A key skills section at the top of the page shows the hiring team what you can do without making them weed through a page of work experience, educational credentials, and other qualifications. Review the type of skills to include and how to write a resume skills section, get a resume template to download, and review a list of the best skills to highlight in your resume.
What to Include in a Resume Key Skills Section
Your skills section includes your abilities related to the job you’re applying for. You should include both “hard skills”—specific, quantifiable attributions such as proficiency in a foreign language, typing speed, or computer software knowledge—and “soft skills” like flexibility, patience, and time management.
Resume Example with Key Skills Section
Review this resume example with a key skills section to get ideas for writing your resume. Download the resume template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) and adapt this template to your own experience – or read the example below and create your own.
Tips for Creating a Skills Section That Stands Out
When you’re crafting your resume, impeccable attention to detail always makes a difference. Taking the time to write compelling but concise descriptions will give you a leg up on the competition. Those targeted descriptions will show you’re a fit for the position. Skills Summary
Communication: Award-winning customer service skills. Deals with internal and external customers at all levels via telephone and email to ensure successful communication through active listening and thoughtful questions.Problem Solving: Resolves in-depth queries in a methodical manner independently and with internal and external business partners to find appropriate resolutions and efficiencies, all with a high level of quality.Team Player: Enjoys sharing knowledge and encouraging the development of others to achieve specific team goals.Planning and Organizing: Refined planning and organizational skills that balance work, team support, and ad-hoc responsibilities in a timely and professional manner.Systems Knowledge: Peoplesoft and Oracle. Experience in preparing and analyzing reporting data for management accurately and to timescales.
Professional Experience Asebeth Medical Services, Sarasota, FLHR Coordinator, March 2021-Present Collaborated with each office territory and developed processes to enable compliance and recruitment of national field employees following medical client guidelines and contracts.
Processed background checks, coordinated drug screenings, and expedited preparation and compliance of files to ensure seamless accreditation of health organization.Proactively monitored employee files for monthly compliance requirements by utilizing the computer system to generate reports.
Borders Books, Music and Café, Sarasota, FLInterim Operations Manager, November 2020-March 2021 Supervised, coached, and counseled staff of 50 employees.
Recruited and scheduled staff to ensure balanced coverage at the information desks, on the floor to restock merchandise, and at the cash registers.Adapted and revised the weekly schedule to consist of maximum 1400 hours as regulated by the Home Office.
Education & Credentials Human Resources Certificate, 2019Sarasota City College, Sarasota, FL Systems Experience:Advanced skill in Peoplesoft and Oracle The keywords and terms you use in your resume also make it easier for the employer to review your resume as a potential match for the job.
Match Your Skills Section to the Job Description
Analyze the job listing, paying particular attention to the keywords used to describe the job requirements. Look for the hard and soft skills, experience, and educational background that the employer is looking for and that you possess, and feature those prominently on your resume. Review these tips for matching your qualifications to a job.
Review Resume Examples
Learn how to craft a skills section that will get the hiring manager’s attention by looking at resume samples and templates. You’ll see how to make your qualifications and experience stand out from the competition while using the limited space above the fold to your advantage.
Pay Attention to Small Details
Make sure your formatting choices are both aesthetically pleasing and consistent in terms of font choice, font sizes, and spacing. Proofread your resume before you send it, and ask a family member or trusted friend to review it for errors and typos, as well.
Best Skills to Include on Your Resume
When you’re applying for a job, the best skills to include on your resume will be those that are the closest match to the position for which you’re applying. They should also be current and in-demand skills that will be an asset to your resume. Here’s a list of the top skills for resumes, how to include them on your resume, and more examples of resumes with featured skills.