101 Essential Skills to Put on a Resume in 2024 [For Most Jobs]

What Are the Different Types of Skills?

Skills are the various abilities and attributes that you bring to the table when you’re applying for a job.

Your skills can be your ability to do a specific task or solve a problem with some level of proficiency, and they’re typically divided into hard skills and soft skills.

If you want to create an effective resume that catches the hiring manager’s attention, you need to mention both hard and soft skills.

Let’s break down what each means:

Hard Skills

Hard skills involve the technical knowledge or know-how one can gain through experience, training, or education. 

While hard skills are essential for completing tasks in just about any job, they’re also teachable and easily measurable. 

For example: 

• Machinery skills. Some fields require operating specialized machinery or equipment. (E.g., operating a road roller, pallet-stalker, forklift, or others.)
• Software skills. Depending on the field, you need to know how to use different software, such as the Adobe Creative Suite for designers or the Ableton Live Suite if you’re a DJ.
• Tools. If you’re a digital marketer, you’ll need to know how to use tools like Stethoscope, Google Search Console, Google Analytics, Ahrefs, and SEMrush.
• Languages. Being able to communicate in more than one language is an extremely useful skill. The more customers or teams you can communicate with, the more valuable you are as an employee. Some of the most sought-after languages today include German, Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic.
• Computer skills. Most jobs will require that you have at least some basic computer knowledge in MS Office and G-Suite, emailing, and presentations. If you’re a web developer, your hard skills will likely include more specialized software knowledge or proficiency in coding languages such as Python, C++, or PHP.
• Techniques. Different specialized techniques you’ve learned can be listed as individual skills. (E.g.: frequency analysis, crystallization, gamification, or even CPR and first aid.)
• Mathematics. A lot of professions, such as accounting and finance, require mathematical skills. If you’re applying for a position in a field that uses advanced mathematics, such as a research assistant, you should be more specific with the types of mathematical skills you have. (E.g.: statistics, trigonometry, calculus, algebra, etc.)
• Data analysis. Businesses are always looking for professionals who can gather and analyze data for various stakeholders and help make strategic decisions, making different types of data analysis a very in-demand hard skill.

…so, just about any field-specific skill is a hard skill you can list on your resume.

Soft Skills

The attributes and habits that describe how you work individually or with others are known as soft skills.

Generally speaking, soft skills aren’t job-specific, so they’re transferable skills that indirectly help you adapt to the work environment and company culture. 

Some examples of the most in-demand soft skills include: 

1. Time management
2. Communication
3. Adaptability
4. Problem-solving
5. Teamwork
6. Creativity
7. Leadership
8. Interpersonal skills
9. Work ethic
10. Attention to detail
11. Emotional intelligence
12. Conflict resolution
13. Stress management
14. Critical thinking
15. Organization
16. Openness

Soft skills are essential for just about any job out there.

While some soft skills can be critical to doing your job well, such as communication with a customer support representative, others ensure that you get along with your coworkers and foster a positive work environment.

Like hard skills, you can also learn how to develop soft skills, but it’s significantly harder. 

While you can acquire computer skills through a technical course, you’ll need to put in a lot more effort to develop your communication skills. 

For example, you would need to practice active listening in the workplace, learn how to notice nonverbal cues and practice your oral communication skills as much as possible to improve.

What’s the Difference Between Hard Skills and Soft Skills?

There are three main differences between hard skills and soft skills.

1. How you obtain them. You can obtain hard skills through work experience, education, training, and certifications. Soft skills, on the other hand, can be gained through life experience, both in and out of work.
2. How you use them. While you apply hard skills directly to the job, soft skills usually come into play indirectly and may often complement your hard skills. For example, you may be a communicative marketer or an office manager with great leadership qualities.
3. How you list them. Hard skills and soft skills should be listed separately on your resume, but unlike soft skills, hard skills can include your level of proficiency. You can say you’re an advanced user of Adobe Photoshop, but you can’t measure how creative you are in the same way.

When it comes to your employability, both sets of skills are crucial for your resume.

