How to List Technical Skills in a CV [with 160+ Examples]

A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is more than just a document, but a powerful tool for marketing yourself. It is commonly used for academic purposes like applying for a Master’s or PhD programs, and also as an important document needed for job application in countries such as Asia, the UK, the European Union, and New Zealand.

The importance of including technical skills in a CV can’t be stressed enough, which shows hiring/program managers whether you meet their job-related requirements. With that being said, technical skills to put on the CV vary from industry to industry and profession to profession. Read on to learn more about what to write in technical skills in a CV and how to list them properly. 

Technical skills, also known as hard skills, are teachable and measurable abilities that are often geared towards a specific career. Technical skills often relate to mechanical, information technology, mathematical or scientific tasks. The key difference between technical skills and soft skills is that you can acquire technical skills through education, practice, and hands-on experience. 

It’s important to showcase technical skills and competencies on your CV. The reason is that every job relies on different tools, programs, and procedures. When going over the CV technical skills section, employers can grab a quick idea of your expertise and see whether you are capable of performing specific tasks to get the job done. 

If you’re a prospective graduate school (Master’s & Ph.D.) student, a CV with technical skills can help you get a leg up on the competition. It's a great way to show program managers that you’ve integrated your education with applicable work experiences to acquire those technical skills.

Step 1: Find keywords in the job description or the admission requirements of an academic program.

These keywords can refer to an area of expertise or knowledge of a specific software and hardware application. Based on that, you will know what to write in technical skills in your CV and have it pass through the Applicant Tracking System, if the company uses one to screen applicants’ CVs.

Step 2: List all the technical skills you have.

Make sure that the technical skills in your CV are relevant to the job description or program requirements you’re applying for. This way, you can show hiring/program managers that you're the right fit for the vacancy.

Step 3: Indicate your technical proficiency in your CV.

Be as specific as possible when adding technical skills to your CV - that will make your claims more clear and persuasive. To do so, you can elaborate on your skills and proficiency with different levels as follows: 

• Fundamental – You understand the basics of some technique or concept. 
• Basic – You know how to apply certain knowledge to fulfill a specific task. 
• Intermediate – You are capable of completing diverse job responsibilities by leveraging that skill. 
• Advanced – You’ve mastered that skill and can successfully perform multiple tasks, and even be able to improve processes and other work outcomes.
• Expert (Proficient) – You can provide comprehensive guidance and answer any question related to this topic.

Step 4: Use numerical evidence.

Instead of simply providing a list of technical skills for your CV, try to impress employers with figures and specific details of something you have done in the past related to the skill.

Step 5: Consider including certifications to be more credible.

In addition to quantifiable results, certifications or licenses can also help support your statement. This is especially important if you’re applying for a job that requires or recommends a certificate, such as HR, nursing, IT, project management, etc.

🖋 A separate “Technical Skills” section on the CV

Example of the CV technical skills section in a marketing CV:

🖋 “Work Experience” section

Here’s an illustration. You want to first highlight the technical skills listed in the job description:

Then, the work experience section in your CV should look something like this: 

🖋 CV profile / CV summary

Examples of technical skills included in CV summaries:

Aside from including the technical skills listed in the job description, you could also look up some popular in-demand technical skills for the profession that you are applying for. Check out the list of technical skills examples for different roles below:

Examples of technical skills in a CV for freshers

• Social Media Marketing
• UX Design
• CMS tools
• Facebook Paid Ads
• Google Analytics
• Quality Assurance
• SEO Writing
• Adobe Suite
• Website design 
• iMovie
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe InDesign
• AutoCAD
• 3D Max

Examples of technical skills in a CV for engineers

• Computer science 
• Structural analysis 
• Data modeling 
• Joining components 
• System design and analysis 
• Advanced physics 
• Nanotechnology
• Robotics
• Programming
• Basic accounting and finance

Examples of technical skills in a CV for electronic engineers

• AutoCAD
• Engineering design
• Matlab
• Programmable Logic Controllers/Automation
• Electronic troubleshooting
• Test engineering
• C and C++
• VHDL and HDL
• Analog system
• Printed Circuit Board

Examples of technical skills in a CV for HRs

• HR software
• Talent management systems
• Applicant Tracking System
• Collaboration and communication platforms
• Scheduling tools
• LinkedIn Recruiter
• Budgeting
• Employee relations
• Corporate law
• Talent acquisition

