17+ BEST Skills to Add to Your Resume (and How to Place Them)

There are an estimated 5 billion jobs in the world versus a population of 8 billion.

Job markets are competitive, and generally speaking, the better the job the more competition there will be for it.

Many employers get thousands of job applicants for a single job. Given it’s impossible to read through all of them, they use software like applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen them.

They tend to screen resumes for specific keywords, and many candidates who might otherwise be great fits end up being filtered out by not having the right keywords in their resumes.

This article will go over the best skills to add to your resume to help get more job opportunities in 2024.

The skills list goes over what to add to the skills section of your resume skills so you can go from job posting to getting hired.

What Are the Best Resume Skills?

This will depend on what industry you’re in. If you’re in a more technical field, then skills like coding or engineering might be more important.

On the other hand, if you’re in a people-oriented industry like sales or customer service, then skills like communication and interpersonal skills might be more important.

Some skills are universally valued by employers though. These are some of the most important skills to put on your resume:

–Communication: The ability to communicate effectively is one of the most important skills you can have. It’s important to be able to communicate with co-workers, customers, and superiors.

–Problem solving: Employers want employees who can identify problems and come up with solutions. This skill is especially important in fields like customer service and IT.

–Time management: Employers want employees who can manage their time effectively. This skill is important in any field where you will have to juggle multiple tasks at the same time.

–Organizational skills: Employers want employees who are organized and can keep track of multiple tasks at the same time. This skill is important in fields like project management and event planning.

–Leadership: Many employers value leadership skills. This skill is especially important if you’re applying for a managerial position.

–Collaboration: Many employers value teamwork and collaboration. This skill is especially important if you’re applying for a position on a team.

–Creativity: Many employers value creativity. This skill is especially important in fields like marketing and design.

Soft Skills vs. Hard Skills

There are two types of skills: hard skills and soft skills.

Hard skills are specific, measurable, and tangible. They are the skills that you can learn in a classroom or on the job.

Some examples of hard skills include:

-Coding

–Accounting

-Engineering

–Graphic design

Soft skills, on the other hand, are intangible. They are the skills that are more difficult to measure.

Some examples of soft skills include:

-Communication

-Problem solving

-Organizational skills

-Leadership

-Collaboration

-Creativity

While both types of skills are important, employers generally place more emphasis on soft skills than hard skills.

This is because soft skills are more difficult to teach and are more important for long-term success.

For example, most everyone can learn how to code. But it is very hard to change someone’s creativity or communication style.

How to Add Soft Skills and Hard Skills on Resume

How to List Skills on a Resume

Now that you know what skills to put on your resume, you need to know how to list them.

There are a few different ways you can list skills on your resume:

–In the skills section: This is the most common place to list skills on a resume. The skills section is usually located at the top of the resume, below the contact information.

–In the experience section: You can also list skills in the experience section of your resume. For each job, you can list the skills that you used in that particular role.

–In the education section: If you have relevant skills that you acquired through your education, you can list them in the education section of your resume.

–In the interests section: You can also list skills in the interests section of your resume. This is a good place to list skills that are not directly related to your work experience or education.

When listing skills on your resume, it’s important to use bullet points.

This makes your resume easier to read and makes it clear what skills you have.

It’s also important to use action words when describing your skills.

For example, instead of saying “good communication skills,” you could say “able to effectively communicate with co-workers, customers, and superiors.”

How to Include Time Management in Your Resume?

Time management skills are important for any job. Here are some tips on how to include time management in your resume:

–In the skills section: In the skills section of your resume, you can list time management as one of your skills. Be sure to use bullet points and action words when describing your skills.

–In the experience section: In the experience section of your resume, you can describe how you used time management skills in previous roles. For each job, you can list the skills that you used in that particular role.

–In the education section: If you have relevant skills that you acquired through your education, you can list them in the education section of your resume.

–In the interests section: You can also list skills in the interests section of your resume. This is a good place to list skills that are not directly related to your work experience or education.

When listing time management on your resume, it’s important to use bullet points and action words.

This makes your resume easier to read and makes it clear what skills you have. It’s also important to use specific examples of how you’ve used time management skills in previous roles.

For instance, instead of saying “good time mangement skills,” you could say “managed a team of eight in executing the firm’s branding, marketing, and product promotion campaigns.”

Write an Incredible Resume: 5 Golden Rules

How to Include Communication Skills in Your Resume?

Communication skills are important for any job. Here are some tips on how to include communication skills in your resume:

–In the skills section: In the skills section of your resume, you can list communication as one of your skills. Be sure to use bullet points and action words when describing your skills.

–In the experience section: In the experience section of your resume, you can describe how you used communication skills in previous roles. For each job, you can list the skills that you used in that particular role.

–In the education section: If you have relevant skills that you acquired through your education, you can list them in the education section of your resume.

–In the interests section: You can also list skills in the interests section of your resume. This is a good place to list skills that are not directly related to your work experience or education.

