Hard Skills for Resume Creation: 8 Examples to Win the Job Race

Now it's time to apply for a job, and your number one goal will be to stand out from the crowd of job seekers – all of whom claim to be the best.  And to build yourself a stellar resume that will wow recruiters, you've probably spent hours collecting every type: entry-hyperlink id: 7KqlGfIjibxReZN32T1m6o you can think of. 

Well, there’s one more thing you might have forgotten: creating a list of skills to showcase on your resume. There should be a balanced mix of hard and soft skills, showing you'll be able to do the job and get along with your colleagues as well. 

In this article, you’ll see some key hard skills for resume writing so you know what they are, why they matter, and how to include them on your CV based on your industry. So, if you're ready, here we go!

What are hard skills in a resume?

Hard skills are measurable abilities you obtain during your education, training, or hands-on experience, like coding, data analysis, using tools, or mastering software programs. In other words, hard skills are everything you know that allows you to do your job. Here are some industry-specific hard skills examples:

• Administrative Work – Advanced Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) skills; experienced in managing schedules, travel arrangements, and data entry with CRM software.

• Data Analysis & Visualization – Skilled in using Excel, SQL, and Tableau to analyze large datasets and create insightful reports.

• Programming & Software Development – Proficient in Python, Java, and C++; experienced in developing web applications using React and Node.js.

• Digital Marketing & SEO – Knowledgeable in Google Analytics, keyword research, and social media advertising for campaign optimization.

• Sales – Proficient in CRM software (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot); experienced in lead generation, pipeline management, and contract negotiation.

Sometimes, you'll see the phrases “hard skills” and “technical skills” used interchangeably. It can be confusing because many people think of “technical skills” as something you do on a computer. However, in the world of job searching, “technical skills” can also mean the same thing as “hard skills.” 

Hard skills vs soft skills: what's the difference?

Employers look for a combination of hard and soft skills when considering job applicants for open positions; both types of skills are required for on-the-job success.

Soft skills – also referred to as interpersonal skills or people skills – are personality traits that are challenging to quantify. Effective communication, leadership, and work ethic are all examples of soft skills. 

As we've mentioned, hard skills are the practical and technical skills that show you know how to get a job done. In the job description, you should recognize the hard skills as what you'll do daily to complete your tasks. For example, analyzing data, identifying target markets, and performing A/B testing on campaigns are typical hard skills for a Marketing Analyst.

Hard skills examples for your resume

Even though the job market constantly changes, some hard skills stand the test of time and rank pretty high on employers' lists. As you come up with a list of hard skills for your resume, be sure to include some of these options:

1. Management hard skills for your resume

Besides having the required soft skills to be an type: entry-hyperlink id: 4toCPjXeO09qQWE86xkejD, you also need hard skills to succeed. Management hard skills include:

• Logistics

• Hiring

• Budgeting

• Human resources knowledge

• Finance

• Accounting

• Office management

2. IT hard skills for your resume

IT skills highlight your ability to use computer hardware and software programs, and they are valuable across numerous industries. These skills include:

• Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, etc.)

• Email

• Quickbooks

• Database Management

• Social media

• Typing

• Google Drive

• Enterprise Systems

3. Project management hard skills for your resume

Project management skills highlight your ability to oversee and lead projects and include:

• Strategic planning

• Scrum management

• Forecasting

• Budgeting

• Project scheduling

• Agile methodology

• Project collaboration platforms (Asana, BaseCamp, and so on)

4. Human resource hard skills for your resume

Every organization requires human resource (HR) skills. While many organizations have a dedicated HR department, smaller organizations might have an individual who wears more than one hat – including HR-related responsibilities. These may include:

• Compensation

• Salary administration

• Benefits administration

• Performance reviews

• Employment law and legal compliance

• Payroll

5. Design hard skills for your resume

Design skills are in high demand in this modern age of online content marketing. These skills include:

