When job seekers start writing a resume, one of the biggest pain points is deciding which types of skills to include. Skills are one of the first things hiring managers look for and one of the main sections ATS systems scan, which means choosing the right ones can significantly increase your chances of getting noticed.
This DreamShift guide will help you understand the types of skills employers value, which skills strengthen your resume, and which ones you should avoid (based on global hiring insights and best practices used by career resources such as Harvard Career Services, Monster, Enhancv, and Zety).
What Are “Types of Skills” on a Resume?
Most resume experts agree that the skills section can either strengthen your application or weaken it. According to Harvard Career Services , employers pay close attention to clearly defined skills that match the role. That means the skills you choose should be intentional, relevant, and aligned with the job description.
Generally, skills fall under two major categories, hard skills and soft skills. But within these, there are subcategories that matter just as much.
1. Hard Skills (Technical, Teachable, Role-Specific)
Hard skills are measurable, testable, and specific to a role. Zety highlights that these skills should ideally appear in the job posting itself because hiring managers use them to evaluate whether you’re capable of handling the responsibilities.
Examples:
- SEO optimisation
- Data analysis
- Bookkeeping
- CRM operations (HubSpot, Salesforce)
- Coding languages (Python, SQL)
- Graphic design (Adobe Suite)
- Social media analytics
- Financial reporting
Why hard skills matter
Monster Career Advice notes that employers look for hard skills first because they directly communicate whether you can perform the job. They are also highly scan-friendly for ATS systems.
2. Soft Skills (How You Work, Communicate & Collaborate)
Soft skills describe the way you interact, solve problems, and function within a team. Enhancv (https://enhancv.com/resume-skills/) explains that while soft skills are less measurable, they have become critical for modern hiring decisions.
Examples:
- Communication
- Time management
- Creativity
- Leadership
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Collaboration
- Critical thinking
Why soft skills matter?
They show your personality, emotional intelligence, and work style. But these skills should always be supported by real achievements otherwise, they feel generic or empty.
3. Transferable Skills (Skills That Work Across Every Industry)
Transferable skills are highly valuable, especially for job seekers who are early in their career, switching industries, or wanting to move from part-time work into full-time roles.
Examples:
- Customer service
- Organisation
- Prioritisation
- Research
- Multitasking
- Conflict resolution
- Decision-making
Why transferable skills matter?
Harvard Career Services emphasises the importance of showcasing skills that demonstrate adaptability and versatility in new environments. These become especially powerful when your past experience doesn’t directly match the role you’re applying for.
4. Digital Literacy Skills (Must-Have in Modern Workplaces)
Nearly every industry now expects a baseline level of digital literacy. Employers want to know you can confidently navigate modern tools and online work environments.
Examples:
- Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive)
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Zoom, Teams, Slack
- Social media basics
- Project management tools (Asana, Trello, Monday.com)
Why digital skills matter?
Monster’s breakdown of resume skills highlights that digital literacy is no longer optional. Even in non-technical roles, employers expect candidates to be comfortable with everyday digital tools.
Read about the must have AI skills for 2025 here.
5. Industry-Specific Skills (The Skills That Set You Apart)
Different industries require specialised skills. Zety’s resume skill framework emphasises the importance of matching your skills with keywords found in job descriptions.
Examples:
- Marketing: Campaign management, analytics, content creation
- Finance: Forecasting, auditing, reconciliation
- IT: Troubleshooting, cloud platforms, networking
- Sales: CRM pipelines, negotiation, lead qualification
- Hospitality: POS systems, guest service
- Administration: Database management, scheduling systems
Why industry skills matter
They show employers you’re someone who understands the expectations and tools of the field.
6. Personal Traits (Optional – Use Sparingly)
Traits describe who you are, but they should be used with caution. Enhancv notes that traits only work well when supported by evidence in your experience section.
Use carefully:
- Reliable
- Hardworking
- Fast learner
- Honest
- Enthusiastic
Traits should not replace measurable skills
What NOT to Add to Your Resume Skills Section?
While including the right types of skills can strengthen your resume, adding the wrong ones can weaken it. Here’s what to avoid.
1. Overused Soft Skills With No Proof
Monster warns against vague skills like:
- Team player
- Strong communicator
- People person
- Motivated
- Dedicated
These only hold value when they appear naturally inside your achievements.
2. Skills You Can’t Prove
If an employer asked:
“Can you show me where you used this skill?”
and you can’t answer, remove it.
Employers value evidence-based skills, as Harvard’s guidelines repeatedly highlight.
3. Irrelevant Skills
If a skill doesn’t relate to the role, it can distract from your strengths.
For example, if you’re applying for an admin role, you don’t need to include “video editing” unless it’s specifically required.
4. Outdated Technology
Zety reminds job seekers not to include outdated tools or software unless the job specifically asks for them.
Avoid listing:
- Fax machine use
- Old operating systems
- Outdated versions of programs
How Many Types of Skills Should You Include?
Most resume experts agree (including Enhancv and Monster) that the ideal number is:
6 – 10 skills
A mix of hard + soft + industry skills
Tailored to each job description
Avoid long lists – quality always beats quantity.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right types of skills for your resume can significantly influence how quickly you capture a recruiter’s attention. When chosen thoughtfully and supported through real achievements, skills show employers exactly how you work, what you bring to the table, and how prepared you are for the role.
If you want personalized guidance on selecting the right skills or crafting a modern, professional resume, you can book a call with the DreamShift team. We’d be happy to help you build a standout resume that reflects your true value.
