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22 Top Skills to List on Your Resume

top skills to list on your resume

Overview

22 Top Skills to List on Your Resume 

When crafting a winning resume, you’d want top skills to list on your resume. This is critical to showcasing your value as a candidate. Whether you’re applying for your first job or seeking a new opportunity, highlighting the right skills can make the difference in getting an interview or getting stuck in a lengthy and frustrating job search.

In this article, we’ll look closer at 22 top skills to list on your resume as coveted by today’s employers (alphabetical listing, not in order of importance). 

1. Adaptability 

In today’s ever-changing business landscape, adaptability is a critical skill for job seekers. Employers want to know that you can pivot quickly in response to changing circumstances and embrace new challenges with a positive attitude.

To showcase adaptability on your resume, you might describe how you’ve successfully navigated changes in your most recent roles or taken on new responsibilities outside your job description. Highlight any new skills or technologies and how you incorporated them into an already full workload. Job roles and responsibilities constantly change. Proving you can roll with changes is a valuable trait employers covet.  

2. Analytical Skills 

Analytical skills are valuable across many different industries, as they demonstrate your ability to solve problems and make data-driven decisions. These skills include gathering and analyzing data, identifying patterns and trends, and drawing meaningful conclusions from that data.

For analytical top skills to list on your resume, you might include examples of times when you’ve used data to solve a problem or make a decision. You could also describe any statistical analysis or data visualization tools you’re proficient in. 

3. Artificial Intelligence 

The world of artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving — fast. Almost too fast to keep up with unless one works directly in artificial intelligence. The reality is there is no job or industry where artificial intelligence won’t make an impact now or in the near future. 

To incorporate examples of using AI in your job, identify the specific AI tools or techniques you’ve worked with, such as ChatGPT, NLG, or computer vision. Then, think about the particular projects or tasks you’ve used these tools for and specify their impact on the business. 

top skills to list on your resume tips

On your resume, include specific details about the AI tools you used, the projects you worked on, and the outcomes you achieved. Use bullet points to highlight your AI-related achievements and quantify them wherever possible. This will help employers understand the value you can bring to their organization through your AI skills and experience.

If you don’t have experience using artificial intelligence for work, including examples of how you’ve used it to help you in your job search or on a project, says Mark Pierce, CEO of Cloud

Peak Law Group, a Sheridan, WY-based trust and LLC law firm.

“The key is to be specific so that you can demonstrate your knowledge rather than just saying you know how to use AI tools,” says Pierce.  

4. Communication Skills 

Effective communication is a must-have skill in almost every industry. Employers want to see that you can communicate clearly and concisely, whether interacting with colleagues, clients, or customers. This includes both written and verbal communication skills and the ability to listen actively and respond appropriately.

To demonstrate your communication skills on your resume, you might include examples of times when you’ve effectively communicated with others in your previous roles. For instance, you could describe how you delivered a presentation that was well-received by your team (don’t forget to include the name of the software program used) or how you resolved a customer complaint through active listening and empathy. You could also highlight any digital marketing metrics or analytics you’ve used to measure success and when you learned how to track campaigns in Google Analytics. Completing classes, training, and certification courses is also valuable.

Communication top skills to list on your resume are critical in all industries, including the tech sector, where the ability to showcase examples of how one communicated technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders is a highly valued skill.

“The technical and business sides of an organization need to have mutual understanding and cooperation, and communication is crucial,” said Khilobochenko.

One of the easiest ways to demonstrate strong written communication skills is to be sure that your resume and cover letter are well-written and free of typos or other errors. 

“This gives a great first impression and backs up your claims,” says Pierce. “The cover letter is where this skill truly shines, so always include one with your resume on a job application.” 

5. Conflict Resolution 

Conflict resolution is a valuable skill in any industry, allowing you to manage difficult situations and work with diverse personalities and perspectives. Employers want to know that you can navigate conflicts and find mutually beneficial solutions.

