How to List Skills on a Resume (With Examples)
The skills section of your resume serves two audiences: the Applicant Tracking System that scans for keyword matches, and the recruiter who glances at it to quickly assess your capabilities. Getting this section right can be the difference between getting an interview and getting filtered out.
This guide covers which skills to include, how to organize them, and how to tailor your skills section for each job application.
Types of Skills for Your Resume
Hard skills (technical skills)
These are specific, teachable abilities that can be measured and verified. They include:
- Programming languages (Python, JavaScript, Java)
- Software and tools (Excel, Photoshop, Salesforce, SAP)
- Technical processes (data analysis, financial modeling, A/B testing)
- Certifications (PMP, AWS Certified, Google Analytics)
- Languages (English, Hindi, Spanish — with proficiency level)
Soft skills (professional skills)
These are interpersonal and behavioral skills. While harder to measure, they are important to employers:
- Leadership and team management
- Communication (written and verbal)
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Time management and organization
- Cross-functional collaboration
Important: Soft skills are best demonstrated through your work experience bullets rather than just listed. Instead of writing "excellent communication skills," show it: "Presented quarterly business reviews to C-suite stakeholders across 4 regional offices."
How to Choose Which Skills to Include
Start with the job description
Read the job posting carefully and identify every skill mentioned. Categorize them as required vs. preferred. Your skills section should include as many of the required skills as you genuinely possess.
Be honest
Only list skills you can actually discuss in an interview. Claiming proficiency in a skill you barely know will backfire during technical assessments or interviews. It is better to list fewer skills authentically than to pad your resume with exaggerations.
Prioritize relevance
Your skills section should not be a comprehensive inventory of everything you have ever learned. Focus on skills that are relevant to the target role. A software developer applying for a backend role does not need to list Microsoft Word.
How to Organize Your Skills Section
Group skills by category for readability and ATS compatibility:
Example for a Software Developer:
- Languages: TypeScript, Python, Go, SQL
- Frameworks: React, Next.js, Express, Django
- Cloud & DevOps: AWS (EC2, S3, Lambda), Docker, Kubernetes, GitHub Actions
- Databases: PostgreSQL, Redis, MongoDB
- Tools: Git, Jira, Figma, Postman
Example for a Marketing Professional:
- Digital Marketing: SEO, SEM, Content Marketing, Email Marketing, Social Media
- Analytics: Google Analytics 4, Mixpanel, Data Studio, A/B Testing
- Advertising: Google Ads, Meta Ads Manager, LinkedIn Campaign Manager
- Tools: HubSpot, Mailchimp, Canva, WordPress, Ahrefs
Example for a Fresher / Recent Graduate:
- Programming: Python, Java, C++, HTML/CSS, JavaScript
- Tools: Git, VS Code, MySQL, Jupyter Notebook
- Concepts: Object-Oriented Programming, Data Structures, REST APIs
- Soft Skills: Team Collaboration, Technical Writing, Public Speaking
For more guidance on structuring your first resume, see our guide on the best resume format for freshers.
Skills Section Mistakes to Avoid
- Listing too many skills: A wall of 30+ skills overwhelms the reader and dilutes the ones that matter. Aim for 10 to 20 well-chosen skills.
- Using vague terms: "Computer skills" or "internet savvy" are meaningless. Be specific: "Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, conditional formatting)."
- Not updating for each application: A generic skills section that never changes misses ATS keywords specific to each role.
- Skill rating bars or charts: Visual skill ratings (like 4 out of 5 stars for Python) are not parsed by ATS systems and are subjective. Just list the skill.
- Mixing relevant and irrelevant skills: If you are applying for a data analyst role, your cooking or photography skills do not belong on the resume.
Build Your Skills Section Now
A well-crafted skills section combined with a strong professional summary and the right keywords gives you the best chance of passing ATS screening and impressing recruiters.
EasyResume's free resume builder includes a dedicated skills section that helps you organize your abilities clearly. Every template is ATS-optimized, so your skills are always parsed correctly by automated systems.