98%
of Fortune 500 companies use an ATS — Jobscan (2024)
~32%
of required skills changed per job (2021–2024) — Lightcast (2024)
99.7%
of surveyed recruiters use ATS keyword filters — Jobscan recruiter survey
According to a 2024 Jobscan study, over 98% of Fortune 500 companies use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to collect and search applications. A Lightcast analysis found the average job saw roughly one-third of its required skills change between 2021 and 2024 — making a well-crafted skills section more critical than ever.
Many ATS let recruiters search and rank applications by the skills named in the job description. A poorly structured or incomplete skills section makes your application harder to find, whatever your actual qualifications. The sections below walk through how to build one that the software can read and a recruiter can scan quickly.
Types of Skills for Your Resume
Understanding the difference helps you create a balanced skills section. Use O*NET OnLine (U.S. Department of Labor) to classify hard vs. soft skills by occupation, and cross-check in-demand competencies in the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Hard Skills
Technical abilities learned through education or training
Soft Skills
Interpersonal and transferable abilities
Tools & Technologies
Software, platforms, and equipment you can use
Certifications
Professional certifications and credentials
Top Skills by Industry
Common skills to consider for your field.
Nursing
Hard Skills
Soft Skills
Medical Assisting
Hard Skills
Soft Skills
Electrical
Hard Skills
Soft Skills
HVAC
Hard Skills
Soft Skills
To check which skills are typical in your field, see the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook and O*NET OnLine (U.S. Department of Labor)
How to Format Your Skills Section
Choose the format that works best for your situation.
Simple List
Pros
- ATS-friendly
- Easy to scan
- Space-efficient
Cons
- Doesn't show proficiency level
- Can look plain
Categorized
Pros
- Organized
- Shows depth
- Still ATS-friendly
Cons
- Takes more space
- Requires 6+ skills
With Proficiency
Pros
- Shows skill depth
- Honest representation
Cons
- Some ATS may not parse well
- Can highlight weaknesses
ATS Tip
For maximum ATS compatibility, use the simple list format with skills separated by commas or bullet points. Avoid tables, columns, graphics, or skill bars that ATS systems may not parse correctly.
Common Skills Section Mistakes
Avoid these errors that can hurt your resume.
Listing irrelevant skills
Example: Including 'Microsoft Word' for a nursing role
Fix: Only include skills mentioned in the job description or highly relevant to the role
Being too vague
Example: 'Computer skills' or 'Medical skills'
Fix: Be specific: 'Epic charting, Pyxis, telemetry monitoring' or 'conduit bending, motor controls, NEC code'
Lying about proficiency
Example: Listing 'Fluent in Spanish' when you only know basics
Fix: Be honest - you may be tested in interviews. Use accurate proficiency descriptors
Only listing soft skills
Example: Team player, hard worker, fast learner
Fix: Balance soft skills with specific hard skills. Demonstrate soft skills in your experience section instead
Using outdated skills
Example: Listing 'Flash' or 'Windows XP' in 2026
Fix: Keep skills current. Remove technologies that are no longer industry-standard
Skills Section Checklist
Before you submit, run through each item to confirm your skills section is working as hard as it can.
Mirror the job description
Use the posting's exact skill phrases — many ATS searches match the words as written.
Lead with hard skills
Put the hard skills, licenses and certifications the posting asks for first, where a recruiter sees them.
Keep it to 10–15 items
Fewer than 8 looks thin; more than 18 dilutes signal and wastes recruiter scan time.
Remove generic filler
Drop 'Microsoft Office,' 'fast learner,' and 'team player' unless the JD explicitly asks for them.
Include 2–3 soft skills
Choose ones that appear in the job description or company values — make them specific.
Avoid skill bars and ratings
They are not ATS-parseable and introduce subjectivity you can't control.
Use consistent formatting
Commas or pipe separators in plain text; no tables, columns, or graphics.
Verify currency
Remove deprecated tools. If the skill hasn't appeared in a job posting in 2 years, cut it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many skills should I list on my resume?
List 8-15 skills depending on your experience level and the job requirements. Quality matters more than quantity. Include only skills you can confidently discuss in an interview and that are relevant to the target position.
Should I include soft skills on my resume?
Yes, but strategically. Include 2-3 highly relevant soft skills in your skills section, and demonstrate others through your work experience bullet points. 'Led team of 8' shows leadership better than just listing 'Leadership'.
How do I know what skills to include?
Analyze the job description and identify required and preferred skills. Match your genuine skills to their requirements. Use the exact terminology from the job posting to help with ATS matching.
Where should the skills section go on my resume?
For technical roles or ATS-heavy applications, place skills near the top after your summary. For roles emphasizing experience, skills can go after work history. Entry-level candidates should highlight skills prominently.
Should I rate my skills with bars or percentages?
Avoid skill bars, charts, or ratings. They're not ATS-friendly, are subjective (what does '80% in phlebotomy' mean?), and waste space. Instead, use descriptors like 'Expert', 'Advanced', or 'Proficient' if needed.
What Recruiters Actually Prioritize
Understanding recruiter behavior helps you optimize your skills section for human readers — not just ATS software.
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) 2024 Job Outlook Survey, nearly 90% of employers look for evidence of problem-solving skills on a resume, nearly 80% look for teamwork, and at least two-thirds look for written and verbal communication. Yet many job seekers still list only technical skills and omit the soft skills that hiring managers use to differentiate equally qualified candidates.
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found in 2019 that 83% of HR professionals had trouble recruiting suitable candidates in the past year. A concise, targeted skills section that mirrors the job description makes it easier for them to see that you fit.
The practical implication: lead with the 3–5 hard skills the job description lists first then follow with 2–3 soft skills that reflect the company's stated values. Keep the total to 10–15 items so a recruiter can take the section in at a glance.
Sources
- Jobscan. (2024). Resume Statistics: ATS Usage Among Fortune 500. jobscan.co
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2024). Occupational Outlook Handbook. bls.gov
- U.S. Department of Labor. (2024). O*NET OnLine Skill Taxonomy. onetonline.org
- National Association of Colleges and Employers. (2024). Job Outlook 2024, via Pitt Career Central
- Society for Human Resource Management. (2019). Skills Shortage Tightens Job Market. shrm.org
- Lightcast. (2024). Speed of Skill Change Report. lightcast.io