How to List Skills on Your Resume: Skills Section (With Examples)

The skills section of your resume is your opportunity to highlight your qualifications and differentiate yourself from other candidates. Knowing how to effectively list skills on your resume can help you clearly convey your value to hiring managers in 2026.

Whether you need to showcase hard skills, soft skills, or newly acquired abilities, this guide will cover how to structure the skills section of your resume, provide examples of essential skills, and offer guidance on how many skills to include.

Key Takeaways

• Include 3-10 relevant skills in your resume skills section.

• Incorporate your skills throughout your resume, not just in the skills section.

• Hard skills are specific technical abilities, while soft skills are personal attributes that contribute to your effectiveness as an employee.

• Always tailor the skills you list to match the job description you’re applying for.

How to List Skills on Your Resume

You can organize your skills section using a chronological, functional, or combination resume format, depending on your career history and the job you’re targeting. Regardless of the format, ensure your skills section is easily identifiable so hiring managers can find it at a glance. Here’s how to effectively present your skills:

1. Chronological Resume Format: This is the most common format. Place your skills section near the bottom of the page after your work history. Although your work history is the focus, recruiters should easily locate your skills for relevance.

   For this format, you can categorize your skills into hard and soft skills or list them together. Use bullet points for clarity, and consider displaying them side by side, separated by commas or lines.

   Additional Skills

   Hard Skills:

   • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, etc.)

   • UX Design

   • Print Design

   • Data Analysis

   Soft Skills:

   • Creativity

   • Adaptability

   • Time Management

   • Problem-Solving

2. Functional Resume Format: In this format, your skills and qualifications take precedence, making it suitable for those with gaps in their employment or lacking direct experience in their targeted field.

   Begin with your contact information and a summary statement, followed by your skills section. Use subheadings for each skill and elaborate with bullet points or brief descriptions.

   Technical Skills

   Programming Languages

   • Expert in HTML/CSS and JavaScript

   • Proficient in Python and SQL

   • Familiar with PHP

   Cybersecurity

   • SSL Certificate Management

   • FireEye Security Systems

   • Juniper Networks Management

3. Combination Resume Format: This format merges both chronological and functional approaches and is typically used for senior-level applications or career transitions. It’s advisable to position your skills section before your work history and elaborate on each skill as you would in a functional resume.

   Relevant Skills

   Financial Audits
   Conducted audits for compliance with GAAP, ensuring clear communication between management and teams. Collaborated with CPAs for governmental and nonprofit audits.

   Financial Reporting
   Prepared and analyzed financial statements and reports according to SEC (GAAP) regulations. Researched corporate actions and managed income adjustments.

   Payroll Management
   Oversaw payroll operations using ADP and QuickBooks, including hiring, training, and performance evaluations.

Regardless of your chosen format, clearly label your skills section. You might use titles like “Skills,” “Additional Skills,” “Relevant Skills,” or “Technical Skills”—whatever fits best with the overall theme of your resume. Just ensure the term ‘skills’ is included, as this is what many applicant tracking systems (ATS) will search for.

Where Else Can You Include Skills on Your Resume?

You can integrate skills in your resume summary, work history, or certifications sections as appropriate. Here’s how:

• Resume Summary: Include 2-3 key skills in your summary, profile, or objective to make an impactful first impression.
• Action Verbs: Use action verbs from the job posting throughout your resume to provide context to your skills.
• Work History: Emphasize your skills in your work history section, ensuring that each skill listed is reflected in your job accomplishments.
• Volunteer Section: Include relevant skills in your volunteering or education sections, especially beneficial for recent graduates.
• Certifications: If applicable, create a separate certifications section to highlight any relevant credentials.

80 Hard Skills Examples for Your Resume

Hard skills like technical proficiency and specialized knowledge are vital for gaining a competitive edge in today’s job market. While the demand for specific hard skills can vary significantly by industry, here’s a breakdown of common hard skills you might consider including:

1. Computer Skills: These range from basic to advanced, all qualifying as hard skills.

   • Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

   • Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, etc.)

   • QuickBooks

   • Database Management

   • Cloud Computing

   • CRM Systems

2. Management Skills: Essential for those in supervisory roles or project management.

   • Project Management

   • Agile Methodologies

   • Business Analytics

   • Financial Planning

   • KPI Tracking

3. Marketing Skills: Today’s marketing landscape requires a new set of hard skills.

   • SEO/SEM

   • Google Analytics

   • Social Media Marketing

   • A/B Testing

   • Content Management Systems (CMS)

4. Accounting Skills: Important for anyone in or outside the accounting field.

   • Advanced Excel

   • Financial Statement Preparation

   • Data Modeling

   • Auditing

5. Analytical Skills: With data being a crucial asset, these skills are increasingly in demand.

   • Data Mining

   • Research

   • Web Analytics

6. Design Skills: Essential for those in creative fields.

   • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.)

   • UX/UI Design

   • Video Production

7. Sales Skills: Critical for roles in sales and customer interaction.

   • CRM Software (e.g., Salesforce)

   • Contract Negotiation

   • Lead Generation

8. Task-Oriented Skills: Essential for fulfilling job responsibilities.

   • Account Management

   • Budgeting

   • Hiring

30 Soft Skills Examples for Your Resume

Soft skills, such as leadership and active listening, are crucial in the workplace but can be harder to quantify than hard skills. Ensure your work history reflects your soft skills in action, as this evidence can significantly bolster your resume.

