110 Technical Skills Examples

Technical skills are skills that are required to perform specific tasks and use technological tools relevant for a particular field or industry.

We consider technical skills to be domain-specific talents that can prove directly beneficial in the execution of tasks related to jobs in those fields (Lazarova & Boudreau, 2019).

They are often learned through specialized training or on-the-job experiences, and are of very high value to employers, making them important to put on a resume.

Developing technical skills requires dedicated learning and direct interaction with the related tools, processes, or methodologies (Pan, Pan, & Leidner, 2015). This distinguishes them from ‘soft skills’ such as communication or leadership, which are broadly applicable in various domains. For example, Python programming is a technical skill required for software development jobs, while leadership would be a soft skill beneficial across various industries.

Technical Skills Examples

1. Information Technology (IT) Sector

Technical Skills for Information Technology	Description
1. Computer Programming	Knowledge in languages like Python, C++, and Java is critical in many IT jobs.
2. Data Analysis	Analyzing complex data sets to drive insights.
3. Cybersecurity	Protecting computer systems from theft, data damage, or disruption of services.
4. Network Architecture	Designing, implementing, and managing complex digital networks.
5. Cloud Management	Knowledge of cloud services such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Microsoft Azure.
6. Machine Learning	Building and implementing advanced algorithms that learn from and make decisions based on data.
7. Project Management	Overseeing and ensuring the successful completion of projects.
8. Software Development	Designing, coding, and testing software or apps.
9. Systems Analysis	Analyzing computer systems to improve efficiency.
10. Database Management	Operating and managing databases effectively using SQL or other database languages.
11. IT Support	Resolving technical issues in hardware and software.
12. Quality Assurance	Testing systems for potential improvements, bugs, or security issues.
13. Augmented and Virtual Reality	Knowledge in the creation and implementation of AR/VR technologies.
14. Mobile Development	Building applications for mobile devices using development tools like Android Studio or Xcode.
15. Artificial Intelligence	Knowledge of creating self-learning systems using predictive models and algorithms.

2. Engineering Sector

Technical Skill for Engineering	Description
16. CAD (Computer-Aided Design)	Proficiency in CAD software such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks is critical for designing and modeling projects.
17. Project Management	The ability to plan, coordinate, and oversee engineering projects to ensure they are completed effectively.
18. Mathematical Modeling	The use of mathematical structures and equations to simulate and analyze real-world systems.
19. Technical Drawing	The ability to create accurate and detailed blueprints and schematics.
20. Quality Control	The process of reviewing the quality of all engineering factors involved in production.
21. Programming	Necessary for engineers working on automated or computer-controlled systems; languages may include Python, R, or MATLAB.
22. Simulation Software	Familiarity with software like ANSYS or COMSOL for conducting stress tests on design models.
23. Finite Element Analysis	The ability to use FEA software to evaluate the performance of a material under a load.
24. Material Selection	Knowledge of different materials and their properties to select the best one for a particular project.
25. Systems Engineering	The ability to design systems to fulfill user requirements.
26. Health and Safety Regulations	Knowledge of relevant engineering safety standards and practices.
27. Circuit Design	Essential for electrical and electronics engineers for creating and implementing circuits.
28. Biomechanics	A technical skill necessary in bioengineering for designing and testing medical devices.
29. Thermodynamics	A core skill for mechanical engineers to understand heat transfer, energy, and other related systems.

3. Healthcare Sector

Technical Skills for Nursing and Healthcare	Description
30. Emergency Response Tools	Proficiency in handling urgent healthcare situations using Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) techniques.
31, Patient Assessment and Triage	Ability to assess and analyze health symptoms to arrive at a diagnosis.
32, Medical Software Proficiency	Familiarity with electronic health records (EHR) systems like Epic or Cerner.
33. Pharmacology	Knowledge of drug classification, interactions, side effects, and uses.
24. Sterilization Techniques	Knowledge of proper sterilization techniques to eradicate infectious agents.
35. Medical Instrumentation	Ability to accurately use various medical tools for different procedures.
36. Health Insurance Procedures	Knowledge of billing systems, insurance procedures, and coding.
37. Laboratory Skills	Experience in collecting samples and conducting medical lab tests.
38. Physiological Monitoring	Understanding of patient monitoring devices for tracking vital signs.
39. Surgical Assisting	Ability to assist physicians in surgical procedures.
40. Medical Coding	Proficiency in medical billing codes, such as ICD-10.
41. Anatomical Knowledge	Detailed understanding of human anatomy and physiology.
42. Radiology	Skill in interpreting imaging results from X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, etc.

