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50+ Best Hard Skills for a Resume & How to Write About Them

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How to find out what the best hard skills for you are and how to prove them on a resume. Top general hard skills include programming, copywriting, software…

Written by:

Astley Cervania

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Hard skills are concrete, job-relevant abilities like software proficiency, data analysis, or project management, which are essential for getting noticed by employers. To showcase them effectively on your resume, you need to choose the right ones, tailor them to each job, and weave them into your experience. Start by identifying the most relevant hard skills from job descriptions. Highlight them in a dedicated “Skills” section and back them up with examples in your work experience and summary. Focus on skills you’re confident using, and keep them updated as your career grows.

Let me introduce you to three familiar characters.

John listed every hard skill he’s ever come across in the last 20 years — French, Excel, fax machines, you name it. His skills section is basically a scroll. Some light reading before bed. Joan is applying for a bunch of jobs with totally different requirements, so she just kept her skills vague. Think “languages” and “technology.” That should cover it, right? Jess decided to skip the skills section altogether. Her resume is already two pages long, and she figures the hiring manager can just read between the lines.

So, what do they all have in common (besides names starting with “J”)? They’re doing it wrong. And hey — most of us have been there at some point, so no judgment. (Well, maybe a little.)

Here’s the truth: recruiters do look at your work experience, but they also scan your skills section to see if you tick off the “must-have” boxes in the job description. If you’re vague, all over the place, or skip it entirely, you’re missing a golden opportunity to stand out.

If you’re not sure what hard skills actually matter, how to choose the right ones, or where to put them on your resume, you’re in the right place.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

The top hard skills by experience level and industry.
How to find and prioritize the best hard skills for your resume.
Where and how to showcase hard skills throughout your resume.

If you want to fast-track the process, try the free Rezi AI Resume Builder. It automatically highlights the right skills, formats everything perfectly, and keeps your layout looking good no matter how many edits you make.

Want to go deeper on skills? Check out these guides:

Or, to get an overview of how to make all kinds of skills truly shine on your resume, read our comprehensive piece: Skills for a Resume & How to List Them for Greatest Impact.

What Are Hard Skills for a Resume?

In short: Hard skills are measurable, teachable abilities needed to perform key job duties, like programming, bookkeeping, or using medical equipment. They’re gained through training, education, or hands-on experience, and are more important to list on your resume than soft skills. While technical skills fall under the hard skill umbrella, not all hard skills are technical. These skills show employers you’re equipped to handle the job.

If you were a hiring manager, what would you check first on a resume? I’d imagine it’s something along the lines of: “I need to know they can do the job.” That’s where hard skills come in.

Hard skills are the practical abilities that help you do the essential duties of a job. They are measurable, role-focused, and usually learned through education, training programs, certifications, or hands-on experience.

Here are a few examples of hard skills:

Curriculum development: Creating structured lesson plans (teachers).
Phlebotomy: Drawing blood and analyzing results (medical professionals).
Carpentry: Building and repairing structures (carpenters).
Bookkeeping: Recording financial transactions accurately (finance professionals).
Robotics: Designing and programming robotic systems (engineers).

The difference between hard and soft skills

Hard skills are learned and developed through formal training, education, and practical experience. Soft skills are more about personal attributes that help you carry out your responsibilities.

Although soft skills aren’t usually specific to any particular field, they’re valuable across all professions. These affect how you work and interact with others.

Unlike hard skills, soft skills are harder to measure because they usually pertain to your behavior and approach to work rather than specific tasks. For example, being an effective communicator means you can convey ideas clearly and listen actively, which is crucial in any job but isn’t easy to test.

Sure, a software developer needs hard skills to succeed in their role, like coding. But their success also depends on soft skills like collaboration and time management.

But on your resume, hard skills are definitely more important to focus on.

Take this Redditor’s advice:

Hard skills vs. technical skills

All technical skills are hard skills, yet not all hard skills are technical (explosion noise).

Hard skills cover a broad range of abilities that directly impact your job performance. Technical skills are a specific category of hard skills that focus on the tech side of things.

People often use “technical skills” and “hard skills” interchangeably, but there’s a difference: hard skills are broader, while technical skills are a subset that relates to technology, tools, and processes in certain fields. For example, proficiency in using Adobe Photoshop, understanding computer networks, or writing Java code are all technical skills.

