Including Microsoft Office Skills on Your Resume

Updated June 18, 20221.6k

Learn why Microsoft Office Skills can help you get a job in any industry. Prove your Microsoft Office Skill level to the hiring manager with these tips.

The Microsoft Office Skills You Need To Get a Job

Microsoft Office programs are used for a variety of work functions. From project management to scheduling to inventory control, Microsoft Office skills are put to use almost constantly. Listing Microsoft Office skills on a resume shows potential employers that you will be able to merge seamlessly into a workflow that includes these computer skills. Displaying these skills on your resume thus increases your chances of getting an interview and getting a job.

This guide will show you:

The Microsoft Office skills a hiring manager wants to see
Why you should include Microsoft Office skills on your resume
How to prove your Microsoft Office skill level

The Microsoft Office Skills a Hiring Manager Looks For

Microsoft Office skills are a valuable part of every job seeker’s skillset. A hiring manager will almost always expect a job applicant to have the basic know-how to navigate around Microsoft Office Suite, a compilation of programs that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and a few others.

Microsoft Word

The most common of these programs is Microsoft Word, or MS Word, a word processing app. Microsoft Word skills include:
- Page navigation
- Grammar check
- Track changes
- Fonts and headers
- Formatting paragraphs and columns
- Page setup
- Hyperlinks
Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel is another program commonly listed on applicants’ resumes. This is Microsoft’s spreadsheets program, and involves the following tasks:
- Interactive charts and graphs
- Sorting data
- Pivot tables
- Functions and macros
Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft PowerPoint is a program that allows users to create presentations and slideshows. Some common PowerPoint skills include mastery of:
- Customizing slides
- Animated graphics and text boxes
- Templates and transitions
Other Microsoft Office Programs

The Microsoft Office suite also includes Outlook, OneNote, OneDrive, Microsoft Access, and Microsoft Teams. Refer to the job description to see the specific skills your potential job will require, and if needed, try to obtain a basic understanding of the full Microsoft Office Suite..

Why You Should Include Microsoft Office Skills

Depending on your career and level of work experience, you may not always need to list basic Microsoft Office skills on your resume. However, you should always list:

Your most relevant skills
Your most advanced skills
Skills that the job description calls for

If Microsoft Office checks any of these boxes, then you will benefit from the inclusion of these programs in your skills section. Even in non-administrative jobs, employees use Microsoft Office for several day-to-day tasks. For example, you may use Microsoft Outlook’s mail merge or calendar features, track budget expenditures in Microsoft Excel or give executive board presentations with Microsoft PowerPoint. Microsoft Office Suite is a ubiquitous part of working, and learning your way around it can make you a more valuable employee.

How To Prove Your Microsoft Office Skill Level

If you are particularly accomplished in a certain Microsoft Office program, such as Excel, you know the frustration that occurs when other job seekers list Excel as one of their advanced skills when they don’t even know how to make a pivot table. If a specific program is an important part of your job, you want to ensure that the hiring manager understands that you are qualified. If they knew of your skills it would put you far ahead of the competition. There are several ways you can prove your Microsoft Office skill level:

Use your work experience section or achievements to display high-level projects or tasks you have successfully used Microsoft Office to complete.
Obtain Microsoft Office certifications for the most relevant programs to your job description.
Discuss advanced aspects of Microsoft Office in your resume or cover letter that displays your knowledge and skill level.

FAQ: Microsoft Office Skills

I don’t have any Microsoft Office Skills. Do I need them to get a job?

Basic skills in the Microsoft Office Suite are generally expected by hiring managers in every industry. If you are lacking in these skills, you can learn them with classes or even free online tutorials. While you do not always need to list basic MS office skills on your resume, you will be expected to know them. If you don’t have a lot of skills and experience to list on your resume, Microsoft Office skills are a great place to start building your skillset and certifications.

Will I be tested on my Microsoft Office skills?

Whether or not you will be tested on your Microsoft Office skills depends on the position and company you are applying to. Some employers do require mandatory testing for jobs like administrative support, tech, or data analysis. These jobs tend to require heavy use of Microsoft Office or similar programs. You should only list skills on your resume that you are confident and capable in. Don’t advertise yourself as a Microsoft Office Specialist if it is untrue, but aim to acquire as many of these skills as possible.

How do I know what Microsoft Office skills are required for my job?

Check the job description to see a list of required skills. You can also research resume templates or resume examples for your chosen field to get an idea of the common skills a hiring manager is looking for. Sometimes companies will request that you have Microsoft Office skills, but they use proprietary company programs that you will have to learn on the job. Learning Microsoft Office is a good basis for working with similar programs, so having these skills is a good start for any job.

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About The Author

Cindi Cervone Carlson

Cindi Cervone Carlson is a Senior Vice President for Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc. Cindi is responsible for developing, delivering, and implementing a dynamic, world-class organization dedicated to delivering outplacement consulting, training, support, and executive coaching. Cindi started her career at Challenger as a client who had lost her job. Over the past nine years, she has risen from an entry-level, part-time professional to Senior Vice President.