Overview
Choosing the right skills to put on a resume can make or break your job application. In 2025, employers are looking for more than just technical expertise they want well-rounded, adaptable professionals with both hard and soft skills.
This guide covers the top 10 in-demand resume skills in 2025, complete with examples to help you tailor your application and stand out in today’s AI-optimized hiring landscape.
What Are the Best Skills to Put on a Resume in 2025?
Skills to put on a resume are your most marketable attributes—technical know-how, soft skills, and industry-specific expertise—that prove your value to employers. The right mix depends on the role, but certain skills consistently top recruiter wish lists.
Top 10 Skills to Put on a Resume (with Examples)
| Skill | Type | Example for Resume |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Data Literacy | Hard Skill | “Analyzed large datasets using Power BI & Excel” |
| 2. AI Prompt Engineering | Hard Skill | “Built GPT-4 prompts to automate content tasks” |
| 3. Digital Communication | Soft Skill | “Led async remote teams via Slack & Notion” |
| 4. Emotional Intelligence | Soft Skill | “Defused team conflict with active listening” |
| 5. Adaptability | Soft Skill | “Pivoted to new tools during tech migration” |
| 6. Cybersecurity Basics | Hard Skill | “Implemented MFA for company-wide accounts” |
| 7. Project Management | Hybrid Skill | “Delivered 12 projects in Jira on deadline” |
| 8. UX Thinking | Hard Skill | “Improved conversion by redesigning UI flow” |
| 9. Critical Thinking | Soft Skill | “Reduced costs by reworking vendor strategy” |
| 10. Personal Branding | Meta Skill | “Optimized LinkedIn via MaxProfile to boost visibility” |
Pro Tip: Tools like MaxProfile help professionals highlight these skills with quantifiable impact and modern formatting optimized for ATS and AI-screening tools.
How to Choose the Right Resume Skills
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Tailor to the job description – Mirror the language used by the employer.
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Balance hard and soft skills – Show that you’re not only capable but also collaborative.
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Add context – Quantify your skill use with outcomes (e.g., “increased efficiency by 30%”).
Resume Skills: Hard vs. Soft
| Hard Skills | Soft Skills |
|---|---|
| Data analysis | Communication |
| Programming (Python, SQL) | Problem-solving |
| SEO and digital marketing | Leadership & collaboration |
| Financial modeling | Time management |
| UX/UI design | Adaptability & resilience |
Both types are essential. In 2025, recruiters increasingly value soft skills that AI can’t replicate.
Final Thoughts: Build a Skills-Rich Resume for 2025
Your resume should tell a story of growth, adaptability, and relevance. The best skills to put on a resume in 2025 combine emerging tech capabilities with timeless interpersonal traits.
Whether you’re applying to a remote-first startup or a global enterprise, showcasing the right skills—backed by real results—can boost your interview chances exponentially.
Use platforms like MaxProfile to optimize how you present these skills across your resume and online presence.
FAQs
Q1. What are the most in-demand skills for resumes in 2025?
AI literacy, data analysis, digital communication, and adaptability top the list.
Q2. Should I list soft skills on my resume?
Yes, but include examples that demonstrate how you’ve used them in real situations.
Q3. How many skills should I include?
Aim for 5–10, tailored to the job description and supported with examples.
Q4. What’s the best way to phrase resume skills?
Use action verbs + measurable impact (e.g., “Improved X by Y%”).
Q5. Can tools like MaxProfile help improve my resume?
Absolutely—MaxProfile ensures your skills are ATS-friendly, AI-readable, and professionally formatted for today’s hiring tech.
