Technical skills for resumes: examples and what to include

Technical skills: What are they?

Technical skills (also known as hard skills) are the specialized skills that you have in a particular area that allow you to do your job effectively. For example, a UX designer needs proficiency in wireframing and prototyping, two skills that are specific to the role and essential for doing the job. This specificity is what differentiates technical skills from soft skills, which are general office skills and traits that lead to success in any position.

Including technical skills on a resume is crucial because it highlights the true value you bring to the role. It shows a recruiter or hiring manager that you have the role-specific knowledge you need to get the job done.

The role of technical skills in the job market

Employers look for technical skills on resumes because they signal that you will be effective in the role you’re applying for. Though soft skills are important in the job market, having technical skills can increase your job prospects because they are what actually help businesses meet their strategic goals and objectives.

In every industry, job seekers need relevant technical skills to show hiring managers that they have what it takes to excel in a role. These skills are often listed in job descriptions. However, most industries and roles have a basic list of proficiencies that every candidate is expected to have. 

For example, most hiring managers expect that operations managers will have familiarity with enterprise resource planning software applications. Graphic designers are usually expected to be familiar with programs like Adobe Photoshop.

Incorporating technical skills in a resume

Knowing how to list technical skills on resumes is an important part of becoming a successful job seeker. One way you can achieve this goal is to use resume examples with a dedicated skills section. You might place it right before or right after your work history section so a hiring manager can connect the two. 

The skills section will list the technical skills you have (such as QuickBooks proficiency or cost accounting) in a straightforward manner. Make sure the first skills you list are the ones most relevant to the job you’re applying for so you can make a good impression on the hiring manager.

It’s also important to align the technical skills on your resume with those present in the job description. Using keywords from the job description helps you stand out as a candidate who possesses the exact skills the hiring manager is looking for. This makes it more likely that you will land the interview.

Keep in mind that a dedicated section isn’t the only place on your resume you can showcase your technical skills. You can also place them in your objective summary at the top of the document and in the bullet points below each job you list. If they’re extremely relevant to the position you’re applying for, they’ll likely end up in your cover letter as well.

“Employers look for technical skills on resumes because they signal that you will be effective in the role you’re applying for.”

Examples of technical skills for resume

The types of technical skills you put on your resume will vary according to the industry in which you are seeking a role. Here are some examples of sought-after technical skills for resumes in different sectors.

Project management skills

Project management is all about being able to organize and complete a set of tasks to achieve a goal within a specific time frame and budget. Some of the technical skills you need to do this job include:

• Writing Project Briefs: Presenting objectives and a plan to reach them
• Project Road-Mapping: Providing a bird’s eye view of deliverables and timelines
• Gantt Chart Creation: Using software to create a visual representation of project dependencies and progress

Adjusting your resume template to include skills like these can help you stand out as a competent project manager.

Business analysis skills

A business analyst uses both qualitative and quantitative data to help businesses cut costs and increase efficiency. Some technical skills that are relevant to this position include:

• Data Analysis: Identifying patterns and extracting meaning from raw data
• Business Intelligence Software: Working with data mining and visualization tools to help businesses make data-driven decisions
• Agile Methodologies: Understanding how to break projects down into dynamic phases and conduct sprints

Listing these technical skills on a resume for this role can definitely catch a hiring manager’s attention.

Supply chain management skills

Supply chain management is all about managing the flow of information and resources to turn raw materials into finished goods that customers can buy. To do this effectively, you need to know:

• Enterprise Resource Management: Using cloud-based software to automate and manage core business processes
• Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating internal and external threats
• Quality Management: Setting and maintaining standards for materials and products

When supply chain managers place these technical skills on their resumes, it lets hiring managers know they can succeed in the role.

Customer service skills

Customer service is the act of supporting customers before, during, and after their purchase. Valuable technical skills for this position include:

• Customer Relationship Management Software: Understanding how to collect, access, and use data to support customer needs
• Data Entry: Knowing what customer data to record and which applications to use
• Data Analysis: Analyzing information to understand needs and improve satisfaction

Using a resume and cover letter sample that allows you to include these skills can definitely help you get your foot in the door with any customer service job.

The impact of technical skills on job applications

As many resume articles will tell you, listing the right technical skills can help you make it past applicant tracking systems. This type of software often filters out resumes that don’t include key skills listed in the job description. Including these key skills can help you beat the system and land your resume on the hiring manager’s desk. (1)

Technical skills also help you catch the attention of recruiters. Many times, recruiters are instructed to look for candidates with specific skill sets. In competitive job markets where many candidates are applying for the same jobs, having those specific skills sets you apart from others and can get the phone ringing with interview offers.

Pro tips for highlighting technical skills in a resume

When it comes to job hunting, success relies on your ability to tailor your technical skills to match employers’ needs. Some tips for doing so include:

• Making the resume easy to read and scan with bold headings, varied font sizes, and bullet points
• Using quantifiable achievements to demonstrate technical skills, such as telling by what percentage you improved a product’s time-to-market with Agile methods
• Using strong action words to demonstrate contributions and garner attention
• Aligning your technical skills with what the company needs or what is in demand in the industry
• Incorporating skills in both a dedicated section and elsewhere on the resume

Keeping these tips in mind can help you showcase your value and get the job you desire.

Highlighting your technical skills helps you position yourself as a top choice

Technical skills stand out to employers because they indicate that you are capable of getting the job done. When incorporating technical skills in your resume, make sure to include as many from the job description as possible. Additionally, list skills that are in demand in your industry throughout your resume, highlighting the depth of your skill set. 

Whether you’re creating a resume or personalizing a job letter template, technical skills will continue to be an excellent way to showcase your value. As employers move away from using college degrees as qualifiers and place more emphasis on skills, listing technical skills will only become more important in getting the job you truly want. (2)

Sources:

(1) Forbes: How To (Try To) Beat The Applicant Tracking System

(2) CNBC: 1 in 3 companies are ditching college degree requirements for salaried jobs