Technical Skills for Your Resume: Definition and Examples

What are technical skills?

Technical skills are hard skills needed to perform specific tasks or work with particular tools and systems. These skills are typically learned through formal education, training, or hands-on experience.

Including technical skills on your resume is important because they demonstrate your ability to handle the practical demands of a job. By showcasing them clearly, you provide employers with evidence of your qualifications and increase your chances of standing out in a competitive job market.

When you put technical skills on your resume, sometimes a simple list in your skills section is enough. However, you should also describe your abilities in greater detail in your work experience section.

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Technical skills examples for in-demand industries

Whether you’re aiming for a career in tech, healthcare, or marketing, knowing the best skills to list on your resume is key. Here are examples of the most sought-after skills in some of today’s fastest-growing fields.

1. Healthcare

Healthcare is a dynamic and specialized field where each job requires a unique set of technical skills to ensure high-quality patient care. Here are some of the most in-demand healthcare skills:

• Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and basic life support (BLS) certification
• Phlebotomy and venipuncture
• Patient assessment and vital signs monitoring
• Wound care and dressing changes
• IV therapy administration
• Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems expertise, particularly Epic and Cerner
• Medical device operation (e.g., ventilators, patient monitors, infusion pumps)
• Infection control protocols
• HIPAA compliance
• Clinical documentation

2. Retail

Retail professionals need a unique blend of skills to manage inventory, interact with customers, and drive sales effectively. Here are some of the most sought-after retail skills to add to your resume:

• POS systems and cash handling
• Inventory management software
• Visual merchandising
• Loss prevention techniques
• Order fulfillment systems
• Mobile payment processing
• Digital loyalty programs
• Retail analytics tools
• Stock management software
• RFID inventory tracking

3. Food service

Success in food service depends on specific technical skills that ensure efficiency, accuracy, and excellent customer experiences. Below are some of the key food service skills employers look for:

• POS (Point of Sale) system operation
• Food safety certification (ServSafe)
• Cash handling and reconciliation
• Commercial kitchen equipment operation
• Order management systems (Toast, Square)
• Food prep
• Food plating techniques
• Commercial dishwasher operation
• Food allergen safety
• Kitchen sanitation protocols

4. Education

Education is a field that calls for both creativity and technical know-how to foster learning and inspire students. Schools look for candidates who can bring these critical skills to their classrooms:

• Learning Management System (LMS) proficiency (Canvas, Blackboard)
• Student data management and tracking
• Curriculum development
• Differentiated instruction techniques
• IEP (Individualized Education Program) development
• Assessment design
• Student information systems (PowerSchool, Infinite Campus)
• Behavior management systems
• Progress monitoring and data collection
• Special education documentation systems

5. IT & tech

In IT and technology, having the right skills is critical for solving complex problems and staying ahead of industry trends. Including the following skills on your resume shows your ability to thrive in this dynamic field:

• Cloud computing (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
• DevOps and CI/CD
• Cybersecurity and network security
• Machine learning and AI development
• Full-stack development
• API development and integration
• Network administration and troubleshooting
• Version control (Git)
• Mobile app development (iOS/Android)
• UI/UX design and prototyping

6. Finance

Finance professionals rely on technical skills to interpret data, create financial models, and ensure regulatory compliance. Below are some of the most in-demand finance skills:

• Financial modeling and forecasting
• SQL and data analysis
• Advanced Excel and VBA
• Risk assessment and management
• Financial reporting and analysis
• Bloomberg Terminal proficiency
• Accounting software (QuickBooks, NetSuite)
• Investment portfolio management
• Financial compliance and regulations
• ERP systems (SAP, Oracle)

7. Business & data analysis

Business and data analysis roles require specialized skills to interpret data, generate insights, and support strategic decision-making. Employers prioritize candidates with these essential skills:

• SQL and database querying
• Advanced Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, macros)
• Data visualization (Tableau, Power BI)
• Statistical analysis
• A/B testing methodology
• ETL processes
• Predictive modeling
• Process mapping and optimization
• Google Analytics
• Data cleaning and preprocessing

8. Engineering

Engineering is a diverse field, so the technical skills you’ll need vary depending on your particular expertise. Desirable engineering skills include the following:

• Project management tools (MS Project, Primavera)
• CAD/CAM software (AutoCAD, SolidWorks)
• Data modeling
• Statistics and probability
• MATLAB
• Visual Basic
• Trimble SketchUp Pro
• PLC programming
• 3D modeling and simulation
• Structural analysis software

9. Accounting

Having the right accounting skills is critical for managing budgets, preparing reports, and maintaining financial accuracy. Here are some of the most popular accounting skills:

• Intuit QuickBooks
• Sage 50 Accounting
• Intrax ProcedureNet
• Microsoft Dynamics
• SAP
• ERP systems
• Cost and trend analysis
• GAAP and FASB knowledge
• Auditing
• Payroll processing

