⭐Summary

Choosing the right skills for your resume is one of the fastest ways to instantly strengthen your application and impress hiring managers. With hiring becoming more digital, automated, and competitive in 2026, your resume must be ATS-friendly, strategically formatted, and aligned with the job description.
Your skills section plays a crucial role in every type of resume — corporate, acting, theatre, artistic CVs, retail, healthcare, and more. This guide breaks down exactly which skills to include, how to format them, and how to tailor your resume to get noticed.

If you’re not sure what to include, this list of resume skills employers want in 2026 makes it easy to align fast.

⭐ Introduction

In today’s job market, your resume needs more than a list of past experiences — it needs the right skills, optimised for both recruiters and Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). Whether you’re creating a corporate resume, acting resume, theatre resume, artistic CV, retail resume, or healthcare resume, your skills section directly affects your visibility and interview chances.

This comprehensive guide walks you through what skills to put on a resume, how to choose the strongest skills for any job ad, and how to format them using professional resume templates, modern resume templates, and ATS-safe layouts. You’ll also find resume examples, resume summary examples, resume formatting tips, and practical strategies to help you create a resume online or decide whether resume writing services are right for you.

Consider this your all-in-one, high-impact resource — fully structured for readability and optimised to meet complete search intent.

⭐ Why Skills Matter: The Role of Skills in an ATS-Friendly Resume

Before we dive into the full resume skills list, it’s important to understand why your skills section matters more in 2026 than ever before.

✔ Because ATS Filters Scan Your Skills First
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) scan your resume for keywords.
Your skills list is one of the primary places these keywords appear.

If you miss key skills listed in the job description, your resume may never reach a human recruiter — even if you’re qualified.

✔ Because Hiring Managers Scan Quickly
Recruiters typically spend 7–10 seconds on their first pass.
A clean, well-organized skills section helps them:

• Evaluate your qualifications instantly
  
• Identify the tools you know
  
• See if you match the job
  
• Understand your technical and soft skill strengths
  

✔ Because Skills Support Your Resume Summary
Most strong resumes start with a short resume summary — and the skills listed later in the resume must reinforce the claims you make in your opening summary.

✔ Because Skills Strengthen Your Experience Section
Hiring managers want to see both skills AND evidence you’ve used them. A strong experience section displays achievements, while the skills section provides the keywords needed to match the job.

✔ Because Strong Skills Improve Resume Examples Everywhere
Look at any high-performing resume examples from job boards or top resume writing services — they all include strong, targeted skills sections.

⭐ Top Resume Skills Employers Want in 2026 (Universal List)

Perfect for ATS-friendly resumes, professional resume templates, and modern resume templates.

Below is a universal resume skills list relevant for MOST industries. This list is copy-ready, ATS-friendly, and broad enough to rank for wide search intent around resume skills, skills for resumes, and best resume skills.

🛠 Hard Skills (Technical Skills Employers Search For)

These hard skills commonly appear in job ads across admin, customer service, marketing, sales, healthcare, tech, and retail.

• Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
  
• Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive)
  
• CRM Software (Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho)
  
• Project Management Tools (Asana, Trello, Jira)
  
• Social Media Management & Scheduling Tools
  
• Basic Accounting / Bookkeeping
  
• Email Marketing Platforms (Mailchimp, Klaviyo)
  
• E-commerce & POS (Square, Shopify, Lightspeed)
  
• Reporting & Data Analytics
  
• Data Entry & Data Accuracy
  
• Calendar & Schedule Management
  
• Content Writing & Editing
  
• Website CMS (WordPress, Shopify)
  
• Graphic Design (Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud)
  
• Customer Relationship Management
  
• HR & Payroll Tools (Xero, MYOB)
  
• Inventory Tracking & Management Systems
  
• ERP Software (NetSuite, SAP)
  
• Video Editing Tools (CapCut, Adobe Premiere Pro)
  

🌟 Soft Skills (Behavioural Skills That Employers Value)

Soft skills show how you work and communicate — and are essential in almost every resume.

