What Skills to Put on a Resume (By Industry)

The skills section is one of the most misused parts of a resume. It should be a scannable list of hard skills that tell a recruiter or ATS exactly what you can do. Instead, most people fill it with soft skills that say nothing.

The Rule

List hard skills. Show soft skills through your bullet points.

"Project management" is a hard skill. "Strong communicator" is not. "SQL" is a hard skill. "Detail-oriented" is not. If a skill can be tested or verified, it belongs in the section. If it is a personality trait, demonstrate it through your accomplishments instead.

How to Choose Your Skills

1. Read the job description. The posting tells you exactly what they want. Mirror those terms.
2. Only list skills you can actually use. If you took one Python course three years ago and have not touched it since, leave it off. You may be tested on anything you list.
3. Prioritize by relevance. Put the most important skills for the role first. Recruiters scan left to right, top to bottom.
4. Group related skills. Categories like "Languages," "Tools," "Frameworks," or "Certifications" make the section easier to read.

Skills by Industry

Software Engineering

Languages: Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, Go, Rust, C++, SQL

Frameworks: React, Next.js, Vue, Django, Spring Boot, Rails, Node.js, Express

Infrastructure: AWS, GCP, Azure, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, CI/CD

Data: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis, Kafka, Elasticsearch

Practices: Git, Agile, Scrum, TDD, Code Review, System Design

Data Science & Analytics

Languages: Python, R, SQL

Tools: Pandas, NumPy, Scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, Spark

Visualization: Tableau, Looker, Power BI, Matplotlib, D3.js

Databases: Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift, PostgreSQL

Practices: A/B Testing, Statistical Modeling, ETL, Data Pipelines, Feature Engineering

Product Management

Tools: JIRA, Asana, Linear, Confluence, Figma, Amplitude, Mixpanel

Skills: Roadmap Planning, User Research, A/B Testing, Sprint Planning, PRD Writing

Technical: SQL, Basic Python, API Concepts, Data Analysis

Frameworks: Agile, Scrum, OKRs, Jobs-to-Be-Done, Design Thinking

Marketing

Channels: SEO, SEM, Email Marketing, Social Media, Content Marketing, Paid Media

Tools: Google Analytics, Google Ads, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Semrush, Ahrefs

Skills: Copywriting, Campaign Management, Marketing Automation, Lead Generation

Analytics: Google Tag Manager, Looker Studio, Excel, SQL

Design (UX/UI)

Tools: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects

Skills: Wireframing, Prototyping, User Research, Usability Testing, Information Architecture

Front-end: HTML, CSS, Basic JavaScript, Responsive Design, Design Systems

Practices: Accessibility (WCAG), Design Thinking, User Journey Mapping

Finance & Accounting

Tools: Excel (Advanced), Bloomberg Terminal, SAP, QuickBooks, NetSuite

Skills: Financial Modeling, Forecasting, Budgeting, Variance Analysis, Reconciliation

Certifications: CPA, CFA, FMVA, Series 7, Series 63

Technical: SQL, VBA, Power BI, Tableau, Python (for quant roles)

Healthcare

Clinical: EMR/EHR Systems (Epic, Cerner), HIPAA Compliance, Patient Assessment, Care Planning

Certifications: BLS, ACLS, RN, NP, CNA (list only what you hold)

Technical: Medical Coding (ICD-10, CPT), Clinical Documentation, Lab Procedures

Administrative: Insurance Verification, Scheduling Systems, Patient Intake

Project Management

Tools: JIRA, Asana, Monday.com, MS Project, Smartsheet, Confluence

Methodologies: Agile, Scrum, Kanban, Waterfall, Lean, Six Sigma

Certifications: PMP, CSM, PRINCE2, Lean Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt)

Skills: Risk Assessment, Resource Planning, Stakeholder Management, Budgeting

Sales

Tools: Salesforce, HubSpot CRM, Outreach, Gong, LinkedIn Sales Navigator, ZoomInfo

Skills: Pipeline Management, Cold Outreach, Negotiation, Account Management, Forecasting

Methodologies: MEDDIC, SPIN Selling, Challenger Sale, Solution Selling

Metrics: Quota Attainment, ARR/MRR, Win Rate, Average Deal Size

What Not to Include

• Microsoft Office — it is assumed. Listing it takes space from actual differentiators. The exception is advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, macros) for roles where that matters.
• Soft skills — communication, leadership, teamwork, problem-solving. Everyone lists these. No one is convinced by them.
• Obvious skills for your role — a software engineer listing "coding" or a writer listing "writing" adds no information.
• Skills you used once — if you cannot hold a conversation about it in an interview, do not list it.
• Expired certifications — only list certifications that are current.

How Many Skills to List

Aim for ten to twenty, grouped into two to four categories. Fewer than ten looks thin. More than twenty starts to feel like you are listing everything you have ever heard of. Quality over quantity — every skill should be something you could demonstrate if asked.