Resume Tips10 min read · May 2025

Resume Skills Section 2025

What to include, how to format for ATS, and what kills your resume before a human ever reads it. Updated for 2025 ATS keyword patterns.

The purpose of the skills section

The skills section serves one primary purpose: ATS keyword matching. Recruiters don't spend time reading skills lists — they scan them in 2 seconds. The real audience is the algorithm. Put every relevant keyword from the job description here that you can honestly claim, then make sure those same keywords also appear in your experience bullets.

Format options — which one works best?

Best for ATS

Simple list (comma-separated)

Python, SQL, Tableau, Looker, dbt, A/B testing. Clean, scannable, maximises keyword density per line.

Good for mixed skills

Categorised list

Technical: Python, SQL | Tools: JIRA, Figma | Methods: Agile, OKRs. Helps recruiters quickly identify categories.

Avoid

Skill bars / ratings

4-out-of-5 bars waste space, add no information value, and are ignored by ATS. Skip entirely.

Skills section examples by role

Software Engineer

PythonGoTypeScriptReactAWS (EC2, S3, Lambda)PostgreSQLRedisKubernetesgRPCSystems Design

Product Manager

Product roadmappingA/B testingSQLFigmaJIRAUser researchOKR frameworksMixpanelStakeholder managementGo-to-market strategy

Data Analyst

SQLPython (pandas, matplotlib)TableauLookerdbtGoogle AnalyticsA/B testingExcel/Google SheetsStatistical modellingBusiness intelligence

What NOT to put in your skills section

✗Microsoft Office (implied)

✗Communication skills

✗Team player

✗Hard worker

✗Fast learner

✗Detail-oriented

✗Skills you learned more than 5 years ago (if irrelevant now)

✗Anything you can't back up in an interview

FAQ

Should I include soft skills in my resume skills section?

Sparingly and specifically. 'Communication skills' is meaningless noise. 'Cross-functional team leadership (8 engineers, 2 PMs)' is specific. If you include soft skills, make them specific and supported by evidence in your experience section — don't just list them in isolation. ATS systems weight technical keywords far more heavily than soft skill keywords.

How many skills should I list on my resume?

8–15 skills in the skills section is the sweet spot. Fewer than 8 looks sparse; more than 20 looks like you're padding or guessing. Include the skills that match the job description most closely (ATS keyword match), your strongest and most recent technical skills, and any credentials or certifications relevant to the role.

Should I rate my skill proficiency on my resume?

No. Skill proficiency bars or ratings (5 stars, beginner/intermediate/expert) are consistently disliked by recruiters and ATS systems. They're subjective, unverifiable, and waste space. List skills without ratings. If you're concerned about overstating a skill, adjust your language: 'Python (proficient)' is fine; a 3-out-of-5 bar chart is not.

Do ATS systems scan the skills section?

Yes — but ATS systems also scan your entire resume. The skills section is not the only place keywords are evaluated. Having a skill only in the skills section (not supported anywhere in your experience section) is less powerful than having it appear multiple times throughout the resume in context. Add skills to your section AND weave the keywords into your experience bullets.

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