Computer Skills for Your Resume With Examples, Tips, and Guide
- Why Computer Skills Are Important on Your Resume
- Types of Computer Skills To Include on Your Resume
- How To Identify the Right Computer Skills for Your Resume
- How To List Computer Skills on Your Resume
- Examples of How to List Computer Skills on Your Resume
- Tips for Highlighting Computer Skills Effectively
- Common Mistakes To Avoid When Listing Computer Skills
- Final Tips for Showcasing Computer Skills on Your Resume
- Frequently Asked Questions About Computer Skills for Resumes
Employment in the computer industry is expected to grow at a pace that’s much faster than average through 2033. Knowing how to choose the right computer skills for your resume and list them in a compelling way can enhance your success in a job hunt.
Why Computer Skills Are Important on Your Resume
Around 92% of all jobs require some level of digital skills, so you need to know how to include technical skills on your resume, regardless of your industry. Almost every job requires people to use email, navigate computer software for workflow, or leverage the internet to complete tasks, making at least basic computer skills a must-have for modern job seekers.
Choosing and listing computer skills you have that match a position can make you a more competitive and attractive candidate. When you already have computer skills required for a position, it reduces onboarding time and expense for the employer. This makes it more likely you’ll be a good fit for a role.
With increasing reliance on automation and artificial intelligence, employers in almost every sector value candidates with technological literacy. Even outside of information technology (IT), employers prioritize computer skills when hiring candidates for roles that involve working with data, including accounting, human resources, and marketing.
Types of Computer Skills To Include on Your Resume
The best computer skills for jobs are those relevant to the role. Some skills that are important for resumes include:
- Basic computer skills. For job applications, basic computer skills include email management, Microsoft Office Suite, and internet research.
- Advanced computer skills. On your resume, highlight advanced computer skills including IT troubleshooting, data analysis, and software development. These types of capabilities are significant assets when applying for specialized roles in technical departments.
- Software-specific skills. Let employers know if you’re proficient in relevant software, especially if it was included in the job listing. For instance, you may want to include Adobe Creative Suite skills for a graphic design resume, Salesforce for a sales resume, and AutoCad for an engineering resume.
- Programming and coding skills. Important IT skills for your resume might include specific programming skills and languages. A software developer resume, for example, should list relevant coding skills like JavaScript, HTML/CSS, and Python.
- Data analysis and management skills. Capabilities such as Excel data analysis, MySQL, and Tableau are critical for many information technology resumes.
- Cybersecurity skills. One of the top computer skills for resumes today is security. IT professionals especially may want to highlight skills that demonstrate their ability to help protect company data, such as knowledge of firewalls and encryption.
- Technical support and IT skills. Hardware troubleshooting, software installation, and network configuration are examples of skills that show you can help support technological infrastructure.
How To Identify the Right Computer Skills for Your Resume
Analyze job descriptions
Knowing how to pick the right technical skills to list on your resume helps you create an application that is custom-tailored for each job. Start by reading the job posting from the employer. Look for computer skills the employer prefers or requires candidates to have. If the job posting says candidates need strong spreadsheet skills, ensure you list your expertise in Excel, for example.
Conduct a self-assessment
Assess your skills by creating an inventory of them. Write down every computer skill you can think of that you have. Then rate your strength with each skill from one to 10, with one being basic familiarity and 10 being expert-level knowledge. This can help you know which skills to put on your resume.
You can also use online assessment tools like quizzes from Coursera or LinkedIn Skills Assessments to better evaluate your proficiency in some computer skills.
Leverage industry trends
Consider what skills might be most in demand at the time and whether you have experience with valuable emerging computer skills. Examples of emerging computer skills in 2024 are AI prompt writing and AI training.
How To List Computer Skills on Your Resume
Create a dedicated skills section
Knowing how to include computer skills on resumes helps you integrate the items in an organic and engaging way. A skills-based or combination resume format typically includes a dedicated skills section that lists skills outright.
Consider organizing the section with categories to make it easy for employers to find relevant skills. You might include a section for technology or computer skills or break your list into types of computer skills, such as programming language, software programs, and data skills.
Integrate skills throughout your resume
Include relevant skills in your summary and experience sections. You can couple them with specific accomplishments and duties to demonstrate how they were relevant to previous jobs. For example, you might write, “Created applications to support user workflows with JavaScript” or “Analyzed large data packets with Excel pivot tables.”
Prioritize skills based on relevance
Before writing your resume, brainstorm a list of computer skills you have. Rate each one for relevance to the job posting, with one being no relevance and 10 being very relevant. Prioritize the highest-rated skills in your resume, as they may be the ones most likely to interest the employer.
