Skills to Put on a Resume in 2026: The Complete Guide (+Examples)
Which skills to put on your resume in 2026, how to format them, and which ones ATS systems actually scan for — with industry examples.
The skills section on your resume is one of the most underutilized pieces of real estate in your job search. Done right, it's what makes ATS systems match your resume to the job — and what gives hiring managers a quick read on whether you're qualified.
Done wrong, it's a list of buzzwords that every other candidate also has.
This guide tells you exactly what skills to put on your resume in 2026, how to format your skills section for ATS, and what to drop.
Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: What You Actually Need
Hard Skills
Specific, teachable abilities. Usually learned through training, education, or on-the-job experience. These are the skills ATS systems are scanning for.
Examples: Python, SQL, Google Analytics, Salesforce, Adobe Photoshop, financial modeling, HIPAA compliance, Agile/Scrum
Soft Skills
Interpersonal and professional traits. Harder to prove on a resume — which is why you should demonstrate them in your bullets rather than just listing them.
Don't do this:
Skills: Communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, attention to detail
Every single candidate lists these. They mean nothing to ATS and they're ignored by recruiters.
Do this instead: Show soft skills in your bullet points with proof.
Led cross-functional team of 8 to deliver product launch 2 weeks ahead of schedule (leadership + project management, proven)
Rule: List hard skills in your skills section. Demonstrate soft skills in your bullets.
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The 3 Types of Skills to Put on Your Resume
1. Technical / Hard Skills
Job-specific knowledge and tools. These are non-negotiable for most roles and the primary thing ATS systems check.
2. Industry-Specific Keywords
Certifications, methodologies, frameworks, and terminology your industry uses. Even if they seem obvious, include them — ATS systems don't assume.
3. Tools & Software
Specific platforms you're proficient in. As generic as it sounds, listing "Microsoft Excel" vs. "Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and Power Query" is a significant difference to both ATS and hiring managers.
How Many Skills Should You List?
Recommended: 10–15 skills on your resume.
Too few (under 8): Looks light; misses keyword opportunities. Too many (over 20): Looks unfocused; dilutes credibility.
Group them into 2–3 categories for readability.
Skills by Industry: What to Include in 2026
Software Engineering / Tech
High-demand technical skills:
- Programming languages: Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, Go, Java, Rust, Swift
- Frameworks: React, Next.js, Node.js, Django, Spring Boot, FastAPI
- Cloud: AWS (EC2, S3, Lambda, RDS), GCP, Azure
- DevOps: Docker, Kubernetes, CI/CD, Terraform, GitHub Actions
- Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Redis, DynamoDB
- Other: REST APIs, GraphQL, microservices, Agile/Scrum
Example skills section:
Languages: Python, TypeScript, Go
Frameworks: React, Next.js, FastAPI
Cloud & DevOps: AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, GitHub Actions
Databases: PostgreSQL, Redis, MongoDB
Methodologies: Agile/Scrum, TDD, CI/CD
Marketing & Growth
High-demand skills:
- SEO (technical SEO, keyword research, link building)
- Paid advertising: Google Ads, Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads
- Email marketing: HubSpot, Mailchimp, Klaviyo, Marketo
- Analytics: Google Analytics 4, Mixpanel, Tableau, Looker
- CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot CRM
- Content: SEO copywriting, editorial calendar management
- Social: TikTok Ads, LinkedIn organic, YouTube
- Tools: Ahrefs, SEMrush, Figma, Canva
Example skills section:
Growth: SEO, SEM/Google Ads, Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads, Email Marketing
Analytics: Google Analytics 4, Tableau, Mixpanel, Looker Studio
Tools: HubSpot, Salesforce, Ahrefs, Klaviyo, Figma
Content: SEO Copywriting, A/B Testing, Conversion Rate Optimization
Finance & Accounting
High-demand skills:
- Financial modeling, DCF analysis, LBO modeling
- Excel (pivot tables, Power Query, VBA)
- ERP systems: SAP, Oracle, NetSuite
- Reporting: Tableau, Power BI
- Certifications: CPA, CFA, FRM, Series 65/66
- GAAP/IFRS, SOX compliance, internal controls
Example skills section:
Financial Analysis: Financial Modeling, DCF/LBO Analysis, FP&A, Variance Analysis
Software: Excel (Advanced), SAP, NetSuite, Tableau, Bloomberg Terminal
Compliance: GAAP, IFRS, SOX, Internal Controls
Certifications: CPA (expected 2026), Bloomberg Market Concepts
Healthcare
High-demand skills:
- EHR systems: Epic, Cerner, Meditech
- Clinical: ACLS/BLS/PALS certification, specific clinical specialties
- Compliance: HIPAA, Joint Commission standards, ICD-10 coding
- Nursing: RN license, specialty certifications (CCRN, CEN, etc.)
