Measurable or relating to specific proficiencies, hard skills include a second language, a software program, or project management tools. Including hard skills examples for a resume demonstrates your qualifications to potential employers, but it’s important to tailor what you include to the specific job application. This guide explains why hard skills matter on your resume and provides a list of hard skills for resumes by industry for reference.
What Is a Hard Skill?
There are two types of skills hiring managers are looking for in candidates: hard skills and soft skills. While soft skills relate to less tangible proficiencies and focus more on your interactions with clients and coworkers, hard skills are teachable competencies you can measure in some way. For example, if you say you’re proficient in Microsoft Excel, you can show a certificate or take a skills test to demonstrate this to the hiring manager.
When deciding which hard skills to put on your resume, it’s important to consider what’s expected in the industry and for the role. Technical skills are critical in certain industries, such as information technology (IT), health care, and construction. Resume hard skills should be relevant, clearly described, and accurate. It’s never a good idea to lie or exaggerate your proficiencies on your resume.
Why Hard Skills Matter on a Resume
Resume hard skills are important because they showcase your job-specific expertise and industry knowledge. They also make it easier for the hiring manager to quickly assess your qualifications and suitability for the role and make your resume more compatible with applicant tracking systems (ATS).
If you’re unsure which hard skills to put on a resume, the job posting is a great place to start your search. Skim through the description for any technical proficiencies or skills. The posting may list these separately, or they may be in the job description bullet points. Examples of hard skills for a resume you may see in a job description include programming languages, data analysis, customer relationship management (CRM) tools, and finance software.
List of Hard Skills To Put On a Resume by Industry
Resume hard skills vary by industry. Research the most sought-after skills for your role by looking at various job postings. Below, we’ve provided a list of hard skills for your resume by industry.
Technology
- Agile methodology
- Artificial intelligence (AI)
- Cloud computing
- Data analytics
- Data science
- Data visualization
- Database management
- Java
- Jira
- Machine learning (ML)
- Python
- Scrum
- Software development
- Technical project management
- User experience (UX) design
Health care
- Acute care
- Cardiology
- Case management
- Clinical operations
- Clinical research studies
- Diagnostic procedures
- Electronic health record (EHR) systems
- HIPAA regulations
- Medical triage
- Medication administration
- Oncology
- Patient-centered care
- Pediatric care
- Surgical care
- Telemetry
Marketing
- A/B testing
- Account-based marketing
- Brand marketing
- Content development
- Content management systems (CMS)
- Content strategy
- Data analysis
- Digital marketing
- Google Analytics
- Go-to-market strategy
- Market analysis
- Omni-channel marketing
- Paid search campaigns
- Product marketing
- Search engine marketing (SEM)
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
Finance
- Accounting
- Budgeting
- Business administration
- Business intelligence
- Data-driven decision making
- Due diligence
- Financial forecasting
- Financial modeling
- Financial planning and analysis (FP&A)
- Financial reporting
- Generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)
- Investment strategy
- Mergers and acquisitions (M&A)
- Risk management
- Statistical analysis
- Variance analysis
Construction
- AutoCAD
- Blueprint reading
- Carpentry
- Commercial construction
- Construction management
- Hazardous materials safety
- Logistics
- Masonry
- Operations mangagement
- OSHA safety regulations
- Procurement
- Project management
- Residential construction
- Surveying
- Welding
- Zoning regulations
Education
- Adaptive learning
- Behavioral analysis
- Blackboard
- Blended learning
- Canvas
- Classroom management
- Cooperative learning
- Curriculum development
- Differentiated instruction
- Education technology
- Google Classroom
- Individualized education programs (IEPs)
- Lesson planning
- Project-based learning (PBLs)
- Special education
- Student assessment
- Teaching strategy
Examples of Resumes With Hard Skills
Software developer
Amar Singh
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
New York, NY 12345
Profile
A software developer with seven years of experience overseeing the development of innovative technology solutions from conception to launch. A proven track record of leveraging user-centered design principles and feedback to drive customer success.
Professional Experience
Software Developer, Quinn Content Solutions, New York, NY
October 2019 – present
- Develop and launch a major upgrade to the web-based employee interface without interrupting business-critical operations, resulting in a 30% reduction in trouble tickets related to employee login issues
- Collaborate with project managers and IT teams to identify critical components and minimum viable product
- Conduct user testing and beta testing to ensure smooth implementation
Software Developer, Power Creations, New York, NY
May 2016 – October 2019
- Coordinated with a team of 15 developers to write proprietary software and maintain systems for 60 enterprise clients using C++ and Linux platforms
- Developed and implemented new evaluation procedures to track bugs, user concerns, and defects, which improved client satisfaction
Key Skills
- Test-driven development
- JavaScript, C, C++
- Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
- Agile methodology
- User-centered design
Certifications
- CIW Web Development Professional, 2018
- Certified Software Development Professional, IEEE, 2017
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Software Engineering
University of Syracuse, Syracuse, NY May 2016
Nurse
Jessica Lang
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
New York, NY 12345
Profile
A registered nurse (RN) with seven years of experience providing high-quality, compassionate care to diverse patient populations. A proven track record of collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to enhance clinical workflows and drive positive patient outcomes.
