What Are Some Skills to Put on a Resume? (2026)

Key Takeaways Summary

• What are some skills to put on a resume? Match job descriptions exactly: Always tailor the skills to include on your resume directly to the requirements listed in the job posting to satisfy ATS algorithms.
• Blend hard and soft skills effectively: Combine technical, teachable abilities with the interpersonal and leadership strengths that human recruiters look for.
• Use exact keywords for ATS scanning: Applicant Tracking Systems look for precise phrasing from the job ad, so never use creative synonyms for standard industry skills.
• Group your skills logically: Categorize your abilities into clear sections (e.g., Technical, Languages, Core Competencies) to make your resume scannable.
• Show, don’t just tell: Back up every listed skill with concrete metrics and achievements in your professional experience section.

Introduction

I review hundreds of resumes every week, and the most common question I hear from job seekers is: “what are some skills to put on a resume?” It is a crucial question because your skills section is the primary filter that Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and human recruiters use to evaluate your potential. If you choose the wrong skills to include on resume documents, you will be instantly rejected, regardless of how much experience you actually have. Let’s fix that strategy today.

• Hard skills get you noticed: Technical abilities prove to the software and the recruiter that you can perform the daily tasks required for the role.
• Soft skills secure the interview: Interpersonal and leadership skills show hiring managers that you are a great team fit and can communicate effectively.
• ATS optimization is mandatory: Your resume must be structured and worded in a way that recruiting software can easily read, parse, and score.
• Context matters more than lists: Simply pasting keywords isn’t enough; you must prove those skills in your bullet points with real-world results.

How ATS Scans Resumes

Before we dive into the specific skills you need, you have to understand how Applicant Tracking Systems evaluate your application. When you hit submit, your resume rarely goes straight to a human being. Instead, an ATS parses your document, categorizes your experience, and scores your profile based on specific predetermined keywords.

The system looks for exact, one-to-one matches. If the job description asks for “Customer Service,” but your resume says “Client Relations,” the ATS might fail to recognize the skill and drop your ranking. This is why tailoring your document is absolutely non-negotiable. The software scans your file top-to-bottom, relying on clear headings to understand your document’s structure.

I always recommend using an ATS resume scanner to see exactly how software reads your file before you apply. By understanding that the ATS is essentially a matching engine, you can strategically place the right phrasing throughout your document to ensure your profile reaches the hiring manager’s desk.

How to Optimize Resume for ATS

Adding skills to your resume isn’t just about throwing words onto a page and hoping for the best. You need a deliberate strategy to pass the ATS algorithms while remaining highly readable for the human hiring manager. Here is my proven, step-by-step optimization process for placing skills correctly.

1. Analyze the Job Description: Your optimization journey starts here. Highlight every required skill listed in the posting. These are your primary target keywords. If you are wondering what are some skills to put on a resume for a specific role, the job ad itself is your ultimate cheat sheet.
2. Identify Your Matching Skills: Compare the required keywords with your own background. Only list the skills you actually possess and feel comfortable discussing in an interview. Never lie to pass an ATS scan.
3. Use Exact Phrasing: If the posting says “Search Engine Optimization,” use that exact phrase instead of just “SEO.” Even better, include both: “Search Engine Optimization (SEO)” to cover all bases the ATS might be programmed to find. You can use a resume keyword checker to verify your density.
4. Create a Dedicated Skills Section: Place your skills section at the top of your resume if you are making a career change, or just below your summary for standard professional resumes. Utilizing a reliable AI resume builder ensures the section is formatted exactly how the ATS expects.
5. Integrate Skills into Experience: Do not leave your skills orphaned in a bulleted list. You must weave those same keywords into your work experience bullet points to provide context. If you need help phrasing these, a resume bullet point generator can help you draft accomplishment statements that naturally feature your core skills.

ATS Resume Keywords Examples

If you are still struggling to figure out what are some skills to put on a resume, I have compiled a list of high-value ATS keyword examples across multiple industries. These are real, job-related keywords that recruiters actively search for inside their databases. While your specific keywords will depend on your target job, these examples show the level of professional phrasing you should aim for.

