How to write your skills on a Resume

7 min readFeb 16, 2024

In today’s competitive job market, standing out from the crowd is more important than ever. And one of the key ways to grab attention? Showcasing your skills in a resume that speaks volumes about your capabilities.

But here’s the challenge — how do you effectively write and present your skills to not just get noticed, but remembered? Welcome to our guide on ‘How to Write Your Skills on a Resume’ — your go-to resource for crafting a resume that opens doors.

We’ll cover everything from identifying your most marketable skills, differentiating between hard and soft skills, to tailoring them for the job you’re aiming for. Plus, I’ll share some insider tips on making your skills pop!

So, whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, join us as we dive deep into the world of resumes. Let’s make sure your skills do the talking and set you up for success.

Ready to transform your resume into a powerful tool that lands you interviews? Stay tuned!

How to write your skills on a Resume — 20 Points to Remember

The most important 20 points on how to effectively write your skills on a resume are:

Start by listing the skills most relevant to the job you’re applying for. Review the job description to identify these skills.
Separate your skills into categories such as technical skills, soft skills, and industry-specific skills to make them easier for employers to scan.
Incorporate keywords from the job description. Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), and using the right keywords can help ensure your resume gets noticed.
Instead of vague terms like “experienced in marketing,” use specific skills such as “proficient in Google Analytics and SEO optimization.”
Whenever possible, use numbers to quantify your achievements and demonstrate how you’ve applied your skills effectively, e.g., “Increased sales by 20% through targeted social media marketing.”
Especially if you’re changing industries, highlight skills that are transferable and relevant to the new role.
If you have certifications that prove your expertise in certain skills, make sure to list them.
Put your most relevant and impressive skills (Prioritize Top Skills) toward the top of your skills section.
Only list skills you are truly proficient in. Overstating your abilities can lead to challenges down the line.
Start each skill with an action verb to make your resume more dynamic and impactful, e.g., “Managed,” “Developed,” “Designed.”
Customize the skills section for each job application based on what the employer is seeking.
Employers value soft skills like leadership, communication, and teamwork. Include these if they are strengths of yours.
For technical roles, consider using a skills matrix to display your proficiency in various technologies or methodologies.
If you are proficient in more than one language, include this in a separate subsection, especially if it’s relevant to the job.
List specific tools, software, or equipment you are proficient in that are relevant to the job.
Show how you’ve used your skills to solve problems or overcome challenges.
Mention any ongoing professional development efforts, such as courses or workshops, that have helped you hone your skills.
Arrange your skills logically, either by their relevance to the job or from your strongest to least strong skills.
Your resume should be easy to scan. List skills concisely rather than writing lengthy descriptions.
Finally, review your skills section to ensure it’s free of typos and grammatical errors. Ask a friend or mentor to proofread it for clarity and impact.
By following these points, you can create a compelling skills section on your resume that showcases your abilities and aligns with the employer’s needs.

Also Read: Cover Letter for Freshers: Format and Best Samples

How to write your skills on a resume

Writing your skills and experience on a resume effectively can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed by employers and landing job interviews. Here’s how to do it:

1. Choose the Right Resume Format

Lists your work history in reverse chronological order. Ideal for those with a solid work history in the same field as the job they’re applying for.
Focuses on skills and experience rather than work history. Suitable for career changers, fresh graduates, or those with gaps in employment.
Blends both chronological and functional formats, emphasizing skills and experience while also detailing work history.

2. Tailor Your Resume

Customize your resume for each job application. Use the job description as a guide to highlight the most relevant skills and experiences.

3. Highlight Your Skills

Create a ‘Skills’ section: List your most relevant skills for the job. Include both hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (interpersonal qualities).
Instead of “experienced in sales,” say “increased sales revenue by 20% in Q1 through strategic client outreach.”
Use keywords from the job description helps pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that many companies use.

4. Detail Your Work Experience

Start with your most recent job: Include your title, the company’s name, and the dates of employment.
For each job, list your responsibilities and achievements in bullet points rather than paragraphs to make them easier to read.
Whenever possible, use numbers to highlight your accomplishments (e.g., “Managed a team of 10,” “Boosted website traffic by 30%”).
Action words: Start each bullet point with a strong action verb (e.g., Managed, Developed, Increased).

