Highlighting technical skills on your resume shows a hiring manager you have the qualifications to succeed in the role, but how you showcase these skills matters. It is possible to turn your technical skills into assets by focusing on those most relevant to your career objectives and achievements. In this guide, we explain step by step how to make this work to your advantage and provide technical skills and resume samples to help you get started.

Step 1: Brainstorm Technical Skills for Your Resume

Type a list of every technical skill for your resume or program in which you at least have basic proficiency. Specific technical skills could include anything from programming languages like Python, Java, or HTML, to data analysis tools such as SQL or Excel. For further guidance on how to choose which technical skills to list, review our how to make a resume page. To help you brainstorm, review our list of hard skills.

Step 2: Clarify Your Goals

Consider and jot down your job search goals. Include your preference for target title, duties, leadership level, industry, and employer size. Think about how your resume’s technical skills align with these goals and which skills are best prioritized for the position.

Step 3: Review and Rate Your Resume’s Technical Skills

Review your complete list of technical skills for your resume against your job goals. For instance, if your role requires strong data analysis abilities, prioritize your skills in Excel, R, or Tableau. You can find more advice on how to list technical skills in your resume’s skills section in our resume skills guide. Rate each skill’s relevance to your target job on a scale of 1 to 5 where:

5 = Very relevant
4 = Somewhat relevant
3 = Unsure
2 = Not very relevant
1 = Not at all relevant

Ranking your skills can help you identify what’s most important to the potential role and what you’re most passionate about on a daily basis.

Step 4: Transfer the Top Technical Skills to Your Resume

Copy any skills you rated a 3 or above into your resume under a section titled “Technical Skills” or “Technical Profile.” You may also want to highlight your specific technical skills in your skills section to make them stand out. For example, if programming languages like Java or C++ are essential for the job, ensure these are prominently listed in this section.

Typically, the resume technical skills section should go at or near the bottom of the document. But you may want to place it higher if your technical skills are more important than other aspects of your experience. You may even make this your resume’s first section (after the summary) if you’re in tech and/or these skills are central to your candidacy.

Step 5: Organize and Format the Resume Technical Skills Section

Order the skills according to your job search goals. If they’re all equally relevant, put them in alphabetical order.

With a shorter skills list, you can format it easily enough by separating each term with a pipe symbol. However, if you have several specific technical skills for your resume such as data analysis software, programming languages, and design tools, consider categorizing them under headers like “Programming Skills,” “Data Analysis Tools,” and “Software Proficiency.”  If your skills list is longer, you could divide it by category and/or ability level so hiring managers can more easily scan the information. With this structure, separating the terms with commas or semicolons is usually better than pipes. For more tips on organizing your skills section, check out our best resume formats guide.

Look at the technical skills resume samples below for ideas.

  • Technical skills resume sample No. 1

Technical Skills

Adobe Illustrator | HTML | Microsoft Excel | Social Media (Instagram, Twitter) | WordPress

  • Technical skills resume sample No. 2

Technical Skills

Adobe Creative Cloud: Acrobat, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop
G Suite: Docs, Sheets, Slides
Microsoft Office Suite: Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter
Videoconferencing: Skype, Zoom

Finally, play around with Microsoft Word’s tab stops feature to possibly give your completed technical skills section a more elegant look on the page. In the example below, the skill categories have a right tab stop, while the skill name lists have a left tab stop.

  • Technical skills resume sample No. 3

Technical Skills

Adobe Creative Cloud    Acrobat, Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop
G Suite    Docs, Sheets, Slides
Microsoft Office Suite    Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word
Social Media    Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter
Video Conferencing   Skype, Zoom

These are examples of resumes with technical skills:

  • Software Developer Resume Example
  • Front End Developer Resume Example
  • IT Support Specialist Resume Example

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 September 2012 – May 2016

Melissa Anderson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
New York, NY, 12345

Profile

A front-end developer with eight years of experience specializing in user interface (UI) design, web development, Python, DevOps, and prototyping. A proven track record of collaborating with high-performance development teams to deliver customized web solutions.

