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The best hard skills can be an added bonus for your resume, complementing your educational background and soft skills as nicely as direct work experience, memberships and affiliations, and even hobbies.
And, when combined with references, they’re key to giving you the best chances of securing a role.
If you don’t consider yourself a hard-skills person, allow us to convince you otherwise.
We all know that in the competitive job market, standing out from the crowd is crucial. Experts tell us that showcasing your hard skills on your resume is the best way to do this.
Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities that can be defined and measured, such as writing, mathematics, or the ability to use computer programs.
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Unlike soft skills, which are more subjective and harder to quantify, hard skills are usually gained through education, training programs, certifications, and on-the-job training.
Background Overview: What are Hard Skills?
Hard skills are the technical knowledge or training you have gained through any life experience, including in your career or education. They are concrete and obtained by learning and practicing.
These skills are job-specific and are typically listed in job postings and job descriptions. They are measurable and are often the basis of job requirements. We hear this from customers looking for learning materials to present personal development training courses.
Now, let’s delve into 25 hard skills that you can include in your resume:
1. Data Analysis: The ability to collect, interpret, and use data to develop actionable steps that improve a business—example: Used data analysis to streamline our company’s marketing strategy, increasing sales by 20%.
2. Computer Programming: The ability to code and develop software or websites. Example: Developed a user-friendly website that increased customer engagement by 30%.
3. Foreign Language Proficiency: The ability to speak, read, and write in a foreign language. Example: Fluent in French and Spanish, which allowed for effective communication with international clients.
4. Graphic Design: The ability to create visual content for marketing purposes. Example: Designed a new logo and branding theme that increased brand recognition.
5. SEO/SEM Marketing: The ability to optimize websites and perform digital marketing. Example: Implemented SEO strategies that increased website traffic by 40%.
6. Project Management: The ability to plan and manage projects to ensure they are completed in a timely manner. Example: Led a project team in the successful completion of a six-month project in four months.
7. Social Media Management: The ability to manage a company’s social media presence. Example: Grew company’s followers on Instagram from 1,000 to 10,000 in six months.
8. Sales: The ability to sell products or services. Example: Consistently met and exceeded sales targets by at least 15%.
9. Financial Analysis: The ability to analyze financial data and make predictions based on these analyses. Example: Used financial analysis to cut company costs by 10%.
10. Mathematical Skills: The ability to solve mathematical problems. Example: Used advanced mathematical skills to solve complex engineering problems.
11. Writing and Editing: The ability to write and edit documents. Example: Wrote and edited company reports that were praised for their accuracy and readability.
12. Machine Learning: The ability to create algorithms that allow computers to learn from data. Example: Developed a machine learning algorithm that improved the efficiency of our data processing by 25%.
13. Cloud Computing: The ability to use and manage cloud-based platforms. Example: Managed a cloud migration project that improved system accessibility and reduced costs.
14. Cybersecurity: The ability to protect computer systems from theft or damage. Example: Implemented cybersecurity measures that reduced system breaches by 50%.
15. Customer Service: The ability to provide excellent service to customers. Example: Consistently received positive feedback from customers for excellent service.
16. Technical Writing: The ability to write technical documents that explain complex information clearly. Example: Wrote a user manual that was praised for its clarity and usefulness.
17. Research Skills: The ability to conduct research and present findings. Example: Conducted research that was used to improve company products and services.
18. Database Management: The ability to use database systems to manage and organize data. Example: Managed a database system that improved data retrieval times by 20%.
19. Networking: The ability to set up and manage digital networks. Example: Set up a secure digital network that improved company communication.
20. Quality Control: The ability to maintain the quality of products or services. Example: Implemented quality control measures that reduced product defects by 15%.
21. Troubleshooting: The ability to diagnose and fix problems. Example: Troubleshot and resolved issues that improved system performance and reliability.
22. Software Testing: The ability to test software to ensure it functions properly. Example: Conducted software testing that reduced bugs by 30%.
23. Data Visualization: The ability to present data in a visual format. Example: Created data visualizations that made complex data understandable to non-technical team members.
24. E-commerce: The ability to sell products or services online. Example: Managed an e-commerce store that increased sales by 50%.
25. Event Planning: The ability to plan and organize events. Example: Planned and organized a company event that was praised for its organization and execution.
Conclusion
Hard skills are an essential part of your resume. They demonstrate your ability to perform specific tasks and show potential employers exactly what you can bring to a particular role.
By tailoring your resume to include the hard skills that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for, you can increase your chances of getting an interview and, ultimately, the job you want.
Remember, it’s not just about listing skills; it’s also about providing examples of how you’ve used these skills in the past.
This makes your resume more compelling and shows employers that you can apply your skills in a practical context.
We encourage you to explore our frequently asked questions, special offers, and our ready-made training course material.
With 30+ years of training experience, I founded Oak Innovation (oakinnovation.com) in 1995. I help busy training professionals and business managers deliver better training courses in less time by giving them instant access to editable training course material. I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from University College Cork. I hold qualifications in Professional Development And Training from University College Galway. Clients include Apple, Time Warner, and Harvard University.
