Why Add Technical Skills to your Resume?
In today’s job market, it’s all about setting yourself apart from the competition. Giving your resume a makeover to spotlight your accomplishments is a good move!
One critical aspect is beefing up your technical skills. These skills show potential employers that you’ve got what it takes to ace the job. Regardless of your field, having technical skills can be a game-changer for your career.
Let’s dive into examples of technical skills and tips on showcasing them on your resume. Whether you’re aiming for a promotion or on the lookout for fresh opportunities, mastering these skills can be your ticket. Think of them as your toolkit to showcase your abilities, giving you an edge and catching the eye of potential employers.
But what exactly are technical skills and how do you acquire them?
Now, distinguishing technical skills from soft skills is important. Technical skills focus on abilities like understanding software, data analysis, and following processes. Soft skills, on the other hand, revolve around how you work with others and tackle problems—think communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. Both are equally crucial in any workplace setting.
The best part?
These skills can be learned for free, online, and they’re all about your knack for specific tasks!
Tips & Tricks
Definition
Now keep in mind that “technical skills” span a broad spectrum, tailored to various industries.
Some usual suspects include computer skills covering software applications and programming languages, technical writing like creating detailed manuals and reports, project management, and industry-specific know-how.
No matter your career path, technical skills can give you a leg up. For example, while their significance is evident in IT, engineering, and data analysis, they’re just as relevant in other fields, setting you apart and bolstering your confidence in your role.
Level Up Your Skills
To level up your technical skills, start by identifying what you need to work on, setting achievable goals, and crafting a learning plan. Regular practice and pushing your boundaries with challenging projects can do wonders.
Remember, learning is an ongoing journey, so be kind to yourself along the way!
Certifications from reputable institutions, (such as Google Certificates, Coursera, or a course from College of the Rockies), are a more formal way to assess and enhance your technical skills. They provide valuable feedback on your skills and areas that might need more work.
Continuous learning through online courses, workshops, and industry events such as listed above is key to staying ahead in the game. It’s a way to validate your skills and demonstrate your commitment to professional growth—plus, it looks impressive on your resume.
Personal Goals and Portfolios
Measuring your technical skills helps track your progress and spot areas for improvement.
Online platforms offer quick tests and coding challenges that give you real-time feedback on your skills.
Additionally, creating an online portfolio or showcasing your work on platforms like GitHub can complement your resume. It’s an excellent way to demonstrate your technical abilities in action to potential employers.
Ready to update your resume? Here are some examples of technical skills worth highlighting!
- 1. Software development: Object-oriented programming, Agile software development, Software testing.
- 2. Data science: Statistical analysis, Machine-learning algorithms, Data visualization.
- 3. Cloud computing: Cloud architecture design, Cloud security, Cloud automation.
- 4. Networking and infrastructure: Network security, Routing and switching, Firewall configuration.
- 5. Cybersecurity: Penetration testing, Security risk analysis, Incident response management.
- 6. Web development: Front-end development, Back-end development, Web design.
- 7. Mobile development: iOS app development, Android app development, Cross-platform app development.
- 8. UI/UX design: User interface design, Usability testing, Visual design.
- 9. Product management: Product strategy development, Market analysis, Agile development methodology.
- 10. IT operations: IT infrastructure management, Incident management, ITIL.
These technical skills are valuable assets in today’s job market.
Balancing technical skills with soft skills can boost your employability and open doors to more opportunities. So, while they’re not the only key to getting a job, having some technical skills under your belt can certainly give you a leg up.
Here’s some additional resources on tech skills!
Codecademy is an online learning platform for coding, and other technological skills. They provide free (and paid) courses and certifications as well as offer a wide variety of resources including: coding documentation, learning and practice tools, and career advice/pathways.
Coursera is an online learning platform with a very wide variety of courses to choose from (including free, and paid options). They have a long list of computer science, and Information Technology (IT) certifications to help bolster your skills.
Global University Systems Canada is an agency run by a team of experienced individuals who have worked in public and private universities across Canada, hoping to share accessible and industry-relevant education. Their article provides detailed information on the top 5, current, tech-focused careers in Canada.
Indeed is a job seeker’s website with job postings from across the world. One of their articles, on technology in the workplace, highlights their top 12 essential tech skills with details on how to improve them.
