How to List Computer Skills on a Resume | Best Skills and Examples

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Computer skills are important to add to your resume when an employer or job require them. But it can be hard to know which computer skills are relevant and which skills are not, especially if you’re new to the industry or role. This article defines computer skills, shows you how to list relevant computer skills on a resume with examples and gives you a list of the best computer skills to list on a resume.

What are computer skills?

Computer skills are the learned skills that you need to use a computer and other technological devices. There are different levels of computer skills that range from basic operation of simple programs to the in-depth knowledge of more advanced computer programs. Many industries today require some level of computer experience. Listing your computer skills on your resume  are usually expected or required by employers depending on the open position.

How to list relevant computer skills on a resume

Follow these steps to list relevant computer skills on a resume:

1. First, write a list of all of your computer skills

Before you add them to your resume, write a list of all your computer skills. Write down each computer program that you have used or are comfortable using in a professional environment, such as PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, QuickBooks, specific enterprises, coding, programming and website development. There are also specific programs or databases that may be relevant, depending on your industry or the position.

2. Secondly, combine similar skills to make your list easier to read 

While you do want to highlight the most relevant computer skills, your resume can quickly become crowded if you include too many. You can narrow down your choices by combining any skills that are similar, such as PowerPoint and Microsoft Word into Microsoft Office Suite, or Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets into spreadsheet experience. Other categories include communication, social media, operating systems and programming databases.

3. Next, determine your proficiency in each computer skill

After you have narrowed down your skills, you will want to determine your level of proficiency for each skill. Employers want to know not only what computer skills you have but also how comfortable or proficient you are using each one. You can determine your level of proficiency by including classifying words like fundamentals, basic, intermediate or advanced. 

If you have extensive knowledge or experience with certain computer skills, you can demonstrate advanced knowledge by including them in your individual job description or by listing the computer certifications you might have.

4. Narrow down what computer skills are important for the job you are apply for

Now that you have a list of all your combined computer skills and proficiencies, narrow down the skills that are relevant to the job and industry you’re applying for. The skills should be directly related, important and helpful to the role. You may find these important skills listed in the original job posting. 

5. Finally, add your relevant computer skills to your resume in the right places

There are a few places where you can include skills in the layout of your resume. If you have a long list of computer skills, then you might consider creating a separate section that is labeled ‘computer skills.’ If you only have a few that you want to highlight, then you can include them in your individual job descriptions. 

For example, you might use ‘presentation programs’ as a bullet point when describing your sales internship experience. You also might include ‘communication skills’ when listing your work experience as a marketing manager.

Examples of adding computer skills to a resume 

There are a few ways to list your computer skills on a resume. The layout that you choose will depend on the number of skills you have and the position for which you are applying. Consider these two examples of how to list your computer skills on your resume.

Example 1: Separate computer skills section 

If you have a lot of computer experience to include, then you can create a separate computer skills section on your resume. You can use the following example to assist you when creating a separate computer skills section.

Computer skills

  • Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced knowledge
  • JavaScript: Beginner knowledge
  • Adobe Photoshop: Intermediate knowledge
  • HTML coding: Intermediate knowledge
  • Google Analytics: Intermediate knowledge
  • Cloud Backup: Advanced knowledge
  • Graphic design: Beginner knowledge
  • Fortran database: Intermediate knowledge

Example 2: Computer skills listed in work experience 

Some computer skills will fit in your descriptions of previous experiences in your work experience section. You can use the following example to assist you when listing your computer skills in your job descriptions.

Research assistant at ABD Technologies from Aug. 2008–Aug. 2018

Job responsibilities:

  • Researched changing buyer trends with Google Analytics and Google Webmaster tools
  • Collaborated with the team via Slack and email communication
  • Maintained testing dates and schedule with Microsoft Excel
  • Obtained research consent with test subjects from OneDrive

Best computer skills to list on a resume

Here are a few examples of the many computer skills that you can include in your resume:

  • Microsoft Office: Include specific Microsoft Office skills like Word, PowerPoint, OneDrive and OneNote.
  • Spreadsheets: Include specific spreadsheet skills including Excel and Google Sheets.
  • Communication: Communication computer skills include email, Skype and Slack.
  • Email: You can include specific email programs like Microsoft Outlook, Hotmail and Gmail.
  • Analytics: Include analytical computer skills like Google Analytics and Google Search Console.
  • Troubleshooting: Troubleshooting computer skills include backup management, end-user support, issue tracking support and router troubleshooting.
  • Graphic design: Include skills like Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Photoshop and desktop publishing.
  • Data entry: Data entry skills include data analytics, MATLAB, NoSQL and XML Database Management.

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