Hard skills are skills that have been learnt through experience on the job, training, internships and via formal education or courses. These skills are generally transferable and learnt, and often specifically relates to a job role or industry.

If you don’t have much work experience – think outside of the box, as you may have these skills already, and learnt them while you have been at school or uni.

Here is a list of hard skill groups you could include in your resume. You won’t have all the skills, and you won’t need to either – it really does depend on the industry and job role you’re applying for.

1. Computer skills

Computer skills are proficiencies in operating specific software or apps. With so many jobs now online or require computer processing, they are an important asset to add to your resume.

Examples of computer skills:

• Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Powerpoint etc)
• Email
• Database Management
• Presentation/slideshows
• Accounting software
• Social media
• Programming skills (Java, PHP, Python, Ruby on Rails, SQL, iOS etc)

2. Technical skills

Technical skills are the ability to operate specific software or equipment to perform specific tasks. Often they are related to IT, mathematical and scientific roles, but if you might have worked in retail, you would have used a cashier and EFTPOS system.

If you don’t have much work experience, did you use medical or lab equipment during work placements or during uni? Consider adding these!

Examples of technical skills:

• Web skills (HTML, CSS, Javascript)
• Payment processing
• CRM platforms
• Medical and lab equipment
• POS (cash registers, scanning devices, EFTPOS machines)

3. Marketing skills

Marketing skills include a broad spectrum of skills which can span from sales, advertising, social media, digital marketing, product marketing through to consumer research.

If you haven’t had marketing experience but are applying in this industry – think about your extracurricular activities – Do you blog? Or create any content for social media? You may be indirectly improving your marketing skills!

Examples of marketing skills:

• SEO/SEM
• Social media
• Content writing
• Email marketing and automation
• UX Design
• Data visualisation
• Google Analytics, Adwords

4. Writing skills

Being confident in writing is a great asset as for so many jobs. This can include writing reports, emails, presentations and content.

If you don’t have much work experience, this is probably one of the biggest skills you would have acquired during school or uni. Think of all the presentations and reports you may have handed in!

Examples of writing skills:

• Letter & email writing
• Business reports
• Creative writing
• Copywriting
• Journalism
• SEO
• Social media content

5. Design skills

Design skills are a little niche skill set, but if you are skilled in this area, you’re likely to be looking for a job in this field! Remember, if you do any design work for fun, or have brushed up on your skill set here – make sure you add it to your resume.

Examples of design skills:

• Adobe suite (Photoshop, illustrator, InDesign etc)
• UX/UI design or research
• Data visualisation
• Typography
• Photography
• Print design
• HTML/CSS

6. Analytical skills

Analytical skills are the ability to gather, decipher and present data. Usually these skill requirements are very specific to roles that require data analysis, but if you have skill sets in this area, it’s often a sought after skill from employers.

Examples of analytical skills:

• Research (SSPS)
• Forecasting
• Data engineering
• Database management
• Reporting
• Data & metrics interpreting

7. Language skills

Proficiencies in different languages can be very big assets for a candidate. Add these skills to your resume if you can speak and write in different languages.

Especially if languages are an important part in the industry you are applying for, such as translators or tour guides – consider dedicating this in a whole section in your resume. Otherwise think about how languages could give you an upper hand for a job you’re applying for.

Summary

1. Look at the job description of the job ad and see if you can complete the job. If you can tick off the requirements, then you should be adding those skills to your resume.
2. List the skills with your employment history. Try to add examples and results as this supports how you have used these skills.
3. Consider adding an entire section of your resume dedicated to listing specific skills. Even if they are quite niche skills. For example, a specific programming language, or software proficiency.
4. If you don’t have any work experience – think about how you might have learned these skills from school, uni or extracurricular activities.
5. Validate your skills by listing professional certifications.

How To Resume helps you organise skills in your resume with free, Australian resume templates. There are more tips in the builder that will help you write your resume. Get started now!