• Project Management
• Process Optimization
• Stakeholder Management
• Data Analysis
• Agile Methodology
• Workflow Automation
• Risk Assessment
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
• Cross-functional Leadership
• Quality Assurance
• Financial Forecasting
• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Strategic Planning
• Conflict Resolution
• Cloud Computing
• Inventory Management
• B2B Sales
• Content Strategy

Place these keywords in a dedicated “Skills” section, but also ensure they are mirrored in your introduction. If you need help writing that opening section, try using a resume summary generator to naturally embed these keywords right at the top of the page. Alternatively, use a dedicated resume skills generator to uncover more niche keywords tailored to your specific profession.

ATS Resume Formatting Tips

Even if you select the absolute best skills to include on resume files, a terrible layout will ruin your chances. Poor formatting prevents the ATS from reading your text, turning your carefully selected keywords into unreadable gibberish. Here is how to format your resume so the software can actually read it.

• Resume format: Stick to the reverse-chronological format. It is universally understood by ATS platforms and preferred by recruiters. It tells a clear story of your career progression while highlighting your most recent skills.
• Section headings: Keep them standard. Use exact phrases like “Skills,” “Experience,” and “Education.” Do not use cute or creative titles like “What I Do Best” or “My Toolbox” because the ATS won’t recognize them.
• Fonts: Use standard, readable fonts like Arial, Calibri, Garamond, or Helvetica. Avoid custom, downloadable fonts that the ATS cannot render properly.
• Date formats: Use a consistent date format throughout the entire document, such as “Month Year – Month Year” (e.g., “Jan 2020 – Present”). This helps the ATS accurately calculate your years of experience with specific skills.
• Avoiding columns: Many older Applicant Tracking Systems read straight across the page from left to right. A complex two-column layout can jumble your skills section into an unreadable mess. Stick to a single-column layout for maximum safety.
• Avoiding graphics: Never use progress bars, star ratings, icons, or charts to display your proficiency in a skill. The ATS cannot read images, which means you will get a score of zero for those capabilities. Always stick to plain text.

Once you have applied these formatting tips, I highly recommend running your final document through an ATS resume checker to verify that the software is extracting your experience and skills perfectly.

Summary

• Research the specific job description to find the exact skills the employer needs before you write.
• Balance your skills section evenly with both technical hard skills and interpersonal soft skills.
• Use exact keyword matches to ensure you score high in Applicant Tracking System rankings.
• Place a dedicated “Skills” section near the top of your resume for high visibility and easy scanning.
• Embed the exact same skills into your work experience bullets, backing them up with measurable results.
• Verify your keyword density and formatting using an ATS score checker before applying.
• Never use text boxes in ATS resumes, as the software often skips over them entirely, erasing your skills.
• Never submit resumes as image files; stick to standard Word (.docx) or PDF formats so text is readable.

FAQ: What Are Some Skills to Put on a Resume? (2026)

What is the best ATS resume format?
The best ATS resume format is the reverse-chronological format. It uses a single-column layout, standard fonts, and clear, traditional section headings like “Skills” and “Experience” which the scanning software easily understands.

How many ATS keywords should I include?
You should aim to naturally include 10 to 15 highly relevant keywords directly from the job description. Do not stuff keywords unnaturally; instead, blend them into your dedicated skills section and your experience bullet points.

Can ATS read PDF resumes?
Yes, modern ATS software can easily read standard, text-based PDF resumes. However, if your PDF was exported as an image file or contains heavy graphics and text boxes, the ATS will fail to read it. When in doubt, a standard Word document (.docx) is the safest option.

How do I test my ATS resume?
You can test your document by copying and pasting its contents into a plain text editor (like Notepad). If the text appears jumbled or out of order, the ATS will likely read it the same way. Alternatively, use a professional ATS resume scanner online.

What ATS mistakes cause rejection?
The most common mistakes that cause instant rejection include using exact opposite phrasing from the job description, hiding skills inside unreadable text boxes, using complex multi-column layouts, and putting important data inside headers or footers.