4. Manufacturing Sector

Technical Skills for Manufacturing Sector	Description
43. Machine Operation	Proficiency in running various types of manufacturing machines.
44. Quality Assurance	Knowledge of testing methods to ensure product quality and consistency.
45. Assembly Line Work	Skill in performing tasks as part of an assembly line process.
46. Welding	Ability to join separate pieces of metal using high heat.
47. CAD/CAM Software	Familiarity with computer-aided design and manufacturing software such as AutoCAD or SolidWorks.
48. Lean Manufacturing	Understanding of lean principles to improve efficiency and reduce waste in production.
49. Equipment Maintenance	Skills in the upkeep and repair of manufacturing tools or machinery.
50. Inventory Management	Ability to efficiently manage stock to ensure smooth production.
51. Health and Safety Compliance	Familiarity with occupational health and safety standards in the workplace.
52. Precision Measurement	Mastery of tools like calipers and micrometers to ensure exact measurements in manufacturing processes.
53. CNC Machine Operation	Proficiency in using Computer Numerical Control machinery for production.
54. Production Scheduling	Ability to create and follow schedules to meet production goals.

5. Education Sector

Technical Skills for Teachers	Description
55. Curriculum Development	Crafting and implementing effective learning programs.
56. Learning Management Systems (LMS)	Navigating and using platforms like Canvas or Blackboard to manage coursework.
57. Instructional Design	Knowledge of how to develop educational experiences to facilitate learning in a specific area.
58. Educational Technology	Proficiency in using tools such as digital whiteboards, student response systems (clickers), and specific educational software.
59. E-learning	Developing online courses and learning materials.
60. Online Assessment Tools	Implementing platforms such as Kahoot, Socrative, and Google Forms for online assessments.
61. Digital Communication Tools	Using online communication tools for engaging with students (Remind, ClassDojo, etc.).
62. Subject-Specific Software	Using subject-specific software such as Geometer’s Sketchpad for math or Adobe Photoshop for graphic design classes.
63. Differentiated Instruction	Developing lessons that cater to a range of learning styles and abilities.
64. STEM Skills	Teaching science, technology, engineering, and math-related subjects require specific technical teaching strategies.
65. Familiarity with State Standards	Knowledge of the state’s learning standards and benchmarks, which is critical when developing a curriculum.
66. Data Analysis Software Proficiency	Analyzing student performance data to inform teaching methods.
67. Language Teaching Software	Utilizing digital language learning platforms such as Rosetta Stone, especially for foreign language teachers.
68. Pedagogical Content Knowledge	The ability to know what methods to use to teach specific content, having both the teaching skills and the content knowledge at the same time.

6. Telecommunications Sector

Technical Skills For Telecommunications Sector	Description
69. Network Architecture	Skills in designing, setting up, and managing telecommunication networks.
70. Circuit Design	Ability to design and implement circuits for telecommunications systems.
71. IP Networks	Detailed knowledge of internet protocol networks and associated systems.
72. Fiber Optics	Proficiency in handling and installing fiber optic cables used in high-speed internet.
73. Network Security	Ability to protect telecommunication networks from intrusions and attacks.
74. Telecommunications Software Proficiency	Proficient in specific industry software like MATLAB, Putty, Wireshark, etc.
75. Wireless Communication	Knowledge of different wireless technologies like 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.
76. Technical Troubleshooting	Skills to diagnose and resolve technical issues within a network.
77. RF Engineering	Knowledge of radio frequency engineering, including spectral analysis and RF circuit design.
78. Quality Assurance	Ability to review and test telecommunications to ensure the optimal performance of systems.
79. System Integration	Skills in effectively linking various subsystems and ensuring that they work together.
80. VOIP	Understanding of Voice over Internet Protocol, for providing voice communication and multimedia sessions over the internet.

7. Finance Sector

Technical Skills for Finance Sector	Description
81. Financial Forecasting	Ability to predict future revenues and expenses based on historical data using financial software.
82. Spreadsheet Proficiency	Advanced use of Microsoft Excel or similar software for financial operations.
83. Financial Software	Expertise in using financial software like QuickBooks, Oracle Financials, Sage, or SAP.
84. Financial Analysis	Skill in analyzing financial statements, ratio analysis, and financial indicator evaluation.
85. Budget Management	Proficiency in planning budgets and managing budgeting software.
86. Financial Modeling	Using programming languages like SQL, Python, or R to build complex financial models.
87. Accounting Software	Mastery in the use of programs like Tally, QuickBooks, and Zoho Books for carrying out accounting tasks.
88. E-commerce Platforms	Familiarity with platforms like Amazon, Shopify, and eBay for handling financial transactions.
89. Risk Assessment Software	Proficiency in using software that predicts potential financial risks.
90. ERP Systems	Skillful use of enterprise resource planning systems like SAP and Oracle.
91. Tax Preparation Tools	Expertise in using software programs like TurboTax, H&R Block for preparing and filing taxes.
92. Data Visualization	Proficiency in creating financial reports using data visualization tools like Tableau, PowerBI, etc.
93. Regression Analysis	The capacity to perform regression analysis to predict finance trends.
94. Cryptocurrency Blockchain	Understanding of the digital blockchain ledger system for cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.
95. Quantitative Analysis	The ability to conduct quantitative analysis to support asset valuation and portfolio management.

