Did you know that 41% of recruiters say they check the skills section of a resume first—before even looking at experience or education? I’ve seen this firsthand: A client thought their long job history would carry the day, but recruiters barely glanced at it because their skills section looked like filler. Skills companies look for is a real thing and should not be ignored.
The skills section is powerful. The trick is knowing which skills companies care about and showing them in a way that feels real – not like buzzword soup.
Listed below are seven skills that consistently matter, with tips (and examples) you can actually use.
1. Communication Skills
Think about the last time you sat through a rambling meeting or tried to decode a messy email. Not fun, right? That’s why employers put such a high value on people who can express themselves clearly. And the funny thing? The very use of bullet points on your resume is itself an example of good communication: it’s clear, concise, and easy to follow.
Ways to highlight communication:
- “Presented monthly project updates in plain language, securing approval for a $50K initiative.”
- “Simplified complex technical data into easy-to-read reports for non-technical stakeholders.”
- “Facilitated weekly cross-department meetings, making sure priorities didn’t get lost in translation.”
- “Built training guides and ran onboarding workshops for 15+ new hires, cutting ramp-up time by two weeks.”
2. Problem Solving & Critical Thinking
Problem solving & critical thinking is a top skill companies are looking for. Managers don’t need more people who just point out issues—they need people who roll up their sleeves and fix them. I once worked with a client who had “problem solver” listed under skills. My question: “Okay, but how did you solve a problem?” The silence said it all. On a resume, you win when you share the before-and-after picture.
Examples that show problem solving:
- “Redesigned workflow to eliminate bottlenecks, cutting turnaround time by 15%.”
- “Evaluated vendor bids and recommended the option that saved $10K annually.”
- “Faced a client system outage and created a workaround in real time to keep operations running with zero downtime.”
- “Analyzed customer complaints, spotted the pattern, and implemented changes that cut issues by 25%.”
3. Adaptability & Willingness to Learn
If the last few years proved anything, it’s that flexibility is non-negotiable. In 2020, I saw businesses flip overnight from face-to-face service to full online delivery. The employees who adapted quickly didn’t just survive; they carried the business to make sure it continued to sustain operations. Recruiters love to see candidates who can pivot when the ground shifts.
How adaptability might look on a resume:
- “Adapted to new project management software, becoming the team’s go-to trainer within two weeks.”
- “Pivoted marketing strategy mid-campaign to align with updated regulations.”
- “Shifted business operations online during COVID-19 in 2020, launching virtual services that retained 80% of clients.”
- “Completed certification in Google Analytics while juggling a full workload.”
- “Took over as interim team lead during a manager’s leave, ensuring project deadlines were met.”
4. Teamwork & Collaboration
Another top skill companies are looking for is teamwork and collaboration. Even the most talented individual can’t pull off big goals alone. Employers don’t just want people who “play nice”; they want proof that you help groups succeed while still pulling your own weight. Think: What did the team achieve, and what was my piece of that puzzle?
Teamwork in action on a resume:
- “Collaborated with sales and marketing to launch a campaign that pulled in 2,000 leads in only three months.”
- “Worked closely with IT to roll out a new CRM system across three divisions – actions that deepened customer understanding, enhanced customer retention, and laid the groundwork for more informed strategic decision-making.”
- “Coordinated with outside vendors to keep a complex product launch on track – something that would typically suffer from delays.”
- “Served on a cross-functional task force that overhauled onboarding, reducing new-hire turnover as much as 30%.”
5. Technical Skills
Here’s the truth: listing “Excel” or “WordPress” without context looks like you’re padding space. Recruiters skim right over it. What grabs attention is when you pair a technical tool with a real outcome. That tells them you didn’t just know the software; you used it to make a difference.
Better ways to list technical skills:
- “Automated reporting using Python scripts, saving 10 hours per week.”
- “Built Excel dashboards with pivot tables and macros to track KPIs across five departments, reducing turnaround times as much as 15%.”
- “Managed a WordPress redesign that boosted site speed by 40%.”
- “Certified in QuickBooks Online; processed accounts payable for 200+ vendors without delays.”
6. Leadership & Initiative
Being a leader and taking the initiative is a sought after skill companies look for. You don’t need “Manager” in your job title to prove leadership. Taking initiative shows employers you won’t just sit around waiting to be told what to do. Did you suggest a new process? Did you lead a small project? That’s leadership worth writing down.
Ways to show leadership on a resume:
- “Spearheaded a customer feedback initiative that lifted satisfaction scores by 12%.”
- “Led a 5-person team to deliver a $200K software upgrade on schedule.”
- “Proposed and rolled out a mentorship program, pairing junior staff with senior leaders so that junior staff could better understand the importance of representing the organization with the utmost of professionalism and integrity.”
- “Redesigned onboarding materials on my own initiative, lowering training time by 25%.”
7. Analytical & Data Skills
Data is everywhere now—but raw numbers don’t impress anyone unless you can turn them into insights. Employers want proof you can look at data, understand what it means, and act on it. If you’ve ever said, “The numbers are telling us something—we need to adjust,” you’re already using analytical skills.
Resume examples of analytical skills:
- “Studied sales data to uncover a trend, boosting retention rates by 10%.”
- “Built monthly dashboards in Tableau that leadership used to track KPIs.”
- “Ran A/B tests on email campaigns, improving open rates by 18%.”
- “Forecasted quarterly budgets with 98% accuracy, cutting overspending.”
Final Thoughts
If 41% of recruiters check your skills first, you don’t want that section to be empty filler. It needs to be sharp, specific, and backed by outcomes. The gap between “Problem Solver” and “Redesigned workflow to cut turnaround time by 15%” is massive.
The good news? You don’t need to invent anything. You just need to translate your experience into examples that tell a story. Keep it clear, keep it concise, and let the numbers prove your value. That’s how you stand out.
Ready to Strengthen Your Resume?
Your skills deserve to shine in a way that gets attention from employers. If you’re unsure whether your resume is showcasing them effectively, we can help you put your best foot forward, show your skills effectively, and highlight the value you bring.
* This article includes AI generated content.
