Must-Have Skills vs. Nice-to-Have Skills: How to Prioritize Skills in Your Resume

When tailoring your resume, it’s important to focus on skills that matter most to employers. Job descriptions usually list both must-have skills and nice-to-have skills. Knowing the difference can help you highlight the right skills in your resume. Here’s how to identify and prioritize them to improve your chances of getting noticed.

1. Understand Must-Have Skills

Must-have skills are essential for the job. If you don’t have these, your resume might be filtered out by an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). These skills are usually labeled as “required” or appear early in the job description. Technical writing jobs demand must-have skills. These might include “technical writing experience.” Other skills include “proficiency in Markdown” or “API documentation knowledge” (Indeed).

• Example: If the job description says “required: experience with API documentation,” ensure you list this experience on your resume. Do this if you have it. Employers may not consider applicants who lack these skills.

2. Identify Nice-to-Have Skills

Nice-to-have skills are additional skills that are helpful but not essential. They’re often labeled as “preferred” or “a plus.” These skills can give you an edge over other candidates, but they aren’t typically deal-breakers. For example, in technical writing, nice-to-have skills might include “experience with content management systems.” Another example is “familiarity with user experience (UX) principles” (Monster).

• Tip: If you have nice-to-have skills that align with the job, include them. They can make you stand out, especially if other candidates only meet the must-have requirements.

3. Prioritize Must-Have Skills on Your Resume

Place must-have skills at the top of your resume. You can mention them in your summary, experience section, and skills list. ATS and recruiters usually scan for these first, so make sure they’re easy to find.

• Example: Start your professional summary with “Experienced Technical Writer with a strong background in API documentation and content creation.” This makes essential skills clear right away (CareerBuilder).

4. Include Nice-to-Have Skills Strategically

Nice-to-have skills should still appear on your resume, but they don’t need to be front and center. Mention them in your skills section or in descriptions of past work if they relate to the job. This way, they add value without taking focus away from must-have skills.

• Example: If the job description mentions “SEO knowledge is a plus,” add this in your skills section. You could also include it as a note in your experience if relevant.

5. Focus on Skills That Match the Job Requirements

Each job description is unique, so tailor your skills for each application. For technical writing jobs, look for keywords related to the field, like “technical documentation,” “user guides,” or “editing for clarity.” These skills often overlap between must-have and nice-to-have categories and help create a strong match with the job.

• Tip: If you’re applying to multiple jobs, you may need to adjust your resume slightly for each role. Tailor it to match the specific must-have and nice-to-have skills (ZipRecruiter).

6. Use Keywords That Both ATS and Hiring Managers Will Recognize

ATS filters look for specific keywords, so make sure you’re using the right terms. If a job lists “API documentation,” use this exact phrase instead of a variation like “API writing.” This makes your resume more ATS-friendly. Using terms that match the job description also signals to hiring managers that you understand the role.

7. Review Your Resume for Skill Gaps

After you’ve added both must-have and nice-to-have skills, read through your resume. Make sure must-have skills are clear and prominently placed. If there’s a nice-to-have skill you don’t have, don’t worry too much. Focus on showcasing the skills you do have that best match the job’s top priorities (LinkedIn).

Conclusion

Knowing how to prioritize must-have and nice-to-have skills on your resume can make a big difference in your job search. Highlighting must-have skills at the top shows you meet core requirements. Including nice-to-have skills strategically can give you an edge. For technical writing jobs, be sure to feature technical terms and keywords that match the job description. Tailoring your skills to each job helps ensure your resume stands out to both ATS and hiring managers.