Professional Experience
Registered Nurse, St. Andrew’s Hospital, New York, NY
October 2019 – present
- Achieve patient satisfaction ratings of over 93% year-over-year, communicate empathetically with diverse patients, and drive the delivery of patient-centered care
- Coordinate events to provide long-term patients with entertainment options and activities to raise the morale of patients suffering from debilitating illnesses
- Collaborate with local nonprofits on fundraisers to expand the hospital children’s library and incorporate tablet computers and game consoles
Registered Nurse, Brooklyn Medical Center, New York, NY
May 2016 – October 2019
- Delivered high-quality care to a diverse range of patients at a trauma center with over 300 beds and a 1-to-5 patient ratio
- Coordinated with multidisciplinary teams to improve care delivery, resulting in a 15% increase in patient satisfaction
- Served as the voice of the Trauma Center on committees such as the JCAHO Readiness Taskforce and the Readmission Reduction Planning Committee
Certifications
- Registered Nurse, State of New York, License #123456, 2016
- Basic Life Support Certification, American Heart Association 2016
Key Skills
- Clinical operations
- EHR
- Patient-centered care
- Pediatric care
- Telemetry
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Nursing, Columbia University, New York, NY | May 2016
Construction worker
Aliya Jackson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
LinkedIn | Portfolio
Detroit, MI 12345
Profile
An OSHA-certified construction worker with eight years of professional experience supporting multi-million-dollar construction projects, including malls, bridges, highways, and commercial build-outs. A proven track record of coordinating with diverse construction teams to ensure on-time and on-budget completion.
Professional Experience
Construction Worker, Hamlin Construction Co., Detroit, MI
November 2018 – Present
- Coordinate with construction crews of up to 20 personnel to execute multi-million-dollar projects, including erecting and repairing buildings, roads, and bridges in compliance with safety regulations
- Oversee safe demolition of existing structures, dispose of hazardous materials, build scaffolds and barricades, and ensure on-time completion
- Provide training to new team members and contractors on safety standards and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
Construction Worker, Anderson Construction Inc., Detroit, MI
June 2015 – November 2018
- Performed concrete work on commercial and industrial job sites for commercial projects valued at up to $800,000 and operated heavy machinery and power tools in compliance with OSHA safety standards
- Loaded, transported, and distributed building machinery, tools, and materials to different job sites and ensured safe disposal of hazardous materials
Certifications
- OSHA 30 Certification, OSHA Education Center, 2018
Key Skills
- OSHA safety standards
- Commercial construction
- Power tool operation
- Equipment maintenance
- Team leadership
Education
Associate of Science (A.S.) Construction Management, Wayne County Community College, Detroit, MI | June 2015
How To Include Hard Skills on a Resume
When featuring hard skills on your resume, it’s important to include a comprehensive list while also integrating these skill sets into your professional experience section. A skills section is easy for the hiring manager to skim and for the ATS to read. However, highlighting hard skills in your work history provides context for how you’ve applied your expertise to generate positive results in real-world business environments.
For the best outcomes, work in keywords from the job description whenever possible. For example, if you were targeting a position as a data scientist, you’d likely feature terms such as ML, Big data, and data visualization to illustrate your comprehensive background in data analytics. You could also list relevant industry certifications to validate your skill sets.
Examples of Hard Skills for Resumes
A simple skills list is an easy way to work in many keywords and proficiencies without taking up too much space. Examples of hard skills for a resume include:
- Programming languages (e.g., Python, Java)
- Foreign languages
- Data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Tableau)
You can also weave in hard skills examples for a resume by using bullets and phrases in the summary or professional experience sections. Here are some examples:
- Developed and deployed ML algorithms (Python, TensorFlow)
- Managed financial audits using QuickBooks for over 50 clients annually
- Designed marketing campaigns with 15% return on investment (ROI) using Google Ads
FAQs: Hard Skills for Resume
What are hard skills, and why is it important to include examples of hard skills on your resume?-
Hard skills are teachable and measurable abilities. Including a list of hard skills on your resume is important because it shows that you have the background qualifications for the position and can be successful.
How do I identify the right hard skills to put on my resume?+
The most important hard skills to put on a resume are those the hiring manager lists as required. Tailor the language and phrasing to match the job description as closely as possible, and only include examples of hard skills on your resume that you have.
Where should I include hard skills on my resume?+
Resume hard skills can be in a specific “Technical Skills” list, or you can work them into your professional experience. Hard skills examples for a resume may also be in the education or certifications section if you have proof of these credentials.
Craft your perfect resume in minutes
Get 2x more interviews with Resume Builder. Access Pro Plan features for a limited time!
