10 Best Skills To Put On Your Resume (That Employers Love)

What are the best skills to put on your resume that employers look for? Learn what employers want, how to showcase abilities, and stand out in any industry!

Did you know that nearly 98% of Fortune 500 companies now use AI software to help filter through employees? That cursor blinking on your blank resume suddenly feels a lot more intimidating, doesn’t it?

Whether you’re targeting tech, retail, or customer service, this guide will help you crack the code on exactly which resume skills will get recruiters excited!

The Ultimate List of Skills to Put on a Resume

Feeling stuck? Here’s a comprehensive list of high-impact skills that employers in every industry love to see. Use this as a starting point to identify the valuable skills you already have and the new ones you could develop to stand out.

Soft Skills

These are the human-centric skills that determine how you work with others and adapt to new challenges. They are universally valuable in any role.

• Communication (Written, Verbal, and Presentation)
• Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
• Adaptability & Flexibility
• Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking
• Creativity & Innovation
• Collaboration & Teamwork
• Leadership & Mentorship
• Conflict Resolution & Negotiation
• Work Ethic & Dependability

Technical Skills

These are the specific, measurable abilities often learned through training. Tailor this list to your specific industry.

• Data & Analytics: Data Analysis, SQL, Tableau, Power BI, Google Analytics
• Programming & Development: Python, JavaScript, Java, HTML/CSS, Git
• Marketing: SEO/SEM, Content Management Systems (e.g., WordPress), Social Media Strategy
• Design: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator), UI/UX Design
• Business Software: Salesforce (CRM), QuickBooks, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace
• Languages: List any languages you speak and your proficiency level (e.g., Fluent in Spanish, Conversational in French).

Time Management Skills

This specialized skill set shows employers you can work efficiently, prioritize effectively, and handle a dynamic workload.

• Prioritization
• Scheduling & Calendar Management
• Goal Setting & Strategic Planning
• Delegation
• Stress Management
• Meeting Facilitation
• Organization & Planning

Project Management Skills

These skills demonstrate your ability to guide a project from an idea to completion, managing resources and people along the way.

• Agile & Scrum Methodologies
• Budgeting & Financial Planning
• Risk Management & Assessment
• Stakeholder Communication
• Performance Tracking (KPIs)
• Project Management Software (e.g., Asana, Trello, Jira)
• Process Improvement

Tailor Your Resume Skills to the Role

Almost every role requires some basic soft skills that you should add to your resume:

• Communication: The art of clearly exchanging information and ideas to create shared understanding between people.
• Presenting: Skillfully delivering information to an audience with the goal to inform, persuade, or engage them effectively.
• Conflict Management: Strategically handling disagreements to find a positive resolution and minimize negative consequences for everyone involved.

Pro Tip: When you graduate from our online communication training, People School, you get a certificate for your resume and a badge for your LinkedIn Profile.

In addition, the good skills to put on a resume depends entirely on your target role, and comprise both hard and soft skills:

• Tech positions: Python, SQL, cloud computing, agile project management
• Retail roles: Customer service, inventory management, sales techniques, conflict resolution
• Customer service: De-escalation, CRM software, multilingual communication, empathy
• Management: Strategic planning, team leadership, budget management, performance coaching

Pro Tip #2: When employers post requirements like “proficiency in Excel” or “strong communication skills,” they’re literally telling you what skills to put on resume applications! While it might take a bit more effort, adapting your resume for individual job postings and mirroring the language is a crucial strategy to pass applicant tracking systems (ATS) and catch recruiter attention.

3 Signs Your Resume Skills Need Work

Your resume might be sabotaging your job search without you realizing it. Here are three red flags that signal it’s time for a skills makeover:

Your Skills Sound Like Everyone Else’s

If your resume lists “team player,” “detail-oriented,” or “hardworking” without context, you’re blending into the crowd. These generic descriptors tell employers nothing about your actual capabilities.

The fix: Replace vague terms with specific abilities. Instead of “good communicator,” try “facilitated weekly cross-department meetings for 15+ stakeholders.”

Your Skills Don’t Match the Job Description

Listing “graphic design” for an accounting position or “coding” for a retail role creates instant disconnect. Misaligned skills suggest you either didn’t read the job posting carefully or you’re applying randomly.

The fix: Create a master list of your abilities, then customize 5-7 skills for each application based on the job requirements.