Professional Experience

Front-End Developer, Manhattan Technology Solutions, New York, NY
May 2016 – present

  • Support large-scale web development projects for enterprise client accounts and perform quality Python coding to deliver customized solutions for web pages and applications
  • Coordinate with the IT project manager, DevOps, and technical teams to resolve a mission-critical issue impacting a major client account valued at $2 million
  • Translate business requirements into scalable code, perform wireframing, develop prototypes, and conduct code reviews to prevent bugs and defects

Front-End Developer, Accelerate Inc., New York, NY
May 2014 – May 2016

  • Coordinated with a team of front-end and back-end developers to create prototypes, scalable code, and wireframes for a start-up technology company delivering an innovative mobile application for credit history and personal loan consolidations
  • Conducted testing on web pages, analyzed feedback from users and identified opportunities to improve web page functionality and responsiveness

Education

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Software Engineering
University of Syracuse, New York, NY September 2010 – May 2014

Key Skills
  • Front-end development
  • Software engineering
  • Web development
  • UI design
  • Software development
Certifications
  • Certified Web Development Professional, Web Developer, 2016
  • Certified Web Development Professional, Application Developer, 2014

Alice Nguyen
(987) 654-3210
[email protected]
New York, NY 10001
LinkedIn | Portfolio

Profile

Information technology (IT) technician with seven years of experience troubleshooting hardware, software, and network issues. Skilled at implementing IT security protocols and training end-users on new systems. Maximize system performance and user productivity by quickly resolving issues and delivering comprehensive training programs.

Key Skills
  • Cisco Systems
  • Hardware and software troubleshooting
  • IT support and end-user training
  • Linux
  • Microsoft Azure
  • Network configuration and security
  • Remote desktop support
Professional Experience

IT Support Specialist
IBM, New York, NY | June 2016 to present

  • Resolved over 500 hardware, software, and network issues, improving system performance by 20%
  • Held training sessions for over 200 end-users on new systems, boosting user productivity by 30%
  • Established new security measures, reducing breaches by 30% through regular updates and firewall setups

Junior IT Technician
Google, Mountain View, CA | May 2015 to June 2016

  • Helped troubleshoot over 300 technical issues, ensuring smooth system operations and minimal downtime
  • Provided end-user support, enhancing user satisfaction by 15% by quickly resolving technical problems
  • Contributed to IT security protocols, protecting sensitive data from potential breaches
Education

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Information Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA | 2015

Certifications
  • CompTIA A+
  • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)

Step 6: Showcase Your Technical Skills in Other Areas

Consider making your top technical skills for your resume (i.e., those you rated 4 or 5) more prominent by also citing them in these three sections. For instance, mention your data analysis expertise in your job description or profile summary. It’s a great way to highlight specific technical skills like Excel, Python, or other programming languages crucial for your target role. For guidance on how to effectively showcase these abilities, explore our page on how to list certifications on a resume.

Profile

There’s a simple way to cite resume technical skills in your profile summary. Start a new sentence with “Key technical skills include” or “Offer technical expertise in,” and name any that speak strongly to your target job.

Professional experience

This option is simple too. As the last bullet point for each job description, you can type “Systems used:” or “Top systems used:” and list the relevant programs.

This job description structure can work well if you’re in IT or another tech-centric field because it helps you emphasize the different platforms you were using to drive results.

It can also help your resume perform better in applicant tracking systems (ATS). The exact workings of ATS are mysterious (intentionally, so jobseekers won’t game them). But they will often use your work dates to tally your experience with skills you cite in each job description.

For instance, say the ATS scans your resume for a job where WordPress knowledge is crucial. If it finds the term “WordPress” in your description of a position you held from 2017 to 2021, there’s a good chance the ATS will boost your overall score by registering that you have about four years of experience related to that program.

Training

Many professionals gain technical skills on the job or independently. But perhaps you’ve also done formal training or earned certifications in programs relevant to your target job. If so, cite those experiences on your resume as well.

What are some examples of technical skills for your resume for a non-tech job?

Technical skills don’t have to be tied to coding, programming, or other IT-related duties. Technical skills can include anything that requires a specific level of proficiency. Soft skills, on the other hand, are those that aren’t tangible and are related to interactions with colleagues or clients. For example, communication is a soft skill. It would be odd to say you had a moderate or advanced proficiency in communication.

