Should I Rate My Skills on My Resume?

Why self-assigned skill ratings, proficiency bars, and labels such as expert or intermediate are usually best left off a resume.


Usually, no. Self-assigned ratings such as 4/5, expert, progress bars, or rows of dots are subjective and difficult for employers to interpret.

You cannot assess yourself completely objectively, and your idea of 4/5 may be very different from a recruiter's or hiring manager's. The meaning also changes depending on the role, the company, and the other candidates.

List the skills you genuinely know without assigning yourself a score. Where possible, demonstrate your proficiency through your work experience, projects, certifications, or specific accomplishments.

Concrete evidence gives employers a much clearer picture of your abilities than an arbitrary rating does.