Important Computer Skills for Resumes & Cover Letters

Important Computer Skills for Resumes & Cover LettersImportant Computer Skills for Resumes & Cover LettersWhen youre job hunting, employers are going to want to know about your computer skills. Thats because no matter what the position is, computers will almost certainly be involved. Just think about how ever-present computers are, from smartphones to cash registers to the ordering systems at restaurants. Many traditional jobs are going away in favor of new, technologically-driven jobs. Some of those jobs require highly specialized skills, such as computer programming. Others merely help an office run better, such as emaille management. What Are Computer Skills? The name itself may seem obvious, but the truth is that most people are too overwhelmed by the vastness of technology to know what an employer might mean when the job description simply says computer skills. Typically, employers want applicants who can use specific programs, such as Adobe Illustrator or WordPress. However , newtechnologicaldevelopments can quickly change the preferences of potential employers. In the list of types of computer skills below, weve categorized them to help you know what employers might be looking for. Read job descriptions carefully looking for as many specific computer skills as possible, and then highlight thoseskillsduring your application process. Types of Computer Skills 206 Watch Now 6 Digital Skills Guaranteed to Get You Hired Productivity Software Any office professional must know how to master some of the basics of productivity software. If you are reading this article right now, you obviously know most of the computer basics. For mora computer skills popular among administrative or clerical jobs, here is a list. Microsoft OfficeMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft PowerPointEmail ManagementInformation ManagementData EntryDigital Calendars (Google, Outlook, etc.)Instant MessagingVideo ConferencingCloud Backup Software (Dropbox Pro, Carbonite, etc.)Social Media Man agement Digital Marketing Any business that wants to grow needs more customers. More and more customers are searching verbunden for solutions to their problems. Today, the most effective and measurable marketing efforts occur through digital marketing. Digital marketing includes everything from website development to social media management to paid digital advertising. The increasing capabilities of computers to collect and sort data give marketers more tools to target their ideal customers. Content Management Systems (CMS)Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)Automated Marketing SoftwareDigital MediaEmail MarketingWebsite AnalyticsSearch Engine Optimization (SEO)Web Page DesignSocial Media ManagementKPI Software Computer Programming Computer programming involves creating, launching, maintaining, and testing computer software and applications. There are a number of different jobs that involve software development, includingsoftware developer,programmer, software architect, software an alyst, and more. To be able to develop, implement, or test software, you have to have a number of highly technical computer skills, often known more specifically as coding skills. You must be able to analyze users needs and create applications that will be useful to them. You generally need to be familiar with various coding languages and web technologies as well. With the domination of mobile devices, computer programming now includes software development for phones and tablets (known affectionally as apps). Skills related to either software or hardware development (or both) include Automation SoftwareSoftware ProgrammingCCCISC and RISC ArchitectureEmbedded Processor Hardware DesignHardware Description Language (HDL)Hardware Verification Tools and TechniquesHTMLIntegrated Development EnvironmentsJavaLabVIEWOperating SystemsMemory ManagementOpen-source Software (OSS)PythonPHPUI/UXUnixXML Graphic Design Creating visually-attractive contentfor documents, posters, and slide present ations is a highly desirable skill. The world of graphic design includes creating signs to video editing and more. A single project might well pass through multiple computer programs, and a skilled professional needs to know how all relevant programs work and which ones are appropriate at each stage of the project.Graphic designskills that are growing in demand include Adobe Creative CloudAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopArt DesignCorelDRAWCorel WordPerfectDesignDesktop publishingInDesignIntegrating Interactive Elements with WebsitesVideo Creation Software Databases and Queries A good spreadsheet ordatabasenot only stores information but also makes it easy to reorganize the information quickly to answer new questions, or even conduct certain kinds of data analysis and processing. A spreadsheet can handle anything from payroll accounts to lists of all the characters (and all their characteristics) for a novel. As we noted above, professional-level skill means more th an simply knowing how to use a spreadsheet or database you also must know which spreadsheet or database program to use and how to structure it for any given project. Skills useful for spreadsheet and database management include Data AnalyticsMicrosoft ExcelFileMaker ProFortranHiveHQLMATLABNumeracyObject Oriented Database Management Systems (OODBMS)Relational database management systems (RDBMS)SASSparkSPSSStatisticsSQLNoSQLXML Database Management Systems IT Troubleshooting Using computers is one thing. Being able to fix them is another. BasicIT skillsbegin with knowing how and when to do routine maintenance and how to cope with frozen programs or damaged USB ports. Thorough familiarity with the software and hardware of many different types of computer systems, including all lesser-known features, is key. IT troubleshooting skills include Backup ManagementClient Server ManagementClient supportConfigurationDiagnosticsEnd User SupportHelp DeskImplementationInstallationIssue Tracking Systems (ITS)Modem Hardware TroubleshootingRouter TroubleshootingSystems AdministrationTech SupportSoftware TroubleshootingRemote Access Software Cybersecurity In this all-encompassing digital age, power grids and military equipment and more are all managed by computers. Computer hackers have the ability to disrupt major infrastructural functions if companies and governments do not take their cyber security seriously. Among the most important cybersecurity skills are Intrusion DetectionVirus Protection SoftwareMalware AnalysisMalware ReversalSoftware ProgrammingRisk ManagementOperating SystemsInformation ManagementData Encryption More Computer Skills AP StyleField-programmable Gate Array (FPGA) Development ToolsClient Relationship Management (CRM) SoftwarePCB Layout ReviewWindows ShellAPIsAutoCADMayaAccounting SoftwareCustomer ServiceIP ConfigurationYoastJournalismVirtual AdvertisingBusiness Continuity PlanningAcrobatArtificial IntelligenceAutomated Billing SystemsPoint of Sale SystemsWAN/LANMachine LearningCodingRuby on RailsSoftware InstallationCiscoDNSDHCP How to Make Your Skills Stand Out Add Relevant Skills to Your Resume Each job will require different skills and experiences, so make sure to read thejob descriptioncarefully, and focus on the skills listed by the employer. Because many companies initially search resumes for desired keywordsby computer, a good list can get your application in the door. You can also weave in your skills when you arewriting your job descriptionsin your resume. For instance, instead of saying Edited content on website, you could write, Edited content within Content Management System using basic HTML for formatting.Highlight Skills in Your Cover Letter The letter needs to be clear and engaging - not a skills list. However, you can bring up certainspecific skills mentioned in the job description. For example, Your job description calls for web design experience, and in my two years at ABC Company, I have gone from wire frames to full designs for several re-launches.Use Skill Words in Your Job Interview Before the interview, look back at the job listing and make a list of some of the key skills required for the position. Be prepared to give examples of times you have demonstrated each of these skills. It will help you sell your credentials to the interviewer.