What are the best technical skills for a resumé? 

Having a mix of hard and soft skills can help those looking to break into a new profession or enhance their career. When starting a job search, what are the best technical skills to include on a resume?

Technical skills for a resume are a specific set of abilities that are needed to carry out particular tasks or jobs. These are industry-specific and usually acquired through formal education, training or on-the-job experience. They are tangible, practical and often quantifiable.

When it comes to technical skills, there are two main categories: hard skills and soft skills. Hard skills are quantifiable, teachable abilities that are gained through training or experience — think coding or graphic design. Soft skills are subjective and often hard to quantify — these are interpersonal skills like communication and problem-solving. To stay relevant, a skill set must evolve with the market.

For example, coding and technical writing are technical skills for a resume that focus on specific aspects of computer science. These contrast with soft skills, which are more general, subjective and are often related to a job candidate's personality or how they relate to others.

Both types of skills are valuable, but they serve different functions and applications in the workplace. Having a good balance of both technical and soft skills on a resume is key.
 

Sought-after technical skills for a resume include digital design, which encompasses many aspects of creating digital products, such as graphic design and real-world products with digital features. Understanding user interface and user experience is also important to truly master this skill.

For instance, designers may create webpages, mobile apps or a digital product’s user interface. This can include anything from a banner ad to a complex e-commerce website.

Many careers, such as in web design, animation and advertising, involve some sort of digital design. No two employers will be looking for the same combination of skills, but a general understanding of the tools and techniques involved in digital design is essential.

Relevant degree and certificate programs can provide an excellent foundation for developing digital design skills. Degrees in computer science, engineering, programming or graphic design can help job seekers get started in this field, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Likewise, certificate programs such as coding boot camps and UX/UI design courses are ways to acquire the needed skills.
 

Data analysis is the process of inspecting, cleaning, transforming and modeling data to discover useful information, identify trends, draw conclusions and support decision-making. It’s essential to include these technical skills for a resume when applying for many roles, from marketing professionals to product managers and data scientists.

For example, data analysts might need to examine a company’s sales figures or customer feedback to identify trends or decide how to market a product. With their findings, they can make recommendations to upper management on how to optimize operations or increase revenue.

A Bachelor of Science in Data Science helps students gain a solid understanding of how to collect, process, and analyze large datasets, as well as data engineering, machine learning, statistics, and more.

Aside from degree programs, certification programs focusing on analytics are also options for those looking to build their foundational knowledge.

The act of producing a series of commands that guide a computer to execute a specific task is known as programming. Programming languages such as C++ and JavaScript help programmers write these instructions.

Gaining these skills is essential for many tech jobs and should be included in the technical skills for a resume in this field. For instance, software developers use programming languages to create and maintain software products, and web designers use them to build interactive websites.

Other roles that require programming skills include:

• Data analyst
• IT analyst
• Application developer

One way to learn programming is through a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. This degree provides a solid basis in various programming languages and computer systems. Alternatively, a Scripted and Compiled Programming Languages Certificate can provide specialized knowledge in particular programming languages more suitable for specific jobs.
 

Software proficiency refers to knowing how to use specific software required for a job. For example, data analysts must have a solid understanding of SQL (Structured Query Language) for retrieving and manipulating data. Other job roles, such as content creators or graphic designers, must also use specific software, such as Adobe Photoshop or InDesign.

Many online information technology degrees focus on specific skills needed to become a software developer. Additionally, shorter certificate programs focusing on specific software programs, such as Microsoft 365, can be helpful options for those who want to quickly acquire proficiency for their chosen job.
 

Cybersecurity involves protecting computer systems and networks from theft, damage or unauthorized access. This is one of the technical skills for a resume in high demand for roles such as cybersecurity analysts, IT specialists and network administrators.

These roles require skills like:

• Security protocols
• Encryption and authentication mechanisms
• Malware detection

A Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity is a popular degree program related to this skill. It helps students gain an understanding of how to protect computer networks from threats and offers in-depth knowledge of cybersecurity concepts and tools.

Short courses like CompTIA Security+ or the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) credential are also strong options for those looking to build their skills quickly.
 

Health information management is the practice of maintaining patient health records, ensuring they are safe and organized. Roles like health information manager and healthcare data analyst rely on skills inherent to this field.

For example, a health information manager must understand the systems and regulations that support patient care, such as HIPAA.

With this in mind, a degree in health information technology can lay the foundation for health information management skills, while online master’s degrees in information technology and a Health Information Systems Certificate can deepen expertise in:

• Manage health information and databases
• Organize electronic medical records
• Interpret coding systems and analyze data

Overall, specialized courses and degree programs help  cultivate necessary knowledge and skills. Students who take advantage of all the resources they can will have the most up-to-date knowledge in the field to stay competitive.