How to Write a Skills Section of a Resume
When it comes to your resume, the skills section is one of the most important parts to get right. It tells a hiring manager whether you have what they are looking for. Here is how to build one that does the job.
Put the Skills Section at the Top of Your Resume
On your resume, the skills section should go near the top, before your professional experience. This allows recruiters, who spend an average of less than 10 seconds scanning a resume, to immediately see the value you bring to the role.
Hard Skills and Soft Skills Both Belong in the Skills Section
A strong skills section includes both types. Hard skills are technical and specific: think software programs, data analysis, CRM platforms, or project coordination. Soft skills are interpersonal and behavioral: communication, problem-solving, time management, and adaptability. Hiring managers want to see both, so do not leave either out.
Match Your Skills to the Job
The skills section should not be a random list of everything you know. It should be strategic, built around the specific role you are applying for. A good way to approach this is to read several postings for similar roles, identify the skills that come up repeatedly, and add those to your resume if you have them. This makes your resume feel targeted and improves your chances of being matched by applicant tracking systems, which organize and sort resumes based on keywords before a human ever sees them.
Skills can come from a past job, self-directed learning, or a course or certificate. If there are skills you want to add but do not have yet, upskilling is a practical way to get there. We offer courses designed to help job seekers build resume-ready skills quickly and at no cost.
Organize Your Skills Into Categories
A single long list is hard to read and easy to skim past. Grouping your skills into clear categories makes the section easier to scan and signals that you have thought carefully about what you bring to the table. A structure like this works well:
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Technical Skills
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Software and Tools
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Business Skills
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Communication and Interpersonal Skills
A good target is 8 to 12 skills total, spread across 2 to 3 categories. Beyond that, the section starts to lose focus.
Be Specific, Not Generic
Vague terms like "team player" or "hard worker" do not tell a hiring manager anything they could not assume about any candidate. Instead, list skills that are concrete and demonstrable: project coordination, data analysis, Salesforce, HubSpot, Excel (VLOOKUP, PivotTables), customer support platforms, or social media management. Specific skills feel more credible and show that you are job-ready.
Also, avoid listing skills that are so basic they are assumed. Email, filing, typing, and internet research take up space without adding value. If every candidate is expected to have it, leave it off.
Only List What You Can Back Up
If a skill is on your resume, you should be able to speak to it confidently in an interview. Listing something you cannot explain or demonstrate puts you in an uncomfortable position when a hiring manager asks about it. Keep the section honest.
It is also worth making sure your skills section aligns with your experience section. If you list project management as a skill, there should be a bullet point somewhere in your work history showing how you used it or if the skill is from a certificate, where you gained that certificate. That consistency is what makes a resume feel cohesive and credible.
Here is an Example Skills Section of a Resume
Technical Skills Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, CRM systems (Salesforce, Zendesk), data entry, scheduling software
Business and Administrative Skills Project coordination, documentation, reporting, customer support, workflow management
Professional Skills Communication, problem-solving, time management, adaptability
Remember: your skills section is a small part of your resume with a big responsibility. Keep it targeted, keep it honest, and make sure every skill on the list is one you are ready to own. Happy job hunting!
Your skills section is a small part of your resume with a big responsibility. Keep it targeted, keep it honest, and make sure every skill on the list is one you are ready to own.
FAQs
Where on my resume does the skills section go?
Near the top, before your professional experience. Many recruiters spend very little time on an initial scan, so placing your skills early ensures they are seen before anything else.
What is the difference between hard skills and soft skills?
Hard skills are technical and specific, like software proficiency or data analysis. Soft skills are interpersonal, like communication or time management. A well-rounded resume includes both.
How do I know which skills to include on my resume?
Read several job postings for similar roles and look for skills that appear consistently across them. Those are the ones to prioritize, as long as you have them.
How many skills should I list on my resume?
A good target is 8 to 12 skills organized into 2 to 3 categories. Enough to show range, not so many that the section loses focus.
What do I do if I do not have all the skills a job posting asks for?
Lead with the skills you do have and make sure they are front and center. For gaps, consider taking a course or earning a certificate. We offer free upskilling courses that can help you build credentials and strengthen your resume.
Can I list skills I learned outside of a job?
Yes. Skills from coursework, certifications, volunteer work, or self-study are all fair game, as long as you can speak to them confidently in an interview.
