40+ In-Demand IT Skills Examples & Definition (2024)

IT skills. A simple phrase that is quite rightly among the buzziest of buzz words in the recruitment world and guaranteed to remain so for years to come. IT skills are an essential requirement in all manner of jobs, and a driving force behind the modern economy.

But when it comes to listing IT skills on your CV, it’s easy to be intimidated. Not all of us are master programmers and the complexities of IT skills can feel like a foreign language. Rest assured though, putting IT skills on your CV is much easier than you think.

In this guide, you'll find best examples of IT skills for a CV & how to include them. Furthermore, you'll get insights into how to improve your computing skills to become a more competitive professional. Let's get started.

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Gathering various skills list for a CV? Check these guides:

• 100+ Technical Skills for a CV
• Best Time Management Skills for Many Jobs
• Critical Thinking Skills & How to Develop Them
• Employability Skills You Need to Mention
• Good Problem Solving Skills for a CV
• Leadership Skills and How to Describe Them on a CV
• Key Presentation Skills to Add to Your CV
• Project Management Skills Recruiters Value
• What Are Hard Skills for a CV?
• Which Interpersonal Skills to Include on a CV?

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IT skills CV example

What are IT skills?

IT skills are your ability to use technology effectively. That can be computers, phones, and any other digital technology. So the purpose of including IT skills on your CV is to prove you’re proficient at managing, developing, designing and operating technology. 

According to government statistics, 82% of online vacancies are in roles where digital skills are considered an essential entry requirement. The same report states that ‘overall, roles requiring digital skills pay 29% (£8,300 per annum) [more] over those roles that do not.’

Those numbers speak for themselves. 

IT skills list for a CV

As I’ve already mentioned, IT skills examples cover a huge range of abilities and knowledge. So it’s important to break it all down. We’ll start off with hard skills. These are the technical abilities that are easily taught and measured, such as being able to code in a specific language. Let’s break them down and take a look at IT skills examples for each main category.

1. Programming languages

IT directly contributes 3% of the entire UK economic output, a figure that is set to rise as it’s importance continues to grow. And for most people, the classic IT skill is programming. Without programming, technology simply cannot function. So here’s a look at some of the most important programming IT skills in demand. This ranking has been taken from the PYPL index, which collates raw data from Google Trends.

• Python
• Java
• Javascript
• C#
• C/C++
• PHP
• R
• Objective-C
• Swift
• TypeScript

2. Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity IT skills are also massively in demand. 48% of UK businesses have a basic skills gap in this area. This means they lack resources to be even able to carry out the basics set out in the government-endorsed Cyber Essentials Scheme. So even basic IT skills in cybersecurity on your CV will be an asset. Here are some examples.

• Security tools expertise e.g. Kaspersky and McAffee
• Incident response
• Penetration testing
• Malware analysis
• Cloud and network security
• Fundamental computer forensics
• Coding e.g C, C++, Java, Python, Ruby, Perl, PHP
• Knowledge of operating systems and network architecture
• Familiarity with cloud computing implementation 

3. Networks

Modern technology is built on physical connections within local networks and broader connections with the cloud. Knowledge of networks is another area of key importance for IT skills in your CV. Here are some examples.

• IP setup
• Cloud systems administration 
• DHCP client/server
• Backup management
• LAN installation and configuration
• Disaster recovery
• Knowledge of routing protocols
• Equipment configuration
• Network connectivity troubleshooting
• Workstation installation

4. Cloud computing

Today’s tech and data is interconnected through the cloud, data storage and computer power accessible from anywhere via the internet. It’s another area of massive growth. Here are some skills examples to show you’ve got your head firmly in the cloud.

• Multi-cloud deployment
• DevOps
• Automation
• Serverless architecture
• Cloud security
• Database management
• Application migration
• Performance testing

5. Blockchain

Bitcoin is the example of blockchain technology most people are familiar with. But it’s not just about cryptocurrency. The blockchain is set to transform entire industries with its utility. Here are some skills to demonstrate your mastery of it.

• Platform knowledge
• Blockchain security
• Blockchain architecture
• Standards and ecosystems
• Cryptography
• Data structures
• Smart contract deployment
• Programming languages (Solidity makes a good starting point)

6. UX design skills

UX design is all about the look and feel of how a user interacts with a product. For example the way you use your favourite apps. Everyone wants a smooth and attractive user experience, so these skills are in high demand. Here are some examples.

• Visual communication
• Wireframing
• UI prototyping
• Interaction design
• Analytics
• Coding (HTML, CSS, Javascript are a good start)
• User empathy
• UX writing

7. Enterprise architecture

Enterprise architecture refers to the way organisations use IT systems to create alignment with broad strategic goals. The entire direction of a company can be governed by its enterprise architecture, so it’s crucial to get it right. Here are some skills that are good examples for this important category.

• DevOps
• Cloud infrastructure
• Governance
• Auditing
• Service orientation frameworks
• Security/compliance standards
• capacity planning
• Network topology

8. Soft skills

Good IT skills aren’t just about technology. All IT skills require soft skills, too. These are the personal attributes that help you interact and work effectively with other people. After all, it’s not all about the tech itself. Here are some solid soft IT skills that will stand you in good stead.

