How to list technical skills on your resume (25+ samples & examples)

Your resume technical skills section will be an employer’s first look at what you’re capable of. One of the first things they look for when they read an application is the right skill set.

Companies are looking for talented candidates, and the technical skills you put on your resume may be the difference between getting rejected and getting the interview.

The right list of technical skills for your resume will depend on the job posting, however. Your skills list should always be based on the application.

With that in mind, here are some easy tips for displaying technical skills on your resume.

What are technical skills?

Technical skills are the specific abilities that are needed to complete particular tasks. They are usually job-specific, and are often related to technology, like a type of software or machine.

Resume skills may be physical in nature, such as TIG welding or machining, or digital, such as C++ or data analysis. Technical skills require practise and experience to develop, and are highly sought after by employers. Even entry-level jobs, like retail or food service, may require technical skills, such as cash handling or using point-of-service systems.

Unlike soft skills, which are strengths that help you to work hard, collaborate, and solve problems, technical skills may require certifications or education.

Browse our gallery of resume examples here.

Technical skills can be learned in school, at workshops, or on the job, but it’s important to be able to back up any claims you make in your resume. Companies will likely test or measure your technical abilities as a part of the interview process. For example, if you interview for a job in computer programming, you will likely be asked to complete a technical interview where your competence with the tools of the job will be evaluated.

Why do you need a technical skills section on your resume?

It’s important to let employers know that you have the right skills for the job. When you apply for a role, the company will be checking your resume to see if you have what it takes. The better your skills, the faster you will adapt to the new job and the less time the company can spend training you. Candidates who can handle the responsibilities of that specific position are much more likely to be hired.

Employers only spend a few seconds reading each resume, so it’s important to make sure your skills section draws their eye. Your Work History Section and descriptions of past roles may show what expertise you have to offer, but to ensure employers know exactly what skills you bring to the table it’s best to create a distinct list. This makes your skills easy to find and gives employers an overview of your skill set without making them read the entire resume.

Browse our gallery of resume templates here.

Displaying your technical skills

The best way to display your technical skills is in a distinct Skills section. You should show your skills in the rest of your resume throughout your qualifications and job descriptions, but it’s important to have a concise list as well. This allows readers to quickly skim your application and see your resume technical skills in one place. To create a Skills section:

1: Create a skills section (or two)

To display your technical skills, start by creating a Skills section in your resume. Give this section a heading like “Skills”, “Core Competencies”, or something similar. You can then list your skills beneath that heading. Most job seekers list all of their skills under one title, both technical skills and soft skills.

If you would like to keep your technical skills separate from your soft skills, you can create two different Skills sections. For your technical skills, title one of the sections “Technical Skills” or something related to your field, like “Financial Skills”. For your soft skills, create another section called “Soft Skills”, “Leadership Skills”, or something similar. This way, you can keep your skill set organized and make your technical skills even easier to find.

2: Choose your most relevant and impressive technical skills

Not all jobs require the same skills, so it’s important to remember to customize your resume technical skills every time you apply for a new job.

To customize your resume, research the company and the role. You should know exactly what the company is looking for, what their company culture is like, and what kind of skills are in demand in your industry.

The best technical skills to put on your resume are the skills listed in the job posting. The company will have specific needs for the role, and your resume should reflect this. Use the language of the job posting in your Technical Skills section to show that you have exactly what they’re looking for. For example, if the posting asks for candidates with experience in jQuery, POS systems, or TIG welding, make sure to use that exact phrase in your resume technical skills (as long as it’s true!).

3: List your technical skills

In your Skills section, display your technical skills in a simple list. They should be well-organized and easy to read.

Place the most impressive and most relevant skills at the top of the list. The skills explicitly asked for in the job posting are the ones you should emphasize most.

Technical Skills

• C++
• SQL
• Java
• JavaScript
• Corel Draw
• Photoshop
• Illustrator

If you would like to create categories in your skills list, you can use each bullet in the list as a separate category. For example, use one bullet to display programming skills and the next to show design skills:

• Programming: C++, SQL, Java, JavaScript
• Design: Corel Draw, Photoshop, Illustrator

For a list of skills that really stands out, you can also include a strength rating out of 10 for each skill. With skill strength bars, like those offered in an online CV builder, you can visually demonstrate your abilities with each skill.

4: Show your skills throughout the resume

Your Skills section is the most succinct list of your skills, but the rest of your resume should show your skills as well. Throughout your Summary section, Work History section, and other parts of your resume, emphasize achievements that demonstrate your abilities.

If you list Agile methodology as a technical skill, for example, you can emphasize this in your Work Experience section by noting that you “led an Agile team of 5 developers” or “implemented Agile methodology throughout development department teams.” Every part of your resume must contribute to showcasing your skills.