To break it down, let’s look at a marketing professional. Their hard skills might include data analysis, market research, and using tools like Google Analytics. Within this set of skills, technical skills would be the ability to use and understand analytics software or digital marketing platforms.

The Best General Hard Skills to Put on a Resume

Here are the best general hard skills to put on a resume:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Business Intelligence (BI) tools
Copywriting
Data analysis with Excel, SQL, or similar
Database management
Digital marketing and Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Financial modeling and analysis
Foreign language proficiency (like Spanish or Mandarin)
Graphic design using Adobe Creative Suite or Canva
Programming languages such as Python, JavaScript, or CSS
Project management with tools like Asana or Agile
Quality Assurance (QA) testing
Social media management
Software development
Statistical analysis
Supply chain management
Technical writing
User Experience (UX) design
Web development
CRM software like Salesforce or HubSpot

Not sure which hard skills to include on your resume? Here’s a quick list of popular skills that show up on resumes across tons of different industries.

These skills appear in a huge range of roles, from tech to marketing to operations. Use this list as inspiration, but remember: the best hard skills for your resume depend on the job description and where you are in your career. So always tailor your resume to match the specific job you’re applying for.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most in-demand hard skills:

Project Management: Leading projects with tools like Asana or frameworks like Agile. Fun fact — it’s the #1 most listed skill on Rezi resumes in 2025, showing up in over 14,000 resumes.
Data Analysis: Interpreting data using tools like Excel or SQL. It’s the second most common skill on Rezi, included in over 13,800 resumes.
Software Proficiency: Being fluent in role-specific tools like Salesforce, AutoCAD, QuickBooks, or Figma shows you’re ready to hit the ground running.
Writing Skills: From reports and emails to copywriting and technical writing, clear communication is always in demand.
Financial Analysis: Understanding performance, budgeting, and forecasts is essential in finance and business roles.
Programming Languages: Knowing Python, JavaScript, or CSS opens doors in development, QA, and analytics.
Foreign Language Proficiency: Fluency in languages like Spanish or Mandarin is a huge plus in global or customer-focused roles.
Graphic Design: Skills in Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar tools help you create everything from social media content to product mockups.
CRM Software: Tools like Salesforce and HubSpot help manage customer relationships, especially valuable in sales and marketing.
Digital Marketing & SEO: Knowing how to run and optimize digital campaigns using SEO and social media strategies is a must in marketing.

Top Hard Skills by Career Stage

Here are the top hard skills by career stage:

Entry-level resumes should highlight basic tools, data entry, and beginner tech skills.
Mid-level resumes should show specialized technical skills and industry-specific tools.
Senior-level pros should focus on strategic expertise, innovation, and deep industry knowledge.

Not every skill belongs on every resume. What’s impressive for someone just starting out might look out of place for a seasoned professional. Imagine a senior-level manufacturing engineer with 14 years of experience, listing “Excel” under skills. It might raise eyebrows — it’s expected at that level, not noteworthy.

To make your resume work, tailor your hard skills based on where you are in your career:

Entry-level: Focus on foundational hard skills in your field, like basic technical proficiency, data entry, and introductory programming. Make it clear that you have a strong grasp of essential tasks, tools, and technologies for carrying out the job duties.
Mid-level: Emphasize specialized skills and technical abilities. Show that you can handle the more complex tasks that require specific industry knowledge. Go beyond “operational” skills, such as software or hardware knowledge, and add details about your proficiency in strategic frameworks.
Senior-level: Showcase strategic technical skills and industry-specific expertise. At this stage, it becomes more about “knowledge” than just “skills.” Having a solid grasp of industry skills is the bare minimum. What can set you apart is your ability to innovate.

Examples of the Best Resume Hard Skills by Industry

Here are examples of the best resume hard skills by industry:

Tech, IT, and Data: AI, cloud computing, data analysis, cybersecurity, machine learning, and systems administration.
Development and Engineering: CAD software, DevOps, programming, software/web development, and electrical/mechanical engineering.
Healthcare: Clinical documentation, EHR systems, patient care, medical coding, diagnostic testing, and HIPAA compliance.
Creative and Design: Adobe Creative Suite, branding, copywriting, UI/UX design, animation, video editing, and web design.
Business, Finance, and Operations: Accounting, CRM tools, financial modeling, data analysis, project management, and logistics.
Construction and Manufacturing: Blueprint reading, lean manufacturing, machinery operation, safety compliance, and quality control.

