10 Best Skills to Put on Your Resume (With Examples)

Discover the 10 best skills to put on your resume with examples that impress employers and increase your chances of getting hired.

Key Takeaways

• Recruiters often scan resumes in 7–10 seconds, making your skills section critical.
• Focus on job-relevant skills, not every skill you possess.
• Include a mix of technical (hard) skills and soft skills.
• Support your skills with measurable achievements whenever possible.
• Tailor your resume skills to match each job description.
• Use keywords from the job posting to improve ATS compatibility.

Have you ever opened your resume and wondered what skills to include? Maybe you’re about to apply for your first job or even trying to change careers, and you keep asking yourself, “What skills will make me stand out?” I’ve been there too. It can feel confusing because there are so many options, and you don’t want to make the wrong choice.

The truth is, your skills section is one of the first things hiring managers look at. They want to see, at a quick glance, whether you’re a good fit for the job. 

The good news? You don’t need to list every single thing you know how to do. Instead, you just need to pick the right skills that matches the job you’re applying for.

Let’s break this down. I’ll show you 10 of the best skills you can put on your resume, give examples of how to write them, and even share tips on how to make them sound impressive without lying.

Why Skills Matter on Your Resume

Think of your resume like a movie trailer. A trailer doesn’t show every single scene of the movie, it only shows the best parts to make people excited. That’s exactly what your skills section does. It shows the best parts of what you can do so the employer wants to know more about you.

When employers scan resumes, they usually don’t spend more than 7 – 10 seconds before deciding if they’ll keep reading. If your skills are clear and relevant, you’ve already passed the first test.

Now, let’s go through the 10 best skills you can include.

10 Best Skills to Put on Your Resume

1. Communication Skills

No matter the job, good communication is always important. Employers love people who can talk and write clearly. For example, if you’re applying for a customer service job, they need to know you can talk to customers politely. If you’re applying for an office job, they want to know you can write emails that make sense.

Examples:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Experienced in giving presentations to small and large groups

• Able to explain complex ideas in simple words

Don’t just write “communication skills.” Show proof. Maybe you led a school group project or worked in a role where you handled phone calls. Mention those details in your work experience section too.

There was a time when i ran an ecommerce shop, i got items from China and sold them in Nigeria using Facebook ads as my advertising platform. I got lots of orders and before shipping out, i and my friend would have to call every customer to confirm their orders, we made over 2000 calls. much later my friend added this experience while looking for a virtual assistance job and it boost her resume and she currently works for a foreign ecommerce brand.

2. Teamwork

Most jobs today involve working with other people. Even if you’re working remotely or in a small company, you’ll still need to cooperate with others. Employers don’t want someone who will create problems in a team.

Examples:

• Collaborated with a 5-person team to complete a project ahead of schedule

• Worked closely with colleagues to solve customer issues quickly

• Helped organize and support team events and meetings

I remember my first office job, what impressed my boss the most wasn’t my technical skills, but how I could work with different personalities and keep things smooth. This came natural to me as i was born as a second child in a family of 8, we have to team up on so many occasion to carry out tasks, as simple as cleaning the house, some people had to be on washing plate duties while some are mopping, the idea is we worked as a team to solve a common issue

3. Problem-Solving Skills

On the article i published before this, i gave a good example of how problem solving skills helped me in my workplace, the article is titled tranferable skills companies want, you can check it out.

Things go wrong in every workplace. A good employee doesn’t panic; they look for solutions. Problem-solving skills show that you can think clearly under pressure.

Examples:

• Found creative solutions to reduce project delays by 15%

• Resolved customer complaints effectively, improving satisfaction rates

• Identified and fixed workflow issues that saved the team time

When possible, add numbers or results to show how you solved a problem. It makes your skill more believable.

4. Time Management

Employers like people who can manage their time well. If you can meet deadlines without being reminded 10 times, you’re valuable. Time management is about planning, prioritizing, and staying organized.

Examples:

• Managed multiple tasks and consistently met tight deadlines

• Scheduled and prioritized projects to increase efficiency

• Balanced school, part-time work, and volunteering successfully

I once worked with a colleague who always turned things in late, it frustrated everyone. That taught me how much employers appreciate people who respect deadlines.

