Skills to Put on a Resume — Lists by Job Type
The skills section is one of the first things a recruiter or ATS scans. The trick is not to list everything you can do, but the 6–12 skills that match the job you are applying for. Use the lists below as a starting point.
How to choose your skills
- Open the job post and highlight every skill or tool it mentions.
- Keep the ones you genuinely have — you may be tested in the interview.
- Use the exact words from the post ("GST returns", not "taxation stuff").
- Mix hard skills (Tally, Python) with 2–3 soft skills (communication, teamwork).
- Prove the important ones inside your experience points.
Hard skills vs soft skills
Hard skills are teachable and testable — software, languages, machines, procedures. Soft skills are how you work — communication, teamwork, problem solving. Recruiters shortlist mostly on hard skills and interview for soft skills, so lead with hard skills.
Should you rate your skills?
Avoid star ratings or progress bars. "4 out of 5 in Excel" means nothing to a recruiter and ATS software cannot read graphics. Show level through experience instead: "Built monthly MIS in Excel with pivot tables".
Skills lists by job type
Computer & office
MS Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables)MS WordPowerPointGoogle SheetsTyping (English / Hindi)Email etiquetteTally PrimeData entry
Communication
Spoken EnglishHindi and regional languagesPresentationWritten communicationActive listeningNegotiation
Work habits
Time managementTeamworkProblem solvingAttention to detailAdaptabilityLeadershipWorking in shifts
Accounts & finance
GST returnsTDSBank reconciliationAccounts payable / receivablePayroll (PF & ESI)MIS reporting
IT & software
JavaPythonJavaScriptReactSQLGitAWSData structures & algorithmsREST APIs
Sales & customer
Target achievementLead generationCRM (Zoho / Salesforce)UpsellingComplaint handlingTerritory management
Marketing
Google AdsMeta AdsSEOGoogle Analytics 4Content writingCanvaSocial media management
Healthcare
Patient careIV cannulationBLS / ACLSMedication administrationInfection controlMedical records
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Frequently asked questions
How many skills should I put on my resume?
6 to 12 skills that match the job.
What are the top skills employers in India look for?
Communication in English and a regional language, MS Excel, problem solving, teamwork, and job-specific tools like Tally, CRM or programming languages.
Should soft skills be on a resume?
Yes, two or three — but back them up with examples in your experience points.