Technical Skills: Examples of Technical Skills on a Resume

Technical skills are the practical abilities and competencies you can bring to a job. Also known as hard skills, they are valued by job recruiters and hiring managers—provided that they align with a posted job description. Technical skills, such as database management and web development, function in concert with less specific soft skills like problem-solving and team-building. Recruiters, hiring managers, and project managers look for both categories of skills when seeking to fill a job opening.

Having technical know-how is an essential part of being a well-rounded job applicant. A complementary set of technical skills and soft skills can help set you apart and perform a job more effectively. For example, a designer skilled at Photoshop and communicating their creative vision is better positioned to execute a project than a designer with only one of those skills.

Some employers use applicant tracking systems that scan resumes for specific keywords that correlate to the skillset of the open position. Therefore, listing the right terminology to describe your skills puts you in the best position to get to the next stage in the screening process.

Applicants can bring a wide array of technical skills to a job. Some categories of technical skills employers look for on a resume include:

1. 1. Marketing skills: These include copywriting, market analytics, and search engine optimization (SEO). Marketers also benefit from having experience with content management systems (CMS), user experience design, and social media management.
2. 2. Software development skills: This category includes an array of computer science skills including being able to write in various programming languages (such as HTML, SQL, CSS, Java, and JavaScript) and working competently on different operating systems (such as Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android). Programmers need these skills to perform the core functions of their job.
3. 3. Project management skills: This skill set includes budgeting, task management, risk management, and organizational structuring. Soft skills like effective leadership and communication can supplement these specific skills.
4. 4. Information technology skills (IT): Not all computer skills require programming. Employers also value the ability to use existing software such as Microsoft Office (including Word and Excel), Google Docs, Photoshop, and WordPress. Some IT skills are more technical, such as using and managing information security software.
5. 5. Database skills: Someone with database skills may be proficient in database design, data analysis, customer relationship management (CRM) software, or payment processing software.
6. 6. Creative skills: Some technical skills involve a degree of creativity. Creative writing, technical writing, graphic design, and video editing straddle the boundary between creative and technical skills.

Showcasing your full range of relevant skills—including technical, creative, and analytical skills—on your job application can help distinguish you from other applicants. Depending on the context, there are several ways to highlight your technical skills specifically.

1. 1. On your resume: Most resume templates include a hard skills section. Use this section to name the technical skills you can bring to a job. Keep your list organized and focus on skills that match the job description of the open position.
2. 2. In a cover letter: Cover letters should be succinct and focused on showing the hiring manager why you are the perfect fit for an open position. In describing yourself, list a couple of the hard skills you’re proud of in the context of how they helped you meet a goal or perform your job effectively.
3. 3. In an interview: During a job interview, your interviewer may skew the questions toward soft skills like teamwork and leadership. Take those opportunities to describe specific times your soft skills complemented your technical abilities.
4. 4. While networking: Sometimes job opportunities can come via personal friendships and networking, so it’s worth keeping your friends and business contacts aware of new skills you’ve acquired. When a job comes along that fits your skill set, your contacts may be more likely to keep you in mind.

A concise and well-written list of job skills can help recruiters determine if your skillset is the right fit for their specific job. If the job you’re seeking requires exceptional technical experience or ability, list those at the top of the resume just below your resume summary, which serves as your professional introduction.

Similar to work history, employers take the skills section on a job application into great consideration when assessing a candidate, which is why the listed skills must be relevant to the job position for which you are applying. For example, if you want to apply for a graphic design job, you can list your experience with design tools and software in the skills section. For an accounting position, you might list your familiarity with accounting software and any additional skills highlighting why you’re the right candidate for the job.

Developing your capabilities and expanding your technical knowledge to grow professionally is essential. Consider the following ways to build key technical skills:

• Build a website. Learn practical skills like HTML and CSS by building your own personal or professional website.
• Complete a course. An online course or certificate program can be a valuable way to learn new skills. Your employer might offer professional development workshops, or you can take college extension courses.
• Read technical books. Expand your knowledge of topics like SEO, programming, and project management with technical books. You can also subscribe to tech-related media outlets to stay updated with information.
• Take on a side project. Volunteering your time to complete a side project at work can be a helpful way to learn new skills. Identify a specific area you would like to learn more about, and talk with your supervisor about opportunities to expand your knowledge with a hands-on project.

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