Wondering which hard skills belong on your resume? It depends on the industry and where you want to go next. The Rezi AI Skills Explorer couldn’t make it easier for you. Just choose a skill type (like hard skills), enter your field or a skill, hit enter, and voilà, a tailored list of skills in seconds.

Here’s the AI Skills Explorer in action:

Below are popular hard skills across different industries. Use them for inspiration and just make sure they align with the job you’re targeting. And of course, only list skills you actually have (hopefully that goes without saying).

Tech, IT, and data

Top hard skills:

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Developing and implementing AI algorithms.
Big Data: Handling and analyzing large datasets with tools like Hadoop or Spark.
Cloud Computing: Experience with cloud services like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
Cybersecurity: Understanding security protocols, firewalls, and encryption.
Data Analysis: Using Excel, SQL, or Tableau to draw insights from data.
Database Management: Working with MySQL, Oracle, or MongoDB.
Machine Learning: Building and applying ML models and pipelines.
Networking: Setting up and maintaining network infrastructure and protocols.
Systems Administration: Managing and troubleshooting IT systems.

Sample resumes for jobs in the tech, IT, and data industries:

Development and engineering

Top hard skills:

CAD Software: Drafting and designing with AutoCAD or SolidWorks.
Civil Engineering: Structural analysis, materials, and geotechnical knowledge.
DevOps: Managing CI/CD pipelines and infrastructure automation.
Electrical Engineering: Designing circuits and using tools like MATLAB.
Mechanical Engineering: Mechanical design, thermodynamics, and manufacturing.
Mobile Development: Building apps with Swift, Kotlin, or React Native.
Programming Languages: Proficiency in Python, Java, C++, or JavaScript.
Project Management: Using Agile, Scrum, or tools like Microsoft Project.
Software Development: Working with Git, Jira, and development workflows.
Systems Engineering: Systems integration and lifecycle management.
Web Development: Front-end or full-stack development with HTML, CSS, JS.

Sample resumes for jobs in the dev and engineering industries:

Healthcare

Top hard skills:

Clinical Documentation: Recording accurate patient data.
Diagnostic Testing: Conducting and interpreting medical tests.
Electronic Health Records (EHR): Using systems like Epic or Cerner.
HIPAA Compliance: Ensuring patient privacy and data security.
Medical Coding: Using ICD-10, CPT, or HCPCS codes.
Medical Terminology: Understanding clinical language and abbreviations.
Medication Administration: Safe handling and distribution of medications.
Patient Care: Delivering direct care and following treatment plans.
Phlebotomy: Drawing and handling blood samples.
Radiology: Operating imaging equipment like X-rays, MRIs, or CTs.
Surgical Assistance: Supporting in surgical procedures.
Vital Signs Monitoring: Measuring blood pressure, pulse, and temperature.

Sample resumes for jobs in the healthcare industry:

Creative and design

Top hard skills:

Adobe Creative Suite: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and After Effects.
Animation: Motion graphics with After Effects, Blender, or Maya.
Branding: Building and managing brand identities.
Content Management Systems (CMS): Platforms like WordPress or Joomla.
Copywriting: Writing content that converts or drives action.
Digital Illustration: Creating artwork with Illustrator or Procreate.
Graphic Design: Designing for print and digital platforms.
Photography: Shooting, editing, and producing high-quality images.
Print Design: Layouts for brochures, posters, and print ads.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimizing content for search engine visibility.
UI/UX Design: Using Sketch, Figma, or Adobe XD for user-focused design.
Video Editing: Editing footage with Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro.
Web Design: Structuring layouts with HTML, CSS, and design tools.

Sample design and creative resumes:

Business, finance, and operations

Top hard skills:

Accounting: Using QuickBooks, SAP, or other accounting platforms.
Business Analysis: Evaluating processes and making recommendations.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Tools like Salesforce or HubSpot.
Data Analysis: Business insights via Excel, Power BI, or Tableau.
Financial Modeling: Forecasting financial performance.
Inventory Management: Tracking inventory with tools like Oracle or SAP.
Logistics: Coordinating shipping, warehousing, and supply chains.
Marketing Analytics: Measuring and optimizing campaign performance.
Project Management: Agile, Scrum, or Waterfall methodologies.
Sales Management: Leading sales strategies and tracking KPIs.
Supply Chain Management: End-to-end oversight of product delivery.
Vendor Management: Overseeing vendor relationships and contracts.

