50 Best Skills to Put on a Resume in 2026 (+ Examples by Job)

The best skills to put on a resume are not simply the skills that sound impressive. They are the skills that show an employer you can actually perform the job you're applying for.

That means a strong resume for a customer service representative should not have the exact same skills section as a warehouse worker, administrative assistant or sales representative.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2025–2035 employment projections , adaptability, attention to detail and interpersonal skills rank among the most important skills across the U.S. workforce overall. But the skills that matter most still vary substantially by occupation.

The CareerOneStop Resume Guide also recommends focusing your skills section on abilities that are actually relevant to the job rather than filling your resume with generic terms.

What skills should you put on a resume?

Your resume should generally contain a combination of:

• Hard skills: measurable or job-specific abilities such as Excel, bookkeeping, forklift operation or CRM software.
• Soft skills: ways you work and interact with others, such as communication, adaptability and teamwork.
• Transferable skills: abilities that can be useful across different occupations, such as problem-solving or customer service.
• Tools and software: specific platforms, systems or technologies you know how to use.
• Certifications or licensed skills: credentials required or valued for certain jobs.

The best combination depends on the position.

If you're still working on the structure of your resume, start with our guide to the best resume format in 2026 .

50 best skills to put on a resume in 2026

Here are 50 strong resume skills, along with examples of when they may be useful.

1. Communication

Communication is useful in almost any job involving customers, coworkers, managers, vendors or the public.

Resume example: Verbal and written communication

2. Teamwork

Employers often want workers who can collaborate with others rather than operate entirely independently.

Resume example: Cross-functional teamwork and collaboration

3. Problem-solving

Problem-solving demonstrates that you can recognize an issue, evaluate possible solutions and take action.

Resume example: Customer issue resolution and problem-solving

4. Adaptability

Adaptability is particularly valuable in workplaces where schedules, technology, customer needs or responsibilities change frequently.

It also appears as the highest-ranked skill for the overall U.S. workforce in the Bureau of Labor Statistics' current skills projections.

Resume example: Adaptability in fast-paced environments

5. Attention to detail

Detail orientation matters in jobs involving money, inventory, documents, data, healthcare, safety or quality control.

Resume example: Detail-oriented order and inventory processing

6. Time management

Time management can be especially useful when a job involves deadlines, appointments or competing responsibilities.

Resume example: Deadline and priority management

7. Organization

Organizational skills are useful in administrative, warehouse, project, healthcare and customer-facing positions.

Resume example: Document and workflow organization

8. Customer service

Customer service skills apply far beyond call centers. Retail, hospitality, healthcare, banking and many office jobs involve helping customers.

Resume example: Customer service and complaint resolution

9. Leadership

Leadership does not necessarily require having been a manager.

Training coworkers, coordinating shifts, leading a project or taking responsibility for a process can all demonstrate leadership.

Resume example: Team leadership and employee support

10. Conflict resolution

This skill can be valuable in customer service, management, hospitality, healthcare and other jobs where difficult interactions occur.

Resume example: Conflict resolution and de-escalation

11. Critical thinking

Critical thinking means analyzing information rather than automatically following the first available solution.

Resume example: Critical thinking and process improvement

12. Decision-making

Decision-making is particularly relevant when the position requires judgment, prioritization or responsibility for other people or resources.

Resume example: Operational decision-making

13. Active listening

Active listening is especially valuable in customer service, healthcare, sales, management and social services.

Resume example: Active listening and needs assessment

14. Reliability

Reliability matters, but simply writing “reliable” on a resume is not very persuasive. Whenever possible, demonstrate it through your work history.

Better evidence: Maintained consistent attendance while supporting weekend and evening shifts.

15. Initiative

Initiative shows that you can recognize work that needs to be done without waiting for detailed instructions every time.

Resume example: Proactive problem identification and resolution

16. Microsoft Excel

Excel remains relevant across finance, administration, operations, sales, inventory management and many other fields.

Be more specific when possible:

• PivotTables
• VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP
• Charts
• Formulas
• Data cleaning
• Reporting

Resume example: Microsoft Excel — PivotTables, XLOOKUP and reporting

17. Microsoft Word

Word can be relevant for administrative, legal, HR, customer support and office-based positions.

Resume example: Microsoft Word — document formatting and templates

18. Microsoft PowerPoint

PowerPoint may be valuable in sales, management, marketing, training and corporate roles.

Resume example: PowerPoint presentation development

19. Google Workspace

Experience with Gmail, Google Docs, Sheets, Drive and Calendar can be useful for companies using Google's productivity ecosystem.

Resume example: Google Workspace — Docs, Sheets, Drive and Calendar

20. Data entry

Data entry remains relevant in administrative, healthcare, logistics, finance and customer-service jobs.