It’s also important to use specific examples of how you’ve used communication skills in previous roles.

How to Include Leadership Skills in Your Resume?

Leadership skills are important for any job. Here are some tips on how to include leadership skills in your resume:

–In the skills section: In the skills section of your resume, you can list leadership as one of your skills.

–In the experience section: In the experience section of your resume, you can describe how you used leadership skills in previous roles. For each job, you can list the skills that you used in that particular role.

–In the education section: If you have relevant skills that you acquired through your education, you can list them in the education section of your resume.

–In the interests section: You can also list skills in the interests section of your resume. This is a good place to list skills that are not directly related to your work experience or education.

Self-Motivated and the Ability to Take Initiative

Companies want workers to be able to take initiative.

The boss really shouldn’t want to boss anyone around all day. They don’t gain any leverage from an employee who needs to be micromanaged.

They want to know that you’re the type of person who can take charge when necessary and get the job done without being told what to do every step of the way.

This is a good skill to put on a resume because it shows that you have a strong work ethic and that you’re not afraid of taking on new challenges.

If you’ve taken initiative in your previous roles, be sure to include this information in your resume. You can list it in the skills section, the experience section, or both.

For example, you could say “took initiative to lead projects when my supervisor was unavailable.”

You can show the ability to show initiative by:

• Teaching and mentoring
• Volunteering
• Being decision
• Resolving conflict
• Brainstorming ideas

Ability to Work Independently

Another skill employers look for is the ability to work independently. They want to know that you’re capable of working on your own and that you’re not going to need constant supervision.

This is a good skills to put on a resume because it shows that you’re responsible and that you have the ability to get the job done without someone looking over your shoulder.

If you’ve worked independently in your previous roles, be sure to include this information in your resume. You can list it in the skills section, the experience section, or both.

For example, you could say “worked independently on projects with little to no supervision.”

How to write an incredible resume: 2024 Template Included

Analytical Skills

Employers want workers who are able to think critically and solve problems. They don’t want employees who just follow orders blindly. They want employees who are able to think for themselves and come up with creative solutions to problems.

If you have analytical skills, be sure to include them in your resume. You can list them in the skills section, the experience section, or both.

For example, you could say “used analytical skills to solve complex problems.”

Some examples of analytical skills include:

• Critical thinking
• Problem solving
• Attention to detail
• Research skills
• Data analysis

Adaptability and Flexibility

Employers also want workers who are adaptable and flexible. They want employees who are able to adjust to change and who are willing to try new things.

If you’re the type of person who is adaptable and flexible, be sure to include this information in your resume. You can list it in the skills section, the experience section, or both.

For example, you could say “adapted quickly to changes in the workplace.”

Some examples of situations where you might need to be adaptable and flexible include:

• when there’s a change in the company’s goal
• when there’s a change in management
• when there’s a change in the work schedule
• when there’s a change in the work environment
• the emergence of new trends

Creativity and Innovation

Employers also want workers who are creative and innovative. They want employees who are able to think outside the box and come up with new ideas.

If you’re creative and innovative, be sure to include this information in your resume. You can list it in the skills section, the experience section, or both.

For example, you could say “developed new marketing strategies that increased sales by 30%.”

Some examples of ways you can be creative and innovative include:

• coming up with new ideas
• improving upon existing ideas
• thinking outside the box
• being open to new ideas
• using your imagination
• using mind mapping tools
• performing reframing
• experimenting
• divergent thinking

Collaboration and Teamwork

Employers also want workers who are able to collaborate and work well with others. They want employees who are team players and who are willing to work together to get the job done.

If you’re a good collaborator and team player, be sure to include this information in your resume. You can list it in the skills section, the experience section, or both.

For example, you could say “worked well with others to complete projects on time.”

Some examples of ways you can show that you’re a good collaborator and team player include:

• being a good listener
• being open to others’ ideas
• being willing to compromise
• being able to give and receive constructive criticism
• taking on different roles within the team
• delegate to show efficient division of labor and resources

Foreign language proficiency

If you’re bilingual or multilingual, be sure to include this information in your resume. You can list it in the skills section, the experience section, or both.

For example, you could say “fluent in Spanish and French.”

Some examples of situations where being bilingual or multilingual would be helpful include:

• when you’re working with customers or clients who speak a different language
• when you’re working with co-workers or team members who speak a different language
• when you’re traveling to a country where they speak a different language

Of course, be sure you can actually speak these languages well. If you took Spanish and that was over 10 years ago, it might be a bit hazy. It’s easy to lose a language if you don’t use it.

Related: Best Language Learning Software

Social Media Expertise

About 60% of the world now uses social media. That’s about 5 billion people.

So it’s a big way that companies reach their companies.

They use it to advertise, to do customer service, and to create content.

If you’re good with social media, be sure to include this information in your resume. You can list it in the skills section, the experience section, or both.