Examples of How to List Computer Skills on Your Resume
Amar Singh
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
Philadelphia, PA 12345
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Profile
Innovative computer scientist specializing in building and testing Android, iOS, and Windows applications for business users. Develops and maintains websites, elevating UX by implementing design principles that enhance engagement and increase web traffic.
Key Skills
- AI
- Application development
- Data analytics
- Programming
- System architecture
Professional Experience
Junior Programmer, AppBuilt Tech Corp., Philadelphia, PA | November 2022 – present
- Designed and implemented informational applications in Python for corporate clients, increasing users’ communications and operational efficiency by 25%
- Supported development of apps, performed quality assurance testing, and configured in-app purchases to increase sales by 13% within one month
- Enhanced UX by deploying user-centered design principles, driving engagement by doubling the number of users in the first year
- Gathered information on reported app problems and generated analysis presentations for business leaders
Certifications
- Google Cloud Digital Leader – Google | 2023
- Microsoft Certified Azure Data Scientist Associate – Microsoft | 2022
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA | 2014
Steven Martin
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
City, State Abbreviation zip code
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Profile
Reliable help desk technician and IT undergraduate with almost two years of experience in high-volume ticket environments. Background in video management systems and computer support. Delivers technical solutions to improve system reliability through consistent client communication. Team collaborator who works well under tight deadlines.
Key Skills
- Adaptability
- Client communication
- Customer service orientation
- Hardware support
- Ticket management
- Remote troubleshooting
Professional Experience
Help Desk Technician, Yorktel, New York, NY
June 2023 – present
- Manage over 150 tickets per month, providing support for video management systems
- Improve system reliability through timely remote troubleshooting and clear technical guidance via phone and email
- Collaborate with a team of 10 technicians to oversee the installation of video systems across 50 sites
- Maintain an open line of communication with clients to keep them informed on the status of their service issues
- Decreased ticket resolution time by 15% six months after onboarding
Help Desk Technician I, Absolute Computer Solutions, Newark, NJ
March 2022 – April 2023
- Handled an average of 10 tickets per day with a 98% ticket resolution rate on first contact
- Utilized RMM tools to keep track of all client systems and proactively resolve issues
- Improved data accuracy and service efficiency after updating more than 500 client records within the ticketing system
- Engaged in weekly team meetings to offer insight and feedback on company procedures
- Contributed to a large-scale data migration project while ensuring minimal downtime for the 25 clients involved
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Information Technology, Expected: 2024
New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ
Certifications
- Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate, Microsoft, 2024
- CompTIA A+ Certification, CompTIA, 2021
Tips for Highlighting Computer Skills Effectively
Use action verbs to describe skills
When considering how to showcase computer skills on a resume, start bullet points with action words to create a compelling narrative about how your computer skills help you create value. For instance, “Created knowledge management documents in Microsoft Word in a project that helped increase employee training retention by 15%” is a better bullet than “Microsoft Word experience.
Quantify proficiency and experience
Include metrics when possible to quantify skills. You might write that you have five years of experience working with JavaScript or that you’ve built more than 100 databases.
Align skills with job requirements
Write down every computer skill listed in an employer job listing. Consider your computer skills inventory list. If a skill appears on both lists, it should definitely appear on your resume. When referencing it, if possible, use the same language the employer uses.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Listing Computer Skills
Being too vague or general
When listing tech skills on a resume, use specific terms whenever possible. Don’t use broad terms like computer literate. Instead, spell out what software programs you’re familiar with.
Overloading the skills section
Focus on quality over quantity. Include the most relevant skills for a job to avoid cluttering your resume with unnecessary information.
Failing to update skills regularly
Update your skills section periodically with new technologies or a new level of proficiency with skills. It’s a good idea to review skills sections every time you send resumes so you can add new or more relevant skills.
Final Tips for Showcasing Computer Skills on Your Resume
Proofread for clarity and accuracy
Whether you’re adding digital skills for jobseekers to your resume or writing a new resume from scratch, always proofread to remove typos or inconsistencies. Use spell checkers and grammar checkers to create a polished, professional document.
Use certifications to validate skills
While 91% of employers hiring for computer science positions prefer someone with a bachelor’s degree, many employers will also consider candidates with equivalent experience and knowledge. Many resume skills section examples include certifications for this reason, as they enhance credibility and help back up your skills claims.
Frequently Asked Questions About Computer Skills for Resumes
When you say you are proficient at a computer skill, such as Excel or Outlook, it means you are competent at using the tools. You can use the term proficient to convey that you are confident but not necessarily an expert.
No, you don’t need to back every skill claim with a formal certification. You may have picked up a coding language through previous programming work or understand pivot tables in Excel because you took a class in school. These are relevant computer skills even without a certification.
Instead of making a general claim that you’re good with technology, demonstrate your tech skills by providing details about previous work experience, lists of specific computer skills, and certifications or education that showcase your knowledge.
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