According to LinkedIn's 2024 Global Talent Trends report, 76% of recruiters say that skills are the most important factor when evaluating candidates. Yet most job seekers either list the wrong skills or format them poorly. In this comprehensive guide, you'll learn exactly how to identify, organize, and present your skills in a way that gets you past ATS filters and impresses hiring managers. Our free resume builder makes formatting your skills section easy.
Understanding Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills
Before listing skills on your resume, you need to understand the two main categories and how employers evaluate each:
Hard Skills (Technical)
- • Teachable, measurable abilities
- • Acquired through training or education
- • Usually job-specific
- • Easy to quantify or test
- • Examples: Python, Excel, Salesforce, SEO
Soft Skills (Interpersonal)
- • Personality traits & work habits
- • Developed over time through experience
- • Transferable across jobs
- • Harder to measure directly
- • Examples: Leadership, Communication, Problem-solving
Pro Tip: The 70/30 Rule
Your skills section should be approximately 70% hard skills and 30% soft skills. Hard skills get you past ATS and demonstrate qualifications; soft skills show you'll fit the team. Don't list soft skills alone – they need to be backed up by achievements in your experience section.
How to Identify Which Skills to Include
The biggest mistake job seekers make is listing every skill they have. Instead, you need to match your skills to what the employer is looking for:
Analyze the Job Description
Highlight every skill mentioned in the job posting. Note which appear multiple times – those are the most important.
List All Your Skills
Brainstorm every skill you have – technical, software, interpersonal, industry-specific. Include certifications and tools.
Match and Prioritize
Cross-reference your list with the job requirements. Lead with skills that appear in the posting.
Research Industry Standards
Look at similar job postings and LinkedIn profiles to identify common skills in your field you might have overlooked.
Technology & IT Skills Examples
Programming Languages
Python, JavaScript, Java, C++, C#, Ruby, Go, TypeScript, Swift, Kotlin, PHP, R, SQL, HTML/CSS, Rust, Scala, MATLAB
Frameworks & Libraries
React, Angular, Vue.js, Node.js, Django, Flask, Spring Boot, .NET, Express.js, Next.js, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Pandas
Cloud & DevOps
AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Azure, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, Jenkins, CircleCI, Git, GitHub Actions, Ansible, Linux
Data & Analytics
SQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, Redis, Elasticsearch, Tableau, Power BI, Apache Spark, Hadoop, Snowflake, ETL, Data Modeling
Format Tip: Be Specific
Instead of just "Programming," list specific languages: "Python, JavaScript (React), SQL".
Instead of "Cloud Computing," write "AWS (EC2, S3, Lambda), GCP."
Showcase Your Skills Professionally
Our resume builder makes it easy to create a perfectly formatted skills section. Choose from 18+ templates optimized for ATS systems.
Create Your Resume FreeBusiness & Management Skills Examples
Project Management
Agile/Scrum, Waterfall, Jira, Asana, Trello, MS Project, Gantt Charts, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Budget Management, PMP
Office Software
Microsoft Excel (Advanced), Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Google Workspace, Notion, Slack, Zoom, SharePoint, Confluence
Finance & Accounting
Financial Modeling, Budgeting, Forecasting, GAAP, QuickBooks, SAP, NetSuite, Variance Analysis, P&L Management, Cost Analysis
CRM & Sales Tools
Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, Zoho CRM, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, Outreach, ZoomInfo, Gong, Cold Calling, Lead Generation
Marketing & Creative Skills Examples
Digital Marketing
SEO, SEM, Google Ads, Facebook Ads, LinkedIn Ads, Google Analytics, A/B Testing, Conversion Optimization, Email Marketing, Content Strategy
Marketing Platforms
HubSpot, Mailchimp, Marketo, Pardot, SEMrush, Ahrefs, Moz, Hootsuite, Buffer, Sprout Social, Google Tag Manager
Design Software
Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects, Figma, Sketch, Canva, Final Cut Pro, DaVinci Resolve
Content & Social
Copywriting, Blog Writing, Video Production, Podcast Production, Social Media Management, Brand Storytelling, UGC, Influencer Marketing
Healthcare & Medical Skills Examples
Clinical Skills
Patient Assessment, Medication Administration, Vital Signs Monitoring, IV Therapy, Wound Care, Phlebotomy, CPR/BLS, ACLS, Patient Education
Medical Software (EHR/EMR)
Epic, Cerner, Meditech, Allscripts, eClinicalWorks, NextGen, Athenahealth, Practice Fusion, DrChrono
Certifications
RN License, CNA, CMA, CCRN, PALS, NRP, HIPAA Compliance, Infection Control, Medical Terminology
Specializations
ICU/Critical Care, Emergency Room, Pediatrics, Oncology, Cardiology, Surgical, Geriatrics, Mental Health, Home Health
Top Soft Skills Employers Want
According to LinkedIn's 2024 survey, these are the most in-demand soft skills:
❌ Weak: Just Listing
"Skills: Leadership, Communication, Problem-Solving, Team Player"
⚠️ No proof, everyone claims these
✓ Strong: Show Evidence
"Led 8-person team through product launch, delivering 2 weeks early" (in Experience section, proving leadership)
✓ Demonstrates the skill with a concrete example
How to Format Your Skills Section
- Place skills section near the top for technical roles, below experience for others
- Use bullet points or columns – avoid long paragraphs
- Group similar skills together (e.g., "Programming: Python, JavaScript, SQL")
- Lead with skills from the job posting to optimize for ATS
- List 8-15 skills maximum – quality over quantity
- Include proficiency levels if relevant (Expert, Advanced, Intermediate)
- Be specific – "Advanced Excel (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, Macros)" beats just "Excel"
- Remove outdated skills (e.g., Windows XP, Flash)
Common Skills Section Mistakes
- ✕Listing skills you can't actually perform at a professional level
- ✕Including obvious skills like "Email" or "Microsoft Word" for professional roles
- ✕Using vague terms like "Computer Skills" instead of specific software
- ✕Forgetting to update skills when technology changes
- ✕Copying skills from job postings you don't actually have
- ✕Not tailoring skills to each job application
- ✕Mixing hard and soft skills without organization
Make Your Skills Work for You
Your skills section is one of the most important parts of your resume – it's what ATS systems scan for and what hiring managers use to quickly assess your qualifications. The key is being strategic: match your skills to the job, be specific about your abilities, and organize them in a clear, scannable format.
Remember, skills alone aren't enough. They need to be supported by achievements in your work experience section that prove you can apply them effectively. Pair your skills with strong action verbs to build a skills section that gets you noticed and gets you interviews.
Build Your Skills-Focused Resume
Our free resume builder helps you create a professional skills section that passes ATS screening and impresses recruiters.
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