• Illustrator

• Print design

• Acrobat

• Color theory

• InDesign

• Photoshop

• Typography

6. Marketing hard skills for your resume

Marketing skills represent a wide range of general knowledge, including consumer research, sales, advertising, and online marketing. Virtually every organization requires at least one individual with marketing expertise, which could include:  

• Copywriting

• AdWords

• Funnel management

• Google Analytics

• Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

• Pay-per-click (PPC)

• Social media marketing

• Generative AI tools

7. Analytical hard skills for your resume

Analytical skills highlight your ability to research, analyze, and present data. Many positions and levels within an organization require analytical hard skills, which include:

• Forecasting

• Reporting

• Data mining

• Research

• Database management

• Metrics

• Data engineering

8. Artificial intelligence hard skills for your resume

The use of AI is on the rise. With that also come positions that require you to be knowledgeable about machine learning. If you've been able to do anything with these new concepts, they should be front and center in your type: entry-hyperlink id: 2iUErWbcGg4VsodeGeRUfo. Examples of artificial intelligence hard skills include:

• Data wrangling

• Data manipulation

• Cloud storage

• Algorithm development

• Natural language processing

• Machine learning libraries

• API development

• Distributed computing

Why are hard skills necessary?

Hard skills show employers that you know how to perform the requirements of a position. For example, if you want to land an Accountant job, you must be familiar with accounting software and formulas. To be a licensed Public Accountant, you must pass a CPA exam indicating the minimum necessary knowledge to perform the job.

Do hard skills transfer across industries?

As mentioned, specific hard skills are required for positions based on the industry. Still, there are also many other type: entry-hyperlink id: 1krk5EZWZXNe3drhzYr50N that are valuable and transferable across industries and functions. Examples include the following: 

Cloud platform knowledge 

While the use of AI is becoming more and more prominent, cloud computing is nothing new. In fact, so many organizations conduct so much of their business online that things like cloud-sharing software are a must. To that end, companies need someone who understands how to manage those platforms.

Language skills

Being fluent in writing and speaking your native language is an essential hard skill; it's also valuable to be fluent in multiple languages. 

Certifications 

Certifications are an excellent way to highlight hard skills since they require you to take coursework and pass an exam that verifies your skills. 

Writing skills

Virtually every position requires some level of writing. This means organizations want to know you have good grammar and can effectively communicate in writing when they hire you.

How can I acquire hard skills?

Interested in acquiring hard skills to up your resume game? Fortunately, there are numerous (and low-cost) ways to develop hard skills.

On-the-job training and volunteering

On-the-job training is one way to acquire hard skills. If you don't have the opportunity to acquire new hard skills at your current job, consider type: entry-hyperlink id: 101WSZ7wrRpiZHCz8NCjiF. 

Online courses

Numerous free and low-cost type: entry-hyperlink id: 1sPc1XoWGE2vM6PeyDZ4QR. Udemy, Coursera, Khan Academy, MIT OpenCourseWare, and Google Digital Garage are examples of online platforms offering online courses — many even providing accredited certification programs. 

Degree programs

While going back to college isn't the least expensive or time-sensitive option to acquire hard skills, sometimes it's necessary. If you want to change career paths, for example, getting a second degree or your master's is viable for learning new hard skills. 

How do I include hard skills on my resume?

It's vital to type: entry-hyperlink id: 73xK7IegFKxM81DuhLDpEv. To do so, you should:

• Add a hard skill or two to the headline of your resume

• Mention in-demand hard skills in your resume summary

• Create a type: entry-hyperlink id: 2tCuLzUNykkxz03ZQibBAN to highlight your hard and soft skills

• Include skills-related keywords throughout your “Work Experience” section

• Include relevant certifications in your “Education & Certifications” section

In your headline

The hard skills on your resume must mirror the job description of the role you're applying to. The first place to do that is in the type: entry-hyperlink id: 5VHcnLX5PKIdVTrDNRNv6D. Since this is the first line of your resume (other than your contact information), it will help you to stand out from the crowd.

