Technology has recently evolved significantly. The result? Employers are now gravitating towards tech-savvy candidates who can fit into the scene with high efficiency.
Imagine this; you’re aiming for your dream job, but competing with candidates with the sought-after tech skills to back up their experience. Who do you think will catch the employer’s eye first? Technical skills, whether it’s coding, data management, or project oversight, have turned into the ultimate golden ticket with about 15% of a candidate’s job success relying on their specific tech skills, as discovered by a study from Harvard.
But, what makes technical skills so important?
Lucky for you, our article explores the answer to this curious question and provides you with technical skills definition and more than 100 skills that can make your resume stand out. Best part? We cover it all; programming, engineering, data analysis, digital marketing, project management, and creative design skills.
Let’s begin!
Understanding Technical Skills
Technical skills are all about the specific know-how you need to execute certain tasks at your workplace. This is because these tools constitute an essential aspect of current businesses.
Suppose, you have landed a job at a respectable software company as a developer. Coding in a variety of programming languages would be part of your job. Or as a data analyst, you might need to be highly experienced with certain analysis tools.
These measurable skills can be mastered through training, education, online courses, or even on-the-job training. This means that these skills can be accessible to anyone who wants to learn them.
Technical Vs Soft Skills In a Resume
Hard skills are prerequisites for a profession, such as being proficient with a specific design program like AUTOCAD or being able to code in multiple languages. In contrast, soft skills are interpersonal and universally applicable, such as leadership or flexibility. Both are necessary, but when it comes to fulfilling the prerequisites for a position, technical (or hard) skills frequently take precedence.
Importance in Various Industries
Technical skills are indispensable across numerous industries:
- Technical Skills For Software Developers and IT: Skills like coding, cloud computing, and cybersecurity are fundamental.
- Healthcare: Proficiency in medical imaging tools, electronic health records (EHR), and laboratory technologies is critical.
- Engineering: CAD software, systems design, and automation tools are commonly required.
- Marketing: Expertise in SEO, digital analytics, and content creation tools is highly valued.
Know More :- Computer skills for resume
Each industry requires tailored technical skills, and these vary significantly depending on the specific role. Understanding enables you to highlight the most relevant skills on your resume to capture the hiring managers’ attention.
List of Categories of Technical Skills for Resume
Wondering what are the top technical skills employers look for in 2024? We got you covered!
Here’s an industry-specific technical skills list to boost your resume:
Programming and IT Skills
Programming and IT skills have become the most sought-after tech skills these days. Must have technical skills for IT jobs are:
- JavaScript
- Python
- Java
- C++
- Ruby
- PHP
- HTML5
- CSS3
- SQL
- NoSQL Databases (MongoDB, CouchDB)
- Node.js
- Angular
- React
- Vue.js
- TypeScript
- Swift
- Kotlin
- Objective-C
- C#
- Ruby on Rails
- .NET Framework
- ASP.NET
- Django
- Flask
- Spring Framework
- Laravel
- Git
- GitHub
- GitLab
- Docker
- Kubernetes
- WebSockets
- DevOps
- Jenkins
- Linux
- Windows Server
- Virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V)
- System Administration
- Bash Scripting
- Shell Scripting
- Data Structures and Algorithms
- Network Security
- Ethical Hacking
- Cybersecurity
- Blockchain Development
- TensorFlow
- PyTorch
- OpenCV
- Jupyter Notebook
- Machine Learning
- AI/Deep Learning
- Cloud Platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- PostgreSQL
- Redis
- Elasticsearch
Engineering Skills
Engineering roles require specialized technical expertise. Advanced technical skills for engineers include:
- AutoCAD
- SolidWorks
- CATIA
- Revit
- MATLAB
- Simulink
- CNC Machining
- 3D Printing
- PLC Programming
- SCADA Systems
- Robotics
- Circuit Design
- Electrical Engineering
- Embedded Systems
- VHDL/Verilog
- FPGA Development
- Signal Processing
- Control Systems
- RF Engineering
- Power Systems Engineering
- Renewable Energy Systems
- HVAC Design
- Structural Analysis
- Mechanical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Hydraulic Systems
- Manufacturing Processes
- Project Design and Development
- Product Testing
- Materials Science
- Structural CAD
- Construction Management Software (Procore, Buildertrend)
- Lean Manufacturing
- Six Sigma
- Quality Assurance (QA)
- Safety Engineering
- Thermodynamics
- Dynamics and Statics
Data Analysis and Statistics
Data is continuously leading industries like marketing, finance, and healthcare.
