Top 20 Skills Employers Want to See on a Resume
Since hiring managers primarily look at skills when reading a resume, it's important to highlight those you actually possess and that are relevant to the specific job opening. MoneyTalks explains which skills really matter.
10 Best Professional Skills to Add to Your Resume
Job skills are skills related to a specific job that can be learned, measured, and tested.
For example, for a software developer, these skills include specific programming languages or frameworks. Technical skills are the subset of professional skills related to the tools, systems, programs, and technologies needed to perform the job.
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Since these skills are directly dependent on the requirements of a specific job, their set varies across professions and industries. In many cases, these skills directly impact income levels.
Below are examples of in-demand professional skills relevant in various fields.
Administration
Even if the position is not directly related to administration, almost any job includes tasks that remain "behind the scenes" but ensure the normal workflow.
These skills demonstrate how well a person can organize work, communicate, and coordinate daily tasks, making it easier for an employer to trust them with deadlines and details.
Examples of administrative skills:
- calendar management and planning
- data entry and record keeping
- electronic correspondence and written communication
- file organization and document management
- coordination of meetings
Анализ данных
In many professions, decisions are made based on data, which helps evaluate results and identify trends.
Data analysis skills demonstrate that a person can interpret information, find patterns, and turn numbers into conclusions that help make more informed decisions.
examples:
- data cleaning and preparation
- visualization and reporting
- tracking metrics and analyzing performance
- forecasting and modeling
- table analysis
Design
Design skills are important not only in creative professions. Many of them require visual thinking—for creating presentations, describing processes, or developing products.
examples:
- compliance with corporate style
- composition and layouts
- prototyping
- visual storytelling
- creating interface diagrams
Digital and computer skills
Almost every job today involves technology, especially when it comes to remote work.
Such skills demonstrate that a person can work with modern tools, interact effectively with colleagues, and organize their work.
examples:
- cloud collaboration tools
- database management systems
- project management platforms
- video conferencing
- office software
Foreign languages
Knowledge of languages expands the circle of communication and makes a specialist more versatile.
Even if it's not a requirement, knowing multiple languages is helpful when working with clients, on international teams, and in service roles.
examples:
- ability to speak
- understanding cultural differences
- professional translation
- чтение and понимание текста
- simultaneous translation
Marketing
Marketing skills are related to the ability to convey the value of a product and generate interest.
They are in demand in many professions, especially those where communication, audience interaction, and brand representation are important.
examples:
- audience research
- campaign coordination
- content promotion
- messaging and positioning
- social media strategy
Mathematics
Finance, business, engineering, construction, manufacturing, logistics, medicine, and operations all require a strong knowledge of mathematics.
Specific skills help an employer understand how a person applies numerical analysis to their work.
examples:
- budgeting and forecasting
- cost assessment
- data modeling
- financial settlements
- statistical analysis
Talks
Negotiation skills demonstrate the ability to reach agreements that are beneficial to all parties.
They are especially important in sales, partnerships, procurement, and any situation where the outcome depends on the alignment of interests.
examples:
- conflict resolution
- discussion of contracts
- structuring agreements
- coordination of interests of the parties
- value-based negotiations
Project management
These skills demonstrate how well a person can plan, coordinate, and bring tasks to completion.
Employers value candidates who can prioritize, meet deadlines, and see projects through to completion.
examples:
- agile methodologies
- control of deadlines
- resource coordination
- risk assessment
- planning
Written communication
The ability to write clearly and professionally is important for any job.
From letters to reports, the quality of writing influences the understanding of ideas and the effectiveness of communication.
examples:
- business correspondence
- content strategy
- editing and proofreading
- instructions
- writing reports
10 Best Soft Skills to Add to Your Resume
What are soft skills? They are universal qualities that determine how a person interacts with others, communicates, and solves problems.
These skills are applicable across a variety of fields, so they are usually grouped into categories rather than tied to specific functions.
Below are the 10 most in-demand soft skills with explanations.
Attention to detail
To get the job done, it is important to follow instructions precisely, especially when interacting with other people.
This skill is essential in any profession. Your resume can include examples of situations where attentiveness helped avoid a mistake.
Communications
The ability to clearly express thoughts—orally and in writing—is crucial when working with management, colleagues, and clients. The better these skills are developed, the better the results.
Creativity
The ability to think outside the box and find original solutions is valued in any role.
Creativity can be demonstrated through problem solving or creative skills such as writing or design.
Critical thinking
This is the ability to analyze a situation and choose the best solution.
Employers are looking for employees who can think through their steps and find more efficient ways of working.
Emotional intelligence and communication skills
Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others.
At work, this means stability, balance, and the ability to cope with difficult situations.
Flexibility
Companies value employees who can adapt and use different approaches to achieve results.
Organization
It's not just about keeping your workspace tidy, but also about managing tasks, projects, and time—both yours and your team's.
Solving Problems
In any field of activity, difficulties arise, and employers want to see an employee’s ability to quickly find effective solutions.
There are even professions entirely dedicated to solving the problems of a company or its clients.
Responsibility
A good employee takes responsibility for his tasks and admits mistakes.
Managers value those who don't need to be constantly checked on to make sure their work is completed.
Teamwork
Almost any job requires interacting with others, so it is important to be able to work effectively in a team.
How to correctly list skills on a resume
Once you've identified which hard and soft skills you want to showcase, it's important to showcase them effectively on your resume.
The goal is to highlight the most important skills for a specific job opening and demonstrate how your experience matches the requirements.
Below are steps to help you prioritize, structure, and present your skills in a way that's easy to understand.
Sort skills by importance
If you're applying for a sales position, having experience as an auto mechanic won't be the key.
You need to highlight the skills and experience that are relevant to the role.
If you don't have enough experience, it's worth looking for relevant skills in previous positions.
For example, a car mechanic who has worked with customers has communication skills—this is a transferable skill that is useful in sales.
Add a section with key achievements
Modern resumes are results-oriented, so it's important to showcase achievements rather than simply listing responsibilities.
If you have had multiple roles, select the three most significant achievements and highlight them in a separate section.
Don't include more than four points to keep the section short and to the point.
examples:
- Implementation of new application processing processes, which reduced the resolution time by 30%
- transition to a new CRM system, which reduced the volume of manual input and increased productivity by 25%.
- creation of standard reporting dashboards, which increased data accuracy and decision-making speed
Group skills into categories
In more senior positions, responsibilities often span multiple areas.
For example, an operations manager might manage personnel, ensure the smooth operation of processes, interact with partners, manage projects, and recruit employees.
Skills and achievements can be grouped into categories to show their structure.
Examples of categories:
- change management - team restructuring, development of training programs, mentoring
- Customer service - maintaining and improving interactions with customers
- Process optimization – development and implementation of solutions to improve work efficiency
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