Some examples of ways you can show that you’re good with social media include:

• managing social media accounts
• posting updates and content
• monitoring comments and messages
• responding to comments and messages
• moderating forums and groups
• performing customer service
• analyzing data and insights
• creating reports

The above skills are just a few of the skills that you can add to your resume. Be sure to tailor your skills to fit the job you’re applying for. And don’t forget to include other skills that are not listed here. For example, if you’re good at public speaking, be sure to include that in your resume as well.

Project Management Skills

With so many moving parts in a project, it’s no wonder that things can go wrong. That’s why employers value employees who have project management skills.

Project managers are responsible for making sure that a project is completed on time, within budget, and with the desired results.

If you’re good at project management, be sure to include this information in your resume. You can list it in the skills section, the experience section, or both.

Some examples of ways you can show that you’re good at project management skills include:

• developing project plans
• assigning tasks to team members
• tracking progress
• monitoring milestones
• reporting results
• performing quality assurance
• handling changes

Statistical Analysis and Data Mining

With the rise of big data, employers are looking for employees who have skills in statistical analysis and data mining.

These skills are used to collect and analyze data so that it can be used to make decisions.

If you’re good at statistical analysis and data mining, be sure to include this information in your resume. You can list it in the skills section, the experience section, or both.

Some examples of ways you can show that you’re good at statistical analysis and data mining skills include:

• collecting data from various sources
• cleaning and organizing data
• performing exploratory data analysis
• performing statistical analyses
• interpreting results
• communicating results to others

Computer Technology and Programming Languages Skills

With the rise of technology, employers are looking for employees who have skills in computer technology and programming languages.

These skills are used to create and maintain software applications.

If you’re good at computer technology and programming languages, be sure to include this information in your resume. You can list it in the skills section, the experience section, or both.

Some examples of ways you can show that you’re good at computer technology and programming languages skills include:

• writing code
• debugging code
• creating software applications
• maintaining software applications
• testing software applications
• installing software applications
• configuring software applications

SEO/SEM Marketing Skills

With the rise of the internet on a global level, employers are looking for employees who have skills in SEO/SEM marketing.

These skills are used to create and maintain websites that appear at the top of search engine results pages.

If you’re good at SEO/SEM marketing, be sure to include this information in your resume. You can list it in the skills section, the experience section, or both.

Some examples of ways you can show that you’re good at SEO/SEM marketing skills include:

• performing keyword research
• optimizing website content
• building backlinks
• tracking results
• reporting results

Email Marketing Skills

Email marketing has been and still is a huge part of how companies complete sales. Employers are looking for employees who have skills in email marketing.

These skills are used to create and send emails that promote a company’s products or services.

If you’re good at email marketing, be sure to include this information in your resume. You can list it in the skills section, the experience section, or both.

Some examples of ways you can show that you’re good at email marketing skills include:

• creating email campaigns
• designing email templates
• building email lists
• segmenting email lists
• sending emails
• tracking results
• reporting results

Graphic and Web Design

Graphic and web design is important for designing aesthetic-looking and user-friendly websites. Employers are looking for employees who have skills in graphic and web design.

These skills are used to create and maintain websites that are visually appealing and easy to use.

If you’re good at graphic and web design, be sure to include this information in your resume. You can list it in the skills section, the experience section, or both.

Some examples of ways you can show that you’re good at graphic and web design skills include:

• creating website designs
• designing logos
• editing images
• working with HTML/CSS and PHP
• web layout design
• search engine optimization

Resume Skills FAQs

What are the best skills to add to a resume?

The best skills to add to your resume depend on your field of work and the job you’re applying for.

However, some skills that are generally considered good to have include computer skills, communication skills, and organizational skills.

Top Resume Skills

What are the most important skills for a resume?

Some of the most important skills for a resume include computer skills, communication skills, and organizational skills.

However, the most important skills for a resume depend on your field of work and the job you’re applying for.

How do I list my skills on my resume?

You can list your skills in the skills section, the experience section, or both.

Be sure to match your skills with the requirements of the job you’re applying for.

What are your top 3 skills?

This depends on your industry. If you’re in marketing, for example, you could list skills such as SEO/SEM marketing, email marketing, and graphic and web design.

If you’re in sales, you could list skills such as customer service, product knowledge, and sales experience.

How many skills should I list on my resume?

You should list as many skills as are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

However, don’t list so many skills that your resume becomes cluttered.

Resume Tips – Steps to a Perfect Resume

Summary – Top Skills to Add to Your Resume

The follwoing are the key skills you should include on your resume:

• Creativity
• Interpersonal Skills
• Critical Thinking
• Problem Solving
• Public Speaking
• Customer Service Skills
• Teamwork Skills
• Communication Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Computer Skills
• Foreign Language Skills
• Writing Skills

Your resume skills should be a mix of hard skills and soft skills.

Be sure to list skills that are relevant to the job you’re applying for.

If you’re not sure which skills to include, look at the job listing and see what skills are required or preferred. Doing custom resumes for each job posting takes more time, but enhances your odds of success.

You can also ask friends or family members for their opinion.