What Skills Should I Put on My Resume, and How Do I List Them?

You should put skills on your resume that match the job you want and that you can prove. The best way to list them is a short, clear skills section near the top, plus examples of those same skills inside your work experience. Recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS) both look for skills, so the words you choose really matter.

Hard skills vs. soft skills: what's the difference?

Most resumes mix two kinds of skills. It helps to know which is which, because you show them in different ways.

Hard skills

Hard skills are specific abilities you can learn, test, or measure. Examples:

• Software and tools: Excel, SQL, Salesforce, Figma, AutoCAD
• Languages: Spanish (fluent), Arabic (native), French (intermediate)
• Technical methods: financial modelling, data analysis, search engine optimization
• Certificates and licences: forklift licence, PMP, first aid certification

Hard skills belong in your skills section. They are also the words an ATS is most likely to scan for.

Soft skills

Soft skills are about how you work with people and handle tasks. Examples are communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management.

Here is the problem: anyone can write "great communicator." It does not prove anything. So instead of only listing soft skills, show them in your bullet points. For example:

• Weak: "Excellent teamwork skills"
• Stronger: "Worked with a 6-person team across 3 time zones to launch a new customer support process"

How do I choose which skills to include?

Do not list every skill you have ever used. Pick the ones that matter for this job.

1. Read the job description closely. Highlight every tool, method, and skill it mentions. Pay extra attention to the "requirements" section.
2. Match honestly. Circle the skills you truly have. Only include a skill if you could answer an interview question about it.
3. Use the employer's exact words. If the posting says "project management," do not write only "managing projects." An ATS may look for the exact phrase.
4. Put the most important skills first. If the job is mainly about data, lead with your data skills.
5. Remove old or obvious skills. Skills like "Microsoft Word" or "email" are expected for most office jobs. They take up space without helping you.

A good target is about 6 to 12 skills in your skills section. That is enough to show range without looking like a keyword list.

How do I format a skills section?

Keep it simple and easy to scan. Recruiters often look at a resume for only a short time, so clarity wins.

Option 1: A simple list

This works for most people:

Skills: Excel (advanced), SQL, Power BI, data cleaning, financial reporting, English (fluent), Portuguese (native)

Option 2: Grouped categories

If you have many skills, group them. This is common for technical roles:

• Technical: Python, SQL, Tableau, Git
• Languages: English (fluent), Hindi (native)
• Certifications: Google Data Analytics Certificate

Formatting tips

• Use plain text. Avoid tables, icons, and graphics in this section, because some ATS software cannot read them.
• Avoid skill "bars" or star ratings. A bar showing "80% Excel" does not tell a recruiter what you can actually do.
• Add a level for languages, such as native, fluent, or intermediate.
• Place the section near the top if you are changing careers or have little experience. Place it after your work experience if your experience is strong.

Where else should skills appear on my resume?

A skills section alone is not enough. The strongest resumes repeat key skills in three places:

• Summary: Mention your top 2–3 skills in your opening lines.
• Skills section: List them clearly.
• Work experience: Prove them with results.

For example, if the job asks for "customer retention," your bullet might say: "Improved customer retention by calling at-risk accounts every month and fixing their top complaints." Use real numbers only if you have them. Never invent results.

This repetition helps in two ways. The ATS sees the keyword more than once, and the human reader sees proof, not just a claim.

Frequently asked questions

How many skills should I put on my resume?

Most people should list around 6 to 12 skills in a dedicated section. Choose the ones that match the job description most closely. Quality matters more than quantity, and a long list can make your resume look unfocused.

Should I include soft skills on my resume?

Yes, but show them rather than just naming them. A bullet point that describes how you solved a problem proves problem-solving better than the word alone. You can list one or two soft skills in your section if the job posting asks for them directly.

Should I lie about skills to pass the ATS?

No. Adding skills you do not have may get you an interview, but you will likely be tested on them. Being caught can cost you the job, even after you are hired. Only list skills you can explain and use.

Should I change my skills section for every job?

Yes, you should adjust it for each application. Different jobs use different keywords, even for similar roles. Small changes, such as reordering skills or using the employer's exact phrases, can make a real difference.

Where do I put language skills on my resume?

You can add them to your skills section or give them their own small "Languages" section. Always include your level, such as native, fluent, or intermediate. For international job seekers, languages can be a strong advantage, so do not hide them.

Make every skills section a match

Changing your skills section for every job takes time, but it is one of the easiest ways to get more interviews. theJoblio.com reads the job description, finds the skills and keywords that matter, and helps you rewrite your resume to match, with a match score so you can see the difference before you apply.