Resume example: Accurate high-volume data entry

21. CRM software

Customer relationship management systems are widely used in sales, customer support and account management.

If you know a specific platform, name it.

Example: Salesforce CRM

22. Point-of-sale (POS) systems

POS experience is valuable in retail, restaurants, hospitality and service businesses.

Resume example: POS transactions and payment processing

23. Inventory management

This skill is relevant to retail, warehouses, manufacturing, hospitality and operations.

Resume example: Inventory control and stock reconciliation

24. Project management

Project management can include planning, tracking deadlines, coordinating stakeholders and managing resources.

Resume example: Project planning and deadline coordination

25. Scheduling and calendar management

This is particularly useful for receptionists, administrative assistants, medical offices and executive-support roles.

Resume example: Appointment scheduling and calendar management

26. Bookkeeping

Bookkeeping skills may include accounts payable, accounts receivable, bank reconciliation and financial recordkeeping.

Resume example: Accounts payable and bank reconciliation

27. Data analysis

Data analysis can range from basic spreadsheet analysis to advanced statistical and business-intelligence work.

Describe the level you actually possess.

Resume example: Excel-based data analysis and reporting

28. Reporting

Many administrative, finance, operations and management positions involve preparing reports for managers or clients.

Resume example: Weekly operational reporting and KPI tracking

29. Social media management

This can be relevant to marketing, small-business, communications and community-management positions.

Resume example: Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn content management

30. Business writing

Professional writing is useful for emails, reports, customer communication, documentation and internal communication.

Resume example: Professional email and business communication

31. Sales

Sales experience can be valuable even outside traditional sales jobs.

Examples include:

• Retail sales
• B2B sales
• Inside sales
• Upselling
• Cross-selling
• Account management

Resume example: Consultative sales and upselling

32. Lead generation

Lead generation is useful in sales, business development and marketing roles.

Resume example: Outbound prospecting and lead generation

33. Cash handling

Cash handling is a valuable hard skill for retail, restaurant, banking and hospitality positions.

Resume example: Cash handling and register reconciliation

34. Order fulfillment

This applies to warehouses, retail distribution, e-commerce and logistics.

Resume example: Picking, packing and order fulfillment

35. Warehouse operations

Warehouse skills can include receiving, picking, packing, loading, inventory control and use of warehouse equipment.

Resume example: Warehouse picking, packing and receiving

36. Forklift operation

Forklift operation can be valuable for warehouse and logistics jobs.

Only list certifications or equipment experience you actually possess.

Resume example: Forklift operation — current certification

37. Shipping and receiving

This skill applies to warehouses, manufacturing facilities, distribution centers and some retail operations.

Resume example: Shipping, receiving and inventory verification

38. Food safety

Food safety knowledge is relevant to restaurants, catering, commercial kitchens and food production.

List specific certifications when you hold them.

Resume example: Food safety and sanitation procedures

39. Food preparation

Food preparation skills can be useful for cooks, kitchen assistants, prep cooks, bakers and food-service employees.

Resume example: Food preparation and kitchen sanitation

40. Hospitality

Hospitality skills combine customer service, communication, guest assistance and problem-solving.

Resume example: Guest service and hospitality operations

41. Phone and email support

This skill is useful for customer service representatives, receptionists, administrative assistants and help-desk positions.

Resume example: High-volume phone and email support

42. Medical terminology

Medical terminology can be relevant for healthcare support, medical receptionist and administrative healthcare positions.

Resume example: Medical terminology and patient documentation

43. Electronic health records (EHR/EMR)

Healthcare employers may value experience with electronic health record systems.

If you know a particular system, list it by name.

Resume example: Electronic health record documentation

44. Patient care

Patient-care skills are important for many healthcare-support occupations.

Be precise about the tasks you are trained and authorized to perform.

Resume example: Patient assistance and vital-sign monitoring

45. CPR and First Aid

These credentials can matter in healthcare, childcare, recreation, security and other occupations.

Only list a certification as current if it has not expired.

Resume example: CPR/AED and First Aid certified

46. Security and access control

Security-related skills can include surveillance, visitor screening, incident reporting and access control.

Resume example: Access control, surveillance and incident reporting

47. Bilingual or multilingual communication

Language ability can be a meaningful advantage in jobs serving diverse customers, patients or communities.

Be specific about your proficiency.

Resume example: English and Spanish — professional working proficiency

48. Technical troubleshooting

Troubleshooting is valuable in IT, customer support, maintenance and technical service roles.

Resume example: Software and hardware troubleshooting

49. Typing

Typing speed can still be relevant for data-entry, transcription, administrative and customer-support positions.