• Strong Communication (written & verbal)
  
• Problem-Solving
  
• Critical Thinking
  
• Time Management
  
• Team Collaboration
  
• Adaptability & Flexibility
  
• Attention to Detail
  
• Leadership & Initiative
  
• Emotional Intelligence
  
• Customer Service Orientation
  
• Professionalism & Reliability
  
• Conflict Resolution
  
• Work Ethic
  
• Decision-Making
  
• Multitasking & Prioritisation
  

These soft skills strengthen your resume summary, your experience section, and your overall impression as a candidate.

👉 Want a perfectly formatted resume with these skills already added? Build your ATS-friendly resume online in minutes.

⭐ Hard Skills vs Soft Skills — What’s the Difference?

A strong resume includes both. Employers want proof that you can handle the job (hard skills) AND work effectively with others (soft skills).

✔ Hard Skills
Tools, software, methods, certifications, and technical abilities.
Examples: Excel, CRM software, data analysis, video editing.

✔ Soft Skills
People skills, interpersonal traits, and behaviours.
Examples: communication, teamwork, leadership, adaptability.

⭐ How to Write a Resume Skills Section (Step-by-Step Guide)

SEO keywords: how to write a resume, resume formatting tips, ATS-friendly resumes

To build a perfect skills section, follow these steps — the same strategies used by professional resume writers and resume writing services.

Step 1 — Review the Job Description Carefully
Highlight any skills that appear multiple times.

These usually include:

• Role-specific tools
  
• Software
  
• Industry terminology
  
• Required certifications
  
• Soft skills
  

These are your priority ATS keywords.

Step 2 — Match Keywords Exactly
Don’t reword or generalise.

If the job description says:

“Proficient in Salesforce CRM”

Write: Salesforce CRM
Not: “CRM experience”

ATS systems match exact phrasing — not synonyms.

Step 3 — Choose 8–15 Relevant Skills
Ideal breakdown:

• 6–10 hard skills
  
• 4–6 soft skills
  

This ensures a focused, relevant skills section that doesn’t overwhelm the page.

Step 4 — Place Skills High on the Page
On most modern resume templates, the skills section appears:

• Right after the summary, or
  
• In a sidebar on the first page, or
  
• Before experience (for entry-level candidates)
  

Proper placement is part of good resume formatting and improves readability.

Step 5 — Keep the Formatting Clean & ATS-Friendly

Avoid:

• Tables
  
• Graphics
  
• Columns hidden in text boxes
  
• Icons
  

Use:

• Simple bullets
  
• Short skill phrases
  
• Clean alignment
  
• Standard fonts
  

This ensures your skills appear correctly when you create a resume online or upload it to a job portal.

For higher match scores, combine your skills list with these resume tips to beat ATS and impress hiring managers .

👉 Skip the guesswork — use our modern resume templates and let AI assemble your skills section automatically.

⭐ What NOT to Put in Your Resume Skills Section

Many job seekers weaken their resume by listing skills that are vague, outdated, or irrelevant.

Avoid the following:

❌ Overused Generic Soft Skills

• “Hard worker”
  
• “Motivated”
  
• “People person”
  
• “Fast learner”
  
• “Works well under pressure”
  
• “Multi-tasker”
  

These skills tell employers nothing — and ATS doesn’t scan for them.

❌ Outdated Technical Skills

• Typing
  
• Faxing
  
• Basic Microsoft Word
  
• Internet browsing
  
• Old software versions
  

These signal that your resume isn’t modern.

❌ Unprofessional “Skills”

• Fun personality
  
• Good at chatting
  
• Great sense of humour
  

These are inappropriate for professional resumes.

❌ Irrelevant Skills
Avoid listing anything unrelated to the job — especially hobbies disguised as skills:

• Poetry
  
• Gaming
  
• Social media (unless used professionally)
  
• Personal talents not tied to job performance
  

If your resume still isn’t getting traction, check these resume mistakes that reduce ATS ranking and fix them first.

