Your resume should showcase the skills that are most relevant to the job, internship, scholarship, or program you’re applying for. So, when selecting the skills for a resume, you need to analyze the posting or application documentation carefully to determine the skills they’re looking for and edit your resume to prioritize the ones you have.
Make sure you put a mix of hard and soft skills on your resume.
Hard skills are specific abilities that you can learn to do on a course or by doing a particular job (e.g., using Microsoft Word or bookkeeping tasks).
Soft skills are more difficult to acquire through formal education and training because they’re to do with your personality and how you interact with other people (e.g., staying calm under pressure or attention to detail).
If your resume format has a separate skills section, the skills can be listed in categories, like “technical skills” (e.g., proficiency in using specific software, IT tools, or equipment), “languages,” and “soft skills.”
Edit the list so the most relevant skills are at the top.
If you’re listing over 15 items, it’s probably too many—some experts recommend as few as five. Limiting the number of items will also help you to keep your resume to a suitable length.
The list in the skills section can be key words and phrases (e.g., “MS Word & Excel”) or extended bullet points (e.g., “Proficient in Microsoft Word & Excel for document creation, data analysis, and office automation”), depending on the resume format you’ve chosen.
Don’t forget to provide concrete evidence of the most important skills in your cover letter, letter of interest, or in the work experience or education sections of your resume—tangible examples such as descriptions of duties that required these skills.
Resume skills section exampleTechnical skills
MS Word and Excel
Mailchimp
HTML
Basic Python
Soft skills
Adaptability
Conflict resolution
Problem solving
Languages
English – Advanced (TOEFL score: 116/120)
Spanish – Native speaker
TipMake sure your resume is typo-free by checking it with a grammar tool such as QuillBot’s free Grammar Checker.
Published on
February 14, 2025
by
Kate Santoro, BS
Revised on
April 23, 2025
When comparing a letter of interest and a cover letter, the main difference is when and why you send each letter.
A letter of interest is a letter sent to a company to show enthusiasm for potential job openings that haven’t yet been posted. It focuses on your general skills and experience and how you could add value to the company. A letter of interest is also called a “letter of intent,” “letter of inquiry,” or “statement of inquiry.”
A cover letter accompanies your application for a specific job. A cover letter is where you explain why you’re the best candidate for a specific position, highlighting skills and experience relevant to the job posting.
Published on
February 13, 2025
by
Kate Santoro, BS
Revised on
April 28, 2025
Understanding the difference between a cover letter and a resume is important when applying for jobs. These documents both accompany an application, but there are key differences in their purpose and format:
A resume summarizes your work history, skills, qualifications, and education.
A cover letter is a business letter that complements your resume by highlighting why you’re the best candidate. It focuses on how your skills and experience will benefit the company in a more narrative way than a resume.
Another way to think of this is that a resume focuses on the past, outlining what you’ve done up until now. A cover letter focuses on the future, showing why you’d be a good fit for your potential employer.
When comparing a cover letter vs a resume, there are differences in objective, format, and what to include.
Published on
February 10, 2025
by
Kate Santoro, BS
Revised on
May 16, 2025
A letter of interest expresses your enthusiasm for working at a company even when no specific job posting is available.
How to write a letter of interest is similar to writing other business letters. Stay concise and professional and include a call-to-action for your reader.
How you start a cover letter matters, as you want to make a good impression. When you have the hiring manager’s name, you should address a cover letter using “Dear” and their full name (e.g., “Dear Manny Smith,”).
How to address a cover letter without a name, on the other hand, requires a bit more thought. Consider addressing your letter to the relevant team (e.g., “Dear Product Team,”) or to a specific title (e.g., “Dear Product Manager,) if you can’t find a name.
Published on
February 7, 2025
by
Kate Santoro, BS
Revised on
March 27, 2025
A cover letter is a brief letter sent with your resume as part of a job application. The purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself and highlight your most relevant experience and qualifications.
How to address a cover letter depends on any instructions in the job posting and the information you have available. Addressing it correctly is important, as it shows professionalism and attention to detail.
Published on
February 7, 2025
by
Nicole Routh, M.Ed
Revised on
March 27, 2025
A cover letter should usually be a single page with three or four short paragraphs. It should include an introduction, one or two body paragraphs, and a brief conclusion. Most recruiting experts also say that 300–400 words is the ideal cover letter length.
The purpose of a cover letter is to help recruiters quickly learn why you’re uniquely qualified, so the right cover letter length is crucial. A cover letter that’s too long can overwhelm busy recruiters, who typically receive hundreds of applications for each opening. If a cover letter is too short, you might be missing details that will help you stand out.
To learn more about how to write an effective one-page cover letter, follow the tips and examples below. QuillBot’s free Paraphraser Mobile App for Android can also help you describe your qualifications in a concise and effective manner.
Cover letter length exampleAn experienced art teacher is applying for a position as the school district’s fine arts curriculum coordinator. The cover letter would include these four paragraphs.
Introduction: A brief overview of the teacher’s experience and interest in the job
Body Paragraph 1: The art teacher’s success with refining and implementing a high-quality art curriculum in a 9–12 classroom
Body Paragraph 2: The art teacher’s leadership experience with training and mentoring other teachers in effective art instruction
Conclusion: A brief recap of the main qualifications and an invitation to discuss the role further in an interview
Published on
February 7, 2025
by
Kate Santoro, BS
Revised on
August 7, 2025
A cover letter is a one-page letter you send to a potential employer when applying for a job. The purpose of a cover letter is to complement your resume by introducing yourself and explaining why you are the ideal candidate for the role.
When writing a cover letter, it’s important to keep your content as concise and engaging as possible. It’s also important to use a good cover letter format so that your letter makes a great first impression.
Cover letter format includes two elements:
The sections to include in the letter
The look of the cover letter (font, spacing, etc.)
TipTo instantly craft a perfectly formatted and polished cover letter, try QuillBot’s free AI cover letter generator. Just input your resume and the job description, and let AI do the heavy lifting.
Published on
February 7, 2025
by
Kate Santoro, BS
Revised on
July 3, 2025
A cover letter is a brief, customized document you send to potential employers alongside your resume. They may also be necessary when applying to universities, fellowships, internships, and scholarships.
Writing a cover letter does not have to be time consuming. Use QuillBot’s cover letter generator to instantly synthesize your skills and experiences into a polished cover letter.
A cover letter is a one-page document that complements your resume by highlighting the particular skills, qualifications, and experience that make you a perfect fit for a role.
Cover letters should always be tailored to the specific job you’re applying for and should do more than just re-list facts from your resume. In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role, share personal anecdotes, and let your personality shine.
Writing a cover letter can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. QuillBot’s free AI cover letter generator can help you communicate your skills and abilities clearly.
