Quick answer
Hard skills are abilities you learn and use to complete specific tasks. Examples include using Excel, keeping financial records, speaking another language, and operating equipment.
- Excel formulas
- Bookkeeping
- SQL
- Inventory control
- Spanish proficiency
- Welding
The best hard skills for your resume depend on the job. A cashier may need payment processing and stock control. An accountant may need account reconciliation and financial reporting.
Choose skills that match the job and that you can actually use. Then show how you have used them through work, projects, or training.
What Are Hard Skills on a Resume?
Hard skills show that you can complete specific tasks needed for a job. You learn them through practice, education, training, or work experience.
They are not limited to computers. Preparing financial records, measuring materials, and translating documents are also hard skills. Here are three examples:
Working with software
Using Excel formulas to calculate costs and check a budget.
Doing hands-on work
Reading a blueprint to measure and cut materials correctly.
Using another language
Writing customer emails in Spanish.
Be specific: “Excel formulas and budget tracking” tells an employer more than “computer skills.” Name the task, tool, or method you know how to use.
Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills
Hard skills describe specific tasks you can do. Soft skills describe how you work and interact with people. Many jobs need both.
Hard skills
Tools, methods, and tasks you know how to use or complete.
- Excel formulas
- Payroll processing
- SQL queries
- Inventory tracking
Soft skills
Abilities that shape how you approach work and people.
- Clear communication
- Teamwork
- Adaptability
- Time management
How they work together
A customer service employee uses a CRM system to find an order and record a refund. That is a hard skill.
The same employee listens carefully and explains the refund clearly to an upset customer. That uses soft skills.
Choose both types based on the job. There is no fixed ratio of hard skills to soft skills that works for every resume. For help choosing the full mix, see what skills to put on a resume.
Are hard skills and technical skills the same?
The terms often overlap. Technical skills usually involve specific tools, systems, equipment, or methods. Hard skills also include abilities such as language proficiency and bookkeeping. Explore our technical skills for a resume guide for more examples.
Hard Skills for a Resume by Job
Choose your job group. Then choose a skill to see how you could use it in a resume bullet.
Browse the job examples below.
Adapt before using. These examples are illustrative. Include only skills you have and describe work you actually did. The sample skills section stays the same when you select a different skill.
Retail and Cashier
Highlight the tools and tasks you use to handle payments and track stock.
Choose a skill to see a resume bullet:
- Point-of-sale systems
Processed purchases through the POS system and checked item prices before completing each sale.
- Payment processing
Accepted card and cash payments and issued receipts for completed purchases.
- Cash counting
Counted the opening cash float and recorded the totals before starting each shift.
- Cash drawer reconciliation
Reconciled the cash drawer against POS records at the end of each shift and reported differences to the supervisor.
- Refund processing
Processed approved refunds and recorded the returned items and payment details in the store system.
- Barcode scanning
Scanned product barcodes at checkout and entered item codes when labels could not be read.
- Stock counts
Counted shelf and backroom stock and reported differences between physical quantities and store records.
- Inventory records
Updated inventory records when deliveries arrived and damaged items were removed from sale.
- Product labeling
Printed shelf labels and checked that product names and prices matched the store records.
- Order fulfillment
Collected items for online orders, checked them against order details, and prepared them for customer pickup.
Sample skills section
POS systems, payment processing, cash drawer reconciliation, refund processing, stock counts, order fulfillment.
Example bullet
Customer Service
Name the systems you use to track requests and manage customer records.
Choose a skill to see a resume bullet:
- Salesforce Service Cloud
Used Salesforce Service Cloud to review customer cases and record the steps taken to resolve them.
- Zendesk
Managed email support requests in Zendesk and updated ticket details after each customer response.
- Freshdesk
Assigned Freshdesk tickets to the appropriate support team and recorded updates for unresolved requests.
- Ticket tracking
Tracked open support tickets by status and followed up on requests awaiting a response.
- CRM record updates
Updated customer contact details and account notes in the CRM after support calls.
- Live-chat support
Answered live-chat questions about orders and documented issues that needed further investigation.
- Order lookup
Located orders using customer details and checked payment and delivery records to answer status questions.
- Return processing
Recorded return requests, checked eligibility against company policy, and sent customers the return instructions.
- Knowledge-base writing
Wrote step-by-step help articles explaining common account issues and their solutions.
- Support reporting
Prepared weekly support reports showing ticket volumes, response times, and common customer issues.
Sample skills section
Zendesk, ticket tracking, live-chat support, order lookup, CRM record updates, knowledge-base writing.