You Can’t Prove Your Skills with Examples

“Excellent problem-solver” means nothing without evidence. If you can’t quickly think of specific situations where you demonstrated each listed skill, neither can potential employers.

The fix: For every skill you list, prepare a brief story or metric that proves it. “Reduced customer complaints by 30% through improved conflict resolution protocols” shows real impact.

Pro Tip: Review your last three job applications. If you used identical skills sections for different roles, you’re missing opportunities to stand out.

5 Practical Strategies for How to Choose Skills for Your Resume

Decode Job Descriptions Like a Detective

Job postings are treasure maps leading to exactly what skills to put on resume applications. Read between the lines to uncover hidden requirements.

When you see “fast-paced environment,” they’re really asking for time management and stress resilience. “Cross-functional collaboration” translates to communication and adaptability. “Data-driven decisions” means analytical thinking and technical proficiency.

Action Step: Highlight keywords in three job postings for your target role. Create a master list of the most frequently mentioned skills; these are your golden tickets.

Quantify Everything You Can

Numbers turn abstract skills into concrete proof of capability. Instead of listing “leadership,” write “managed team of 8 sales associates.” Rather than “improved efficiency,” specify “streamlined processes, reducing task completion time by 25%.”

Early in my career, I listed ‘improved team communication’ on my resume. Sounds good, right? Wrong. During an interview, when asked for specifics, I fumbled around trying to explain what that actually meant.

Now I know better: that same experience became “facilitated weekly cross-team meetings for 15+ stakeholders, reducing project delays by 30%.” Same accomplishment, but suddenly it had teeth.

This approach works for any role level! Entry-level candidates can quantify training completion, volunteer hours, or academic projects. Seasoned professionals should include budget sizes, team dimensions, and performance improvements.

Balance Technical and Human Skills

The most compelling resumes showcase both hard skills to put on resume applications and complementary soft abilities. A software developer listing “Python programming” gains extra appeal by adding “mentored junior developers.” An accountant with “financial modeling” becomes more valuable with “client relationship management.”

Technical skills get you past ATS filters, but human skills get you hired and promoted.

Stay Current with Industry Trends

Skills evolve rapidly in our digital economy. Good skills to put on a resume in 2025 include:

• AI literacy for knowledge workers
• Sustainability practices for operations roles
• Digital wellness for management positions
• Virtual facilitation across industries
• Cybersecurity awareness for everyone

Subscribe to industry publications, follow thought leaders on LinkedIn, and attend virtual conferences to spot emerging skill demands before they become standard requirements.

Test Your Skills in Real Situations

The strongest resume skills come from genuine experience, not wishful thinking. Before claiming “conflict resolution,” ensure you’ve actually mediated workplace disagreements. Don’t list “project management” unless you’ve shepherded initiatives from start to finish.

Pro Tip: Create a skills validation matrix. For each ability you want to include, write down specific examples of when and how you’ve demonstrated it. If you struggle to find examples, that skill needs more development before it belongs on your resume.

Here’s a handy refresher of these 5 key tips for figuring out the best skills to put on a resume:

Why Choosing the Right Skills Matters

Remember how I mentioned AI-powered applicant tracking systems now filter out 75% of resumes before human recruiters see them? If that wasn’t bad enough, it turns out that 99% of Fortune 500https://www.hbs.edu/managing-the-future-of-work/Documents/research/hiddenworkers09032021.pdf companies are now using them.

These digital gatekeepers scan for specific keywords and skills mentioned in job postings. Miss the mark, and your application disappears into the void, regardless of your qualifications.

The Hybrid Work Revolution Changed Everything

Meanwhile, hybrid work environments demand completely new skill combinations. Employers aren’t just seeking “Microsoft Office proficiency” anymore; they want “virtual team collaboration,” “digital project management,” and “remote communication excellence.” The pandemic permanently changed how we work, and skills to put on resume applications must reflect these realities.

Consider the customer service industry transformation. Traditional skills to put on a resume for customer service like “phone etiquette” now compete with “omnichannel support,” “chat-based communication,” and “social media crisis management.” The core function remains helping customers, but the methods have multiplied.

Why Soft Skills Matter More than Ever in 2025

Research (source) consistently shows that soft skills play a huge role in career advancement and workplace success, making them just as crucial as technical expertise (if not more so!).

But as we advance through what experts call the fourth (or even fifth) industrial revolution, these uniquely human abilities become even more precious. A 2025 study (source)(23)05878-4?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2405844023058784%3Fshowall%3Dtrue analyzing 19,000 organizations found that even in highly technical fields, employers seek soft skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.