Technical skills examples for your resume

The specific technical skills that you display on your resume will depend on your skill set, your industry, and the job you’re applying to. When deciding which skills to foreground, it’s important to know what the company is looking for and what you’re best at.

(And if you find throughout your job search that many companies are looking for technical skills that you don’t have, there is never a bad time to upskill.)

With that in mind, here are some technical skills that may work for your career:

Programming technical skills examples for resumes

When looking for a job in computer programming, it’s important to highlight the programming languages and technologies that you have experience in. Most job postings for programming roles will list the languages that the role requires, so be sure to prominently feature the programming technical skills that they’re looking for.

• Javascript
• PHP
• HTML
• REST
• Configuration
• Debugging
• UX
• Operating systems
• Security
• Troubleshooting
• Testing
• Technical support
• Systems analysis

Digital marketing technical skills examples for resumes

Digital marketing roles may include social media management, blogging, SEO, and more. It’s important to highlight your specialties and show that you are a skilled marketer with the right digital marketing technical skills for the job.

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
• Blogging
• Affiliate marketing
• E-commerce
• Analytics
• Automated Marketing Software
• Content Management Systems

Data analysis technical skills examples for resumes

Data analysis is integral to how businesses learn and grow in a fast-paced market. People with the ability to organize data and create data-driven business plans are in high demand. With the right data analysis technical skills, you can become an irreplaceable part of your next company.

• Data Mining
• Algorithms
• Database Design
• Database Management
• Statistical Analysis
• Data Analytics
• SQL
• Quantitative Research
• Documentation

Project management technical skills examples for resumes

Project management technical skills are in high demand. Good management can be the factor that makes or breaks an important project. If you are customizing your resume for a project management position, be sure to showcase the technical skills that make you a great manager.

• Performance Review
• Benchmarking
• Quality Assurance
• Budget Planning
• Project Planning
• Task Delegation
• Task Management
• Quality Control
• Scheduling

Technical writing technical skills examples for resumes

While technical writing itself is often considered a technical skill, there are also many subcategories of technical writing that you may specialize in. When you apply for a role in technical writing, be sure to emphasize the specific skills that the job posting asked for.

• Technical Documentation
• Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)
• Research
• Client Management
• Requirements Gathering
• Grant Writing
• Standard Operating Procedures

Healthcare technical skills examples for resume writing

Healthcare workers are always in demand. Whether you’re a medical assistant, health care aid, Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, radiologist assistant, or hold any other health care role, there is plenty of demand for skilled workers in your field. When you write your healthcare resume, make sure it has the right technical skills for a healthcare role.

• Medical billing
• Patient care
• Record-keeping
• Electronic medical record software
• Sonography
• CPR
• BLS
• Performing EKGs

Product management technical skills examples for resumes

In addition to strong people skills and communication abilities, product managers need to have the right technical skills to be effective. As product manager you will be expected to lead teams, ship new features, maintain strong communication between different departments (including development, design, and marketing), develop revenue models, and drive user adoption. For a great product management resume, include skills like:

• Product roadmaps
• User experience design
• SCRUM methodology
• Agile methodology
• Product lifecycle
• Negotiation
• Quality Assurance
• Stakeholder management

Design technical skills examples for resume success

When an employer is hiring for design roles, whether in graphic design, product design, or even interior design, they will be looking for certain technical skills. You can’t score an interview on good taste alone. It’s important to reassure employers that you are familiar with all the tools of the trade. Technical skills to put on your resume include:

• HTML
• CSS
• Interactive media
• Wireframing
• UX research
• Prototyping
• Responsive design
• Photoshop
• Illustrator
• InDesign
• User modeling
• Customer journey mapping

Research technical skills examples for your resume

Research is an important skill in many industries. Even if the role you’re applying to isn’t explicitly a research role, like fact checker, journalist, or research assistant, research skills can be important. No matter where you work, you could be tasked with researching competitors, products, processes, and more. If you want to include your research abilities in your next application, consider this list of technical skills for your resume:

• Data collection
• Networking
• Source checking
• Intellectual property rights
• Report writing
• Interviewing
• Focus groups
• Web search

Troubleshooting technical skills examples for resumes

Troubleshooting is an important part of using any technology. You don’t truly understand a product if you can’t find and fix common problems, or at least work around them. Even if you aren’t applying to a QA role, troubleshooting skills can look good on your resume. Troubleshooting technical skills to put on your resume include:

• Quality Assurance
• System knowledge
• Testing
• Research
• Communication
• Analysis

Video technical skills examples for resumes

Video creation is a powerful skill for people in many industries, whether it’s film, marketing, or customer support. The right resume technical skills will depend on your specific role, whether it’s director, editor, set designer, or any video-related role, but it’s important to make it clear what skills you have and what tools you can use. Video technical skills examples for your resume include:

• Shooting
• Directing
• Lighting
• Video editing
• Sound editing
• Writing
• Script supervision
• Final Cut Pro