If the employer requests a minimum typing speed and you have tested yours, you can provide a number.

Resume example: 65 WPM typing speed with high accuracy

50. Training and onboarding

Training coworkers demonstrates communication, job knowledge and often leadership potential.

Resume example: New-hire training and onboarding

Hard skills vs. soft skills: what's the difference?

Both types can be valuable.

However, the CareerOneStop Resume Guide notes that a dedicated skills section typically focuses on technical and job-specific skills. Soft skills can often be more convincing when demonstrated through your professional summary and work accomplishments.

How to choose the right skills for your resume

Instead of starting with a generic list, start with the job description.

Follow this process:

1. Read the job posting carefully. Highlight skills, tools and qualifications mentioned by the employer.
2. Identify the skills you genuinely have. Never claim experience you cannot explain during an interview.
3. Prioritize repeated requirements. If Excel appears several times in the posting, it is probably more important than an unrelated skill.
4. Use the employer's terminology when accurate. If the posting calls the skill “inventory management” and that accurately describes your experience, you do not need to rename it “stock organization.”
5. Support important skills with evidence. Use your work-experience section to show how you applied them.

How many skills should you put on a resume?

There is no universal number.

For many resumes, approximately 6–12 carefully selected skills can provide a useful starting point. The right number depends on your profession, experience and resume structure.

A technical role may need a larger skills section because software, programming languages or platforms are central to the job.

A customer-service resume may need fewer items because communication, service and problem-solving can also be demonstrated within the work-experience section.

The objective is relevance, not filling space.

Where should skills go on a resume?

A dedicated skills section is usually easy to scan when placed near the top third of the resume or immediately after the professional summary, particularly when technical skills are important.

CareerOneStop notes that a Skills or Technical Skills section can appear prominently when those abilities are central to the job.

But your strongest skills should not exist only in a list. They should also appear naturally within your accomplishments.

Skills section

Work-experience evidence

The second example is much more persuasive because it demonstrates that you actually used the skills.

Skills to put on a customer service resume

Good customer service resume skills may include:

• Customer service
• Active listening
• Complaint resolution
• De-escalation
• Phone support
• Email support
• CRM software
• Order processing
• Problem-solving
• Communication

Example

Skills to put on a retail resume

• Customer service
• POS systems
• Cash handling
• Sales
• Upselling
• Merchandising
• Inventory management
• Product knowledge
• Returns processing
• Teamwork

Skills to put on an administrative assistant resume

• Microsoft Office
• Google Workspace
• Calendar management
• Scheduling
• Data entry
• Document preparation
• Email management
• Phone communication
• Organization
• Attention to detail

For example:

Skills to put on a warehouse resume

• Picking and packing
• Order fulfillment
• Shipping and receiving
• Inventory management
• RF scanners
• Warehouse safety
• Forklift operation
• Palletizing
• Loading and unloading
• Quality control

Only list equipment or certifications you actually know how to use or possess.

Skills to put on a hospitality resume

• Guest service
• Customer service
• Reservation systems
• POS systems
• Complaint resolution
• Cash handling
• Food safety
• Teamwork
• Multitasking
• Communication

Skills to put on a sales resume

• Prospecting
• Lead generation
• CRM software
• Cold calling
• Consultative selling
• Negotiation
• Closing
• Upselling
• Account management
• Sales reporting

Sales candidates should use numbers whenever possible.

Weak

Strong sales skills.

Better

Exceeded quarterly sales target by 18% through outbound prospecting, follow-up and account expansion.

Skills to put on a healthcare support resume

Depending on your role and qualifications:

• Patient care
• Medical terminology
• EHR/EMR systems
• Appointment scheduling
• Vital signs
• Patient communication
• CPR/AED
• HIPAA awareness
• Documentation
• Attention to detail

Never claim a clinical skill, license or certification that you do not possess.

Skills to put on a security guard resume

• Access control
• Surveillance monitoring
• Incident reporting
• De-escalation
• Emergency response
• Visitor screening
• Patrol procedures
• Communication
• Observation
• Conflict resolution

Best resume skills if you have no experience

If you're applying for your first job, you may still have valuable skills from:

• School
• Volunteer work
• Sports
• Personal projects
• Community organizations
• Freelance work
• Family responsibilities

Potential skills include:

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Time management
• Microsoft Office
• Google Workspace
• Social media
• Organization
• Customer service
• Languages
• Basic computer skills

For a complete walkthrough, read How to Write a Resume With No Work Experience .

You can also explore jobs that usually don't require previous work experience .

How to find the skills employers want for your occupation

If you're unsure which skills matter for your profession, don't guess. Use occupational data.

