When looking for a job, think of potential employers as your customers. What do
your customers want to buy? The answer is simple—skills.
But how do you know which skills employers want to buy the most?
To answer that, Jobscan analyzed more than 10 million job descriptions and 17
million resumes. Not only did we discover the top 10 overall skills that employers
value the most, but we also identified the top 10 skills for over 30 specific job
titles.
With this knowledge, you’ll be able to tailor your resume to highlight the resume
skills that matter most—giving you a competitive edge and a better shot at
landing your next job.
The top 10 resume skills employers
want the most
According to our analysis, these are the top 10 skills that employers are eager to
find in candidates. Try to develop as many of these key skills as you can—they
form the cornerstone of every successful career.
As you’ll notice, some of the following resume skills examples are soft and some
are hard.
- Communication skills
Communication is the #1 soft skill. Whether you’re talking with a team,
explaining ideas to clients, or sending an email, the way you communicate
matters.
Communication is not just about speaking and writing. It’s also about listening,
building relationships, and understanding non-verbal cues. These skills help
employees understand their role and the tasks they need to perform. This leads
to a more productive and harmonious workplace.
KEY COMMUNICATION SKILLS:
- Active listening
- Clear verbal communication
- Written communication
- Nonverbal communication (body language, tone, etc.)
- Public speaking/presentation skills
- Empathy and emotional intelligence
- Feedback delivery and reception
2. Leadership skills
Leadership skills aren’t just for managers—they’re valuable for anyone who
wants to inspire others to think more, learn more, do more, and become more.
When people trust in your abilities and know that you’re focused on everyone’s
success, they’ll be willing to follow your lead.
Leadership skills are in high demand because they can determine how
successful a company is. This is why leadership is considered a high-income skill.
KEY LEADERSHIP SKILLS:
- Decision-making
- Problem-solving
- Team building
- Emotional intelligence
- Delegation
- Adaptability
- Conflict resolution
3. Engineering skills
According to our data, engineering is the #1 hard skill. Almost a quarter of all
jobs (24%) require it. The demand for software engineers, in particular, is on the
rise, with a projected job growth of 25% over the next decade.
Engineering is crucial for many businesses as it helps them come up with new
products to sell. It also helps them maintain those products and stay ahead of
the competition.
KEY ENGINEERING SKILLS:
- Proficiency in technical software
- Mathematical and analytical abilities
- System design and implementation
- Computer programming
- Project lifecycle management
- Knowledge of industry-specific regulations and standards
- CAD and simulation skills
4. Marketing skills
Nearly a quarter of all job listings today (23%) require marketing skills. Digital
marketing in particular is set for strong growth, with the global market projected
to reach $310 billion by 2033.
Marketing helps companies spread the word about what they have for sale. It
also researches customers to find out what they want. Having a dedicated
marketing department is crucial for any business aiming to stay relevant and
competitive.
KEY MARKETING SKILLS:
- Data analysis
- Content creation
- SEO and SEM
- Social media management
- Branding and positioning
- Campaign management
- Video creation and editing
- Market research
5. Sales skills
Knowing how to sell is a highly valued skill in any field. According to our data,
about one in five job postings (21%) specifically require sales skills.
Sales skills go beyond closing deals—they involve understanding customer
needs, building relationships, and solving problems. Whether you’re working in
technology, healthcare, or retail, the ability to sell effectively can set you apart
and drive success in your career.
KEY SALES SKILLS:
- Active listening
- Persuasion and negotiation
- Relationship building
- Product expertise
- Lead generation and prospecting
- Closing techniques
- Adaptability
6. Professional skills
The term “professional” isn’t a skill in the traditional sense. It refers to a set of
skills and values that employers all over the world, in every industry, want to see
in job candidates.
Our data revealed that over 10% percent of job postings required professional
skills. These skills aren’t taught in schools or university programs, but they are
the foundation of long-term career success.
KEY PROFESSIONAL SKILLS:
- Motivation
- Commitment
- Reliability
- Determination
- Pride
- Integrity
- Productivity
7. Customer service skills
How important is customer service? According to one survey, 73% of people
said they would stop using a brand after only one bad customer service
experience. On the flip side, a good customer service experience can turn firsttime buyers into loyal, repeat customers.
Our data show that over 10% of job postings require customer service skills,
spanning all industries and fields.
KEY CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS:
- Empathy
- Active listening
- Problem-solving
- Patience
- Conflict resolution
- Product knowledge
- Adaptability
8. Organizational skills
While 6% of job listings in our database specifically list organizational skills as a
requirement, nearly half of all hiring managerssay they look for some kind of
organizational skills when reviewing resumes.
If you lack organizational skills, you can easily learn them—whether it’s by
picking up simple habits like planning your day or using tools to keep track of
everything.
KEY ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS:
- Task prioritization
- Time management
- Goal setting
- Project planning
- Delegation
- File management
- Calendar management
9. Scheduling skills
Scheduling skills are closely related to organizational skills, but focus specifically
on planning when tasks and events should happen.
Whether it’s setting appointments, planning deadlines, or coordinating team
activities, strong scheduling skills help ensure that work flows smoothly and
efficiently.
KEY SCHEDULING SKILLS:
- Time blocking
- Deadline management
- Appointment setting
- Task sequencing
- Buffer time allocation
- Resource scheduling
- Using scheduling tools like Asana
10. MS Office skills
MS Office is a computer software program that includes Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook. It’s used by over a million
companiesworldwide.
MS Office skills are easy to pick up, whether through online tutorials, formal
courses, or hands-on practice. With a little time and effort, you can master the
essential features of MS Office and boost your chances of getting a job.
KEY MS OFFICE SKILLS:
- Word processing (Microsoft Word)
- Data analysis (Microsoft Excel)
- Presentation design (Microsoft PowerPoint)
- Database management (Microsoft Access)
- Email management (Microsoft Outlook)
- Collaboration and sharing (Microsoft OneDrive/SharePoint)
Learn all these and you are good to go…
