Career Management Skills / Career Advice

Best Skills To Put On Your Resume




Why Skills Matter on Your Resume

  • Highlighting relevant skills can set you apart during the hiring process.
  • Employers seek a balance of hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (personality traits).

Top 10 Skills to Include on Your Resume

  1. Active Listening
  2. Focus on understanding and responding thoughtfully.
  3. Demonstrates engagement and interest.

  4. Communication?

  5. Essential for conveying ideas, feelings, and updates effectively.
  6. Includes verbal, written, and nonverbal communication.

  7. Computer Skills

  8. Range from basic hardware operation to advanced software proficiency (e.g., spreadsheets, coding).

  9. Customer Service

  10. Relies on problem-solving and communication to ensure positive client interactions.

  11. Interpersonal Skills

  12. Important for teamwork, conflict resolution, and leadership.

  13. Leadership

  14. Involves motivating others to achieve shared goals.

  15. Management

  16. Combines organization, empathy, and clear communication for task and team success.

  17. Problem-Solving

  18. Identify root issues and develop effective solutions.

  19. Time Management

  20. Prioritize tasks to meet deadlines while balancing work-life responsibilities.

  21. Transferable Skills

  22. Adaptable skills like teamwork, flexibility, and organization that apply across industries.

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills

  • Hard Skills: Teachable abilities like data analysis, technical writing, or programming.
  • Soft Skills: Personality traits like adaptability, empathy, and collaboration.
  • Both are essential; soft skills often enhance the effectiveness of hard skills.

Examples of Skills by Job Type

  1. Data Analyst
  2. Hard Skills: SQL, data visualization, machine learning.
  3. Soft Skills: Attention to detail, problem-solving, communication.

  4. Teacher

  5. Hard Skills: Curriculum planning, classroom management, language skills.
  6. Soft Skills: Leadership, adaptability, emotional intelligence.

  7. Copy Editor

  8. Hard Skills: Proofreading, digital publishing, AP Style.
  9. Soft Skills: Creativity, attention to detail, thriving under pressure.

  10. Mechanic

  11. Hard Skills: Engine repair, diagnostics, root-cause analysis.
  12. Soft Skills: Teamwork, organizational skills, customer service.

  13. Nurse

  14. Hard Skills: Patient assessment, infusion management, CPR.
  15. Soft Skills: Compassion, communication, problem-solving.

FAQs About Resume Skills

  1. How Many Skills Should I Include?
  2. List up to 10 relevant skills in the "Skills" section.

  3. How to Choose Skills?

  4. Tailor skills to match the job description. Highlight technical and interpersonal strengths.

  5. How to Format Skills?

  6. List hard skills first, followed by soft skills. Mention them in the summary and experience sections.

Pro Tip: Use real examples in your cover letter or interview to showcase how your skills contributed to success.


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