Resume skills · O*NET 31.0
Skills to put on a resume: what official job data shows.
O*NET rates how important each skill is to every occupation. It does not write resumes. Here is what the ratings show, the software employer postings ask for, and the skills for your role.
Quick answer
No government source publishes a list of resume skills. O*NET, the U.S. Department of Labor's occupation database, rates how important 35 skills are to each occupation. Across the 910 occupations with O*NET 31.0 skill ratings, the skills most often rated at least “Important” (3 or higher on O*NET's 1–5 scale) are active listening in most of them (92.2%), speaking in most of them (89.1%) and critical thinking in most of them (88.9%). For technical skills, the software examples O*NET most often marks as in demand in employer job postings include Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint.
Data
The 35 skills O*NET rates
Data How many of the 910 occupations rate each skill at least Important. A skill rated important for a job is not automatically a line on a resume.
| O*NET skill | O*NET type | Occupations rating it at least Important | Share | Median importance (1–5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Listening | Essential | 839 of 910 | 92.2% | 3.75 |
| Speaking | Essential | 811 of 910 | 89.1% | 3.62 |
| Critical Thinking | Essential | 809 of 910 | 88.9% | 3.62 |
| Monitoring | Essential | 776 of 910 | 85.3% | 3.25 |
| Reading Comprehension | Essential | 739 of 910 | 81.2% | 3.62 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | Transferable | 696 of 910 | 76.5% | 3.12 |
| Time Management | Transferable | 674 of 910 | 74.1% | 3.00 |
| Coordination | Transferable | 656 of 910 | 72.1% | 3.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | Transferable | 648 of 910 | 71.2% | 3.12 |
| Writing | Essential | 593 of 910 | 65.2% | 3.12 |
| Active Learning | Essential | 588 of 910 | 64.6% | 3.12 |
| Social Perceptiveness | Transferable | 575 of 910 | 63.2% | 3.00 |
| Service Orientation | Transferable | 466 of 910 | 51.2% | 3.00 |
| Instructing | Transferable | 394 of 910 | 43.3% | 2.88 |
| Systems Analysis | Transferable | 378 of 910 | 41.5% | 2.75 |
| Learning Strategies | Essential | 366 of 910 | 40.2% | 2.75 |
| Persuasion | Transferable | 337 of 910 | 37.0% | 2.75 |
| Systems Evaluation | Transferable | 333 of 910 | 36.6% | 2.75 |
| Operations Monitoring | Transferable | 304 of 910 | 33.4% | 2.50 |
| Negotiation | Transferable | 261 of 910 | 28.7% | 2.62 |
| Mathematics | Essential | 237 of 910 | 26.0% | 2.50 |
| Quality Control Analysis | Transferable | 234 of 910 | 25.7% | 2.38 |
| Operation and Control | Transferable | 213 of 910 | 23.4% | 2.12 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | Transferable | 191 of 910 | 21.0% | 2.62 |
| Science | Essential | 151 of 910 | 16.6% | 1.75 |
| Troubleshooting | Transferable | 136 of 910 | 14.9% | 2.00 |
| Equipment Maintenance | Transferable | 101 of 910 | 11.1% | 1.38 |
| Repairing | Transferable | 95 of 910 | 10.4% | 1.25 |
| Operations Analysis | Transferable | 90 of 910 | 9.9% | 1.88 |
| Management of Financial Resources | Transferable | 44 of 910 | 4.8% | 1.75 |
| Equipment Selection | Transferable | 41 of 910 | 4.5% | 1.62 |
| Management of Material Resources | Transferable | 31 of 910 | 3.4% | 1.88 |
| Programming | Transferable | 31 of 910 | 3.4% | 1.50 |
| Installation | Transferable | 25 of 910 | 2.7% | 1.00 |
| Technology Design | Transferable | 20 of 910 | 2.2% | 1.75 |
Data
Software that employer postings ask for
Data The 20 software examples O*NET flags as In Demand in the most occupations.
