Hard Skills vs Soft Skills: Examples for Your Resume (By Job)

Hard Skills vs Soft Skills: Examples for Your Resume (By Job)

Your skills section helps both recruiters and applicant tracking systems see quickly whether you fit a role. But a list of skills only works if the rest of your resume backs it up.

Hard skills vs soft skills

• Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities you can measure or test. Examples: SQL, Excel, accounting, German (C1), Adobe Illustrator, forklift licence.
• Soft skills are personal and interpersonal abilities that affect how you work. Examples: communication, teamwork, problem-solving, adaptability.

Recruiters usually search for hard skills. Soft skills are best shown through examples in your bullet points.

Hard skills examples by job area

Software and IT

Python, Java, JavaScript, React, SQL, AWS, Docker, Git, REST APIs, cybersecurity basics.

Data and analytics

SQL, Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP), Python (pandas), Power BI, Tableau, statistics, A/B testing.

Marketing

SEO, Google Analytics, Google Ads, Meta Ads, email marketing, content writing, HubSpot, social media management.

Sales

CRM tools like Salesforce or HubSpot, lead generation, negotiation, pipeline management, cold outreach.

Finance and accounting

Financial modelling, bookkeeping, IFRS, tax preparation, DATEV, SAP, budgeting, forecasting.

Design

Figma, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, UX research, prototyping, typography.

Healthcare

Patient assessment, medication administration, electronic health records, first aid, infection control.

Operations and logistics

Supply chain management, inventory systems, ERP software, scheduling, quality control.

Administration

Microsoft 365, scheduling, data entry, travel planning, minute-taking, document management.

Languages

List each language with a level, for example "German (C1), English (C2), Dutch (B1)".

Soft skills examples

• Communication
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Problem-solving
• Time management
• Adaptability
• Leadership
• Attention to detail
• Customer focus
• Conflict resolution
• Critical thinking

How to show skills on your resume

1. Use a skills section for hard skills

Group them for easy scanning:

• Tools: Excel, Power BI, SQL
• Languages: German (C1), English (C2)
• Certifications: Google Analytics Certification

2. Prove soft skills in your bullet points

Instead of writing "strong communicator", show it: "Presented monthly results to the leadership team and wrote the company's internal newsletter." See our guide on resume bullet points with measurable results.

3. Match the job description

Use the exact names of skills from the job post where they're true for you. Our guide on how to tailor your resume explains how.

4. Don't list skill levels as bars or stars

Skill bars look nice but say little and can confuse applicant tracking systems. Use clear levels or certifications instead. More in 7 resume mistakes that get you auto-rejected by ATS.

Frequently asked questions

How many skills should I list?

Usually 6 to 12 relevant skills. Focus on quality and relevance.

Should I include basic skills like email or Word?

Only if the job specifically asks for them. Otherwise, use the space for more specific skills.

Are soft skills less important?

No. They're important, but they're more convincing when shown through results than listed.

Add the right skills in minutes

Build an ATS-friendly resume with a clear skills section for free.