10. Marketing

Success in marketing depends on mastering skills that drive engagement, optimize strategies, and deliver measurable results. Here are some of the top marketing skills to include on your resume:

• SEO/SEM
• Social media marketing
• Google Analytics
• Customer relationship management (CRM) systems
• Email marketing automation (Mailchimp, HubSpot)
• Content management systems (WordPress, Drupal)
• Marketing automation tools
• PPC campaign management
• A/B testing and conversion optimization
• Marketing attribution modeling

11. Graphic design

A career in graphic design demands expertise in design software, layout principles, and creative problem solving. Here are some of the most common graphic design skills:

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• UI/UX design tools (Figma, Sketch)
• Motion graphics (After Effects)
• 3D modeling and rendering
• Typography and layout
• Design systems management
• Prototyping tools
• Color theory and application
• Branding
• Wireframing tools

How to list technical skills on your resume

The skills that are most relevant to your target job should be featured throughout your resume so the hiring manager can quickly scan and assess them.

Put your most relevant skills in your resume summary

The first part of your resume that hiring managers read is your resume summary — a 2–4 sentence highlight reel of your most impressive skills and qualifications. So if you have the key technical skills they’re looking for, include them in this section to grab their attention right away and keep them reading the rest of your resume.

Here’s an example of a well-written resume summary that emphasizes the candidate’s technical skills:

Create a dedicated skills section

Read the job description carefully and take note of any key skills the employer is looking for. Then, put the ones that match your skill set in a dedicated skills section. Format this section as a bulleted list to make it easy to read, and put the most important skills at the top:

If you have a lot of technical skills you want to include, you can categorize them like this:

Demonstrate your technical skills in your work experience bullets

You should explain how you used your technical skills in your resume’s work experience section.

Create bullet points that describe your professional accomplishments on your resume. For example:

How to improve your technical skills

Strengthening your technical skills is essential for staying competitive in your industry. Here are five practical ways to keep sharpening your skill set:

1. Join a course or training program

Enrolling in a course or training program is one of the most structured ways to develop your technical skills.

Whether through online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, or edX, or in-person classes at local institutions, you can find courses tailored to your specific needs. Certifications from these programs not only expand your knowledge but also add credibility to your resume.

2. Attend workshops or bootcamps

Workshops and bootcamps offer hands-on learning experiences that immerse you in technical concepts over a short period.

These intensive sessions are often led by industry experts and focus on practical, real-world applications of technical skills. Bootcamps, especially for coding, data science, and digital marketing, can help you gain expertise in high-demand areas quickly.

3. Learn new tools on your own

Self-learning is a flexible and effective way to improve your technical skills. Many resources, such as YouTube tutorials, free online courses, and community forums, can guide you in mastering new tools or technologies.

Setting up personal projects or experimenting with software on your own are also great ways to learn at your own pace while building practical experience.

4. Contribute to open-source or volunteer projects

Participating in open-source projects or volunteering your technical expertise can help you refine your skills in a collaborative environment.

Platforms like GitHub allow you to contribute to real-world projects, improving your coding, debugging, or software design skills.

Volunteering for non-profits or small businesses can also give you valuable experience while making a positive impact.

5. Take advantage of employer resources

Many employers offer resources such as training programs, workshops, or subscriptions to learning platforms to help employees grow their technical expertise. Take full advantage of these opportunities to upskill and grow within your company.

Answers to common questions about technical skills

Below we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about technical skills:

Why are technical skills important?

Technical skills are important because they demonstrate your ability to perform job-specific tasks effectively. Employers rely on these skills to assess your readiness to contribute and handle responsibilities with confidence.

How do I identify which technical skills I need?

To identify the technical skills you need, start by reviewing job descriptions for roles you’re interested in. Look for recurring tools, technologies, or proficiencies that employers list as requirements.

Focus on the skills mentioned most often, as these are likely essential for success in the role. Use this information to prioritize which skills to feature on your resume.

How are technical skills different from soft skills?

Technical skills are specific, measurable abilities required to perform job-related tasks, such as coding, data analysis, or operating equipment.

Soft skills, on the other hand, are interpersonal and behavioral traits like communication, and teamwork. These skills are harder to quantify and focus on how you interact with others and approach work.

Do I need formal education to learn technical skills?

No, formal education isn’t always necessary to learn technical skills. Many skills can be acquired through online courses, bootcamps, tutorials, or hands-on practice.

While formal education can provide a strong foundation and credibility, especially in fields like engineering or healthcare, self-directed learning and certifications are often sufficient for roles in technology, marketing, or design.

Practical experiences, such as personal projects or internships, can also demonstrate your technical skills to employers.

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Additional skills-related resources

Here are more skills-related resources to help you write your resume.

• In-demand job skills
• Transferable skills
• Skills-based resume
• Skills to add to LinkedIn
• Problem-solving skills
• People skills for your resume
• Is a skills section necessary on a resume?
• How many skills should you list on a resume?