Some examples of sought-after technical skills for non-tech jobs include proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially advanced Excel and Access skills, data entry skills, and familiarity with customer relationship management (CRM) systems, like HubSpot or Salesforce, and accounting software, such as QuickBooks.

How do you include certifications for technical skills?

Anyone can say that they are proficient in something. But backing that claim up with an objective measure, such as certification, can help you stand out from other applicants with the same set of skills. Certifications and licenses can be listed either in the education section of your resume or be set apart with their own header. Each entry should include the name of the certification, the organization that awarded it, when it was achieved, and when it expires, if applicable.

If a technical skill is listed in the job description as a must-have and you hold a certification or credential in it, this is also worth mentioning in your profile summary. Doing so immediately lets the hiring manager know that you meet the qualifications of the position so they can prioritize your resume.

Should professional and technical skills be listed in separate sections?

Professional and technical skills can be listed under the same key skills header or be divided into separate lists. Which approach to take depends on how many skills you’re listing and what the job description is asking for. If you have a long list of skills, separating them can make it easier to skim. Having two lists is also a good idea when the position asks for specific technical skills, as this ensures your qualifications don’t get lost in the rest of your resume.

 

How can I determine the right technical skills for my resume?

To determine the right technical skills for your resume, start by reviewing the job description closely. Employers often list required or preferred technical skills within the job posting, making it easier to know what they expect from candidates. In addition, researching industry standards, reviewing other job postings in your field, and speaking with professionals or hiring managers can provide insight into the most sought-after skills. Using LinkedIn or other networking platforms to see what professionals in similar roles have listed can also help you identify key technical skills to include.

It’s also worth looking at the specific tools, software, and methodologies mentioned in the job description. For example, positions in marketing often require familiarity with platforms like Google Analytics or Adobe Creative Suite. If you’re applying for a project management role, tools like Jira or Trello may be essential to highlight.

How many technical skills should I list on my resume?

There is no set number for how many technical skills you should include, but a good guideline is to list between 10 and 15 skills that are directly relevant to the job. While it might be tempting to fill up your resume with as many technical skills as possible, quality is far more important than quantity. Focus on those skills that showcase your expertise, match the job requirements, and add value to your candidacy.

Remember, skills like “proficient in Microsoft Word” may not hold as much weight compared to industry-specific tools or high-demand skills, especially for mid- or senior-level positions. You can prioritize the most crucial skills by ranking them or placing them under specific categories such as “Technical Proficiencies” or “Core Skills.”

How do I demonstrate my technical skills effectively on my resume?

It’s one thing to list technical skills, but it’s even more impactful to demonstrate how you’ve used them to achieve results. In your experience section, integrate your technical skills into the descriptions of your responsibilities and accomplishments. Use action verbs to show how you applied those skills in real-world situations. For example, instead of just listing “data analysis,” say, “Utilized advanced Excel and SQL queries to analyze sales data, resulting in a 20% increase in quarterly revenue.”

This approach not only shows that you possess the necessary skills, but also that you know how to use them effectively in the workplace to generate results.

How should I order my technical skills on my resume?

The order of your technical skills can affect how they are perceived by recruiters. You should prioritize the most relevant skills based on the job description and industry demands. For example, if you’re applying for a software engineering role, it’s best to list programming languages and frameworks (like Python, Java, or React) at the top of your skills section.

If you’re applying for a digital marketing position, tools like Google Analytics or SEO-related skills should be prioritized. Ordering your skills based on relevance ensures that hiring managers see your qualifications immediately.

Additionally, consider organizing your technical skills into categories if you’re listing many skills. For example, you could have separate subheadings like “Programming Languages,” “Data Analysis Tools,” or “Design Software” to make it easier for recruiters to navigate your resume.

Should I include beginner-level technical skills?

It’s generally not a good idea to include beginner-level technical skills unless they are required for the position or you’re currently improving those skills through courses or hands-on projects.

For instance, if you’re applying for an entry-level role and are still learning some essential software or tools, you can mention that you are “currently developing proficiency” in certain technical areas. However, for experienced professionals, including beginner-level skills can detract from the overall strength of your resume, as it may suggest you lack depth in more important areas.

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