Information technology (IT) skills are abilities you use to work with technology like computer hardware and software, automation, and the Internet.
Most IT skills are hard skills you learn through training (such as computer repair skills). But you’ll also need soft skills that you develop naturally (like attention to detail) to help you effectively use your hard IT skills.
Almost every job you can imagine requires at least basic IT skills, so ensure you know what skills employers seek when you apply for IT-related jobs. Keep reading to see more examples of IT skills and learn the answers to common questions about IT skills.
IT skills examples for your CV in 2023
The UK is currently facing a shortage of skilled IT workers, so IT skills are in high demand, especially the following:

1. Cybersecurity
In our current digital era, almost all businesses rely on the Internet and other digital methods to store information. Having a proficient understanding of cybersecurity (and especially so if you’re writing a cybersecurity CV) is essential for letting employers know you’ll protect their company’s data and prevent theft or unauthorised attacks.
Here are more IT skills related to cybersecurity:
Cybersecurity-related skills for your CV
- Scripting
- Risk analysis
- Controls and framework
- Intrusion detection
- Network security control
- Operating systems
- Incident response
- Security auditing
2. Data management
Companies are increasingly expanding efforts to capture, store, and analyse large volumes of structured or unstructured files. Mastering this IT skill and including it on your CV demonstrates your ability to be highly organised, save on business costs, and improve efficiency at your target workplace.
Try including these skills if you’re applying for data management-related work:
IT skills related to data management
- Data modelling, analysis, and visualisation
- Data storage and management (e.g., using databases and data warehouses)
- ETL (extract, transform, load) processes
- Data processing and computation (e.g., using programming languages such as Python or SQL)
- Data visualisation tools (e.g., Tableau, Excel, D3.js)
3. Engineering skills
Your engineering skills help you understand the technical aspects of the role, relate them to a company’s business objectives, and use them for a variety of technical positions, so ensure you list them if you’re applying for an IT role or writing an engineering CV.
These are some engineering-related IT skills:
Engineering-related IT skills for a CV
- Programming and coding
- Object-oriented design (OOD)
- Understanding mathematical concepts
- Workflow development
- Debugging
4. Cloud computing
Cloud computing allows users to store, back up, and even run programs from a remote location rather than from a local computer or server — making businesses more resilient and dynamic. As cloud computing is an ever-evolving field, show employers you’re an IT professional by providing examples of this skill on your CV.
Have a look at these cloud computing-related skills:
Cloud computing skills to add to your CV
- Cloud architecture and infrastructure design
- Knowledge of relevant security and privacy regulations
- Managing cloud networking components (e.g., virtual private clouds, load balancers, and firewalls)
- Cloud cost optimisation and allocation
5. User experience (UX)
IT professionals understand the importance of providing an excellent user experience (UX) for anyone using their company’s products or services. Adding examples on your CV of times you’ve worked with users on a product or collaborated with design teams will show employers you have a solid understanding of this concept.
Some UX-related skills include:
User experience (UX) skills for IT professionals
- Product design
- Knowledge of information architecture and interaction design
- Wireframing and prototyping
- Using visual design software
6. Artificial intelligence (AI)
When it comes to IT talent, employers often seek applicants who have a strong understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) and can prepare IT systems for future changes.
By understanding our habits and reacting like humans, AI is gaining more importance in the digital age, so remember to include examples of when you’ve learnt about AI services or used AI software in a work setting.
These are other AI-related skills to put on your CV:
IT skills related to artificial intelligence (AI)
- Predictive analytics
- Robotics and automation
- Natural language processing techniques
- Signal processing techniques
7. IT support
Having a team of skilled IT support professionals on hand is important to employers, so show you have a solid understanding of technology by providing examples of when you’ve resolved technical issues for other teams or clients.
Here are some IT support-related skills:
Skills related to IT support
- Experience with troubleshooting and resolving technical issues
- Knowledge of computer systems and networks
- Customer service and communication skills
- Ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical users
8. Web development
The demand for digital services is higher than ever, so having web development skills is highly valued by IT companies. Web development involves building and maintaining sites while focusing on their layouts, designs, and functionalities.
These CV skills show you can help companies successfully interact with customers and clients:
Web development-related IT skills to put on a CV
9. Project management
Project management involves organising and coordinating the development and delivery of IT projects within a company. IT projects can be complex and involve multiple stakeholders, budgets, timelines, and resources, so effective project management is crucial for ensuring that they’re completed successfully.