If a hiring manager is on the fence about two candidates with the same hard skills, it’s the soft skills that are going to tip the scales in someone’s favor.

Why Should You List Skills on Your Resume?

The skills section is one of the two most important resume sections, with the other being your work experience.

In fact, 41% of hiring managers notice skills on your resume first.

Let’s look at an example of a well-written skill section:

At first glance, listing some skills on your resume looks easy.

In reality, though, putting skills on your resume the right way is a bit more nuanced than that, and here’s why:

Most companies nowadays use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to help them go through the hundreds and thousands of resumes they receive every day.

This software scans your resume for keywords relevant to the job you’re applying for, and if it doesn’t find them, the ATS automatically rejects your resume.

For example, let’s say you’re applying for a job as a software engineer, and the job requires an expert level of proficiency in Javascript.

If you focus on other programming languages and don’t mention Java as a skill on your resume, the ATS will probably discard it immediately.

Resume statistics show that nearly 75% of resumes are rejected at this first screening stage, and they never make it to a hiring manager.

But let’s assume the company doesn’t use an ATS, and your resume ends up on a hiring manager’s desk.

There’s a good chance the hiring manager is only going to skim through your resume in less than six seconds, looking for the right set of skills.

So, regardless of whether you’ll need to breeze past the ATS or the hiring manager, you have to mention the right skills.

How to List Skills on a Resume (And Stand Out)

Now that you have a clear understanding of how important skills are, let’s talk about how you should list them on your resume.

We’ve divided the process into a step-by-step guide you can follow, starting with:

#1. Tailor Your Skills to the Job

The key to an effective skills section is making sure the skills you list are relevant to the job.

For example, if you’re applying for a job as a backend developer, the customer service skills you gained working as a server during college don’t belong on your resume.

So, only list skills that are useful for the job you are applying for.

Start by thoroughly reading the job advertisement to find out what skills to include on your resume.

Job ads usually list a set of requirements or skills they expect from candidates. Take note of which skills and experiences you have, and remember to write them down on your resume.

Let’s look at an example of a job ad for a line cook position in a restaurant:

From this job description, we can see that the restaurant is looking for someone who:

• Is committed to excellence and is highly professional
• Works well under supervision and as part of a team
• Has experience working in a fast-paced kitchen environment
• Pays great attention to detail when it comes to cooking and presentation

Based on this, some of the skills you should definitely mention in your resume include:

• Culinary Expertise
• Food Preparation
• Knife Skills
• Plating Techniques
• Time Management
• Attention to Detail
• Safety and Sanitation
• Teamwork
• Stress Management
• Communication

#2. Create a Skills Section

Once you’ve identified all the right skills to add to your resume, create a dedicated “Skills” section to list them under.

A dedicated section will help you pass the ATS, and it makes it easier for hiring managers to find the skills they’re looking for.

Here’s an example of what a skills section can look like on a resume:

We recommend keeping your resume skills section somewhere near the top of the page so that the hiring manager can see it quickly. Usually, they should go either next to or after the work experience section, depending on your resume layout.

Next, here are a few tips you should keep in mind when listing your skills:

• Be specific. “Verbal and written communication” sounds significantly better than just “communication.” 
• Sort your skills by relevance. Order your skills based on how crucial they are for the role. The more important skills should go at the top, and the nice-to-have ones should go after them.
• Format skills accordingly. Not everyone has dozens of skills they can show off on their resume, and that’s okay. If you don’t have a lot of skills, you can list both your hard and soft skills in a single section, just like the example we used above.
• Don’t lie or exaggerate. If you don’t have one of the required skills for the role or you’re not very experienced, just be honest. It goes without saying that you should never lie about what you can do. The employer will find out you lied eventually, your professional reputation will bear the consequences, and you could even lose your job.

#3. Match Each Skill With Your Proficiency Level

While some skills are hard to measure, others can be put on a proficiency scale.

We recommend only using a proficiency scale for some hard skills, such as specific tools or software programs. Soft skills are difficult to measure objectively, so there’s no point in putting them on a scale.

