The 5 Best Skills to List on a Resume (for 2026)

In 2026, job candidates who stand out will be the ones who know which skills to list on a resume and how to demonstrate them in action. Employers are no longer impressed by a simple checklist of tools. They want adaptable people who combine hard and soft skills that show initiative, problem-solving, and growth potential.

This approach is key to building a skills-first resume, where you prove your value with measurable impact, not just a list of past jobs.

1. AI and Machine Learning Literacy

Why it matters: AI is transforming workflows and boosting productivity across every industry. Surveys show 61% of workers have used generative AI (GenAI) at work, but far fewer use it strategically. With 84% of companies planning to increase AI spending, hiring managers need people who can move past tinkering and use AI to drive measurable results, streamline tasks, and fill creative gaps.

How to show it on your resume:

• List the specific GenAI tools or models you used (e.g., ChatGPT, custom models).

• Quantify the outcome, such as time saved, error reduction, or costs cut.

• Link to a relevant certification or a short work sample.

• Example: "Developed a GenAI summarizer that cut weekly research time by 40%."

How to build it: If you need a quick place to build a credential, IBM SkillsBuild’s Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals is a solid starter. You can learn a clear skill and then add it to your resume to demonstrate real impact.

2. Data Analytics and Visualization

Why it matters: Data is a decision-making tool that everyone should know how to use. Being able to spot trends and estimate impact turns you from a doer into a trusted decision-maker. This skill shrinks debate, speeds up experiments, and makes your recommendations hard to ignore—exactly what hiring managers want.

How to show it on your resume:

• Lead with the outcome or decision your analysis enabled.

• Name the method or tools you used (e.g., "SQL data pull," "Tableau dashboard").

• Focus on the "so what" of your data: What changed? Why? What do you recommend?

• Example: "Analyzed user behavior data to identify a 20% drop-off in the checkout funnel; recommended a UI fix that recovered 15% of abandoned carts."

How to build it: If you want a quick place to build that skill, the Data Fundamentals course teaches practical steps you can turn into a single, resume-ready proof point.

3. Creative and Analytical Thinking

Why it matters: This combination is an ultimate advantage. Creativity surfaces many possible solutions, while analysis tells you which ones will actually move the needle. AI can help generate ideas, but employers prize people who can complete the full loop: propose an original approach and translate it into a decision that improves adoption or cuts costs.

How to show it on your resume:

• Describe a process you improved or a new solution you proposed.

• List your specific role in the process (e.g., "led brainstorming," "analyzed options").

• Quantify the result (e.g., "new process reduced errors by 25%").

• Link to a one-page case study or a short prototype in your portfolio to quickly verify your claim.

How to build it: Practice small experiments that you can complete within a week. Save these as portfolio items to create a verifiable record of your ability to innovate and analyze.

4. Adaptability and Continuous Learning

Why it matters: Things are changing fast. Employers estimate that 44% of the skills workers use today will be disrupted in the next five years. Your experience is still valuable, but companies need people who treat learning as a core part of their job, notice what's shifting, and proactively pick up the skills to close the gap.

How to show it on your resume:

• List recent courses, certifications, or self-taught skills relevant to the role.

• Show how you applied new knowledge to get a result.

• Detail assignments that challenged you to explore new areas or take on new responsibilities.

• Example: "Cross-trained in customer success and applied learnings to create a new onboarding strategy, reducing average customer onboarding time from 14 to 9 days."

How to build it: Adaptability is a mindset. Show you are constantly growing by earning new credentials and immediately applying them to your work, even in small ways.

5. Leadership and Social Influence

Why it matters: Leadership is about getting things done through other people, whether you are a formal manager or not. Employers want to see how you motivate colleagues, build consensus, and move projects forward. In a hybrid world, this also means clear written updates, structured decision-making, and getting buy-in from remote stakeholders.

How to show it on your resume:

• Use action verbs like "led," "mentored," "coordinated," or "aligned."

• Describe a time you clarified a problem, designed a simple plan, and removed blockers for the team.

• Quantify the team's achievement (e.g., "Led a 5-person team to launch the project 2 weeks ahead of schedule").

• Mention specific collaboration or project management frameworks you used.

How to build it: To lead with more confidence, take the IBM SkillsBuild’s Leadership or Professional Skills courses. You will learn teamwork, communication, and influence techniques to add to your resume.

Your 2026 Checklist: Skills to List on a Resume

Here are the top 5 in-demand skills to focus on, broken down by category.

Top In-Demand Hard Skills

• AI and Machine Learning Literacy: The ability to use AI tools to improve productivity, analyze data, or create new solutions.

• Data Analytics and Visualization: The ability to interpret data, identify trends, and present findings clearly to make better decisions.

Top In-Demand Soft Skills

• Creative and Analytical Thinking: The ability to generate novel solutions and use analysis to determine which ideas will have the most impact.

• Adaptability and Continuous Learning: The ability to embrace change, learn new skills quickly, and apply them to solve new problems.

• Leadership and Social Influence: The ability to motivate and align a team (formally or informally) to achieve a common goal.

Put Your Resume Skills into Context

After learning the top skills to list on your resume, it's important to put it all in context. In today's job market, your resume should be a mix of technical ability, creativity, and adaptability that shows you can solve real-world problems.

And don't forget: when updating your resume, focus on proof. Include outcomes and metrics, not just buzzwords, and you'll be sure to stand out in the crowd.

Start Building Your Skills Today

The best way to prove your skills is to build them. With IBM SkillsBuild, you can earn free digital credentials in AI, data science, leadership, and more. Explore the course catalog and start adding resume-ready proof points today.

Explore Free IBM SkillsBuild Courses

Frequently Asked Questions About Resume Skills

What are the best skills to list on a resume in 2026?

The best skills to list on a resume in 2026 are a combination of in-demand technical (hard) skills and timeless interpersonal (soft) skills. For 2026, the most valuable skills include AI literacy, data analytics, creative thinking, adaptability, and leadership. Always tailor this list to the specific job you are applying for.

How many skills should I list on my resume?

You should list 8-12 skills on your resume. Quality is more important than quantity. A shorter, highly relevant skills section that is tailored to the job description is more effective than a long, generic list. Focus on the skills where you can show measurable proof or specific examples.

What’s the difference between hard and soft skills on a resume?

• Hard Skills are specific, teachable abilities that can be measured. They are often technical and role-specific (e.g., AI literacy, data visualization, Python, graphic design).

• Soft Skills are interpersonal attributes that describe how you work and interact with others. They are transferable across roles (e.g., leadership, communication, adaptability, creative thinking).

A top-tier resume needs a strong balance of both hard and soft skills to show you are both technically competent and a good team member.

Should I include industry-specific skills on my resume?

Yes, absolutely. You should always include industry-specific skills to pass an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) and show a hiring manager you are a qualified fit. While the 5 skills in this article are broadly in-demand, you must pair them with skills specific to your field (e.g., "Agile methodology" for project management, "SEC reporting" for finance, or "patient care" for healthcare).

Written by Content Contributor: 

This blog was authored by a guest contributor or third party. The views expressed are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of CareerCircle. CareerCircle does not endorse any products, services, or claims mentioned. This content is for informational purposes only.

Eleanor Hecks is a business writer and researcher with a passion for bringing awareness to neurodiversity inclusion in the workplace. You can find her work as Editor-in-Chief of Designerly Magazine or as a staff writer at sites such as HR.com and Clutch.co.