Many job seekers search for a specific number of skills to place on their resume, but the ideal approach focuses on relevance and quality over a set figure. The effectiveness of your skills section is determined by how well it mirrors the requirements of the job you are pursuing. Presenting a concise, targeted list of qualifications shows employers that you have a clear understanding of the role and what is needed to succeed in it.
The General Rule for a Dedicated Skills Section
As a guideline, a dedicated skills section on a resume should feature between 8 and 12 of your most relevant abilities. This range is broad enough to showcase a comprehensive set of qualifications without overwhelming a hiring manager. For early-career professionals, a list of 8 to 10 skills is often sufficient, while those in mid-career or senior roles might include up to 15. This targeted approach ensures that the skills you list are impactful and easily digestible.
Tailoring Skills to the Job Description
The most effective resumes are customized for each specific job application, using the job description as the primary guide. Before adding any skill to your resume, analyze the posting to identify the core competencies and keywords the employer has highlighted. These are the qualifications the hiring manager is actively seeking.
This customization is also important for navigating Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which many companies use to screen resumes. These software programs scan your resume for keywords that match the job description. If your resume lacks these specific terms, it may be filtered out before a human ever sees it, so mirroring the language used by the employer increases the chances of your application moving forward.
Begin by reading the “Requirements” or “Responsibilities” sections of the job posting, noting any skills that appear multiple times. Then, review your own skill set and identify where the two overlap. This process ensures that every skill you list is directly relevant to the role, demonstrating a clear alignment between your abilities and the employer’s needs.
Balancing Hard Skills and Soft Skills
A compelling resume demonstrates a blend of both hard and soft skills. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities that are technical in nature and can be quantified. Examples include proficiency in a programming language like Python, knowledge of a software platform like Adobe Creative Suite, or the ability to perform data analysis.
In contrast, soft skills are interpersonal attributes that describe how you work and interact with others. These include abilities such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and adaptability. While hard skills prove you can do the job, soft skills indicate you will be a collaborative and effective member of the team.
When building your resume, prioritize the hard skills that are explicitly mentioned in the job description, as these are often scanned by ATS. Employers look for a combination of both to identify well-rounded candidates.
Where to Place Skills on Your Resume
There are three primary locations where skills can be effectively showcased: a dedicated skills section, the professional summary, and the work experience section. Each area serves a different purpose in highlighting your qualifications.
A dedicated skills section, often labeled “Skills” or “Core Competencies,” provides a quick, scannable list for recruiters. This section is particularly useful for highlighting technical abilities or hard skills that are central to the job. Placing this section after your work history is common in a standard reverse-chronological resume.
To capture attention immediately, you can integrate two or three of your most impactful skills into your professional summary at the top of the resume. Embedding skills within the bullet points of your work experience section is a powerful way to demonstrate them in action. For instance, instead of just listing “project management,” you can describe a successful project you managed, detailing the outcome and the skills you utilized.
Common Skill-Listing Mistakes to Avoid
To ensure your resume is as effective as possible, it is helpful to avoid common mistakes in the skills section.
- Using vague or generic terms. Instead of stating “Microsoft Office,” specify your proficiency level or the particular programs you excel in, such as advanced Excel functions for data analysis.
- Relying on clichés. Avoid phrases like “hard worker” and instead provide concrete examples of your work ethic within your experience section.
- Including outdated technologies unless they are specifically relevant to the position.
- Listing skills you are not proficient in. This can be exposed during the interview process, so it is important to present an honest and accurate representation of your abilities.