A Guide to Adding Computer Skills to Your CV

Why are Computer Skills so Important for My CV?

Listing computer skills on your CV is so important because the vast majority of modern jobs involve the use of a computer. According to a 2019 report by the UK government, at least 82% of advertised vacancies list digital skills as a requirement (1), while a more recent study in the US puts the figure at 92% (2). This means it’s highly likely that computer or digital skills will feature to some extent in any job description.

The emphasis employers place on your computer skills will depend heavily on the role, the sector and its level of seniority. Clearly, for roles in ICT or web development, a high level of digital skills will be absolutely essential. Computer skills are also likely to be critical to your chances of success for any technical or professional role, especially creative jobs or any office-based position. You could even find that entry-level and casual jobs require a basic level of digital literacy. This could include jobs in sales, retail or hospitality, where you might operate computers and other point-of-sale hardware.

Top Computer Skills for Different Types of Job

The types of computer skills required by employers will vary greatly from employer to employer, and from role to role. Some positions might demand a basic understanding of word processing or spreadsheet software, while others call for an in-depth working knowledge of certain technical applications or programming languages. Take a look below at some of the key skills in different areas of computing:

Operating systems

Operating systems are system softwares that manage a computer’s hardware and software. To navigate a computer or mobile device, you’ll need to understand how to use its operating system. Knowledge of operating systems also extends to technical roles such as IT support staff, web designers and software developers, as you’ll need to know how to make applications run across different operating systems. Some of the most prominent operating systems include:

• Mac OS/iOS
• Linux
• Microsoft Windows
• Android/ChromeOS

Programming

Any role that involves designing or developing software, websites or applications requires in-depth knowledge of programming languages. The languages required will depend on the types of applications you’ll be developing, but it’s often useful to have knowledge of more than one of the most popular languages. Some of the most widely used programming languages are:

• Python
• Java
• Javascript
• C++
• PHP
• Ruby

Admin and productivity tools

Admin and productivity tools cover everything from word processing and spreadsheets, to presentation software and email management, to project management tools and applications. These are the types of software that make everyday working possible, including organising and delivering projects and communicating with colleagues and clients. They include:

• Gsuite
• MS Office
• Slack
• Zoom
• Asana
• Trello

Digital Marketing

If you work in digital marketing or any role related to communications, you’ll need to be familiar with the tools below. There are various providers of these tools, which help to manage and monitor online activity. Applications fall into the following categories:

• CMS (Wordpress, HubSpot, Joomla)
• SEO (SEMrush, SurferSEO, Ahrefs)
• Analytics tools (Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Similarweb) 
• Social media tools (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn)

Graphic design

Adobe is the most widely used provider of graphic design tools, but you may need knowledge of other design packages, depending on your role. Even some admin and office-based roles can require some knowledge of graphic design, though you’re more likely to use free and basic applications rather than specialist software. Graphic design packages include:

• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• Canva
• Figma
• Sketch

How to list computer skills in your CV

The way you reference your computer skills on your CV will depend heavily on how prominent they are in the job description, and how crucial they are for the job. It’s almost always a good idea to mention computer skills somewhere on your CV, but for specialist computer-based roles, you’ll probably want to mention them throughout your document. Take a look at these CV examples for general tips on how to structure your CV, and follow the tips below on how to list your computer skills in each section of the document:

Profile section

Your personal profile section gives you the chance to briefly mention your computer literacy levels and any software that might be crucial for success in the role. If a specific digital skill or a particular application appears prominently in the job description or job title (for example, ‘Python Developer’), you’ll want to mention it in this section.

Take a look at this example CV summary for how to include reference to your digital skills:

Education

If you have a qualification related to computer skills, mention this in your education section. You can also use this section to mention any specialist IT skills you developed as part of your studies.

See below for an example education section for an ICT specialist:

Skills

Your skills section is the ideal place to mention either general or specialist IT skills. You could either add your computer skills in a general skills list, or a list of hard or technical skills. If digital skills are particularly important for the role, you may also consider adding a separate section just for your computer skills.

Professional experience

If you’ve used computers prominently in your previous work, and the employer has listed digital skills prominently in the job description, you might want to mention them in your work experience section. This CV section is particularly useful if computer skills form a major part of the everyday requirements for the role.

Here’s an example of how to mention your computer skills in your work experience section:

Training and certifications

If you’ve completed any training, or gained any certifications in particular computer skills, software packages or programming languages, it’s useful to mention them in this section. You can add them as a simple bullet list, with the name and level of the training or certification, where you studied and your dates of study or graduation. For example:

Hobbies and interests

Your hobbies and interests section can be a useful place to mention any computer skills or hobbies that you haven’t had the chance to reference elsewhere in your CV. If you’ve learned a computer skill in your spare time, this is the ideal place to include it. It shows you’ve taken the initiative and dedicated your spare time to learning a skill that you can use in your career.

Cover letter

If computer skills are a key requirement for the role, you may also wish to mention them in your cover letter. Pick one or two of your most accomplished skills to emphasise in this part of your application. For guidance on how to write a strong cover letter, read our cover letter articles.

It’s almost always a good idea to mention computer skills somewhere on your CV, but for specialist computer-based roles, you’ll probably want to mention them throughout your document.

Dos and don’ts of adding Computer skills to your CV

Follow these quick tips to ensure you maximise the impact of your computer skills on your CV:

Do:

• Use each section of your CV to highlight useful computer skills
• Tailor the computer skills in your CV to every application, according to the job description
• Keep practising your computer skills to ensure you retain the knowledge
• Add to your digital skills by seeking training opportunities or learning in your leisure time

Don’t:

• Mention digital skills that aren’t relevant to the role
• Use unnecessary computer jargon where simple language will suffice
• Lie or exaggerate your computer skills
• Over-emphasise digital skills at the expense of valuable soft and transferable skills

Key Takeaways for Adding Computer Skills to Your CV

For most jobs, it’s crucial to mention your digital skills on your CV. Consult the job description to understand how important computer skills are, and ensure your CV reflects this. Use every section to highlight different digital skills, and show how you’ve used these to make an impact. Jobseeker’s CV templates can help you craft a professional CV that showcases your digital skills and stands out from the crowd. Sign up today to access a wealth of resources, including cover letter templates. You can also read more about how to create a winning CV with our library of CV articles.

Sources:

(1) BBC.com: Why ‘digital literacy’ is now a workplace non-negotiable

(2) National Skills Coalition: New Report: 92% of Jobs Require Digital Skills, One-Third of Workers Have Low or No Digital Skills Due to Historic Underinvestment, Structural Inequities