Skills That Get You Hired: What to Add to Your Resume in 2025

Jul 11 2025

In 2025, software scans most resumes before a person looks at them. These systems, called ATS, search for keywords from the job description, especially in the skills section. If your resume doesn’t include those terms, it may be skipped. Even if you have the right background, missing details can keep you out of the running. That’s why listing the right skills for resume—in the right place—can make all the difference.

Many people list too many or too few job skills. Some copy generic terms without thinking about what fits the role. But key skills should reflect what the job needs. You don’t need to list everything—just the most important skills that are relevant based on the posting. Add practical ones, like project management or computer skills, and personal ones, like communication or time management. The goal is to help the system pick you up and show the hiring manager you’re a good match.

The Role of Skills in Getting Past Resume Filters

Before most hiring managers even look at your resume, it goes through a system that checks for keywords. These ATS systems are designed to filter out applications that don’t match the job description. One of the first things scanned is your skills section. If it doesn’t reflect the language in the posting, your resume might never make it past this step. That’s why knowing how to match your skills for resume to what the employer wants is essential. However, people often turn to career coaching companies to get this part right, especially when applying in industries where competition is high and the screening is strict.

Even if your resume gets through the first filter, a person still needs to be convinced. Most hiring managers look at the skills section next, often within the first few seconds. They’ll move on if they don’t quickly spot relevant skills that match the job. This doesn’t mean listing every tool you’ve ever used—it means showing that you’ve read the job ad and picked out what’s most important. That’s where many people lose their chance. CraftResumes helps with this exact issue. It’s common to feel stuck when writing about your skills, especially if you’re unsure which ones to keep or where to place them. The service can help you organize your resume to match what employers seek.

Soft Skills vs. Hard Skills: What You Need to Show

Most resumes include both soft skills and hard skills, and both types matter. But they don’t serve the same purpose. Soft skills show how you work with others, manage your time, and handle challenges. Hard skills prove you can do the actual tasks the job requires. A strong resume includes the right mix of hard and soft skills, based on the role’s needs. Soft skills are more about how you think, react, and connect with people. They don’t come from training, but from how you’ve handled real situations—like leading a group or solving problems under pressure. Hard skills are different. You’ve learned these tools and techniques from courses or past jobs. They show you’re ready to take on the day-to-day tasks without much help. Here’s a simple breakdown to keep things clear:

Soft Skills	Hard Skills
Communication skills	Data analysis
Problem-solving skills	Project management skills
Time management	Technical skills (e.g., Excel, Python)
Leadership skills	Marketing skills
Interpersonal skills	Search engine optimization
Active listening skills	Basic computer skills
Work ethic	Presentation skills

Many people have trouble deciding which skills to include and how to list them. Adding too many or leaving out the ones that matter most for the job is easy. A resume can look fine, but still miss key details that hiring managers expect. Some turn to executive resume writing services to avoid these mistakes for help. These services look at your background and the job posting, then guide you on how to showcase your skills effectively and where to place them so they’re easy to spot. This kind of support helps make your resume more focused and more likely to get noticed.

Simple Soft Skills That Make a Difference

Soft skills show how you work with others, manage time, solve problems, and handle changes. Employers check for these traits early because they shape how someone fits into the team and handles pressure. A resume showing soft skills in action has a better chance of moving forward. Here’s a list of key soft skills with simple, useful examples you can include.

Communication skills

Good communication means clearly communicating ideas in writing or speech. It helps avoid confusion and keeps work on track.

Wrote short daily updates for the team to track progress.
Spoke with customers to explain how the service works.

Active listening skills

Listen well to avoid mistakes and build trust. It also shows respect for others and signals that you value their input.

Took notes during calls and used them to complete tasks correctly.
Asked follow-up questions to avoid mistakes in new tasks.
Waited for full client input before replying or making changes.

Interpersonal skills
Get along with others to keep work running smoothly. This includes sharing credit, providing support, and staying calm.

