aving a working knowledge of how to use a computer, the Internet, and an email is great, but if you want to gain the attention of employers, you need to step it up a notch. In today’s technologically advanced world, the best way to remain competitive and gain the attention of potential employers is to boost your technical skills.

So, which technical skills should you boost? Well, employers look for a broad range of strong computer skills, which is no surprise, since almost all businesses are entirely paperless nowadays. However, depending on the industry you are focused on, your technical skills could vary. There are, however, a few basic software programs, which most employers would appreciate seeing on your CV.

To help you increase your job skills and stand out amongst the competition, we have included some of the top computer skills you should consider learning and including on your CV.

Microsoft Office

Wherever you work, most employers will probably have a working knowledge of Microsoft Office because most computers operate on Microsoft Windows. There are some people who prefer MacOS, but that does not mean that they do not utilise Microsoft software.

Within the Office software, you will find several important programs, all of which perform separate and important functions.

Outlook – The first and perhaps the most recognisable program within Microsoft Office is the email portal, known as Outlook. In Outlook, you can sync your work, school, Gmail, and all other accounts into one convenient message location.
Word – Microsoft Word is your word processor, which is your standard piece of paper, only electronic. You have most likely worked with a word processor before, but you may not have known it. This program is filled with formatting options that are particularly useful to employers.
Excel – Microsoft Excel is a little bit more complicated, but very helpful and knowing the software is a skill that employers will appreciate. In Excel, you can create and export spreadsheets.
Access – Microsoft Access is a database management system, and like Excel, it can import and export stored data.
OneNote – In OneNote, you can gather handwritten or typed notes and drawings, which you can then share with teams over the internet or across the web. This is perfect for collaborating with a large employer.
PowerPoint – If you have ever seen a really cool slide show, it was probably created in a program called Microsoft PowerPoint. Several employers use PowerPoint for presentations and meetings, so this is a very useful skill to learn.
Project – Microsoft Project is a management software that will assist a project manager in tracking and managing tasks, analysing workloads, and managing budgets within a variety of projects.

QuickBooks

Intuit Inc created a software solution that many employers use to manage inventory, sales and payroll. This software is called QuickBooks and it can be found on most small business computers, so it is wise to familiarise yourself with the software.

The program comes equipped with merchant services, marketing tools and training solutions, which makes it easy for anyone to learn.

Email

Hopefully, you have a basic knowledge of how to compose, send and reply to an email; however, most employers would prefer a few advanced email skills. So, what does that entail? You should know how to access the advanced features within your inbox and should be able to navigate your messages with ease.

Also, all your electronic correspondence should be brief, concise, professional and grammatically correct.

Web and Social Skills

You may have social media accounts and experience navigating the internet, which is great, so you should always try to expand upon this knowledge. Many organisations nowadays want to increase their social media and web presence. So, if you have knowledge in HTML and can show that you can update sites like WordPress, LinkedIn, Facebook and Dreamweaver, you will shine brighter than other candidates.

Graphic and Writing Skills

You will not always need to show that you are adept in graphic programs like Illustrator or Photoshop, but if you feel like learning it for fun, it could add a little something to your CV. Your employer could always use your graphic skills for marketing on websites, blogs and social media.

Also, polishing your writing skills and working on proper grammar, spelling and professional verbiage is important regardless of the job position you are applying for. Whether you are a born writer or need to brush up on your skills, the knowledge you learn is valuable and will serve you for a lifetime.

This all might seem a little overwhelming, but remember they are only suggestions and you do not have to learn it all at once, or even at all. If you have a basic understanding of how to use a computer and the internet, you can still get a great job. Adding a few of the skills on this list, however, will take your CV from good to great.

Find out more about the computer courses that we offer here at New Skills Academy