The purpose of the skills section of your resume is to show potential employers you possess the capabilities required to do well in the position. Hiring managers pay attention to the skills section, which helps them determine whether to move you on to the next stage of the employment journey.

If you're unsure about the skills you should include on your resume, you should refer to the job you're applying for, and the skills required for the job. If you're new to the job market, you should consider adding these skills to your resume.

Hard Skills

Hard skills are the skills you gain from training and formal education in a training institution, college, apprenticeship, certifications, and on-the-job training. When selecting what skills to include on your resume, you should consider the capabilities and specific knowledge you possess that will allow you to succeed in the position.

If you're looking for ideas on skills you can invest in training to strengthen, you may want to consider the top most profitable skills to learn. Below, you'll find a list of the hard skills that you can include on your resume:

1. Design

If you specialize in graphic design, illustration, or UI/UX design, you may list your related design skills, such as:

  • Interior design
  • Industrial design
  • Graphic design
  • Web design
  • Photography
  • UI/UX design

2. Marketing

Marketing image

Marketing is a valuable skill, even if the job you're applying for isn't in marketing. The ability to pitch services and promote products can be helpful in various careers. Skills you can list include:

  • Advertising
  • Email marketing
  • SEO/SEM
  • Consumer research
  • Campaign management

3. Data Analysis

Tablet with data with reports beside it

Strong data analysis capabilities should be listed in your resume if you possess them:

  • Python
  • MATLAB
  • SQL & NoSQL
  • Data Cleaning
  • Data Visualization
  • Microsoft Excel

4. Computer Software & Technology

computer screen with coding

Most employers require their employees to be computer-literate. Technical capabilities are beneficial in various roles, and having computer literacy indicates that you can learn new software quickly if introduced. Skills you can list:

  • Team management software (e.g., Monday, Jira, Trello)
  • Communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Skype, Microsoft Teams)
  • Knowledge of operating systems (e.g., Linux, macOS, Windows)
  • G Suite (e.g., Google Sheets, Google Docs, Google Drive)
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Adobe Creative Suite

If you're wondering what other computer-related you can add to your resume, you can read the top tech skills you can add to your resume.

5. Project Management

Project management cycle image

Employers may like to see your ability to manage a project from start to finish. The skills you can include are:

  • Jira
  • Scheduling
  • Budget management
  • Risk assessment
  • Project management certification

6. Foreign Language Skills

Different language dictionaries

Your ability to communicate in languages other than English can benefit any company you work with. It helps you connect with individuals from different countries and can give you a vantage over other candidates when potential employers review resumes. Skills you can list:

  • Language proficiency level (based on most recent proficiency test)
  • Conversation skill
  • Written fluency
  • Verbal fluency
  • Translation

7. Accounting and Finance

Finances are a vital part of any business. Whether you're seeking work as an accountant or not, financial capabilities are beneficial in various jobs. Skills you can list include:

  • QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • Advanced modeling techniques
  • SQL
  • Microsoft Excel

If you're looking for ways to boost your skills, you should consider learning how to use the LinkedIn Learning app.

Soft Skills

Soft skills are the qualities and personality traits that affect interpersonal connections and efficiency on the job. While soft skills don't require specific training, they are as critical as hard skills in any position.

The following list contains some of the soft skills you may consider adding to your resume. If you're considering applying for a job at Google, you may want to include these soft skills that Google looks for when hiring employees.

1. Time Management

Time management written in red marker

The ability to manage your time helps you do your job in an organized way, be productive, and complete tasks before the deadline. Employers know that having staff with excellent time management skills contributes to the business functioning smoothly. Skills you can include:

  • Effective multitasker.
  • Impeccable track record of meeting deadlines.
  • Efficient organizational skills.

2. Patience

Patience is a good skill that employers seek in their employees, and it is a skill that can benefit you whether you're dealing with customers, training staff, or negotiating transactions. You can include examples of how you've demonstrated patience in your past jobs or volunteer experience.

3. Adaptability

Adaptability is a skill that is growing in importance. Demonstrate how you've adjusted to changes in work duties or situations and thrive. The COVID-19 pandemic made adaptability a valuable soft skill to possess.

4. Problem-Solving

Regardless of the industry you're seeking employment in, problem-solving is a skill required by most. Possessing problem-solving skills gives employers comfort that they have less to worry about. If possible, provide examples demonstrating your problem-solving skills.

5. Teamwork

Word TEAMWORK on a chalkboard with different colored stick people

Working with others is a requirement for most jobs. Even if you're working remotely, you must collaborate with others online. Demonstrate your teamwork skills by providing examples of accomplishments you've made with teams in the past.

6. Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal skills help you create relationships with colleagues and the other people you interact with at work. You can include skills like:

  • Empathy
  • Open to feedback
  • Negotiation
  • Positivity
  • Reliability
  • Emotional intelligence

7. Attention to Detail

Employers want to know that you have a keen eye and can spot errors or problematic issues and address them when doing your work. Whether you're looking for work as a bookkeeper or a customer service representative, having strong attention to detail abilities can help you do your job with little chance of errors.

Having attention to detail skills means reviewing your work before submitting it and ensuring you haven't overlooked any vital information.

Your Moment to Shine

Listing your capabilities is your moment to boast. If you're unsure about some of your soft skills, you can ask colleagues about the abilities you've demonstrated while working together. When applying for multiple jobs, you can customize your skills list to the specific job you're applying for.

You can demonstrate your skills using the accomplishments you've achieved. You can do this in the details about your work experience, in addition to listing them in the skills section. Build a strong case for why the hiring manager should move you on to the next stage in the hiring process.