Skills to Put on a Resume
The right skills, matched to the job description, are what ATS software and recruiters scan for first. Here’s what to include — and how.
List a mix of hard skills (tools, languages, software) and a few relevant soft skills, and mirror the exact terms from the job description. Group them so they’re easy to scan.
Hard skills by role (examples)
- Software: Java, Python, React, SQL, Git, AWS, REST APIs, data structures
- Marketing: SEO, Google Analytics, content strategy, Meta Ads, email marketing
- Data: SQL, Python, Excel, Power BI, Tableau, statistics, ETL
- Finance/Accounts: Tally, advanced Excel, GST, financial modelling, reconciliation
- Design: Figma, Adobe XD, prototyping, design systems, user research
Soft skills that matter
Communication, problem-solving, teamwork, ownership, adaptability and time management — but only list ones you can back up with examples in your experience section.
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Create my resume →Frequently asked questions
What skills should I put on my resume?
A mix of hard skills (tools, languages, software) and a few relevant soft skills, all matched to the specific job description.
How many skills should a resume have?
Around 8–15 relevant skills, grouped for easy scanning — quality and relevance beat a long, generic list.
Should I list soft skills?
A few, yes — but only ones you can demonstrate with examples in your experience. Recruiters value proof over buzzwords.