Now, many people will simply put a title on their resume, such as Project Manager. But because you know the importance of having hard skills on your resume, you're going to write something like Project Manager with Expertise in Budgeting and Risk Management.

Just like that, you have three hard skills on your resume, whereas the person who just put the title only has one. You're already winning!

In your summary paragraph

The next thing that should appear on your resume is the profile paragraph (or summary). This is also a great place to inject hard skills into your resume. Keep it short and sweet, though. You're not trying to dump everything you know into this paragraph. 

Remember to refer to the job description to identify the relevant hard skills the employer seeks and then weave those phrases into a three- to five-sentence paragraph that talks about how your career history aligns with those hard skills. 

Here's an example:

Dynamic product management leader with expertise in discovering, refining, and launching AI solutions. Skilled in guiding cross-functional teams, capturing global markets, and driving performance beyond targets. Leverages deep market insight and emerging technologies to shape innovative strategies. Passionate about science and healthcare, bringing a fresh perspective to advance cutting-edge solutions and contribute to groundbreaking industry advancements.

This paragraph has 10 hard skills that can be tweaked and adjusted to fit within the scope of the job – in this case, Product Manager. 

In your Skills section

As you list your resume skills, put them into columns – hard skills on one side and soft skills on the other. Be sure that the hard skills in your resume are specifically relevant to the job you're applying for.

In your Work History section

As you write the type: entry-hyperlink id: 1qmaraXRSE3yOc4iX4uHSH of your resume, the best way to prove your abilities is with examples of things you've accomplished. Since hard skills are measurable, having achievements laced with relevant hard skills in this part of your resume is a must. 

Use bullet points that begin with a verb – to show action – and contain an achievement and at least one to two hard skills. Here's a real-life example from a client who sought an FP&A role:

• Achieved Opex forecast accuracy within 2% through advanced scenario modeling and proactive risk identification

The beauty of this bullet point is that not only does it contain an achievement, but it also has hard skills all wrapped up into a single point. 

In your Education and Certifications section

Remember: hard skills are things you learned in school. So, here's where you’ll expound on those skills. Alongside the degree you obtained and the school you got it from, talk about completed projects and relevant coursework to further prove that you have what it takes. Certifications also add bulk to your hard skills.

Here's what that could look like:

Bachelor of Science - Finance & Accounting | Big California University

Relevant coursework: Financial Statements, Financial Plans, Accounting, Banking, Investments

Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) | CFA Institute

Don't forget about hard skills in your cover letter

There was a time when cover letters were mostly ignored. That time has passed, and we can thank the pandemic for the change. Your cover letter can type: entry-hyperlink id: 7e1tj2rkQlpBqTkioeR3Fg or explain a question that may pop up in your resume. 

Since they're being read more and more, having a cover letter gives you a great opportunity to add more hard skills to your application. You want to avoid simply regurgitating the hard skills on your resume. Instead, use the cover letter to expand on new ideas. 

Remember to refer back to the job description. Check to see if there are any keywords (i.e., hard skills) you just couldn't find a spot for in your resume, and then tell their story in the cover letter. 

Here's a great example of expanding on the concept of hard skills in your cover letter – coincidentally enough, this excerpt comes from that same real-life FP&A client mentioned in the last example:

As Sales Finance Controller at ABC, Inc., I drive financial strategy, lead annual planning for a $900M+ portfolio, and oversee $100M+ in Opex. I guide 500+ staff members with transformational leadership, ensuring efficiency and growth. My commitment to process improvement is evident in my pioneering a new company process, streamlining operations, and optimizing financial workflows to enhance overall business performance.

The right hard skills win the day

Hard skills speak to your proficiency in completing job duties and tasks. Based on the guidance above, highlighting them throughout your resume will help your resume get into the hiring manager's hands. 

Not sure how to make your hard skills pop on your resume? Our resume writers are ready to help. If you've already written your resume, we can give it a once-over for free – we have a free resume review available.