Skills to Put on a Resume: Examples by Role (2026)
Læs denne guide på danskThe skills section is where applicant tracking systems and recruiters scan hardest for a match. The best skills to put on a resume are the ones the job posting names, that you can genuinely back up, and that you can mirror in your experience bullets too.
Here is how to choose them and examples by role.
Hard skills vs soft skills
Hard skills are teachable, measurable abilities (tools, languages, certifications). Soft skills are how you work with others (communication, leadership). Lead with hard skills, they are what the ATS matches, and prove soft skills through achievements rather than just listing them.
How to choose the right skills
- Pull the exact skills named in the job posting and include the ones that honestly apply to you.
- Prioritize hard skills and tools the role depends on.
- Group them (e.g. Languages, Tools, Methods) so they scan fast.
- Mirror the top skills in at least one experience bullet so they are evidenced, not just claimed.
Skill examples by role
Software engineer: JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, React, Node.js, AWS, Docker, CI/CD, REST/GraphQL.
Data analyst: SQL, Python, Tableau, Power BI, A/B testing, data modeling, forecasting, see the full data analyst resume guide.
Marketing manager: SEO, SEM/PPC, Google Analytics (GA4), HubSpot, content strategy, demand generation.
Project manager: Agile/Scrum, Jira, risk management, budgeting, stakeholder management, PMP, see the full project manager resume guide.
Operations manager: Lean Six Sigma, process improvement, supply chain, capacity planning, ERP (SAP, NetSuite), KPI/OEE reporting, see the full operations manager resume guide.
Registered nurse: BLS, ACLS, Epic, patient assessment, IV therapy, triage, care coordination.
Accountant: QuickBooks, NetSuite, Excel (advanced), month-end close, reconciliations, GAAP, CPA, see the full accountant resume guide.
Administrative assistant: Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, calendar management, expense reporting, event coordination, see the full administrative assistant resume guide.
Sales representative: Salesforce, HubSpot, MEDDIC, prospecting, pipeline management, quota attainment, see the full sales representative resume guide.
Soft skills worth including (when proven)
- Communication, leadership, and collaboration.
- Problem-solving and adaptability.
- Time management and prioritization.
- Show them in bullets ("led a 6-person team") rather than asserting them in a list.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Listing every skill you have ever touched instead of the relevant ones.
- Padding with soft skills you never demonstrate elsewhere.
- Claiming a tool or language you cannot discuss in an interview.
- Ignoring the posting’s exact wording, which the ATS matches against.
Put it into practice: browse resume examples by role, start from a free ATS-friendly template, and generate a tailored letter with our AI cover letter generator.
Frequently asked questions
What skills should I put on a resume?
The ones the job posting names that you can genuinely back up. Prioritize hard skills and tools the role depends on, group them so they scan fast, and mirror your top skills in your experience bullets so they are evidenced rather than just listed.
What is the difference between hard skills and soft skills?
Hard skills are teachable, measurable abilities, tools, languages, certifications, and they are what the ATS matches against. Soft skills (communication, leadership, adaptability) are how you work with others; prove them through achievements rather than listing them.
How many skills should I list on a resume?
Enough to cover the role’s key requirements without padding, typically 8–12 grouped skills. Quality and relevance beat quantity; a focused list that mirrors the posting outperforms a long catalog of everything you have touched.
Should I match my skills to the job description?
Yes. Pull the exact skills named in the posting and include the ones that honestly apply to you, using the employer’s wording (and both the acronym and spelled-out form). That is what the ATS scans for and what signals fit to a recruiter.
Applygrid builds the ATS-friendly resume builder and AI cover letter generator behind these guides. We write from hands-on experience with how applicant tracking systems parse resumes, what recruiters actually screen for, and what gets job seekers to the interview.
Put this into practice
Build an ATS-friendly resume and generate a tailored cover letter with Applygrid, free to start.