Here’s how to show your proficiency level:

• Beginner. You are just starting to learn this skill, or you haven’t practiced the skill through experience. This usually applies to students with no experience who only understand concepts through theories or classroom experience.
• Intermediate. You have applied this skill in practice, and you rarely need help with it, but you still have room to grow.
• Advanced. At this level, you know your stuff. You don’t need help with this skill anymore, and you can teach beginners how to use it.
• Expert. You’re a recognized authority when it comes to this skill, and you’re the go-to person if anyone has any questions.

#4. Back-Up Your Skills in Other Resume Sections

Only listing your skills in their dedicated section will get you so far. After all, everyone else is doing the exact same thing. 

If you want to take your resume from good to great, you need your most critical skills to make an impression from the get-go.

This is where the resume headline and work experience sections come in.

Resume Headline

Your resume headline can be either a resume summary or a resume objective.

The resume summary is a short, two to four-sentence-long paragraph that summarizes your resume. When done right, it shows the hiring manager your strongest selling points as a candidate right from the start.

Here’s an example in action:

But if you don’t have a lot of experience, you can use a resume objective instead.

The resume objective is a two to three-sentence statement of your career intent that goes at the top of your resume. It can include a snapshot of your professional experience, skills, achievements, and professional goals.

Here’s what it looks like:

Both the resume summary and resume objective go at the top of your resume, either before or after your contact information section.

Regardless of which resume headline you go for, the goal of this section is to pique the hiring manager’s curiosity and make them want to read your whole resume. You should always add one or two of the most necessary skills from the job description here.

Work Experience

Once you’ve mentioned some of your top skills in your resume headline, you have to prove you actually have them.

The best way to do that is by listing some impressive achievements in your work experience section and explaining how your skills helped you.

Let’s look at what the work experience section could look like for the data entry specialist from our resume summary example:

Hobbies and Interests

Another section where you can back up your skills is your hobbies and interests section.

If you have leftover space on your resume, you can use this optional section to list a couple of hobbies or areas of interest that relate to your skills.

For example, let’s say you’re applying for a job as a writer, and the ad says you need to be creative, collaborative, and familiar with pop culture.

In that case, if one of your hobbies is playing a popular tabletop role-playing game with your friends, like Dungeons and Dragons, make sure to list it.

A hobby like that shows that you are genuinely creative, like writing for fun, and are capable of organizing with multiple people for a mutual goal.

#5. Put Transferable Skills to Use 

If you’re looking for your first job or if you’re making a career change, transferable skills are something you should make use of.

Transferable skills are skills that aren’t directly related to the job you are applying for, but they’re still useful and likely relevant for most jobs.

For example, if you're writing a career change resume and you’re going from a role as a sales associate to a copywriter, there are several transferable skills you can list on your resume.

Some of them include:

• Written communication. Both roles involve communicating through text. A salesperson needs to send cold outreach emails, while a copywriter has to write newsletter emails.
• Persuasion. A copywriter needs to create copy that drives sales, while a salesperson needs to be persuasive in person.
• Computer skills. Both jobs require some degree of computer literacy. For a salesperson, that might mean using Customer Management Software, while for a copywriter, that’s publishing content online.

12 Best Skills to Put on Any Resume

Now that you know how to put skills on your resume, it’s time to talk about which skills you should add.

Every profession requires some role-specific hard skills. For example, a photographer needs to know how to use photo editing software like Photoshop. 

But when it comes to soft skills, a lot of them are universal across different industries.

Soft skills are the skills that define your approach to work, how well you cooperate with others, and if you can fit into a company’s culture.

And while the right soft skills for a job may be harder to point out, they’re just as essential in today’s job market. In fact, 93% of employers say that soft skills play a critical role in the hiring decision.

There are very few, if any, jobs out there that don’t require at least some level of communication skills.

So, let’s look at some of the most highly valued skills for any resume:

#1. Communication skills

Whether you’re a writer who needs to communicate a message to your readers, a marketing specialist who needs to communicate an advertising campaign to your client, or an employee who needs to communicate with a coworker to complete a task, communication skills are vital. 

