variety of jobs in business and fundraising.

Some accounting and finance-related skills include:

• Microsoft Excel
• SQL
• Advanced modeling techniques
• Microsoft Visual Basic
• QuickBooks
• General business knowledge

12 of the best soft skills to list on your resume

While hard skills are what make you qualified for a job, your soft skills are the qualities that set you apart from other candidates. For many jobs, having strong soft skills is essential, particularly in customer-facing positions.

In fact, studies show that a majority of hiring managers view soft skills as essential when hiring for a position.

Here are some of the most valuable soft skills to include on your resume:

Verbal and written communication

Being able to convey your ideas clearly is an important skill for nearly any job. Even if you don’t regularly work with people face-to-face, strong communication skills can help you present your ideas to colleagues and negotiate for raises or promotions.

In fact, communication skills will likely increase in importance over time. According to a recent survey, hiring managers believe communication skills will become even more important as AI and automation advances:

If you have good communication skills, you should highlight them prominently on your resume, especially if you’re writing a resume for a customer service job.

Teamwork

There are very few jobs that don’t require you to work with other people. Even remote work usually requires some form of online collaboration. Employers want to be sure that you can function effectively on a team before hiring you.

Show them you’re able to thrive in a team setting on your resume. Showcase examples of work you accomplished thanks in part to your excellent teamwork skills, and employers will be more confident in hiring you.

Adaptability

Since a massive shift toward remote and hybrid work, adaptability has become one of the most valuable soft skills for candidates to possess in 2023.

It’s increasingly important to show employers that you can keep up with rapid changes and be flexible in the way you work. Impress potential employers by demonstrating how you’ve adapted to new situations or work requirements and managed to thrive amidst these changes.

Problem solving

No matter your industry, problem solving skills are useful for tackling obstacles you face while working. If employers know you’re a good problem solver and capable of handling issues on your own (whether small or large), then that’s less for them to worry about.

Emphasize your problem solving skills on your resume by including points in your work experience section that discuss issues you encountered at work, and how you solved them.

Patience

Patience is a desired soft skill in a wide range of contexts. From interacting with customers and training new employees to performing long and complex tasks like video editing or negotiating business deals, being patient simply makes work easier.

Demonstrate your patience on your resume by showcasing projects or tasks that require a high level of persistence, consideration, or understanding.

Creativity

Creativity isn’t only a useful skill for people working in fields like design. The ability to think creatively will make you a more effective problem solver and allow you to offer innovative ideas at work, no matter what industry you’re in.

Showcase your creativity on your resume by highlighting instances at work where you spearheaded a new project, innovated a method, strategy, or product, or discovered a creative solution to a problem.

Strong work ethic

If there’s one thing all employers prize, it’s a strong work ethic. Candidates with a strong work ethic are more likely to excel in their role, achieve highly, and grow into managerial positions.

Employers can also rest easy knowing that you’re doing your work without the need for much supervision or micromanagement.

Our study shows that hiring managers value dependability and responsibility over all other soft skills. This makes work ethic one of the most important qualities to demonstrate on your resume:

Show employers your strong work ethic by mentioning extra responsibilities you took on at work, projects you directed, or how you achieved a specific goal.

Interpersonal skills

Interpersonal skills help you build positive relationships with colleagues and the people you encounter at work. Your interpersonal skills determine your ability to cooperate within a group and contribute to a healthy and productive workplace.

Interpersonal skills include many different social skills, such as:

• Emotional intelligence
• Communication
• Reliability
• Leadership
• Positivity
• Negotiation
• Openness to feedback
• Empathy
• Teamwork

By demonstrating these skills on your resume, you show employers that you have the interpersonal skills needed to be a successful employee.

Time management

Having good time management skills helps you complete your work effectively, meet deadlines, and stay organized. Employers love to see that candidates have time management skills because it means you’ll be able to contribute to the smooth operation of the business.

Show employers you have good time management skills by demonstrating your:

• Flawless track record of meeting deadlines
• Ability to multitask effectively
• Effective organizational skills

Multitasking

Being able to handle multiple tasks at once is a valuable soft skill to have for many different jobs. From office work to food service, employers are always interested in candidates who have strong multitasking skills.

To grab the attention of employers, list your multitasking skills clearly on your resume. You should also show them you’re able to handle tasks efficiently and juggle the demands of a busy day with examples in your work experience section.

Leadership

Whether you work in management or just want to be a valuable member of your team at work, good leadership skills are essential for advancing your career.

Candidates who demonstrate their ability to lead others are highly valued by companies because they can help guide the whole team to success. Plus they make ideal managers.

Attention to detail

Having an eye for detail is a skill you can apply to nearly any job. Employees with strong attention to detail produce reliable work and require less micromanagement, which makes your coworkers’ lives easier.

Top job-specific skills to put on a resume (by industry)

The best skills for your resume are always the ones that are directly relevant to the job you’re applying for. If you’re not sure what kind of skills to list on your resume, here are some of the top hard and soft skills for a variety of industries:

Administration and office support

Here are some key administrative assistant skills that can be listed on the resume of anyone working in an office. You can also list project management skills if you take the lead on projects.

Admininistrative Skills to Include on Your Resume

Customer service

If you work in a call center or handle customer issues, you can add these customer service skills to your resume. CSR skills show hiring managers you’re good at dealing with clients and know how to use software to track customer issues:

Customer Service Skills to Add to a Resume

Delivery

Add some of these skills to your delivery driver resume to demonstrate your skill at handling packages and keeping to a schedule:

Delivery Skills for Your Resume

Marketing

Marketing skills such as the ones listed below are perfect for marketing resumes because they show you’re comfortable using industry-specific tools:

Marketing Skills to List on a Resume

Nursing

Here are some common nursing skills to note in your application to prove you can effectively care for patients:

Nursing Skills for a Resume

Sales/retail

Sales skills (also known as sales associate skills) are vital for anyone in diverse retail jobs. Hiring managers want to know you can help them keep profits up.

