In today's highly competitive job market, possessing the right technical skills is essential for securing a job. So, job seekers should prioritize highlighting the most in-demand technical skills on their resumes to attract the attention of potential employers.
Whether you're an IT professional, data analyst, marketer, or engineer, possessing the right technical skills can give you a competitive edge in the job market. When crafting your resume, it's essential to highlight the technical skills that are most relevant to your field and position.
Career.io is giving you the top 10 technical skills you should consider including on your resume to showcase your expertise and increase your chances of getting your dream job. From cloud computing to artificial intelligence, these skills are essential for success in today's tech-driven world.
In this article, you’ll discover:
What are technical skills?
What are the top 10 technical skills to list on your resume?
How to list technical skills on a resume.
How do you explain your technical skills in an interview?
What are the basic required technical skills in the workplace?
How to keep your technical skills up to date.
What are technical skills?
Technical skills refer to the job seeker’s ability to use tools, software, and equipment to perform specific job tasks. These skills can vary depending on the industry and role and typically include but are not limited to:
Software applications
Coding languages
Operating systems
Hardware and software troubleshooting
Data analysis
You’ll find that technical skills are often emphasized in job descriptions and, as such, should be emphasized on your resume to demonstrate your ability to perform specific job duties and stand out from the competition in the ever-changing job market.
What are the top 10 technical skills in demand right now?
As already stated, technical skills will vary and depend on the field or industry of the job seeker. Here are 10 examples of technical skills:
Computer literacy - Computer literacy skills are the basic abilities required to use computers and related technology effectively. Examples would be operating a computer, browsing the internet, and using a word processor and spreadsheets.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) - AI skills involve working with artificial intelligence technologies, which include machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, and robotics.
Cybersecurity - Cybersecurity skills are used to protect digital devices, networks, and systems from cyber threats.
Cloud computing - Cloud computing skills refer to a set of technical and non-technical abilities to design, deploy, manage, and secure cloud-based systems and services.
Digital communication - Digital communication skills allow individuals to effectively communicate using digital technologies, such as email, instant messaging, video conferencing, and social media. These skills have become increasingly important in today's world, where remote work, virtual collaboration, and online communication have become the norm.
Data science - Data science skills refer to a set of technical and non-technical capabilities to extract insights and knowledge from data using statistical and machine learning techniques.
DevOps - DevOps skills are used to enable the continuous delivery of high-quality software products. DevOps emphasizes collaboration and communication between software development and IT operations teams to streamline the software development lifecycle and improve the speed and reliability of software delivery.
Internet of Things (IoT) - IoT skills refer to a set of technical and non-technical capabilities to design, develop, and manage IoT systems. IoT is a network of interconnected devices that collect and exchange data over the internet.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) - CRM skills are used to manage customer relationships and interactions throughout the customer lifecycle.
Project management - Project management is the ability to plan, organize, and execute projects effectively. Project management involves the application of knowledge, tools, and techniques to meet project requirements and achieve objectives within defined constraints such as time, cost, scope, and quality.
How to list technical skills on a resume
Listing technical skills on your resume is an important way to showcase your proficiency and experience to potential employers. It is important to be strategic in how you present your skills and provide context where possible to help the employer understand your expertise.
In the Career.io article, Your step-by-step guide to making a resume, the author writes, “It always makes sense for the essential hard skills — practical, technical, hands-on competencies — to take precedence on your resume list of key abilities. Again, it’s crucial to revisit the advertised job posting to determine which ones count most for each specific target job. The skills section can also be a bonus opportunity to replicate keywords (as long as you really possess those abilities!) exactly as described in the listed job description. This will not only help ATS-proof your resume but also show you are in touch with employer priorities.”
Here are five tips on how to include technical skills on your resume.
Create a separate section - By creating a separate section for your technical skills, and labeling it "Technical Proficiencies" or "Technical Skills," you will help a potential employer quickly identify your technical expertise.
Group similar skills - Help employers make sense of your technical abilities by grouping related skills to highlight in-depth knowledge in specific areas.
Prioritize important skills - Highlight the technical skills that are most relevant to the job you want. Check the job ad to determine which skills to include.
Use bullet points - Bullet points make it easier to scan and read your technical skills.
Provide context - By including examples of how you have successfully used your technical skills in previous roles or projects, you give employers context to understand how you can apply those skills to their organization.
Example Technical Proficiencies - Cloud Computing - Agile Management - Project Management - DevOps - Coding - JIRA - Natural Language Processing - Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Internet of Things (IoT) |
How do you explain your technical skills in an interview?
When explaining your technical skills in an interview, you should take a strategic approach that highlights your proficiency in technical tools and software related to the open position, while also showcasing your problem-solving abilities and critical thinking skills. It is essential in the interview to strike a balance between demonstrating your technical know-how with your ability to solve complex problems.
Here are some tips on how to explain your technical skills in an interview:
Be sure to read and fully understand the job description; this will help you understand the company’s technical needs and answer the interview questions.
Describe your technical background and experience with simple and easy to understand language. Keep in mind that everyone you interview with may not be as tech savvy as you.
Provide specific examples of how you have applied your technical skills to solve problems or complete projects in your previous roles. Always look to demonstrate your expertise, giving the interviewer better insight into your skills, experience, and technical abilities.
Discuss how you are driven to continue to develop your technical skills through self-learning, training, education, and applicable certifications.
What are the basic required technical skills in the workplace?
Having basic technical skills in the workplace is essential for career success. It can help increase your productivity, improve communication, and give you a competitive advantage. As technology continues to advance and change, so will the basic requirements in the workplace.
Here are some basic technical skills most companies look for in job candidates:
Computer literacy
Typing and keyboard skills
Technical troubleshooting
Digital communication
Project Management
How to keep your technical skills up to date
In the fast-paced and ever-changing world of technology, it is vital to stay up to date with the latest technical skills, trends, and tools. By keeping your technical skills up to date, you give yourself more career opportunities and position yourself as a viable job candidate to employers..
Being proactive in keeping your technical skills up to date is essential for gaining a competitive advantage in the job market.
There are several ways to keep your technical skills up to date:
Attend conferences and seminars
Take online courses on platforms such as Udemy, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning
Join professional associations
Read industry publications
Participate in online communities
Practice and experiment with new tools and techniques
“On average, organizations spent 16 percent of their budget or $445,434 (up from $235,077 last year) on learning tools and technologies.”
Key Takeaways
Technical skills refer to the job seeker’s ability to use tools, software, and equipment to perform specific job tasks. These skills can vary depending on the industry and job role.
Listing technical skills on your resume is an important way to showcase your proficiency and experience to potential employers.
When explaining your technical skills in an interview, you should take a strategic approach that highlights your proficiency in technical tools and software related to the job opening.
Be proactive in keeping your technical skills up to date. It will help you stay relevant, advance your career, and gain a competitive advantage in the job market.