⭐ Industry-Based Resume Skills List (Highly Searchable & SEO-Optimised)

This section expands your ranking keywords and helps readers in specific fields.

🏢 Administration & Office Support Resume Skills
Relevant for receptionist resumes, admin assistants, clerks, and office coordinators.

• Calendar management
  
• Inbox organisation
  
• Meeting coordination
  
• Document control
  
• Data entry
  
• Reception & visitor management
  
• Travel planning
  
• Minute-taking
  
• CRM updates
  
• Scheduling tools (Acuity, Calendly)
  
• Microsoft Office (Excel & Outlook)
  
• Office administration
  

🎧 Customer Service Resume Skills
Perfect for retail, hospitality, call centres, and front-facing roles.

• Active listening
  
• Conflict resolution
  
• Complaint handling
  
• Customer retention
  
• POS systems
  
• Queue management
  
• Empathy & patience
  
• Problem diagnosis
  
• Rapport building
  
• Communication
  

💼 Marketing Resume Skills

Great for digital marketing resumes, content creators, ads specialists, and SEO roles.

• Content creation
  
• SEO basics
  
• Canva & Adobe design
  
• Social media scheduling
  
• Email marketing
  
• Analytics reporting
  
• Campaign coordination
  
• CRM segmentation
  
• Writing & editing
  
• Branding
  

🛒 Retail Resume Skills

Common for retail assistants, sales associates, and store managers.

• Cash handling
  
• Stock rotation
  
• Visual merchandising
  
• Sales techniques
  
• Product knowledge
  
• Upselling
  
• EFTPOS & POS operation
  
• Store opening/closing
  

🏥 Nursing & Healthcare Resume Skills

These skills appear in RN resumes, EN resumes, aged care resumes, and hospital roles.

• Patient assessment
  
• Vital signs
  
• Medication administration
  
• Documentation
  
• Infection control
  
• Care planning
  
• Medical equipment operation
  
• Clinical communication
  

⭐ Acting Resume / Theatre Resume Skills Example

For performers, a dedicated skills section is essential.

Special Skills

• Accents: British RP, Cockney, Southern, New York
  
• Stage Combat: SAFD Certified (Rapier, Unarmed)
  
• Dance: Jazz, Tap, Ballet, Modern
  
• Vocal: Tenor (A2–B♭4), Strong Belt, Head Voice
  
• Instruments: Piano (10 years), Guitar
  
• Other: Valid Passport, Driver’s Licence, Bartending
  

If your resume still isn’t getting traction, check these resume mistakes that reduce ATS ranking and fix them first.

⭐ Resume Summary Examples Featuring Skills

Your resume summary should combine experience + value + skills to create impact.

⭐ Administrative Assistant Resume Summary Example
Detail-oriented Administrative Assistant with 5+ years of experience supporting executives, managing calendars, and improving office workflows. Skilled in Microsoft Office, scheduling, communication, and customer service. Known for strong organisation, attention to detail, and delivering seamless administrative support.

⭐ Customer Service Resume Summary Example
Customer-focused professional with 6+ years in retail and call centre environments. Expert in conflict resolution, POS operation, rapport building, and customer retention. Proven ability to enhance customer satisfaction and deliver outstanding service.

⭐ Digital Marketing Resume Summary Example
Creative Digital Marketer with expertise in content creation, email marketing, SEO, and social media management. Skilled in analytics, campaign optimisation, and CRM segmentation. Strong communication and data-driven approach to strategy.

⭐ Actor Resume Summary Example
Versatile actor with stage, film, and improvisation experience. Skilled in accents, stage combat, vocal performance, and dance. Known for professionalism, adaptability, and strong ensemble collaboration.