To showcase your conflict resolution skills on your resume, you might describe instances where you’ve successfully resolved conflicts or mediated disputes. You could also highlight any training or certification you’ve received in conflict resolution or related skills such as negotiation or diplomacy. 

skills to list on resume

6. Creative Thinking 

Creative thinking is a valuable skill across many industries, as it allows you to develop innovative solutions to problems and think outside the box. Employers want to know that you can generate new ideas and approaches to challenges.

To showcase your creative thinking skills on your resume, you might describe any projects or initiatives you’ve led that required you to come up with creative solutions. This can be especially important in the world of tech because the tech industry gets a bad rap for being too focused on certifications and numbers. A demonstrable history of creativity will stand out in a sea of applicants.

“It is intriguing to see a coder with a theater degree or a data analyst who worked at an art gallery,” says Khilobochenko. “It makes us want to know more, and it bodes well for finding creative solutions that more literal-minded thinkers may overlook.”  

7. Customer Service 

Customer service is a critical skill for many roles, especially those in customer-facing or service-oriented industries. Employers want to know you can provide excellent customer service and resolve issues effectively.

For customer service top skills to list on your resume, describe any experience you have working in customer service or customer support roles. Additionally, highlight any customer satisfaction ratings or metrics you’ve achieved in these roles. 

Nye recently hired a customer service representative who stood out by providing concrete examples of how they helped a customer solve a specific problem. This situation also showed the applicant had problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. 

“This helped to showcase their experience and skills in customer service and made choosing them for an interview a no-brainer,” says Nye. “These are typically only things we hear during an interview, so this candidate stood out by adding them to their resume.”  

8. Data Analysis 

Data analysis is a highly valued skill in today’s data-driven business world. Employers want to know that you can work with data sets, extract meaningful insights, and draw actionable conclusions.

To showcase your data analysis skills on your resume, you might describe any instances where you’ve worked with data to support decision-making. Also, highlight any tools or software you’re proficient in, such as Excel, Tableau, or SQL. 

9. Digital Literacy 

Every job today uses a wide variety of software programs and tools to succeed in one’s job. You don’t have to be an IT professional to learn and use these tools, but they are required and play a key part in today’s digital-driven, remote, and hybrid workplaces. Even traditional brick-and-mortar organizations require the ability to use these tools to succeed. Examples include programs like Workfront, Trello, Salesforce, CRM tools, Slack, Teams, Loom, Zoom, WebEx, Google Suite, Asana, Dropbox, Evernote, and many more. This list will change, evolve, and grow over time.

“The traditional workplace relied on paper-based data storage and physical processes to function,” says Stephan Baldwin, founder and HR manager of Assisted Living Center, a healthcare marketing company. 

“However, everything is digital today, especially in the remote space. Highlight your competence in various digital platforms and applications. You don’t have to be a technology expert, but you should be familiar with using popular platforms to conduct everyday business affairs.”

Including a list of technology and software tools is important on a resume. A short sentence about how you have used them is more impactful. It is best to show how you used them to complete your tasks, projects, or work within a team. 

“Your digital competence shows that you’re an independent worker and a problem-solver at heart,” says Baldwin. “These qualities are crucial for employers who don’t enjoy micromanaging their teams. The more platforms you add to your skill set, the more valuable you’ll be, especially if you are a remote-first employer.”   

10. Digital Marketing 

Digital marketing is a critical skill in many industries, especially those in marketing, advertising, or e-commerce. Employers want to know that you can develop and execute digital marketing strategies to drive engagement and conversions. 

To demonstrate your digital marketing skills on your resume, describe any experience you have in developing and executing digital marketing campaigns, including the channels and tactics used. You could also highlight any digital marketing metrics or analytics you’ve used to measure success. Completing classes, training, and certification courses is also valuable. 