Why? Because while AI can crunch numbers, develop systems and automate processes, it can’t replicate human judgment, empathy, or the ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics. The title of a 2025 New York Times essay put it best: “When Your Technical Skills Are Eclipsed, Your Humanity Will Matter More Than Ever.”

Are you technically-savvy but struggle with your soft skills? Check out my best-seller:

Your Skills Are Your Personal Marketing Strategy

The World Economic Forum estimated that 50% of all employees will need reskilling by 2025 due to technological advancement. This might sound scary, but I recommend framing it as an opportunity: those of us who are proactive in updating their skills can gain real competitive advantages!

In a world where first impressions happen in seven seconds (the average time recruiters spend scanning resumes), the right skills can mean the difference between interview callbacks and radio silence.

Remember: your resume skills are more than just a list. They’re the core of your personal marketing strategy. For the ultimate guide on selling your skills, check out: 6 Simple Steps for a Successful Personal Marketing Plan.

Showcasing Skills in Work and Interviews

Your resume skills mean nothing if you can’t bring them to life in professional interactions. Here’s how to make your abilities shine beyond the page:

Turn Skills into Compelling Stories

I once bombed an interview because I couldn’t back up the “problem-solving” skill on my resume. The interviewer asked for an example, and I gave some vague story about “figuring things out.” Cringe.

That failure taught me the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), which transforms bland claims into memorable narratives that stick with hiring managers.

For example, instead of mumbling “I have strong problem-solving skills,” paint a picture:

• Situation: “When our Point-of-Sale system crashed during the Black Friday rush…”
• Task: “I needed to maintain sales flow…”
• Action: “so I quickly set up mobile payment processing and reorganized staff workflow…”
• Result: “resulting in zero lost sales and customer praise for our handling of the crisis.”

Suddenly, you’re not just another candidate claiming problem-solving abilities; you’re the person who saved Black Friday. This storytelling approach works for any skills to put on a resume, whether it be for customer service, technical roles, or leadership positions.

Show, Don’t Just Tell

Virtual interviews have become your secret weapon for demonstrating digital communication skills. When you nail your technology setup, smoothly share your screen, and maintain engaging eye contact with the camera, you’re proving your virtual collaboration abilities without saying a word.

For in-person meetings, small actions speak volumes. Arriving early showcases time management, asking thoughtful questions proves research skills, and following up promptly displays communication excellence. These behaviors validate every skill you’ve listed on paper.

Build Your Skills Portfolio

Create a digital portfolio that backs up your claims:

• Code samples for developers
• Case studies for consultants
• Before/after metrics for operations roles
• Training certificates for specialized skills
• Volunteer project outcomes for community involvement

Keep this portfolio accessible on your phone or laptop for those unexpected networking conversations that could change your career trajectory.

Action Step: Choose three skills from your resume and create one concrete example or piece of evidence for each this week.

Building a Skill-Focused Resume Culture

Organizations that prioritize skill development create stronger teams and attract better talent. Here’s how to foster this environment:

Create Learning Communities

Remember show-and-tell from elementary school? Turns out, adults love it too. Establish regular lunch-and-learn sessions where team members share expertise. Your marketing specialist teaches social media analytics while the IT colleague demonstrates new software shortcuts. These exchanges help everyone identify key skills to put on resume applications while building internal capabilities.

Document these sessions to create a skills library. When promotion opportunities arise, employees can point to specific learning experiences that prepared them for greater responsibility. Plus, you’ll be amazed how much hidden talent exists within your organization!

Launch Skill-Swapping Programs

Pair employees with complementary abilities for mutual development. An experienced salesperson mentors someone in customer relationship building while learning digital marketing techniques in return. Both participants gain resume-worthy skills and deeper workplace connections.

This approach creates win-win scenarios that strengthen your entire team while giving individuals concrete examples of skills to put on a resume for future opportunities.

Map Career Paths Through Skills

Help team members connect their career dreams to required skill sets. If someone wants to move from customer service to project management, identify the bridging skills they need: stakeholder communication, timeline management, and resource coordination.

Provide targeted development opportunities aligned with these goals. This strategy reduces turnover while building internal talent pipelines that save recruitment costs.

Pro Tip: Host quarterly skills showcases where employees present new abilities they’ve developed. This celebrates growth while inspiring colleagues to expand their own capabilities.