⭐ Resume Formatting Tips (for ATS & Readability)

Formatting matters as much as content. Follow these best practices:

• Use a clean, professional resume template
  
• Avoid text boxes, images, or decorative fonts
  
• Keep margins between 0.5–1 inch
  
• Use font sizes 10.5–12pt
  
• Stick to one or two font families
  
• Use clear section headings
  
• Place skills on page one
  
• Keep your resume to one or two pages depending on experience
  
• Save as PDF unless the employer asks for Word
  

These resume formatting tips help you keep your resume modern and ATS-friendly.

⭐ Professional Resume Templates & Modern Resume Templates

Choosing the right resume template can make or break your application.

A strong template should include:

• Clean structure
  
• Clear headings
  
• Easy-to-read fonts
  
• Minimal graphics
  
• ATS-friendly formatting
  
• Balanced white space
  
• Sidebars used correctly (if used at all)
  

Modern resume templates often include subtle colour accents, better hierarchy, and optional icons — but still remain ATS-safe.

⭐ How to Create a Resume Online

You can create a resume online using:

• AI resume builders
  
• ResumeAITools smart templates
  
• Word or Google Docs
  
• Professional online tools
  
• Resume writing services (for complex career situations)
  

Online resume builders help you:

• Insert skills quickly
  
• Auto-format your content
  
• Ensure ATS compliance
  
• Export clean PDFs
  
• Access professional resume templates instantly

⭐ Free Acting Resume Templates & Theatre Resume Templates

(Keep this section as you originally listed — it aligns with niche users such as actors and performers using acting resume templates and theatre resume templates.)

⭐ How to Choose the Right Skills for Any Job

Follow this simple framework:

• Scan the job ad
  
• Match exact keywords
  
• Prioritise the most important skills
  
• Keep your list concise
  
• Support skills with achievements in the experience section
  

👉 Get a resume summary, skills list, and layout tailored to your career. Try our free AI resume generator now.

⭐ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Resume Skills, ATS & Resume Writing in 2026

1. What are the best skills to put on a resume in 2026?
The best skills to include are the ones that match the job description, especially technical skills, software tools, and essential soft skills. Popular 2026 skills include communication, problem-solving, Microsoft Office, CRM software, customer service, project management, teamwork, and data entry.
Including the right resume skills list improves both recruiter interest and ATS scores.

2. How many skills should I list on my resume?
Aim for 8–15 skills total. A strong mix is:

• 6–10 hard skills (software, tools, technical skills)
  
• 4–6 soft skills (communication, teamwork, adaptability)
  

This is ideal for ATS-friendly resumes and keeps your layout clean.

3. Should I list hard skills or soft skills?
You need both.
Hard skills show technical ability.
Soft skills show how you work with people.
A balanced resume skills list is essential for all industries.

4. What skills should I avoid putting on a resume?
Avoid skills that are vague, outdated, or irrelevant. Examples include:

• “Hard worker”
  
• “People person”
  
• “Fast learner”
  
• “Basic Microsoft Word”
  
• “Internet browsing”
  
• Hobbies listed as skills
  

Stick to professional, job-relevant skills only.

5. How do I make my skills ATS-friendly?
Use exact keyword matches from the job posting. If the ad says “Salesforce CRM,” include that exact phrase.
Avoid icons, graphics, and tables. Keep your skills in a clean bulleted list so ATS software can read them.

6. Where should the skills section go on my resume?
Typically, your skills section should appear on page one, either:

• directly under your resume summary,
  
• in a sidebar, or
  
• above your work experience (for entry-level candidates).
  

Good placement improves ATS scanning and recruiter readability.

7. Can I list skills even if I’m not an expert?
Yes — as long as you’re competent in them.
Don’t claim advanced skills you can’t demonstrate. It’s better to show honest proficiency than risk being caught in an interview.

8. Should I use a resume template?
Yes.
Using professional resume templates or modern resume templates helps you:

• follow best-practice formatting
  
• ensure ATS compatibility
  
• create a clean, professional layout
  
• save time on design
  

Just make sure the template is ATS-friendly with minimal graphics and no hidden text boxes.

