116 technical skills to develop to boost your resumé

Today’s job market is experiencing a skills gap – a mismatch between the skills required for a job and the skills possessed by job seekers or employees. This is because skills take time to catch up with demand, according to The Straits Times.

The Ministry of Manpower’s annual report on job vacancies found that technology talent remained highly sought after, notwithstanding job cuts at top firms such as Shopee and Meta. The article states, “The opportunities often appear on the horizon faster than it takes to build a pipeline of ready talent that can fully match the numbers and skill level needed to pursue these prospects.”

See the current demand for technical skills as an opportunity to keep yourself relevant by upskilling and reskilling for job security. Learning new skills can even lead to a new career!

Technical skills cover a wide range of digital and physical hard skills to accomplish job-specific tasks. With technical skills becoming more crucial than ever to landing a job, it’s time everyone had them on their resumés.

• Understanding technical skills
• How to improve your technical skills
• Measuring technical skills
• Showcasing technical skills
• Common misconceptions about technical skills
• Examples of technical skills for your resume
• Summary
• FAQs

Understanding technical skills

Investopedia says technical skills are specialised knowledge and expertise needed to perform workplace tasks. Unlike soft skills, which are developed from personality and are transferable across any workplace, technical skills are measurable and standardised skills for completing a specific task, and can be learned with vocational training. Examples of technical skills include computer programming, data analysis, financial management, engineering, writing, and many others across industries. 

Technical skills are important for any business because they rely on different tools and processes for production. In an advertising agency, designers need to be adept at creating layouts and designs using specific software. Even if they have excellent ideas and communication skills, their work will only be successful if they can effectively execute them with the required tools.

Tech skills needed across industries

From healthcare to finance, technical skills are highly sought after in different fields. Here are some examples:

General

As nearly all work has been digitised, employees must be familiar with completing general job functions, such as writing reports and agendas, documentation, and communication using computer programs. 

• General computer skills
• Social media
• Research skills
• Operating systems
• Project management
• Productivity software

Finance

The innovations in fraud and cybercrime must be met with even greater resistance in financial technologies to advance financial security.

• Data intelligence software (Google Analytics)
• Accounting software (Quickbooks)
• Financial modelling tools (Hyperion)
• Structured query language

Marketing

Marketing has moved from traditional to digital, and marketing professionals must be updated with the latest user trends to keep their customers engaged.

• Digital marketing analytics (Facebook Analytics)
• Content management systems (WordPress)
• Multimedia software (Adobe Suite)

Manufacturing

Robotics is now taking over what was traditionally manual work accomplished by factory workers. This is an opportunity for growth, as manufacturing workers can step up to the challenge of operating robotics to keep up with the industry shift. 

• Robotics
• CAD software
• Coding (MES, PLC)

How to improve your technical skills

You can improve your technical skills with training and practice. While a technology-related degree can speed up the process, individuals without a technical background can also acquire and develop these skills. 

Technology learning is an even playing field. Even tech experts have to adapt and upskill when new technology becomes relevant. Here’s how you can keep up with the ever-changing landscape of technical skills:

• Browse free learning content online: A wealth of resources is available for anyone who wants to learn anything.
• Take an online course: Once you’ve found a niche you want to specialise in, take the next step by investing in a course that will give you greater expertise in your chosen skills.
• Get certified: Make sure your skills are job-ready by getting accreditation from a recognised institution, such as the Institute of Technical Education.
• Gain experience: Technical skills are best improved hands-on. Sign up for internships, do volunteer work, and take on freelance projects to boost your skills and land a job – even with little or no experience!

Measuring technical skills

Your school and degree may indicate that you are proficient in a technical skill, but employers are interested in how you can apply your skills in their workplace. An employer will likely give you a skills assessment based on the work processes expected of the role. 

This may have written and practical components. For example, an Electrical Technology assessment grades the successful application of principles in a repair task, factoring in the application of safety protocols during the procedure.

Another way companies measure your qualifications is to request third-party technical assessments and government-approved certifications for the skills they are looking for. The Institute of Technical Education offers nationally recognised assessments for various industry sectors and provides passers with Skills Evaluation Test (SET) certificates recognised by the Ministry of Manpower.

Assessments allow you to practise and reflect on your skills, but they may only partially showcase your abilities in a real work setting. If you fall short of a company’s expectations, this is no cause for worry – the company may not be the right fit for you. Use it as motivation to improve and seek better opportunities in the future.

Showcasing technical skills

According to an article in The Straits Times, Singapore employers now prioritise a job seeker’s skills over their education. It states that “39% of companies in Singapore look for those with technical skills, and 31% look for transferable skills. This exhibits a preference over hiring based on traditional qualifications such as education (8%) or work experience (12%).”

Stand out by listing your technical skills at the top of your resumé, and mentioning your technical skills in your job interview. Be even more credible by having a portfolio showcasing how you successfully applied your technical skills across projects.

Here are some of the best websites for creating an online portfolio:

• WordPress
• Wix
• Squarespace
• Adobe Portfolio
• Behance

Common misconceptions about technical skills

Technical skills are only for technical jobs

According to Forbes, technology is driving change in almost every industry. We now live in the digital era, where most work is conducted on devices. Remote work is increasingly becoming the norm. Knowing how to use software in your job is crucial, regardless of your field. Learning new technical skills is essential to staying competitive in the job market and bridging the technology skills gap.

