Top 20 Must-Have Skills to Put on Your Resume

Writing a resume is considered a challenging task for the candidate. It carries significant challenges for the candidate to include all the information while keeping the resume short and precise, which can create a long-lasting image in the readers' minds. When reviewing the resume, the hiring manager pays more attention to the candidate's skills and how they can be helpful to the candidate. Therefore, it becomes essential for the candidate to include only those relevant skills in the job position. Also, the resume should only highlight the proper and correct skills of the candidate.

Soft skills vs hard skills in resume:

Many skills can be included in the resume, but the candidate needs to include only those essential for the job role. Different types of soft skills and industry hard skills are required in a resume.

Soft skills are those of the candidates who are very helpful in remote working. For instance, skills like verbal and writing ability, ability to work independently, tasks and time management, adaptability to new technology, knowledge regarding remote communication systems such as Zoom and Skype, and many more. 
On the other hand, hard skills are the industry-specific skills the candidate carries with them. These skills are specific to the job role of the organization and are measurable.  For example, software engineers should have the hard skills to develop programs. On the other hand, soft skills include creative thinking ability, which grows with time. Some soft skills for software engineers are adaptability, time management, and stress management.

Critical soft skills for resume:

1. Problem solving skills: The ability of the individual to solve problems and find mitigating methods is an essential soft skill every employer should have.
2. Critical thinking skill:  The ability of the individual to think critically and rationally is the basis of the candidate's critical thinking ability.  The employers in the company want to be critical thinking to find and invent new methods for solving the different problems in the business organisation. 
3. Flexibility: The onset of the global COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for easily adaptable employees in different working situations.  This is one of the most essential skills for employers in today's business world. 
4. Communication skill: Communication is essential in increasing the overall productivity of the employees in any business organisation. Communication can be verbal or written communication with the other employees, clients, managers, and any stakeholders in the company. Increasing communication in the business organisation helps improve the employees' overall productivity in any business organisation. 
5. Teamwork: Different jobs require individuals to work in teams in the business organisation. This makes it essential for the candidate to be able to work in teams. 
6. Organisation skills: Organisation skills include the management of coworkers in the business organisation. Submitting a highly structured resume helps demonstrate an individual's organisation skills. 
7. Creativity: The ability of an individual to think out of the box and use creative ideas is considered very valuable for the company. It helps the company cope with difficult situations quickly. Creative thinking ability can be highlighted in the resume by including creative writing to show the creative thinking ability of the candidate. 
8. Emotional intelligence: Emotional intelligence refers to the ability of the individual to manage their own emotions and handle the emotion of other employees in the organisation. An individual's emotional intelligence helps them make rational decisions during challenging situations in any business organisation. 
9. Attentive: The individual should be able to pay attention to every piece of information provided to them to complete the work efficiently and promptly in the organisation. 
10. Responsibility: It is one of the most critical soft skills that every employee should carry. Responsibility helps increase the candidate's overall efficiency and helps in achieving the aims and objectives of the organisation. 

Critical hard skills to be shown in resume:

Hard skills are generally industry-specific or job-specific and depend on the type of job and industry. Some of the essential hard skills that are required across any type of industry are 

1. Digital skills: the development of science and technology has made digital skills necessary for any industry. Different industries use video conferencing software, management programs, and other digital platforms. 
2. Design: The ability to design is considered very important in any industry. It helps the employees create different projects and other such things. 
3. Data analysis: Datta is one of the most essential elements in the modern business environment. Different job roles require employees to use different types of data metrics and data patterns. This makes data analysis tools very crucial in a resume. 
4. Negotiation ability: Different job types require the individual to sell products or services to the consumers in the market. Also, negotiation skills are required to create partnerships and any other such type of activities. 
5. Mathematics: Finance, management, business manufacturing, and logistics all require mathematics in some way.  Quality mathematical skills are essential for increasing the chances of being selected for the position. 
6. Project management: Different job opportunities require project management skills for selection. Project management skills are essential as they help maintain workflow and complete crucial projects on time. 
7. Marketing skills: Marketing refers to selling and purchasing goods and services. This kill is required in every company type as it helps increase its revenue by selling its products and services in the market. 
8. Administrative: Administrative skills are essential as they help employees organise and manage different types of activities in the company. This increases the trust of the employer in the employee. Demonstrating writing skills with the help of a quality resume can increase the chances of selection for the job opportunity.
9. Writing skills: Writing skills are essential for any job opportunity. Writing skills are required for different activities when working in a company.
10. Foreign language: Knowledge of multiple languages is essential as it helps make you stand out among others in the competition. Fluency in multiple languages helps communicate with clients who speak different languages. Language ability in the resume increases the chances of being selected for the job opportunity.