What Do I Put on a Resume for Skills? Build a Six-Figure-Worthy Skill Set

In today’s competitive job market, having a standout resume is crucial, especially when aiming for six-figure positions. One of the most vital sections of your resume is the skills section, which showcases your best skills and qualifications to potential employers. But what do I put on a resume for skills to make it compelling and effective? This comprehensive guide will help ambitious and skilled job seekers like you build a six-figure-worthy skill set that can elevate your career prospects.

Introduction to Resume Skills

When it comes to creating a compelling resume, highlighting the right skills is crucial. Resume skills refer to the abilities and qualifications that make a candidate suitable for a particular job. These skills can be categorized into hard skills, such as technical skills, and soft skills, such as communication skills and leadership skills. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities like proficiency in programming languages or data analysis tools, while soft skills are interpersonal attributes like active listening and problem-solving. Effectively showcasing these skills on your resume can significantly enhance your chances of catching the eye of hiring managers and securing an interview.

Why the Skills Section Matters

The skills section is more than just a list of abilities; it’s a strategic component of your resume that highlights your suitability for a role. Here’s why it’s essential:

First Impression: Recruiters often skim resumes quickly, and a well-crafted skills section can capture their attention immediately.
Keyword Optimization: Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to filter resumes. Including relevant skills ensures your resume passes these automated screenings.
Showcasing Expertise: It provides a snapshot of your technical and soft skills, demonstrating your qualifications for high-paying roles.

Additionally, engaging with the hiring manager and preparing detailed examples of your skills for them can significantly enhance your chances during the interview process.

Key Elements to Include in Your Skills Section

When pondering what skills to put on your resume, consider the following elements to create a comprehensive and impactful skills section:

Highlighting both hard and soft skills is crucial, and showcasing examples of how new skills have been acquired or demonstrated in previous roles can significantly enhance your resume. Emphasizing the importance of learning new skills to adapt to a constantly evolving job market will demonstrate your adaptability and commitment to personal growth.

1. Technical Skills

Technical skills are specific, teachable abilities related to your job. They are often easier to quantify and verify. Examples include:

Software Proficiency: Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, CRM software (e.g., Salesforce), project management software
Programming Languages: Python, Java, SQL
Data Analysis Tools: Excel, Tableau, Google Analytics
Technical Certifications: AWS Certified Solutions Architect, PMP, CPA

2. Soft Skills

Soft skills are interpersonal attributes that enhance your interactions and job performance. They are crucial for leadership roles and collaborative environments. Examples include:

Leadership: Guiding teams, project management
Communication: Verbal and written communication, presentation skills
Problem-Solving: Analytical thinking, creative solutions
Time Management: Prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines
Interpersonal Skills: Working with diverse teams, managing conflicts, effective communication, demonstrating empathy and respect

3. Industry-Specific Skills

These are skills tailored to your specific industry, reflecting your specialized knowledge and experience. Examples include:

Marketing: SEO, content marketing, social media strategy, marketing skills
Finance: Financial modeling, budgeting, investment analysis
Healthcare: Patient care, medical billing, regulatory compliance
Engineering: CAD design, systems engineering, quality assurance
Sales: Achieving sales targets, building customer relationships, effective communication, sales skills

4. Transferable Skills

Transferable skills are versatile abilities that apply across various industries and roles. They demonstrate your adaptability and broad competence. Examples include:

Project Management: Planning, executing, and closing projects
Critical Thinking: Evaluating information and making decisions
Customer Service: Client relations, conflict resolution
Teamwork: Collaborating effectively with diverse teams
Organizational Skills: Managing tasks, tracking projects, and meeting deadlines

Essential Skills for a Resume

Including the right skills on a resume can make all the difference in getting noticed by hiring managers. Some essential skills for a resume include technical skills, such as proficiency in Microsoft Office, and soft skills, such as teamwork and time management. It’s also important to tailor the skills section to the specific job description and highlight relevant certifications and training programs. By doing so, candidates can demonstrate their proficiency in key areas and increase their chances of landing an interview. For instance, if the job posting emphasizes project management, ensure you highlight your experience with project management tools and methodologies.

Good communication skills and problem solving skills are essential for effective interaction with customers and team members, and for addressing challenges in various job roles. Including relevant experiences that demonstrate these skills can significantly enhance your resume.

How to Identify the Right Skills to Include

To determine the right skills to put on a resume, follow these steps:

Identify Job Requirements: Carefully read the job description to understand the specific skills required for the position. Highlight keywords and phrases that are frequently mentioned.
Match Your Skills: Compare the job requirements with your own skills and experiences. Focus on the skills that align closely with the job description.
Use Industry-Specific Terms: Incorporate industry-specific terminology to demonstrate your familiarity with the field. This can help your resume stand out to both hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS).
Showcase Relevant Experiences: Provide examples of how you have successfully used your skills in previous roles. Use quantifiable achievements to illustrate your proficiency.
Prioritize Soft Skills: In addition to technical skills, emphasize soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, and adaptability. These are often highly valued by employers.