Handling Skill-Related Feedback Like a Pro

Receiving criticism about your resume skills can sting, but handling it gracefully accelerates your professional growth:

Transform Criticism into Coaching

When someone suggests your skills need work, your first instinct might be to defend yourself. Instead, flip the script with clarifying questions: “Can you help me understand which specific skills seem misaligned with the role?” or “What skills would make me a stronger candidate?”

This approach transforms potentially awkward criticism into valuable coaching while demonstrating the emotional intelligence employers crave.

Dig for Actionable Details

Vague feedback like “your skills don’t match” provides zero actionable guidance. Push for concrete suggestions: “Which three skills should I prioritize developing?” or “Can you point to successful candidates and their key abilities?”

The more specific the feedback, the faster you can address any gaps.

Frame Development as Partnership

Position skill development as a collaboration opportunity. “I’d appreciate your guidance on strengthening my technical abilities” invites mentorship rather than triggering defensiveness. Most professionals enjoy sharing knowledge and helping others succeed.

When discussing what to put for skills on a resume with mentors, bring specific job postings you’re targeting. This context helps them provide relevant, actionable advice.

Document Your Growth Journey

Track skill development efforts to demonstrate commitment during follow-up conversations. “Since our last discussion, I’ve completed Excel certification and applied these techniques to three client projects” shows initiative and growth mindset that employers notice.

Action Step: If you’ve received skill-related feedback recently, schedule a follow-up conversation within two weeks to share your development progress.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Skills to Put on a Resume

What are good skills to put on a resume?

Good skills to put on a resume combine job-specific technical abilities with universal professional strengths. For tech roles, include programming languages, database management, and system administration alongside communication and problem-solving. Customer service positions benefit from CRM software proficiency, multilingual abilities, and conflict resolution paired with empathy and patience. Always match your skills to job requirements while showcasing both hard and soft capabilities.

What are hard vs. soft skills?

Hard skills are technical, measurable abilities you can learn through training or education, like Excel proficiency, coding languages, or equipment operation. Soft skills represent interpersonal and personal qualities like communication, leadership, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. Modern employers seek candidates with balanced skill sets—hard skills prove you can do the job, while soft skills indicate how well you’ll fit the team and grow with the company.

How do I tailor skills for specific jobs?

Read job descriptions carefully and identify 5-7 key skills mentioned repeatedly. Match your abilities to these requirements using similar language. If a posting emphasizes “customer relationship management,” list “CRM software” rather than generic “customer service.” Create a master skills list, then customize 5-7 relevant abilities for each application. This targeted approach helps you pass applicant tracking systems and demonstrates genuine interest in the specific role.

What skills are trending in 2025?

Top trending skills include AI literacy and prompt engineering, virtual team facilitation, cybersecurity awareness, sustainability practices, and emotional intelligence. Digital communication tools, data analysis capabilities, and adaptability to hybrid work environments are increasingly valuable. Skills to put on resume for customer service, for example, now include omnichannel support and social media crisis management. Stay current by following industry publications and monitoring job posting trends in your field.

How do I showcase skills in interviews?

Transform every skill into a specific story using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Instead of claiming “strong leadership,” describe a specific project where you guided a team through challenges and achieved measurable results. Prepare 2-3 concrete examples for each skill on your resume. During virtual interviews, demonstrate digital communication skills through professional setup and smooth technology use. Always quantify results when possible to prove impact.

Your 2025 Resume Skills Toolkit: Key Takeaways

Mastering skills to put on resume applications transforms your job search from frustrating to fulfilling. Here’s your action plan:

• Target with precision. Every skill you list should match job requirements and solve employer problems. Generic abilities get lost in ATS filters, while specific capabilities create interview opportunities.
• Quantify your impact. Replace vague descriptors with measurable achievements. “Improved customer satisfaction” becomes “Increased customer satisfaction scores by 23% through streamlined complaint resolution process.”
• Balance your skills. Combine hard skills with complementary soft abilities. Technical expertise opens doors, but human skills build careers.
• Stay future-focused. Update your abilities regularly to reflect industry evolution. 2025’s most valuable workers blend traditional skills with emerging capabilities like AI literacy and virtual collaboration.
• Practice storytelling. Every skill needs a supporting narrative for interviews. Prepare specific examples that demonstrate each ability in action.

Your skills are powerful, but the words you use to describe them can make or break your impact. Ready to take your resume language to the next level? Check out our guide: 307 Resume Action Verbs Guaranteed to Impress.