Sample resumes for jobs in the business, finance, and operations industries:

Construction and manufacturing

Top hard skills:

Blueprint Reading: Understanding architectural and engineering plans.
Lean Manufacturing: Streamlining operations for efficiency.
Machinery Operation: Safely handling heavy equipment.
Project Management: Running projects with Microsoft Project or Primavera.
Quality Control: Ensuring product consistency and compliance.
Safety Compliance: Meeting OSHA or other safety standards.
Supply Chain Management: Managing production flow and delivery.

Sample resumes for jobs in the construction and manufacturing industries:

How to Find the Best Hard Skills to Put on a Resume

Here’s how to find the best hard skills to put on your resume:

Review the job description and note repeated tools and skills.
Compare job listings and talk to peers to find out industry norms.
Use resources like O*NET or LinkedIn Learning to find trending skills.
List required and bonus skills to clarify your priorities.
Only include hard skills you’ve actually used and mastered.
Highlight key skills in your “Skills” section and work experience.

Now it’s time to figure out where to actually find the right hard skills for your resume. Don’t just guess, go off what your friend said, or assume something like “typing fast” will cut it.

If you’re using the Rezi AI resume builder, you don’t have to do it alone. It suggests the best skills to include based on the job you’re applying for. According to one Reddit user, that feature (among others) made a big difference in their job search:

Prefer the DIY route? No problem. Here’s how to find the best hard skills for your resume, step by step:

1. Review the job description

Job descriptions are goldmines for skill keywords — so take your time with them. Focus on the sections labeled “Qualifications,” “Responsibilities,” and “Requirements.” Look for:

Specific tools, frameworks, or technologies.
Skills that appear more than once.
Experience levels mentioned alongside each skill.

Once you’ve gone through it, compare what the company is asking for with what you bring to the table.

Or if you’d rather skip the manual scanning, try Rezi AI Keyword Targeting. Paste the job title and description, and it highlights the key skills and shows you which ones you already have.

2. Check industry standards

Beyond one job posting, it helps to understand what’s generally expected in your field. Here’s how to do it:

Read several job listings from the top companies in your industry.
Look for repeat mentions of tools, systems, or certifications.
Talk to mentors, peers, or former coworkers.
Browse forums, industry groups, and even LinkedIn profiles for inspiration.

You’ll start noticing patterns, which is exactly what you want.

3. Read through online reports and resources

Beyond one job posting, it helps to understand what’s generally expected in your field. Here’s how to do it:

Gartner: for business and tech trends.
O*NET OnLine: for job-specific skill breakdowns.
LinkedIn Learning: for trending professional skills.

Focus on tools and technologies that are gaining traction in your field, and take note of the skills that come up again and again.

4. Make a list of all the mandatory and nice-to-have skills

Now that you’ve done your research, organize your findings:

Mandatory skills. These are non-negotiables listed in the job posting or required to perform core tasks.
Nice-to-have skills. These are bonus skills that could give you an edge, but aren’t essential to land the job.

This will help you prioritize what to include and how to position yourself.

5. Match your skills to the role

Take your lists and compare them with your own experience. Be honest about your strengths and only include skills you’re confident using.

Highlight the skills where you’ve had hands-on experience, led projects, or consistently delivered results. These are the ones worth spotlighting on your resume.

6. Put those skills on your resume

Now, plug those skills into your resume with intention:

Start with a dedicated “Skills” section and put the mandatory ones first.
Reinforce those skills in your work experience and other sections (more on this later).

The goal is to make your most relevant skills impossible to miss both to recruiters and the ATS.

Which Hard Skills Should You Prioritize?

In short: Focus on hard skills that match the job description and play to your strengths. Start with what you’re genuinely confident in, then highlight what the employer specifically asks for.

Prioritize based on your proficiency level and the essential job requirements. This means focusing not only on what the job description asks for, but also on what you’re genuinely good at and confident using.

Follow these steps to determine the most important skills to showcase:

Reflect on the hard skills where you have substantial experience and can prove your competence.
Out of your top hard skills, see which ones have been explicitly mentioned in the company’s job description.
Prioritize your most relevant hard skills. Work your way backwards based on the abilities you have that are most related to the job ad.

