On Air with Astro Syok: How to List Skills on Your Resume the Right Way, by Hiredly’s VP of People & Culture

Your resume skills section can make or break your job application. In this episode of Astro Syok Podcast, Hiredly’s VP of People & Culture reveals the right way to list your skills, common mistakes to avoid, and how to present your abilities in a way that impresses recruiters.

By Matt Khoo on 2025-03-13 at 6:03 AM

Updated on 2025-03-21 at 5:38 AM

Meet the Guest

Skills section feeling a little “meh”? You’re not alone. Joselyn Lau, Hiredly’s VP of People & Culture, sat down with hosts Tako and Wei Wen on Astro’s Syok Podcast to talk about what recruiters really want to see in the skills section of your resume—and how to list them right.

Here’s what you need to know to go from “meh” to memorable.

1. Don’t Just Say You Have Soft Skills—Prove It

Saying you're a “team player” or “great communicator” is like saying you’re “nice” on a dating profile. It's... fine, but where’s the proof?

✅ Show it with results:
Instead of writing “Strong communication skills,” write:
👉 “Presented a proposal to 50+ clients that led to a 30% increase in sales.”

Still listing “good listener” and “adaptable”? Here's how to actually use achievements instead of tasks.

2. Tailor Your Hard Skills to the Job

Generic skill lists don’t cut it anymore. Recruiters want to see relevant hard skills—especially if you're applying for roles in fields like digital marketing or data analytics.

🎯 For example:

  • Digital Marketing: SEO, Google Ads (with ROI figures!)
  • Data Analytics: SQL, Tableau, Python (and what you did with them)

If you’re unsure what to include, use keywords from the job description. Need help? Here’s how to write a resume that stands out.

3. Add Numbers—They Make Everything Better

Employers love seeing measurable results. It helps them understand the impact you’ve made.

❌ Meh: “Managed projects”
✅ Better: “Led 5-person team and delivered project 2 weeks ahead of schedule, saving 15% in costs”

Want to make sure your resume is hitting the mark? Try this resume checklist.

4. Put Your Skills in the Right Order

Start with your strongest, most relevant skills. This makes it easier for recruiters (and ATS systems!) to find what they’re looking for.

✅ Recommended structure:

  1. Hard/technical skills (relevant to the job)
  2. Soft skills (with proof)
  3. Extra skills (languages, certifications, etc.)

Wondering if you're listing too many or too few? Here's what recruiters really look for on resumes.

5. Bonus: Stop Rating Your Skills (It’s Cringe)

You’ve probably seen those cute bar charts or stars to rate your skills. Don’t do it.

❌ “Photoshop: ★★★☆☆”
What does that even mean? Compared to who?

✅ Instead, say:
“Photoshop – Designed EDMs and social ads that boosted campaign engagement by 45%”

Need more advice? Read: Stop Rating Your Skills on Your Resume—Here’s What to Do Instead

The skills section is more than just a checklist—it’s your chance to show what you’re capable of. Back up every skill with a real example, focus on relevance, and ditch the fluff.

Need help figuring out what roles best match your strengths? Explore job listings on Hiredly, join the Young Talent Community, and take the Hiredly Work Personality Test to discover your career fit.

 

🎧 Listen to the full episode here: Astro Syok Podcast

By Matt Khoo on 2025-03-13 at 6:03 AM