Technical skills are only relevant for entry-level positions

Technical skills are important for all job levels, from entry-level to executive roles. Technology has become an integral part of almost every industry, and having strong technical skills can set you apart from your peers and help you excel in your career. 

Although you may have years of tenure in your industry, the evolution of technology is an equaliser for all professionals. We must constantly learn new trends and software to keep up with in-demand skills, upskill, and reskill and stay relevant. Even in non-technical roles, such as marketing or finance, having a basic understanding of technical concepts can help. 

Imagine having the double advantage of high performance and soft skills, given your experience. Combine this with your ability to upskill and keep up to date with the latest industry practices. Then watch those job offers come in!

Technical skills are only developed through formal education

Fortunately, Singapore has been highly innovative in terms of technical education. The government has created several integrated programs to help professionals upskill and reskill in the most in-demand technical skills. This is accomplished through traineeship programs that make workers employable in the most current jobs. 

Don’t be intimidated by learning new skills that were not part of your degree. Face the challenge of upgrading your tech skills. There’s a wealth of subsidised or free online resources, thanks to technology.

Check out free online courses on Hays Learning, or get government assistance through Skillsfuture courses. Smartacademy provides up to 70% funding for eligible Singaporeans, and Google Singapore has a vocational traineeship program. 

Examples of technical skills for your resume

Not all technical skills levels are equal. You’ll want to make your resumé stand out by presenting your skills as high-level and credible. If you have certifications, indicate them beside the corresponding skill. Hyperlink the skill to an output on your portfolio, or list the results you achieved with your skill. 

For example, under “Malware Analysis,” list down how you were able to diagnose and remove a virus, saving the private files of over 70 clients.

Software development

Just as you are meticulous with your coding, use the right words in your resumé to describe a potential employer’s experience with you as a software developer. 

Data science

As data science is highly specialised, it’s important to specify certifications you’ve obtained and software you’ve used in your resumé.

Cloud computing

Cloud computing can cover different roles. Include the specific tasks you have accomplished with these skills, and the types of projects you accomplished.

Networking and infrastructure

Network infrastructure engineers need a strong technical background, combined with excellent customer service skills.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity professionals must have demonstrated experience in keeping data safe. You must indicate this on your resumé. 

Web development

A web developer can have multiple skills in front-end, back-end, and full-stack development. You should organise your accomplishments and certifications by skill category. Having a portfolio of past projects is also crucial for the recruiter to see your style. 

Mobile development

Mobile developers need extensive technical skills. That’s on top of your soft skills of working with a team, interpreting client feedback, and effective presentation.

UI/UX design

To impress potential employers, UI and UX designers should showcase their ability to keep information organised, concise, and effective on their resumé. Highlight your relevant technical skills and present your resumé in an impressive layout.

Product management

Focus on the results and numbers made possible by your skills as a product manager. 

IT operations

These technical skills will look good on your IT operations resumé, but remember that leadership and people management skills are also important.

Summary

The current job market is experiencing a skills gap, which means there is an increasing demand for technical skills across industries. Technical skills refer to specialised knowledge and expertise required to perform job-related tasks. They are quantifiable, standardised, and can be acquired through training.

Skillsfuture’s annual skills report states, “The ultimate objective is for lifelong learning to

enable Singapore and Singaporeans to thrive in a world that is becoming ever more dynamic and unpredictable.” 

Therefore, learning and upgrading your technical skills provides a steady foundation of job security for the rest of your career.

Have you boosted your resume with your most in-demand technical skills? Start by creating or updating your profile on JobStreet. Get timely career advice and find your dream job by downloading the JobStreet app on the App Store or Google Play.

FAQs

1. What are the most in-demand technical skills?
   ⁠The most in-demand technical skills are data science, cloud computing, networking and infrastructure, cybersecurity, web development, mobile development, UI/UX design, product management, and IT operations. If you want to see which skills are sought after for your particular field, you may look at job postings for the roles you are eyeing.

2. Can technical skills be learned online?
   ⁠Technical skills can be learned both in theory and in practice online. Many online platforms offer courses and resources in programming, web development, data analysis, and other technical subjects. Make sure you choose reliable and reputable sources.

3. How do I identify which technical skills are important for my field?
   ⁠The most in-demand technical skills for all industries are general computer skills, social media, research skills, operating systems, project management, and productivity software. 
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   ⁠Stay updated on the most relevant skills for your fields by checking out Jobstreet’s “Future of Recruitment” report. Another good practice is looking at job descriptions for roles you are eyeing.
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4. How can I improve my technical skills without spending a lot of money?
   ⁠Learning on the job is one of the best ways to improve your technical skills. If this is not an option for you right now, there is a wealth of free and subsidised resources online for learning technical skills. Examples are Hays Learning, Smartacademy, Skillsfuture, and Google Singapore. You can also join online communities and groups related to your field and learn best practices from fellow professionals. 
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5. Are technical skills more important than soft skills?
   ⁠Technical and soft skills work in tandem for you to get a job and keep it. Technical skills are crucial to present first in your resumé to get hired for a job. The soft skills you employ on the job, meanwhile, will ensure longevity and advancement.
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6. Can I still get a job without technical skills?
   ⁠There are plenty of job openings for those with no experience to learn technical skills on the job. However, taking the initiative to learn technical skills and add them to your resumé may set you apart from other job seekers.