1. Leadership
2. Organizational Skills
3. Written and Verbal Communication
4. Active Listening
5. Emotional Intelligence
6. Decision-Making
7. Time Management
8. Creativity
9. Collaboration
10. Goal-Oriented
11. Persuasion
12. Detail-Oriented
13. Reliable
14. Positivity
15. Motivated
16. Empathy
17. Adaptable
18. Conflict Resolution
19. Problem-Solving
20. Integrity
21. Flexibility
22. Negotiation Skills
23. Innovative
24. Patient
25. Public Speaking
26. Responsiveness
27. Delegation
28. Resourcefulness
29. Curiosity

What Skills Should I Put on My Resume?

The skills you choose to list should align with the job description and include a balance of hard and soft skills. The goal is to ensure your skills closely match what the recruiter seeks, increasing your chances of securing an interview.

Follow this five-step process to select the skills you should feature on your resume:

1. Create a Master List of Your Skills: This exercise helps you identify your strengths. Aim for a comprehensive list, even if some entries feel like stretches.
2. Separate into Hard and Soft Skills: Organize your skills by type and marketability, placing the most relevant hard skills first.
3. Edit for Relevance: Remove any skills that don’t align with the job you’re targeting. If unsure, keep it on the list for now.
4. Review the Job Description: Highlight key skills and action verbs used in the posting. This will help you pinpoint what hiring managers prioritize.
5. Tailor Your Skills: Adjust your skills list to fit the job description, ensuring a balanced representation of both hard and soft skills.

If the job description lacks skill specifics, look at similar job postings in the same industry for guidance. Additionally, explore the company’s website for clues about their values and desired skills.

How Many Skills Should I Put on My Resume?

Include between 3-10 skills in your skills section, ideally blending hard and soft skills. For a chronological resume, aim for the higher end, while a functional resume generally requires fewer.

Consider adding proficiency levels beside each skill to clarify your expertise, but ensure it accurately reflects your capabilities.

What’s the Difference Between Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills?

Hard skills are technical abilities acquired through training or experience, while soft skills refer to interpersonal attributes that enhance your work performance.

Strong job candidates will showcase a mix of both hard and soft skills on their resumes. It’s essential to include hard skills detailed in the job description, as these are often fundamental requirements.

Soft skills are increasingly valued by employers, especially since they can easily transfer between roles and industries. If a soft skill repeatedly appears in the job description, consider incorporating it into your resume.

Tips for Identifying Your Skills

If you’re struggling to identify your skills, consider these strategies:

• Talk to Colleagues: Ask coworkers for their perspective on your strengths; they may see skills you overlook.
• Review Awards and Achievements: Reflect on any recognitions you’ve received, as they often correlate with your skills.
• Take Skills Assessments: While these tools vary in accuracy, they can help you remember skills you might have forgotten and gauge your proficiency levels.

Skills to List on Your Resume FAQ

1. What are good skills to put on a resume?

   Communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills are highly regarded. Other beneficial skills include:

   • Active Listening

   • Teamwork

   • Analytical Skills

   • Computer Proficiency

2. What are technical skills on a resume?

   Technical skills, or hard skills, are developed through practical experience. Common technical skills encompass:

   • Computer Skills

   • Accounting Skills

   • Analytical Skills

3. What are interpersonal skills?

   Interpersonal skills are traits that facilitate effective communication and interaction with others. Examples include:

   • Teamwork

   • Communication

   • Flexibility

   • Empathy

Final Thoughts

The skills section of your resume may be concise, but it should effectively convey your qualifications to grab the attention of hiring managers. Remember to customize this section for each position, maintain a balanced mix of hard and soft skills, and illustrate your skills with examples throughout your resume.

Don’t underestimate the value of your cover letter in highlighting your skill set further. A one-page resume may limit your ability to showcase your skills, but a cover letter allows for a more comprehensive narrative of your professional experiences.

Now that you’ve crafted your skills section, it’s time to focus on the other sections of your resume.

Ask the Experts

What tips would you give to optimize a resume?

Amanda Traugutt
Content Director | Career Coach
Elevated Resumes

The best way to optimize your resume is to identify your core values and skills that align with the type of position and industry you are looking to enter.

Start by researching successful individuals in that role. Identify common trends and skills relevant to your career trajectory. Position your resume around these key skill sets and expand on experiences that will facilitate your success in the new role.

Consistency is key; ensure your core themes are reflected throughout your resume by demonstrating how you’ve utilized these relevant skills in your career.

Author

Ryan Morris

Ryan Morris was a writer for the Zippia Advice blog who tried to make the job process a little more entertaining for all those involved. He obtained his BA and Masters from Appalachian State University.

Expert

Don Pippin, MHRM, CPRW, CDCS

Don Pippin is an executive and HR leader for Fortune 50 and 500 companies and startups. In 2008, Don launched area|Talent with a focus on helping clients identify their brand. As a Certified Professional Resume Writer, Certified Digital Career Strategist, and Certified Personal Branding Strategist, Don guides clients through career transitions.