Computer science technical skills examples for resume writing

Computer science technical skills are very useful in the modern workplace and can be an asset in many different careers. Data scientists, software developers, IT experts, Research and Development specialists, database administrators, and more, all need computer science skills to be successful in their careers. Resume technical skills for computer science professionals include:

• CAD Software
• System design
• Statistics
• Technical reporting
• MATLAB
• Visual Studio
• Emacs
• Dreamweaver
• R
• AWS
• SketchUp
• Data modeling
• Eclipse

Engineering technical skills examples for resumes

The right engineering resume technical skills for you will depend on what you specialize in. There is some overlap between civic engineers and materials engineers, but the tools they work with may not be identical. Even so, here are some possible engineering technical skills you can consider for your resume:

• Casting
• Machining
• Assembling
• SolidWorks
• AutoCAD
• Python
• Structural Analysis

Journalism technical skills examples for resume writing

Journalism can be an uncertain career, but it’s irresistible to those who hear its call. In a competitive media landscape, your journalism resume should to have everything it needs to impress employers. Whether you’re a freelancer, an editor, or looking to become a star reporter for the New York Times, it’s important to develop your technical skills as much as possible. Resume technical skills for journalists include:

• Interviewing
• Reporting
• Note-taking
• Fact-checking
• Editing
• Research
• Self-promotion
• Time management

Logistics technical skills examples for resume writing

Logistics coordinators are integral to the functioning of many businesses. Any time products need to be shipped, tracked, and sold, someone has to be keeping an eye on the supply chain. This can require expertise in billing, developing relationships with clients and customers, coordinating suppliers, and optimizing costs and ship times. Logistics technical skills to put on your resume include:

• Invoicing
• Freight monitoring
• Document distribution
• Quoting
• Customs
• Route selection
• Track and trace
• Account management
• Dispute resolution
• Process development

Administration technical skills examples for resume success

Office administrators, program administrators, executive assistants, secretaries, and more, all need administration technical skills to put on their resume. Administration can mean different things depending on your role, field, and department, but any employer with an open administrator position will be looking for specific abilities. As you write your administration resume, consider these technical skills:

• Production planning
• Microsoft Excel
• Scheduling
• Document preparation
• Processing invoices
• Phone operation
• Event coordination
• Bookkeeping
• Payroll
• Filing

Architecture technical skills examples for resume writing

Architects are primarily responsible for designing buildings. Architects have to pay attention to the aesthetic, function, and safety of built structures, both new and existing. Depending on the role, architects may design a building using software, design parts of a structure as a part of a larger project, supervise new construction, inspect older buildings, and more. Some resume technical skills for architects include:

• Drafting
• Industrial design
• Budgeting
• Materials science
• AutoCAD
• Rendering
• Revit
• Zoning codes
• Building codes

Help desk technical skills examples for your resume

The specific duties of a help desk specialist will depend on the company and the role. Some help desk specialists work remotely, assisting customers with product questions and billing problems, while others work on-site, helping clients use products, services, and hardware. This role relies on strong soft skills, like communication, teamwork, and time management, but there are many technical skills to put on your resume as well, such as:

• Troubleshooting
• Zendesk
• Helpscout
• Self-management
• Product expertise
• Billing systems
• Software
• Password administration
• Booking and scheduling
• Phone systems
• Device configuration
• Product onboarding

Information security technical skills examples for your resume

Cybersecurity is an important and growing field. Nearly all employers use the internet in one way or another, and they all need to make sure their data is safe and secure. If you want a meaningful and future-proof career, information security is a good choice. Whether you want to work in-house for a large company, or work with clients at an information security firm, it’s important to develop impressive technical skills to display on your resume. Information security technical skills include:

• SIEM Management
• FISMA Compliance
• HIPAA Compliance
• Intrusion Detection Systems
• Intrusion Prevention Systems
• Security analysis
• Incident response
• Automation
• Data science

Content management technical skills examples for your resume

All businesses need websites, and all websites need content. If you want to create a great career in the digital age, developing a robust set of content management technical skills to put on your resume is a great place to start. Content managers write, edit, and curate content that is published online. This involves working with copywriters, contractors, marketing specialists, and designers. It may require some management abilities, social media savvy, an eye for detail, and more. Content manager resume technical skills include:

• Writing
• Editing
• Proofreading
• Content creation
• Social media management
• Content management system (CMS) proficiency
• Search engine optimization
• Scheduling

Sales technical skills examples for your resume

Sales is a demanding field, but it can be rewarding for the right kind of person. More than just selling products and services, sales jobs require you to create relationships with customers and clients, keeping them informed of your company’s offerings and ensuring that they feel supported and looked-after as they use the services. Sales roles can entail inside sales, B2B, cold calls, travelling, and more. If you’re creating a resume for a sales role, consider this list of technical skills for your resume:

