30 Technical Skills for a Resume or a Job Interview

Technical skills for a resume are the skills you have that are relevant to the specialized career field you have chosen.

They can include computer software knowledge, work-related equipment and engineering tools, and machinery in your specific industry. These skills are included in your resume to increase the odds of getting the job you’re after.

In this article, we have provided 30 technical skills for a resume to help you determine what technical skills are important to your specific career goals – from the most common forms of industry software applications to the top trending concepts in programming, social media management and more.

What are Technical Skills?

A technical skill is your expertise in a certain type of technology, software, or equipment that’s usually associated with specific types of industries. These skills might be determined by the kind of career you seek (or even vice versa).

For example, if your goal is to pursue work as an SEO for an eCommerce company, having the right kinds of technical skills means you must understand SEO best practices and know-how to perform keyword research, as well as Google Analytics queries.

On the other hand, if you want to become a graphic designer for an advertising firm, technical skills such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator proficiency are a must.

When it comes to technical skills for resumes, it is best practice to list them by order of importance, aka “the most relevant first for the job you’re applying for.”

This means that you should have a very clear understanding of which technical skill or software application will be the determining factor in separating you from the competition when applying for specific positions.

Keep in mind that some companies may require more than one type of skill, so don’t feel limited to selecting only one.

What Technical Skills are Employers Looking for?

Let’s divide the answer into two parts: Required Technical Skills and Desired Technical Skills.

Required technical skills

As the name suggests these are the technical skills that you should have studied before so that they can be listed on your resume.

You may also come across as a more well-rounded individual in the eyes of your potential employer because you have at least some knowledge about what they are looking for.

Here is a list of some common required technical skills:

• Operating systems
• Online researching
• Email software
• E-learning & multimedia tools
• Spreadsheet software

Desired Technical Skills

Technical skills are more specific to the job or the industry and are generally desirable in an interview situation.

These demonstrate that you know something relevant and current in today’s society. These are also skills that you might be able to learn on the job.

• Programming languages (C++, Java, assembler, etc.)
• Operating systems (Linux)
• Databases (MySQL)
• Web design languages (HTML, CSS, etc.)
• Computer networking (switches, routers, etc.)
• Graphic design software (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator)

Technical skills Vs. Soft Skills

Technical skills are skills that you need to know, but soft skills are more about how you act.

For example, if someone asks for a pen and you answer them, then this is a soft skill. But if they asked for help with the computer and you could do it? That would be a technical skill.

Soft skills are important too and employers want the best of both worlds. This is why many people separate these two in resumes because it’s not necessarily about having a good resume, it’s how you sell yourself.

• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Ability to work under pressure
• Problem-solving skills

List of 30 Technical Skills for a Resume

Programming

Programming skills are used in almost every industry to develop software applications and websites. These concepts are usually taught on the job, or in a classroom setting at a technical school or university.

This is why it is important to display your knowledge of a specific programming language on your resume.

Here are some examples of programming technical skills for a resume:

• JAVA – Java is an object-oriented programming language that can run on almost every type of computer hardware and operating system, making it extremely versatile.
• C++ – C++ is a general-purpose class-based object-oriented programming language used to create both Windows and web applications; therefore, if you have experience with this skill then you should mention it.
• C# – C# (pronounced as See Sharp) was developed by Microsoft as part of their .NET Framework 1.0. It has been used in many industries such as finance, healthcare, insurance, and more recently with automated teller machines (ATM) hardware manufacturing.
• BASIC – This programming language was developed for quick and simple program development back in 1964; since then, it has evolved quite a bit to become one of the most popular languages today that can be applied in some form or another across almost all computing platforms.
• PHP – PHP was created as a simple scripting language for use in HTML web development. Today it is one of the most popular server-side scripting languages used on the internet with over 20 million websites running on this platform.

Productivity Software Applications

Productivity software applications are often used to perform routine tasks that are related to a specific job role.

While simple office suites such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and PowerPoint may be included in this category, they are the most basic requirements when it comes to this type of category in this day and age. With that said, they are still very useful to be technically skilled in.

This is because these types of programs are common across almost all industries and listed on many resumes for various reasons, depending on the job you’re interested in.

Examples of productivity software applications include:

• Microsoft Office – The standard suite of business applications included in every copy of Windows OS. They include Word for word processing; Excel for spreadsheets; Outlook for email management and scheduling; etc.
• LibreOffice – An open-source and free productivity software suite that is available to download online.
• iWork – Apple’s productivity software solution for both Mac OS and iOS platforms includes tools such as Pages (word processing); Numbers (spreadsheets); Keynote (presentation creator) and Garageband (music creation software).
• Dropbox – A file hosting service that allows you to save files in a central location and then access them on any device with an internet connection.
• Adobe Creative Cloud – A productivity suite for graphic design, video and photo editing, web development, and more.

Industry-Specific Skills

Industry-specific skills are often a requirement for many positions. If you have prior experience with these types of tools, it is always a good idea to list them on your resume if they pertain to the position you are applying for.

