The right technical skills can make all the difference on a resume. Do you know how to list your technical skills to impress hiring managers?
How to Include Technical Skills in Your Resume
Technical Skills
If you want to get the best jobs, then it is important that you stand out from other applicants. The right technical skills will improve your resume and your chance of landing your dream job. Here’s how to feature the right technical skills in your job application.
What Are Technical Skills?
Technical skills are the skills needed to carry out the unique tasks of a job. For example, the technical skills held by a software developer may include HTML, Java, or proficiency with other programming languages. On the other hand, the technical skill set for a project manager resume will look very different. Whether you work with people or computer programs, however, technical skills matter because they show that you are capable of handling the job you’re applying for. Here are some examples of technical skills:
- Project management
- Microsoft Office competency
- Social media marketing
- Data analysis
- Content management systems
- CSS
- SQL
- Advanced Excel usage
- JavaScript
- Python
- Digital marketing
- Computer skills
- Content creation
- People management skills
- Adobe Photoshop
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Web development
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Teaching coding languages
Recruiters will look for specific skills like these when considering applications for the job titles that they are trying to fill. If a candidate already has work experience and relevant technical skills, then the hiring manager will be more likely to call them for an interview because they will require less training. The exception to this is when the position being advertised is an entry-level role. In these cases, technical skills may be useful, but they are not a requirement for hire in many cases.
The Best Way to List Technical Skills on a Resume
Whether you want to work in computer science and information technology or your career path is centered on people, knowing how to list your technical knowledge on a resume is crucial. There are three main places where you can list or prove your technical knowledge and skills on a resume, they are:
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Resume Summary
If you have a lot of professional experience, then a resume summary will give you an opportunity to showcase the qualifications and skills employers are likely to be interested in. Because your resume summary is short, it is important that you only choose a prime skill or two to highlight here. Relevant technical skills should be near the top of your list.
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Skills
The skills section of your resume is where you will place all of your relevant technical, hard, and soft skills. You should not give details beyond a list of your skills in this section, but you can highlight particularly important technical skills by placing them near the top of the section.
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Work History
Your resume work experience section represents the best opportunity you will have to prove your technical skills to some degree. Your work experience should be presented in reverse-chronological order and include your job title and employment period. Under each job title, you should also include some details about key accomplishments in that role; this is where the opportunity to prove your technical skills can be found. For example, if you work as a video game programmer, you could give an example of a time when you used JavaScript or other coding languages to successfully modify a game.
If you want to create a high-quality resume that meets all U.S. formatting standards and showcases your skills well, consider the ResumeNerd resume builder. This is a free online tool that offers a range of resume templates to suit every need.
FAQ: Technical Skills
Can I prove technical skills on a resume?
There are some things that you can do to prove or back up your technical skills on your resume. First and foremost, include any professional certifications you have earned in a dedicated resume section. Second, give examples of professional successes that required the use of your technical and hard skills. For example, if you are applying for a project management or graphic design role, give an example of a time when you used scheduling apps or formal design techniques to ensure the success of a project.
Should I include all of my technical skills on a resume?
You don’t have to include all of your technical skills on your resume, especially if you have changed careers in the past. You should instead consider the job description and focus on three to five technical skills that best suit the needs of the role. These technical skills should be balanced with the other relevant resume skills.
Should I include a portfolio of work with my resume?
No, you can state in your cover letter that you have a portfolio of work that displays your technical skills or qualifications. However, unless the hiring manager or job posting requests it specifically, you should not attach it to your resume.
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