1. Analyze the Job Description

Carefully review the job posting to identify the skills that the employer is seeking. Highlight keywords and phrases related to both technical and soft skills.

Additionally, pay attention to related skills mentioned in the job description, as these can enhance your resume and make you a more competitive candidate.

2. Match Your Skills to the Job Requirements

Align your own skills with the ones listed in the job description. Focus on including those that are most relevant and demonstrate your ability to excel in the role. Identifying and highlighting key skills that match the job requirements can significantly enhance your resume’s effectiveness.

3. Prioritize Skills Based on Relevance and Proficiency

List the most relevant and strongest skills first. Ensure that you can provide concrete examples of how you’ve used these skills in your previous roles.

4. Incorporate a Mix of Hard and Soft Skills

A balanced combination of hard and soft skills presents you as a well-rounded candidate. Employers value technical expertise as well as the ability to work well within a team and communicate effectively. Therefore, it is crucial to incorporate both soft and hard skills tailored to the specific job description, demonstrating how these skills have been applied in past roles to showcase your competence and suitability for the job.

Structuring Your Skills Section for Maximum Impact

A well-organized skills section enhances readability and ensures that key information stands out. Here’s how to structure it effectively:

Including a well-crafted resume skills section can differentiate applicants from others, influence hiring decisions, and ensure that the resume aligns with job requirements, particularly in job applications that may pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Use a Two-Column Layout

Divide your skills into two columns to utilize space efficiently and make the section easy to scan. For example:

Technical Skills

Soft Skills

Python
SQL
Google Analytics
Project Management

Leadership
Communication
Problem-Solving
Time Management

It’s important to list skills clearly in a two-column layout, using bullet points and incorporating both hard and soft skills tailored to the job description to enhance the resume’s impact and appeal to hiring managers.

Categorize Skills by Type

Group similar skills together under relevant headings (e.g., Technical Skills, Soft Skills, Industry-Specific Skills) to provide clarity and organization.

Incorporate Bullet Points

Use bullet points to list your skills, making them easier to read and highlighting each skill distinctly. Including bullet points in the resume skills section is crucial as it helps to clearly showcase your relevant skills to potential employers and ensures your resume aligns with job requirements, especially when passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

Enhancing Your Skills Section with Additional Elements

To make your skills section stand out, consider adding these elements:

Including professional skills is crucial, especially in a functional resume format, as it allows individuals with limited work experience to effectively showcase their relevant abilities.

Proficiency Levels

Indicate your proficiency level for each skill (e.g., Expert, Intermediate, Beginner) to provide context on your expertise. Demonstrate proficiency in these skills through concrete examples and relevant certifications to highlight your expertise effectively.

Relevant Certifications and Training

Include any certifications or training that validate your skills, adding credibility to your qualifications.

Relevant certifications can significantly enhance your profile and make you stand out to potential employers.

Achievements and Metrics

Where possible, link your skills to accomplishments. For example:

Data Analysis: Improved sales forecasting accuracy by 20% using advanced Excel techniques.

Showcasing these skills through concrete examples and relevant certifications can effectively demonstrate proficiency in specific job roles.

Common Skill Section Mistakes to Avoid

When determining the specific skills, steer clear of these common pitfalls:

Including irrelevant skills: Ensure that the skills listed are pertinent to the job you are applying for. Irrelevant skills can clutter your resume and distract from your qualifications.

Overloading with buzzwords: While it’s important to use industry-specific terminology, overloading your resume with buzzwords can make it seem insincere. Focus on genuine skills and experiences.

Lack of evidence: Simply listing skills without providing context or evidence can be ineffective. Use examples to demonstrate how you have applied these skills in real-world situations.

Neglecting soft skills: While technical skills are crucial, soft skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are equally important. Make sure to highlight these as well.

Failing to update: Regularly update your skills section to reflect your most current abilities and experiences. This ensures that your resume remains relevant and competitive.

Including good skills, particularly writing skills and other job-related abilities, is crucial for effective communication and securing a job. Highlighting these skills on your resume can help you align with market demands and stand out to hiring managers.

Overloading with Skills

Avoid listing every skill you possess. Focus on those most relevant to the job you’re applying for to maintain clarity and impact. Consider how many skills to include, typically between six to twelve, to ensure your resume remains concise and relevant.

