Let’s be real. Sending out a resume can feel like shouting into the void. You pour hours into crafting the perfect summary, only to wonder if it even gets seen by a human. Here’s the hard truth: the average recruiter spends about six seconds on their first scan of a resume. Six seconds! How do you possibly make an impact in that time?
This is where your skills section stops being a boring list and starts being your secret weapon. Think of your resume as a marketing brochure, and you’re the product. Your past job titles are where you’ve been. Your skills section is what you can actually do for the company, right now. It’s the recruiter’s cheat sheet, and packing it with the right stuff is a non-negotiable in today’s job market.
So, what are employers actually looking for? We’ve dived deep and sorted the noise from the necessities. Here are the 20 good skills to put on a resume that will make employers stop scrolling and start dialing.
The Classic Showdown: Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills (And Why You Need Both)
Before we jump into the list, let’s clear up the two main categories: hard skills and soft skills.
Hard Skills are the technical, teachable, and measurable abilities. They’re what you learn in a course, from a book, or on the job. Think: “coding,” “speaking Spanish,” or “using Adobe Photoshop.” They prove you’re qualified to do the tasks.
Soft Skills are the interpersonal, human-centric abilities. They’re about your personality, your work style, and how you interact with others. Think: “communication,” “teamwork,” or “problem-solving.” They prove you’ll be a great person to have on the team.
Here’s an analogy: If your career is a car, hard skills are the engine. They provide the raw power to get the job done. But soft skills are the steering wheel, the brakes, and the driver. They determine how you navigate, handle pressure, and work with others to get to the destination. You’re not going anywhere without both.
Part 1: Top 10 Hard Skills That Get You Noticed
These are the technical skills that recruiters often search for by keyword. Having these on your resume shows you’re up-to-date and ready to contribute from day one.
1. Data Analysis
We live in a world drowning in data. Companies have tons of it, but very few people know what to do with it. The ability to take a messy spreadsheet of numbers, analyze it, and translate it into a simple, actionable story (“Here’s why sales dipped in Q3 and what we can do about it”) is pure gold. It’s not just for “data scientists”—it’s for marketers, managers, and anyone who makes decisions.
2. AI and Machine Learning Literacy
This is the big one. AI isn’t just coming; it’s here. You don’t need to know how to build an AI model (unless that’s your job). But you do need to know how to use AI tools to be more efficient. Understanding how to use AI for research, to write better code, or to automate mundane tasks shows you’re a forward-thinking employee, not one who’s going to be left behind.
3. Project Management
This skill is a fancy way of saying, “I can get things done.” It’s the ability to take a big, messy goal, break it down into steps, manage all the moving parts (including people), and deliver a finished product on time and on budget. Even if you’re not a “Project Manager,” showing you can manage your own “projects” (even small ones) is a huge plus.
4. Software Development / Coding
Even for non-tech roles, this is a massive differentiator. Knowing basic HTML/CSS makes you a godsend to marketing teams. Understanding Python can automate your finance job. It’s not just about building websites; it’s about signaling to an employer that you have a logical, structured mind that knows how to solve complex problems.
5. Cloud Computing
Where does the internet “live”? In the cloud. Platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud power virtually every app, website, and digital service you use. For any IT, tech, or operations role, this is no longer a “nice to have.” It’s a fundamental requirement.
6. SEO/SEM Marketing
If a company builds a beautiful website but no one can find it, does it even exist? Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM) are the art and science of getting found online. In a world where every customer journey starts with a Google search, any professional in marketing, content, or e-commerce must understand these principles.
7. UI/UX Design
This pair is all about the customer’s digital experience. UI (User Interface) is how it looks—the buttons, the colors, the typography. UX (User Experience) is how it feels—is it intuitive? Is it frustrating? Is it enjoyable? In a crowded market, a good user experience is one of the only moats a company has, making these skills incredibly valuable.
8. Content Creation / Digital Storytelling
Every company is a media company now, whether they like it or not. They all have blogs, social media channels, and YouTube accounts. The ability to tell a compelling story—through a blog post, a video script, a TikTok, or a podcast—is how brands connect with humans. This skill proves you can be the voice of the company.
9. Foreign Languages (Bilingual/Multilingual)
In an increasingly globalized economy, this is a genuine superpower. Speaking another language doesn’t just mean you can translate; it means you understand another culture. This opens up entire new markets, customer bases, and partner relationships. If you have this skill, put it front and center.
10. Financial Literacy
Wait… for a non-finance job? Absolutely. Every single decision a company makes—from hiring a new person to buying new software—has a financial impact. An employee who understands basic budgeting, ROI (Return on Investment), and what a P&L sheet is? That’s an employee who thinks like an owner. And those are the people who get promoted.
