Best Programming Skills to Put on a Resume for 2025

The best programming skills to put on your resume in 2025 include JavaScript, HTML/CSS, Python, SQL, TypeScript, and Bash/Shell, among others. To stand out, tailor your skills to match what’s listed in the job description. Organize your skills into clear categories, like Programming Languages, Frameworks, and Tools, and consider adding proficiency levels if it helps clarify your experience. Be honest about what you truly know and avoid overselling. And don’t just list your skills; weave them into your summary, work history, and projects to show real-world use and results. 

Maybe you’ve dabbled in TypeScript, built a few cool things in C# a while back, and have a slightly foggy memory of Java from school. You’re staring at your resume thinking, “Can I list Swift even though I haven’t touched it in two years? What if they quiz me on it and I completely freeze? Are they going to think I lied on my resume?” 

Totally valid questions. Figuring out which programming skills to list (and how to list them) can feel like a trap. List too many, and it looks like padding. List too few, and you’re underselling yourself. And no one wants to be caught in an interview trying to defend something they haven’t used since 2021. 

This guide is here to make things easier. You’ll learn: 

• The best programming languages to include on your resume in 2025. 
• Why showcasing your programming skills is important on your resume. 
• How to list programming languages the right way. 

Need a fresh, structured resume? Try our free AI Resume Builder. For more skills help, check out these guides: 

• How to List Languages on a Resume 
• Top Customer Service Skills to Put on Your Resume 
• How to Write Teamwork Skills on a Resume 
• Communication Skills to Show Off on a Resume 
• Best Interpersonal Skills to Include on Your Resume 

Top Programming Skills to Add to Your Resume 

Here are the best programming skills to add to your resume (from Stack Overflow): 

• JavaScript 
• HTML/CSS 
• SQL 
• Python 
• Bash/Shell 
• TypeScript 
• Java 
• C# 
• C++ 
• PowerShell 
• C 
• PHP 
• Go 
• Rust 
• Kotlin 
• Lua 
• Assembly 
• Ruby 
• Dart 
• Swift 

Wondering which programming languages to feature on your resume in 2025? Start with the ones listed in the job description. Always tailor your resume to what the employer wants. 

If you’re deciding what to learn next, Stack Overflow’s 2025 Developer Survey offers insight. Over 49,000 developers were asked which programming, scripting, and markup languages they’ve used in the past year and want to keep using. 

The results highlight the most relevant and in-demand languages in today’s tech landscape. Python, already on the rise, had its biggest jump yet this year, thanks to its role in AI, data science, and back-end work. 

This Reddit user breaks down why Python is having such a moment: 

Here are the most in-demand programming languages, based on the 2025 Stack Overflow Developer Survey: 

And if you don’t have one of these top skills yet, don’t sweat it. Once you’ve learned the basics of programming, picking up a new language gets much easier. 

Take it from this Redditor: 

Why Programming Skills Matter on a Resume 

Programming skills aren’t just resume fillers — they’re proof that you can build, solve, and ship. Employers want someone who can dive in, write code, and make things work, whether that means launching new features, debugging complex issues, or optimizing performance. 

So don’t just list the tools you know. Show how you’ve used them. Tie each skill to a project, a problem you solved, or an outcome you achieved. That’s what turns a basic resume into one that gets interviews. 

Programming vs. Computer vs. Technical vs. IT Skills 

In short: the difference between programming, computer, technical, and IT skills lies in what they cover. Computer skills are basic digital tasks like typing or using software. Technical skills are any specialized ability for a specific job, tech-related or not. IT skills focus on maintaining systems, networks, and infrastructure. Programming skills are a subset of technical skills and involve writing code to build tools, apps, or automations. 

Yes, there’s a difference. You’ve probably seen these terms floating around on job listings and resume guides: computer skills, technical skills, IT skills, and programming skills. And while they sound interchangeable (especially the first three), each has its own meaning. 

