Computer Skills for Resume

Computer skills are an important part of many modern resumes. How can you make your computer skills stand out?

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Computer Skills for Resume

If you’re looking to add skills to your resume, one of the first things you might want to do is look at computer skills. In our current era, the ability to handle computer programs is something you’ll want to highlight in your resume and cover letter, and many job descriptions will require it. To showcase your computer skills, you’ll want to know how to list these skills along with your other technical skills. Here’s everything you need to know about computer skills and how to put them on your resume.

Why Should I Put Computer Skills on My Resume?

Most modern resumes need computer skills because they’re so important for working efficiently. Software skills, web development skills and even effective use of Microsoft Office suite are all important technical abilities that will be necessary for a wide variety of jobs. Hiring managers are looking for you to have computer skills and in many situations, they’re key skills you need to move forward with a job interview. In your job search, you may find that computer skills are some of your most relevant skills, even in areas where you wouldn’t expect them to be important.

Top Tips for Resume Computer Skills

When you’re including computer skills on your resume, it’s important that you describe them appropriately. Just saying “computer skills” doesn’t showcase how you can use those skills. When you say you can use Microsoft Office Suite, for example, what does that really mean? How have you used Microsoft Office Suite in your current previous job roles? Providing more details about how you’ve used computer skills gives the hiring manager a better idea of how you can benefit the company with them.

Additionally, don’t use computer skills just to pad your resume. If you’re a younger job seeker, chances are that you know some computer skills. However, basic computer skills don’t belong in your skills section. Be more specific and focus on specialized computer skills. If you know programming languages, you’re good at using things like QuickBooks or you have a lot of data analysis experience, these can go into your skills section.

Lastly, you want to make sure you’re tailoring your skills to the job description. Are you applying for a graphic design job? Make sure you go through the job description and look for any keywords you can add to your resume, including graphic design programs that you should be proficient in. Does the company mention proficiency in Windows or Apple computers, or even another platform like Linux? These things are all important to be aware of before you start building your skills list.

Recommended Computer Skills To List

The computer skills you’ll want to list will vary depending on what job posting you’re applying to. In some cases, you may need basic computer skills and others may

require advanced computer skills. However, these are a few of the categories a recruiter may be looking for:

  • MS Office skills (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, OneDrive)
  • Adobe skills (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)
  • Programmer skills (HTML, Python, CSS, JavaScript, SQL, PHP)
  • Google skills (Formerly G Suite, Google Sheets, Google Docs, Google Drive)
  • Connectivity apps (Skype, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack, Trello)
  • Word processing, social media, and blogging skills (LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, WordPress, SEO)

Consider using one or two of these skills, a few skills that are in other technical areas and another few soft skills to round out your skills section. It’s also important that you back them up in areas like your resume summary, your work experience section and your cover letter.

FAQ: Computer Skills for a Resume

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Q: Should I list basic computer skills on my resume?

Employers assume that most people understand how to use a computer, so just listing “basic computer skills” on your resume can look like you’re padding your document. Unless you only have basic computer proficiency, stick to advanced computer skills that you’re proficient with.

Q: Can I list computer skills I learned on my own?

You can list computer skills that you learned on your own time, whether you taught yourself, took online courses or learned them through work experience. However, if you learned skills on your own, it’s often best to take pretests or get certifications to validate your proficiency. It’s better to prove you’re proficient in these skills, rather than listing them on a resume and hoping the hiring manager takes your word.

Q: Is it important to list what operating systems I learned each computer skill?

It really depends on how you’ll use your skills for the job. If you have experience managing spreadsheets, for example, you probably don’t need to list the operating system you’ve been managing spreadsheets on—you need to list the specific program that you use, like Microsoft Excel. It can be helpful to include the platform that you have the most experience with for programs that work on multiple operating systems, like Adobe InDesign. And of course, if the employer notes that they’re seeking proficiency in a particular OS (like Windows), it pays to note your expertise in those areas in your resume.

Check how resume examples in your field typically list their skills for more insight on this.

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