Examples include:

• AutoCAD – A computer-aided drafting system used in architecture and design; it is mainly used by engineers and architects to create blueprints of structures.
• SAP – An integrated business software solution that helps companies automate their workflow processes using cloud computing technology. It can be used by multiple divisions within a business such as finance, human resources, sales, etc.
• Oracle databases – A relational database management system (RDBMS) that has been used in many different industries. Since its creation, over 1 million servers have hosted the Oracle database software worldwide.
• Amazon Web Services – An on-demand cloud computing platform provided by online retailer Amazon.com that allows companies to rent virtual computing space and network from multiple data centers located throughout the world. Pricing for each service depends on usage.
• WebEx – WebEx is a web conferencing service that allows groups to communicate and share files in real time.

Big Data Analysis

Many industries today use big data to analyze large sets of information and gain insights that may be useful for planning future strategies.

While you may not have extensive experience with the tools used, listing them on your resume will show that you are interested in learning more about these types of tools since they can help you advance in your career.

Examples include:

• Hadoop – An open-source computer software framework created that is mainly used for storing large volumes of data such as for weblogs, application logs, etc. It also includes an open-source solution called Hive that is used to query this type of data using SQL-like language.
• Apache Spark – A computing engine designed for processing data sets using Hadoop jobs. It is widely used in big data analysis and scientific computing due to its speed compared to other solutions such as MapReduce.
• HBase – An open-source, distributed, versioned database modeled after Google’s BigTable that provides random real-time read/write access to large datasets residing in the Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS).
• SparkSQL – SparkSQL is an extension of the core Spark API that provides data engineers and data scientists with a simple way to perform relational operations (e.g., joins) on datasets residing in Apache Hadoop, Apache Hive, and external databases.
• Apache ZooKeeper – An open-source server implementation of the server coordination module for the Apache Hadoop distributed computing platform which provides high-performance, reliable implementations of distributed coordination services.

Social Media Management & Digital Marketing

These days, many companies want to hire candidates with social media or digital marketing experience. Resumes that list these types of skills are usually sought after so listing the skills you have in this area on your resume can help you get an interview faster.

Moreover, you can learn more about these types of skills from online courses such as free Udemy courses on social media marketing.

Examples include:

• Twitter social media management: Manage Twitter account, schedule tweets, monitor conversations, and trends, build hashtags around certain topics, etc.
• Facebook social media management: Manage Facebook page or group, add/remove admins to increase security among team members, create campaigns that generate profits for the company/page, and analyze data from ads to improve future strategies.
• Digital marketing: Includes any type of advertising a business does online such as banner ads (display networks), search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click advertising (PPC) in Google or other search engines, or content marketing to help companies inform their customers about new products and services while creating brand awareness.
• Blog management: Maintain, create and update company blogs with new content to drive traffic from search engines; build comment systems that encourage visitors to engage in conversation.
• Email marketing (campaigns): Run effective campaigns that have the best open rates and generate the highest click-through rates while monitoring the use of email addresses of existing customers.

Technical Writing

Technical writing is the practice of taking complex technical material (i.e., user manuals) and converting it into clear text that can be easily understood by anyone.

This skill is essential in various industries where products must be documented to ensure their proper use; examples include electronics manufacturing, health care products/services, medical software documentation, etc.

Some examples of how your resume could showcase this skill include:

• User guides or manuals – If you have written a manual for a product with extensive detail on all its features then you should mention this on your resume. Ideally, you should also show that you used a specific writing style that is relevant to the industry you will be applying to. For example, if you are trying to find a position in the medical field then you should try and use medical terminology instead of general terms.
• Technical reports – Technical reports are descriptions or evaluations of complex technical material; examples include bug reports, test results, analysis for engineering/technical purposes, etc. If this is something that you have done before then it may be worth highlighting on your resume.
• Technical articles/blog posts – This can also show off your expertise with writing about technology topics in more detail than just reporting basic information. Such articles might describe new applications, how-to’s, research projects, etc. If you have published your blog or online magazine then it is worth mentioning this on your resume and also includes a link to the website so the employer can view some of your writing first hand.
• Industry reports – These are released by companies across many industries to inform clients, partners, and even employees about specific product development or project information; examples include: quarterly/monthly financial reports/reviews; academic research projects, etc.
• Contract writing services – If you have provided contract writing services for other people in your industry then this would be worth mentioning on a resume showcasing technical writing skills. This shows that not only are you proficient at the skill but that you can provide it to others as well.

Bonus: More Technical Skills

Here are a few more examples of other technical skills that can be used on your resume.