• Computer skills. These are the basics that help you function in the digital world. If you can navigate a desktop, troubleshoot simple issues, or manage files, congrats — you have them. They range from basic (typing) to intermediate (using spreadsheets or databases), and nearly every job expects you to have at least a few. 
• Technical skills. This is the catch-all category for specialized, task-related skills across industries, digital or not. For a developer, it’s coding. For a chef, it’s not burning risotto. If it takes training or a specific ability to perform a task well, it’s a technical skill. 
• IT skills. It’s all about managing and maintaining tech systems and networks. Network setup, system administration, cybersecurity, or making sure your company’s data doesn’t vanish into the void. 
• Programming skills. These are a specific branch of technical skills that involve writing code to build websites, apps, tools, and automations. Unlike basic computer skills, programming means you’re telling machines what to do (and hoping they listen). 

How to List Programming Skills on a Resume 

Here’s how to list programming skills on your resume: 

• Start with the job description and list the most relevant skills first. 
• Place your skills section after your experience and education, unless the role is tech-heavy and you want to move it higher. 
• Group your skills into categories like Programming Languages, Frameworks, Databases, and Tools. 
• Add proficiency levels, like Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced (optional). 
• Only list skills you’d feel confident using in a real-world setting. 
• Mention key skills in your summary, work history, and projects to show how you’ve used them. 

Listing your programming skills on a resume isn’t just about dropping a bunch of languages into a bulleted list and calling it a day. And you’d be surprised how often that happens. The goal is to show what you know, but also how you’ve applied it and why it matters for the job. 

1. Analyze the job description 

Before putting any skill down, look at the job posting. It tells you exactly what the employer is looking for. 

• Highlight the programming languages and tools mentioned in the job description first. 
• Think about your skills: Do I meet the required experience? Where do my strengths lie? 
• Tailor your resume to the job description by spotlighting the most relevant skills. 
• If you’re missing a listed language or tool but have similar experience, show how your skills transfer. (For more tips, check out How to Write a Resume With No Experience.) 

Someone on Reddit asked, “When listing a programming skill on a resume, how would I make sure I really know the language?” Here’s how one user responded: 

2. Position your skills section strategically 

Create a dedicated skills section. For most roles, we’d advise placing it near the bottom of your resume, right after your experience and education. That way, it supports what you’ve already shown. 

But for some tech-heavy jobs like software engineering, DevOps, or data science, some people prefer to move it closer to the top. It’s up to you. 

Also: resume formatting matters. Use bullet points and a horizontal layout to make the section easy to scan and avoid wasted space. 

3. Categorize your skills 

Instead of throwing all your skills into one long list, break them into categories. It looks better and also makes your resume easier to scan. 

Here’s a layout that works well: 

• Programming Languages: Python, JavaScript, C++, Ruby
• Web Technologies: HTML, CSS, React, Node.js
• Frameworks & Libraries: Django, Express, Angular
• Databases: MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL
•  Tools & Platforms: Git, Docker, AWS, VS Code

Feel free to adjust the categories based on your field or the role you’re applying for. 

Not sure what else to list? Try our AI Skills Explorer tool. Pick a category, enter a skill you already know, and it’ll suggest similar ones to add. 

Here’s the AI Skills Explorer in action: 

4. Add proficiency levels 

You don’t have to list proficiency levels. But if you’re worried about overselling that language you haven’t used since sophomore year, this helps keep things honest and clear. 

Here are a few ways to show it: 

• Add labels like Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced. 
• Mention years of experience (this usually fits best in your summary or work history). 
• List your strongest skills first in each category. 

Check out what this developer recommends: 

And please, avoid fancy graphics or progress bars. They don’t mean much to recruiters, and ATS can’t read them. 

5. Be honest about your experience 

This should go without saying, but it’s worth repeating: only list skills you actually have. Repeat after me: 

• Don’t include programming languages you’ve barely touched. 
• Don’t claim 5 years of experience with a language you just started learning last month. 
• If you exaggerate and get the interview, it’s going to be very awkward when they ask about it. 

For more on lying, read 8 Ways People Are Lying on a Resume (And Why You Should Never). 

This Redditor sums up how to list your skills: 

6. Mention skills in your summary and work history 

Weave your skills into other parts of your resume, where you can tie them to results. 

