Intro: Your technical skills section on your resume is your first impression on the employers. It is the very first thing the employers look at on a candidate’s resume while hiring.
Companies all across the globe widely use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) by scrutinising the resume and skills mentioned to screen out unsuitable candidates.
To get through the ATS, your entry level resume for IT sector must include industry-specific and profile-centric keywords and skills.
Companies, while hiring, look for candidates who can present the best technical skill sets on their table. A good resume, even an entry-level IT resume, showcasing the appropriate technical skills can become a key deciding factor during the recruitment process. Make sure to highlight the most relevant and impressive skills.
How to present your technical skills on your resume?
The most ethical way to display skills on your resume is by creating a separate skills section. If the role requires different types of soft and technical skill sets, make two different sections for all the soft and technical skills you have to highlight them.
It is essential to write your skills concisely in a separate section so that the recruiters can skim through your skills at once. Here’s a quick guide on how you can mention technical skills on your resume.
- Make a skills section
Create one or two separate skills sections to highlight your key abilities. Mention all your relevant technical skills under one heading and soft skills under another. Do not mix these two up.
- Write the most relevant technical skills
Every role does not necessarily require the same technical skills. To lock the best opportunities, you must analyse the prerequisites of the role you are applying for and then incorporate those keywords on your resume.
Reckon the most demanded technical skills in the industry and the skills listed in the job posting, and reflect them on your entry-level IT resume. Use the phrases mentioned in the job listing; for example, if the job posting requires candidates fluent in Data Analysis, Machine Learning, or Cloud Computing, make sure to include these exact skills if you have them. It will tell the recruiters that you have what it takes to work in their firm.
List your skills
In your technical skills section, write your skills in a way that is easily comprehensible and not convoluted. Make a simple and well-organised list. Place the most impressive and relevant skills at the top of the list. The skills mentioned in the job posting should be emphasised the most. Do not add irrelevant skills here.
To display your technical skills in a presentable manner you can either list your key skills under one heading or you can categorise them.
For example:
Key skills:
- Java
- SQL
- C++
- Data Analysis
- Photoshop
- Illustrator
OR
Key skills:
- Programming skills: Java, SQL, C++
- Designing skills: Photoshop, Illustrator
- Analytical skills: Data Analysis
You can also mention your skills with respect to your proficiency in it.
For example:
Key skills:
- Java: Advance
- C++ : Advance
- Photoshop: Basic
- Data Analysis: Intermediate
- SQL: Intermediate
- H3: Show your skills throughout your resume
You must reflect your technical skills throughout your entry-level IT resume in different sections; for example, in your professional experience section, educational qualification section, accomplishments, certifications, etc, to showcase your competency.
Highlight achievements that demonstrate your strengths across your technical skills section, work history section, and other portions of your resume.
Key takeaways:
- Make a separate technical skill section.
- Write the most relevant skills on your resume
- List your technical skills in a presentable manner
- Showcase your skills throughout your resume.
Article by Born Realist