However, businesses cannot use data in its unprocessed state. Data analysts can help with this by shaping unprocessed data into useful insights. Essential technical skills for data analysts include:
- Excel (Advanced)
- Power BI
- Tableau
- Python for Data Analysis (Pandas, NumPy)
- SQL for Data Analysis
- Statistical Analysis System (SAS)
- SPSS
- Data Visualization
- Machine Learning Algorithms
- Predictive Modeling
- Time Series Analysis
- Data Mining
- Big Data Technologies (Hadoop, Spark)
- Google Analytics
- A/B Testing
- Data Cleaning and Preprocessing
- Hypothesis Testing
- Regression Analysis
- Bayesian Analysis
- Monte Carlo Simulations
- Clustering and Classification
- Data Warehousing
- ETL Processes
- Data Governance
- Database Management
- SQL Server
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Data Interpretation
- Market Basket Analysis
- Forecasting
- Sampling Methods
- Optimization Techniques
Digital Marketing Skills
To attract audiences, build brand awareness, and eventually lead to organizational success, digital marketers must find the ideal mix between technical know-how and creative flare. The top technical skills for digital marketers are:
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
- Google Ads
- Bing Ads
- Social Media Marketing
- Facebook Ads
- Instagram Ads
- LinkedIn Ads
- Twitter Ads
- YouTube Marketing
- Email Marketing
- Content Marketing
- Copywriting
- Marketing Automation (HubSpot, Marketo)
- Google Analytics
- Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)
- Affiliate Marketing
- Influencer Marketing
- Brand Strategy
- PPC (Pay-per-click)
- SEMrush
- Ahrefs
- Keyword Research
- Link Building
- Retargeting Campaigns
- Facebook Pixel
- CRM Software (Salesforce, Zoho)
- Lead Generation
- Customer Segmentation
- E-commerce Marketing (Shopify, WooCommerce)
- App Store Optimization (ASO)
- Video Marketing
- Podcasting
- Event Marketing
- Digital Ad Campaigns
- Online Reputation Management
- Data Analytics for Marketing
- Geomarketing
- Retention Marketing
- Social Listening
- Campaign Performance Tracking
- Social Media Analytics
Project Management Skills
Well-managed and organized projects are completed on their deadline whilst sticking to their budget. As easy as it may sound, only an efficient project manager with a particular skill set can achieve this balance. Key skills include:
- Agile Methodology (Scrum, Kanban)
- Waterfall Methodology
- Project Planning
- Gantt Charts
- Risk Management
- Resource Allocation
- Stakeholder Management
- Team Collaboration Tools (Trello, Asana, Monday.com)
- Project Scheduling
- Project Lifecycle Management
- Scope Management
- Milestone Tracking
- Jira
- Microsoft Project
- Cost Estimation
- Project Documentation
- Process Optimization
- Documentation Management
- Procurement Management
- Strategic Planning
- Business Case Development
- Performance Monitoring
- Portfolio Management
- Agile Ceremonies (Daily Standup, Sprint Planning)
Know More :- Project Manager Resume
Creative and Design Skills
Creative roles don’t solely rely on artistic talent, but technical proficiency too. These skills are vital to the sustenance of ample industries such as advertising, web development, and product design. Essential skills are:
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- Adobe After Effects
- Final Cut Pro
- Sketch
- Figma
- UX/UI Design
- Web Design
- Responsive Design
- Wireframing
- Prototyping
- User Research
- Interaction Design
- Graphic Design
- Branding and Identity
- Visual Storytelling
- Color Theory
- HTML/CSS for Web Design
- Motion Graphics
- Video Editing
- 3D Modeling
- Animation
- Visual Communication
- Product Design
- Game Design
- Web Development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript)
- Print Design
- Storyboarding
- Photography
- Image Editing
- User Flow Design
- Design Thinking
- Usability Testing
- Font Management
- Website Optimization
- Augmented Reality (AR) Design
- Virtual Reality (VR) Design
- Icon Design
- Layout Design
- Creative Direction
- Content Creation for Social Media
Must-Have Technical Skills For Non-Technical Jobs
Entering the job market but unsure what skills you need to include on your resume? Don’t worry, we have a general list of resume technical skills for entry-level candidates applying for non-tech jobs:
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Google Analytics
- CRM Tools such as Salesforce, HubSpot, and Zoho CRM.
