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Let's get straight to the point.
You’ve heard the rules: “Only list 10 skills!” or “Your resume is too long if you have more than 15!” This advice is confusing, and it makes you think there’s a secret number you need to hit.
The exact number of skills on your resume does not matter.
It is a bad question.
Stop counting your skills. Your real goal is not to have a high number. Your goal is to pass the test given by the ATS (Applicant Tracking System) the computer that reads your resume first and then give the hiring manager a quick win.
You need a strategy, not a number. Here is the easy, 3 step plan.
You need both kinds of skills on your resume.
These are the technical things you learned: Python, SQL, AWS, Accounting, Microsoft Excel, Adobe Photoshop, etc.
Why they matter: The ATS robot looks for these exact words. If the job post says you need SQL, the robot searches for "SQL." If it finds it, you pass.
These are your people skills and personal work habits: Leading Teams, Good Communicator, Solving Problems, Working with Others, Being Flexible, etc.
Why they matter: The human recruiter wants to see these. They show you are a good person to hire and work with.
Most good resumes, especially for people with some experience, will have about 8 to 15 skills in total, with a good mix of both Hard and Soft. But do not try to hit that number exactly. It comes naturally from the next step.
Forget the number 10. The only right number of skills to list on your resume is the number that perfectly matches what the job ad asks for.
The job ad is your answer key. Here is your 3 step rule:
You must find the most important skills in the job post. Go through the job ad carefully. Highlight every skill, tool, or software mentioned.
Find the repeats: Which words are used 3 or more times (like "Python," "Cloud," or "Managing Projects")
These are your must have skills. You must put these on your resume. If you miss them, the ATS will filter you out.
If the job asks for five key skills that you have, your number is five. If it asks for ten, and you have them, your number is ten.
This is the biggest mistake people make. Do not just list a skill; show proof in your work history.
If you list "Leadership" in your skills list, the recruiter will quickly look for a sentence under your past jobs that backs it up, like: "Led a team of 4 people to finish the project on time and under budget."
The Simple Rule: If you cannot write a strong, short sentence under your past jobs to prove you have a skill, do not list that skill at all. It just looks like you are guessing.
The types of skills you emphasize on your resume should shift dramatically as your career progresses. Recruiters are looking for different things depending on your experience level.
1. New to the Job / Junior
If you are New to the Job or a Junior candidate, you must focus heavily on Hard Skills. Recruiters need to know what basic tools you can use today, such as Python, Data Entry, or a specific software program. Don't worry about having a massive list; aiming for 5–10 proven skills that you can back up with experience is perfect.
2. Senior / Expert
If you are a Senior or Expert candidate, the focus flips to Soft Skills and Strategy. At this level, recruiters already assume you are technically competent. They want to see if you can lead teams, manage projects, and solve big company problems (e.g., Leading, Planning, Solving Company Problems). Here, listing a slightly larger range of 10–15 powerful skills is expected, provided they demonstrate leadership and strategic capability.
Your resume page is very important space. Don't waste it.
Don't List Simple Skills: Never list Microsoft Word, Email, or Basic Internet Use. Everyone has these. They make you look like a beginner and waste space.
Don't Use Skill Ratings: Skip the bars or stars that show "5/5 for Python" or "3/5 for Excel." These are meaningless and take up too much room.
The Best Way: Make a simple list of your Hard Skills on one side and your Soft Skills on the other. Then, let your work experience section do the real selling.
The "magic number" is just a distraction. The real magic is making sure your resume is the perfect fit for the job ad.
If a job needs 8 skills you have, list those 8. If it needs 15, list the 15 you can prove.
Stop trying to guess a random number. Start tailoring your resume to the job description, using the exact words, and backing them up with proof. This is the only way to get the interview.
If you want an easy way to match these keywords for every job, you need a smart tool. FirstResume.ai scans the job ad, tells you the exact words the computer is looking for, and helps you fix your resume quickly. Stop getting filtered out and start getting hired faster.
Get your competitive edge today!
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How it works?
Create your profile by uploading an existing resume or create one from scratch using our resume builder.
Start searching for jobs anywhere you want and paste the job description in the box in FirstResume.
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Tailored job applications are crucial in today's competitive job market for several reasons:
1. Stand out from the crowd: Generic resumes often get lost in the sea of applications.
2. A tailored resume highlights your most relevant skills and experiences for each specific job.
3. Beat Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Many companies use ATS to screen resumes. Tailored applications that include job-specific keywords are more likely to pass these initial screenings.
4. Show genuine interest: Customizing your application demonstrates that you've taken the time to understand the role and company, showing your enthusiasm and dedication.
5. Address specific requirements: Each job has unique requirements. Tailoring allows you to directly address how you meet these specific needs.
6. Improve relevance: By emphasizing your most pertinent qualifications for each role, you make it easier for hiring managers to see why you're a great fit.
7. Increase interview chances: Tailored applications that closely match job descriptions are more likely to impress recruiters and lead to interview invitations.
FirstResumeAI makes this crucial tailoring process quick and effortless, giving you a competitive edge in your job search without the time-consuming work of manual customization.
No, using FirstResume is not cheating at all. It's a tool to help you present your true skills and experiences in the best possible light. Here's why:
1. We don't add false information: All content on your resume remains factual and based on the information you provide. We simply help you articulate your experiences more effectively.
2. It's about presentation, not fabrication: Our AI helps you highlight your relevant skills and achievements for each specific job application, much like a professional resume writer would do.
3. Tailored, not altered: We tailor your existing information to each job application, emphasizing the most relevant aspects of your background.
4. Industry-standard practice: Using tools or services to improve your resume is a common and accepted practice, similar to hiring a professional resume writer or career coach.
5. Employer perspective: Employers expect well-crafted, tailored resumes. They're interested in finding the best match for their position, and a well-presented resume helps them do that.
6. Cost-effective personalization: Unlike one-off professional editing services, we provide ongoing, job-specific tailoring at a fraction of the cost.
Remember, FirstResume is about empowering you to showcase your true potential effectively. It's a modern solution to the age-old challenge of presenting yourself confidently in a competitive job market.
Yes, our AI is designed to optimize your resume for various industries and job types. It adapts to the specific requirements of each job description you input.
Our AI optimizes your resume by using industry-standard formatting, appropriate keywords from the job description, and a clean, easy-to-read layout that ATS systems can easily parse.
Yes, we use bank-level encryption to protect your personal information and do not share it with third parties.
Absolutely! You have full control to review and edit all generated content before using it.
LinkedIn profile import is coming soon! This feature will allow you to easily bring your professional information into FirstResumeAI. For now, you can manually input your information or upload a resume.
Yes, FirstResumeAI allows you to save multiple versions of your tailored resumes. This feature enables you to quickly access and update previously created resumes for similar job applications in the future.
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