| Software example | O*NET category | Occupations where O*NET flags it In Demand | Occupations listing it | O*NET Hot Technology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | 384 | 817 | Yes |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | 339 | 859 | Yes |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | 196 | 629 | Yes |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | 187 | 642 | Yes |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | 81 | 784 | Yes |
| Python | Object or component oriented development software | 66 | 132 | Yes |
| Structured query language SQL | Data base user interface and query software | 40 | 151 | Yes |
| Autodesk AutoCAD | Computer aided design CAD software | 39 | 171 | Yes |
| SAP software | Enterprise resource planning ERP software | 33 | 283 | Yes |
| Learning management system LMS | Computer based training software | 31 | 47 | No |
| R | Object or component oriented development software | 28 | 102 | Yes |
| Adobe Photoshop | Graphics or photo imaging software | 26 | 144 | Yes |
| C++ | Object or component oriented development software | 24 | 110 | Yes |
| Amazon Web Services AWS software | Data base user interface and query software | 23 | 52 | Yes |
| Microsoft Azure software | Development environment software | 23 | 48 | Yes |
| ESRI ArcGIS software | Geographic information system | 21 | 93 | Yes |
| Epic Systems | Medical software | 21 | 63 | Yes |
| Linux | Operating system software | 20 | 122 | Yes |
| Adobe Creative Cloud software | Graphics or photo imaging software | 20 | 78 | Yes |
| The MathWorks MATLAB | Analytical or scientific software | 19 | 111 | Yes |
By role
Skills for your role
Data The three skills O*NET rates most important for each role, and software it flags as in demand for that role. Each role's resume guide shows how to prove them.
- AccountantReading Comprehension, Active Listening, Complex Problem Solving · in demand: Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel
- ActorReading Comprehension, Speaking, Active Listening
- Administrative AssistantActive Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension · in demand: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software
- ArchitectCritical Thinking, Operations Analysis, Complex Problem Solving · in demand: Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator
- Bank TellerActive Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking · in demand: Microsoft Office software
- BaristaActive Listening, Service Orientation, Speaking
- BartenderActive Listening, Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness
- BookkeeperMathematics, Active Listening, Critical Thinking · in demand: Intuit QuickBooks, Microsoft Excel
- CEOJudgment and Decision Making, Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking · in demand: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software
- CNAService Orientation, Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness
- CarpenterActive Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring
- CashierService Orientation, Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness
- ChefCoordination, Monitoring, Management of Personnel Resources · in demand: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software
- Civil EngineerActive Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking · in demand: Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Construction ManagerJudgment and Decision Making, Management of Personnel Resources, Active Listening · in demand: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software
- Construction WorkerSpeaking, Active Listening, Coordination
- Correctional OfficerActive Listening, Monitoring, Social Perceptiveness
- CosmetologistActive Listening, Speaking, Service Orientation
- Creative DirectorActive Listening, Speaking, Critical Thinking · in demand: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Customer Service RepresentativeActive Listening, Service Orientation, Speaking · in demand: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software
- Cyber Security AnalystReading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening · in demand: Amazon Web Services AWS software, Firewall software
- Data ScientistMathematics, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension · in demand: Amazon Web Services AWS software, Apache Hadoop
- Dental AssistantActive Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension · in demand: Henry Schein Dentrix
- Dental HygienistActive Listening, Critical Thinking, Speaking · in demand: Henry Schein Dentrix
- DentistCritical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Active Learning
- Electrical EngineerWriting, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension · in demand: Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit
- ElectricianTroubleshooting, Repairing, Active Listening
- EstheticianSpeaking, Service Orientation, Active Listening
- Executive AssistantActive Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking · in demand: Google Workspace software, Microsoft Excel
- Financial AdvisorActive Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking · in demand: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software
- FirefighterCoordination, Active Learning, Active Listening
- Flight AttendantSpeaking, Active Listening, Monitoring · in demand: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software
- Graphic DesignerActive Listening, Speaking, Active Learning · in demand: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software
- HR ManagerActive Listening, Management of Personnel Resources, Reading Comprehension · in demand: Applicant tracking software, Microsoft Excel
- HVAC TechnicianOperations Monitoring, Troubleshooting, Critical Thinking
- Interior DesignerActive Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension · in demand: Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator
- JournalistActive Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking
- LPNService Orientation, Coordination, Social Perceptiveness
- LawyerSpeaking, Active Listening, Critical Thinking · in demand: Microsoft Office software
- LibrarianReading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking · in demand: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software
- Line CookCritical Thinking, Monitoring, Speaking
- Loan OfficerActive Listening, Speaking, Judgment and Decision Making · in demand: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software
- Marketing ManagerActive Listening, Speaking, Active Learning · in demand: Atlassian JIRA, Microsoft Excel
- Massage TherapistActive Listening, Speaking, Service Orientation
- MechanicRepairing, Troubleshooting, Equipment Maintenance
- Mechanical EngineerActive Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension · in demand: Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit
