When applying for jobs in the U.S., your resume is more than a work history. It is a snapshot of your abilities, achievements, and the value you can bring to a company. One of the most important sections on your resume is the skills section but many people either fill it with vague buzzwords or leave it too empty to be useful.
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Whether you are new to the job market or looking to make a career move, knowing what skills to put on a resume for U.S. employers can make a big difference. In this guide, we will cover:
- What are good skills to put on a resume
- Examples of hard and soft skills
- What computer skills to put on a resume
- What soft skills are most valued
- How to tailor your skills section to a job
- Mistakes to avoid when listing skills
What Are Good Skills to Put on a Resume?
Good skills are those that match the job you are applying for. In other words, if a company needs someone who can manage projects, work with a team, and use specific tools, your skills section should reflect exactly that.
There are two main types of skills:
- Hard skills: These are teachable and measurable abilities, such as data analysis, accounting, foreign languages, or graphic design.
- Soft skills: These are personal traits and interpersonal abilities like communication, teamwork, adaptability, or leadership.
Both matter. U.S. employers expect to see a mix of both types of skills especially ones that match the job description.
How to Choose the Right Skills
Before you start listing every skill you have ever used, take a moment to think about what the job actually requires. The best resumes are targeted. This means you adjust your skills based on the role.
Step 1: Read the job description closely
Most job posts will include a list of required or preferred skills. Look for those keywords and mirror the language they use as long as you truly have those skills.
Step 2: Prioritize relevant skills
Your resume should not include everything you have ever learned. Stick to the skills that are most relevant to the job you want. Too many unrelated skills can dilute your message.
Step 3: Show, don’t just tell
If possible, show how you used the skill in your past roles. This can happen in your work experience section or a separate achievements section.
What Computer Skills to Put on a Resume?
Computer skills are one of the most common categories employers in the U.S. look for across nearly every industry. Even if you are not applying for a tech job, basic digital literacy is expected.
Here are examples of computer skills to list on your resume, depending on the role:
General and Office Productivity
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
- Email and calendar tools (Outlook, Gmail)
- File management and cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox)
Communication and Collaboration
- Zoom
- Slack
- Microsoft Teams
- Trello or Asana
- CRM software (Salesforce, HubSpot)
Creative and Design Tools
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe Illustrator
- Canva
- Figma
- Final Cut Pro or Premiere Pro
Data and Technical Tools
- SQL
- Python
- Microsoft Power BI
- Tableau
- Excel (advanced functions)
- Google Analytics
Tailor your computer skills to the job. A marketing assistant will need different tools than a data analyst or customer support rep.
What Soft Skills to Put on a Resume?
Soft skills are harder to measure, but they still matter. In fact, many U.S. employers consider soft skills just as important as technical ones — especially in roles where teamwork, leadership, or communication is involved.
Here are examples of soft skills employers value in 2025:
- Communication
- Time management
- Adaptability
- Problem-solving
- Critical thinking
- Team collaboration
- Conflict resolution
- Attention to detail
- Leadership
- Emotional intelligence
When listing soft skills, avoid simply dropping them into a list. Instead, show how you used them in past roles. For example:
Experience
- Led a team of five on a product launch, resolving internal conflicts and improving coordination between design and marketing
- Managed competing deadlines by prioritizing tasks and coordinating with stakeholders to meet delivery goals
This shows soft skills in action, which is more effective than listing them alone.
Examples of Skills by Industry
Customer Service and Support
- Zendesk or Freshdesk
- Live chat handling
- Conflict resolution
- Call scripting
- CRM software
- Empathy and patience
- Multitasking
Administrative and Operations
- Calendar management
- Microsoft Excel
- Data entry
- Report generation
- Time management
- File organization
- Vendor communication
Marketing and Communications
- Social media platforms (Meta, LinkedIn, X)
- Content writing
- SEO and keyword research
- Email marketing tools (Mailchimp, Constant Contact)
- Brand messaging
- Copywriting
- Campaign analysis
Finance and Accounting
- QuickBooks
- Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables)
- Budget planning
- Financial reporting
- Compliance
- Tax preparation
- Forecasting
Tech and Engineering
- Python, JavaScript, or Java
- Git or GitHub
- Agile methodology
- Cloud platforms (AWS, Google Cloud)
- Testing and debugging
- SQL and database design
- System architecture
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Where to Put Skills on a Resume
There are a few smart ways to include skills on your resume:
1. Dedicated “Skills” section
This usually appears after your summary and before your work history. Use bullet points or a clean list of 6 to 10 core skills.
2. Work experience section
Use bullet points in each role to show how you applied key skills.
Example:
- Managed a remote team using Slack, Asana, and weekly check-ins
- Used Excel to analyze customer retention trends and report monthly performance
3. Summary or profile section
Mention one or two high-impact skills at the top to draw attention.
Skills to Avoid Listing
Not every skill helps you. Here are a few to leave off your resume in 2025:
- Outdated software like Windows XP or Internet Explorer
- Generic phrases like “hardworking” or “go-getter”
- Obvious skills like “email” or “typing” unless the job specifically requires it
- Hobbies disguised as skills unless clearly related to the job
- Skills you cannot explain or use under pressure
The best skills to put on a resume are the ones that match what the job requires and reflect your real strengths. In the U.S. job market, employers expect a mix of hard and soft skills, tailored for the role and shown with context. A clean, focused skills section makes it easier for both humans and automated systems to understand what you bring to the table.
Keep it honest. Keep it relevant. Keep it simple.
If you are ready to go beyond just a document and want to build a shareable CV site, tools like Hello.cv make it easier to highlight your skills and experience in one professional space. But whether it is online or on paper, your skills still do most of the talking.
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