70+ Essential Computer Skills for Your Resume

70+ Essential Computer Skills for Your Resume 70+ Essential Computer Skills for Your ResumeApril 2, 2019 By Simon Fogg Reviewed by Mark Slack, CPRWTechnology is constantly changing how we work. Stay ahead of the game by learning how to include the latest and fruchtwein important computer skills on your resume.Build My Resume NowJob seekers are under increasing pressure to keep up to date with new software and applications. To make sure you dont get left behind, weve compiled everything you need to know about putting computer skills on your resume into one handy guide.Whether youre a technophile or technophobe these HR-approved computer skills for your resume will get you hired.Table of ContentsComputer Skills DefinitionInfographic Computer Skills ListFoundational Computer Skills for a ResumeBasic Computer SkillsKey Software SkillsCore Computer Hardware SkillsHow to List Computer Skills on Your ResumeSummary (Four Takeaways)1. Computer Skills DefinitionFirst, what are computer sk ills? The answer varies across industries. One primary distinction is between software and hardware.Software skills involve using computer programs such as Microsoft Office, whereas hardware refers to the physical devices that need operating.We provide a comprehensive list of computer skills across this piece that includes examples of both. Whether you want to brush up on your resume Excel skills for your first office job or emphasize your technical hintergrund and computer science skills weve got you covered.Before we start, check out a computer skills resume example for these four common IT rolesInformation Technology (IT) Open GallerySoftware Engineer Open GalleryWeb Developer Open GalleryData Scientist Open Gallery2. Infographic Computer Skills ListLooking for a handy list of computer skills that you can use right now? Refer to the infographic below while you write your resume.If you like this infographic and want to share it, we dont mind just be sure to include a link t o our website in the caption.Now that you know the computer skills employers are looking for, its time to be selective and choose which to include on your resume. Space on the page is tight, so its important to understand why each skill is valued and how to describe it.3. Foundational Computer Skills for a ResumeThe times, they are a changin and so too are the skills employees use every day in the office. Stay a step ahead of the competition by showing youre familiar with some of todays most commonly used software.G SuiteBusinesses of all sizes now use Googles products, from Gmail for emailing to Google Docs for collaboration. G Suite has become so commonplace that it now often replaces Microsoft Office.Thankfully, you can get started at home for free. Make sure youre familiar withGoogle Drive, Docs, Sheets, Calendar, Gmail, and Forms.Where to learn G Suite Learning CenterWeb ToolsThese are some of the most in-demand resume computer skills of the moment. As companies spend more ti me focusing on their online presence, you can become indispensable to employers by demonstrating knowledge ofHTML and CSSstimmtPress and Content Management Systems (CMS)Web metrics and Google AnalyticsSearch Engine Optimization (SEO)Any basic coding (from Java to Python)Where to learn SkillshareSocial MediaMany of us use facebook inc and Instagram when were avoiding work but knowing how to engage and grow an online following is a key skill that companies want and will pay good money for.Dont be afraid to add social media platforms.If youre social media savvy, these are the platforms to mentionFacebookTwitterInstagramPinterestHootsuite SendibleWhere to learn Hootsuite Academy TipAlthough LinkedIn isnt a skill for your resume, this social media platform can help you find work. Check out our guide to how to upload your resume in LinkedIn to get started.Collaboration ToolsMore technology often means more freedom, with some companies allowing employees to work from home or anywhere wit h an internet connection.With the increasing popularity of remote work, teams need to collaborate and communicate digitally. Show that youre ahead of the curve by mentioning your fluency in workflow programs and video conferencing tools on your resume.FlowdockSlackSkypeDropboxTrelloWhere to learn Lynda.com TipLarge IT companies use software to scan your application for keywords. Be prepared by reading our insider guide on how to beat applicant tracking systems (ATS).4. Basic Computer SkillsOne of the most common questions our career advisors are asked is what computer skills should I put on my resume?Whatever job you apply for, some technological know-how will almost definitely be required.When in doubt, focus on the fundamentals. These three basic computer skills are essential for candidates who dont work in IT.You dont have to be an IT expert just include the programs youre familiar with.Emailfruchtwein people know how to send and receive emails. However, if you understand advan ced functions such as encryption and mail merges, make sure you mention them.Where to learn Study.com has courses on basic and advanced email functionsOperating SystemsMany candidates forget to note that theyre comfortable using both Microsoft Windows and MacOS. If you jump between the two with ease, say so.This could give you a head start if you need to take a basic computer skills test at the interview.Where to learn Microsoft Training Center or Apple TrainingWhatever job you apply for, some technological know-how will almost definitely be required.Microsoft Office and iWorkAny office-based role role will expect some familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel, as well as maybe Powerpoint, Outlook, and OneNote. To keep your resume up to date, write that youre comfortable using the latest version of Office 365 and collaborating with SharePoint and OneDrive.Likewise, if the job advertisement mentions it, include the Apple equivalents Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and iCloud.Where to learn and Microsoft Certification and Apple Certification TipLooking to brush up on other skills too? ur list of 100+ educational websites will point you in the right direction.5. Key Software SkillsLevels of computer skills for a resume vary by candidate and by industry. We recommend looking at job ads to know which are most in demand for the type of position youre trying to land.Here are the most useful types of computer skills prized across different sectors.Accounting and Enterprise SystemsQuickbooks is a popular software package used by small and medium sized businesses for tracking expenses, calculating payroll, and invoicing. If youre a seasoned pro with similar software, put it in a prime location on your resume.Candidates with knowledge of enterprise applications can include any of the following computer skills examplesEnterprise Resource Planning (ERP)Business Continuity Planning (BCP)Customer Relationship Management (CRM)Payment processing and e-commerce systemsHR management t oolsWhere to learn Intuit Quickbooks CertificationDesign and Creative Computer SkillsBranding is more important than ever. Companies are always on the lookout for talented candidates who can bring their brands to life and give them the visual edge in the marketplace.Computer skills can help you work from home or anywhere you want.From designing magazine pages to retouching photos, proficiency with software such as Adobe Creative Suite is one of the hottest computer software skills you can put on your resume.PhotoshopLightroomIllustratorInDesignDreamweaverPremiere ProWhere to learn Adobe CertificationData Science and AnalysisBusinesses use data to better understand their customers and gain a market advantage, making these highly valuable skills to anzeige in your resume. Things like data mining, modeling, and management, plus machine learning and examples of statistical software are all solid additions.Heres a short software skills list related to data scienceAlteryxApacheRapidMiner MySQLSQLite3MongoDBJSONSASWhere to learn Udemy has introductory courses if you dont have a background in data science.Web Development and ProgrammingMore and more people are learning to code not just for work, but even as a hobby. