And for years, a good way to do that was to include a list of the software, hardware and other various tech-ware you were competent in, or, at least, familiar with.
Not so much anymore.
I thought of this when reading the following article in the airport this weekend: 5 IT Skills That Won’t Boost Your Salary (InfoWorld)
The article is directed toward IT folk and programmer types, but the lesson in the article is applicable to all of us.
Basically, there are skill sets that are passé. Including them can only make you look like you’re padding out your resume at best, and “completely out of it” at worst.
6 “Skills” To Leave Off Your Resume
I offer this list with one caveat: if the skill set in question is a job requirement, then you’d darn well better include it. For example, if the job description says you’ll be working exclusively in a WordPerfect environment, then it behooves you to list something like, “Extensive experience and familiarity with WordPerfect,” on your resume.
Otherwise, it’s ok to leave these things off:
- Your word-per-minute typing prowess; typing skills.
You can type? Congratulations on making it to the 20th century. In the 21st century workforce, it’s assumed you can type well and at a reasonable pace. This is a bare minimum job requirement. - Ability to work with PCs.
Again, the fact that you are familiar with a work-tool that 97% of the world’s business is done on is not going to make you stand out. You might as well also list the fact that you breathe oxygen as a “skill.” - Experience with Word, Excel, Outlook or any other Microsoft Office programs.
I wish it were otherwise, but the western business world is tied to the Microsoft Office behemoth. If you don’t yet know how to create formulas in Excel or presentations with graphics in PowerPoint, then it might be time for some crash courses. - Experience with non-Office programs.
Similar to the point made above. No matter how superior the alternative programs might be, chances are you’ll be working in an MS Office environment, so your skills with WordPerfect are probably superfluous. - HTML.
I’m stealing this point directly from the article. If you want to give people the impression you have some coding skill, choose something a little more practical (PHP?) or cutting edge (FLEX?). My mom can do rudimentary HTML with her personal web page and photo albums. That would mean a lot if you knew my mother. - Faxing/Copying skills.
Again, gee, I hope you know how to do this… along with sending email, managing voicemail, texting on your cell phone, etc.
11 responses so far ↓
1 Joy // Apr 21, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Good grief, there goes a good chunk of my resume.
2 Dee // Apr 21, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I’m with Joy. I have my computer experience (PC/Mac, Office, etc.) listed on my resume. I was told that this helps with online job sites (like Monster, etc.) where employers look for keywords.
3 Brian // Apr 21, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Well, this is sort of what I was saying about, if it’s a job requirement… or if it’s likely to be a requirement, then including can’t hurt. I think I was mostly trying to address the issue of padding a resume out with this sort of information. It’s sort of a waste of time. The fact that you’re familiar with how to use a computer… again, it’s sort of expected. I don’t see how you could exist in the modern work environment WITHOUT knowing how to operate a PC.
4 Jodith // Apr 21, 2008 at 5:58 pm
I would add the caveat of: unless you are applying for a position as an Administrative Assistant. Pretty much all of those things (with the exception of copying/faxing) would be appropriate for an admin position. To the point that I not only have them in my resume, I mention them in my cover letter. I find that especially for upper level positions where incumbents are my age or older (I’m in my mid 40s), it isn’t assumed that you have these skills because for many of the older admin workers, computers are something they learned later in life, and for those at entry level, they may or may not have introductions to any of those skills.
If you are a professional with a college education, though, all of those skills would be presumed, and you’ll make yourself sound like you are applying for a clerical level position.
5 Brian // Apr 21, 2008 at 6:10 pm
Good point, Jodith.
6 Annie // Apr 22, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I disagree on the HTML. I’m hiring for an online editor position right now, and anybody who knows HTML gets a nudge in my book. You would be amazed by how many people don’t know HTML, so when I see that skill on a resume, I’m happy.
7 Lindsey // Apr 22, 2008 at 11:39 pm
Most of those “skill sets” scream “I’ve been asleep for the last decade” to me. However, HTML is still a skill that’s valuable. What company doesn’t have a website? The more people on staff who can make any sort of website edit, however minimal, the better.
8 candi // Apr 23, 2008 at 2:15 am
I agree with Annie. Not everyone is technologically advanced. Some things are easier for me than others, but html is one that is fairly difficult. I commend anybody who can say that they fully understand html…kudos on my part!
9 janna // Apr 23, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Agreed Jodith. I am an exec admin (also in my 40s) and those skills are still looked at. Even typing speed.
I’ve also just re-located to a very rural area - most of these folks just want the basics - I’m certainly keeping them on my resume.
10 Ron // Apr 24, 2008 at 11:11 am
Sad, but I work with some Sr. people who rely on my MS Office Skills (when I would rather be doing GIS). Enough so that I made it a requirement on a skill list for an assistant out of fear I will get someone who can’t use templates, outline numbering, set ranges, manage a contact list or file properties.
11 Stephanie // May 22, 2008 at 10:54 am
Looking at my old resume, I see a lot of those…though I guess including familiartiy with UNIX or a science/technology program (Matlab, Mathmatica, AutoCAD) would be okay to include?
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