Best Skills to Put on a Resume in 2026
Your skills section can make or break your resume. Learn which hard skills and soft skills to include, organized by industry, with ATS optimization tips to get past applicant tracking systems.
Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: What's the Difference?
Both types of skills are essential on your resume, but they serve different purposes.
Hard Skills
Technical & teachable abilities
Hard skills are specific, measurable abilities that you learn through education, training, or experience. They are often the keywords ATS systems scan for.
Characteristics:
- Can be measured and tested
- Learned through education or training
- Specific to certain jobs or industries
- Often listed in job requirements
- ATS systems actively search for these
Examples:
Soft Skills
Interpersonal & transferable traits
Soft skills are interpersonal qualities and work habits that determine how well you work with others. They're transferable across any job or industry.
Characteristics:
- Harder to measure but equally valued
- Developed through experience
- Transferable across all industries
- Best demonstrated through examples
- Complement hard skills on a resume
Examples:
Top Resume Skills by Industry
Find the most in-demand skills for your industry. Each list includes both hard skills and essential soft skills that recruiters look for.
Technology
Hard Skills (18)
Essential Soft Skills
Healthcare
Hard Skills (17)
Essential Soft Skills
Finance
Hard Skills (17)
Essential Soft Skills
Marketing
Hard Skills (17)
Essential Soft Skills
Engineering
Hard Skills (17)
Essential Soft Skills
How to Identify the Right Skills for Your Resume
Don't guess which skills to include. Use this step-by-step process to find the perfect skill set for each application.
Analyze the Job Description
Read the posting carefully. Highlight every skill, tool, software, and qualification mentioned. Pay special attention to skills listed in 'Requirements' vs 'Nice to Have.'
Match Your Skills
Compare the job requirements with your actual skills. Only include skills you can confidently discuss in an interview. Use the exact terminology from the job posting.
Research the Industry
Look at 3-5 similar job postings to identify common skills. Industry-standard tools and certifications should always be included if you have them.
Prioritize & Organize
Lead with your strongest and most relevant skills. Group them logically (e.g., 'Technical Skills' and 'Leadership Skills'). Keep the total to 8-15 skills.
How to List Skills on Your Resume (ATS-Optimized)
The way you format and present your skills matters just as much as which skills you choose. Follow these best practices for ATS compatibility.
Create a Dedicated Skills Section
Label it "Skills," "Core Competencies," or "Technical Skills." ATS systems look for these standard headings. Avoid creative names like "My Toolbox" or "What I Bring."
Use a Simple List Format
Bullet points or a comma-separated list work best for ATS. Avoid tables, columns, or graphics — they often break ATS parsing. Keep formatting clean and scannable.
Mirror Job Description Keywords
If the job says "Project Management," write "Project Management" — not "PM" or "managing projects." ATS systems match exact phrases. Include both the acronym and full term when relevant.
Weave Skills into Work Experience
Don't just list skills — demonstrate them in your bullet points. "Managed $1.2M budget using SAP" proves both budgeting and SAP skills. This gives context and boosts ATS keyword density.
Skills Section Example
SKILLS
Technical Skills
Python, JavaScript, React, Node.js, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, AWS (EC2, S3, Lambda), Docker, Kubernetes, Git, CI/CD, REST APIs
Tools & Platforms
Jira, Confluence, GitHub, VS Code, Figma, Postman, Datadog, Terraform
Leadership & Methodology
Agile/Scrum, Cross-Functional Team Leadership, Code Review, Technical Mentoring, System Design
ATS Pro Tips
- Include both "JavaScript" and "JS" — some systems search for either
- Spell out abbreviations at least once (e.g., "Search Engine Optimization (SEO)")
- Don't stuff keywords — only include skills you actually possess
- Repeat important skills in both the Skills section and Work Experience
Build a Skills-Optimized Resume in Minutes
Our AI resume builder automatically suggests the best skills for your target role and formats them for ATS compatibility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Resume Skills
How many skills should I put on my resume?
Aim for 8-15 skills on your resume. Include a mix of hard (technical) and soft skills that are directly relevant to the job you're applying for. Quality matters more than quantity — every skill should match something in the job description or be essential for the role.
Should I list soft skills on my resume?
Yes, but strategically. Instead of just listing generic soft skills like 'team player,' demonstrate them through your work experience bullet points. For example, 'Led a cross-functional team of 12 engineers through an Agile transition' shows leadership and collaboration better than listing them as standalone skills.
How do I know which skills to include for a specific job?
Read the job description carefully and highlight every skill, tool, and qualification mentioned. Match your genuine skills to these requirements and use the same terminology. Use our ATS Score Checker to verify your resume includes the right keywords. Prioritize skills mentioned multiple times in the posting.
Where should I place the skills section on my resume?
Place your skills section after your Professional Summary and before (or after) your Work Experience. If the role is highly technical, put skills right after the summary to catch the recruiter's eye. For senior roles where experience matters more, place skills after your work history.
Explore More Resume Resources
AI Resume Builder
Build your resume with AI assistance
Resume Templates
Browse professional templates
Resume Examples
See real resume samples
ATS Score Checker
Check your resume's ATS score
Resume Format Guide
Choose the right resume format
Resume Objectives
50+ objective examples
Resume Summaries
60+ summary examples
Cover Letter Builder
Create matching cover letters