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the future is very bright for web developers and software engineers.Add key computer programmer skills such as these to future-proof your computer skills resumePythonRuby on railsPHPPerlJavascriptXMLJavaSwiftWhere to learn Codecademy is perfect for beginners. TipEager to start building your resume? Our free downloadable resume templates are ready to be customized.6. Core Computer Hardware SkillsAdding computer skills to your resume is not all about software remember to include your expertise with physical devices if relevant to the job.Depending on the specific role youre applying for, these could be the most important computer skills to list on your resumeNetwork configurationTech support and troubleshooting WAN/LAN and routersSecurity systemsCloud management7. How to List Computer Skills on Your ResumeFirst, we recommend using a resume template with two columns. Grouping your information like this makes it easier to read. You can also simply place your skills section at the top of the page for extra emphasis.Both options will catch the hiring managers eye, and help quickly prove youre the skilled candidate the hiring manager is looking for.Check out how these key technical skills are presented on a software engineers resume TipDont be afraid to use color for emphasis when designing your resume but remember to keep it professional.Skills Section Hard Skills vs Soft SkillsAll the computer skills mentioned this far are prime examples of hard skills. That means they can only be learned through training either by self-study or taking a course.Soft skills, on the other hand, are personality traits employers look for, such as attention to detail and teamwork.To show youre a well-rounded ca ndidate, you should include both hard and soft skills on your resume. This creates a more balanced application, and makes you seem like an actual menschengerecht rather than a highly-trained robot (or worse, someone with no ability to do the job whatsoever).Heres a mix of hard and soft skills for a marketing assistant. To make things even clearer, our candidate grades their abilities in each. Its not a game changer, but it can be an effective visual trick if used tastefully. TipNeed some examples of resume skills? Our list of skills to put on a resume has everything you need for your resume skills section.Quantify Your Computer SkillsOnce youve chosen which computer skills to put on your resume, its time to prove you can use them in a way that contributes to the companys bottom line.Write what your computer skills helped you achieve by stating your accomplishments and measuring them, using numbers such as timeframes, percentages, and dollars.This is called quantification, and is ke y to writing an achievement oriented resume that impresses hiring managers. Not only does quantifying your skills prove you can drive results, but its a perfect invitation to being asked more questions during your interview.Heres an example from an IT specialist resumeMost candidates dont know how to correctly quantify their duties, so youll be ahead of the competition if you do this correctly.Put Computer Skills in Your IntroductionHiring managers can supposedly judge a resume in 6 seconds. When they look at yours, what will they see first?A clear skills section is one way to make a positive first impression. However, it doesnt explain how you applied your computer skills. You can give the hiring manager some additional insight by linking your skills to your achievements in your introduction.Writing a Resume SummaryThere are several effective ways to begin a resume that showcase your computer skills. We recommend writing a clear resume summary because it gets straight to the point. This format replaces a dull opening statement with concise bullet points. Your key skills are included with proof that you can get results.For exampleDesign Create e-commerce websites using 8 programming languages.Optimization Increased bentzer clicks and customer purchases by over 25%.Leadership Trained over 50 staff members to use internal functions.Awards Winner of the CREATE+ Developer of the Year award 2018.A resume summary is simple to write by following this formulaCompetency example of computer skills and duty + result achievedAn introduction like this is suitable for all levels of computer skills.Alternative Resume IntroductionsThere are three other commonly used introduction formats that can also help you highlight your most relevant computer skillsCareer / Resume Objective perfect for entry-level candidates targeting a basic computer skills resume at their first jobSummary of Qualifications a great choice for senior positions where you need to summarize many technical a bilities in a small spaceProfessional / Resume Profile the most flexible introduction for computer skills. Use this when youre uploading your resume to job search sites TipCheck out our resume examples organized by industry to learn how to describe your computer skills using a resume sample written by experts.Education and CertificationsWere not done yet the final thing to do is add separate sections for your education and certifications. You earned these, so dont be shy. Display them where theyll be noticed.Remember new graduates should focus on their education, but seasoned professionals should highlight their expertise.For those who have a mix of high level qualifications and on-the-job experience, highlight your education, certifications, and additional skills simultaneously with a creative resume template. TipNeed some tips for writing your education section? We have a detailed guide for that too.8. Summary (Four Takeaways)By now you should be equipped with all the tools ne cessary for effectively writing resume computer skills.To recap, follow these stepsInclude your most relevant industry skills (or learn ones you dont know)Highlight them in your skills sectionQuantify your achievements and add computer skills to your introductionGet ready for the interviews to start rolling inTo help you get started, we have an extensive library of free resume templates ready to download. Pair one of these with a matching cover letter templates and youre off to a flying start.For a cutting edge resume that maximizes your chances of landing an interview, use our free and newly updated resume builder to create the perfect resume in minutes.