The O*NET OnLine database maintained for the U.S. Department of Labor allows job seekers to explore occupations using categories including:

• Soft skills
• Software skills
• Transferable skills
• Work activities
• Knowledge
• Abilities
• Work styles

You can also use the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook to research what workers do, typical education and training, pay and employment outlook for hundreds of occupations.

Should you copy skills directly from the job description?

You should study the wording of the job description, but you should not blindly copy every keyword.

A better approach is:

1. Identify the skills the employer requests.
2. Determine which ones you genuinely possess.
3. Use the same terminology when it accurately describes your experience.
4. Demonstrate important skills elsewhere in the resume.

For example, if a job requires:

Customer complaint resolution and CRM experience

and you have both, your resume might say:

Resolved customer complaints through phone, email and Salesforce CRM, handling approximately 50 customer interactions per day.

Skills you should not put on your resume

Avoid filling your skills section with:

• Skills everyone is expected to have — such as “internet use” for most modern office jobs.
• Skills unrelated to the position — even if you are good at them.
• Skills you cannot actually demonstrate.
• Outdated software unless it is specifically relevant to the employer.
• Vague buzzwords without evidence, such as “guru,” “rockstar” or “results-driven.”
• Expired certifications presented as if they are current.

Don't rate your skills with stars or progress bars

A graphic showing:

Excel ★★★★☆
Communication ★★★★★
Leadership ★★★★☆

may look attractive, but it does not tell an employer what “four stars in Excel” actually means.

Whenever possible, use specific descriptions instead:

Better: Microsoft Excel — PivotTables, XLOOKUP, conditional formatting and reporting.

A straightforward text-based resume is also generally easier to read and edit than a highly graphical document.

See our complete ATS-friendly resume format guide for additional formatting recommendations.

How to prove soft skills instead of just listing them

Soft skills become more powerful when connected to an accomplishment.

Resume skills checklist

What happens after your resume gets you an interview?

A strong skills section can help demonstrate that you meet the requirements, but the next step is being able to explain those abilities to an employer.

For example, if your resume says you have:

problem-solving skills

an interviewer may ask:

Tell me about a time when you solved a difficult problem at work.

That's why everything on your resume should be something you can discuss with a concrete example.

Before your next interview, read our guide: 25 Job Interview Tips to Help You Get Hired in 2026 .

Research the value of your skills before accepting an offer

Some skills can meaningfully affect your market value. Specialized software, certifications, languages, technical knowledge, sales performance and management experience can all influence compensation depending on the occupation and employer.

The Occupational Outlook Handbook can help you research occupational pay and requirements before negotiating.

If you receive an offer, use our salary negotiation guide to prepare your response.

Frequently asked questions about resume skills

What are the best skills to put on a resume?

The best skills are those that match the position and that you genuinely possess. Common examples include communication, problem-solving, adaptability, customer service, attention to detail and relevant technical skills.

How many skills should I put on my resume?

There is no fixed rule, but roughly 6–12 targeted skills can be a useful starting point for many resumes. Technical roles may reasonably include more. Relevance matters more than quantity.

Should I put soft skills on my resume?

Yes, when they are relevant. However, soft skills such as leadership, teamwork and communication are often more convincing when supported by examples in your professional experience.

What are examples of hard skills for a resume?

Examples include Microsoft Excel, bookkeeping, Salesforce, data analysis, POS systems, inventory management, forklift operation, medical terminology, food preparation and project-management software.

What skills should I put on a resume with no experience?

Think about skills developed through school, volunteering, personal projects, sports and other activities. These may include communication, teamwork, computer skills, organization, languages, Google Workspace and time management.

Should I list Microsoft Office on my resume?

If Microsoft Office is relevant to the job, listing the specific programs you know is more informative. For example, “Microsoft Excel — PivotTables and XLOOKUP” communicates more than simply writing “Microsoft Office.”

Should I copy keywords from a job posting?

Use terminology from the job posting when it accurately describes your real experience. Do not add skills or qualifications simply because they appear in the advertisement.

Should I list skills in a separate section?

A dedicated Skills or Technical Skills section can make important qualifications easy to find, especially for software and job-specific abilities. Your most important skills should also appear naturally in your work experience.

How do I know which skills are important for my job?

Study several job descriptions for the occupation and use official career resources such as O*NET OnLine and the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook to research the skills, responsibilities and requirements associated with the occupation.

Official resources for researching job skills

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Top Skills by Detailed Occupation
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook
• O*NET OnLine — Occupational Skills and Career Information
• CareerOneStop — Resume Guide
• CareerOneStop — Skills Matcher

Last updated: October 2026. Skills and hiring requirements vary by occupation and employer. Always customize your resume for the specific position and only include skills, licenses and certifications you genuinely possess.