Shared information across departments to keep work on track.
Helped new staff with basic tools and simple tasks.
Kept a steady tone when others disagreed or felt stressed.

Leadership skills
Leadership shows in how you take responsibility, not in your title. It means stepping up, guiding others, and staying organized.

Checked on teammates’ progress and helped where needed.
Made sure all tasks were done before the deadline.

Problem-solving skills
Solving problems is about noticing issues early and taking action. Employers want people who don’t wait to be told what’s wrong.

Noticed that files were named wrong and suggested a clear system.
Fixed a login issue for a client by testing different browsers.

Time management
It means knowing what to focus on and when. It also shows you can handle pressure without rushing.

Set fixed times for emails, meetings, and task work.
Finished five small tasks before noon by following a set routine.
Made a weekly list and crossed off jobs once done.

Work ethic
Work ethic means showing up, finishing your job, and doing what you said you’d do. It builds trust over time.

Took extra tasks during busy periods without being asked.
Met goals for three months straight without delays.

Teamwork
Teamwork means sharing tasks, offering help, and staying focused on group goals. It also means knowing when to lead and when to follow.

Helped a coworker who missed a day by covering half their shift.
Gave short updates in daily huddles, so the team stayed aligned.
Took part in shared tasks without trying to lead or take credit.

Soft skills show how you work with people and handle daily tasks. They help you finish your work, solve problems, and stay organized. Adding short, clear examples of your personal attributes to your resume makes it easier for someone to see how you work. This can help you move forward in hiring, even if others have more experience. Keep your list simple and focus on what you did and why it helped.

Hard Skills That Match the Job Description

Hard skills show what you can do based on training, tools, or past roles. These skills help you finish tasks, use software, or follow the job’s steps. Employers check for them early. You may not get a second look if your resume doesn’t show the right skills. That’s why your list of technical skills depending on the job should match the job description as closely as possible. Here are some common hard skills. They work in different roles and show what kind of work you’ve done.

Project management skills
These help you plan work, assign tasks, and finish things on time.

Used Trello to split work into small steps and track daily tasks.
Created a weekly task list for a 4-person team and followed up every day.
Helped deliver a website update by managing tasks between the design and tech teams.

Computer skills
Most jobs need basic computer use. Some ask for more advanced tools.

Used Excel to list and sort customer data for weekly reports.
Shared files, answered emails, and joined calls using Google Workspace.
Entered order details into a company system with no major errors over six months.

Data analysis
This means looking at numbers and finding what they show.

Pulled product sales data each week and made charts in Excel.
Used Google Analytics to check which pages had traffic drops.

Search engine marketing (SEM)
This is about setting up and improving paid ads in search results.

Built Google Ads campaigns with daily spend limits and basic targeting.
Ran small tests on ad headlines to see which version got more clicks.
Lowered ad costs by changing keyword matches and removing weak ones.

Sales skills
Sales work means knowing the product and helping others decide to buy.

Made phone calls each day and tracked results in a shared sheet.
Reached monthly sales goals in four out of six months.

Marketing skills
Marketing helps share your product or service with the right people.

Wrote weekly emails to promote offers and check who opened them.
Posted updates on social media and tracked comments and likes.
Helped plan a small budget campaign and shared results with the team.

Choosing which hard skills to show on your resume takes more than just listing tools. You need to pick the ones that match the job and prove that you’ve used them. A resume with the right technical skills, project management skills, or data analysis can help you stand out, but only if they’re placed and written well. It’s difficult to know what hard resume skills to include or how to say it clearly. That’s where a banking resume writing service can help. It guides you in picking the most relevant skills, shaping each bullet to fit the job description, and avoiding common mistakes. The result is a resume that shows real work, not just words.

How to Choose the Right Skills for Resume

Not every job needs the same skills. That’s why your resume should always change based on what the role asks for. The best way to do this is to start with the job posting. Read it closely. Look at the job title, the daily tasks, and any tools or systems the company mentions. These give clues about what the employer wants to see on a resume.