9. How do I choose the right skills for the job?
Use this framework:

• Scan the job description
  
• Highlight repeated skills
  
• Match them exactly
  
• Prioritise the most important skills
  
• Keep your list concise and relevant
  

This method ensures you pass ATS filters and stand out to recruiters.

10. Should I use a resume builder to create my resume?
If you want a fast, polished, ATS-friendly resume, yes.
Online tools to create a resume online help you:

• insert skills quickly
  
• auto-format your document
  
• generate resume summary examples
  
• customise professional templates
  
• export clean PDFs
  

They’re ideal for job seekers who want a resume that looks modern and performs well in ATS.

11. What’s the difference between a resume skill and a job duty?
A skill is something you can do (e.g., customer service, scheduling, Excel).
A job duty is something you did (e.g., answered calls, managed calendars).
Job duties belong in the experience section.
Skills belong in the skills list.

12. Should I list skills on a one-page resume?
Yes.
On a one-page resume, your skills are still essential — especially if you have limited experience.
Use a concise list of your most relevant hard and soft skills.

13. Is it okay to include skills I learned from volunteer work or personal projects?
Absolutely — as long as they’re relevant and you can demonstrate them. Examples:

• Using Canva for volunteer social media posts
  
• Managing calendars for a community group
  
• Running events, workshops, or fundraisers
  

Relevant skills count no matter where you gained them.

14. Do employers actually read the skills section?
Yes — especially when scanning quickly.
Hiring managers check your skills before deciding whether to continue reading.
ATS systems also rank your resume based on this section, so it’s one of the most important parts of your resume.

15. Should skills go on a creative or acting resume?
Yes.
Acting resumes rely heavily on specific skills like:

• Accents
  
• Stage combat
  
• Dance
  
• Vocal range
  
• Performance training
  

These skills often determine your suitability for roles, so they are crucial for performers.

16. Can I use icons or graphics to display skills?
Avoid using icons if you want an ATS-friendly resume.
While icons look nice on some modern resume templates, they can confuse ATS software.
Stick to plain text for your skills list.

17. How often should I update my resume skills?
Update your skills every 6 months, or whenever you:

• learn a new software tool
  
• complete training
  
• switch industries
  
• gain new certifications
  
• take on new responsibilities
  

Skills evolve quickly — your resume should, too.

18. Can resume writing services help improve my skills section?
Yes.
Professional resume writing services can help you:

• identify the strongest skills for your industry
  
• rewrite your experience using skill-based achievements
  
• choose the right resume template
  
• improve ATS performance
  
• modernise your formatting
  

This is especially helpful if you’re changing careers or unsure what to include.

19. What skills are most important for entry-level candidates?
Entry-level applicants should focus on:

• communication
  
• teamwork
  
• customer service
  
• problem-solving
  
• time management
  
• Microsoft Office
  
• adaptability
  
• willingness to learn
  

You don’t need advanced technical skills — just relevant, foundational ones.

20. What’s the biggest mistake people make with resume skills?
The biggest mistake is listing skills that don’t match the job description.
Even qualified applicants get rejected because ATS can’t see the right keywords.
Always tailor your skills to each job posting.

⭐ Conclusion

Choosing the best skills to put on a resume in 2026 is all about alignment — matching the job description, keeping your resume ATS-friendly, using modern resume templates, and showcasing both hard and soft skills. Whether you create a resume online or use professional resume templates, your skills section is one of the most important parts of your application.

Use these resume tips to beat ATS and impress hiring managers so your resume stays clean, readable, and scan-friendly.

👉 Want a resume that stands out instantly? Upload your resume and get a full AI-optimised rewrite — free.

Renae Guttie – Market Research Specialist

Renae Guttie is a versatile and outgoing professional specializing in high-volume public engagement, sales operations and marketing. With extensive experience in market research, telefundraising, and call centre management.