• Graphic design: Creating book covers, logos, ad designs, posters, flyers and other marketing materials for different businesses is common in many industries including finance and accounting, medical practices, and even real estate where home sellers may need to create new signs or banners after selling their house.
• Hardware: If you have experience with any type of hardware such as personal computers (PCs), smartphones, or tablets you can include this information on your resume. This is useful to know if companies want candidates who have any knowledge about these devices so they can troubleshoot issues when needed.
• IT support: Many business owners will hire IT support or IT support companies if they don’t have the time or technical expertise needed to resolve computer problems in their office. So, having this on your resume will help you get hired faster since many businesses need remote or on-site technicians for when problems arise.
• Systems analysis: Analyzing different types of computer systems to ensure hardware and software meet requirements, calculate size needed for future upgrades or new features, and how well it could manage the company’s data.
• Databases: There are many open-source databases available you can include on your resume if you have experience with any of them such as MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, and Memcached.

Why Are Technical Skills Important?

Technical skills are important because they are a reflection of your abilities and knowledge regarding the subject; it shows that you have practiced working with these technologies and can handle yourself in different situations.

They also improve your chances for employment – If you have technical skills listed on your resume then this will help improve your chances of getting the ever-important interview because it shows that you are more than qualified to do the job.

You may have better tools & resources access – Many employers provide their staff with various programs, applications, or equipment (computers, printers, etc.) so if they see these items on your resume, then they may allow you to use them if needed.

The benefits of having the right technical skills include:

• Increased salary
• You’ll feel more confident during an interview
• Showing dedication & motivation
• Demonstrates skills and abilities to solve problems
• Higher job satisfaction as you show trust in your abilities
• You will feel more confident in your capabilities
• Potential for advancement/promotion in your current position
• You’ll be able to contribute more meaningfully in a team environment
• More time doing the things you enjoy
• Less frustration if you need help with something

How to Improve Your Technical Skills

These are the steps to follow if you want to show off more technical skills on a resume for someone with little or no experience in any of the areas mentioned.

Find Online Resources

Search Google and other search engines to find all the various courses, tutorials, FAQs, help guides, and manuals available for what you want to learn. Many times these will be very detailed and lengthy articles so you can highlight your favorite sections that you think would best describe your skill level.

Practice Using Them

Using some of the technology may require purchasing an actual product but if they offer trial versions or allow test driving certain features first then you should try out the product to get a good idea of how it works.

Take notes

As you are going through these resources or using the products, take some notes on what you think would be relevant to your resume. In addition to technical skills and expertise, this will also show that you spent time learning about them even if it is just for future employment purposes.

Create An Outline

Once you have all of your notes make an outline for yourself of what all your major points might be. You may want to do further research as well but this will at least give you a good starting point that can always be changed later based on more information discovered/learned from testing the particular technology.

Create a Template

With your outline in place start writing up all of the major points that would be worth mentioning. You may want to do this on paper or in a online document but always make sure that you know what information should be included and what shouldn’t.

Practice Again

Once you have written up all the technical skills information, go through it one more time; highlight any areas that sound awkward, long-winded, or out of place when compared to the rest of the resume. If necessary then create another general rough draft and go over that as well before compiling everything into your final sample resume for showcasing these technical skills.

Proofread

No matter how many times you proofread your resume, it is almost inevitable still to miss a typo or worse leave out some information in your rush to complete it; so make sure you proofread at least 3 times and get someone else to proofread as well. This final step is essential for any resume.

Get Feedback

After all of that work it may be tempting just to upload this new resume online and wait, but why not ask other people for their opinions on what could be improved? Not only will this help improve the quality of your resume but also gain more knowledge on the subject as well.

Revise

Make any final edits and changes to your resume before you submit it for posting. You may be tempted to rush this stage and not take enough time to make sure everything is correct but if your resume has typos or incorrect information then the whole presentation will look unprofessional.

Technical Skills FAQ

What Are the Technical Skills Everyone Should Know?

These skills are going to vary depending on what kind of job you have or what industry you want to work in. These include Microsoft Office, Social Media, HTML, CSS.

Regardless of the specific skills that you are looking for, it is important to note that knowing multiple languages or how to use different tools and technology at once is usually beneficial.

However, some people might think that because they have used one over the other their entire life it isn’t worth mentioning. You never know what kind of person will be reading your resume; so include those details whenever possible.

Are Technical Skills Important for Managers?

It depends on what kind of managers or companies you are looking to work for. Even if the company doesn’t want to have a technical background in their employees; which is rare nowadays, they will still need people who know how to use technology in some capacity.

Managers and CEOs are going to be using this same technology at some point; so having someone who can solve problems with the technology will help ease things along.

How Can You Improve Technical Skills In Management?

There are multiple ways to gain these skills. If you don’t want to receive a degree in that specific field, there are certification classes and other online courses that can be taken to boost your knowledge.

Depending on the business or company that you are looking at working for, it might help to have a few certifications or skills that show that you are capable of working with certain programs. This is even more helpful if you can show exactly what you learned from your course and how it can be applied to their specific business or industry.

For example, some online courses offer websites where they post projects that were created by other students in the class. This helps employers see how much knowledge the person gained and what kind of project was made when completing the course.