How to Highlight Your Skills on Your Resume (And Actually Get Noticed!)

Resume Highlight

Okay, real talk — your resume skills section? It can either make people say, “Wow, this person’s got it,” or “Meh, next.” And honestly, that’s kinda scary, right? Ooh, but don’t stress! I got you.

Your skills are basically your superpowers. They show employers what you actually bring to the table. So, let’s figure out how to make them pop and get you that interview.

Why Skills Even Matter

Here’s the thing: hiring managers spend like six seconds looking at your resume. SIX seconds. Crazy, huh? So, they want to see your skills quick — the good stuff that proves you can do the job.

Also, there’s this robot army called ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) that scans resumes before humans even see them. If your skills don’t match what they’re looking for, bye-bye resume. Yikes!

Want to learn more about CV vs Resume Explained: Which One Should You Use? or Resume Writing Tips: 5 Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them? Check out those guides next!

What Kind of Skills Should You Show?

Two kinds:

1. Hard Skills – Stuff you’ve learned or can do, like:

Rocking Excel spreadsheets

Speaking another language

Using Photoshop

Programming (hello, Python lovers!)

2. Soft Skills – How you work with people and get things done, like:

Being a team player

Solving problems on the fly

Communicating like a pro

Managing your time so nothing falls through the cracks

How to Pick the Right Skills

Don’t just dump everything you know. That’s a snooze fest. Instead:

Look at the job ad and steal (uh, I mean use) their keywords.

Focus on skills that actually matter for the job.

Keep it real — no fake skills!

For more on tailoring your resume, check out 10 Smart Questions to Ask at the End of a Job Interview.

Where to Put Your Skills

Make a neat “Skills” section — easy for eyes and scanners.

Show off your skills in your job history too (don’t just list, prove it).

Mention your top skills in your summary or intro, so people notice right away.

Quick Tips to Make Skills Stand Out

Use the exact words from the job description — ATS robots love that.

Be specific — don’t say “good communication,” say “led weekly team meetings.”

Add numbers if you can, like “managed a 5-person team that hit 120% of sales goals.”

Here’s What a Skills Section Might Look Like

Skills:  
- Certified Project Manager (PMP)  
- Advanced Excel and SQL  
- Salesforce CRM expert  
- Fluent in English & Spanish  
- Problem-solving & critical thinking

Wrap-Up

Your skills are what get you through the door. So spend some time making them shine. Nail that, and you’re already halfway to your dream job. Ooh, exciting, right?

How to Highlight Your Skills on Your Resume (And Actually Get Noticed!)