Top Skills to Put on Your Resume in 2025 (With Examples)
3/14/2025
Discover the most in-demand hard and soft skills for your resume in 2025 — plus tips for tailoring your skills section to any job.
Still using “team player” and “hard worker” on your resume? It’s time to upgrade.
The job market in 2025 is competitive — and your resume needs to reflect skills that are current, specific, and in demand.
Here’s a breakdown of the top hard and soft skills recruiters actually look for — plus how to choose the right ones for your resume.
💡 Why Skills Matter
Most recruiters spend less than 7 seconds scanning a resume. The skills section is one of the fastest ways to understand:
- What tools you know
- How you think
- Whether you're a fit for the role
And in many Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), your resume is ranked partially based on matching skill keywords.
🔧 Top Hard Skills for 2025
| Category | In-Demand Skills |
|---|---|
| AI & Data | Python, SQL, TensorFlow, ChatGPT APIs |
| Marketing | SEO, GA4, paid media, content strategy |
| Design | Figma, UX research, prototyping |
| Product & Biz | Agile, product analytics, A/B testing |
| Development | TypeScript, React, Node.js, GraphQL |
| Operations | Excel, Notion, Zapier, Airtable, Asana |
🤝 Top Soft Skills Employers Want
- Critical thinking
- Adaptability
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Initiative
- Communication (written + async)
Soft skills are often best demonstrated in your bullet points, not just listed at the bottom.
✏️ How to Choose the Right Skills
-
Read the job description
Highlight the top 5–10 skills mentioned. -
Mirror their language
If they say “cross-functional collaboration,” use that exact phrase — not “teamwork.” -
Mix hard and soft skills
Create a balanced section that includes both. -
Update for each application
Don’t just copy-paste the same list everywhere.
✅ Example Resume Skills Section
Skills — Project Management (Agile, Notion, Asana) — Data Analysis (SQL, Tableau, GA4) — Communication (written, async, presentations) — AI Tools (ChatGPT, Midjourney, Zapier integrations)
🚀 Want Smart Suggestions?
ApplyBoost scans your resume and recommends better skills based on the job you’re applying for — no guesswork needed.
🔥 Pro Tip
Don’t just list skills — show them. Use bullet points to prove that you’ve used the skill, not just read about it.
| ❌ Weak | ✅ Better |
|---|---|
| “Strong communicator” | “Led weekly standups across 4 teams” |
| “Proficient in SQL” | “Queried 1M+ row datasets to inform GTM” |
The best resumes don’t just list — they demonstrate.