Top 25 Skills to Put on Your Resume for Entry-Level Jobs (Ranked by Hiring Managers)

Not sure what skills to list on your resume? Here are the 25 best entry-level skills hiring managers actually want to see in 2025.

🚀 Why “Skills” Can Make or Break Your Resume

If you’re applying for your first job, you might worry about not having “enough experience.”
But recruiters aren’t looking for decades of history - they’re looking for potential.

And the best way to show potential?
→ The right skills section.

When done right, it tells a hiring manager:

“I have what it takes to learn fast, deliver results, and fit your team.”
 
🎯 What Recruiters Actually Look for in Entry-Level Candidates
When scanning resumes, recruiters ask three quick questions:

• Does this person understand the basics of the job?
  
• Do they show adaptability and curiosity?
  
• Would I trust them to learn quickly?
  
• Your skills section answers all three - if you pick the right ones.

 🧩 Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills (and Why You Need Both)
Hard Skills → teachable, measurable abilities (software, languages, tools)
Soft Skills → interpersonal or behavioral abilities (teamwork, communication, adaptability)
Recruiters in 2025 expect to see a mix.
Let’s look at what’s ranking highest this year.

 💼 Top 25 Entry-Level Skills (2025 Ranking)

🔹 Hard Skills (Technical)
Microsoft Excel
Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides)
Data entry and analysis
Project coordination
CRM software (Salesforce, HubSpot)
Social media management
Email marketing tools (Mailchimp, Klaviyo)
Research and reporting
Graphic design (Canva, Figma)
Programming basics (Python, HTML/CSS)
Customer support tools (Zendesk, Intercom)
Time management systems (Trello, Notion, Asana)

🔹 Soft Skills (Behavioral)
Communication
Teamwork
Problem-solving
Adaptability
Critical thinking
Organization
Initiative
Collaboration
Attention to detail
Accountability
Empathy
Creativity
Reliability
 
🧠 How to Choose the Right Skills for Your Resume
Not every skill belongs on every resume.
Here’s how to pick yours in three steps:

Step 1 - Read the Job Description
Highlight the repeated terms.
If “communication,” “organization,” and “Excel” appear 3+ times — include them.

Step 2 - Match Your Real Strengths
Don’t list buzzwords you can’t back up.
If they ask about it in the interview, you should have a story that proves it.

Step 3 - Keep It Balanced
Aim for: 6–8 total skills
50/50 hard + soft mix
Grouped logically (not a random list)
 
💡 Example: Strong Skills Section for an Entry-Level Resume
Skills
Microsoft Excel · Google Sheets · Time Management · Communication · Problem Solving · Team Collaboration

Looks clean, ATS-readable, and human at the same time.

 🪄 Pro Tip for ATS Optimization
Recruiters use Applicant Tracking Systems that scan for keywords.
So:

Use the exact wording from the job description (“project coordination,” not “project work”)
Avoid symbols or emojis
Keep it in text (no graphics or columns)
💬 Bonus: You can test your resume’s keyword match instantly with The Job Hack’s AI Resume Review Tool, it checks ATS readability and recruiter relevance in seconds.

👉 Try it free → thejobhack.com

 💥 Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Listing 15+ random skills
❌ Adding vague phrases like “fast learner”
❌ Copying buzzwords from LinkedIn
❌ Mixing soft and hard skills in one line
❌ Forgetting to match keywords from the job posting

 🧭 Recruiter’s Insight
If you’re early in your career, your skills are your experience.
So make them specific, truthful, and measurable.

“Don’t tell me you’re organized - show me with results that required organization.”
That’s the mindset that gets callbacks.

 💬 Question for Readers
If you could only highlight 3 skills on your resume - which ones define you best right now?

#CareerTips #JobSearch2025 #ResumeHelp #RecruiterAdvice #TheJobHack #CareerGrowth