Best Skills to Put on a Resume in 2025: Building a Future-Ready Career

Across industries, job descriptions are evolving at record speed. Technological leaps have opened new doors for professionals while also rendering some traditional skill sets obsolete. The good news is that we have far more freedom to work in roles that align with our strengths and passions.

Yet, with so many emerging technologies and shifting company cultures, it’s increasingly difficult to know the best skills to put on a resume. Whether you’re a recent graduate, an early-career professional, or a seasoned manager looking to reach the next level, building a future-ready resume is crucial.

This begs the question: how do you know if you’re highlighting the right blend of soft and hard skills?

Today, we’ll take a look at the skills employers are looking for in the generative AI era. We’ll also clarify some of the more important details, like how many skills to list on a resume and how to list them effectively.

Understanding the Best Skills to Put on a Resume in a Changing Work Landscape

The workplace is evolving faster than ever—and the skills employers value are evolving just as quickly. According to LinkedIn’s 2025 Work Change Report, professionals entering today’s workforce are expected to hold twice as many jobs over their careers compared to 15 years ago. This shift, accelerated by the rise of AI, has led to a 140% increase in the pace at which professionals are adding new skills to their profiles since 2022.

But it’s not just the job titles that are changing. AI is transforming the nature of work itself. Roles like Prompt Engineer and Head of AI have surged in demand, yet the report also reveals a perhaps surprising truth: the most successful professionals are not just those with technical expertise but those who combine it with strong human capabilities.

LinkedIn data also shows that communication was the most in-demand skill globally in 2024. As AI continues to automate repetitive tasks, the focus is shifting toward creativity, adaptability, collaboration, and emotional intelligence—skills that technology cannot replicate. In this new era, the best resumes will showcase a hybrid skillset: AI fluency plus soft skills.

In short, today’s most marketable professionals are those who can use AI tools strategically while demonstrating empathy, critical thinking, and adaptability. As you’ll see in the next sections, a balanced approach to skills—both technical and human—is the key to standing out in the 2025 job market.

Understanding Marketable Skills: Hard vs. Durable (Soft) Skills

One of the most important (and overlooked) decisions job seekers face is determining which skills to highlight on a resume. The most future-proof resumes focus on two main skill categories:

1. Hard (Technical) Skills

These are specialized abilities gained through education, training, or direct experience. They include:

• AI Literacy: Prompt engineering, working with tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, and understanding generative AI workflows.
• Data Analysis & Engineering: Using platforms like SQL, Python, or R to extract insights, build models, and inform decisions.
• Software Development: Full-stack engineering, cloud computing, DevOps, and proficiency in languages like Java, JavaScript, or Python.
• Cybersecurity & Information Security: Protecting systems and data as digital risks grow alongside AI adoption.
• Project Management Tools: Proficiency in tools like Jira, Trello, and Asana to lead agile, cross-functional teams.

According to the same LinkedIn report, jobs listing AI literacy skills increased 6x over the past year, and professionals are now 177% more likely to add AI-related skills to their profiles. These technical competencies are vital—but even more powerful when paired with strong collaboration and communication abilities.

2. Durable (Soft) Skills

These are the people skills that may not make it to the top of a resume or cover letter but are still important to employers and hiring managers:

• Communication: Engaging stakeholders, articulating ideas clearly, and leading cross-functional discussions.
• Creative & Critical Thinking: Tackling challenges with original thinking and sound analysis.
• Adaptability & Growth Mindset: Navigating rapid change, upskilling proactively, and remaining resilient under pressure.
• Leadership & Trust-Building: Managing teams, building relationships, and making empathetic decisions.

While technical upskilling gets much of the attention these days, soft skills are also expanding in value. In fact, human skill mentions in C-level profiles have increased 31% since 2018. These skills are foundational for collaborating with AI, solving big problems, and unlocking innovation.

Why Employers Value Both

Imagine two candidates applying for a product management role. One has cutting-edge AI tool experience but lacks communication skills and a collaborative mindset. The other has the same technical background but also brings leadership qualities, empathy, and adaptability. Who stands out? The second candidate—every time.

That’s why the question is no longer “Do I need soft skills?” but “How do I showcase both skill sets effectively?” The future belongs to professionals who can navigate technology while staying deeply human.

Best Skills to Put on a Resume in 2025

When you’re planning how to write a resume, the skill section typically doesn’t receive as much attention as work and education experience. But considering how tight the job market is these days, it’s becoming a more important area of focus.

So, what are some good skills to put on a resume in 2025?

To answer this question, we looked at the top skills highlighted by LinkedIn, Forbes, and the Harvard Division of Continuing Education to determine the top options to consider for your resume.

1. AI Literacy (and LLM Proficiency)

As career transitions in the AI era become more common, professionals who can effectively leverage chatbots and generative AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot) stand out. Even if you’re not a software engineer, highlighting your comfort with AI-augmented workflows can demonstrate forward-thinking and efficiency.

How to emphasize it on a resume:

• Mention real-world applications: “Integrated ChatGPT prompts to reduce customer response time by 50%.”
• Include upskilling: “Completed LinkedIn Learning course on LLM integration, 2024.”

2. Adaptability & Agility

There’s a growing perspective that the majority of current job skills will change by 2030. That’s why employers are looking for candidates who can pivot and take on new responsibilities without missing a beat.

How to emphasize it on a resume:

• Cite examples of change management: “Spearheaded a product pivot mid-campaign, achieving 20% over target results.”
• Show your learning mindset: “Rapidly adapted to new cloud-based systems during a major organizational restructure.”

