100+ Skills for a Job Application [2024 Examples]
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Determining the right skills to add to your job application to impress hiring managers is simple with our extensive list. We provide essential job skills and strategic insights on effectively incorporating them into your resume.
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Why is it Important to Choose Good Skills for a Job?
Imagine that your resume is a recipe and your skills are ingredients. With the right combination of skills and experience, your resume can help highlight your best skills for a job.
Every recruiter will receive close to 300 applications per job opening, and only 10 to 20 of those applications will get an interview. Including important skills for a job based on the job description and your professional experience will help boost your application over other job seekers.
Follow this guide on choosing and mentioning your job skills in your resume, along with professional examples.
Difference Between Hard vs. Soft Skills for a Job
A good resume will have a balance of soft skills and hard skills. Both describe your professional traits, but they have some key differences.
Hard skills for a Job
Hard skills are those capabilities that you can only acquire through education, experience or training, including technical skills. For example:
- Analytics
- Computer skills
- Data analysis
- Digital marketing
- Financial evaluation
- Foreign languages
- IT support
- Machine learning/artificial intelligence (AI)
- Project management
- Quality assurance and testing
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Software development
- Statistical analysis
- Technical writing
- Web development
Soft skills for a Job
Soft skills are interpersonal skills that enable individuals to interact with others effectively. For example:
- Active listening
- Adaptability
- Collaboration
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Conflict resolution
- Decision-making
- Emotional intelligence
- Empathy
- Organization
- Interpersonal skills
- Leadership
- Problem-solving
- Time management
30 Best Skills for a Job Application
Over 55% of global companies utilize application tracking systems (ATS) to sift through job applications. ATS scans all listed skills across numerous documents, selecting matches with job descriptions. Approximately 75% of received resumes are rejected with this tool, emphasizing the critical importance of choosing optimal skills for your resume.
Our ATS resume templates are optimized to enhance ATS compatibility by using standard formatting, clear section headings, and appropriate keyword placement, ensuring your resume passes through ATS scans effectively.
- Coding
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Adaptability/flexibility
- Data visualization
- Content creation/writing
- Attention to detail
- Digital branding
- Customer relationship management (CRM) software proficiency
- Budgeting/financial planning
- Financial analysis
- Market Research
- Creative thinking
- Visual communication
- Public speaking/presentation Skills
- Emotional intelligence
- IT troubleshooting
- Quality control
- Multilingualism
- Project supervision
- Sales skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Social media management
- Leadership/management
- Software development
- Statistical analysis
- Problem-solving
- Web development
- Technical writing
- Time management
100+ Technical and Professional Skills for Any Job
We previously discussed hard and soft skills, so it’s essential to know the subcategories that stem from these two groups of skills. Selecting the technical and professional skills to add to your resume depends on your experience level, job description and industry.
Critical thinking skills for a job
Critical thinking skills are soft skills that refer to your decision-making ability. It includes anything from observation to problem-solving and communication.
- Analyzing data
- Argumentation
- Cognitive flexibility
- Conceptualizing ideas
- Creative thinking
- Data interpretation
- Decision making
- Deductive reasoning
- Evaluating information
- Hypothesis testing
- Inductive reasoning
- Information literacy
- Inferring insights
- Interpreting data
- Logical reasoning
- Pattern recognition
- Persuasion
- Problem identification
- Recognizing patterns
Interpersonal skills for a job
Interpersonal skills showcase your ability to communicate, collaborate and interact effectively with others, fostering positive relationships and teamwork.
- Active Listening
- Adaptability
- Assertiveness
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Conflict resolution
- Cultural sensitivity
- Diplomacy
- Emotional intelligence
- Empathy
- Flexibility
- Leadership
- Networking
- Negotiation
- Patience
- Relationship building
- Respectfulness
- Teamwork
- Tactfulness
- Trustworthiness
Leadership skills for a job
Leadership skills involve guiding, inspiring and influencing others to achieve common goals with vision, empathy and effective decision-making.
- Accountability
- Flexibility
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Conflict resolution
- Coaching and mentoring
- Decision making
- Delegation
- Emotional intelligence
- Empowerment
- Innovation
- Integrity
- Motivating others
- Negotiation
- Problem-solving
- Resilience
- Strategic planning
- Team building
- Trust-building
- Visionary thinking
Management skills for a job
Management skills encompass the ability to organize, plan, coordinate and lead resources and personnel toward achieving goals efficiently and effectively.
- Adaptability
- Budgeting and financial management
- Change management
- Coaching and mentoring
- Communication
- Conflict resolution
- Decision making
- Delegation
- Innovation
- Leadership
- Negotiation
- Performance management
- Planning and organizing
- Problem-solving
- Relationship management
- Resource allocation
- Risk management
- Strategic thinking
- Team building
- Time management
Computer skills for a job
Computer skills include adeptness in operating software, navigating digital tools, and utilizing technology for diverse tasks and objectives.
- Basic graphic design (Canva, Adobe Spark)
- Basic troubleshooting (software and hardware)
- Cloud storage management (Google Drive, Dropbox)
- Coding (Python, Java, HTML)
- Cybersecurity awareness and basic practices
- Data entry
- Database management (Access, SQL)
- Digital file compression (ZIP, RAR)
- Document editing and formatting
- Email management
- File management (organizing, renaming, moving Files)
- Internet research
- Operating system navigation (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Presentation software (PowerPoint, Google Slides)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Social media management
- Spreadsheet management (Google Sheets, Excel)
- Typing (keyboarding)
- Video conferencing and collaboration tools (Zoom, Microsoft Teams)
- Web browsing
Writing skills for a job
Writing skills reflect your ability to communicate effectively through written language, conveying ideas concisely and persuasively.
- Academic writing
- Adaptability (Adjusting style for different audiences)
- Business writing
- Clarity
- Coherence
- Content creation
- Copywriting
- Marketing
- Editing
- Grammar and punctuation
- Organization
- Persuasiveness
- Proofreading
- Research
- SEO (search engine optimization) writing
- Social media writing
- Spelling
- Technical writing
- Vocabulary
- Writing conciseness
4 Tips to List Skills on a Resume
Writing an effective resume requires strategic placement of skills. Here are four tips for writing skills in your resume to make it stand out to recruiters and ATS scans alike.
1Tailor to the job application:
Align skills with the job description. Place the most relevant skills near the top.
2Quantify your achievements:
Quantify skills with metrics or achievements where applicable, e.g., “Managed a team of 10” or “Increased website traffic by 30%.”
3Update regularly:
Keep your skills section up-to-date with your evolving abilities and the requirements of the positions you’re targeting.
4Use bullet points:
List skills using bullet points for easy readability. Keep each point concise.
FAQ
How do I determine which skills to highlight on my resume?
Ensure your skills align with the job description when writing your resume. Prioritize abilities that match the outlined requirements and preferred qualifications to optimize your chances.
How can I demonstrate my proficiency in these skills?
Provide concrete examples in your resume that illustrate how you’ve utilized these skills in previous roles or projects. Quantify your achievements whenever possible, and be prepared to discuss your skills further during interviews.
Are there any skills that are universally valued across different industries?
Yes, skills like communication, problem-solving, adaptability and teamwork are highly valued across various industries. These transferable skills demonstrate your ability to thrive in different environments and contribute effectively to any team or organization.
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100+ Important Skills for a Job + Examples
Last edited by: Sarai Ayala, Content Writer - August 19, 2024
Sarai Ayala
Content Writer
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