- Medical AssistantSocial Perceptiveness, Active Listening, Speaking · in demand: Epic Systems, Microsoft Office software
- Network EngineerCritical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving · in demand: Amazon Web Services AWS software, Ansible software
- Nurse PractitionerActive Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking
- Occupational TherapistActive Listening, Monitoring, Service Orientation
- Office ManagerActive Listening, Coordination, Monitoring · in demand: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software
- Operations ManagerActive Listening, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension · in demand: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software
- OptometristActive Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension · in demand: Apple Safari, Microsoft Edge
- ParalegalWriting, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension · in demand: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software
- Personal TrainerInstructing, Service Orientation, Speaking
- PharmacistActive Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking
- Pharmacy TechnicianActive Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking · in demand: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software
- PhlebotomistService Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Speaking · in demand: Microsoft Office software
- PhotographerActive Listening, Speaking, Service Orientation · in demand: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
- Physical TherapistActive Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension
- Physician AssistantCritical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening · in demand: Epic Systems
- PlumberCritical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Repairing
- Police OfficerActive Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Active Learning
- PrincipalActive Listening, Learning Strategies, Judgment and Decision Making · in demand: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software
- Project ManagerActive Listening, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making · in demand: Atlassian JIRA, Microsoft Excel
- Property ManagerReading Comprehension, Speaking, Active Listening · in demand: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software
- Radiology TechActive Listening, Reading Comprehension, Service Orientation · in demand: R
- Real Estate AgentActive Listening, Speaking, Negotiation · in demand: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software
- ReceptionistSpeaking, Active Listening, Service Orientation · in demand: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software
- RecruiterSpeaking, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension · in demand: Applicant tracking software, Microsoft Excel
- Registered NurseSocial Perceptiveness, Active Listening, Coordination
- Respiratory TherapistActive Listening, Critical Thinking, Monitoring
- Sales AssociatePersuasion, Active Listening, Service Orientation
- Sales ManagerActive Listening, Negotiation, Speaking · in demand: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software
- School CounselorActive Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Speaking · in demand: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software
- Security GuardActive Listening, Monitoring, Speaking
- ServerService Orientation, Active Listening, Speaking
- Software EngineerProgramming, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making · in demand: Amazon Web Services AWS software, Apache Kafka
- Speech PathologistActive Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension
- Substitute TeacherActive Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking
- Surgical TechMonitoring, Active Listening, Operations Monitoring
- System AdministratorActive Listening, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Analysis · in demand: Amazon Web Services AWS software, Ansible software
- Technical WriterWriting, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening · in demand: Atlassian Confluence, Atlassian JIRA
- Truck DriverOperation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Monitoring
- UX DesignerReading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making · in demand: Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator
- Vet TechActive Listening, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension
- VeterinarianActive Listening, Reading Comprehension, Active Learning
- Web DeveloperProgramming, Critical Thinking, Complex Problem Solving · in demand: Amazon Web Services AWS software, Apache Kafka
- WelderQuality Control Analysis, Monitoring, Critical Thinking
- WriterWriting, Reading Comprehension, Active Listening · in demand: Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Photoshop
Advice
How to choose and show skills on a resume
Advice TryHired guidance, not O*NET data.
- Start from the job posting: list the skills and tools it names that you can prove, in its wording.
- Prove skills inside experience bullets with a result. A skills list on its own is a claim, a bullet is evidence.
- Only list software you have actually used; be ready to describe one task you did with each.
- Skills O*NET rates important almost everywhere (reading comprehension, active listening) rarely need their own line; show them through results.
- Check that an applicant tracking system can read the skills section: standard heading, plain text, no tables or icons.
Need a cover letter too? Build one from your own facts, with the same O*NET role context beside it.
Method
How this page is built
Skills: O*NET 31.0 Essential Skills and Transferable Skills files (35 skills), Importance scale (1 = Not important, 3 = Important, 5 = Extremely important). An occupation counts as rating a skill at least Important when its importance is 3.0 or higher. Estimates O*NET flags Recommend Suppress = Y are excluded. 910 occupations have skill ratings.
Technology: O*NET 31.0 Software Skills file (923 occupations). O*NET's data dictionary defines Hot Technology as “requirements frequently included across all employer job postings” and In Demand as “requirements frequently included in employer job postings for the particular occupation” (O*NET data dictionary; the 31.0 file keeps these columns). Counts are occupations whose O*NET record lists the example.
Resume guidance on this page is TryHired advice, labelled as such. O*NET describes occupations; it does not say what to write on a resume.
What this page can't tell you
Sources- What a specific employer screens for: mirror its job posting.
- Your own experience: list only what you can prove.
- O*NET 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. TryHired selected, ranked and combined the data; O*NET is not responsible for these pages.