Skills to Put on Your Resume
The skills section is the second-most-scanned part of any resume after the experience block. Pika helps you pick the right mix of hard skills, soft skills, and technical abilities for your target role — and the keywords that get past ATS.
What Are the Best Skills to Put on a Resume?
The best skills are the ones in the job description. Match what they ask for, then add adjacent skills that strengthen your profile. Group skills by category — technical, languages, tools, soft skills — to make them scannable. Pika's AI scans the job description you're targeting and tells you which skills you're missing.
Hard Skills vs Soft Skills
Hard skills are measurable, learnable abilities like programming languages, accounting standards, machine operation, or fluency in another language. Soft skills are interpersonal qualities like leadership, communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. A balanced resume includes both — but lead with hard skills relevant to the role.
Technical Skills by Industry
Software/IT: Java, Python, JavaScript, SQL, AWS, Docker, Git, REST APIs, microservices. Data Analytics: Python, R, SQL, Tableau, Power BI, Excel, statistical analysis. Marketing: SEO, Google Analytics, content marketing, email automation, A/B testing. Finance: financial modelling, valuation, GAAP, IFRS, Excel, Bloomberg Terminal. List 8-12 skills tailored to your target role.
How to List Skills on Your Resume
Use a clean two-column or single-row Skills section. Group similar skills (e.g., "Programming Languages: Java, Python, JavaScript"). Avoid skill bars or rating dots — ATS can't read them and they look amateur. Focus on the 10-12 skills that match the job description, not every skill you've ever touched.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many skills should I list on my resume?
10-15 skills total, grouped by category. Quality matters more than quantity — every skill should be relevant to the role you're applying for.
Should I include soft skills on my resume?
Yes, but sparingly. List 3-5 soft skills that match the role (e.g., leadership for management roles, attention to detail for analyst roles). Demonstrate them through your bullet points, not just by listing.
What are the best computer skills for a resume?
Microsoft Office (Excel especially), Google Workspace, project management tools (Jira, Asana, Trello), and any role-specific software. For technical roles, list programming languages and tools.
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