Best Skills for Resume in 2025
Discover the most in-demand skills employers want. Learn which hard skills, soft skills, and technical skills to include on your resume to beat ATS systems and land interviews.
of recruiters scan skills section first
skills is the optimal number for most resumes
of resumes lack industry-specific skills
more likely to get interviewed with right skills
Find Skills for Your Industry
Types of Skills for Your Resume
🔧 Hard Skills (Technical Skills)
Specific, measurable abilities that can be learned through training or education.
Examples:
- • Programming languages (Python, JavaScript, Java)
- • Software proficiency (Excel, Photoshop, Salesforce)
- • Certifications (PMP, Google Analytics, AWS)
- • Technical processes (Data Analysis, SEO, Accounting)
- • Languages (Spanish, Mandarin, French)
🤝 Soft Skills (Interpersonal Skills)
Personal attributes and personality traits that show how you work and interact with others.
Examples:
- • Communication and presentation skills
- • Leadership and team management
- • Problem-solving and critical thinking
- • Adaptability and flexibility
- • Time management and organization
💡 Pro Tip: The Perfect Skills Mix
Most successful resumes include 60% hard skills and 40% soft skills. TalentTuner's AI analyzer scans your skills against job requirements and suggests the perfect balance for your target role.
Analyze My Skills Balance💻 Technology & Software Skills
Programming & Development
Data & Analytics
Design & Creative
🎯 Tech Skills Strategy
Include both the specific tools/languages AND the broader categories. For example: "Python programming for data analysis" covers both the technical skill and its application.
💼 Business & Management Skills
Leadership & Management
- • Team Leadership: Led cross-functional teams of 5-15 members
- • Project Management: PMP certified, Agile/Scrum methodologies
- • Strategic Planning: Long-term business strategy development
- • Change Management: Leading organizational transformations
- • Performance Management: Employee development and coaching
Sales & Marketing
- • Digital Marketing: SEO, SEM, social media advertising
- • Sales Strategy: B2B/B2C sales, consultative selling
- • CRM Management: Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive
- • Market Research: Competitive analysis, customer insights
- • Content Marketing: Blog writing, content strategy
Financial & Operations Skills
Financial
Budget management, financial modeling, forecasting, P&L analysis, cost optimization, financial reporting
Operations
Process improvement, supply chain management, quality assurance, vendor management, logistics coordination
🌟 Universal Skills (Every Industry Needs)
Communication
- • Written communication
- • Public speaking
- • Presentation skills
- • Active listening
- • Cross-cultural communication
Problem-Solving
- • Critical thinking
- • Analytical reasoning
- • Creative problem-solving
- • Decision making
- • Research and investigation
Adaptability
- • Learning agility
- • Flexibility
- • Stress management
- • Change adaptation
- • Continuous improvement
⚠️ Skills to Avoid on Your Resume
These overused skills add no value and waste valuable space:
How to Format Skills on Your Resume
✅ Effective Skills Section
❌ Ineffective Skills Section
Skills Section Best Practices:
🔍 ATS Skills Optimization
ATS systems match skills word-for-word with job descriptions. TalentTuner's AI scanner identifies missing skills from any job posting and shows you exactly how to include them naturally in your resume.
Check My Skills Match →Find Out Which Skills You're Missing
Upload your resume and a job description. Our AI will instantly identify skill gaps and suggest improvements to maximize your interview chances.
Analyze My Skills Now - Free