One of the most common resume mistakes isn’t having too few skills.

It’s having too many irrelevant ones.

Your resume isn’t supposed to be a list of everything you’ve ever learned.

It should quickly communicate:

“These are the skills I have, and they are relevant to this job.”

That’s especially important when applying to companies that use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to manage applications.

Hard Skills vs Soft Skills

Resume skills generally fall into two categories.

Hard skills are specific abilities that can be learned and measured, such as:

• Python
• SQL
• React
• AutoCAD
• Excel
• SEO
• Data analysis
• Project management

Soft skills describe how you work, communicate, and solve problems:

• Leadership
• Communication
• Collaboration
• Problem-solving
• Adaptability
• Critical thinking

But simply listing soft skills isn’t enough.

Instead of:

Leadership

show it through your experience:

Led a 5-person team to complete a project two weeks ahead of schedule.

That’s much more convincing.

How Do You Know Which Skills to Include?

Start with the job description.

Look for:

• Required skills
• Preferred qualifications
• Tools and technologies
• Certifications
• Responsibilities
• Industry terminology

Then compare those requirements with your actual experience.

If the job requires SQL and you have SQL experience, make sure your resume clearly communicates it.

If you’ve never used Python, don’t add Python just because it’s in the job description.

Tailoring your resume doesn’t mean inventing qualifications.

Your Skills Should Be Supported by Your Experience

This is one of the biggest differences between a good resume and a keyword-stuffed resume.

Instead of:

SQL, Excel, Data Analysis

Try:

Used SQL and Excel to analyze customer data and automate monthly reporting, reducing manual reporting time by 40%.

Now you’re showing:

Skill + Action + Result

That’s far more powerful.

How Many Skills Should You Put on a Resume?

There’s no magic number.

A focused list of relevant skills is generally better than trying to squeeze 30 or 40 unrelated skills into your resume.

Prioritize:

1. Skills required by the job
2. Skills mentioned repeatedly
3. Skills that differentiate you
4. Skills supported by your experience

Your goal isn’t to make your Skills section as long as possible.

Your goal is to make the right skills impossible to miss.

What About ATS?

If you’re applying online, your resume may be processed by an Applicant Tracking System.

Using recognizable terminology for your genuine skills can make your qualifications easier to identify.

But don’t turn your resume into a collection of keywords.

ATS optimization should never come at the expense of readability.

A recruiter still needs to understand your resume.

The Biggest Resume Skills Mistakes

Avoid:

• Listing every skill you’ve ever learned
• Adding skills you don’t actually have
• Using vague skills without evidence
• Ignoring technical skills
• Forgetting transferable skills
• Using the exact same Skills section for every job
• Keyword stuffing

The best approach is simple:

Read the job description → identify relevant skills → compare them with your experience → tailor your resume → prove those skills through your achievements.

I put together a more detailed guide covering resume skills, technical skills, soft skills, ATS optimization, job-specific skills, examples, and common mistakes.

👉 https://getdocpilot.pro/blog/skills-to-put-on-a-resume

If you’re currently applying for jobs, save this before your next application.

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