5. Adaptability

The world of work changes fast. New software, new rules, new ways of doing things, it never stops. If you can adapt quickly, you’ll thrive. Adaptability tells employers you won’t crumble when things change.

Examples:

• Quickly learned and adapted to new company software within two weeks

• Adjusted to remote work smoothly during company transitions

• Handled changes in project scope without losing focus

Imagine you’re hired for a role, and after one month, the company introduces new tools. If you’re adaptable, you’ll figure it out fast and impress your boss.

6. Leadership Skills

You don’t need to be a manager to have leadership skills. Even as a team member, leadership can mean stepping up when needed, guiding others, or motivating the group. Employers like people who can take charge when the situation demands.

Examples:

• Led a group of 10 volunteers to organize a successful charity event

• Mentored junior staff, improving their performance

• Took initiative to implement a new filing system that saved time

When I was still new at my previous job, I once suggested a way to organize our files better. I didn’t have a leadership title, but that small step earned me recognition.

7. Technical Skills

This one depends on your field. Technical skills are specific abilities related to a job. For example, if you’re applying for an IT role, it could be coding languages. If it’s accounting, it could be using QuickBooks. For social media jobs, it could be content creation tools.

Examples:

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

• Skilled in using Adobe Photoshop for graphic design

• Basic knowledge of HTML and CSS for web editing

Make sure your technical skills match the job description. If the company wants someone who knows Excel, don’t just write “computer skills” be specific.

8. Customer Service Skills

In Nigeria, many jobs, whether in banking, retail, or online businesses, involve serving customers. Companies want people who can stay calm, polite, and helpful even when customers are upset.

Examples:

• Provided friendly and efficient service to over 50 customers daily

• Handled customer complaints professionally, resulting in repeat business

• Assisted customers in finding solutions that met their needs

I once worked in a retail shop during the holidays, customers were stressed, and things got chaotic. Staying patient and helpful not only kept customers happy but also impressed my supervisor.

9. Critical Thinking

Critical thinking means you don’t just accept information blindly. You analyze, evaluate, and make better decisions. This is valuable in problem-solving, planning, and avoiding costly mistakes.

Examples:

• Analyzed data to identify patterns that improved sales strategies

• Evaluated multiple options to select the most cost-effective solution

• Reviewed processes and suggested improvements for efficiency

Employers love critical thinkers because they don’t need to micromanage you, you can think for yourself.

10. Creativity

Creativity isn’t just for artists or designers. Even in regular jobs, being creative can mean finding better ways to do tasks or coming up with fresh ideas. It can help businesses grow or solve problems in new ways.

Examples:

• Developed a new social media campaign that boosted engagement by 30%

• Suggested an innovative filing system that saved time and reduced errors

• Designed engaging presentations that improved training sessions

Being creative can set you apart, especially in industries like marketing, content creation, and product design.

How to Choose the Right Skills for Each Job

Don’t just copy-paste these skills onto every resume. Tailor them. Here’s how:

• Read the job description carefully. Highlight the skills they mention.

• Compare them with what you’re good at.

• Pick the most relevant skills and use the same words they used in the job ad.

For example, if the ad says “strong communication skills,” don’t write “good at talking.” Use the exact phrase, they’re probably scanning for it.

Where to Put Skills on Your Resume

Most people add a “Skills” section near the top or bottom of their resume. But you can also weave them into your experience. For instance:

Instead of: “Worked at XYZ Company.”

You can write: “Worked at XYZ Company, where I collaborated with a team to improve customer service ratings by 20% (teamwork and customer service skills).”

Conclusion 

Your skills section can make or break your resume. But now you know exactly what to include and how to write it. Choose the most relevant skills, back them up with examples, and tailor them to each job. That’s how you’ll grab attention, even in a competitive job market. Take a fresh look at your resume today. Replace weak or vague skills with strong ones like communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and the others we talked about. Add examples where you can. And remember, your resume is your personal trailer. Show the highlights, make it exciting, and leave employers eager to see the full movie.