Communication is a multi-faceted skill that includes several skills, such as: 

• Oral and written communication
• Non-verbal communication
• Active Listening
• Presentation
• Public-speaking
• Negotiation
• Persuasion
• Feedback
• Discussion

#2. Problem-Solving

Problem-solving means you’re able to identify problems, find the root cause behind them, and come up with creative solutions.

Considering there isn’t a single job where you won’t face problems in one way or another, problem-solving skills are a great asset to have.

Throughout your career, you might have to troubleshoot technical glitches, resolve customer complaints, streamline processes, or drive strategic initiatives. In any of these cases, strong problem-solving skills will be crucial to your success. 

But problem-solving is a broad set of skills that can include:

• Analytical thinking
• Root cause analysis
• Data gathering and evaluation
• Creative thinking
• Decision making
• Strategic planning
• Risk assessment and management

Whether you’re an IT professional debugging code or a manager implementing operational improvements, problem-solving skills let you tackle challenges head-on.

#3. Conflict Resolution

When working with diverse groups, disagreements are bound to happen. So, having the skills to resolve conflicts in a constructive manner is extremely valuable in any organization.

Conflict resolution skills are essential for managers addressing performance issues, HR professionals mediating workplace disputes, sales teams negotiating contracts, or coworkers with clashing personalities.

This multifaceted skill involves:

• Impartiality and objectivity
• Emotional intelligence
• Assertive communication
• Creative problem-solving
• Persuasion and influence
• Patience and composure

#4. Computer Literacy

Over 70% of jobs require medium-to-high-level digital skills.  

This means that computer and technical skills are priceless assets, even if your job isn’t centered around technology. So, computer skills are almost always a great addition to any resume.

Here are some valuable computer skills for every professional: 

• Office suites (MS Office, iWork)
• Social media
• Database management
• Web (Internet savviness, basic HTML, CMS)
• Troubleshooting
• Equipment installation and configuration
• Fast Typing

#5. Research

Effective research abilities are essential for making informed decisions and driving successful outcomes across any industry.

Whether you’re conducting market research to identify consumer needs, gathering data to explore a scientific hypothesis, or investigating to build a legal case, strong research skills are invaluable.

Some research skills include:

• Finding credible sources
• Evaluating information objectively
• Organizing data
• Identifying patterns
• Documenting and reporting findings

#6. Teamwork

Teamwork skills enable you to work effectively with others towards a common goal.

Since teams tend to drive most major projects and workplace initiatives, learning how to work well with others is essential to most jobs. You might be part of a project team, a committee, or just coordinate across departments someday.

What you need for strong teamwork skills is:

• Communication
• Active listening
• Reliability
• Flexibility
• Conflict resolution
• Emotional intelligence
• Motivating others

#7. Project Management

Project management skills are usually associated with dedicated project manager roles, but in reality, that's not usually the case. Any type of professional can benefit from strong project management skills.

In a nutshell, project management skills involve being able to effectively handle resources, timelines, deliverables, and processes for driving projects to successful completion.

Here are some of the most in-demand project management skills:

• Resource allocation and management
• Project planning and scheduling
• Risk identification and mitigation
• Logistics and coordination
• Action planning
• Task planning and prioritization
• Stakeholder management

#8. Leadership

Leadership includes both the ability to manage and inspire others. Managers are not always great leaders, but leaders almost always make good managers. 

People who are good at leading are emotionally intelligent, good communicators, and natural-born influencers. They can motivate others to reach their full potential and work together towards common goals. This makes leadership another great skill to have for many professions out there. 

Some important soft skills related to leadership include:

• Relationship-building
• Motivation
• Creativity
• Commitment
• Strategic thinking
• Coaching

#9. Organization

Organizational skills are a set of soft skills that help you keep track of information, materials, and even your time in such a way that you can tackle short and long-term tasks efficiently.

Organizational skills are among the top skills recruiters are looking for in 2022, primarily because they help employees be more productive, save companies time and money, and facilitate a more positive work environment. 

