Knowing computers is an essential part of any job, and it does not matter which industry you are working in. You will always need some basic computer skills: to keep track of accounts, send and receive emails, make templates for everyday tasks, or simply organize your day by keeping track of all the tasks done. And the skills will be considerably higher if you are into a profession that requires thorough knowledge of software and tools.
Listing your computer skills adequately on the resume is integral to securing your job. Unless your employer knows that you can handle software and project management tools deftly, they will be apprehensive about handing over your responsibilities to you.
So, listing them and showing your employer that you can use them can be an added advantage when it comes to securing the job. Skills that you can display on your resume: above-average skills on computers, ability to use various software and tools to solve problems, design, and execute a project successfully, can make you an asset at your workplace.
What can You Accomplish if You are Good with Computers?
When you say you are good with computers, you are expected to know beyond the basic computer skills of sending emails or typing out documents. Most employers now expect their employees to be good with MS Office, video call tools, and minor troubleshooting operations.
In addition, when you say you are good with computers, you should also be able to use a plethora of software applications, make detailed and effective PowerPoint presentations, use project management tools, and take care of the database and analytics.
When you list your computer skills, you should make it a point to relate your skills to the job you are applying for to create maximum impact. Your employer would know that your computer skills are something they can bank on when they give you the job.
Examples of Computer Skills You can List on the Resume
Here are some of the skills that you could list on your resume.
- Proficient in Using MS-Office: Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
- Deft at using HTML Coding
- Understanding Social Media and Social Media Analytics
- Thorough Knowledge of SEO
- Good with Troubleshooting Websites
- Deft at using Adobe Photoshop and other graphic designing tools.
How Can You Emphasize Your Computer Skills on the Resume?
When you list your computer skills on the resume, you should ideally highlight how they can help you do better at your job and also how you have used your computer skills in the past to attain the best results. Here is how you can highlight them effectively.
#1. Add Skills Related to Your Job
Suppose the position you are applying for only requires a couple of computer skills. In that case, it is better to highlight those skills rather than adding multiple skills that are not related to the position in any way.
For example, you might be applying for a graphic or web designer position, so saying you have a detailed knowledge of using every feature of Microsoft Excel to manage spreadsheets will not help. Instead, highlight what you know of using graphic and web designing tools, how you have used them in the past, and what kind of courses you are undergoing to hone your skills further.
#2. Be Precise
While listing your computer skills on the resume, it is essential to be specific and precise. You should expressly state which kind of software you’re using and your expertise in each of them. How proficient are you in using Adobe Photoshop if you are applying for a graphic designing job?
Are you aware of the latest upgrades?
Having extensive knowledge of the software you are going to use the most is crucial for securing a job that involves a specific role. List your computer skills precisely with bullet points and relate each of them to the job you are applying for. Hence, your prospective employers will know exactly how you can use your skills to do the tasks assigned to you.
#3. Provide Examples
Your prospective employers must know to what extent you can use your computer skills and how you have done so in the past. Hence, citing examples is always a good idea. You can do so by stating the tasks and projects you have completed using your computer skills.
For example, is there a specific website you have designed? Or an app you had built from scratch by using your coding skills? You can do so by adding the lists of tasks in your work experience section. Hence, if you have a knowledge of computer languages, you can use them to showcase how you have used them earlier. This is the most critical section, so be as accurate as possible.
#4. Using Action Verbs
Using action verbs goes a long way in demonstrating your computer skills. It shows that your knowledge is not simply theoretical. You have effectively used the skills in the past to achieve concrete results.
They help in conveying the message more accurately. It also helps in shortlisting resumes from a large number of candidates. Action verbs like used, recorded, created, modified, upgraded, designed, and such can be crucial in highlighting your skills.
8 Computer Skills that You can List on the Resume
Here is a list of computer skills you can use to put on your resume. You can use them depending on your proficiency and your skillset. Or, you can also use them as a guide and try to upgrade your skills based on them. For your resume, only list the exact tools under each head you are familiar with and relate them to any previous project you might have worked on.
#1. MS Office
Almost every job you apply for will require a basic knowledge of Microsoft Office, which includes.
- Access
- Excel
- OneNote
- Outlook
- PowerPoint
- Word
- OneNote
#2. G-Suite
Google Office has also become as important as Microsoft Office, and knowing about them can be a huge advantage. This includes.
- Hangouts
- Gmail
- Slides
- Sites
- Calendar
- Forms
- Docs
- Drive Sheets
#3. Email
There is a lot more than simply sending or receiving emails over your standard Yahoo Mail or Gmail. If you have to use email automation tools, then knowledge of the following could help.
- Filters
- GetResponse
- Benchmark
- ActiveCampaign
- Folders
- MailBird
- HubSpot
- Outlook
- Rules
- SendX
- Thunderbird
Also Read: How To Email a Recruiter: 5 Best Examples, Tips & Templates
#4. Web and Coding
Suppose you are trying for a job interview that involves coding. In that case, knowing the following will be useful, and you could list them accordingly.
- CSS
- Java
- HTML
- WordPress
- Joomla
- Code libraries
- Content Management Systems
#5. Social Media
With social media marketing becoming a big part of brand recognition, knowing how to handle social media tools. This includes.
- YouTube
However, do not just state you can use social media platforms. State how you can use them effectively to handle ad campaigns, bring in more audience, enhance client engagement and increase brand recognition through them.
Bonus Read: In-demand Digital Marketing Skills in 2022
#6. Writing
Gone are the days when one had to use the typewriter for writing anything. Now, there are several tools to make the task easier. Knowledge of the following aspects could be beneficial.
These include.
- WordPress
- Yoast
- Hemingway Editor
- Grammarly
These tools can help one produce crisp and flawless writing, which is excellent if you show that your content is fantastic for search engine optimization.
#7. Spreadsheets
No matter which job you do, you will always have to maintain some form of spreadsheet to make your task easier. Some of the tools for the purpose include.
- Excel
- OpenOffice Calc
- Google Sheets
- Numbers
However, once you have named them, you should also state what kind of advanced formulas you are adept at using and whether you can use VBA or macros, advanced charting, conditional formatting, and pivot tables or not. This will give you an added advantage.
#8. Computer Hardware
If you are into computer hardware, a thorough knowledge of the following can be handy.
- Security
- Cisco
- System Administration
- Network Configuration
- Tech Support
- Project Management
- Vendor Management
- Ubuntu
- Linux
- DNS
- Network Automation
- AI/ Machine Learning
In addition, there are several other skills you can list, depending on your area of expertise.
Conclusion
Like any other skills you might have on your resume, listing computer skills is a crucial aspect of landing up with your coveted job. Yes, you also need to ensure that you are as good as you state in your resume. Giving an accurate description of what you can do with the keyboard can help you advance your career. In the meantime, you can keep upgrading your computer skills, and there is so much to learn on the job. If all goes well, you will soon have the position of your dreams.
