What technical skills should you highlight in your resume with writing software and tools?

When writing technically, authors should aim to communicate clearly, concisely, and completely to these target readers. - Clearly: Use straight-forward language that illustrates your points directly. Avoid the thesaurus, and use tables and figures judiciously to display complex ideas. - Concisely: Avoid repeating or rephrasing points for emphasis; opt for stronger and more direct language instead. Challenge yourself to remove unnecessary commentary. Define industry-standard acronyms on their first appearance and use them to cut down verbiage. - Completely: Do not leave discussion or conclusions open-ended; support points with data or references, otherwise abstain from including them.

If you are pursuing a career as a writer, your writing skills alone may be only part of the reason to help you stand apart from other candidates. Technical skills matter because they demonstrate your proficiency in using relevant software tools and platforms. In today's digital age, many writing roles involve content management systems, digital marketing tools, and document formatting software. Highlighting technical skills on a resume not only showcases your adaptability but also assures potential employers of your ability to navigate and excel in a technology-driven work environment.

In my experience, technical skills take a back seat to a writer's portfolio of work, past projects, past affiliations etc. With that being said, tech skills do have a spot on the resume and that's in the 'Skills' section. If you want to be extra organized, sub-categorize your skills section to make it a little easier to read. For instance, you could have categories on things such as writing tools, AI tools, communication/collaboration tools etc.

🚀 Writers, we're not just poets or storytellers! We're tech-savvy magicians, merging creativity with today's evolving tools. Imagine being a chef and showcasing you can use the latest kitchen gadgets - that's us, but with writing software. Highlighting tech skills says, "I've got the flair of Shakespeare, but with the prowess of a Silicon Valley pro!" It's not just about word wizardry; it's mastering the modern quill.

In today's competitive writing market, technical skills can be a distinguishing factor. Clients and employers often prefer writers who can handle content creation's creative and technical aspects.

The first thing to consider is whether your technical skills are relevant to the target position. Start by making a comprehensive list of software, tools, and technologies you are proficient in, both specific to your field and more general ones like Microsoft Office or Google Suite. Next, consider any certifications or courses you've completed, which validate your expertise in certain areas. Reflect on your work experiences and projects, noting any technical tasks or responsibilities you've handled, such as data analysis, coding, graphic design, or content management, and incorporate these skills into your resume's relevant sections to showcase your technical prowess effectively.

This is a small section but super important, so you do not want it to get lost on back pages or implied throughout the resume. Hiring managers need to know, up front and center… “Can you create a pivot table related to account reconciliation?” Often, technology and systems become a major topic of conversation during the interview process, so it is important to isolate this expertise and not dilute it with other “professional skills”. You may also see a job description that has a system you have NOT included but that you know how to operate… if this happens, insert that system in this section as it will trigger an “ATS Match” for that system.

🕵️♀️ Time for a skills scavenger hunt! Dive deep into your writer's toolbox. Perhaps you've been an SEO sorcerer with tools like SEMrush or a layout luminary with Adobe InDesign. Align these with what the 'writing realm' demands. Think of it as matchmaking – your software proficiency meeting an employer's digital dream.

Identify your technical skills as a writer by evaluating your proficiency in word processing software, content management systems, and editing tools.

To effectively format your technical skills on a resume, use a dedicated skills section for clear visibility. List each software and tool individually, avoiding dense blocks of text. Opt for bullet points for easy reading and categorization. Align your skills with the job description, placing the most relevant ones at the beginning. Consider adding a proficiency level next to each skill to provide deeper insight. Consistent formatting, clear headings, and a clean, organized layout ensure your technical skills stand out, allowing recruiters to quickly assess your qualifications and suitability for the role.

Applicant Tracking Systems do not like short bullet points or "tables". If you do this there is a high likelihood that everything could get "scrunched" to the left making your document look less than balanced. It is best to list your tech skills and systems, in paragraph form like this... "Microsoft Office Suite, Paylocity, Zoom, ChatGPT, etc...". This will carry over quite nicely into most ATS and it is easy for the reader to read without taking up valuable real estate on the resume.

There are many ways to showcase technical skills on your resume. Where and how I list technical skills for my clients is dependent on the importance to the position (or types of positions) they are pursuing. As a general rule of thumb, you create a dedicated section, often placed near the top (or sometimes bottom), titled "Technical Skills" or "Skills & Proficiencies." List your skills in a clear and concise format, categorizing them into relevant subgroups (as necessary), such as programming languages, software tools, or certifications, making it easy for employers to quickly identify your technical strengths.

🎨 Organizing your tech skills is like setting up a library. They could be front-and-center as a 'Technical Proficiencies' section or sprinkled across your experiences, showing when and where you used them. Whichever path you choose, clarity is key. It's like a book – sure, the story is essential, but so is its presentation.

Always use integrity when showcasing your skills on your resume. An effective method for highlighting your technical proficiency is to integrate it into your accomplishments, demonstrating how you've applied these skills. Tailor to the specific technology requirements of the job you're applying for, addressing them in alignment with the position's needs.

✍️ Writing about your technical skills is like crafting a potion. Each ingredient (or skill) should be precisely measured. 'Familiar with Mailchimp' can morph into 'Leveraged Mailchimp for targeted email campaigns, achieving a 25% increase in engagement'. Transform the generic into the genuine, making your technical talents tantalizingly tangible.

When listing technical skills on your resume, be explicit and organized. Categorize your skills section to easily guide the employer through your competencies in various writing software and tools. Specify the software and tools you are proficient in and include the level of expertise for each (basic, intermediate, advanced). If relevant, mention any certifications or courses completed for each tool. Use the job description as a guide to prioritize and align your listed skills with the employer's needs, ensuring your resume resonates with the hiring manager, showcasing your fit for the role.

I've found it help to embed your technical skills into your impact bullet points for each role. For example, if you're writing about your success related to delivering a project on time, include mention of the project management tool you used to support the success. This builds credibility in your skills and avoids just lumping a bunch of platforms at the bottom of your resume with no context on where or how you used those technical skills.

To update technical skills on your resume, begin by categorizing them under a specific section like “Technical Skills” or “Technologies Used.” Ensure relevance by including only those skills pertinent to the job you're applying for. List software, tools, and platforms, delineating your proficiency level for each (e.g., expert, intermediate, beginner). Regularly review and revise this section to remove outdated skills and add newly acquired ones, reflecting your commitment to continuous learning and staying abreast with the latest technological advancements.

🌱 In the ever-blossoming garden of technology, you can't just plant a seed and forget it. Constant nurturing is key! Subscribe to tech newsletters, take up a new software tutorial, or even join a writers' forum discussing the latest digital tools. Keeping your tech skills fresh ensures your writing bouquet never wilts.

In your resume, highlight technical skills related to writing software and tools like Microsoft Word or Google Docs for word processing, grammar-checking tools such as Grammarly, and content management systems (CMS) like WordPress. Emphasize these skills to showcase your ability to efficiently create, edit, and manage written content, which is crucial in various professional roles.

🎒 Remember school? The joy wasn't just in the new books, but the fancy stationery we flaunted. Similarly, in the professional world, your skills are your story, but the technical tools? They're the glossy pens and shimmering stickers. It's about both substance and style. So, while we dwell on words, let's not forget the digital dazzle that delivers them. Embrace it, and let both narratives shine!

Highlighting technical skills related to writing software and tools on your resume is essential in showcasing your efficiency and expertise. Specify your proficiency with relevant software like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or other specialized writing or editing tools. Include any experience with content management systems, SEO tools, or graphic design software, which demonstrate your multifaceted capabilities. Ensure these skills align with the job requirements, making your technical acumen clearly visible and relevant to recruiters and hiring managers, and showing your preparedness for the role.

In competitive times like these, technical skills are what you can set you apart. Based on your industry and designation, technical skills vary. They can cover - Communication - Video Editing - Computer Tools and Software - Research Methodology - Coding - Social Media platforms - Data Analysis software - Etc A dedicated section is useful when the job is heavy in technical aspects. While if it's a part of the job, they can be placed in the bottom part of the resume It may also be useful to place them in the top 1/3 section of the resume.