Here is what organizational skills consist of: 

• Physical organization
• Planning
• Scheduling
• Prioritization
• Goal setting

#10. Time Management

Time management is the ability to effectively prioritize and organize your tasks and responsibilities.

Needless to say, it’s a crucial skill in nearly every job, since being able to manage your time well allows you to increase productivity, meet deadlines, and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Time management includes:

• Task prioritization and planning
• Goal setting
• Scheduling
• Task delegation
• Focusing
• Avoiding and Ignoring distractions
• Adapting to changing priorities
• Stress management

#11. Customer Service

A lot of the jobs out there involve dealing with customers. 

From customer support representatives to cashiers, customer service skills are a great asset to have in 2024. Particularly, that’s because it encompasses a number of other valuable skills, such as:

• Persuasion skills
• Positivity
• Product knowledge
• Adaptability
• Attention to detail

#12. Networking

Networking skills refer to how well you can build professional relationships and connections.

It goes without saying that they're extremely useful for roles like sales, business development, or entrepreneurship, as a lot of the work involves meeting and engaging new people.

However, these skills are also useful for roles where you don't expect to rely on professional networking as much.

Take, for example, project managers. To be really effective, they need to:

• Understand the needs of stakeholders
• Collaborate with various teams across the organization
• Build rapport with people at all levels

Just like most other skills on our list, networking skills are multi-faceted. They include:

• Respect
• Confidence
• Interpersonal skills
• Empathy
• Openness

400 Must-Have Skills for Different Professions

Still not sure which skills to mention in your resume? We’ve got you covered.

We compiled a list of some of the most relevant skills on the market in 2024, for all sorts of different fields!

If you happen to possess some of these skills, make sure to mention them in your resume. If not, it’s never too late to learn something new!

#1. Retail and Sales Skills

Retail and sales are at the heart of successful business interactions.

Despite the rise of technology, the essence of sales hasn’t changed much. People still need contact with each other, and even with channels of communication becoming digital, communication skills and empathy still take top priority in this industry.

So, here’s a list of must-have skills for salespeople and retail workers:

1. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
2. Cold-calling
3. Negotiation
4. Merchandising
5. Product demonstration
6. Public speaking
7. Inventory management
8. Closing
9. Lead generation
10. Buyer-Responsive selling
11. Buyer engagement
12. Product knowledge
13. Persuasion
14. Point of Sale (POS) proficiency
15. Effective communication and sociability
16. Empathy
17. Social media and digital communication
18. Teamwork
19. Time management
20. Conflict resolution
21. Listening skills
22. Personalized selling
23. Service-based selling
24. Problem-solving
25. Patience
26. Follow-up techniques
27. Up-selling and cross-selling
28. Knowledge of return and exchange policies
29. Organizational skills
30. Multitasking capabilities

#2. Customer Service Skills

Customer service requires a specialized skill set centered around excellent communication and problem-solving. Success in this field relies on effectively managing various communication platforms and maintaining customer satisfaction through attentive service.

Some skills crucial for any customer service representative include:

1. Conflict resolution
2. Active listening
3. Telephone etiquette
4. Data entry proficiency
5. Customer needs assessment
6. Crisis management
7. Multitasking
8. Time management
9. Empathy
10. Patience
11. Persuasion
12. Ticket tracking systems
13. Scripted responses
14. Technical troubleshooting
15. Product knowledge
16. Complaint resolution
17. Record-keeping
18. Stress management
19. Team collaboration
20. Adaptability
21. Decision making
22. Understanding of privacy and confidentiality
23. Customer education techniques
24. Feedback collection
25. Call center operations
26. Email Etiquette
27. Live chat management
28. Help desk support
29. Client retention strategies
30. Cultural sensitivity

#3. Hospitality Skills

Hospitality is all about making guests feel welcome and appreciated, no matter the setting - whether it’s a bustling hotel, a serene resort, or a cruise ship. Professionals in this field need to create memorable experiences for guests by providing impeccable service and making sure their every need is met with a smile.