This recruiter advises being ruthless with your skills:

Signs That You’re “Good Enough” to List a Certain Hard Skill

Here are the signs you’re good enough to list a particular hard skill:

You’ve used it in real-world situations with clear results or outcomes.
Others have acknowledged your ability or given positive feedback.
You’ve completed formal training, certification, or coursework.
You can use the skill independently without relying on guidance.
Skip it if you’ve only read about it, haven’t practiced much, or don’t feel confident using it on your own.

We all get hit by self-doubt sometimes. I’ve held back listing my intermediate Spanish because I thought, “What if the hiring manager is fluent and laughs at me for thinking ‘intermediate’ is good enough?” Or maybe you’ve worked with SEO for years but never got certified, so you’re left wondering if it’s even worth mentioning.

You’re good enough to include a skill if any of these sound like you:

You have quantifiable achievements or successful projects that show you can use the skill well.
You’ve been praised or recognized for your work with that skill.
You’ve completed training, earned a certification, or gained formal qualifications.
You’ve independently applied the skill in a job, school, or volunteer setting without needing much help.

On the flip side, maybe hold off if:

You’ve barely touched the skill or only read about it.
Your knowledge feels purely theoretical or very basic.
You can’t point to any specific projects or wins that prove your proficiency.
You don’t feel confident using it solo yet.

Check out this similar topic: 8 Ways People Are Lying on a Resume (& Why You Should Never).

How to Write About Hard Skills on a Resume

Here’s how to write about hard skills on your resume:

List your hard skills clearly in the skills section, grouping them into categories if needed (e.g., Programming, Web Development).
Mention your most relevant hard skills in the summary, and back them up with a quick achievement or result.
Show your hard skills in action under work experience by tying them to specific tasks, projects, and quantifiable results.
Include relevant coursework or minors in the education section to highlight formal training in your hard skill areas.
Highlight your skills in projects, volunteer work, or extracurriculars by showing how you applied them and what you achieved.
List certifications that prove your skill level, and optionally add a bullet under each to explain what was covered or accomplished.
Avoid using skill meters or percentage bars: they don’t add value and can look unprofessional.

The easiest way to showcase hard skills is in the dedicated skills section; just list your core competencies clearly. But don’t stop there. Sprinkle them throughout your resume by backing up those skills with real examples and achievements.

And whatever you do, skip the progress bars or percentage ratings you see on Canva resume templates. They don’t impress recruiters, and they aren’t ATS-friendly.

Take advice from this Reddit user:

We’ll break down how to highlight hard skills in each resume section, plus you can explore our resume examples tailored by job title.

Skills section

The skills section is where you can list all of your core skills. If you have a range of abilities, group them by category for clarity.

Example:

• Programming Languages: Python, Java, C++, JavaScript
• Web Development: HTML, CSS, React, Angular
• Database Management: SQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Oracle
• Cloud Computing: AWS, Azure, Google Cloud

Summary section

Use your resume summary to feature your top hard skills right up front. But don’t just name-drop them, show how you’ve used them to get results.

Example:

”Experienced software engineer with 5+ years in Python and Java, known for building scalable apps and improving system performance. Successfully led a remote team of 11 to complete a complex data migration project, resulting in a 20% increase in operational efficiency.”

To make your life easier and have our smart AI create a perfect resume summary for you (based on your top skills and work history), just use the Rezi AI Resume Summary Generator.

Work experience section

The work experience section is where your skills come alive. Detail the tasks you’ve owned and highlight measurable wins. Focus on:

Key tasks and projects you led or contributed to.
Quantitative results you delivered.

Example:

”Conducted market research and competitive analysis to guide strategic planning, resulting in a 20% market share growth.”

Education section

List your degrees and formal qualifications in your education section. If you’re a recent graduate or light on experience, add bullet points to spotlight skills or relevant coursework.

Example:

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science | University of Technology | May 2024
• Minor in Mathematics: linear algebra and statistics.
• Graduated with a 3.8 GPA.

Projects, volunteering, and extracurriculars

Show off your hard skills in your projects, volunteering, and extracurricular activities sections, just like your work experience. Explain what you did, what skills you used, and the results you achieved.

Example:

“Contributed to developing a machine learning library in Python during a volunteer project.”

Certifications section

The certifications section proves your skills have been officially recognized. You can also add brief notes under certificates to explain what you learned or accomplished.

Example:

Certified Data Analyst (CDA) | Data Science Institute | April 2021
• Comprehensive certification covering data analysis, statistical methods, and SQL.

