The Best Skills to Put on a Resume
Updated June 2026 · 6 min read
Recruiters and ATS scan your skills section first to check fit. The trick is to list the right mix of hard and soft skills — pulled directly from the job description — without turning it into a meaningless word cloud.
Hard skills vs soft skills
Hard skills are measurable and teachable (Python, SQL, financial modelling). Soft skills are how you work (communication, leadership, problem-solving). You need both, but hard skills usually carry more weight in ATS matching.
How to choose which skills to list
- •Open the job description and highlight every required skill.
- •List the ones you genuinely have, using the same wording.
- •Group them: Languages, Frameworks, Tools, Soft skills.
- •Prove the top ones in your experience bullets too.
Example skills by role
- •Software engineer: JavaScript, React, Node.js, SQL, Git, system design
- •Data analyst: SQL, Python, Excel, Tableau, statistics, data storytelling
- •Product manager: roadmapping, user research, A/B testing, SQL, stakeholder management
- •Marketing: SEO, Google Analytics, content strategy, paid ads, copywriting
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Start freeFrequently asked questions
How many skills should I list?
Around 8–12 relevant skills is plenty. Prioritise the ones in the job description and that you can back up in interviews.
Should I rate my skill levels?
Usually no — self-rated bars are subjective and waste space. Instead, prove your level through achievements in your experience section.