7 Soft Skills To Put On Your Resume In 2025

Introduction.

Soft skills are the personal qualities and social abilities that shape how you interact with others. They’re not just “nice to have” anymore—they’re essential.

Employers in 2025 are looking for candidates who can collaborate, communicate, and adapt to changes, no matter the industry.

These abilities set you apart from others with similar technical expertise and show you’re ready to handle complex challenges.

If you want your resume to stand out in 2025, including the right soft skills is critical. Here are seven skills that can make all the difference.

Here are the Soft Skills To Put On Your Resume In 2025.

1. Communication Skills

Being a strong communicator is about more than speaking clearly. It’s about listening, understanding nonverbal cues, and making your ideas heard in a way that fits the situation.

• Why it matters: Studies show that 75% of employers rate communication as the most important skill in a candidate (LinkedIn’s Global Talent Trends).
• How to highlight: Mention times you presented ideas, resolved conflicts, or worked effectively in a team.

Example: “Led weekly team meetings and clarified project goals, improving task completion rates by 20%.”

2. Adaptability

Change is constant, and how you handle it matters. Whether it’s a new software system, an unexpected challenge, or a shift in company priorities, being adaptable shows you can thrive in uncertainty.

• Why it matters: By 2025, 50% of employees will need reskilling due to changing job requirements (World Economic Forum).
• How to highlight: Share examples of learning something new or adjusting to a major shift at work.

Example: “Quickly learned and implemented a new CRM system, ensuring a smooth transition and minimal downtime for the team.”

3. Teamwork and Collaboration

Great things happen when people work well together. Being able to collaborate with others—even in difficult situations—is a key skill that employers value.

• Why it matters: Teams are more diverse than ever, and being able to respect different perspectives is crucial.
• How to highlight: Point out group projects or situations where you solved a problem with others.

Example: “Coordinated with five departments to streamline a product launch, resulting in a 15% increase in sales.”

4. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EI) is about understanding and managing your emotions, as well as recognizing and responding to the emotions of others.

• Why it matters: High EI can make you a better leader, teammate, and problem solver. A survey by TalentSmart found that EI is responsible for 58% of job performance.
• How to highlight: Talk about times you handled feedback well, resolved a conflict, or showed empathy in a tough situation.

Example: “Calmed a frustrated client by actively listening and offering a step-by-step solution, improving customer satisfaction scores by 30%.”

5. Critical Thinking

Employers need people who can solve problems thoughtfully and make informed decisions. Critical thinking is about analyzing situations and coming up with the best solution, even under pressure.

• Why it matters: As automation increases, critical thinking remains one of the top skills machines can’t replace.
• How to highlight: Showcase times when you analyzed a situation, solved a problem, or suggested a new approach.

Example: “Identified inefficiencies in the supply chain process, leading to a 10% cost reduction.”

6. Time Management

Balancing tasks and meeting deadlines without burning out is a skill every employer appreciates. Good time management shows you’re organized and dependable.

• Why it matters: It’s about being efficient and getting things done without compromising quality.
• How to highlight: Mention specific tools or strategies you use to manage your workload.

Example: “Used project management tools like Trello to organize tasks, reducing missed deadlines by 25%.”

7. Leadership Skills

Leadership isn’t just for managers. Employers value people who take initiative, motivate others, and lead projects effectively.

• Why it matters: Leadership skills show that you can influence and inspire, which is essential in any role.
• How to highlight: Talk about times when you led a team, trained someone, or took the lead on a project.

Example: “Mentored two new hires, helping them reach full productivity within two months.”

FAQs

1. How do I know which soft skills to include?

Look at the job description and prioritize skills mentioned there. Then, match them to your own experiences.

2. Can I include soft skills even if I’m just starting my career?

Absolutely. Think about school projects, internships, or volunteer experiences where you used these skills.

3. Should I list these skills separately or weave them into my experience?

It’s better to show how you’ve used these skills in action. For example, under job experience, describe how you applied teamwork or communication skills to achieve results.

Conclusion

Soft skills are more than buzzwords—they’re what make you a valuable and versatile employee. As 2025 approaches, focusing on communication, adaptability, teamwork, and the other skills above can help your resume stand out.

What soft skills do you think are the most important for the future of work?