September 29, 2025

Best Skills for Resume with Examples

Are you a recent graduate entering the job market? Then you’ve probably asked yourself: “I don’t have much work experience, so what do I even write in my resume?” Employers don’t expect freshers to have experience, but they expect you to have good skills for resume that show your potential and willingness to learn.

Employers and even ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) quickly scan to identify the best skills for a resume. If your resume doesn’t have the right keywords or fails to have your strengths, you risk being overlooked. That’s why focusing on what skills to add in a resume is the smartest move you can make right now. In this guide, we’ll show you the best skills for resume to write that help freshers turn “no experience” into “hireable candidate.”

Tips for selecting skills to add to your Resume

Your resume skills section is not a filler; it’s one of the first things recruiters notice. Employers look for a combo of technical skills, soft skills, and job-specific abilities that match your job role. Knowing what skills to add in a resume makes sure that you don’t have to miss any opportunity. Here are some of the tips to choose the top skills to put on a resume:

• Relevance: Add the best skills for a resume that are relevant to your job description (e.g., Python for tech roles, sales communication for business roles).
• Soft & Technical skills: Candidates’ general skills for a resume, like adaptability, teamwork, and problem-solving, as well as technical knowledge, are important.
• Be specific: Instead of writing “computer skills”, write “Microsoft Excel (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP)”.
• Showcase transferable skills: Good Skills for a resume, like time management or leadership, apply across jobs.
• Being Honest: Fill the resume with skills that you genuinely have or buzzwords.

Even if you are a fresher with no experience, focus on projects, internships, coursework, and project-based skills (coding languages, design tools, certifications) along with communication and adaptability.

Use resume skills examples that show practical application, like “Led a 3-member team for a college project using Python and SQL.

If you’re a fresher wondering what skills to add in resume, make sure you’re learning job-ready ones.

Soft Skills vs Hard Skills

Both hard and soft skills should be fairly represented on a solid resume. Here’s a simple breakdown of what skills to put on a resume:

Soft Skills (Interpersonal)	Hard Skills (Job-centric/technical)
Communication	Programming (Python, Java, C++)
Teamwork	Data Analysis (Excel, SQL, Power BI)
Adaptability	Web Development (HTML, CSS, React)
Problem-Solving	Machine Learning / AI
Time Management	Cloud Computing (AWS, Azure, GCP)
Creativity	Digital Marketing (SEO, SEM, Ads)
Leadership	Graphic Design (Figma, Photoshop)

Top 20 skills that new grads should consider including on their resumes:

Here’s the list of resume skills examples with short explanations for you to easily pick the right skills to write in a resume:

1. Communication Skill

Effective collaboration, idea presentation, and a favorable impression on recruiters are all made possible by clear communication. Candidates who can successfully communicate both orally and in writing are highly valued by employers.

2. Team Work

New hires frequently operate in group settings. Employers can tell you can succeed in group projects by seeing your ability to work well with others.

3. Problem-Solving

Solving problems demonstrates your ability to think creatively, which is essential in the fast-paced workplace of today.

4. Time Management

Your ability to prioritize tasks is demonstrated by the way you manage your coursework, internships, and side projects.

5. Adaptability

New hires frequently begin working in a variety of jobs. Adaptability shows your capacity for rapid learning and adjustment.

6. Leadership

Leading group projects, hackathons, or college groups, even as a new student, demonstrates initiative and responsibility.

7. Creativity

Creative solutions and innovative thinking show that you can think beyond the box, which is important in design, marketing, coding, and problem-solving.

8. Research & Analytical Thinking

Employers value candidates who can research, analyze, and present logical conclusions that show their decision-making abilities.

9. Networking & Relationship Building

A strong professional network is an asset in career growth. Working together creates deep connections both within and outside of the office.

10. Multitasking

Being able to juggle multiple responsibilities at once is a strong workplace skill.

11. Emotional Intelligence

In people-driven businesses, new hires who exhibit empathy and understanding are appreciated as they foster peace.

12. Multilingual Skills

Being multilingual demonstrates communication skills and cultural flexibility. These multilingual skills to write in resume are a great asset in global companies.

13. Programming Languages

Python, Java, and C++ are still in demand, so include them on your resume.

14. Data Analysis

Using Excel, SQL, or Power BI is a must-have skill to interpret data that gives you an edge in data-driven industries.

15. Web Development

Skills in a resume for freshers should have HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and frameworks like React open doors in tech jobs.

16. Machine Learning

AI and ML knowledge are highly looked skills in data science and emerging tech careers. Want a full guide on what hiring managers look for in ML roles? HCL GUVI’s Machine Learning Engineer Resume Guide is a solid way to know.

17. Cloud Computing

Platforms like AWS or Azure are in-demand skills to add to a resume for modern IT roles.

18. Digital Marketing

SEO, Google Ads, and social media campaigns are important to add in for marketing jobs.

19. Project Management

Basic knowledge of Agile, Scrum, or Jira helps freshers manage work efficiently.

20. Digital Literacy

Mastery with tools like MS Office, Google Workspace, Canva, Photoshop, and collaboration platforms (Slack, Trello) is essential.

If you want to create a professional CV without hassle, check out these top free online resume builders to design an ATS-friendly resume in minutes.

Showcase Your Best Skills For Resume

A good resume isn’t just a list of skills. It’s about presenting them in a way that grabs the recruiter’s attention and passes ATS checks. Skills in a resume for freshers without the right format may get ignored, no matter how strong they are.

Don’t acquire skills; present them in a compelling way. Create your resume today with our free resume builder. It’s made for ATS-friendly, skill-focused resumes that really stand out. You can try the Resume ATS Score Checker to quickly test if your resume fits.

Final Words

Skills for resume are the core of your employability, but knowing what to write in skills in a resume and how to display them makes all the difference.

Fresher or an experienced job seeker, focus on a balanced mix of soft and technical skills, tailor them for each application, and present them in a way that recruiters and ATS both love.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best skills to include in a resume?

A technical (programming, data analysis, digital marketing) and soft skills (communication, teamwork, adaptability) work best.

2. Should I add both technical and soft skills to my resume?

Yes, recruiters expect both. Technical skills highlight your expertise. Soft skills show how you collaborate with others. General skills round out your resume.

3. Why are soft skills important on a resume?

Soft skills are important general skills for a resume. They show personality, leadership, and teamwork. These qualities can’t be highlighted by technical skills alone.

4. How do I highlight digital skills on a resume?

Use a dedicated Skills Section and add tools/platforms like SEO, Google Analytics, or Canva.

5. Should certifications be listed under skills?

Yes, certifications strengthen your credibility in the skill section and show verified expertise.

6. How can I tailor my skills for different job applications?

Always review the job posting and customize your skills for resume to match the required qualifications.

7. What skills should I avoid adding to a resume?

Know what to write in skills in a resume and avoid generic or outdated skills like “basic internet browsing” or irrelevant ones like “drawing” unless required for the role.

8. How does ATS (Applicant Tracking System) evaluate resume skills?

ATS scans for job-specific keywords. That’s why using Resume ATS Score Checker is crucial; it ensures your skills align with recruiter expectations.