Best IT Skills for Your Resume

Information technology (IT) is essential to the functioning of modern society. It influences business operations by facilitating communication, optimizing data management, boosting productivity, and securing networks and systems. IT is also woven into the fabric of people’s daily lives through the use of emails, text messages, spreadsheets, smart home devices, antivirus software, and more.

Due to its vast reach, IT is one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy, with abundant job opportunities across virtually every industry. IT professions will experience some of the most significant employment growth over the next decade, according to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Because the demand for highly skilled IT professionals is strong, the job market is competitive. Those pursuing an information technology education should know what IT skills employers are looking for and how those skills can help their resumes stand out.

What Is Information Technology?

Broadly speaking, information technology is the use of computers and other devices, as well as computer systems and networks, to create, store, access, process, manage, and exchange information. IT is integral to business operations and is used by virtually every entity in both the private and public sectors. People also use IT in their everyday lives.

Some common forms of IT include:

Cloud computing
Cybersecurity
Data analytics
Internet of Things
Internet technologies
Software development

Why Get a Job in IT?

Information technology is an attractive career choice for many. A strong job market and lucrative salaries are just a couple of the reasons why more and more people are pursuing jobs in IT.

Employment Growth

Overall employment in computer and IT occupations is projected to grow by approximately 14% between 2022 and 2032, according to the BLS, much faster than the national average for all occupations (3%). Additionally, roughly 377,500 job openings are projected each year over the decade. Some of the strongest employment growth will occur in IT occupations. Jobs for software developers and information security analysts, for example, will grow by 26% and 32%, respectively.

Compensation

Because their skills are in such high demand, IT professionals often earn generous salaries. Of the median annual salaries for IT occupations tracked by the BLS, many earn six-figure incomes, including database administrators ($101,510), information security analysts ($120,360), and software developers ($132,270). Even the less technical IT roles, such as computer support specialists ($60,810), still earn far more than the national median salary for all occupations ($48,060).

Work-Life Balance

Another perk of working in IT is that many roles offer an optimal work-life balance, with paid time off for vacations, holidays, and illness. A large number of employers also allow IT professionals to work remotely and/or have flexible schedules, including through freelance roles.

Dynamism and Diversity

Like every other tech field, the IT sector is marked by constant change and innovation. As a result, IT jobs are rarely boring, particularly for those who like to be challenged and enjoy learning.

Additionally, because IT professionals are needed across a wide range of industries by a variety of employers, those with IT skills can tailor their career paths to their passions. Aspiring IT professionals can pursue careers as software developers or engineers, cybersecurity analysts, network administrators, or computer support specialists, as well as many other roles.

The Top IT Skills for Today’s Job Market

Ideally, candidates for IT jobs should possess a mix of technical competencies and soft skills. In today’s competitive tech job market, they are equally important.

While individual roles may demand their own unique IT skill sets, certain skills are universal and required regardless of sector or specialization.

Technical Skills

Excelling as an IT professional requires an array of technical skills and expertise, such as the following:

Programming languages: Virtually every IT role uses programming languages to some degree, including website and software developers. IT professionals should understand common programming languages such as HTML, Java, C++, and Python.
Networking: This doesn’t refer to interpersonal networking — though that’s an important skill too — but rather the computer networks that allow electronic devices to communicate with each other and manage digital data. IT professionals should possess a deep understanding of how these networks operate and how to keep them secure.
Cloud computing: As remote and hybrid work becomes increasingly widespread, demand for professionals with cloud computing skills will continue to grow. IT professionals who understand how to configure, deploy, secure, and manage cloud platforms are highly valued in the job market.
Artificial intelligence (AI): According to CompTIA’s IT Industry Outlook 2024 report, 22% of companies are aggressively pursuing AI integration, and another 33% are experimenting with limited implementation. With more than half of businesses currently using AI — and more integration expected in the future — IT pros will need to understand various aspects of AI, from the algorithms used to generate results to its probability-based outputs.

Soft Skills

Soft skills enable IT professionals to regulate their productivity and work effectively with their colleagues. The most vital soft skills in IT include the following:

Problem-solving: Challenges in tech often demand creative solutions. The ability to identify issues and develop remedies is a desirable trait in any job, particularly in IT, where it fuels innovation. Problem-solving works in tandem with other important soft skills, like analytical thinking.
Communication: IT professionals must be able to communicate effectively with colleagues and supervisors, many of whom may not possess the same level of technical expertise. An ability to distill complex topics for lay audiences can be very valuable. IT professionals who work with customers should have strong verbal and written communication skills, as they may have to speak with customers directly or communicate with them via email.
Organization/time management: Many IT professionals juggle multiple projects at a time, each involving different tasks. Therefore they must maintain a schedule and keep track of their day-to-day responsibilities. Proper prioritization and multitasking allow IT pros to work more efficiently and ultimately be more productive.

Gain the Skills to Become an IT Pro

Virtually every industry uses IT, from finance and health care to education and hospitality. As long as information technology remains integral to businesses and consumers, skilled IT professionals will be in demand.

The online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BS in IT) at North Carolina Central University can help you develop the skills to become an in-demand IT expert. The program’s three concentrations — Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and Information and Communications Technology — allow you to tailor your educational path to your professional goals. Our field-experienced faculty, personalized attention, and immersive coursework can help you gain a robust set of future-proof technical and interpersonal skills so you’re set up for professional success now and in the future, whether it means working at a tech company in North Carolina or pursuing employment elsewhere.

Explore the online BS in IT program and learn how NCCU Online can help you launch your IT career.

Recommended Readings

What’s Information and Communications Technology?

Privacy Analyst Salary and Job Description

How Technology Builds Resilience in Critical Infrastructure Security

Sources:

CompTIA, “6 Reasons Why IT Might Offer the Best Careers for Work–Life Balance”

CompTIA, “Top Artificial Intelligence Statistics and Facts for 2024”

CompTIA, “Top IT Skills in Demand in 2024”

CompTIA, “What Are You Waiting For? 9 Reasons to Work in IT”

CompTIA, “What Is Information Technology?”

Indeed, “50 In-Demand IT Skills to Enhance Your Resume in 2024”