You did it. You completed two different classes on two different computer programs that you had had no idea how to use before, and now, you feel like an expert. You were a stay-at-home mom, a photographer, a mechanic, and now you can design web pages. You were a banker, but now you want to be an interior decorator, and you can manage a whole staff and several projects at once with your new Microsoft Project skills. So, are you going to wait until your potential employer asks you about your computer skills halfway through the interview? No way!
In most cases, you have to first submit your resume in order to even get an interview, and so your resume has to really sell you. Otherwise, you may not even get the change to talk about your computer skills. You have to talk about them on your resume. That is what will get you in the door, then you can feel free to elaborate. The biggest waste of your time taking those classes and of your knowledge is to not, well, brag about all of that on your resume. Why keep it a secret? Steven Patterson created The ACTS Learning Center in Florence, Kentucky especially for those looking to change careers, or really build their skills to make them star employees for new or existing jobs. It is imperative to not let those skills go to waste.
So, what to add to your resume? Everything. Don’t leave anything out. If you just learned more technical and advanced programs like Dreamweaver or Flash, don’t think that you should leave off more basic programs like Microsoft Word. A potential employer will think that means you don’t know it. Include every program you are well-versed in, from basic to advanced. This can open up conversation in the interview during which you can explain just how well you know Word, and the interviewer will see you have better than a basic knowledge of programs.
Group programs together by their purpose, or category. Put word processing programs first, followed by rounding out the Microsoft Office programs. For example, you would put Word, then perhaps Power Point, then Excel, which leads into other database or spreadsheet programs, like Access and Project, which then leads into database and financial programs like QuickBooks. Then you can delve into the programs that are more specific to your industry or career. List engineering programs like AutoCAD and PT Modeler, or list graphic/art programs like Illustrator and Photoshop, or publishing programs like Publisher and InDesign. Lastly, you should mention particular skills you have on the computer, like programming languages. List skills you have a working knowledge of like HTML, JavaScript, Active Server Pages, and ActionScript for Flash. An employer will be interested in what you can do for the company with these skills. You might be able to make contributions in different fields with your skills, like if you can track company projects on Project but you can also update the company’s website with your HTML knowledge.
You can change this order if you actually know what programs are in the job requirements. Most of the time, job listings do not explicitly list the programs, so this format is a safe bet. But if the listing does cite the necessary computer skills, or if you already know what programs you need to master, put those first. A good example is a job for a web designer. Even if the programs aren’t listed, you know that a web designer needs to know publishing and graphic programs, plus the programming languages. So, list those first. Then follow along with the rest of the order. This section is such an important part of your resume and can really be the best advertisement for your services.