You’ll also need great cashier skills if you’ll be ringing up items:

Sales Skills for a Resume

Teaching

Include these skills in your teacher resume to show you’re capable of teaching people new skills and information:

Teaching Skills to Add to a Resume

Waiter/barista

Add some of these skills to your server resume to show you’re great at looking after customers and keeping orders straight:

Server Skills to Include on Your Resume

Business analyst

Here are some skills for your business analyst resume to show employers that they can count on you to collect and interpret data to inform important business decisions:

Business Analyst Skills For a Resume

Web developer

Include these skills on your web developer resume so employers know you have the technical and soft skills it takes to be a pro developer:

Web Developer Skills For a Resume

How to list skills on a resume

Now that you know some of the most in-demand job skills, we’ll show you how to put them on your resume.

In the video below, our career expert Eva breaks down how to put skills on your resume with a stand-out skills section:

When adding skills to your resume, make sure to follow these 6 steps:

1. Identify what skills employers are looking for

Before you begin writing your resume, familiarize yourself with the hard and soft skills associated with the job you want.

The best way to identify these important job skills is to analyze job openings in your industry. Take this job ad for a nursing position, for instance. For your convenience, we’ve highlighted soft skills in green and hard skills in yellow:

In this ad, you can quickly pick out several good skills to put on your resume. For instance, there’s a range of technical skills needed for the position in the bullet points, as well as many soft skills that help define the ideal candidate.

Once you’ve looked at several job ads, you’ll have a clearer idea of what job skills hiring managers are looking for.

Highlighting relevant skills like these on your resume can help employers see what makes you a great match for the role.

2. List your skills in a dedicated skills section

Your resume skills section is the most important place to list your relevant skills. This section is one of the first places on your resume employers will look to make sure you’re qualified to do the job, so make sure you’ve listed the appropriate job skills here.

If you have a mix of hard and soft skills and no advanced technical expertise, simply title your section “Skills” or “Additional Skills” and list your skills using bullets.

Here’s what a basic skills section looks like:

3. Specify your level of proficiency (when appropriate)

Employers want to know how experienced you are with certain skills before they interview you. To communicate this information, you should clearly specify your proficiency with each of the skills you put on your resume.

For example, if you list Spanish as a skill on your resume you should include a metric that indicates your level of proficiency, such as “Intermediate”, “Fluent”, or “Basic.”

Here’s an example of a resume skills section that includes skill levels:

4. Highlight your skills in other parts of your resume

If you really want to highlight certain skills on your resume, just listing them in a skills section isn’t enough. You also need to provide concrete examples of how you put your skills to work.

In fact, not having concrete examples is the biggest mistake you can make when it comes to listing skills on your resume, according to hiring managers:

Resume introduction

The first thing employers look at is your resume summary, so you should use this section to showcase your top skills for the job.

Here’s an example of a resume summary that effectively highlights the candidate’s relevant skills:

Senior Customer Service Representative with 7+ years of experience communicating with customers and maintaining customer records. Adaptable professional recognized by peers for my effective analytical and communication skills. Looking to apply my experience with sales force automation software and Oracle PeopleSoft in your office. CompTIA Network+ certified.

In this example, the candidate highlights their customer service hard skills (sales force automation software, Oracle PeopleSoft, CompTIA Network+ certification) as well as their relevant soft skills (communication, adaptability, analytical skills). This resume summary lets employers know that the candidate is qualified for a senior customer service position.

Work experience section

Once you’ve introduced your most relevant skills in your resume summary, you should demonstrate them in your work experience section.

Here’s an example of a work experience section that demonstrates customer service skills:

These bullets are effective because they demonstrate the skills the candidate mentioned in their resume summary (communication, adaptability, Oracle PeopleSoft, and analytical skills) using specific context.

Frequently asked questions about resume skills

Here are answers to some of the most common questions job seekers have about resume skills:

What are the best skills for resumes in 2023?

The best skills for resumes in 2023 are skills that make you look qualified for the specific job you’re applying for. However, it also helps to take into account recent changes to how companies operate.

Showcasing your knowledge of remote working software and emphasizing that you’re self-sufficient is a great way to prove to employers that you’re ready for the modern workplace.

What skills should I put on my resume if I have no work experience?

You most likely developed some hard skills in school, such as research or presenting. You can also put soft skills on your resume. For example:

• Critical thinking
• Communication
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Positive attitude
• Assertiveness
• Time management

Additionally, listing language skills on your resume (if you have any) is a great way to set yourself apart from other more experienced applicants in the U.S.

How do you organize skills on a resume?

You organize skills on a resume by listing your most job-relevant abilities at the beginning of your skills section.

You can also feature your best skills in your resume introduction to help catch the attention of employers right away.

What do you put in the skills section of a resume?

You put relevant hard and soft skills in the skills section of a resume. Hard skills are skills you’ve learned, like using point of sales systems. Soft skills are related to your personality, like communication skills and empathy.

Some of the most common skills to put in the skills section of a resume are:

• Computer skills
• Organization
• Collaboration
• Software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop, Salesforce, & QuickBooks)
• Programming skills (e.g., C++, Python, & HTML)
• Time management
• Presentation-giving
• Attention to detail
• Customer service
• Sales skills

Additional FAQs

• How many skills should you list on a resume?
• What are secondary skills on a resume?
• How do you list Microsoft Office skills on a resume?