Part 2: Top 10 Soft Skills That Seal the Deal
If hard skills get you the interview, soft skills get you the job. These are the human skills that are incredibly hard to teach, which is why employers are desperate for them. They show you’re not just a cog in the machine.
11. Communication (Written and Verbal)
This is the undisputed king of all soft skills. It’s the root of everything. Can you explain a complex idea simply? Can you write an email that is clear, concise, and polite? Can you actively listen in a meeting instead of just waiting for your turn to talk? Great communicators prevent problems before they even start.
12. Problem-Solving
Here’s a secret: every job, in every industry, is just a series of problems. “The printer is jammed” is a small problem. “Our entire supply chain just broke” is a big problem. Employers don’t want to hire people who just identify problems. They want to hire people who bring solutions. Show them you’re a fixer, not just a finder.
13. Adaptability / Flexibility
The world changes. Company priorities pivot. A project you’ve worked on for months might get canceled. Your job description will change. How do you react? Are you the one who complains, “That’s not in my job description,” or the one who says, “Okay, a new challenge. How can I help?” Be the second one.
14. Leadership
Leadership is not a job title. It’s an action. You don’t have to be a manager to be a leader. You lead when you mentor a new teammate. You lead when you’re the first to take ownership of a mistake. You lead when you inspire a tired team to meet a deadline. It’s about initiative and accountability, and you can (and should) demonstrate it at every level.
15. Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
This is the new IQ. Emotional Intelligence is a two-part skill: self-awareness (managing your own emotions) and empathy (understanding others’ emotions). Someone with high EQ is the person who doesn’t panic in a crisis. They’re the one who can navigate office politics gracefully. They are the stable, reliable core of any team.
16. Teamwork / Collaboration
Unless you’re a solo lighthouse keeper, you will have to work with other people. “Teamwork” means knowing when to speak up and when to listen. It’s about sharing credit for wins and taking shared responsibility for losses. Companies know that a “brilliant jerk” can destroy a team’s culture. They’d much rather hire a brilliant collaborator.
17. Time Management
This skill isn’t about being “busy.” It’s about being productive. It’s the ability to prioritize tasks, to know what’s urgent vs. what’s important, and to protect your focus from a million digital distractions. An employee with great time management doesn’t need to be micromanaged. They’re a manager’s dream.
18. Critical Thinking
This is the skill of thinking about your thinking. It’s the ability to look at a situation, a dataset, or an argument and not take it at face value. It’s asking, “Why?” It’s spotting flawed logic, questioning assumptions, and using facts to make a sound judgment. In an age of headlines and misinformation, it’s a vital filter.
19. Creativity
Don’t just think “artist” or “musician.” In the business world, creativity is simply “problem-solving with a bit of flair.” It’s finding a new, more efficient way to do an old process. It’s brainstorming a unique marketing campaign. It’s any kind of “outside-the-box” thinking that helps the company stand out.
20. Work Ethic / Reliability
This sounds so basic, but it’s the foundation for everything. Can you be counted on? Do you show up, physically or digitally, on time? Do you do what you say you’re going to do? A brilliant, creative, superstar employee who is unreliable is a liability. A solid, steady, reliable employee is an asset. Be the asset.
Bonus: How to Actually List These Skills on Your Resume (Hint: Don’t Just List Them)
Okay, so now you have this great list. What do you do? Most people just create a ‘Skills’ section and write:
- Problem-Solving
- Teamwork
- Microsoft Office
That’s boring. And more importantly, it offers zero proof.
Here’s how you do it right. You need to weave your skills into your ‘Work Experience’ bullets. This is the “Show, Don’t Tell” method.
- Don’t just say: “Problem-Solving”
- Show it: “Analyzed customer feedback and identified a key pain point, leading to a 15% reduction in support tickets after implementing a new feature.”
- Don’t just say: “Project Management”
- Show it: “Led a cross-functional team of 5 to launch the new e-commerce site 2 weeks ahead of schedule and 10% under budget.”
You should still have a dedicated “Skills” section, but use it strategically. This is the perfect place for your hard, technical skills. Group them logically.
Example:
- Technical Skills: Python, SQL, Tableau, AWS, Salesforce
- Design Tools: Figma, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator)
- Languages: English (Native), Spanish (Conversational)
Your Skills Aren’t Just Keywords, They’re Your Story
At the end of the day, your resume is a 1-page story about why you are the best possible solution to a company’s problem. Every skill you list is a word in that story. The right skills don’t just get you past the automated scanners; they paint a picture of a competent, capable, and collaborative person.
So take a hard look at your resume. Does it just list job titles? Or does it tell a compelling story of what you can do? Use this list as your guide, audit your experiences, and start showcasing the skills that truly make you valuable. You’re more than just a job title. Now go prove it.