• Communication
• Problem-solving
• Teamwork
• Time management
• Attention to detail
• Self-motivation
• Patience
• Creative thinking
• Project planning
• Adaptability

9. Most in-demand IT skills

We’ve just discussed a few of the main categories of IT skills. Covering them all simply isn’t possible in this guide. What is clear though is that the UK has a significant IT skills gap. So which IT skills are most in-demand and best for you to focus on?

Best examples of IT skills for a CV

• UX design
• Blockchain
• Cloud computing skills
• Cybersecurity
• Scientific computing
• Machine learning and Artificial Intelligence
• Systems and enterprise architecture
• Virtualisation
• Programming
• Amazon web services
• Software development
• Word processing
• Mobile app development

So that’s been a brief general IT skills list for a CV. But you can’t just pick some examples, throw them on your CV and expect results. So, next we’re going to explore the best way to show off your IT skills in your CV.

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How to include IT skills in your CV?

We barely scratched the surface in our list of IT skills and a CV has limited space. You should be aiming for a one or two-page IT CV at most. Any reasonably competent IT professional probably has more skills than they can easily list, so how do you decide which ones to include on your CV? 

• The key to success is paying close attention to the job advert for the role you’re applying for. It’s like a wish list of skills that the hiring manager wants in their ideal candidate. So read it carefully and make a note of all the skills that are mentioned.
• Then list all of your own skills, taking into consideration all the abilities and knowledge gained through your work experience and education.
• And lastly, see what matches when you compare the two lists. Those are the IT skills you should include on your CV as they will ensure your job application is precisely targetted.

The easiest way of including IT skills on your CV is to incorporate them into your skills section. This should be a list of 5–10 skills, consisting of a mix of soft skills and hard skills. The trick is not to just write basic IT skills like a shopping list but to choose the most essential ones and include a brief statement for each that backs up your capabilities. Here’s how it should look:

IT Skills Examples—Standard Skills Section

As you can see, that’s a much more impactful strategy than just writing a blank IT skills or computer skills list. But there are other ways to put IT skills in your CV too.

IT Skills Examples—Separate Skills Section

For more specialist technical IT skills such as programming languages you can include a separate section. You could use the heading ‘programming languages’ or whatever is appropriate to your specialist skill set. And it should be structured in exactly the same way as a standard skills section.

IT Skills Examples—CV Profile

Your IT skills can actually be incorporated into every CV section. Your CV profile is the brief paragraph at the top of your CV that introduces you as a candidate. Also known as your CV personal statement or CV summary it’s the perfect place to start adding IT skills to your CV.

That will be the first part of the candidate’s CV the recruiter will see, and when it’s written like that it instantly proves their IT skills credentials.

IT Skills Examples—Work Experience Section

What better way of showing off your IT skills on your CV than by incorporating them into your work history. This way you show how those skills have contributed to your practical experience and professional accomplishments.

Work your skills into the bullet points of your work experience section. Give them maximum impact by starting each bullet point with a CV action word, adding numbers to quantify your achievements, and using accomplishment statements as your framework.

IT Skills Examples—Additional Sections

It doesn’t stop with your work experience. And that’s good news for candidates writing a student CV, graduate CV or other situations where your work experience is limited. A great example is your hobbies and interests section, some people dismiss it as irrelevant but it’s a great way of proving your technical skills in the absence of a detailed work history.

That’s not just fun and games but proof of technical and programming IT skills.

But it doesn’t stop there. You could even add IT skills to your education section. If you’ve just graduated it’s perfectly acceptable to list relevant modules you’ve studied and projects you’ve completed. Just add bullet points to your education section listing them.

And speaking of education, there’s no need to be concerned if your IT functional skills are up to scratch. Next, we’re going to cover what you can do to improve them.

How to improve your IT skills?

If you don’t have good IT skills (and, let's say, you're writing a student CV), don’t worry, there are plenty of options out there for you to develop basic computing skills, IT skills, or technical skills in general. Addressing the IT skills gap is such an important issue that there are all sorts of training options available now to upskill the workforce. Here’s how to go about it.

1. Identify your IT skills gap

Set clear learning goals by identifying what it is you need to learn. Whether it’s learning a programming language or just mastering spreadsheets (as one of the basic IT skills), setting clear objectives will make it easier to find the training you need.

2. Ask your employer

Many companies offer training to their employees with basic IT skills being a key focus. You’ll also find most of them offer training in the main software systems that they use and the major productivity suites.

3. Look at government-led training

Use the government career skills and training portal if you’re currently unemployed or your employer doesn’t have the training you need. 

4. Consider online options and remote learning

There’s a great selection of training providers available online too. The Open University is one of the oldest and best remote learning providers but newcomers like EdX, Coursera and Udemy are great too. 

5. Practice and get hands on experience

Once you’ve completed your training, get some practice. Speak to your employer about taking on duties that’ll let you get hands-on experience. Complete projects in your spare time (and then include them in hobbies and interests section of your CV). There’s no better way of reinforcing your learning than putting your newly found IT skills to use.

In short, explore your options and expand your horizons. IT skills will continue to be in demand and developing yours will pay dividends in terms of career success.

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Thanks for reading, if you’d like to know anything else about how to best leverage your IT skills then please hit us up in the comments section. We’re here to help.

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Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.