Example bullet
Office and Administration
Show which office tasks you can complete and the programs you use.
Choose a skill to see a resume bullet:
- Excel formulas
Used Excel formulas to calculate expense totals and flag entries that exceeded the approved budget.
- Word document formatting
Formatted reports in Microsoft Word using heading styles, page numbers, and consistent spacing.
- Google Sheets
Maintained a shared Google Sheets tracker for incoming requests and updated task statuses for the team.
- Outlook calendar management
Scheduled meetings in Outlook and checked attendee availability before sending invitations.
- Mail merge
Used mail merge to prepare personalized letters from an approved contact list.
- Data entry
Entered application details into the office database and checked them against the source documents.
- Document filing
Organized digital documents by client and date so the team could find the latest records.
- Expense reporting
Checked receipts against expense claims and prepared monthly summaries for manager review.
- Meeting minutes
Recorded meeting decisions, action owners, and deadlines and circulated the minutes to attendees.
- Travel booking
Booked flights and accommodation within company policy and prepared travel itineraries for staff.
Sample skills section
Excel formulas, Word document formatting, Outlook calendar management, expense reporting, meeting minutes, travel booking.
Example bullet
Accounting and Finance
Choose the financial processes and software relevant to your role.
Choose a skill to see a resume bullet:
- QuickBooks
Recorded invoices and bank transactions in QuickBooks and checked that entries used the correct accounts.
- Account reconciliation
Reconciled bank statements against ledger entries and investigated unmatched transactions.
- Accounts payable
Checked supplier invoices against purchase orders and prepared approved invoices for payment.
- Accounts receivable
Tracked outstanding customer invoices and followed up on overdue balances.
- Payroll processing
Processed payroll using approved timesheets and checked pay amounts before submitting them for review.
- Financial reporting
Prepared monthly income and expense reports using ledger data for management review.
- Excel financial models
Built an Excel financial model linking revenue assumptions, operating costs, and projected cash flow.
- Budget forecasting
Updated budget forecasts using current spending and expected costs for the remaining period.
- Variance analysis
Compared actual spending with the budget and explained the main differences in a monthly report.
- Audit documentation
Compiled invoices, reconciliations, and supporting records for the annual audit.
Sample skills section
QuickBooks, account reconciliation, accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial reporting, audit documentation.
Example bullet
Marketing and Sales
Select skills for your target role. Marketing and sales positions need different combinations.
Choose a skill to see a resume bullet:
- Keyword research
Researched search terms and grouped them by topic and intent to plan relevant website content.
- Google Analytics 4
Analyzed campaign results in Google Analytics 4 and reported which channels generated recorded leads.
- Google Ads
Managed Google Ads campaign settings and reviewed search terms to identify irrelevant traffic.
- Search Console
Reviewed Search Console query and page reports to identify content with declining search visibility.
- Email automation
Set up welcome emails and follow-up sequences using customer actions as workflow triggers.
- WordPress publishing
Published articles in WordPress and checked headings, images, and internal links before release.
- A/B testing
Tested two landing-page headlines and compared conversion results using the same measurement setup.
- Salesforce CRM
Updated leads and sales opportunities in Salesforce and recorded follow-up actions after prospect calls.
- Sales pipeline reporting
Prepared pipeline reports showing deal stages, expected values, and opportunities needing follow-up.
- Sales forecasting
Prepared sales forecasts using pipeline stages, expected close dates, and historical deal outcomes.
Sample skills section
Keyword research, Google Analytics 4, Search Console, Google Ads, WordPress publishing, A/B testing.
Example bullet
Technology and Data
Name the languages, systems, and methods you have used. Choose examples that fit your role.
Choose a skill to see a resume bullet:
- Python
Wrote a Python script to combine monthly CSV files and check for missing values before analysis.
- JavaScript
Used JavaScript to validate form fields and display clear messages for incomplete entries.
- SQL
Wrote SQL queries joining order and customer tables to summarize sales by region.
- Git
Used Git branches and pull requests to track code changes and submit them for team review.
- API integration
Integrated a third-party API to retrieve order updates and handled failed requests in the application.
- Software testing
Wrote tests for checkout calculations and documented failures for the development team.
- Data cleaning
Removed duplicate records, standardized date formats, and checked missing fields before producing reports.
- Power BI
Built a Power BI dashboard to show monthly revenue and product sales by region.
- Tableau
Created Tableau charts that let users filter sales results by product and date.
- Statistical analysis
Used regression analysis to examine relationships between campaign spending and recorded sales.
Sample skills section
SQL, Python, data cleaning, Power BI, statistical analysis, dashboard development.