Here are some skills to help you improve your project management skills or write an IT-specific project manager CV:
Project management skills to help you succeed in IT
- Using project management methodologies and frameworks (like Agile, Lean, Prince2, and Waterfall
- Proficiency in project management software (e.g., Microsoft Project, Trello, Notion, Asana, and Salesforce)
- Scrum management
- Performance tracking
- Project life cycle management
10. DevOps
DevOps is a top skill for companies in 2023 and is crucial in a competitive business environment because it allows organisations to continuously improve and deliver software. If you’re interested in IT roles related to DevOps, remember to list this skill in the skills section on your CV or provide relevant examples in your work experience section.
DevOps skills to showcase your IT expertise
- Automation tools (e.g., Jenkins, Puppet)
- Configuration management tools (such as Ansible and Terraform)
- Programming frameworks and languages (e.g., Bash, Go)
- Containerisation technology knowledge (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes)
- Monitoring and logging tools (like Grafana and Splunk)
- Agile software development methodology
Additional IT skills for your CV
Besides the above technical skills we mentioned, here are more relevant IT skills to include on your CV:
Basic IT skills
Not all jobs require a degree in information technology, but you do need to have some basic IT knowledge and skills to get by in most professions:
- Internet privacy and safety (e.g., awareness of scamming techniques)
- Computer skills (such as the ability to operate and connect devices, as well as manage files)
- Word processing (e.g., Google Docs and Microsoft Word)
- Data management (like Google Sheets and Oracle)
- Internet communication (such as email, instant messaging, and video conferencing)
Technical IT skills
Many technical jobs require their applicants to have a specific skillset. These are some of the technical skills you’ll need to work in IT in 2023:
- Hardware and software installation
- Website management
- Network setup and security
- Information systems
- Coding languages (e.g., Swift, C++)
Curious what coding languages are in demand this year? Check out the most useful programming languages for 2023 in our TikTok below:
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IT soft skills
No matter how technical your job is, you’ll need good IT soft skills to have a successful career in information technology. For instance, even if you work remotely as an IT consultant or contract developer, you should know how to communicate well with project managers and negotiate fair payment.
Here are more soft skills to highlight when you write your CV to improve your chances of getting hired in the IT industry:
- Interpersonal skills
- Focus
- Critical thinking skills
- Customer service skills
- Curiosity
- Leadership skills
- Management skills
- Reliability
- Growth mindset
- Conflict management
- Time management
- Communication skills
- Logical thinking
- Problem-solving
Frequently asked questions about IT skills
Still unsure how to write a CV that showcases the right IT skills? We’ve answered four of the most common questions about IT skills, covering:
- how to list IT skills on your CV
- how to improve your IT skills
- why IT skills are important
- what skills will improve your chances of getting a job
1. How do I list IT skills on my CV
Here’s how to list IT strengths on your CV:
- Read the job advert to determine which of your IT skills the employer values most
- Think of examples of your education and work experience that show how you’ve used your IT skills to produce positive results
- Put the most job-relevant examples in your CV personal statement, work experience section, education section, skills section, and hobbies & interests (use an online CV builder to speed up this process)
This is an example of IT skills listed in a CV’s personal statement:

2. How can I improve my IT skills?
You can improve your IT skills by:
- getting an IT-related degree at your uni
- taking an IT internship
- enrolling in online IT courses (the National Careers Services website has a big list of great IT self-study sites)
- reading books and articles about technology
3. Why are IT skills important?
IT skills are important in 2023 and beyond because the world is increasingly run by technology.
As 1.4 million UK jobs are at risk of automation in the next year and virtual reality is opening up new opportunities for interaction, you can adapt by improving your IT skills.
4. What IT skills would improve my chances of getting a job?
These IT skills will improve your chances of getting a job, depending on the field you work in:
- Online communication skills
- Ability to learn technical information quickly
- Advanced spreadsheet skills
- Google Analytics skills
- Troubleshooting
- Device setup
Giving examples of these IT skills on your CV will help you get hired because they show you have a strong foundation of technical skills that employers can build on.
Other FAQs related to IT skills
Here are some additional FAQs to help you write your CV: