How to write technical skills in a CV?

Writing technical skills in a CV is essential to showcase your qualifications for a tech-focused role. Here’s a guide on structuring and presenting your technical skills effectively on your CV:

1. Create a “Technical Skills” Section

Having a dedicated “Technical Skills” section helps recruiters quickly find your core competencies. Place this section near the top of your CV if the role emphasizes technical expertise, making it easy for recruiters to assess your qualifications.

2. Organize Skills into Categories

Categorize your technical skills to make them easy to scan. Common categories include:

• Programming Languages: List languages relevant to the role, such as Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, etc.
• Frameworks and Libraries: Include frameworks and libraries like React, Django, Angular, or TensorFlow.
• Tools and Platforms: List tools such as Git, Docker, Kubernetes, and platforms like AWS, Azure.
• Databases: Mention experience with SQL (MySQL, PostgreSQL) or NoSQL (MongoDB, Redis) databases.
• Other Skills: Add any additional skills relevant to the role, such as RESTful APIs, GraphQL, or CI/CD.

3. Use Proficiency Levels (Optional)

Indicate your proficiency level for each skill, if relevant, to give employers an idea of your depth of experience. You can specify your level of familiarity as Beginner, Proficient, Advanced, or Expert.

Example:

• Languages: Python (Advanced), JavaScript (Proficient), C++ (Beginner)

4. Tailor Skills to Match the Job Description

Review the job description carefully and include the technical skills that match the requirements of the position. Highlight the most relevant skills for each role to increase your chances of standing out.

5. Example of a Technical Skills Section

Technical Skills

• Programming Languages: Python, JavaScript, Java
• Frameworks: React, Node.js, Django
• Tools and Platforms: Git, Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins
• Databases: MySQL, MongoDB
• Cloud: AWS (S3, EC2, Lambda), Azure

6. Reinforce Technical Skills in Your Work Experience

In addition to the “Technical Skills” section, highlight specific skills in the Experience section of your CV. Describe how you used these skills in past roles to show real-world applications.

Example:

• Developed a RESTful API using Node.js and Express, managing 20,000+ daily requests.
• Deployed a containerized application on AWS with Docker and Kubernetes, improving scalability.

7. Include Certifications or Relevant Courses (Optional)

If you have completed relevant courses or earned certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Developer, Certified ScrumMaster), consider listing them to further validate your technical skills.

8. Example CV Section with Technical Skills and Experience

Here’s how it might look in a complete CV:

Technical Skills

• Languages: Python, JavaScript, Java
• Frameworks: React, Django, Express
• Databases: PostgreSQL, MongoDB
• Tools: Docker, Git, Jenkins, Kubernetes

Professional Experience

Software Engineer
Tech Solutions Inc., New York, NY
June 2021 – Present

• Implemented serverless architecture on AWS Lambda for efficient handling of API requests.
• Developed a dynamic web application using React and Redux, reducing page load time by 40%.
• Automated CI/CD pipelines with Jenkins, improving deployment efficiency by 30%.

Summary

• Organize skills into categories.
• Match skills to the job description for relevancy.
• Demonstrate technical skills through past experiences.
• Include certifications if they validate your skills.

A well-structured “Technical Skills” section paired with relevant experience highlights your qualifications and enhances the impact of your CV.