Some of the most sought-after hospitality skills are:

1. Customer service excellence
2. Effective communication
3. Foreign languages
4. Problem-solving
5. Flexibility
6. Time management
7. Organizational skills
8. Attention to detail
9. Reservation management
10. Event planning
11. Specialized software proficiency
12. Front desk operations
13. Tour and activity coordination
14. Guest Relations
15. Guest information management
16. Concierge services
17. Cashiering
18. Conflict resolution
19. Cultural sensitivity
20. Personalized guest experiences
21. Safety and security protocols
22. Marketing and upselling
23. Teamwork
24. Health and hygiene standards
25. Loyalty programs management
26. Quality control
27. Emergency response handling
28. Environmental sustainability practices
29. CPR
30. Check-in and check-out procedures

#4. Food and Beverage Skills

The food and beverage industry is one of the most dynamic and fast-paced environments you can work in. Here, professionals have to continually adapt to customers’ changing preferences, stay updated on culinary trends, and provide exceptional service.

Here are some skills that would look great on any food and beverage worker's resume:

1. Menu planning and design
2. Recipe development
3. Food safety and hygiene
4. Culinary arts
5. Plate presentation
6. Portion control
7. Inventory management
8. Cost control and budgeting
9. Wine pairing
10. Bartending
11. Beverage service
12. Detailed menu knowledge
13. Customer service excellence
14. Order taking and processing
15. Table setting and arrangement
16. Conflict resolution
17. Food preparation techniques
18. Dietary restrictions and allergen awareness
19. Staff training
20. Quality assurance
21. Health and safety regulations compliance
22. Event catering management
23. Customer feedback management
24. Upselling techniques
25. Point of sale (POS) system operation
26. Kitchen equipment operation and maintenance
27. Scheduling
28. Organizational skills
29. Communication skills
30. Teamwork

#5. Marketing and Advertising Skills

With new technologies developing faster than ever, it’s essential to move beyond the basics of traditional marketing and advertising to succeed in the industry. New skills keep popping up, and even the biggest marketing executives out there need to stay up to date on the latest developments.

So, here are some  of the most important marketing and advertising skills for any level:

1. Data analysis
2. Web analytics 
3. SEO/SEM
4. HTML & CSS
5. WordPress
6. Email marketing
7. Web scraping
8. CRO and A/B testing
9. Data visualization
10. Pattern-finding through critical thinking
11. Project/campaign management
12. Social media and mobile marketing 
13. Paid social media advertisements
14. B2B Marketing
15. The four P-s of Marketing
16. Consumer Behavior Drivers
17. Brand management
18. Creativity
19. Copywriting
20. Storytelling
21. Sales
22. CMS Tools
23. Digital advertising
24. Multichannel marketing
25. Public relations
26. Content strategy
27. Market research
28. Budget management
29. Compliance and legal considerations
30. Affiliate marketing

#6. Administrative Skills

If you work in an office setting, there are some skills you should know, regardless of your job. Whether you’re a secretary, office manager, or executive assistant, you can put these skills on your resume.

Some basic administrative skills include:

1. Microsoft Office
2. Google Suite
3. Filing and paper management
4. Data entry
5. Bookkeeping
6. Research and data analysis
7. Office management
8. Technical writing
9. Cloud networking and file sharing
10. Time management
11. Organizational skills
12. Prioritization and task management
13. Communication skills
14. Customer service skills
15. Meeting planning and coordination
16. Event management
17. Travel management
18. Inventory management
19. Document preparation
20. Confidentiality and data protection
21. Minute taking
22. Report generation
23. Multitasking capabilities
24. Problem-solving skills
25. Calendar management
26. Expense reports
27. Reception duties
28. Correspondence handling
29. Presentation skills
30. Project management skills

#7. Human Resources Skills

Human Resources is a field that needs a strategic blend of soft and hard skills.

HR specialists are essential for managing diverse workforce needs and enhancing employee and company productivity in the long run.

