15 Best Skills for a Resume (With Examples)

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What are the best skills for a resume? Which skills do employers expect from great applicants? There is a constant growth of skilled professionals in the job market. So, it is crucial to make your resume stand out. The skills you put on your resume are likely to be one of the key factors in the hiring manager's decision. It is thus important that you include the best, most sought-after skills for a resume.

The skills you highlight will show your potential employer if you have what it takes to succeed. If you are wondering how to show off your great skill set and get invited to interviews, keep reading! Below is an example of skills that will help you in the job hunt.

Hard skills VS soft skills

Your skillset consists of two main sections: hard skills and soft skills. Common hard skills for a resume come from education or experience. Moreover, they are specific to a particular work field. On the other hand, the best soft skills for a resume are social skills. In other words, these are a part of one's personality and can apply to any job. Most importantly, soft skills are not teachable. Thus, employers are always seeking those who have the right combination of both.

When coming up with the skills for a resume, consider how the hard and soft skills complement each other. A great example of skills emphasizing each other is if you are a good communicator working in sales. You are then likely to bring in more profit. Furthermore, you can create valuable relationships with clients.


15 examples of soft skills for a resume

Negotiation
Especially if working in sales, negotiation is one of the crucial skills for a resume. Nowadays, almost all jobs involve selling in some form, so negotiation is an irreplaceable skill.

Leadership
Also referred to as management skills, these encompass many strong characteristics. For example, strategic thinking and the ability to motivate make a great leader. This is one of the most sought-after skills for a resume.

Time management
Hand in hand with discipline, those with this skill focus and deliver results on time. In other words, they make the most of their day and deliver a high standard of timely work.

Problem-solving
Overcoming conflicts through effective communication is a key skill. In other words, being able to tackle problems improves the quality of work results.

Flexibility
Employees who can adapt to new approaches and are dynamic are always sought-after. This includes being open to new solutions, new challenges, and changes in the workload.

Communication
Without a doubt, communicating is critical in the workplace. This includes speaking about problems, listening to others, and presenting ideas or solutions.

Teamwork
When working with a team of any size, having interpersonal skills can help your team succeed. With this in mind, employers often seek applicants who know how to work with others and empathize.

Creativity
New approaches, ideas, and solutions help businesses grow. It is thus important to show off your creative side on your resume.

Positivity
A proactive, positive approach to problems and challenges is a huge plus in the workplace. It will put you in a can-do mindset. Additionally, it can also motivate others to do the same and tackle problems head-on.

Responsibility
Without a doubt, holding yourself accountable for your successes and mistakes is crucial. It shows that you are aware of your duties and how you must complete them.

Decision making
It is beneficial to be able to make well-informed decisions on the spot. At times, your supervisors will leave this task up to you. With this in mind, you should be able to make a decision and be ready to justify it.

Self-motivation
Every employer is glad for workers who take initiative without reminders. When thinking about your skills for a resume, make sure to highlight a time when you took initiative. Give details on what you did and how you overcame a challenge.

Adaptability
Technology and processes are changing. Hence, employers appreciate applicants who adapt to new environments and continue to learn.

Emotional intelligence
Especially for management, this is one of the most important skills for a resume. It refers to being able to understand and address yours and others' emotions.

Active listening skills
Active listening lies in focusing on and understanding the speaker. In general, active listeners engage with the speaker and show interest in what is being said.

Organization
Organization and dedication to excellence are crucial to a good work ethic. Adhering to these will not only make your work better but also make you more likable to employers.


10 examples of hard skills for a resume

Research skills
Nowadays, information on almost anything can be found online. So, knowing the most efficient ways to extract this information is a great skill.

Network structure and security
One of the most in-demand hard skills is being the data shield of an organization.

Data analysis
Being able to interpret large sets of data helps businesses understand their opportunities. Thus, data analysis is one of the most valuable skills for a resume.

Writing and editing
While crucial for creatives, writing is an invaluable skill in almost any job. In particular, it ensures clear and concise communication and understanding.

UX design
Being able to combine a visual concept and user-friendliness is a unique skill. It is hence vital for both product- and service-offering businesses.

Human resources
The quality of employees can make or break a business. For this reason, HR specialists have always sought after. This skill includes selecting and hiring new employees as well as retaining them.

Search engine optimization (SEO)
SEO is a skill especially sought after in marketing and creative roles. After all, the online presence of any business relies on its SEO.

Typing skills
Whether in administrative or transcription positions, keyboard skills are always useful. In general, employees with typing skills save time and work with more efficiency.

Administrative
Tasks such as organizing or scheduling are, inevitably, a part of almost every job. Undoubtedly, your employer will be happy to see that you can pay attention to the details and manage your role.

Foreign language skills
In the global era, knowing foreign languages is a great benefit. In particular, employers seek globally spoken languages such as Spanish or Chinese. For this reason, adding languages among your skills for a resume is a great idea.


Use skills from the job description
Hiring managers often look for specific keywords in the applicants' resumes. The most qualified are those who have the keywords in the advertisement in their resume. Thus, make sure to include specific keywords and phrases from the posting in your resume. Customize your resume to stand out from the crowd of generic resumes.

The skills on your resume will help the hiring manager decide if you are the right fit for the position. Hence, write down strong, sought-after skills for a resume. Moreover, tailor your resume so that the skills you highlight align with those needed for the job. This will help you catch the hiring manager's attention and land an interview for the job of your dreams.