Once you know what they’re looking for, think about your work. Pick relevant skills that match the job. If you don’t have every skill listed, that’s fine. In this case, use related abilities from past roles that still fit the job. Then go to your professional experience section and add those skills to your bullet points. This way, you’re not just listing skills—you’re showing how you used them in real work. It also helps your resume pass checks from the software and the hiring manager.

Best Places to Show Your Skills

It’s not enough to list your abilities—you also need to put them where they’re easy to see. Employers often scan resumes, so the layout matters as much as the words. A strong resume shows your skills for resume in the right places, using short and clear points. Here’s how to do that.

Put Skills in a Clear Section: Start with a short skills section. Place it near the top or on the side of your resume. Use bullet points to list your top technical skills and soft skills. Choose only the ones that match the job description.
Use the Summary to Highlight Key Skills: Your summary is one of the first things hiring teams read. Add two or three relevant skills here. Example: “Office assistant with communication skills, time management, and basic computer skills.”
Show Skills Under Each Job: Use your professional experience to prove your skills. Add short bullet points under each job that show what you did. For example: “Used Excel to create weekly reports” or “Solved customer issues by phone and followed up by email.”
Choose the Right Resume Layout: If your resume has two columns, put your skills section in the sidebar. This keeps the page clean. Place skills under the summary or before your work history if it’s one column.
Use a Skills-First Layout if Needed: If you’re switching fields or have a short work history, a functional resume might help. Put your top skills first and group them by type. Add short examples under each one. For example, under project management skills, write “Planned weekly tasks for a 4-person team.”
Explain Key Skills in Your Cover Letter: Your resume lists the skills. Your professional cover letter gives you the chance to explain them. Pick one or two and describe how you used them in a past job. This helps the hiring team see how your skills made a difference.

Your skills should be easy to find and easy to understand. Place them in your skills section, summary, and work history in the right spots. Use short points that show what you did with each skill. Add one or two strong examples in your professional cover letter. This helps the system and the person reading your resume see what you can do and why it fits the job.

Make Your Skills Real with Simple Proof

Employers want to see what you’ve done, not just what you say you’re good at. The best way to do this is to show real tasks, results, or problems you helped solve. Keep your examples short and clear. Focus on what you did, how you did it, and what happened next. Here’s a simple table to help you turn basic skill claims into solid proof:

Skill	Weak Example	Strong Example
Time management	Good at managing time	Finished daily reports before noon for 3 months in a row
Teamwork	Works well in teams	Helped team complete a project two days early by taking extra tasks
Leadership skills	Natural leader	Led 4-person task group and checked progress daily until handoff
Customer service skills	Friendly and helpful	Resolved 15+ support requests per shift with less than 1% repeat calls
Multitasking	Can handle multiple tasks	Answered support calls while tracking open tickets without delay

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Listing Skills

Many people make mistakes when listing skills on a resume. Some add too many, which makes the list feel messy. Others list too few, making it seem like they don’t have enough to offer. A good rule is to include six to ten relevant skills that match the job description. These should also appear in your work history to show how you’ve used them. Keep the list focused and skip anything that doesn’t fit the role.

Another common issue is using vague words. Phrases like “hard worker” or “team player” don’t tell employers much. It’s better to name real skills—like project management, data analysis, or customer service—and show how you’ve used them. Always match your skills to the job. If the role asks for technical skills, list the tools you know. If it’s more about working with people, focus on communication and interpersonal skills. A clear, focused list shows that you understand what the job needs.

Extra Boost: Certifications and Tools That Add Value

If the job description mentions specific systems or software, and you’ve used them, include them. These details help employers see that you’re ready to handle the work. Standard tools often appearing in resumes include Excel, Google Analytics, Canva, and scheduling platforms. If a tool is part of your regular work, showing it under a job with a short example is better. For example: “Created weekly sales reports using Excel.” If you only use the tool occasionally, you can still list it in the skills section, but don’t make it the primary focus. The writers at CraftResumes help match the tools and terms on your resume with the role you’re applying for. They focus on ensuring each skill fits the job and clearly shows your work. This helps you avoid adding things that don’t matter and keeps the resume more focused.

