“Microsoft Office” no longer looks impressive in a resume. It doesn’t matter what kind of job you apply for. Maybe you’re not even interested in being an office worker. You may be a construction worker or a nurse. Still, technical skills that go beyond Microsoft Office are crucial for a successful career in any industry.
What are the most important technical skills for resume? You can’t just mention being “tech savvy” and leave it there. A potential employer will want to see specific technical skills examples.
We’ll list the most important tech skills that each employee needs. Beware; this is not a list of skills you should include in a resume. We’ll list the things you need to work on.
Foundational Technical Skills for All Employees
1.PDF File Editing
Some skills don’t need to be mentioned. You showcase them by submitting the resume. With a single look at it, the hiring manager can tell if you can write and edit text. But they can also notice if you can edit PDF files on Mac.
The format is often the last thing on your mind, but it’s an important thing when creating a resume. Most employers require the PDF format, since it’s resistant to accidental editing. In addition, PDF files are viewed perfectly on a Mac, PC, and any other device.
Explore PDF and learn how to create a resume in such a file. That’s one of the first technical skills to develop, no matter what kind of job you apply for.
2. Emailing
This is such a basic skill that many people often forget about it. When sending job applications, they attach the documents in empty messages. That should be a crime!
Emailing is an essential skill that conveys your level of professionalism. When looking for a job, you’ll do some cold emailing. Don’t be afraid to be direct! Kathryn Minshew, CEO of The Muse, hired Elliott Bell as the director of marketing even though that position wasn’t open. Elliott sent a cold email that made him a clear target for the recruiters at The Muse.
When you write a great message, it influences the recipient. This is mostly a writing skill, but there are technicalities about it, too. You need a signature, and you have to follow proper etiquette.
3. Advanced Googling Skills
We all know how to use Google. It’s not a special talent. Still, advanced online research is one of the most important technical skills to possess. We’re not talking about entering a keyword in the search engine and exploring the first page. We’re talking about advanced power searching, which involves a learning curve.
Why do you need these tech skills? You’ll use them during the job research process; that’s for sure. You can investigate the history and reputation of the company before applying. But any employer will also appreciate research skills. They can benefit from your capacity when they want to analyze their audience or competitors. You can also contribute by completing white papers and research projects from their niche.
4. Creating Presentations
The modern workplace is all about visual presentations. If you get an idea and you’d like to suggest it, your employer will say: “Cool; prepare a presentation and I’m ready to hear all about it.” They may also ask you to create a presentation for the new product or service.
If you’re looking for a job, the employer won’t assume you’re brilliant with presentations. You need to mention this among the technical skills for resume.
5. Social Media Skills
When listing universal technical skills examples, we can’t avoid mentioning social media. Do you use Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter? Even more important: do you use LinkedIn?
Any employer will value your ability to analyze information from social media and share posts that bring attention to the brand. Most companies have specialized social media marketing teams. Still, every employee’s activity is important for the brand’s image.
As for LinkedIn, you need to build a massive network. You’ll benefit from it if you’re looking for a job, but you shouldn’t stop networking once you get one. Connections are essential for your career progress.
Do You Have the Tech Skills in Demand?
When looking for a job, you have to be aware of the basic technical skills for resume. You should format it well in PDF, and you should list the skills that are in high demand. But first of all, you need to develop them.
You can start by practicing proper emailing, Google search, and presentation creating. Then, you can take a basic social media marketing course online. With these foundational skills, you’ll be a more attractive candidate for any job you target.