The ultimate list of hard skills, soft skills, and technical skills that employers actually want to see. Find the perfect skills for your resume in any industry.
Look for skills mentioned 2-3 times. If they repeat "project management" or "Excel," those are must-haves. Match their exact wording.
Include 60% hard skills (technical, measurable) and 40% soft skills (interpersonal, communication). Employers want both.
Don't just list "Leadership"—show it in your experience: "Led team of 8 to deliver project 2 weeks ahead of schedule."
Don't list 50 skills—it looks desperate. Choose 10-15 relevant skills that match the job. Quality beats quantity every time.
Technical, teachable abilities you can measure and prove with certifications, degrees, or tests.
Personal attributes and interpersonal abilities that affect how you work with others and approach tasks.
These skills work across all industries and career levels
Written, verbal, and presentation skills. #1 most desired by employers.
Ability to guide teams, make decisions, and inspire others to achieve goals.
Analytical thinking to identify issues and develop effective solutions.
Collaboration, cooperation, and ability to work well with diverse groups.
Prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and managing multiple projects efficiently.
Flexibility to handle change, learn quickly, and thrive in dynamic environments.
Logical reasoning to evaluate information and make sound decisions.
Thoroughness and accuracy in completing tasks and reviewing work.
Planning, organizing, and executing projects from start to finish.
Understanding client needs and delivering exceptional service experiences.
Interpreting data, identifying trends, and making data-driven recommendations.
Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook for daily business tasks.
Creating clear, professional emails, reports, and documentation.
Maintaining systems, managing information, and keeping work structured.
Building relationships, networking, and connecting with people effectively.
Mediating disagreements and finding win-win solutions professionally.
Innovation, original thinking, and ability to approach problems from new angles.
Weighing options, assessing risks, and making confident choices under pressure.
Reaching mutually beneficial agreements in business discussions and contracts.
Understanding emotions, empathy, and managing relationships effectively.
Don't just copy these to your resume. Pick 5-8 that you actually have and can prove with examples. Then show them in your work experience: "Led team of 6 (Leadership) to deliver project 2 weeks ahead of schedule (Time Management)."
These interpersonal skills are just as important as technical abilities
Clear verbal and written expression of ideas
Inspiring and guiding teams to achieve goals
Finding creative solutions to complex challenges
Collaborating effectively with diverse groups
Thriving in changing environments
Prioritizing tasks and meeting deadlines
Analyzing information logically
Maintaining accuracy and thoroughness
Dedication, reliability, and professionalism
Innovative thinking and original solutions
Understanding and managing emotions
Mediating disagreements professionally
Making confident choices under pressure
Adjusting to new situations smoothly
Fully engaging with what others say
❌ Don't Just List Them:
"Skills: Communication, Leadership, Problem-solving, Teamwork"
This tells employers nothing. Anyone can write these words.
✅ Show Them in Action:
"Led cross-functional team of 8 (Leadership) to deliver project 2 weeks ahead of schedule (Time Management) by implementing daily stand-ups that improved communication (Communication) and resolved blockers quickly (Problem-solving)."
This proves you have the skills through concrete examples.
Add a "Skills" section near the top of your resume (after your summary/objective). List 10-15 relevant skills in bullet points or columns.
Example:
Technical Skills: Python, SQL, React, AWS, Git, Docker, Agile/Scrum
Soft Skills: Leadership, Communication, Problem-solving, Time Management
Don't just list skills—show how you used them to achieve results. This is more powerful than a standalone skills section.
Example:
Senior Marketing Manager | TechCorp | 2020-2024
ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) scan for specific keywords. Mirror the language from the job posting to pass the initial screening.
If Job Description Says:
"Seeking a data analyst with strong SQL, Python, and Tableau skills who can build dashboards for executive teams."
Your Skills Section Should Include:
SQL • Python • Tableau • Executive Dashboard Development • Data Visualization • Business Intelligence
💡 Use their exact wording when possible ("SQL" not "database queries", "Tableau" not "BI tools")
❌ The Mistake:
Listing 40+ skills including 'Microsoft Word' and 'Email'
Why It Hurts You:
It looks desperate and dilutes your actual strengths. Stick to 10-15 relevant skills.
❌ The Mistake:
'Proficient in Microsoft Office'
Why It Hurts You:
What does 'proficient' mean? Be specific: 'Advanced Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, Macros), PowerPoint, Word'
❌ The Mistake:
Listing 'Email', 'Internet', 'Typing'
Why It Hurts You:
These are assumed in 2024. Unless you're applying for a data entry role that requires 80+ WPM, omit basic computer skills.
❌ The Mistake:
'Synergy', 'Thought Leader', 'Go-Getter', 'Ninja', 'Rockstar'
Why It Hurts You:
These empty buzzwords mean nothing. Use concrete skills: 'Project Management' not 'Team Player Extraordinaire'
❌ The Mistake:
Claiming 'Fluent in Spanish' when you took 2 years in high school
Why It Hurts You:
You'll be exposed in interviews or on the job. Only list skills you can actually demonstrate.
❌ The Mistake:
'Windows XP', 'Flash', 'Lotus Notes', 'Fax Machines'
Why It Hurts You:
Outdated skills make you look out of touch. Remove technologies that haven't been relevant in 10+ years.
❌ The Mistake:
Using the same skills list for every job application
Why It Hurts You:
Customize your skills for each job. If they want 'Salesforce', put it at the top of your skills section (if you have it).
10-15 skills is the sweet spot. This is enough to show your capabilities without overwhelming recruiters or looking like you're padding your resume.
Here's the breakdown:
Quality over quantity. It's better to list 10 relevant skills that match the job description than 30 random skills that make you look unfocused. Every skill you list should serve a purpose—if it doesn't help you get THIS job, remove it.
Yes, but don't just list them—prove them. Soft skills are important, but simply writing "Leadership, Communication, Teamwork" tells employers nothing.
The right way to include soft skills:
If you must list soft skills in a dedicated section, limit it to 3-4 and make sure your experience section provides evidence for each one. Soft skills without proof are just empty buzzwords.
Based on LinkedIn and Indeed data, here are the top 10 most in-demand skills in 2024:
Pro tip: Even if you're not in tech, learning basic AI tool usage (ChatGPT, Midjourney) and data analysis (Excel, basic SQL) can set you apart from other candidates.
Be honest about your skill level. You can include skills you're learning, but make it clear you're not an expert yet.
Option 1: Use proficiency levels
Option 2: Create a separate section
Skills:
Python • SQL • React • AWS • Docker
Currently Learning:
Kubernetes • Machine Learning • Go
Important: Only list skills you're actively learning (taking a course, building projects). Don't list "Currently Learning: Spanish" if you watched one Duolingo video last month.
No, avoid using star ratings or percentage bars for skills. Here's why:
Instead, use descriptive terms:
Good: "Advanced Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP, Macros, VBA)"
Bad: "Excel ●●●●○ (4/5)"
The descriptive version tells employers exactly what you can do. The rating tells them nothing useful.
You don't need 100% of the skills in a job description to apply. Here's how to handle missing skills:
The 70% Rule: If you have 70% of the required skills, apply anyway. Job descriptions often list "nice-to-haves" alongside "must-haves," and companies will train the right candidate on missing skills.
How to address skills gaps:
When NOT to apply: If you're missing 50%+ of the core technical requirements, you're probably not qualified. Focus on jobs where you meet most of the criteria.
Woberry's AI resume builder automatically identifies which skills to include based on the job description, then formats them perfectly for ATS systems. No more guessing what to list.
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