5. Focus on Relevant Experience

Prioritize relevant experience, Emphasize the roles and responsibilities most relevant to the job you’re applying for.
Include internships and volunteer work: If they are relevant to the job, these can also be included in your experience section.

6. Education and Certifications

List any relevant education or certifications: Especially if they’re requirements or beneficial for the job you’re applying for.

7. Projects and Portfolio

If applicable, include significant projects or a link to an online portfolio to showcase your work.

8. Proofread and Edit

Ensure your resume is free from typos and grammatical errors. Have someone else review it if possible.

Example for a Digital Marketer

Skills Section Example:

Proficient in SEO and SEM strategies, increasing organic search traffic by up to 40%.
Experienced with Google Analytics and Google AdWords.
Strong content creation and management skills across multiple platforms.
Excellent understanding of social media marketing strategies.
Proficient in CRM software (e.g., Salesforce).

Experience Section Example:

Digital Marketing Manager | ABC Corp | Jan 2018 — Present
Developed and implemented a comprehensive digital marketing strategy, resulting in a 50% increase in lead generation.
Managed a budget of $500k for digital advertising, achieving a 20% reduction in costs while maintaining lead quality.
Led a team of 5 marketing specialists, fostering a collaborative environment that increased team productivity by 25%.

By following these guidelines and customizing your resume for each application, you’ll make a strong impression on potential employers and improve your chances of landing an interview.

how to effectively write your skills and experience on a resume, let’s dive deeper into strategies that can make your resume stand out and convey your professional narrative compellingly.

Expanding Your Skills Section

Incorporate a Mix of Skills:

Technical Skills: These are essential for roles that require specific technical knowledge, such as software proficiency, programming languages, or machinery operation. For example, “Expert in Python, R, and SQL for data analysis.”

Soft Skills: Employers value interpersonal skills highly. Showcase your communication, leadership, problem-solving, and time management abilities. For example, “Proven leadership abilities in coordinating cross-functional teams to achieve project goals on schedule.”

Industry-Specific Skills:

Tailor this section to fit the industry. For instance, in digital marketing, highlight expertise in SEO, content marketing, and social media management. In contrast, for a financial analyst position, emphasize financial modeling, risk assessment, and forecasting skills.

Enhancing Your Experience Section

Contextualize Your Achievements:

When listing achievements, provide context that illustrates the impact of your work. For example, instead of simply stating “Led marketing campaigns,” elaborate with “Led marketing campaigns that penetrated three new market segments, increasing overall market share by 15% in one year.”

Use the STAR Method:

For each significant achievement, consider framing it in the STAR method — Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This structure helps in providing a concise yet comprehensive narrative of your accomplishments. For instance:

Situation: “Faced with declining customer engagement…”
Task: “Aimed to revitalize the customer loyalty program…”
Action: “Redesigned the program structure and introduced gamification elements…”
Result: “Resulted in a 40% increase in customer participation rates within six months.”

Additional Sections to Consider

Professional Summary:

A brief section at the beginning of your resume that summarizes your qualifications, career goals, and what you bring to a potential employer. Tailor this to the job description to immediately catch the recruiter’s attention.

Professional Affiliations and Awards:

If you are a member of professional organizations or have received awards, include these to demonstrate your commitment to your profession and recognition of your expertise.

Languages:

Fluency in multiple languages can be a significant asset in many roles, particularly in international companies or roles involving multicultural communication.

Volunteer Experience:

Especially relevant if you’re early in your career, transitioning fields, or if the volunteer work demonstrates skills or character traits relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Hobbies and Interests:

While generally kept brief, this section can help humanize you as a candidate and may spark conversation in an interview, especially if your interests align with the company culture or role.

Final Touches

Design and Layout:

Ensure your resume is visually appealing and easy to read. Use bullet points, consistent formatting, and professional fonts. Avoid overcrowding; white space can make your resume more inviting.

Keywords Optimization:

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to screen resumes before they reach a human eye. Use keywords from the job description throughout your resume to ensure it passes through these systems.

Customize for the Role:

Always tailor your resume for each application. Highlight the most relevant experience and skills based on the job description. This shows the employer that you have taken the time to understand the role and see yourself as a fit.

By following these additional tips and structuring your resume to highlight your strengths effectively, you will craft a compelling resume that showcases your professional journey and makes you a memorable candidate.