Top 50 Computer Skills for Your CV - Tips and Examples
Computer skills are important for almost every job. Here are our picks for top CV skills for a CV and how to feature them.
Computer skills are important for almost every job. Here are our picks for top CV skills for a CV and how to feature them.
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Computer skills are among the most desirable technical skills in our current job market. Knowing different computer programs is something you’ll want to highlight, so we’ve put together this article to show you:
In your job search, you may find that computer skills are a requirement in most jobs and are needed for working efficiently. Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Slack might be needed for an administrative position, or more technical skills such as proficiency in hardware and network support may be required for an IT position.
Most modern CVs need computer skills because they’re so important for working efficiently. Hiring managers are looking for job seekers to have computer skills and in many situations, they’re key skills you need to move forward with a job interview. Here are a few ways you can feature computer skills in your CV.
The most common place to feature your abilities is in the skills section of your CV. What skills to put on a CV? List out a mixture of 8-10 hard skills and soft skills using bullet points, including relevant computer skills for the job. For example, a programmer might list software skills and programming languages such as:
The CV summary or CV objective sections are also a great place to highlight your top computer skills related to the job. Look at the job description to determine what the most desirable skills are and feature a few of them in your professional summary. Look at this CV summary example for a data analyst:
Detail-oriented data analyst with five years of experience working in a fast-paced environment. Proficient in SQL, statistical programming and MATLAB. Skilled in data visualization and management to obtain the most accurate, up-to-date information and pivot table creation.
You can absolutely list your computer skills in the work experience section of your CV. The key is to write about how you used your skills to complete your job and to pair it with a work accomplishment. For example, a graphic designer might write in their bullet points:
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:
Before writing your CV, sit down and create a list of all of the computer skills you have. Do you know how to create awesome PowerPoint presentations? Can you navigate your way around Slack or have a proficient understanding of QuickBooks? Do you have a basic understanding of SEO programs like SEMRush and Ahrefs? Think about all the computer skills under your belt, even if they are not directly related to the job.
Now it’s time to research the job posting and the company to determine which computer skills are most valuable. Read the list of requirements and desirable skills in the job description, and include the skills you have that directly relate to the job responsibilities. No two jobs are the same, so make sure your CV answers the job posting.
As we explained before, you can feature your computer skills in more than one CV section. Beyond listing them in the skills list, you have the opportunity to highlight your top skills in the CV summary or CV objective, as well as the work history section, where you can use quantifiable metrics to underline your proficiency.
There are numerous ways to improve your computer skills.
You can learn about most topics from the comfort of your home nowadays, so it’s no surprise that there are hundreds of online resources geared towards understanding and improving your computer skills. From learning how to code to bettering SEO skills, chances are you’ll find experts teaching courses and giving tutorials (sometimes for free) on these websites:
If learning in person is more of your style, don’t worry! There are also multiple places where you can get certified, learn more about specific computer skills and practice your skills. You’ll likely have to pay a fee to access in-person classes but you may find free workshops in your local area.
Nothing beats real-world experience. Take advantage of opportunities at your job to learn, refine and use your computer skills. If you’re interested in learning more about a skill, ask your supervisor or senior coworker if you can shadow them for a few hours. If you want to put your computer skills to use, offer to help. Most importantly, be receptive to feedback! That’s how we learn.
CVHelp has additional resources to learn more about featuring different skills in your CV.
You can list computer skills you learned on your own time, whether you taught yourself, took online courses or learned them through work experience. However, if you learned skills independently, 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 CV and hoping the hiring manager takes your word.
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 CV.
Check how CV examples in your field typically list their skills for more insight on this.
Whether knowing your way around Microsoft Office Suite or having expert knowledge of Adobe Photoshop, featuring the relevant skills on your CV will show hiring managers and recruiters that you have the technical skills necessary to complete the job, even if your expertise level isn’t high.
Computer skills are highly desirable, so make sure to feature the ones you’re confident enough to use on the job.
The right computer skills for your CV will depend on the job and your qualifications. Every job is different, so read the job description carefully to see the requirements. For example, an advertising agency might be looking for a graphic designer with experience in Adobe Illustrator while another job posting might favor a designer with better proficiency in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom.
The exact list of computer skills potential employers are looking for will depend on the job and company. However, some common computer skills include:
You can find free online computer courses on websites such as:
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