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. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), IT professions are projected to see strong employment growth over the next decade, with positions for information security analysts and computer and information scientists expected to increase by more than 20% between 2024 and 2034.

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

IT is always evolving as new technologies emerge. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, for example, has the potential to streamline routine tasks and optimize operations. However, these technologies require professionals with strong IT skills to use them effectively and ethically.

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 have an average of 317,700 job openings annually between 2024 and 2034, according to BLS data. Some of the strongest employment growth will occur in IT occupations, including:

Data scientists (34% growth projected between 2024 and 2034)
Information security analysts (29% growth projected between 2024 and 2034)
Computer and information research scientists (20% growth projected between 2024 and 2034)

Compensation

Because their skills are in such high demand, IT professionals often earn generous salaries. Of the IT occupations tracked by the BLS, many earn six-figure incomes, including database administrators ($123,100), information security analysts ($124,910), and software developers ($131,450). Even the less technical IT roles, such as computer support specialists ($61,550), still earn far more than the national median salary for all occupations ($49,500).

Work-Life Balance

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

Dynamism

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.

Core IT Skills Employers Want Today

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, JavaScript, 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 a 2025 McKinsey & Co. 2025 report, 88% of companies were using AI regularly for at least one business function. As use continues to increase, 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 IT skills 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.

How to Showcase IT Skills on Your Resume

Showcasing skills correctly can make the difference between a resume that gets passed over and one that generates interest. It’s important to integrate these skills throughout in ways that capture the attention of potential employers. Here are a few key ways to present the skills that HR recruiters are looking for.

Build Out a Hard Skills Section

While soft skills are crucial for success in any IT role, hard technical skills in different programming languages, networking, and areas like AI drive employer interest. A dedicated section highlighting these skills makes sure that employers know what you can do.

Highlight Job Experience

When describing responsibilities and duties at a particular job, be sure to mention specific skills that align with the position you’re interested in. Whenever possible, show how applying these skills achieved positive results, such as metrics highlighting increases in operational efficiency.

List Specific Project Achievements

Giving brief, yet detailed, descriptions of specific IT projects can be a platform to show experience applying IT skills to real-world issues. It can also be a way to reference soft skills, such as leadership.

Include a Dedicated Certifications Section

Be sure to represent any earned certifications. Certifications demonstrate tested skill in specific areas and are a quick and easy way for employers to verify expertise. This is particularly important if specific credentials align with the requirements of the potential job, such as advanced proficiency in a certain programming language.

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 IT remains integral to businesses and consumers, IT professionals with a well-developed IT skill set will be in demand.

The online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BS in IT) at NCCU Online 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 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.

Find out how NCCU Online can prepare you for a bright future.

Recommended Readings

How Technology Builds Resilience in Critical Infrastructure Security

Privacy Analyst Salary and Job Description

What’s Information and Communications Technology?

Sources:

CompTIA, “6 Reasons IT Careers Offer the Ultimate Work-Life Balance”

CompTIA, How Your Current Skills Can Shape a Thriving New Career

CompTIA, “What Is Information Technology?”

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

Indeed, “IT Skills: Definitions and Examples”

Indeed, “What Is Information Technology? (Importance, Roles, and Types)”