Relevant certifications are also useful when they relate to the job. You can place them in a short block at the bottom, next to your skills section, or as a separate part of the resume if you have more than one. Here are a few examples of certifications that are often used:

Google Analytics Certificate
Microsoft Excel Advanced
HubSpot Email Marketing Certification
Meta Certified Digital Marketing Associate
CPR and First Aid

Each proves that you’ve completed a course or passed a test in a specific area. If you list them, make sure they are up-to-date. Don’t include expired or unrelated certificates. Keep it clear and stick to the ones that match the work you’re applying for.

Highlight Skills Based on Your Industry

Every job needs a different set of skills. A resume that works well in tech won’t look the same as one for education or finance. That’s why adjusting your skills section is important based on the job you’re applying for. This shows the employer that you understand the work and can handle the tools, tasks, and situations that come with it. If you’re unsure how to match your skills to the right field, working with a sales resume writer or a specialist in your industry can help shape your resume in a specific and clear way. Here’s a breakdown of common industries and the skills that matter most in each:

Tech
In tech roles, employers focus on what tools you can use and how well you work with data and systems.

Technical skills include coding, database use, or basic IT tasks.
Data analysis tools help pull reports and find patterns—Excel, SQL, or Power BI are often used.
Computer skills cover day-to-day tasks, like managing files or using support platforms.

Marketing
Marketing teams want people who can plan, write, and measure.

Presentation skills help you explain plans or results to a team or client.
Search engine optimization is used to help websites and content show up in search results. Knowing how to adjust titles, links, and structure is often a must.

Sales
Sales roles depend on people skills and staying on top of daily tasks.

Customer service skills are key when dealing with leads or solving problems quickly.
Communication skills help with writing follow-up emails and making clear calls.
Time management makes handling multiple leads, targets, and updates easier each day.

Education
Working in education means helping others and keeping things on track.

Interpersonal skills help you work with students, parents, and coworkers.
Research skills support lesson planning and working with learning tools.
Professional skills include planning, record keeping, and meeting deadlines or program goals.

Each field values different skills for the job market , so your resume should reflect that. Pick the ones that fit the role and show how you’ve used them in real tasks. A clear, focused skills section helps employers see that you understand and are ready to handle the work. Keep it simple, job-specific, and easy to read.

Quick Template to Show Skills on a Resume

Your skills section should show what you can do and how you work. Use both hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are the tools you’ve used or tasks you know how to do. Soft skills show how you manage time, solve problems, or work with others. Keep the list short—around 6 to 10 skills that fit the job description. Use bullet points to make it easy to read. Here’s a simple layout with clear examples:

Skills

Hard Skills

Project management skills – used Trello to plan weekly tasks and check progress;
Data analysis – created reports in Excel and shared results with team leads;
Search engine optimization – updated website content and tracked keyword rankings;
Technical skills – worked with Excel, Google Analytics, and Canva.

Soft Skills

Time management – finished tasks on time by following a set daily plan;
Communication skills – wrote clear updates and spoke in team meetings;
Problem-solving skills – fixed small issues before they slowed down the team;
Teamwork – helped coworkers during busy hours and shared tasks when needed.

Final Tips to Make Your Skills Count

Before sending your resume, take a minute to check if your skills match the job. Go through the job description and choose words that match your work. Make sure your skills section includes those terms. If you can, add short results or numbers. For example, instead of just writing “data analysis,” say you used Excel to build weekly reports. That makes it more real.

Don’t forget to include transferable skills—things you’ve used in past jobs that still matter, even if the roles were different. Also, your formal education can help support your skill list, especially if you’re new to a field. Go over your resume every time you apply. Change the skills if needed so they match the job better. Keep it short, clear, and easy to read. That gives you a better chance of standing out.