11. Emotional Intelligence 

Emotional intelligence is an increasingly important skill in today’s workplace, as it allows you to build strong relationships with colleagues, clients, and customers. Employers want to know that you can understand and manage your emotions and those of others.

To showcase your emotional intelligence on your resume, you might describe instances where you’ve demonstrated empathy and understanding in your previous roles. You could also highlight any training or certification you’ve received in emotional intelligence or related skills, such as conflict resolution or mindfulness. 

Empathetic candidates will stand out in the age of cold technology, says Alex Milligan, co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of NuggMD, an alternative medicine technology platform.

“With the rise of artificial intelligence in the workplace, more employers are seeking workers who understand the people aspect of business,” says Milligan. “Technology is wonderful for speeding up processes, but it lacks the warmness needed to deliver top customer service and relatable marketing assets.

what to include in resume

There’s not much of a demand for uptight and insensitive employees. Most companies have computers to handle repetitive tasks that don’t call for emotion. Yet, technology can’t replace the smile of an employee or their cheerful way with words — those are the unspoken elements that often pull people to become loyal customers to a brand.” 

12. Event Planning 

Event planning is a critical skill for many roles, especially marketing, communications, or hospitality. Employers want to know that you can plan, coordinate, and execute events to meet business objectives and engage with audiences.

To demonstrate your event planning skills on your resume, you might describe any events you’ve planned and executed, including the scope, budget, and outcomes. You could also highlight any tools or software you’re proficient in, such as event management platforms or project management software. 

13. Interpersonal Skills 

Interpersonal skills are essential for building strong relationships with colleagues, clients, and customers. These top skills to list on your resume include collaborating effectively, resolving conflicts, and building rapport with others.

To demonstrate your interpersonal skills on your resume, you might describe how you’ve worked successfully with colleagues from diverse backgrounds or resolved conflicts professionally and respectfully. You could also highlight any customer service experience you have, as this demonstrates your ability to build positive customer relationships. 

14. Language Skills 

Language skills are becoming increasingly important in today’s globalized business world. Those with multilingual skills who can speak a wide variety of languages can increase opportunities and work in almost any field, especially in international relations. Employers covet those who can communicate effectively with clients, customers, or colleagues in different languages.

To showcase your multilingual or language skills on your resume, you might describe your proficiency level in different languages, either through language proficiency tests or certifications. You could also describe any experience working with international clients or colleagues.

resume top skills

Be sure to include a list of those language skills in your resume. Showing proof of using those skills will make an even greater impact.  

15. Leadership Skills 

Leadership skills are another vital set of skills to highlight on your resume. Whether you’ve held formal management positions or have demonstrated leadership abilities in other ways, these skills can set you apart from other candidates.

To showcase your leadership skills on your resume, consider providing examples of how you’ve managed teams or led projects to successful completion. If you’ve led teams, include the number of people on the team. Whether it was two or 200, these concrete numbers tell employers more about your leadership background. You might also describe how you’ve mentored colleagues or collaborated with others to achieve common goals.

Also, don’t undersell leadership roles in previous or part-time positions, including those outside your current industry. 

“Even if you were a shift supervisor at Starbucks, include leadership roles on your resume,” says Khilobochenko. “This could also include student governance, positions in volunteer organizations, or anything that shows you have leadership qualities. It provides a talking point and shows that we are hiring someone with skills that can be developed for future promotions.”  

16. Problem-Solving Skills 

Problem-solving skills are critical in almost every job, as they allow you to identify issues and develop solutions to address them. Employers want to know that you can think critically and analytically to solve problems.

You might describe instances where you’ve successfully identified and solved a problem in your previous roles to demonstrate your problem-solving skills on your resume. You could also highlight tools or techniques you use to approach problems, such as root cause analysis or design thinking. 

17. Project Management Skills 

Project management skills are essential for many roles, as they demonstrate your ability to plan and execute complex projects from start to finish. Employers want to know that you can effectively manage timelines, budgets, and stakeholders.