Here’s where to include them: 

• In your resume summary or resume objective: “Front-end developer skilled in React and TypeScript, passionate about building fast, responsive user experiences.” 
• In your work experience section: “Built a client dashboard using Vue.js and Firebase, which cut customer support tickets by 30%.” 
• In personal or freelance projects: “Created a budget tracking app with Python and Flash; integrated Plaid API for live bank data and deployed it on Heroku.” 

This shows you didn’t just learn a skill, you used it to build something or solve a problem. 

Need help identifying which skills to highlight? Try our AI Keyword Targeting tool. Upload a job description, and it’ll point out which skills to mention and even write tailored bullet points for you. 

Here’s how the AI Keyword Targeting tool works: 

Want to improve your bullet points? Read about How to Show Achievements on a Resume. 

Summary 

Here’s a recap on how to put programming skills on your resume: 

• Focus on the programming skills listed in the job description to tailor your resume for each role. 
• Top programming languages for 2025 include Python, JavaScript, SQL, HTML/CSS, TypeScript, and Bash/Shell. 
• Programming skills show employers you can build, solve problems, and deliver results. 
• Create a dedicated skills section, usually after your experience and education, but move it up if you really want to focus on the skills. 
• Group skills into clear categories like Programming Languages, Frameworks, Databases, and Tools for easier scanning. 
• Consider adding proficiency levels (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced) to honestly reflect your experience. 
• Only list skills you’re confident using to avoid awkward interview moments. 
• Highlight your skills throughout your resume in your summary, work history, and projects to demonstrate real-world use.
• Avoid using graphics like progress bars; recruiters and ATS can’t read them effectively. 
• Use tools like AI Keyword Targeting to identify the right skills to highlight based on job descriptions.

FAQ 

How to list coding skills on a resume? 

The best way to list coding skills is in a dedicated skills section. Group similar ones together (like Programming Languages, Frameworks, Tools) to keep it clean and scannable. Also mention how you’ve used them in projects or work experience to give them real weight. 

What is the best way to present my skills in different programming languages on a resume? 

Instead of one big jumbled list, organize your programming languages by category or proficiency. For example, you can group them as Advanced, Intermediate, and Basic. Add context in your work history by showing how you used each language to build, fix, or launch something. 

What are the top 10 computer skills for a resume? 

The top 10 computer skills for a resume in 2025 are: 

• Python 
• JavaScript 
• SQL/database management 
• UX/UI design 
• HTML/CSS 
• Cloud computing (AWS, Azure) 
• Cybersecurity 
• Data analysis and visualization (Excel, Tableau, Power BI) 
• Project management software (Trello, Asana) 
• Version control (Git) 

What are the five basic programming languages? 

The five basic programming languages most people start with are: 

• Python (easy for beginners, huge in AI, data science, and automation) 
• JavaScript (essential for web development) 
• Java (widely used in Android apps and big business software) 
• C (great for learning the basics of programming and computer science) 
• C# (very popular for game development with Unity and business applications) 

Honorable mentions: 

• Scratch is a super-friendly, visual language to get absolute beginners or kids started. 
• TypeScript is rising fast for web development, especially if you know JavaScript. 
• Ruby is still easy and elegant, but less common as a “first” language than it once was. 

What are the most sought-after programming skills? 

Right now, skills in Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, and SQL are highly sought after. Employers also look for experience with cloud platforms (like AWS or Azure), DevOps tools (Docker, Kubernetes), and AI/ML frameworks. 

How to list languages on a resume? 

For spoken languages, add a “Languages” section and list them with proficiency levels (like Native, Fluent, Intermediate, Basic). For example: “Spanish – Fluent, French – Basic.” If you’re talking about programming languages, put them under “Skills” and group by category or experience level. 

What kind of skills to put on my resume? 

Focus on hard skills first. These are the technical, job-specific abilities like coding, graphic design, or data analysis. Soft skills like teamwork and communication are also valuable, but it’s better to show them through examples in your work experience. If you have space in your skills section, you can include a few that match the job description. Just make sure every skill you list is relevant and something you can back up with real experience. 

How to list Adobe skills on a resume? 

Add Adobe tools under your “Skills” section, grouped under something like “Design Tools” or “Creative Software.” For example: “Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro.” If you’ve done notable projects with them, mention those in your work history to show how you’ve used them in real scenarios.