Did you know that the current unemployment rate in the United States is 14.7%? It’s only going to get worse with the recent pandemic wreaking havoc on the world.
If you end up looking for a job, your resume should stand out to make the best first impression. No matter which career you’ll take, having computer skills is always a plus. But what software skills should you include?
Don’t dismiss these skills yet.
In this guide, you’ll learn the top computer skills to put on a resume. Read on and find out:
1. Social Media
In today’s office environment, social networking skills play a vital role. It’s a must if you’re looking for work in marketing and corporate branding niche. The key to making yourself distinct from other applicants is to put your means of leveraging your social media skills.
For example, applying as a communication professional, mention how you helped executives at your former workplace develop Twitter profiles. The more platforms you become adept at, the better.
Within the skills sections of your resume, write any social media-related tools you mastered. Good examples include Hashtagify, Hootsuite, and TweetDeck. If you haven’t tried these, it’s time to get good at least one of them.
2. Graphic Design
In today’s workplace, visuals serve as powerful tools. This explains the usefulness of graphic design skills in a wider variety of fields. It’s a skill that you can put within your work experience section or summary.
To highlight your graphic design skills, you can put the scale of your work within that section. For example, show how you edited photos for a marketing campaign. As for your skills section, put the graphic design software you’re good at, like Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, or Final Cut.
3. Data Analytics
In this competitive business world, employers use data to improve their decision-making capabilities. It’s important to have all information available since certain decisions can affect the entire company. With that, employers are always on the look-out for applicants with data analysis skills.
As a start, name all the data analysis programs and tools you’re good at. For example, Google Analytics and Microsoft Excel are popular picks. But to add more credibility, ensure that you have the metrics that put your achievements into something quantifiable.
For example, if you used spreadsheets that streamline inventory management, use statistics that support it. Maybe your contribution lowered the company’s operating budget by 30%.
4. Programming or Coding
It’s a given skill if you’re looking to get hired as a computer programmer. But that doesn’t mean you should dismiss it otherwise. Companies are always welcoming to employees who have these skills.
Nowadays, writers for startup tech companies can benefit more when they know coding skills. It can aid in better communication with the more tech-oriented departments. That way, you won’t feel alienated when talking to the research and development team.
5. Content Management Systems
If you aren’t willing to learn coding skills, training in content management systems (CMS) is your next best bet. Most companies maintain a website since it’s an important aspect of their business. With it comes the constant upkeep to ensure relevancy and bring more customers.
Take note, individuals with great tech skills can update websites back when the internet was a fledgling technology. But with the growth of CMS, almost anyone can update and maintain sites, as long as they put in effort in learning. To start, learn how to use WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla since they’re the most popular.
6. Email
Anyone can send emails, but not everyone can mail merge or schedule messages to send at a specific time. This holds regardless of the industry you’re in since email is a great method of professional communication. You have more advantages if you know how to use email management software like Microsoft Outlook.
If you’re expanding your office skills, read this guide to learn how to recover clipboard history using the Mac.
7. Cybersecurity
The digital age expanded the use of computer management, with power grids and military equipment using this technology. But with it came the rise of hackers, who use their capabilities to disrupt establishments and government agencies.
With that, more companies are taking their cybersecurity seriously. If you have these skills, you become a more valuable member of the company. Be descriptive with your cybersecurity abilities, and list what you’re good at.
The most important skills include malware analysis, malware reversal, and data encryption. If you’re good with these, don’t hesitate and flaunt it.
How to Make Your Skills Stand Out
With these skills, you can now work towards highlighting them in your resume and job interview. Here are some tips:
1. Highlight Your Skills in the Cover Letter
Your letter shouldn’t be a skills list, so make it more engaging. But it’s always better to bring up some skills related to the job description of your desired work. For instance, you can talk about your social media skills if the job listing requires that skill.
2. Use Skill Words in the Job Interview
If you end up getting an interview appointment, look at the job description for the last time. List some of the most vital skills needed to succeed in that position. That way, once interviewed you can talk about instances where you excelled in these skills.
3. Add All Relevant Skills to the Resume
Always read the job description thoroughly since jobs need varying skills. That can help you focus on what the employer requires. A good method is to put in your skills when writing job descriptions.
For instance, editing content on a website sounds plain. Instead, list the tools and skills you used to edit the website. The most common ones include basic HTML and CMS.
Learn Software Skills Today!
These are the most important software skills you should put on your resume. Use the tips to ensure that your resume, cover letter, and the job interview is more memorable.
Did this guide help you make a good resume? If so, read our other posts and learn useful tips and tricks to find better employment today.