Hard skills vs soft skills
Hard skills are teachable, checkable abilities: a tool (Excel, Epic, AutoCAD), a method (budgeting, phlebotomy), a language, a licence. Soft skills are how you work: communication, teamwork, problem solving. Job ads list both. Hard skills are easier to match word for word; soft skills land better as evidence inside a bullet.
Weak: "Excellent communicator."
Stronger: "Wrote the weekly update read by 40 store managers."
How to pick skills from the job ad
- Copy the ad. Highlight every tool, method, certification and skill it names.
- Sort them. Lines with "required", "must" or a years figure are required. "A plus", "preferred" or "nice to have" are optional.
- Keep only the true ones. Tick each skill you have really used and could talk about in an interview.
- Use the ad's wording for the same thing ("data visualization" if you built dashboards).
- Put the strongest matches near the top: in a short Key skills line and in your first bullets.
- Check it. Paste your resume and the ad into the free ATS resume checker to see matched and missing skills.
Skills list by area
Common examples, not a checklist. Add a skill only if it is true for you.
Office and admin
- Microsoft Excel
- Word
- Outlook
- Google Workspace
- Scheduling
- Data entry
- Record keeping
- Expense reports
Data and analysis
- SQL
- Excel
- Power BI
- Tableau
- Python
- Reporting
- Forecasting
- Statistics
Customer-facing
- Customer service
- Complaint resolution
- Sales
- CRM
- Upselling
- Phone and chat support
Healthcare
- Patient care
- Vital signs
- EHR (e.g. Epic)
- Infection control
- Medication administration
- BLS
Technical and trades
- Troubleshooting
- Blueprint reading
- Preventive maintenance
- Safety procedures
- Forklift
- CAD
Software and IT
- JavaScript
- Python
- Git
- APIs
- Cloud (AWS, Azure)
- Testing
Marketing and creative
- SEO
- Copywriting
- Social media
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- Figma
- Google Analytics
Management
- Budgeting
- Project planning
- Hiring
- Coaching
- Stakeholder management
- Vendor management
Soft skills
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Problem solving
- Time management
- Adaptability
- Attention to detail
- Leadership
Skills by job title
Each page groups hard skills, tools, certifications and soft skills for one role, sourced to O*NET.
- Data Analyst
- Project Manager
- Customer Service
- Software Engineer
- Registered Nurse
- Accountant
- Sales Representative
- Marketing Manager
- Administrative Assistant
- Teacher
- Mechanical Engineer
- Business Analyst
- Human Resources Specialist
- Warehouse Associate
- Medical Assistant
- Electrician
- Truck Driver
- Nurse Practitioner
- Pharmacy Technician
- Financial Analyst
- Graphic Designer
- Social Media Manager
- Construction Project Manager
- Dental Assistant
- Paralegal
Where to put skills
- Key skills line under your name or summary: 6 to 12 skills that match this job.
- Inside bullets: "Built weekly reports in SQL" proves the skill.
- Skills section near the end for the full list.
- Certifications in their own section with the issuing body.
Honesty note
Don't list a skill you can't use. Interviews, skills tests and reference checks often probe the skills on your resume. If you are learning something, say so: "Learning SAP (online course, in progress)."
Related: ATS keywords · Professional summary · Tailor without making anything up. Source for role data: O*NET OnLine (US Department of Labor).
FAQ
What skills should I put on my resume?
The skills the job ad asks for that are true for you, starting with required ones. Add a few core skills for your field and back them up in your bullets.
How many skills should a resume list?
There is no fixed number. A Key skills line of 6 to 12 matching skills plus a fuller Skills section is a common, readable approach.
Should I list soft skills?
Yes, but show them with evidence in bullets rather than only listing words like "communication".
Can I add a skill I am still learning?
Only if you say it is in progress. Don't present it as a skill you already have.
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