Want a list of hard skills for resumes? Seek no longer. This article includes hard skills examples for different jobs as well as advice on how to add them to your resume.
Yes, listing hard skills on a resume can make a difference. Employers choose candidates with in-demand skills and say goodbye to those lacking skill sets.
But it’s not just about adding bullet points with one-word skill descriptions to a resume. First, you must know which skills the hiring manager wants. Second, you must know how to list them. Ready to learn how to create hard skills for a resume?
In this guide:
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Check these articles for more information about skills that matter on a resume:
You can also check our 200+ resume examples for various professions.
Clara DeFleur
Data Analyst
claradfleur@resumelabmail.com
linkedin.com/in/clara.de.fleur
(123) 123-4567
Summary
Motivated data analyst specializing in machine learning algorithms, big data processing, and natural language processing. Eager to apply natural language processing methods to verify user content for the GoTrails application. Reduced the number of insensitive comments by 25% by creating a predictive model verifying the authenticity of user reviews in 2021.
Work Experience
Data Analyst
Climb Up, Baltimore, MD
August 2017–present
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities:
Key Achievement:
Junior Data Scientist
Book It Now, Baltimore, MD
July 2015–July 2017
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities:
Key Achievement:
Education
M.P.S. in Data Science
University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD
September 2015–June 2017
B.S. in Information Systems and Technology Management
University of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
September 2011–June 2015
GPA: 3.8
Skills
Certification
Volunteer Work
Live Free, Baltimore, MD
January 2020–present
Hard skills are job-specific abilities that you can gain through education, professional development, courses, or on-the-job training. Hard skills may refer to theoretical knowledge and practical abilities needed to use various tools or equipment.
Listing hard skills on a resume is very important. However, they’re not the only qualities employers want to see. In fact, the best skills for a resume include both hard and soft skills, so make sure to add both categories.
But let’s focus on hard skills now. Do you know which are the most desirable?
You can find more about each of these categories in the mini-chapters below:
Maybe you’re one of those people who run away when they hear the word accounting. But the truth is, accounting skills are useful in many professions.
The most popular accounting hard skills for resumes include:
No matter if you’re applying for a job as an administrative assistant, secretary, personal assistant, or receptionist—you must show off some administrative hard skills on your resume.
Administrative hard skills include:
Data analysis is among the most sought-after skills of the 21st century. It’s also one of the skills prioritized for upskilling efforts at many companies. Why? Because the ability to understand and process information is required in many professions, not just the ones closely related to finance.
Analytical hard skills include:
Want to succeed in the world of business? You need more than just confidence. The hard skills you need depend on the specific industry, but there’s also certain knowledge that’s universally useful.
The top business hard skills include:
All professions need computer skills to some degree. Even if you absolutely despise modern technology, you still should be able to use it at a basic level.
Computer hard skills examples include:
At first glance, it might seem that customer service agents need mostly interpersonal skills. However, their jobs also require certain hard skills. When writing a customer service resume, make sure your list of resume strengths matches the job requirements.
Here’s a list of customer service hard skills:
There is a wide range of design skills, as they vary depending on the industry. A graphic designer will have a different set of skills than a product designer.
Examples of design hard skills include:
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for digital skills remains high. Most jobs in the modern world require some knowledge of digital tools, sometimes as basic as email and sharing files via cloud services, but often more complex.
Digital hard skills examples are:
There’s a good chance that engineering skills will never come out of fashion. However, they are very industry-specific. For example, a software engineer needs a different skill set than a construction engineer.
Some examples of hard engineering skills include:
Oh, yes—language skills are hard skills. Of course, if you want to become a fluent speaker of another language, you should also possess certain interpersonal skills, such as effective communication or active listening.
Examples of specific language skills include:
Management skills are like a bottomless pit. They encompass not only hard skills but also a wide range of people skills, such as leadership abilities, critical thinking, and conflict resolution. They can be very industry-specific, too. For example, a hotel manager needs in-depth knowledge of hospitality and tourism on top of everything else.
Examples of management hard skills include:
Marketing skills are changing with the times. Nowadays, it’s impossible to work in marketing without having a bunch of technical skills. Creative-thinking skills are still highly desirable in this field, but they must go hand-in-hand with other abilities.