- Canva
- PowerPoint Design
Pro-Tip: Skills are not only acquired through a job or formal training. Several online platforms such as Coursera offer courses so you can enhance your current soft and hard skills. Or even learn new ones!
How To Write Technical Skills For a Resume
Wondering how to highlight technical skills on a resume to get noticed? We have a few tips for you!
Tailoring Skills to Job Descriptions
Adding skills irrelevant to the job you’re applying for can actually do more harm than good.
This is because hiring managers receive hundreds of CVs for one job. They are skimming through resumes searching for specific skills/proficiencies. Your resume will get rejected if it lacks the skills listed in the job description.
The solution? Read the job description carefully, then put on your resume those skills that are genuinely required for the position.
For example, If a job posting mentions “proficiency in Python,” ensure that skill is highlighted prominently in your skills section.
Organizing the Skills Section
A well-organized skills section improves readability and ensures that key competencies stand out. Here are a few tips to make your skills more prominent on the CV:
- Categorize Skills: Don’t throw your skills together in a jumbled mess. Instead, organize similar skills under separate headings for better visualization. For instance, “Programming Languages” or “Project Management Tools.” followed by the languages or software you’re experienced with, respectively.
- Highlight Core Competencies: Talk about the skills that are relevant to the role you’re applying for instead of writing general ones.
Know More :- Skills For Customer Service Resume
Demonstrating Proficiency Levels
Indicate your level of expertise for each skill:
- Basic: Familiarity with concepts and tools.
- Intermediate: Practical experience and problem-solving ability.
- Advanced: Expertise and capability to mentor others.
For example, Python (Advanced), SQL (Intermediate), Tableau (Basic).
Read More :- Computer Skills For Resume
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Listing Technical Skills
Overloading with Irrelevant Skills
Recruits are wary of cluttered CVs, consisting of too many skills that are irrelevant to the job.
It also projects this image of an individual applying for as many jobs as he/she can with one CV. What’s more, is that adding too many skills can actually divert the recruiters’ attention from the ones that are actually relevant to the role. Overall, overloading with irrelevant skills can negatively impact your CV.
So what should you do?
Thoroughly review the job description and rank the skills that are most pertinent to the position. This way, you can conveniently highlight proficiency in the fields that the employer values most.
Example
Don’t go for buzzwords like SEO or video editing experience for a software development job. Talk about your level of proficiency in the programming languages, frameworks, and development tools that are pertinent to that industry. This strategy guarantees that your resume stays impactful and targeted while emphasizing your most relevant credentials.
Also Read:- 200+ Examples of Action Verbs for Resume
Lack of Specificity
Being overly ambiguous while describing technical talents is a common error made by many job applications. Long gone are days of overly-used phrases like “experienced with various tools”. Now, hiring managers need to know about the specifics to truly determine a candidate’s skill set.
Example
Ditch the basic “proficient in data analysis,” and enlist all the apps you’ve actually worked on. For instance, add something along the lines of “proficient in SQL, Python, and Tableau for data analysis.” Want to take a step further? Make your CV impactful with the addition of quantifiable metrics, such as:
“successfully implemented a data-driven marketing strategy using these tools, resulting in a 15% increase in customer acquisition.”
This specificity tells employers not only what you can do but exactly how you’ve done it.
Neglecting Soft Skills
Hard skills are crucial but let’s not forget soft skills.
They are just as essential because they can really set you apart. Excellent CVs aren’t just about knowing how Photoshop works but about how you collaborate and solve problems within a team. If you want to get that callback, blend the tech expertise with robust interpersonal abilities to make your CV truly shine.
Example
If you’re a software developer, make sure to highlight not just your coding but also your ability to work well in diverse teams or navigate an agile project environment.
Read More :- Soft Skills For Resume
Final Thoughts
Modern resumes must include technical skills that demonstrate your capacity to satisfy the needs of the contemporary job market. You can maintain your competitiveness and flexibility in a constantly changing professional environment by consistently improving and updating these skills. Make your resume stand out with technical skills and counterbalance these with soft skills to make a spectacular resume. Not sure where to begin? Let the MyResumeStar builder make the CV that lands high-paying jobs that require major technical skills.