With the world becoming more digitally focused, having strong computer skills is more important than ever. In this guide, we will cover what computer skills are and which ones are best to include on your resume.
Computer skills refer to the abilities a person has to operate and use computers.
The possibilities of what computers can do are endless.
As a result, there is a wide range of different skills that can fall into this category.
When thinking about skills in general, they can fall into one of two categories:
Most computer skills fall into the hard skills category.
This is because computer skills are technical abilities that a person has to learn.
Whereas soft skills such as empathy may come naturally to a person, hard skills must be earned through training and education.
Almost all jobs nowadays involve computers and digital services of some kind.
This has made employers’ demand for computer skills all the more prevalent.
This is especially true for jobs in the realm of administration and management!
In general, you should include computer skills on any resume used to apply for a job that uses technology.
If you are unsure whether the job you are applying for wants computer skills, look to the description of the job posting.
If the requirements call for specific computer skills, then be sure to add the ones that you have to your resume.
To learn more about all the best elements to include on a resume, read our guide on What to Put on a Resume in 2024(with Examples and Tips)!
There are a few different categories of computer skills to consider adding to your resume:
Typically, applicants will include a combination of all three categories of skills.
For entry-level jobs or jobs involving only basic use of computers, advanced computer skills may not be necessary.
Let’s now examine the best program proficiencies, basic computer skills, and advanced computer skills to include on your resume.
For more ideas on other skills to include on a resume, check out our list of 100+ Key Skills for a Resume (with Examples for Any Job).
There are two main formatting options for listing your computer skills on a resume:
Oftentimes, applicants will you a combination of these two methods.
Soft skills can be more beneficial to include in the work experience section so that you can provide greater detail.
Hard skills, comparatively, don’t always need much explanation and can be listed more plainly in a skills section.
Incorrect:
Work Experience
Office Assistant, Gatlinburg Visitor Center
November 2016 – December 2020
• Typing Speed: 85 words per minute
• Certified in Microsoft Office
• Can create Data Visualizations
Why It’s Wrong: In the work experience section, you want to highlight your greatest strengths and most quantifiable accomplishments.
Things such as typing speed and certifications can be left for the skills section.
As for the data visualization, more information and detail should be given.
Correct:
Work Experience
Office Assistant, Gatlinburg Visitor Center
November 2016 – December 2020
• Typed daily morning briefings on upcoming events with entire office staff
• Created operational expense spreadsheets that help reduce operational costs by 15 percent
• Generated a monthly overview of visitor data and spending using charts, statistics, and graphics
In this corrected example, the original skills are still touched upon but in a much more direct way.
The skills are proven through evidence and examples.
Incorrect:
Computer Skills
• Google Workspace
• Programming Languages
• Graphics
Why It’s Wrong: Though computer skills can be kept short and sweet, they should still provide a certain level of specificity.
In this example, the applicant has listed programming languages but not which specific ones they are proficient in.
They have also listed Google Workspace without indicating proficiency.
As for graphics, they provide no insight into what kinds of graphics.
Correct:
Computer Skills
• Google Workspace Certification
• Python, HTML, Ruby
• Informational Graphics (Adobe Creative Cloud)
In this corrected example, the applicant indicates they have earned a certification and lists specific programming languages they are proficient in.
Plus, they offer more specific information about their graphics abilities, including what programs they use.
Hint: Want to earn that Google Workspace certification? Check it out here!
For more help crafting your ideal resume, take a look at our guide on How to Write the Perfect Resume in 2024 (with Examples).
Having a strong set of computer skills has become highly important to employers.
Here are our top 5 takeaways for including computer skills on a resume:
Don’t miss out on any of our great resume content. Here are Easy Resume we offer a wide selection of free resume guides and career advice articles.
Ed is a co-founder of Easy Resume. His background in scaling teams at tech startups over the last decade has given him extensive experience and knowledge around how to hire top talent and build successful teams. He enjoys mentoring, coaching, and helping others reach their career goals. When he's not writing about career-related advice, he's playing with his dog, Lilo, or going on long hikes in upstate New York.
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