Effective Ways to Learn and Develop Hard Skills

Here are some effective ways to learn and develop your hard skills:

Get guidance from experienced coworkers, mentors, or managers.
Practice through hands-on experience.
Take online courses on Coursera, edX, or Udemy.
Attend workshops, webinars, or industry conferences to learn from experts.
Enroll in certification programs or formal education.
Use resources like books, tutorials, or YouTube videos.
Join industry groups or online communities to learn from peers and stay current.

There’s always that one skill we say we’ll learn “when we have time.” I have a coding course just sitting in my Udemy account, waiting for that magical free moment to appear. Life happens.

But whether you’re aiming for a promotion or prepping for the “just in case” scenario (like a sudden layoff), building strong hard skills can seriously change the game.

Here are some great ways to develop your hard skills:

Learn from someone experienced. Ask a manager, senior colleague, or mentor to give you guidance and feedback.
Practice in real settings. Apply what you’re learning through projects, internships, or volunteering.
Take online courses. Use platforms like Coursera or edX to deepen your skills in specific areas.
Attend industry events. Workshops, seminars, and conferences offer hands-on tips and insights from experts.
Go back to school (if you can). Degree programs and certifications can provide structured learning and recognized credentials.
Study at your own pace. Use books, YouTube tutorials, and other resources to build skills on your own schedule.
Join professional communities. Industry groups and associations are great for learning from peers and staying updated on trends.

Summary

Let’s recap on how to put hard skills on your resume:

Hard skills are job-specific, measurable abilities gained through training, education, or hands-on experience, unlike soft skills, which are personal traits.
Technical skills are a subset of hard skills, focused on tools, software, or systems relevant to a job (e.g., coding, Photoshop).
Top general hard skills include project management, data analysis, technical writing, AI, financial analysis, and CRM tools.
Match skills to your career level: entry-level resumes should show foundational skills, while senior resumes should highlight strategic expertise and innovation.
Tailor skills by industry: tech focuses on AI and cloud computing, healthcare on EHR and compliance, and design on Adobe and UX/UI.
Find the right hard skills by reviewing job descriptions, checking industry trends, and researching common tools and technologies.
Organize your skills by priority. Separate “must-have” from “nice-to-have,” and focus on those you’re truly proficient in.
Only list skills you can confidently use, especially if you’ve applied them in real projects, earned certifications, or received praise.
Embed skills throughout your resume — not just in the skills section, but also in your summary, work experience, and project descriptions.
Develop hard skills continuously through online courses, real-world practice, mentoring, certifications, and staying active in professional communities.

FAQ

What are the best examples of hard skills for a resume?

The best examples of hard skills to put on a resume include technical abilities and knowledge specific to the job or industry you’re applying for. For example, programming languages like Python and Java would be most effective for programmers. Skills like data analysis, big data technology, and machine learning are essential for data professionals. Proficiency with design software like Adobe Creative Suite would be best for design professionals, and so forth.

Is writing a hard skill for a resume?

Yes, writing is considered a hard skill. This involves the ability to write in a way that’s clear, concise, and well-structured. However, there are specific types of writing you might want to mention on your resume, like technical writing.

How do I know what my best hard skills are?

Think about your career highlights and professional strengths. What skills did you have to apply to achieve certain goals and project outcomes? What types of tasks do you excel at and enjoy the most? Review past performance reviews with your manager and seek feedback from colleagues or mentors. Additionally, consider any formal qualifications, certifications, and training you’ve gone through.

Do hiring managers look for hard skills?

Yes, hiring managers look for hard skills because they’re essential for performing basic job tasks to a good standard. Not showcasing hard skills on your resume will rule out your application. When writing a resume, make it clear that you have the necessary qualifications and expertise to succeed in the role.

Do employers prefer hard skills to soft skills?

It depends on the job. For roles that focus on completing technical tasks like coding, accounting, or data analysis, hard skills often take priority. But for leadership or team-based roles, soft skills like communication and problem-solving matter just as much. Most employers look for a balance: hard skills show you can do the job, while soft skills show you can work well with others and adapt to challenges.

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Astley Cervania

Astley Cervania is a career writer and editor who has helped hundreds of thousands of job seekers build resumes and cover letters that land interviews. He is a Rezi-acknowledged expert in the field of career advice and has been delivering job success insights for 4+ years, helping readers translate their work background into a compelling job application.

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