Using Vague or Generic Terms

Words like “hardworking” or “team player” are too generic. Instead, specify the skills that demonstrate these traits, such as “project management” or “collaborative teamwork.” Additionally, highlighting personal attributes, particularly soft skills, through specific examples can illustrate your adaptability and effectiveness in collaboration.

Neglecting to Tailor Your Skills Section

Generic resumes are less effective. Tailor your skills section to each job application by highlighting the most relevant skills for that specific role.

Including skills that appeal to resume employers can capture the attention of hiring managers and significantly impact your advancement in the hiring process.

Failing to Provide Evidence

Simply listing skills is not enough. Whenever possible, provide examples or context that demonstrate how you’ve successfully applied these skills in professional settings.

Benefits of an Optimized Skills Section

A well-crafted skills section offers numerous benefits for ambitious professionals:

Increased Interview Chances: Highlighting the right skills can make your resume pass ATS filters and catch the eye of recruiters.
Enhanced Professional Image: Demonstrating a robust and relevant skill set positions you as a strong candidate for high-paying roles.
Career Advancement: Showcasing your skills effectively can lead to promotions, higher salaries, and new opportunities within your industry.

Including a well-optimized resume skills section can differentiate you from other applicants and ensure your resume aligns with job requirements.

Job Search and Application

The job search and application process can be daunting, but having a well-crafted resume with the right skills can help candidates stand out. When preparing for a job application, it’s essential to research the company and tailor the resume to the specific job posting. This includes highlighting relevant skills, such as data analysis and project management, and using keywords from the job description to ensure compatibility with applicant tracking systems (ATS). By aligning your resume with the job requirements, you increase the likelihood of passing the initial screening and moving forward in the hiring process.

Preparing for a Job Interview

Preparing for a job interview involves more than just researching the company and practicing responses to common questions. It’s also essential to be ready to talk about the skills listed on the resume and provide specific examples of how they have been applied in previous roles. This includes highlighting soft skills, such as active listening and problem-solving, and demonstrating proficiency in technical skills, such as programming languages and data analysis tools. Being able to articulate how your skills have contributed to past successes will help you make a strong impression on potential employers.

Acing the Job Interview

Acing a job interview requires a combination of confidence, preparation, and the ability to effectively showcase skills and qualifications. One way to do this is by using the STAR method to answer behavioral questions, which involves describing a situation, task, action, and result. It’s also essential to ask thoughtful questions during the interview, such as inquiring about the company culture and opportunities for professional development. By doing so, candidates can demonstrate their enthusiasm for the role and their willingness to learn and grow with the company. This approach not only highlights your skills but also shows that you are proactive and invested in your career progression.

Tips for Building a Six-Figure-Worthy Skill Set

To reach a six-figure income, continuously develop and showcase high-demand skills. Here are some actionable tips:

Continuously learning new skills is crucial to staying competitive in a constantly evolving job market.

Stay Updated with Industry Trends

Keep abreast of the latest developments in your field to ensure your skills remain relevant and in demand.

Learning new skills is crucial to staying updated with industry trends and showcasing your adaptability and commitment to personal growth.

Invest in Continuous Learning

Pursue advanced courses, certifications, and training programs to enhance your expertise and stay competitive.

Learning new skills through continuous learning is crucial for adapting to the evolving job market and showcasing your commitment to personal growth.

Seek Diverse Experiences

Gain a variety of experiences by working on different projects, roles, and challenges to build a versatile skill set.

Additionally, learning new skills through these diverse experiences can significantly enhance your resume and demonstrate your adaptability and commitment to personal growth.

Leverage Networking Opportunities

Connect with industry professionals to learn about the skills that are most valued and sought after in your field.

Networking opportunities can also be a great way to learn new skills, which can enhance your resume and demonstrate your adaptability and commitment to personal growth.

Showcase Your Skills in Action

Use your resume, LinkedIn profile, and professional portfolio to demonstrate how you’ve effectively applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Additionally, highlight any new skills you have acquired and provide examples of how you have utilized them in previous roles to showcase your adaptability and commitment to personal growth.

Conclusion: Add the Right Skills to Your Resume

Knowing what skills to put on a resume is essential for crafting a resume that stands out, especially when aiming for six-figure positions. By strategically selecting and showcasing your technical, soft, industry-specific, and transferable skills, you can create a compelling narrative that highlights your qualifications and readiness for high-paying roles. Identifying the right skills for your resume is crucial to ensure you match the job requirements and effectively showcase your qualifications to potential employers.

Ready to elevate your resume and secure that dream six-figure job? Let the experts help you present your skills in the best possible light. Visit The Ladders’ professional resume services today and take the first step toward advancing your career with confidence.