The problem: Technical skills alone don't make a strong CV. Many candidates overlook the soft skills employers consistently value, and don't know how to articulate them effectively on a resume.
The solution: Include five key soft skills (communication, problem-solving, adaptability, teamwork, and eagerness to learn) with concrete examples that show how you've applied each in previous roles.
The result: A resume that showcases both technical and soft skills presents you as a well-rounded, self-aware candidate, strengthening your application and improving your chances of selection.
While the skills for your resume will vary according to the role you’re applying for, its seniority and the industry you work in, there are some skills that will always be valued by employers.
These skills are often referred to as ‘soft skills’ as they are less technical, less role-specific and tend to relate to your relationships and how you manage various situations in the workplace.
Here are some skills to put on your resume, and some advice on how to talk about them.
Communication
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Even if you work independently or in a small team, there is rarely a role in which strong communication skills wouldn’t be beneficial to your employer and the organisation at large.
Good communication skills suggest you can explain your work to others, graciously call out successes and defend certain approaches, all while being diplomatic and respectful. Employers want to know that whether you’re dealing with the junior accountant or the CFO, you’ll know what to say and how to say it.
Resume skill example: I am a perceptive communicator with the capacity to engage, compel and liaise with colleagues, executives and external stakeholders.
Problem-solving and resilience
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Are you able to persist with a task or project even after your best attempt at completing it? Do you let frustration get in the way, or do you challenge yourself to think more creatively and find an innovative solution? Problem-solving and resilience are resume skills vital to progression and improvement in all roles, and as such, are important skills to put on a resume.
Resume skill example: I pride myself on the high-level problem-solving skills I have used in all roles to overcome adversity and guarantee efficiencies in my team. Resilience also enabled me to successfully complete a major company-wide IT project, securing my promotion to Project Manager.
Adaptability
Employers want to know that you won’t crumble if circumstances change in their organisation, or if you’re asked to work on a project a little out of the ordinary.
Stating that you’re adaptable assures employers you understand that roles and work evolve and change, sometimes throwing team members curveballs, but that you’re primed to handle it.
Resume skill example: Being adaptable and flexible has enabled me to challenge conventional ways of working and learn new and more efficient reporting techniques and diverse work style.
Teamwork
Most jobs will require that you work with others and often a criteria for selection to a role will be your ability to work successfully within a team. Even if you only encounter a few people while performing your daily duties, employers want to know that when tasked with collaborating, you can do it effectively.
Expressing that you can work with a diverse range of people and overcome conflict or disagreement to get the best job done is an inspiring piece of information for employers.
Resume skill example: While I enjoy working independently, I thrive when working in a team. I’m excited about working effectively with others to achieve common goals.
Readiness to learn and eagerness to grow
No matter whether you’re applying for your first job as a customer service assistant, going for a business analyst role, or lining up to be a CIO, you should always be eager to keep learning and growing in your role.
These resume skills also imply that you’re loyal to organisations, as learning and growth generally take place over a period of time.
Resume skill example: In all my previous roles an eagerness to learn and grow has seen me undertake external training, job shadowing or mentoring for career progression. I look forward to doing the same at your organisation.
For many employers, these soft skills for your resume will be just as important as harder, technical abilities when determining if you’re the best candidate for the job.
Including them throughout your resume, providing examples of how you’ve used them in previous roles where possible, will present you as a prospective employee who understands the full scope of the role, and as one who has submitted a considered and well-executed application.
Take a look at our resume guide page for more advice on how to write a resume.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What skills should I put on my resume in Singapore?
Singaporean employers look for a balanced blend of role-specific hard skills and universal transferable soft skills. According to local hiring trends and the national Skills Framework, the most highly valued soft skills across industries include strong verbal and written communication, creative problem-solving, teamwork, and adaptability to digital transformation (such as AI tool adoption).
How do I show soft skills on my resume without just listing them?
Instead of just writing "good communicator" or "adaptable," prove it using the C.A.R. framework (Competency, Action, Result). Start each bullet point with a powerful action verb, describe the challenge you tackled, and include a quantifiable result. For example: "Collaborated with a cross-functional team of 5 to streamline reporting processes, saving 4 hours of manual labor per week."
Are soft skills or technical skills more important to Singaporean employers?
Both are essential, but they serve different purposes. Hard or technical skills act as the baseline gatekeeper to get you past automated Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). However, soft skills, like resilience and an eagerness to learn, are often the deciding factor during the interview stage, as they signal whether you will adapt well to the company culture and future industry shifts.
How many skills should I list on my resume?
Aim for a curated list of 8 to 12 highly relevant skills. Avoid a generic "dump" of every skill you possess; instead, carefully analyse the specific job description and tailor your list to match the keywords and competencies the employer is actively seeking.
