10 Best Skills To Put On Your Resume

Top 10 Skills to Highlight on Your Resume

Choosing the right skills to showcase on your resume can be tricky, especially when distinguishing between hard and soft skills. While hard skills are often listed in job descriptions, selecting relevant soft skills may require a bit more reflection. To identify which soft skills to feature, consider the responsibilities of the position and match them with your personal strengths. Consulting with a resume expert can also help you effectively organize your skills.

Here are 10 key skills employers often look for:

1. Active Listening
   Active listening means fully focusing on the speaker to understand and respond thoughtfully. This involves both verbal and nonverbal cues to show engagement and interest in the conversation. Mastering this skill demonstrates your commitment to understanding and collaborating on projects. Related: 11 Active Listening Skills to Practice
2. Communication
   Communication encompasses the ability to convey and receive information clearly. It includes expressing ideas, sharing feelings, and understanding others through listening, speaking, observing, and empathizing. Strong communication skills are crucial in every industry and at every career level. Read more: Top 10 Communication Skills for Career Success
3. Computer Proficiency
   Computer skills include operating hardware and using various software applications efficiently. While basic hardware skills involve turning devices on and off, software skills might involve using spreadsheets or coding languages. Certain software skills are often prerequisites for many positions. Read more: Basic Computer Skills: How to List Them on Your Resume
4. Customer Service
   Customer service skills involve addressing and resolving customer needs to ensure a positive experience. This skill set is heavily reliant on problem-solving and effective communication, and is often considered a key soft skill. Related: 101 Soft Skill Interview Questions to Prepare For
5. Interpersonal Skills
   Interpersonal skills are the traits you use when interacting with others. They are essential for teamwork, problem-solving, and leading projects. Developing these skills helps you collaborate effectively and manage relationships in the workplace. Read more: Interpersonal Intelligence: Meaning and Why It’s Important
6. Leadership
   Leadership skills involve guiding and motivating a team to achieve common goals. Whether managing a team or leading a project, effective leaders inspire and direct others to meet deadlines and milestones. Read more: 8 Common Leadership Styles (Plus How to Find Your Own)
7. Management
   Management skills are crucial for overseeing tasks and leading people. An effective manager is organized, empathetic, and communicates clearly, supporting both team and project objectives. Strong managers combine both soft and technical skills relevant to their field. Read more: 5 Key Tips for Improving Your Time Management Skills
8. Problem-Solving
   Problem-solving skills involve identifying issues and finding effective solutions promptly. This skill is valuable across all industries and roles. Effective problem-solving may require specific technical knowledge or industry expertise. Read more: Complex Problem-Solving: Definition and Steps
9. Time Management
   Time management skills enable you to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines while maintaining work-life balance. Being organized and understanding your goals helps you manage your time effectively and stay focused on important tasks. Related: Steps for Skill Improvement
10. Transferable Skills
    Transferable skills are applicable across different jobs and industries. These often include soft skills like adaptability, organization, and teamwork. Highlighting transferable skills can demonstrate how your experience is relevant to new roles, even in different fields. Read more: Transferable Skills: 10 Skills That Work Across Industries

Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills on a Resume

Employers seek a balance of hard and soft skills. Hard skills are teachable and typically outlined in job descriptions, while soft skills are more intrinsic and relate to personality traits. Combining strong soft skills with hard skills can enhance your effectiveness in your role. For example, a detail-oriented software developer with good communication skills will likely excel in identifying and resolving coding issues collaboratively.