Example bullet
Healthcare
Choose skills for your specific role. Include clinical procedures only when you have the required training and qualifications.
Choose a skill to see a resume bullet:
- EHR documentation
Recorded patient information in the EHR and checked entries for completeness before submitting them.
- Vital signs measurement
Measured and recorded patient vital signs and reported readings outside the prescribed limits to the care team.
- Patient assessment
Completed patient assessments within my nursing role and documented findings for the care team.
- Medication administration
Administered prescribed medications within my authorized role and documented administration in the patient record.
- Specimen collection
Collected and labeled specimens within my authorized role and prepared them for laboratory transfer.
- Infection-control procedures
Followed approved infection-control procedures when cleaning equipment and preparing patient-care areas.
- Medical coding
Assigned medical codes from documented clinical information and flagged unclear records for clarification.
- Medical billing
Prepared claims from approved patient records and checked billing details before submission.
- Appointment scheduling
Scheduled appointments in the clinic system and updated bookings when patients requested changes.
- Insurance verification
Verified insurance details before appointments and recorded coverage information for the billing team.
Sample skills section
Appointment scheduling, insurance verification, EHR record updates, medical billing, patient registration.
Example bullet
Education
Show how you plan lessons, assess learning, and use classroom systems.
Choose a skill to see a resume bullet:
- Lesson planning
Planned lessons with learning goals, classroom activities, and checks for student understanding.
- Curriculum development
Developed a sequence of lessons that connected course objectives with learning activities and assessments.
- Assessment design
Created assessments that checked students against the learning objectives covered in class.
- Rubric creation
Created marking rubrics with clear criteria for evaluating student assignments consistently.
- Google Classroom
Posted assignments in Google Classroom and used submitted work to identify topics needing review.
- Canvas LMS
Organized course materials in Canvas and set up assignment deadlines and submission instructions.
- Digital gradebooks
Maintained a digital gradebook and checked recorded marks against assessed student work.
- Learning-material design
Created worksheets and visual guides to explain difficult course concepts.
- Student progress reporting
Prepared student progress reports using assessment results and documented classroom observations.
- Subject-specific instruction
Taught algebra using worked examples and practice exercises that matched the course learning goals.
Sample skills section
Lesson planning, assessment design, rubric creation, Google Classroom, digital gradebooks, student progress reporting.
Example bullet
Design and Content
Choose skills for the work you produce, such as graphics, website layouts, articles, or videos.
Choose a skill to see a resume bullet:
- Adobe Photoshop
Edited product photos in Adobe Photoshop and prepared consistent images for the online catalog.
- Adobe Illustrator
Created vector product graphics in Adobe Illustrator for use in print and digital materials.
- Figma
Built interface mockups in Figma and shared component specifications with the development team.
- Typography
Selected type styles and adjusted spacing to make promotional materials clear and consistent.
- Print layout
Prepared brochure layouts with the required margins, bleed, and image resolution for printing.
- Wireframing
Created wireframes showing page structure and navigation before detailed interface design began.
- Copywriting
Wrote product-page copy explaining key features and helping customers compare available options.
- Copy editing
Edited articles for grammar, clarity, and consistency with the publication style guide.
- Video editing
Edited interview footage, added captions, and balanced audio for the finished video.
- Technical documentation
Wrote setup instructions and troubleshooting guides using information checked with the product team.
Sample skills section
Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, typography, print layout, image editing, brand asset design.
Example bullet
Project Management and Operations
Highlight the methods and systems you use to plan work and report progress.
Choose a skill to see a resume bullet:
- Project scheduling
Created a project schedule showing task dependencies, owners, and planned completion dates.
- Microsoft Project
Updated task dependencies and milestones in Microsoft Project as delivery dates changed.
- Asana
Maintained Asana tasks with owners and due dates and followed up on overdue work.
- Jira
Updated Jira issue details and statuses so the team could track work through the delivery process.
- Budget tracking
Tracked project expenses against the approved budget and flagged costs requiring review.
- Risk registers
Maintained a risk register with owners, planned responses, and updates from project reviews.
- Resource planning
Prepared a resource plan showing staff availability and equipment needs for scheduled work.
- Process mapping
Mapped the order-approval process and identified steps where requests repeatedly stalled.
- Procurement tracking
Tracked purchase requests, approvals, and delivery dates for project materials.
- KPI reporting
Prepared operational KPI reports using agreed definitions and checked source data before sharing results.
Sample skills section
Asana, project scheduling, budget tracking, risk registers, resource planning, progress reporting.