Here are some examples of HR skills that always come in handy:

1. Emotional Intelligence
2. Stress management
3. Motivation techniques
4. Task delegation
5. Technological savviness
6. People management
7. Business development
8. Strategic management
9. Negotiation skills
10. Planning
11. Recruitment and selection
12. Training and development
13. Performance management
14. Knowledge of compensation and benefits
15. Employee relations
16. Labor law compliance
17. Organizational skills
18. Succession planning
19. HR analytics
20. Diversity and inclusion initiatives
21. Conflict resolution
22. Change management
23. Employee engagement strategies
24. Workplace safety
25. Talent acquisition strategies
26. Policy formulation and implementation
27. Employee counseling and support
28. HR information systems (HRIS)
29. Problem-solving
30. Cross-cultural communication

#8. Business Skills

Business professionals are increasingly vital to organizations since they offer operational support and strategic insights that can drive growth.

Experts in the business industry need a broad set of skills to analyze trends, optimize processes, and predict future outcomes so their companies remain competitive and responsive to changes in the market.

Here are some examples of skills any business professional could add to their resume:

1. Strategic planning
2. Financial forecasting
3. Budget management
4. Profit and loss management
5. Market analysis
6. Trend identification
7. Competitive analysis
8. Risk management
9. Project management
10. Operations management
11. Leadership and team building
12. Stakeholder engagement
13. Negotiation
14. Supply chain management
15. CRM software proficiency
16. ERP systems
17. Change management
18. Business reporting
19. Compliance and ethics
20. Sales and marketing strategies
21. Customer service
22. Business writing
23. Presentation skills
24. Data visualization
25. Analytical reasoning
26. Cloud computing
27. E-commerce management
28. Social media strategy
29. Digital marketing
30. Innovation management

#9. Finance and Accounting Skills

The days of filing financial data and taxes by hand are long behind us, and now there are countless digital platforms and apps you can use instead.

So, it goes without saying that anyone working in finance or accounting should be familiar with the most popular skills and tools in the industry.

Some examples include:

1. Microsoft Excel
2. Enterprise Resource Planning 
3. Big Data Analysis
4. SQL
5. Know Your Customers (KYC)
6. Cognos Analytics (IBM)
7. Visual Basic
8. Accounting Software
9. Revenue recognition
10. Anti-money laundering
11. Clear communication
12. General business knowledge
13. Numerical competence
14. Accuracy
15. Attention to detail
16. Financial reporting
17. Cost accounting
18. Tax preparation and planning
19. Financial modeling
20. Risk management
21. Investment analysis
22. Credit analysis
23. Cash flow management
24. Portfolio management
25. Compliance and regulatory management
26. Audit coordination
27. Strategic planning
28. Project financing
29. Mergers and acquisitions
30. Financial forecasting

#10. IT Skills

New technology is popping up every other day, and that’s a great reason for anyone working in IT to keep their skills updated.

That said, if you are proficient in a programming language or two, you pretty much have a leg up on the competition.

Here’s a list of some of the most useful skills for any IT professional out there:

1. Programming languages (Python, Java, C#)
2. Web development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
3. Frameworks (React, Angular, Vue.js)
4. Mobile app development (iOS, Android)
5. Database management (SQL, NoSQL)
6. Cloud computing services (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
7. DevOps practices (CI/CD, automation)
8. Containerization technologies (Docker, Kubernetes)
9. Network security protocols
10. Cybersecurity best practices
11. Data analysis and visualization
12. Machine learning and AI algorithms
13. Version control systems (Git, SVN)
14. Agile and Scrum methodologies
15. Software testing and debugging
16. System architecture design
17. API design and development
18. Performance optimization
19. IT project management
20. IT support and troubleshooting
21. Operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux)
22. Scripting (Bash, PowerShell)
23. IT infrastructure management
24. Virtualization technologies
25. IT compliance and governance
26. UX/UI design principles
27. SEO and web analytics
28. Blockchain technology
29. Communication skills
30. Problem-solving skills

#11. Nursing and Healthcare Skills

More than any other profession, healthcare professionals need to stay updated on the latest technologies, medicines, and techniques.