- Administrative: Medical billing, CPT coding, healthcare operations
Example skills section (Nurse):
Clinical: ICU care, ventilator management, hemodynamic monitoring, wound care
Systems: Epic EHR, Pyxis, Meditech
Certifications: RN (CA license), CCRN, BLS, ACLS
Compliance: HIPAA, Joint Commission standards, infection control protocols
Sales
High-demand skills:
- CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive
- Sales tools: Outreach, Salesloft, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, ZoomInfo
- Methodologies: MEDDIC, Challenger Sale, SPIN Selling, BANT
- Skills: Cold calling, demo delivery, contract negotiation, territory management
- Specific: SaaS sales, enterprise sales, channel sales, inside sales
Example skills section:
CRM & Tools: Salesforce, HubSpot, Outreach, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, ZoomInfo
Sales Methodologies: MEDDIC, Challenger Sale, SPIN Selling
Core Skills: Enterprise sales, executive presentations, contract negotiation, territory management
Specialties: SaaS, B2B, mid-market, channel partnerships
Data & Analytics
High-demand skills:
- Languages: Python (pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn), R, SQL
- BI Tools: Tableau, Power BI, Looker, Metabase
- Data engineering: Spark, Airflow, dbt, Snowflake, BigQuery
- ML/AI: TensorFlow, PyTorch, Hugging Face, LangChain
- Statistics: A/B testing, regression analysis, hypothesis testing
Example skills section:
Languages: Python (pandas, scikit-learn), SQL, R
Data Engineering: Snowflake, BigQuery, dbt, Apache Airflow
Visualization: Tableau, Looker, Metabase
ML/AI: TensorFlow, PyTorch, Hugging Face, LLM fine-tuning
Statistics: A/B testing, regression analysis, cohort analysis
Operations & Supply Chain
High-demand skills:
- ERP: SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, Dynamics 365
- Supply chain: inventory management, demand forecasting, vendor management
- Certifications: APICS CPIM, CSCP, PMP, Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt)
- Tools: Excel, Tableau, Power BI, SQL
- Methodologies: Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, Kaizen
Example skills section:
Systems: SAP S/4HANA, NetSuite ERP, Kinaxis RapidResponse
Operations: Demand forecasting, inventory optimization, supplier negotiations, logistics
Certifications: APICS CPIM, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, PMP
Analysis: SQL, Excel (Advanced), Tableau
Skills to Remove From Your Resume in 2026
These skills are either too basic, too vague, or red flags:
Remove these:
- "Microsoft Office" (too generic — specify Excel, PowerPoint, Word + proficiency level)
- "Communication skills" (everyone says this; prove it in bullets)
- "Team player" (generic soft skill with no proof)
- "Detail-oriented" (every candidate lists this)
- "Fast learner" (adds nothing; shows in your career trajectory)
- "Familiar with [tool]" (familiarity isn't a skill; either include it or don't)
- Outdated tech: Internet Explorer, Flash, Windows XP-era tools
How to Know Which Skills to Include: The ATS Method
The most effective way to build your skills section isn't to guess — it's to reverse-engineer the job description.
Step-by-step:
- Copy-paste 5–10 job descriptions for roles you're targeting into a text document
- Look for skills that appear repeatedly (3+ times across postings)
- These are the skills ATS systems are trained to look for
- If you have them, include them. If you're developing them, note where you're at.
The challenge: doing this manually for every application means constantly rewriting your skills section.
That's the problem OneResume solves. Build your master profile with your full skill set once. When you apply to a job, the AI analyzes the job description and surfaces the skills from your profile that are most relevant — automatically matching your resume's keywords to what the ATS is looking for.
Check your ATS score free → — Paste your resume and a job description. See your keyword match score instantly, and get a list of the specific skills you're missing.
Formatting Your Skills Section
Use columns or categories (not a single wall of text):
Technical Skills: Python, SQL, R, Tableau
Marketing Tools: HubSpot, Google Analytics 4, SEMrush, Klaviyo
Certifications: Google Analytics Certified, HubSpot Inbound Certified
ATS formatting rules:
- Use plain text — no tables, columns with borders, or text boxes (ATS can't read them)
- Label the section "Skills" or "Core Skills" (not "Expertise" or "Competencies" — ATS may not recognize those headers)
- List skills individually, comma-separated or in line items
- Include exact tool names (not abbreviations, unless the abbreviation is universal)
Key Takeaways
- Hard skills go in your skills section. Soft skills go in your bullets as proof.
- Target your skills section to each job. Generic skills lists lose to tailored ones.
- 15 skills is the sweet spot. Too few leaves keywords on the table; too many looks scattered.
- ATS systems match exact keywords. Use the same language as the job description, not synonyms.
- Tools matter. Specific software names (not categories) are what ATS systems search for.
Last updated: November 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
List 10 to 15 skills on your resume. Fewer than 8 looks light and misses keyword opportunities. More than 20 looks unfocused and dilutes credibility. Group them into 2 to 3 categories for readability.
Do not list soft skills like communication or teamwork in your skills section. Every candidate lists these and they mean nothing to ATS. Instead, demonstrate soft skills in your bullet points with proof, such as leading a cross-functional team to deliver a project ahead of schedule.
ATS systems primarily scan for hard skills, technical tools, certifications, and industry-specific keywords that match the job description. They match exact terms, so use the same language as the job posting, not synonyms.
Use plain text with skills grouped into 2 to 3 labeled categories, comma-separated. Avoid tables, columns with borders, or text boxes that ATS cannot read. Label the section Skills or Core Skills for best ATS recognition.
Read 5 to 10 job descriptions for roles you are targeting and look for skills that appear 3 or more times across postings. These are the skills ATS systems are trained to look for. If you have them, include them.
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