Example bullet
Skilled Trades and Logistics
Name the equipment and tasks relevant to your job. Include equipment operation only when you have the required training or authorization.
Choose a skill to see a resume bullet:
- Blueprint reading
Read blueprints to identify dimensions and material requirements before starting fabrication work.
- MIG welding
Performed MIG welding to approved specifications and checked finished joints according to workshop procedures.
- Electrical testing
Tested electrical circuits using approved instruments and documented findings within my authorized role.
- HVAC diagnostics
Diagnosed HVAC faults using approved diagnostic tools and recorded findings for repair work.
- Preventive maintenance
Completed scheduled equipment checks and recorded worn parts requiring repair or replacement.
- Forklift operation
Operated a forklift within my authorization to move palletized goods to assigned warehouse locations.
- Warehouse management systems
Updated warehouse system records when goods were received, moved, and dispatched.
- RF scanners
Used RF scanners to confirm item locations and record stock movements in the warehouse system.
- Order picking
Picked items against order lists and checked product codes and quantities before packing.
- Shipping documentation
Prepared shipping labels and dispatch records and checked them against packed orders.
Sample skills section
RF scanners, warehouse management systems, order picking, packing, stock counts, shipping documentation.
Example bullet
How to Choose Hard Skills From a Job Description
Start with the job posting. Look for the tools and tasks the employer names, then compare them with what you can actually do.
- Find the job requirements.
Look for software, equipment, procedures, and specific tasks. Check which skills are required and which are preferred.
- Keep the skills you have.
Think of examples from work, projects, or training. Leave out skills you have not learned or used.
- Use clear, accurate names.
If you use QuickBooks and the posting asks for QuickBooks, name it. “Accounting software” gives the employer less detail.
Example: choosing skills for a bookkeeping job
This fictional example shows how to make your selection.
The job posting asks for
- Required: QuickBooks
- Required: bank reconciliation
- Required: invoice tracking
- Preferred: payroll processing
You have experience with
- Recording transactions in QuickBooks
- Reconciling bank statements
- Tracking unpaid invoices
Your skills section could say
QuickBooks, transaction entry, bank reconciliation, invoice tracking.
Leave payroll processing out. You have not done it. In this example, it is preferred rather than required, so missing it does not automatically rule you out. The employer still decides whether your experience is sufficient.
For a complete walkthrough covering your skills, summary, and experience, see how to tailor your resume to a job description.
How to List Hard Skills on a Resume
List your relevant hard skills in the skills section. Then use your experience or projects to show how you used them. You do not need an example for every skill. Focus on the skills that matter most for the job.
1. Name the skills in your skills section
Use clear, specific names. For example, write “Microsoft Excel” instead of “computer knowledge.” Group related skills when it makes the list easier to read.
Office tools: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Google Docs. Administrative skills: Data entry, appointment scheduling, invoice tracking.
2. Show how you used them at work
In your experience section, describe what you did with the skill. Add a result when you can support it. A clear description of your work is useful even when you do not have a number.
Tracked invoices in Microsoft Excel and flagged overdue payments for the accounts team to follow up.
Need help describing your work without invented figures? See these resume achievements without numbers .
3. Use projects when they provide relevant proof
You can also show hard skills through a course project, volunteer task, or freelance assignment. Label the work clearly so readers understand where you used the skill.
Built a Microsoft Excel budget tracker for a course project, using SUMIF formulas and charts to compare planned and actual spending.
If your evidence comes from paid client work, learn how to list freelance, contract, and gig work on your resume .
Use these examples as a guide. Change the tools, tasks, and details to match your own work. Only include skills you can explain or demonstrate.
Hard Skills for Students and Applicants With No Experience
You do not need a paid job to learn hard skills. You may have used them in classes, personal projects, school clubs, or volunteer work. Choose skills that fit the job and describe where you used them.
The examples below show how to turn these activities into resume bullets. Use only the examples that match your actual experience.
Class assignments
Possible hard skills: Microsoft Excel, spreadsheet formulas, and charts.
Analyzed survey responses for a class assignment using Excel formulas and charts to summarize the findings.
School or college clubs
Possible hard skills: Canva, page layout, and preparing files for print.
Designed event posters in Canva for a college club and prepared versions for print and social media.
Personal projects
Possible hard skills: HTML, CSS, and responsive page layouts.
Built a personal portfolio website using HTML and CSS, with layouts for mobile and desktop screens.
Volunteer activities
Possible hard skills: Google Sheets, data entry, and spreadsheet filters.
Maintained an event registration list in Google Sheets, checked entries for missing details, and filtered the list for the check-in team.