• Salesforce
• Cold calls
• Client management
• Billing
• Sales prospecting
• Social selling
• Product knowledge
• Territory management
• Objection handling
• Presentation software
• Negotiation
• Customer relationship management tools
• Buyer research
• Productivity software

Accounting technical skills examples for resumes

When hiring an accountant, employers look for an understanding of accounting regulations, proficiency in particular tools, and strong technical skills. While you should always research potential employers and customize your resume to suit the type of accounting you specialize in, there are plenty of accountant resume technical skills that can look good on a resume:

• QuickBooks
• Intrax ProcedureNet
• Microsoft Dynamics
• Microsoft Excel
• Regulatory standards
• SAP
• Oracle
• FINRA
• ERP systems
• Cost and trend analysis
• GAAP
• Auditing

Warehouse technical skills examples for resume success

Many organizations need to ship, receive, and store items, all of which require warehouses. As online shopping becomes more popular, warehouses become even more important. Someone has to be there to organize, pack, and store all the items that are delivered to peoples’ doors. Whether you’re a labourer, forklift driver, or manager, warehouse jobs can be very physical and require some specialized knowledge. Warehouse technical skills examples for resumes include:

• Spreadsheets
• Microsoft Excel
• Supplies procurement
• Scheduling
• Personnel management
• Inventory
• Preventative maintenance
• Forklift license
• Regulation knowledge
• Shipping and receiving
• Scheduling
• Pallet jack

Retail technical skills examples for your resume

Retail workers spend long hours on their feet, working the sales floor, operating the cash register, and assisting customers. Retail work is a field that requires good people skills, stamina, and a lot of patience, but for the right person, it can be very rewarding. Soft skills like communication and patience aren’t all it takes for a successful retail resume, however. You also need to have the hard skills that go with the job. Retail resume technical skills include:

• Math
• Cash handling
• Point of Sale systems
• Product knowledge
• Industry knowledge
• Scheduling
• Merchandising
• Inventory
• Sales
• Active listening

Ecommerce technical skills examples for resume writing

Ecommerce is a broad field that encompasses all of marketing and selling online. It involves advertising, email marketing, search engine optimization, data collection, analytics, design, and development. As there is no sign that people are about to stop buying things online, ecommerce is a great field to get into to ensure a long career. If you’re applying for an ecommerce job, consider this list of technical skills for your resume:

• Email marketing
• Search engine optimization
• Data analytics
• Web development
• Web design
• Social media savvy
• Content writing
• Editing
• Customer relationship management
• Point of sale technology

Welding technical skills examples for resumes

Welding is the process of using heat to fuse pieces of metal together. It is integral to many manufacturing and construction processes. If you’re looking to become a welder, you will likely need to get certified, but even with a certification your resume needs to list your skills. Welding technical skills to put on your resume include:

• TIG welding
• MIG welding
• Stick welding
• Angle grinding
• Measuring
• Blueprints
• PPE
• Arc welding

Secretary technical skills examples for resumes

Secretaries are responsible for professional administrative duties like taking calls, managing correspondence, scheduling meetings, and greeting guests. Whether you’re at the front desk of an office, act as an office administrator, or work as a private secretary, it’s important to have the right organizational skills and multitasking abilities. Secretary technical skills to put on your resume include:

• Operating phones
• Scheduling software
• Office hardware knowledge
• Note Taking
• Typing
• Filing
• Appointment booking
• Industry knowledge
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Invoicing
• Expensing
• Calendar software

More technical skills

Your skill set is unique, and the competencies that you have developed throughout your career will depend on your interests, your education, and your previous jobs. When writing your resume, make sure that you understand your own abilities and what companies in your industry are looking for. With a well-targeted resume and the right technical skills, you can make your resume irresistible to employers.

• Accounting Software
• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software
• Database Software
• Information Security
• Video Editing and Creation
• Cloud/SaaS Services
• Database Management
• Telecommunications
• Microsoft Office Certifications
• Kanban
• Business intelligence
• PMP
• Metallurgy
• Manufacturing process
• Engineering drawing
• Calculus

What are Technical Skills?

Technical skills are the specific abilities that are needed to complete particular tasks. They are usually job-specific, and are often related to technology, like a type of software or machine.

Why are Technical Skills Important?

Employers only spend a few seconds reading each resume, so it’s important to make sure your skills section catches their eye. Your work history Section and descriptions of past roles may show what expertise you have to offer, but to ensure employers know exactly what skills you bring to the table it’s best to create a distinct list.

How do you Describe Technical Skills?

Apart from listing them on a resume skills section - you can also describe your technical skills by leveraging your summary (or objective), work history and accomplishments sections of your resume.

For example, you can describe TDD technical skill on your resume by highlighting “Achieved 100% test coverage by following TDD” in your work experience section.