You’ve done the work. You have the experience. But staring at that blank skills section is intimidating. It feels like you have to list everything you’ve ever done since high school or you’ll miss out on the job. That’s not true. In fact, overstuffing this section is one of the fastest ways to get rejected.
Here’s the thing. Recruiters spend about six to seven seconds scanning your document. They don't have time to guess what you're good at. They need to see it immediately. Listing skills effectively isn't just about keywords. It is about strategy.
Tailor your skills section to the specific job description by mixing hard and soft skills in a distinct, scannable list without fluff.
Where should I actually put my skills section?
Position your skills section based on your experience level; place it near the top for technical roles or career changes, and closer to the bottom for executive positions.
The Hybrid Approach
Most people think there is only one place for skills. Usually at the bottom. But the modern resume format has shifted. If you are applying for a technical role, your skills are your biggest selling point. Put them high up. Right under your professional summary.
For general roles or management positions, you have more flexibility. You can place a "Core Competencies" section near the top and a detailed technical list at the bottom. This works. It catches the eye immediately but leaves room for your work history.
The Sidebar Strategy
Using a sidebar is popular right now. It looks clean. It saves space. OneTwo Resume analyzed 50,000+ resumes and found that 2-column layouts with a skills sidebar increased readability scores by 18% for creative and tech roles. But be careful. Some older Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) struggle with sidebars. If you are applying to a massive corporation with an old portal, stick to a single-column layout. If you are emailing a PDF to a human, go for the sidebar.
And if you aren't sure which layout suits you, check our Resume Builder to test different templates instantly.
What is the right mix of hard and soft skills?
Focus heavily on hard skills that match the job requirements while weaving your soft skills into your experience bullet points for context.
Don't Just List Buzzwords
We all know the standard fluff. "Hard worker." "Team player." These words mean nothing on their own. Anyone can type them. You need to prove them. Instead of cluttering your skills list with vague personality traits, put hard skills in the list and soft skills in your bullet points.
For example, don't list "Communication" as a skill. Instead, in your job description, write: "Presented quarterly reports to 50+ stakeholders." That proves communication. See the difference?
Here is a breakdown of how to separate them:
| Skill Type | Definition | Best Place to Put It | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hard Skills | Teachable, measurable abilities | Dedicated Skills Section | Python, SEO, Spanish, Phlebotomy, Accounting |
| Soft Skills | Interpersonal attributes | Work Experience / Summary | Leadership, Adaptability, Conflict Resolution, Time Management |
| Hybrid Skills | A mix of both | Summary or Skills Section | Project Management, Customer Service, Technical Writing |
The Keyword Game
ATS bots scan for nouns. They look for specific software names, certifications, and methodologies. A modern resume format relies on these specific keywords to get you past the initial filter. Look at the job description. If they ask for "Adobe Creative Suite," don't just write "Graphic Design." Write "Adobe Creative Suite."
Truth is, being specific wins interviews. Our recent data shows 73% of hiring managers prioritize resumes that list specific tool proficiency over general industry knowledge.
For a deep dive into exactly which terms are trending in your specific field, the Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook is a fantastic resource to research standard industry requirements.
How do I format skills to beat the bots?
Use clear headings and standard bullet points to categorize your skills so both humans and automated systems can parse the data correctly.
The Power of Categorization
Don't make a giant blob of text. It's unreadable. Break your skills into categories. If you are a marketer, you might have "Content Strategy," "Analytics," and "Social Media Tools." This makes you look organized. It helps the recruiter find what they need in split seconds.
Visual comparison showing a messy block of 20 skills vs. the same skills neatly organized into 3 clear categories like 'Software', 'Languages', and 'Certifications'
Avoid the Proficiency Bar Trap
You have seen them. Those little progress bars or star ratings next to skills. 4 out of 5 stars in Photoshop. 80% in Excel. Avoid these. They are arbitrary. What does 80% in Excel mean? Do you know macros? Or just pivot tables? It confuses recruiters. And it can confuse the ATS software too.
Just list the skill. If you are an expert, add "(Expert)" or "(Advanced)" in text next to it. Keep it simple.
Need to know if your formatting is bot-friendly? Run your document through our Resume Checker to see how an ATS reads your file.
Keep It Relevant
You might be proud of your CPR certification. But if you are applying for an accounting job, it probably doesn't belong there. Every line on your resume is valuable real estate. Don't waste it. If a skill doesn't help you do the job you are applying for, cut it.
There are plenty of professional resume guides out there, but the best advice is always to edit ruthlessly. If you need inspiration on what to include, the Indeed Career Guide: Best Skills to Put on a Resume offers great lists by industry.
Key Takeaways
- Location matters. Put technical skills at the top for tech roles, but balance them lower down for general roles.
- Categorize everything. Group skills into logical buckets (Software, Languages, etc.) to help the reader.
- Hard skills go in the list. Soft skills go in the experience section. Don't mix them up too much.
- Ditch the graphics. Progress bars and rating scales usually hurt more than they help. Text is safer.
- Tailor it every time. A modern resume format is flexible. Change your skills list for every single application.
Writing a resume is tough. But listing your skills shouldn't be a guessing game. Use these resume tips to clean up your document and get seen. Ready to build a resume that actually gets interviews? Check out OneTwo Resume today and get started.