The Best Skills to Put on a Resume in 2026

How to choose the right mix of hard and soft skills, where to put them on your resume, and how to prove them with results.

We Build Resume Editorial Team Updated August 3, 2026 6 min read

Hard skills vs. soft skills

Hard skills are teachable, measurable abilities such as bookkeeping, Python, or forklift operation. Soft skills, like communication and leadership, describe how you work with others. The best resumes include both.

Match the job description

Read the posting and note the skills that appear in the requirements. Include the ones you genuinely have, using the same wording, so applicant tracking systems recognize them.

In-demand skills across industries

Data analysis and spreadsheet skills
Customer service
Project management
Written and verbal communication
Adaptability and problem-solving
Digital literacy and AI tools

Show, don't just tell

Back up key skills in your experience bullets. "Led a team of 12" proves leadership far better than listing the word alone.

Ready to put this into practice?

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