If you’re updating your resume for 2025, you’ve probably asked yourself: “Which skills should I actually include - and which ones just make my resume look generic?”
The truth is, the job market has changed a lot in the last couple of years. With AI tools and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) filtering resumes before a recruiter ever sees them, your resume skills need to be more than a random list of skills. They have to match the job description, highlight both hard skills and soft skills, and demonstrate real proficiency. In other words, you need to be intentional about choosing the right skills for resume that employers actually value.
That means your resume has to do two things at once:
Showcase the right skills: from technical skills like Excel or SQL to transferable skills such as adaptability or leadership.
Cut the fluff: avoid filling your resume with vague “good skills” like communication or problem solving skills unless you can back them up with examples in your work experience.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to build a skills-first resume that stands out to both ATS systems and real people, including:
The most in-demand soft skills and hard skills to include
Which overused workplace skills to leave off your resume
How to tailor your resume skills section to each job requirement
The best formats for showcasing key skills at any career stage
Why a video resume can be a game-changer for showing communication skills and personality
By the end, you’ll know exactly how to highlight your relevant skills in a way that impresses both ATS software and your potential employer - giving you a stronger shot at landing interviews.
Soft Skills: The Real Differentiator
These are the human, interpersonal skills that show how you work with others - things like adaptability, leadership skills, and collaboration.
The problem? Most people list soft skills in a way that adds zero value. If your skills section just says communication skills, teamwork skills, problem solving skills - a recruiter is going to skim right past it. Why? Because every single job seeker claims those same things.
The smarter way is to show, not tell. Instead of writing “Strong communication skills”, work it into your work experience bullet points so it’s backed up with evidence. We go deeper on this in our guide on how to make a video resume, where you can actually demonstrate your soft skills and interpersonal skills on camera.
Here’s what that looks like on your resume:
❌ Strong communication skills
✅ Presented weekly project updates to 20+ stakeholders, reducing alignment gaps by 30%
❌ Good problem-solving
✅ Identified a process bottleneck that cut delivery times by 2 days, improving client satisfaction scores
This way, you’re not just saying you have the skill - you’re proving it with evidence.
Examples of soft skills employers consistently value:
Adaptability and resilience
Leadership and team collaboration
Emotional intelligence and empathy
Creativity and innovation
Time management and prioritization
Conflict resolution and negotiation
Think of soft skills as the “how” behind your work. They won’t land you the job on their own - but when combined with the right hard skills and technical skills, they convince hiring managers you’re not just qualified, you’re also the right fit for the team.
Hard Skills: Staying Relevant in a Competitive Job Market
If soft skills show how you work, hard skills prove what you can do. These are the technical skills and measurable abilities that often make or break whether you’re seen as qualified for a role. Knowing which skills for resume to prioritize - like data analysis, project management, or coding - can make the difference between getting noticed or overlooked
Hard skills are what ATS systems and hiring managers scan for first. If a job description asks for Excel modeling, Salesforce, or Python, and your resume skills section doesn’t clearly list them, you’re unlikely to make it through the first round.
But just like with soft skills, how you present your hard skills matters. A plain list of skills isn’t enough - you need to show how you’ve applied each specific skill to deliver results in your work experience.
Data analysis & visualization (Excel, SQL, Power BI, Tableau) Employers want candidates who can turn raw data into insights that drive decisions. Listing computer skills like Excel, SQL, or visualization platforms (Power BI, Tableau) shows you can back up your work with measurable outcomes.
Project management (Agile, Scrum, PMP certification) Whether you’re coordinating small projects or leading cross-functional teams, strong management skills demonstrate that you can deliver outcomes on time and within budget. Highlighting frameworks (Agile, Scrum) or certifications (PMP) adds credibility.
Technical skills (coding languages, cloud platforms, cybersecurity) Even if you’re not applying for a developer role, having some level of technical skill is a major advantage. Tools like Python, JavaScript, AWS, or even basic cybersecurity practices show you can collaborate with technical teams and keep pace with digital transformation.
Marketing & sales tools (HubSpot, Salesforce, Google Analytics) For commercial roles, fluency in CRMs (Salesforce, HubSpot), analytics platforms, or digital ad tools signals you have both marketing skills and sales skills that drive growth and revenue.
