Best Skills to List on Your Resume with Examples

In today’s job market, it is more important than ever to have a resume that stands out from the crowd.

There are many tactics to help achieve this but when it comes to the skills section, some are left either scratching their heads or treating it as a throw-away section to fill space.

The good news is that there are ways to leverage the skills section to help your resume stand out and tailor your experience to the job description for hiring managers to know at a glance that you’ve got the foundations you need to be successful in the role.

What are the skills employers actually care about?

And how can you best format your skills section so that it stands out?

What are job skills on a resume?

Job skills on a resume are hard skills (technical) or soft skills listed in a resume that briefly summarize how a person’s relevant experience and skill set relate to the job description for the role they’re applying for.

The skills section, if done well, can set a person’s resume apart from other resumes with similar work history and education levels.

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

Hard skills on a resume

Hard skills, also known as technical skills on a resume are the types of skills that can be quantified on some level.

Hard skills demonstrate mastery in specific areas related to the job description a person is applying for and illustrate a person’s expertise and ability to complete tasks related to that particular skill.

Soft skills on a resume

Soft skills are interpersonal skills that can’t necessarily be measured or quantified but are imperative to finding success in a professional setting as they are often transferable skills.

Soft skills, also referred to as core skills demonstrate a person’s ability to work well with others as well as how flexible or adaptable a person can be in any given situation.

Because soft skills are harder to measure, it’s imperative to give examples that demonstrate your listed soft skills in the Work History portion of your resume.

Value alignment skills on a resume

Value alignment skills can be a combination of hard skills and soft skills that demonstrate a person’s values are in alignment with those of the company they are applying to.

Companies like to know that the people they hire share the same values and that a person will be a positive addition to the company culture to bring fresh ideas and perspectives.

Like soft skills, make sure to list supporting examples of how these skills are demonstrated in the Work History portion of your resume.

Top 3 hard skills to list on your resume:

1. Project management

Listing project management as a skill shows hiring managers that you have the ability to see a project from start to finish and can handle all the moving parts that come with it.

This is a highly sought-after skill in many industries because it requires both hard and soft skills as well as the ability to think strategically.

2. Data analysis

Whether you’re working in marketing, finance, or any other industry, data is becoming increasingly important.

The ability to collect, organize, and analyze data is a highly sought-after skill because it allows organizations to make informed decisions based on real numbers rather than gut feelings.

3. Writing and editing

The ability to write and edit clearly, concisely, and correctly is a skill that is valued in any industry.

This skill is often overlooked but it is one of the most important skills you can have because it demonstrates your ability to communicate effectively.

Examples of Hard skills to include on your resume

Top 3 soft skills to list on your resume:

1. Communication

Not everyone is an effective communicator so anyone with this skill can be seen as a huge asset to a company.

Whether you’re writing emails, giving presentations, or leading meetings, the ability to communicate clearly and concisely is essential.

2. Time management

When it comes to working in an office or a remote setting, time management is more important than ever.

Prospective employers want to know that whether working with a team or working independently, you possess the ability to prioritize and stay organized.

3. Leadership

Leadership can be defined in many ways but at its core, it is the ability to motivate and inspire others to achieve a common goal.

Whether you’re a born leader or you’ve honed your leadership skills over the years, employers like to see that you have this skill.

Examples of Soft skills to include on your resume

Top 3 value alignment skills to list on your resume:

1. Adaptability

As businesses grow, employers like to know that their employees can adapt to the evolution of the company’s vision and goals. Being adaptable also means being able to work well in a fast-paced environment and being able to pivot when necessary.

2. Flexibility

The ability to be flexible is another important value alignment skill that employers are looking for.

This can manifest itself in many ways such as being open to working different hours, being willing to travel, or having the ability to work remotely.

3. Integrity

Integrity is one of the most important value alignment skills that you can have. It is the ability to be honest and ethical in all aspects of your work.

Employers want to know that they can trust their employees and that they will uphold the company’s values.

Examples of value-assignment skills to include on your resume

Resume job skills to leave off your resume

1. Social Media

Unless you’ve reached a level of expertise in social media and have used it as part of your current or previous jobs, do not list this as a skill on your resume.

2. Outdated technology

While you may have experience with outdated technology, unless it is relevant to the job you are applying for, don’t list it as a skill.

3. Basic computer skills

Since most job seekers are proficient in many basic computer skills, there is no need to take up space on your resume with these types of skills.

This includes skills such as Microsoft Office, Google Docs, and other basic computer applications.

How to match your resume skills to the job

1. Use a skills matrix

A skills matrix is a table that lists the skills you have in one column and then rates those skills in another column. This is a great way to quickly see which of your skills match the job requirements and which ones don’t.

2. Use keywords from the job description

When you’re writing your resume, be sure to use the same keywords that are used in the job application description.

This will help ensure that your resume gets past any automated screening systems and makes it to the hands of a human recruiter.

3. Use numbers to quantify your skills

When listing your skills on your resume, be sure to include quantifiable examples in the Work History portion of your resume.

For example, if you’re a marketing professional, you might list the number of people you’ve managed or the size of the budget you’ve worked with.

How to format a resume job skills section

1. Include 6-12 skills in your skills section

When listing your skills on your resume, you don’t want to include too many or too few. The general number that’s most accepted across industries is 6-12.

2. Include a mix of soft, hard, and value-aligned skills

When choosing which skills to list on your resume, be sure to include a mix of hard skills, soft skills, and value-aligned skills that are customized to the job description and company you are applying to.

3. Use a bulleted format

You only have a few seconds to catch the attention of the person reviewing your resume. For this reason, it’s important to use a bulleted format when listing your skills.

This makes it easier for the reader to quickly scan and identify the skills that are most relevant to them.

Creating a resume skills section that will catch employers’ attention

When it comes to creating a resume that will stand out, the skills section is one of the most important parts. This is because it is an opportunity to show employers what skills you have that match their needs.

The skills section can also set you apart from other applicants with similar work experience, education levels, and job history.

Using the tips and tricks above can help you create a skills section that will catch employers’ attention and help you get the job you want.

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