To demonstrate your project management skills on your resume, you might describe any projects you’ve managed from start to finish and the results you achieved. In addition, highlight any project management tools or methodologies you’re proficient in, such as Agile or Waterfall. Include the types of programs used to manage projects in your examples and the number of people on the teams or projects for which you’ve managed. 

18. Research Skills 

Research skills are a valuable asset in many roles, as they allow you to gather and analyze information to make informed decisions. Employers want to know that you can conduct research and synthesize information effectively.

To showcase your research skills on your resume, you might describe any instances where you’ve conducted research or gathered information to support decision-making. You could also highlight any research methodologies or tools you’re proficient in, such as focus groups, surveys, or market research software. 

19. Sales Skills 

Sales skills are valuable for many positions, not just those in the sales industry. These skills demonstrate your ability to communicate persuasively and build relationships with customers and clients.

To showcase your sales skills on your resume, you might describe any experience you have in sales or customer service roles. You could also highlight your achievements in these roles, such as exceeding sales quotas or receiving positive customer feedback. 

20. Social Media Management 

Social media management is a crucial skill in many industries, especially those in marketing, public relations, and communications. Employers want to know that you can create, schedule, and publish content across multiple social media channels to engage with audiences and build brand awareness.

To demonstrate your social media management skills on your resume, describe any experience you have in managing social media accounts for businesses or organizations. You could also highlight any social media metrics or analytics you’ve used to measure success. Be sure to include the names of any technology or software programs you’ve used, such as SparkToro or HubSpot. 

skills for resume

21. Technical Skills 

In today’s digital age, technical skills are increasingly important for job seekers. Whether you’re a software developer, data analyst, or digital marketer, employers want to know that you’re proficient in the tools and technologies required for your role.

To demonstrate your technical skills on your resume, you might include a list of software programs, programming languages, or other technical skills you possess. You could also describe any relevant certifications or training you’ve completed in your field. The more closely your technical skills match the employer’s needs, the more you will stand out. The reason is if you already use the programs a company is using, you will spend less time learning new programs and more time making an impact. 

22. Time Management Skills 

Employers value candidates who can manage their time effectively and prioritize tasks to meet deadlines. Time management skills demonstrate your ability to be productive and efficient in your work, which is critical in today’s fast-paced business environment.

For time management top skills to list on your resume, you might describe how you’ve managed multiple projects simultaneously or met tight deadlines on time-sensitive projects. You could also highlight any organizational or project management tools you use to stay on top of your work. 

“This skill is particularly valuable for remote jobs but holds its weight with office jobs as well,” says Pierce. “Showcase this by highlighting times when you were able to complete a project without help from your manager or how you took the initiative on a project to get work done.” 

Bonus Tip: Don’t Lie on a Resume 

Don’t lie, oversell, or exaggerate your skills or accomplishments. It’s simply unprofessional, and if an employer finds out, it could result in immediate termination.

“While it’s tempting to impress potential employers by presenting oneself as more of an expert, this can backfire if your employer discovers that your skills are not as strong as claimed,” says Miller. “Exaggerating one’s skills will likely lead to some disappointment, loss of credibility, or a damaged reputation — if not lead to difficulty performing job duties effectively, as candidates may not have the basic skills needed to do the work.”

Now You Know the Top Skills to List on Your Resume

The skills needed to make an impact are constantly evolving and changing. Remember, the key to success when writing a resume is to tailor it to each job and fill it with examples of achievements and skills that match the needs of that specific job listing in the job posting. 

Use this article as a guide to understand what resume skills employers covet and how to include them to create a resume that gets noticed, gets interviews, and helps you get the job.

Picture of Matt Krumrie
Matt Krumrie
Matt Krumrie is a resume expert and freelance writer whose work has been published in over 200 newspapers, websites, and magazines. He has 15+ years of experience writing resumes for clients of all backgrounds, from college grad, to entry-level to mid-career, executive and more. Matt lives in Minnesota.

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