How to show the scope, strength, and depth of your computer skills on your resume

Back in the dark ages — say, the 1970s, when movies like "Star Wars" were capturing plastic spaceship models on reels of photographic film and bands like Led Zeppelin were recording long takes onto reels of magnetic tape — about the only people who had computer skills on their resumes were rocket scientists at NASA.

Things have changed over the last 50 years. Technology has crept into almost every corner of our lives, and just about any job today needs some level of computer skills. But even if technology is not your thing, don't sell yourself short on your resume. You still have a level of competency that hiring managers will be interested in. And even if you have a mountain of tech knowledge, you'll still need a strategic approach to give your resume an edge over the competition.

Adding computer skills to your resume can seem like a magic password: Find the right combination, and you're on the shortlist. But that's not how it works. When it comes to digital literacy, employers understand that technology and computer skills aren't just titles and badges — they're important professional tools that get specific jobs done. What hiring managers are looking for on your resume is the scope, strength, and depth of your expertise, not boxes to check off. Let's look at ways to communicate this expertise on your resume, no matter what style you've chosen.

The scope of your computer skills: What you know

Wherever you are in your career, it's important to let others know the scope of your computer literacy — in other words, the knowledge you already have. Your resume should have a clean, clear list of appropriate computer skills. Some resume styles dedicate lines or columns to these sections, often called "Skills," "Tools," or "Software," which are usually ideal places for your list. For help with appropriate terminology, you'll find that job descriptions are good guides for which computer skills to list on your resume, whether basic, advanced, or elite.

Basic computer skills

Even if your career is just getting started, the basic computer skills you already have are important in any career path and show that you have the potential to expand your skill set even more. Here are some common basic competencies appropriate for a wide variety of roles and industries that you can list on your resume, along with what each skill demonstrates about you:

• Email and messaging skills show typing ability, use of interfaces, and composition.
• Social media knowledge (such as experience using Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook) shows you are familiar with browser use, downloading, uploading, content creation, and editing.
• Tablet interfaces demonstrate touch-screen ability to guide transactions, take inventories, make purchases, and complete registrations.
• Personal publishing can involve website creation, website maintenance, and content pipelines.
• Communication and collaboration software (such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, Workplace, and Discord) shows team interaction, project monitoring, and file organization.

Advanced computer skills

Even though the basics are important, you'll find that many jobs have specific technology goals that require more advanced computer knowledge. These goals can be crucial to corporate or departmental success, and cultivating computer skills that satisfy them will often give you greater opportunities and responsibilities. Here are some of the advanced computer skills that can show your professional talent and versatility:

• Office software (such as Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive, and iWork Suite) is used for all forms of business communication, writing, presentations, scheduling, and printing.
• Spreadsheets (such as Excel, Google Sheets, and Numbers) are used for organization, tracking, calculations, and projections.
• Presentation software (such as PowerPoint, Google Slides, and Keynote) is used for business presentations, media presentations, and business and conference displays.
• Analytics and data visualization skills involve reports, research, and competitive analysis.
• Database management software (such as Microsoft Access, Oracle Database, and MySQL) shows material and business organization, access levels, and storage security.
• Accounting software (such as QuickBooks, FreshBooks, and NetSuite) shows familiarity with financial organization, expenses and payments, and profit and loss.
• Automated marketing (such as Mailchimp and Omnisend) manages newsletters, campaigns, and content releases.
• Enterprise systems manage inventory, supply chains, project management, and workflows.
• Hardware and IT skills involve dealing with system administration, network security, cloud integration, hardware support, software installation, and file sharing.

Elite computer skills

When you've taken the time and effort to reach the elite level, your role will be critical to the success of a project, department, or organization. Elite computer skills can be very rewarding, even at entry levels, so if you have them in your arsenal, you'll want them to be at the top of the skills list on your resume. Here are a few elite skills that show you have invaluable expertise:

• Operating systems (such as Windows, iOS, and Android) are core engines for computer operations, requiring upkeep, problem-solving, and hardware and software compatibility.
• 3D graphics and animation (such as 3ds Max, MotionBuilder, and Maya) are essential for software and app development, architecture, mechanical engineering, media resources, and 3D printing.
• Network architects specialize in network connectivity, network availability, and network design and features.
• Coding and programming are the backbone of software design, software engineering, and app development.

"When it comes to digital literacy, employers understand that technology and computer skills aren't just titles and badges — they're important professional tools that get specific jobs done. What hiring managers are looking for on your resume is the scope, strength, and depth of your expertise, not boxes to check off."

The strength of your computer skills: What you're good at

If you have a talent for a basic competency, by all means, show it off. But advanced and elite computer skills are usually where you'll find the special strengths that make you desirable and valuable to hiring managers.

The skills you've spent extra time developing or have a natural affinity for are often recognized by institutions and organizations with certifications and awards. If you've earned such recognition for your computer skills, you'll absolutely want to have a place on your resume to highlight it. Some resume styles will refer to it as a "Certificates" section, whereas others might call it "Honors," but make sure it's clear somewhere on your resume.

You may also have proven strengths without formal recognition. Don't be afraid to illustrate your talents in examples within the "Experience" section of your resume. Noting that you were always given a specific responsibility because of a strength in that skill, for example, will definitely get noticed.

The depth of your computer skills: What you've mastered

With computer skills, we often learn by figuring out what's urgent and then relaxing. But you never want to be the one who says, "I didn't know it could do that," to your frustrated boss. If you're the one who actually does know everything an app can do or all that a skill involves, you'll be an exceptional candidate and highly desirable for any job. Mastery of computer skills is always worth pursuing, and if you've already done that, you need to communicate it in your resume.

Some computer skill certificates recognize depth as well as strength. But once again, using specific examples in your "Experience" section is a great way to highlight specialties that industry leaders would consider you've mastered or are close to mastering. Including examples of your skill depth — mentioning how you've used every feature of an app, for example, or how many apps you've used for the same skill — will make your resume shine.

Now you can craft a resume that lists the appropriate scope of your computer skills and highlights their unique strengths and impressive depths. Once you've worked it to perfection, upload your resume to Career Builder and get started finding jobs that match your skills and strengths.

More tips for creating an excellent resume:

Learn about the five traits of a resume and how they can help you get hired.

Follow this great example of a web developer resume to land a job in the tech industry.

Cut through the clutter of your job searches by creating resumes that pop.

Looking for a great tool to help you craft your resume? Build a great resume with CoLab.