Design & content creation (Adobe Suite, Figma, video editing) In today’s visual world, design skills stand out. Knowing tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, or Figma shows you can support branding, campaigns, and product design. Even video editing has become a valuable workplace skill as companies invest more in multimedia content.
Financial & business skills (budget forecasting, financial modeling) Companies value professionals who understand the numbers behind decisions. Strong financial modeling, budgeting, and forecasting demonstrate proficiency in strategy and resource allocation, which directly impacts business success.
The key takeaway? Hard skills change over time as industries evolve. Keeping your resume skills section updated is critical. Outdated tools or irrelevant certifications can do more harm than good - so focus on the relevant skills that match today’s job requirements and the expectations of your potential employer.
Which Skills NOT to Include on Your Resume
Now that we’ve covered the skills for resume that employers actually want to see, let’s talk about the ones you shouldn’t waste space on.
A common mistake is filling your “Skills” section with vague, overused buzzwords like:
Communication skills
Teamwork skills
Problem solving skills
Multitasking
Leadership skills
Here’s why these don’t work:
They’re too generic. Every candidate lists these job skills, so they don’t help you stand out to recruiters or hiring managers.
They’re impossible to measure. A recruiter can’t judge how good you are at “teamwork” or “multitasking” just by reading it.
They belong in your work experience. Soft skills like communication skills or organizational skills are best demonstrated through examples in your bullet points - not dumped in your skills list.
Here’s how to transform them from fluff into impact:
❌ Communication
✅ Delivered presentations to senior stakeholders, securing approval for a £250K budget
❌ Problem-solving
✅ Redesigned onboarding process, reducing average training time by 20%
❌ Leadership
✅ Managed a team of 5 junior analysts, mentoring two into senior roles within a year
👉 Rule of thumb: If the skill is something every professional should have by default, don’t list it - show it in your achievements instead. Use your skills section for technical, role-specific, or relevant skills that recruiters and potential employers actively scan for in a job description.
Tailoring Skills to the Job Description
One of the biggest mistakes job seekers make is using the same resume skills section for every job application. It might save time, but it also massively lowers your chances of getting noticed.
Recruiters, ATS software, and hiring managers are looking for alignment - they want to see that your key skills match the exact job description and job requirements. If you’re applying with a “one-size-fits-all” resume, you’re leaving opportunities on the table.
Here’s how to tailor your skills the smart way:
Scan the job description carefully: Look for repeated keywords under “requirements” or “responsibilities.” Those are usually the relevant skills the employer values most.
Mirror the language: If the posting says “project coordination”, don’t just write “project management.” Use the same phrasing so the ATS recognizes it as a match for the specific skill.
Prioritize relevance: If a role emphasizes SQL and Power BI, list those first - even if you also know Photoshop. Keep your job skills focused on what the potential employer is actually asking for.
Cut what doesn’t matter: Extra or unrelated skills dilute your application. If you’re applying for a finance role, the recruiter doesn’t care that you can edit videos - keep your resume skills tightly aligned to the role.
Example:
A Product Manager job description highlights roadmapping, stakeholder management, and Agile.
❌ Generic skills list: Leadership, communication, problem solving skills, Excel
✅ Tailored skills list: Agile methodology, stakeholder management, product roadmapping, Jira, SQL
By tailoring your resume skills section to each role, you’re not only making it past the ATS filter - you’re also showing the hiring manager that you read the posting carefully, understood the job requirements, and have the right skills to succeed.
Optimizing Skills for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Even if your resume looks great to the human eye, it first has to pass the robots. Most companies now use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes before they ever land on a recruiter’s desk.
The problem? If your resume skills section isn’t formatted or worded the right way, the ATS may never recognize your key skills - and your job application could get rejected automatically. For today’s job seekers, that makes ATS optimization just as important as impressing real hiring managers.
Here’s how to make sure your skills get past the bots:
Use the right keywords: Mirror the exact wording from the job description. If the posting says “Microsoft Excel”, don’t just write “spreadsheets.” ATS scans for precise matches, so make sure your relevant skills appear in the same form.
Avoid graphics-heavy formats: Icons, tables, or fancy templates might look stylish, but they often confuse ATS software. Stick to clean formatting that ensures your skills, work experience, and resume summary can be read easily.
Place skills in the right spots: Keep a dedicated skills section for quick scanning, but also weave those job skills into your work experience bullet points. This proves your proficiency and doubles your chances of being picked up.