A course certificate is a starting point. Before listing a skill, check that you can perform the task yourself. A small project can help you practise the skill and give you something concrete to discuss in an interview.
For more beginner examples, see our guide to skills for a resume with no experience .
If you need opportunities to practise, explore how to get experience without a job .
How to Show Your Hard Skill Level
Describe the tasks you can do with a skill. “Microsoft Excel: pivot tables and lookup formulas” tells the reader more than “Excel: 4 out of 5 stars.”
You do not need a level label for every skill. For Microsoft Office skills , name the tasks you can do, such as formatting documents in Word, using formulas in Excel, or creating presentations in PowerPoint. If you use “basic” or “advanced,” add specific tasks to explain what that level means.
Basic: name the simple tasks you can do
Use this label when you can complete simple tasks but still need help with unfamiliar features.
Microsoft Excel (basic): Data entry, cell formatting, sorting, and SUM formulas.
Working knowledge: show what you can do independently
Use this wording when you can handle routine tasks on your own. Choose examples that are relevant to the job.
Microsoft Excel: Pivot tables, XLOOKUP formulas, and monthly report preparation.
Advanced: support the label with specific work
Use “advanced” only when you can handle complex tasks and explain your approach. Describe the tools or methods you use rather than relying on the label alone.
Microsoft Excel (advanced): Power Query, Power Pivot data models, and VBA automation.
These are examples, not a universal grading system. Skill levels vary by role. List only the tasks you can perform. For languages, licences, or certifications, use an official level or credential when you have one, and include an expiry date when relevant.
Haven’t used a skill recently? Try a relevant task or refresher project before listing it. Describe your current ability, rather than the level you reached several years ago.
Common Mistakes When Listing Hard Skills
A useful skills section is specific, relevant, and honest. Check your list for these mistakes before sending your resume.
Using vague skill names
“Computer knowledge” or “technical ability.”
Name the tool or task: “Microsoft Excel, data entry, and invoice tracking.”
Listing every skill you have
Adding video editing and HTML to a cashier resume when the role does not involve either task.
Prioritize skills the role needs, such as POS systems, cash handling, and processing returns.
Copying skills you cannot demonstrate
Adding SQL because the job description mentions it, even though you have never used it.
List the skills you actually have. If you have practised SQL, describe the queries you can write and the project where you used them.
Claiming a level without explaining it
“Excel expert” or “Excel: 90%.”
Name the features you can use, such as “Excel: Pivot tables, XLOOKUP, and Power Query.” Include only features you know.
Repeating keywords without useful detail
Repeating “inventory management” in several places without explaining your work.
Name the skill in your skills section, then support it with a relevant example: “Checked stock counts against inventory records and reported discrepancies.”
Presenting expired credentials as current
Listing an expired licence or certification as though it is still valid.
Check the credential’s status. If you include an expired credential, label it clearly. Do not imply that you meet a requirement for a current licence.
Final check: Can you explain where you used each skill and what you did? If not, make the wording more accurate or remove it.
Hard Skills for Resume FAQs
Quick answers to common questions about choosing and listing hard skills.
What are good hard skills to put on a resume?
Good hard skills match the job and reflect what you can do. Examples include Excel reporting for office work, POS systems for retail, SQL for data roles, and equipment operation for trade jobs. Use the job description to choose your list.
How many hard skills should I list?
There is no fixed number. Include enough relevant skills to show that you can handle the role, while keeping the section easy to scan. Remove unrelated skills and avoid listing several versions of the same ability.
Are computer skills hard skills?
Yes. Using software, writing code, and working with spreadsheets are hard skills. Be specific: “Microsoft Excel: Pivot tables and XLOOKUP” describes your ability more clearly than “good with computers.”
Should I write “Microsoft Office” or name the programs?
Name the programs you can use, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. If the job description asks for “Microsoft Office,” you can write “Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.” Add relevant features when they help explain your ability.
Can I list hard skills without work experience?
Yes. You can list skills used in coursework, personal projects, clubs, or volunteer work. Explain where you used them and label the activity accurately. Completing a course does not always mean you can perform the task independently.
Should my skills match the words in the job description?
Use the employer’s wording when it accurately describes your skills. Keep official tool names clear and include a full term with its abbreviation when useful, such as “point-of-sale (POS) systems.” Do not add skills you lack or repeat terms just to fill the page. Our resume keywords guide explains how to use relevant job terms naturally.
Put Your Hard Skills Into Your Resume
Choose the hard skills that match the job and your actual ability. List them clearly, then support your most important skills with examples from work, projects, or volunteering.
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