3. Creative & Innovative Thinking

As automation handles routine tasks, creativity has become an even sharper competitive edge. Forward-thinking companies value employees who can create unique strategies, imagine new products, and bring a human-centric lens to business challenges. It’s especially important if you’re thinking of becoming a product manager or strategist.

How to emphasize it on a resume:

• Highlight transformative ideas: “Proposed and piloted a new subscription model, driving a 25% increase in recurring revenue.”
• Showcase cross-functional innovation: “Collaborated with design and marketing teams to launch a user-focused campaign.”

4. Analytical Thinking & Complex Problem-Solving

The ability to dissect multifaceted problems and develop solutions that address them are also top priorities. Whether you’re in marketing or operations, analytical thinking helps drive informed decisions and uncover hidden opportunities in data.

How to emphasize it on a resume:

• Use measurable outcomes: “Led data analysis project that saved 15% in operational costs.”
• Reference tools or techniques: “Utilized Tableau dashboards to identify process bottlenecks, improving efficiency by 30%.”

5. Interpersonal & Communication Skills (Including Public Speaking)

Clear communication is consistently ranked as a top skill—especially as AI reshapes how teams collaborate. Whether you’re pitching executives as a sales professional or guiding cross-functional groups, strong interpersonal skills set the foundation for trust and cohesion.

How to emphasize it on a resume:

• Use people-centric verbs: “Facilitated, influenced, led, mentored.”
• Demonstrate tangible impact: “Delivered keynote presentations, boosting event attendance by 40%.”

6. Leadership & Social Influence

Even without a formal title, leadership and the ability to positively influence others are increasingly valued. From rallying project teams to championing new initiatives to the evolution of career mentorship programs, employers want to see that you can inspire collaboration and guide outcomes.

How to emphasize it on a resume:

• Note any mentoring or coaching roles: “Coached three junior analysts who received fast-track promotions.”
• Show success in diverse settings: “Led a remote team across three time zones, meeting deadlines 15% faster than forecasted.”

7. Process Optimization & Strategic Thinking

With organizations continuously tightening budgets, streamlining processes is a key driver of success. Demonstrating that you can evaluate workflows and introduce sustainable improvements signals that you’re both efficient and future-minded.

How to emphasize it on a resume:

• Quantify impact: “Optimized supply chain protocols, cutting lead time by 20% and saving $50K annually.”
• Mention strategic frameworks or methodologies: “Applied Six Sigma principles to refine operational metrics.”

8. Customer Engagement & Solution-Based Selling

In a hyper-competitive market, connecting deeply with customers and tailoring solutions to their needs stands out. Whether you’re client-facing or internally pitching ideas, solution-oriented thinking directly impacts revenue and relationships.

How to emphasize it on a resume:

• Show direct impact on client metrics: “Increased account retention by 35% via personalized onboarding strategies.”
• Reference collaborative approaches: “Partnered with engineering to prototype a solution that addressed a major client’s pain point.”

9. Technical Fluency (Coding, Data, Automation)

Beyond AI, fluency in programming languages (Python, SQL) and familiarity with automation platforms set top candidates apart. It’s not just about knowing how to code—it’s about using the right technical tools to drive efficiency and innovation.

How to emphasize it on a resume:

• Create a “Technical Skills” section: List specific languages, frameworks, or analytic tools.
• Tie to outcomes: “Developed Python script to automate reports, saving 10 hours weekly in manual tasks.”

10. Continuous Learning & Active Learning Strategies

A 140% increase in new skill acquisition since 2022 underscores how vital it is to stay curious and keep learning. Employers want to see evidence that you proactively expand your knowledge—whether through formal education, online courses, or self-driven exploration.

How to emphasize it on a resume:

• Include recent certifications or courses: “Completed Harvard Department of Continuing Education advanced course in strategic leadership.”
• Showcase self-directed initiatives: “Led a weekly study group to adopt new CRM features, improving team adoption by 25%.”

In 2025, the winning formula combines human-focused soft skills—like empathy, communication, and creativity—with forward-leaning technical expertise in AI, data, and automation. By highlighting your adaptability, leadership, and commitment to continuous learning, you’ll showcase a future-proof profile ready to thrive in a rapidly evolving workplace.

How Many Skills to List on a Resume?

The ten skills listed above are just a handful of categories you can use when writing a CV or resume, and there are plenty more you can use depending on your career trajectory. With so many options it can be difficult to narrow down how many skills to list on a resume.

While there’s no strict rule, you can use the following guidelines:

• Six to Eight Core Skills: Keep your list concise—showcasing a handful of your most relevant, marketable skills. This ensures you’re not just dumping a giant keyword salad onto the page.
• Tailor to the Role: Research the job description thoroughly. If it repeatedly mentions “Python” and “team leadership,” those should appear near the top of your skill set.
• Organize by Category: You can separate your skill list into headings like “Technical Proficiencies” and “Leadership & Soft Skills.” This helps recruiters quickly identify your strengths.

Ultimately, it’s about quality over quantity. A hyper-focused resume that pinpoints 6–8 spot-on abilities is more compelling than a laundry list of 20 generic skills.

Learn How to Write a Future-Ready Résumé

Heading into 2025, success belongs to those who merge soft skills—creativity, adaptability, and communication—with technical proficiencies in AI, data, and automation.

When narrowing down what skills to put on a resume, the key is to highlight around six to eight core skills that match both your strengths and the demands of the role. If you’re not sure where to start, reread job descriptions to spot recurring keywords, then structure your résumé so those top proficiencies stand out.

If you want to get job-specific insights on how to apply for and succeed in your preferred line of work, My Career Shop has a range of resources at your disposal. From interviews with successful professionals to resources on selecting the right career, we’ve got you covered across all stages of your career discovery journey.