Here are examples of hard skills for marketing specialists:
Are there any office workers that don’t use Microsoft Office? You might prefer alternative software such as G-Suite or LibreOffice, but you still need to know how to use fine old Excel and Word.
Microsoft Office hard skills examples are:
Every year, over 200,000 new nursing jobs appear on the market. This means that nursing skills will continue to stay in demand. And I’m not talking just about soft skills such as empathy, patience, and adaptability.
Nursing hard skills include:
You might be surprised, but being good at presenting is not just about being outspoken. You also need a bunch of hard skills to create a powerful presentation.
Examples of presentation hard skills are:
Project management skills are highly sought after in the modern job market. Individuals who want to become experts in this line of work must first gain some foundational knowledge through professional development courses or on-the-job training.
Here are some examples of project management hard skills:
Before applying for research jobs, make sure you’ve developed the hard skills necessary to succeed in such a position.
Research hard skills include:
Technical skills vary greatly between professions. This means that a car mechanic has a completely different set of skills than an architect, a plumber, or a financial director.
Common technical hard skills include:
Writing skills don’t refer only to the ability to hold a pen correctly. They’re valuable abilities that can be used for different purposes in the workplace.
Examples of writing hard skills include:
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Is your first instinct to copy and paste some of the skills mentioned above onto your resume? Well, hold your horses. That’s not the most effective way to mention hard skills in a resume. Why?
Because they’ll be just empty words with nothing to prove them. It’s much better to mention hard skills alongside career achievements or other accomplishments. This way, a potential employer will better understand your qualifications.
Here’s how to do it well:
You can impress recruiters straight away by offering a glimpse into your hard skills in the resume profile. Your resume summary or career objective is perfect for showing off the skills that match the job requirements.
Here’s an example of a resume profile that highlights hard skills:
Motivated data analyst specializing in machine learning algorithms, big data processing, and natural language processing. Eager to apply natural language processing methods to verify user content for the GoTrails application. Reduced the number of insensitive comments by 25% through the creation of a predictive model verifying the authenticity of user reviews in 2021.
It’s not a secret that your work history matters most to hiring managers. They want to see work achievements and duties that match the job requirements. So adding hard skills for your profession is a must in this resume section.
Here’s how you can do it:
See the example below:
Work Experience
Data Analyst
Climb Up, Baltimore, MD
August 2017–present
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities:
Key Achievement:
Junior Data Scientist
Book It Now, Baltimore, MD
July 2015–July 2017
Key Qualifications & Responsibilities:
Key Achievement:
The amount of detail in the education section of a resume depends on your level of experience. If you’re writing an entry-level resume, this section is a great spot to provide examples of the hard skills you’ve gained while studying. You can do it by mentioning relevant coursework, your thesis, academic achievements, or extracurricular activities.
M.P.S. in Data Science
University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Baltimore, MD
September 2015–June 2017
This is the obvious place to mention hard skills for a resume. However, remember that hard skills aren’t the only ones you should include in a resume—throw in a few soft skills, too, to show you’re not a machine.
Here’s the best way to tackle the skill list:
It’s one of the ways to make a targeted resume, which has a better chance of succeeding.
Skills
The extra resume sections aren’t just to fill the empty space on the page. Use them to provide examples of hard skills you’ve mastered. The best way to do that is to add certifications to a resume. These provide proof for hiring managers that you’re an expert.
What else can you add?
Choose from:
Be specific when describing these activities—provide dates, facts, and accomplishments. Mention the professional knowledge you used to succeed.
Certification
Volunteer Work
Live Free, Baltimore, MD
January 2020–present
Expert Hint: There’s more you can do to show off your hard skills. Write a cover letter and provide proof of your qualifications for the job. It will improve your chances of landing the position.
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Here’s a reminder of the main points from this article:
Got any questions about hard skills? Would you like to share advice on listing hard skills on a resume with other readers? Let me know in the comments section, and thanks for reading!
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Roma is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer and career expert with international work experience and a background in education and humanities. She has spent considerable time assisting individuals in advancing their careers by helping them improve their communication skills in diverse cultural and professional settings. She has written over 50 articles on effective approaches to resume writing and career advice.
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