Examples of technical skills in a CV for business analysts

• Market research & analysis
• Data visualization
• Data mining
• SPSS
• SAS
• Python
• C++
• SQL databases and database querying languages
• Survey/query software
• Business intelligence and reporting software

Examples of technical skills in a CV for computer science students

• Mathematics
• STATA
• SPSS
• Coding
• Experimentation
• Programming languages
• Technical writing
• Software development
• Microsoft Office
• Google Workspace 

Examples of technical skills in a CV for teachers

• Microsoft Word
• Spreadsheets
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• G Suite
• Database management
• Web navigation
• Digital conferencing
• File management
• Scanner knowledge
• Educational copyright knowledge

Examples of technical skills in a CV for project managers

• Strategic partnership
• Partner services
• G Suite
• Microsoft Office 
• Social media management
• Video-conferencing
• Data analysis
• Data structure and algorithm
• SQL/Tableau
• Technical writing

Examples of technical skills in a CV for civil engineers

• AutoCAD
• Civil 3D 
• Microstation
• HEC-HMS
• MS Word, Outlook, and Excel
• Photoshop
• Registered EIT
• Improvement projects
• Development services
• Public works infrastructure
• Budgeting

Examples of technical skills in a CV for sales representatives

• Email marketing & automation
• Social media management
• Canva
• Story-telling
• Spreadsheets
• Visual presentation
• KOL
• Data analysis 
• Sales pitch development 
• Business communication tools

Examples of technical skills in a CV for technical writers

• Plagiarism tools
• HTML
• Google Keywords Planner
• YoastSEO
• SEMRush
• Ahrefs 
• Canva 
• Photoshop 
• WordPress
• Hemingway Editor

Examples of technical skills in a CV for Android developers

• Mobile and Web Architecture
• Web development platforms
• Android Studio IDE
• Java, Kotlin (OOP)
• Android SDK
• Android Design Patterns (MVC/MVVM architecture, Memory management)
• Android Lifecycle
• Working with remote data via REST and JSON (Retrofit/OkHttp)
• Google Play
• Java Microservices

Examples of technical skills in a CV for accountants

• Data analysis 
• Account analysis
• Revenue projections
• Account reconciliation
• QuickBooks
• Peachtree
• SAP software
• Grain Plains
• Financial statements interpretation 
• Financial reports and planning 

Examples of technical skills in a CV for software engineers

• React
• Node.js
• TypeScript
• PostgreSQL
• AWS
• API design
• Automated testing
• Debugging
• Web front ends
• IoT architecture and principles

Examples of technical skills in a CV for banking specialists

• Calculating & Accounting
• Bookkeeping
• Temenos
• Finastra
• Oracle FLEXCUBE
• BankWare
• NuPoint teller
• Word processing
• Spreadsheets
• Data entry

Examples of technical skills in a CV for pharmacists 

• Health Watch Pharmacy system
• Calculating Insurance Coverage
• Prescription checking
• Counting, pouring, and mixing pharmaceuticals
• Meditech documentation
• Patient/family education
• Knowledge of managed care program policies and procedures
• Knowledge of brand and generic drugs
• Bar-Code Station
• TCG packaging machine

💡 Know what technical skills are required in your field.

Every job and occupation requires a different technical skillset. You should be aware of what the job requirements are and what skills you need to obtain. Therefore, you can start learning or sharpen your skills. 

💡 Take relevant courses. 

It’s highly recommended that you enroll in programs/courses with a certificate of completion. Taking courses on the skills you want to develop is a great way to learn new knowledge or improve existing skills. Also, you can impress employers better by acquiring a certificate along with the technical skills listed on your CV. 

💡 Learn from a professional.

The professional doesn’t need to be a coach who is able to teach you something. By following experts in your field, you can always get inspiration and learn many things from them, as well as catch up with the latest industry trends and innovations. That could help improve your technical skills and further enhance the technical skills list on your CV.

💡 Join a community group.

When joining a professional group in your field, you will have the chance to obtain new knowledge from other professionals and experts. They often share their professional experience or opinion on work stuff.

For example, here are some Facebook groups you can check out If you’re a Software Developer: 

• Developers and Programmers
• Software and Web Development
• Software DevOps & Data

💡 Keep practicing.

Continuous learning and regular practice are key to expanding your knowledge and skills. Depending on the sector you will work in, choose at least one crucial technical skill to practice every day. Once you’ve sharpened that skill, move on to the next one. 

--- Originally written by May Luong ---