While the skills a registered nurse or other healthcare professional needs are countless and can be extremely specific to their specialization, the most basic skills boil down to:

1. Mathematics
2. CPR
3. Paperwork/record-keeping abilities
4. Compassion
5. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
6. Telemetry
7. Attention to detail
8. Physical endurance 
9. Acute care
10. Infection control
11. Surgery preparation
12. Medication administration
13. Emergency room care
14. Psychiatric support
15. Geriatric health
16. Pediatric nursing
17. Oncology knowledge
18. Patient education
19. Medical software proficiency
20. Phlebotomy skills
21. Vital signs monitoring
22. Wound care
23. Palliative care
24. Obstetric and neonatal care
25. Medical terminology
26. Ethical decision-making
27. Leadership
28. Team coordination
29. Stress management
30. Cultural competency

#12. Art and Design Skills

Today, knowing the basics of art and design isn’t enough. To get hired as part of a creative team, be it as a designer or illustrator, you need to know how to create content with different tools and for different channels, like the web and social media.

Some of the most important art and design skills for your resume include:

1. Graphic design
2. Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop)
3. Dreamweaver
4. Infographics
5. Web and app development (HTML, CSS, UX/UI)
6. Photo Editing 
7. Typography (spacing, line height, layout, choosing fonts)
8. Storyboarding
9. Targeting and marketing through visual communications
10. Logo creation
11. Digital printing
12. Integration of visual communication in social media platforms
13. Creativity
14. Attention to detail and aesthetics
15. Interactive media design
16. Color sense and theory
17. Ad design
18. Active listening
19. 3D modeling and animation (Blender, Autodesk Maya)
20. Video editing (Adobe Premiere, Final Cut Pro)
21. Motion graphics (Adobe After Effects)
22. Print design
23. Packaging design
24. Branding and identity design
25. Environmental graphic design
26. Exhibition design
27. Illustration
28. Sketching and conceptual visualization
29. User interface design
30. User experience design
31. Prototyping (digital and physical)
32. Content management systems (WordPress)
33. Accessibility standards for design
34. Composition
35. Crafting and use of traditional media
36. Project management
37. Client relations and communication
38. Data visualization
39. Augmented reality (AR) design
40. Virtual reality (VR) design

#13. Education Skills

You might have three PhDs and still struggle to get the latest educational programs to work in front of your classroom. You’re likely missing some crucial skills for your field.

Teaching methods have evolved, and so have the skills you need to be a teacher or professor at the top of your game. So, here are some essential skills if you want to work in education:

1. Updated curriculum knowledge
2. Research and data analysis
3. Communication
4. Educational platforms (Elearn)
5. Stress management
6. Technological and digital literacy
7. Patience
8. Critical thinking
9. Enthusiasm
10. Motivation
11. Lesson planning
12. Classroom management
13. Student assessments
14. Differentiated instruction
15. Educational theory and practice
16. Conflict resolution
17. Time management
18. Leadership
19. Team collaboration
20. Problem-solving
21. Parent and community engagement
22. Child psychology
23. Educational policy knowledge
24. Student safety and welfare
25. Career counseling
26. Technology integration in the classroom
27. Remote learning management
28. Curriculum adaptation
29. Educational software proficiency
30. Feedback

Bonus Infographic: Skills to Put on a Resume

FAQs About Putting Skills on Your Resume

Do you still have some questions about what skills you should put on your resume and how? Check out the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions here:

Key Takeaways

And that’s all there is to putting skills on a resume!

By now, we’re sure you’re a pro and ready to impress the hiring manager with the skills on your resume.

But before you go, let’s sum up the most important things we mentioned in this article:

• One of the most important sections on your resume is the skill section, and over 41% of hiring managers check it first.
• The skill section is crucial for making it past the ATS because some of the most important resume keywords are skills you should list on your resume.
• Skills are divided into hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are technical skills you can gain through experience, training, or education, while soft skills can be attributes or habits related to how you work.
• Your resume should only list skills that are relevant to the job. Find out which skills these are by scanning through the job ad picking out the required skills that you have, and adding them to your resume.
• Some skills are universally useful across different professions, like adaptability, communication, and teamwork.