Resume Skills Section Guide: Top Hard and Soft Skills for 2025
Learn how to write a strong resume skills section in 2025 with examples of hard and soft skills, formatting tips, and keyword strategies that pass ATS and impress employers.
Updated Nov 21, 2025
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8 min
Your skills section is one of the most important parts of your resume. It's where you tell employers, "This is what I offer." It's also one of the first spots Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) look at.
Creating or updating your resume for 2025? This guide helps you craft a standout skills section. We’ll cover what to include, how to balance hard and soft skills, and provide practical examples you can use.
What Is a Resume Skills Section (and Why It Matters in 2025)
Think of your skills section as a snapshot of your abilities. It shows both what you can do (hard skills) and how you do it (soft skills).
ATS software and recruiters often glance here first to see if you’re worth a closer look.
A strong skills section:
Helps you rank higher in ATS scans
Highlights your strengths at a glance
Supports your professional brand
Balances technical expertise with interpersonal abilities
In 2025, the top skills sections are clear, relevant, and matched to the job posting.
Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills — Why You Need Both
Your skills section should reflect a mix of both. Understanding the difference helps you prioritize what skills to include.
Hard Skills for Resume
These are the technical abilities you’ve learned through work, school, or training. They’re measurable and often specific to your role or industry.
Examples:
Data Analysis
Project Management
SEO / Google Analytics
Programming Languages (Python, Java, SQL)
Accounting or Financial Forecasting
Graphic Design (Adobe Creative Suite, Figma)
CRM Tools (Salesforce, HubSpot)
Pro Tip: Use the exact wording from the job posting when you can. ATS systems look for matches word-for-word. It really helps.
Soft Skills for Resume
Soft skills show how you work and interact with others. Soft skills matter just as much as technical skills, especially for hybrid or remote work.
Examples:
Leadership
Communication
Problem-Solving
Time Management
Collaboration
Adaptability
Emotional Intelligence
Employers often say soft skills are tough to teach. So, showing them through your achievements or experience can help you stand out.
Pro Tip: The trick with soft skills? Don’t just list them. Show them in action.
Instead of saying: “Great communicator,”
Write: “Provided weekly analytics reports to the leadership team.”
This is clear, credible, and easy to remember.
How to Build Your Skills Section
There’s no single “right” format, but the best resumes make the skills section easy to scan and relevant to the job.
Here’s how to do it step by step:
1. Placement Matters
Where should you place your skills section? That depends on your experience and background.
Here's where you should put your skills based on where you're at in your professional journey:
Most professionals: After work experience
Entry-level or career changers: Above work experience to highlight transferable skills
Technical or senior roles: Split into two sections like “Technical Skills” and “Leadership Skills”
2. Group Skills into Categories
Clarity is everything. Organize similar skills together.
Example:
Technical Skills: SQL, Tableau, Python, Microsoft Excel
Soft Skills: Problem Solving, Collaboration, Time Management
For more specialized roles, go deeper:
Design Skills: Adobe Photoshop, Figma, UX/UI Design
Marketing Skills: SEO, Email Marketing, Copywriting
3. Stick to 6–12 Skills
Too few skills can undersell you. Too many can overwhelm the reader. Pick the ones that matter most for the role.
Pro Tip: Look at a few job postings in your field. See which skills keep showing up. Those are likely the ones employers and ATS want.
4. Match the Job Description (Without Overdoing It)
Include keywords naturally throughout your skills and experience sections. For example:
Instead of: “Team Player, Organized, Microsoft Office”
Try: “Cross-functional collaboration, project coordination, Microsoft Excel”
See the difference? It’s more professional, precise, and ATS-friendly.
For deeper guidance on keyword optimization, see ATS Resume: How to Make Sure Your Resume Passes.
Resume Skills Section Examples (By Role)
Here’s how different roles might structure their skills sections:
Marketing Professional
Digital Marketing Skills: SEO, Google Ads, Content Strategy, Social Media Analytics
Soft Skills: Strategic Thinking, Communication, Collaboration
Software Engineer
Technical Skills: Python, JavaScript, AWS, Git, CI/CD, SQL
Soft Skills: Problem-Solving, Teamwork, Adaptability
Project Manager
Core Skills: Agile Methodology, Budget Management, Risk Analysis, Stakeholder Communication
Soft Skills: Leadership, Organization, Time Management
Administrative Assistant
Office Skills: Microsoft Office Suite, Calendar Management, Travel Coordination
Soft Skills: Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Multitasking
Showcasing the Right Balance of Hard and Soft Skills
Hard skills show what you can do. Soft skills show how you do it. Employers want both, but your resume should show soft skills through results.
For example:
“Led a 5-person team to complete a redesign 2 weeks early” → shows leadership and time management
“Presented weekly analytics reports to executives” → shows communication and initiative
Whenever possible, give your soft skills context — it makes them real.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your Resume Skills Section
Avoid these pitfalls that can hurt your credibility or ATS ranking:
Listing outdated software (e.g., Microsoft FrontPage, Flash)
Including generic buzzwords (“Team player,” “Hard worker”)
Mixing unrelated skills without context
Overloading the section — less is more when it’s strategic
If you’re unsure about the format, check out Best Resume Format in 2025: Chronological vs Functional vs Hybrid.
FAQs — Resume Skills Section
What are the top 5 skills for resumes?
It depends on your field, but in 2025, these are in high demand:
Communication
Project Management
Data Analysis
Leadership
Adaptability
Should I list soft or hard skills?
Both! Hard skills help you get past ATS. Soft skills show you’re a strong fit for the team. A 60/40 split usually works well.
How many skills should I put on a resume?
6–12 is the sweet spot. Pick the ones that are relevant and make every skill count. Focus on quality over quantity.
Conclusion — Make Your Skills Section Work
Remember:
Group skills into clear categories
Mix hard and soft skills
Tailor them to the job you want
Keep them current and relevant
For a complete guide, see How to Write a Resume in 2025 (Step-by-Step Guide That Actually Works). You can also begin crafting your resume with Wensa’s Resume Builder It offers modern templates that impress ATS and hiring managers.
Teanca Holt is a recruiting expert and digital content writer from Utah with over five years of experience helping people craft resumes that get noticed. At Wensa, she shares practical tips on writing, career growth, and landing the job you want.