8. Project Management

Technical Skills for Project Managers	Description
96. Project Scheduling	Proficiency in using scheduling tools like Microsoft Project, Gantt Charts, or PERT charts to manage timelines.
97. Business Case Writing	Ability to create a detailed business case to justify the initiation of a project.
98. Earned Value Management	Skills in using the earned value approach to measure and control project costs and schedule.
99. Risk Analysis Software	Proficiency in tools like RiskAvert or RiskyProject for risk analysis and management.
100. Agile Software	Mastery of Agile tools and software like Jira, Trello, or Asana used in Agile project management.
101. Resource Allocation	Skills in using software to allocate resources effectively across various tasks.
102. Critical Path Method	Ability to calculate the longest path of planned activities to the end of the project and determine the earliest and latest start and finish times for each activity.
103. Project Budgeting Software	Proficiency in budgeting tools like Zoho Books or QuickBooks.
104. Data Analysis Tools	Knowledge in utilizing data analysis tools like Python, R, or Tableau in project management to extract insights from data.
105. Contract Management Software	Proficiency in using contract management systems to streamline legal and procurement processes.
106. Cost Estimating Software	Skills in using tools like Estimator360 or Clear Estimates to accurately estimate project costs.
107. Scope Management	Proficiency in using software tools to define and control what is and is not included in the project.
108. Version Control Systems	Skills in using version control systems like Git, especially in software projects, to manage changes to project documents, code, etc.
109. Customer Relationship Management	Proficiency in CRM platforms like Salesforce, especially in client-facing projects, to better understand customer needs and behaviors.
110. Workflow Automation	Skills in using automation tools like Kissflow or Zoho Flow to automate repetitive tasks within the project.

Types of Skills (Technical vs Soft vs Hard)

Technical skills, hard skills, and soft skills are three distinct categories of abilities and competencies that individuals possess, whether naturally, through education or training, or through experience.

• Technical skills refer specifically to the knowledge and abilities required to execute specific tasks related to a job or a field, typically making use of various tools, technologies or methodologies (Pan, Pan & Leidner, 2015). For example, a software developer needs technical skills in coding languages like Java or Python, while a data analyst might need technical skills in statistical software like R or SAS.
• Hard skills overlap a lot with technical skills. Oftentimes, one skill is both a hard skill and a technical skill. Hard skills relate to specific professional expertise and knowledge that are teachable and quantifiable – they’re often acquired through formal education, training, or on-the-job experience (Cimatti, 2016). For example, a trained accountant would need hard skills such as the ability to prepare balance sheets, while a licensed commercial driver would need a hard skill such as the ability to operate a commercial vehicle.
• Soft skills, often termed as people or interpersonal skills, encompass attributes and personal characteristics that dictate how individuals interact with others (Succi & Canovi, 2020). They’re considered more difficult to measure objectively (unlike hard skills), and include abilities such as teamwork, communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and conflict resolution. 

Despite their differences, these three categories of skills often overlap and complement one another in the workplace. Thus, a well-rounded employee is likely to possess a blend of technical, hard, and soft skills.

Conclusion

In the era of rapid digital transformation, technical capabilities have gained more importance in the job market (Nguyen, Newby, & Macaulay, 2015).

Furthermore, experts predict that the increasing integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation technologies in the workplace will create even greater demand for job-seekers proficient in technological skills.

For instance, the rise of cloud computing necessitates knowledge in services such as Amazon AWS or Google Cloud Platform for IT professionals.

So, overall, the presentation of technical skills on your resume can significantly enhance your chances of being shortlisted for job roles. By aligning your technical proficiencies with the job requirements, you create a compelling case for your candidacy.

References

Cimatti, B. (2016). Definition, development, assessment of soft skills and their role for the quality of organizations and enterprises. International Journal for Quality Research, 10(1).

Lazarova, M. B., & Boudreau, J. W. (2019). Expatriate management. Human Resource Management Review, 29(4), 316-329.

Nguyen, Q., Newby, M., & Macaulay, M. J. (2015). Information technology adoption in small business: Confirmation of a proposed framework. Journal of Small Business Management, 53(1), 207-227. doi: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jsbm.12058

Pan, G., Pan, S. L., & Leidner, D. (2015). The role of IS capabilities in the development of multi-sided platforms: The digital ecosystems strategy of Alibaba.com. Journal of the Association for Information Systems, 16(4), 2. doi: 10.17705/1jais.00393

Succi, C., & Canovi, M. (2020). Soft skills to enhance graduate employability: comparing students and employers’ perceptions. Studies in Higher Education, 45(3), 545-561. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2019.1585420