Skills to Put on a Resume: The Complete Guide with Examples

Your skills section is the most scanned part of your resume by both ATS bots and human recruiters. Getting it right means the difference between an interview and being ignored. But here's the problem: listing skills is just 10% of the battle. The real win comes from proving those skills with specific achievements and that's where most resumes fail.

Our data shows candidates who use our AI Resume Builder create skills sections that get 73% more ATS matches because the builder doesn't just list skills, it automatically generates achievement based bullet points that prove each skill.

How Many Skills to List on a Resume (The Perfect Number)

This is one of the most common questions we get: "How many skills should I include?" The answer depends on your experience level:

• Entry Level (0-3 years): 6-10 skills total
• Mid Career (4-10 years): 8-12 skills total
• Senior/Executive (10+ years): 10-15 skills total

The key is quality over quantity. Our AI Resume Builder automatically selects the optimal number of skills based on your experience and the target role.

Hard Skills vs Soft Skills: What to Include

Hard Skills (Technical & Job-Specific)

These are measurable abilities specific to your field. What skills to put on a resume depends heavily on your industry.

Soft Skills (Interpersonal & Transferable)

These are how you work and interact with others. Good skills to put on a resume often include a mix of both.

• Communication: Presenting, writing, active listening
• Leadership: Team management, mentoring, decision-making
• Problem-solving: Analytical thinking, creativity, troubleshooting
• Adaptability: Flexibility, learning agility, resilience

Computer Skills for Resume: The Essential List

Computer skills for resume sections are non-negotiable in today's digital workplace. Here's how to categorize them:

Basic Computer Skills (Everyone Should Have)

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Email & Calendar Management
• Web Browsing & Research
• File Management

Intermediate Computer Skills

• Advanced Excel (PivotTables, VLOOKUP, Macros)
• Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
• Project Management Software (Asana, Trello, Basecamp)
• CRM Systems (Salesforce, HubSpot)

Advanced/Technical Computer Skills

• Programming Languages (Python, JavaScript, Java)
• Database Management (SQL, MongoDB)
• Cloud Platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
• Data Analysis Tools (Tableau, Power BI, R)

Special Skills for Resume (What Makes You Unique)

Special skills for resume sections can set you apart from other candidates. These include:

Language Skills

• Fluent in Spanish, French, Mandarin, etc.
• Professional proficiency (reading, writing, speaking)

Certifications & Licenses

• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
• Google Analytics Certified
• State-specific professional licenses

Unique Technical Abilities

• Video Editing (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro)
• Graphic Design (Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva)
• Technical Writing
• Public Speaking/Presenting

Where to Put Skills on Your Resume

The placement matters! Here are the optimal strategies:

1. Dedicated Skills Section (Most Common)

A separate section near the top (after summary/objective). Group by category:

2. Integrated Throughout Experience Section

Skills should also appear in your bullet points. Instead of just listing "Project Management" in skills, include: "Managed $500K project using Agile methodology, delivering 15% under budget."

3. Hybrid Approach (Best Practice)

Use a dedicated section for quick scanning, plus integration in bullet points for proof. Our AI Resume Builder automatically implements this best practice.

Should You Customize Skills for Each Job?

Absolutely! Here's why customization matters:

The ATS Matching Game

ATS systems score resumes based on keyword matches. If the job description says "Python" and you have "Programming," you might not get full credit.

How to Customize Efficiently

1. Extract key skills from the job description
2. Match your existing skills to those keywords
3. Add any missing but relevant skills you possess
4. Remove irrelevant skills to save space

Skills to Add to Resume Based on Experience Level

Entry-Level (0-3 years experience)

Focus: Education, internships, projects, transferable skills
What are some skills to put on a resume? Include coursework, academic projects, volunteer work, and soft skills developed in part-time jobs.

Mid-Career (4-10 years experience)

Focus: Specialized skills, leadership, measurable achievements
Skills to add to resume: Industry-specific tools, management experience, budget responsibility, training/mentoring.

Senior/Executive (10+ years experience)

Focus: Strategic leadership, P&L responsibility, organizational impact
Skills to include: Strategic planning, team building, change management, stakeholder relations, financial oversight.

Common Skills Section Mistakes to Avoid

Listing Too Many Skills

Problem: 20+ skills overwhelm the reader and dilute your strongest abilities.
Solution: Limit to 8-15 most relevant skills.

Vague Skill Descriptions

Problem: "Good communication skills"
Solution: Be specific: "Executive presentation skills," "Technical writing," "Cross-functional team communication"

No Proof in Experience Section

Problem: Skills exist in isolation without supporting evidence.
Solution: Every skill should be proven with at least one achievement bullet point.

Outdated Skills

Problem: Listing software no longer used in your industry.
Solution: Keep skills current. Remove anything older than 5-7 years unless still highly relevant.

FAQ: Resume Skills Questions

What are some skills to put on a resume if I'm changing careers?

Answer: Focus on transferable skills like project management, communication, analysis, leadership, and problem-solving. Frame your past experience in terms of these universal abilities.

How do I list skills I'm still learning?

Answer: Use terms like "Familiar with," "Basic knowledge of," or "Currently learning." Be honest about your proficiency level.

Should I include hobbies as skills?

Answer: Only if they're relevant to the job or demonstrate desirable traits. "Competitive chess player" might show strategic thinking for a consulting role.

What if I don't have all the skills listed in the job description?

Answer: Focus on the skills you do have. Many job descriptions are "wish lists." If you have 70%+ of the required skills, apply and emphasize your ability to learn quickly.

The Complete Skills Solution: From List to Interview

Remember: Skills to put on a resume is just the starting point. The real power comes from:

1. Selecting the right skills (8-15 most relevant)
2. Proving each skill with specific achievements
3. Customizing for each job based on the description
4. Optimizing for ATS with the right keywords
5. Presenting professionally for human readers

Our AI Resume Builder handles all five steps automatically, creating interview-winning resumes in minutes instead of hours.

Published on: [Current Date] | Updated to include: how many skills to list, computer skills, special skills, customization strategies | Reading time: 9 minutes