Don’t keyword-stuff: Repeating “SQL” ten times won’t trick the system - it just makes your resume look messy. Use keywords naturally.
Example:
❌ Responsible for data analysis
✅ Used SQL and Power BI to analyze customer data, identifying a trend that reduced churn by 12%
The goal is balance: write for the ATS and for the recruiter. If your resume is too robotic, you’ll make it past the system but lose the human reader. If it’s too creative, you might not even make it past the system.
👉 Think of ATS optimization as the baseline - once you’re through the filter, that’s when your skills, organizational skills, and achievements can really shine for a potential employer.
Choosing the Right Resume Format for Skills Presentation
The way you structure your resume can completely change how your skills come across. A great format highlights your strengths, while the wrong one can bury them. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our free resume templates to make sure your format works in your favor.
Here are the three main formats and when to use them:
Chronological Resume (most common)
Layout: Work history listed in reverse order, starting with your most recent role.
Best for: Experienced professionals with steady career growth.
Why it works: Shows progression and reliability.
Example layout:
Header & contact details
Professional summary
Work experience (with skills woven into bullet points)
Skills section
Education
Functional Resume (skills-based)
Layout: Focuses on skills and achievements first, with work history in a secondary section.
Best for: Recent graduates or career changers with transferable skills but less direct experience.
Why it works: Brings attention to what you can do, not just job titles.
Example layout:
Header & contact details
Skills grouped into categories (e.g., “Project Management,” “Technical Skills”)
Relevant achievements
Work history (condensed)
Education
Hybrid Resume (combination)
Layout: Mix of both - highlights key skills at the top, then supports them with work experience.
Best for: Mid-level professionals or anyone with a mix of transferable skills and relevant experience.
Why it works: Balances credibility with visibility.
Example layout:
Header & contact details
Professional summary
Core skills
Work experience (with achievement-driven bullet points)
Education
👉 Pro tip: If you’re a graduate or career changer, lead with skills. If you’re experienced, let your work history do the talking, but make sure your skills are still easy to find.
Takeaway: Building a Skills-First Resume That Wins Interviews
The bottom line? Your resume isn’t just about listing everything you’ve done - it’s about showcasing the resume skills that prove you can do the job.
Add the right mix of hard and soft skills. Technical abilities get you through the ATS, while soft skills show recruiters you can thrive in a team.
Cut the fluff. Avoid generic skills like communication or problem-solving in your skills list - instead, demonstrate them through your bullet points.
Remember: show, don’t tell. A recruiter is far more convinced by “Led a team of 6 to deliver a project 2 weeks early” than by “Leadership.”
And when it comes to soft skills, don’t limit yourself to words on a page. A video resume is one of the most powerful ways to showcase qualities like communication, confidence, and personality - things that are hard to prove in text alone.
👉 With Reslink, you can create both a strong written resume (using our free templates) and a video resume that brings your skills to life. Together, they give you the best chance of standing out, passing the ATS, and landing interviews.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What are the best skills for resume? A strong resume balances hard skills (technical skills like Excel, SQL, project management) and soft skills (adaptability, teamwork skills, leadership skills). Focus on the relevant skills that match the job description.
2. Should I list soft skills in my resume’s skills section? Not directly. Instead of writing communication skills or problem-solving skills, showcase those through achievements in your work experience.
3. How many skills should I include on my resume? Aim for 6–10 relevant skills. Too few looks underqualified; too many feels unfocused. Always tailor your resume skills section to the job description.
4. Which skills should I avoid putting on a resume? Generic ones like teamwork skills, multitasking, organizational skills, or hard worker. Every job seeker claims these, so they add no value. Instead, prove them with results.
5. How do I know which skills to include? Scan the job description. Mirror the key skills under “requirements” and “responsibilities,” especially those repeated more than once.
6. How do I make my resume skills ATS-friendly? Use exact keywords from the job posting, avoid icons or graphics in your skills section, and reinforce them in your work experience.
7. Should resume skills change depending on the role? Yes. Even if the job title is the same, different employers may prioritize different skills. Always adjust your resume skills section to fit the job requirement.
8. Do recruiters really read the skills section? Yes - but often as a quick scan. That’s why you need to back up your resume skills with achievements in your bullet points. The skills section alone won’t get you hired.
