How do I create a professional resume for free?

You can use ResumeGyani, a free resume builder, to create a professional resume in minutes. Choose from ATS-friendly resume templates and download your resume as a PDF instantly.

Are ResumeGyani templates ATS-friendly?

Yes! ResumeGyani provides ATS-friendly resume templates to ensure your resume is optimized for job application tracking systems.

Can I download my resume as a PDF?

Absolutely! ResumeGyani allows you to download your resume as a PDF with just one click.

Resume Basics

How to List Skills on Your Resume Effectively?

Quick Answer

Create a dedicated Skills section with 8-15 relevant skills organized by category (Technical Skills, Tools, Soft Skills). Place the most relevant skills first, match keywords from the job description, and rate your proficiency only if the scale is standardized. Include both hard skills and 2-3 soft skills supported by evidence.

By ResumeGyani Career Experts

|17 February 2026

Your Skills section is one of the most ATS-critical parts of your resume. ATS systems scan this section heavily for keyword matches, and recruiters use it as a quick compatibility check. Getting this section right can significantly boost both your ATS score and your chances of being shortlisted.

Organize your skills into clear categories rather than dumping them in a single list. For tech roles: Programming Languages (Python, Java, JavaScript), Frameworks (React, Django, Spring Boot), Databases (MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL), Cloud & DevOps (AWS, Docker, Kubernetes), and Tools (Git, JIRA, Postman). For non-tech roles: Domain Skills (Financial Analysis, Market Research), Tools (Tableau, Excel Advanced, Salesforce), and Soft Skills (Stakeholder Management, Cross-functional Leadership). This categorized approach is both ATS-friendly and recruiter-friendly.

The most important rule: match your skills to the job description. If a JD mentions 'Python,' list 'Python' — not 'programming' or 'coding.' ATS systems often match exact terms. Review 5-10 job descriptions for your target role and identify the 10-15 most commonly mentioned skills. Build your Skills section around these. Remove skills that are irrelevant to your target role — listing 'Tally' on a machine learning engineer's resume wastes space and signals a lack of focus.

Avoid skill rating bars or percentage proficiency scales (e.g., 'Python - 80%') — they're meaningless and subjective. What does 80% in Python mean? Instead, demonstrate proficiency through your experience bullets: 'Built a recommendation engine using Python and TensorFlow' proves Python skills better than any percentage bar. The exception is language proficiency, where scales like 'Professional working proficiency' or CEFR levels (B2, C1) are standard and meaningful.

Key Points to Remember

Include 8-15 skills organized by category
Match keywords exactly from the job description
Place most relevant skills first in each category
Avoid subjective proficiency bars or percentages
Include both hard skills (tools, technologies) and soft skills
Remove irrelevant skills to maintain focus
Use the exact terminology from the job posting
Demonstrate proficiency through experience bullets, not ratings

Skills Section: Good vs Bad Practices

Good Practice	Bad Practice	Why
Python, TensorFlow, scikit-learn	Programming	Specific keywords match ATS queries
Organized by category	One long comma-separated list	Categories improve readability and scanning
8-15 relevant skills	30+ skills listed	Focused skills show clarity; too many dilute impact
Skills from job description	Random impressive-sounding skills	Matching JD keywords increases ATS score
Demonstrated in experience bullets	Proficiency bar: Python 85%	Achievements prove skill level; bars are subjective

Pro Tips

Run the target job description through a word frequency tool — the most mentioned skills should be in your Skills section

Include both the full name and abbreviation of technologies: 'Amazon Web Services (AWS)' catches both ATS keyword variants

Soft skills should be supported by evidence in your experience section — don't just list 'leadership' without demonstrating it

Update your skills section every 6 months to reflect new technologies and market demands

Frequently Asked Questions

How many skills should I list?

8-15 skills is ideal. This provides enough keyword coverage for ATS without overwhelming the recruiter. Focus on quality and relevance over quantity.

Should I include MS Office as a skill?

Generally no for professional roles — it's assumed. The exception is if you have advanced Excel skills (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros) relevant to the role.

Should I list soft skills on my resume?

Yes, include 2-3 soft skills that are relevant and backed by evidence. 'Cross-functional team leadership' is valuable if supported by your experience bullets. 'Hard-working' is meaningless.