Information technology (IT) skills are abilities you use to work with technology like computer hardware and software, automation, and the internet.
In this article, we’ll explore the best IT skills for 2025 and show you how to present them effectively when you write your CV.
Top IT skills for 2025
The UK is facing a shortage of workers with digital skills, increasing demand for expertise in the following areas:
1. Cybersecurity
It’s difficult to overstate the importance of cybersecurity skills, especially given the recent surge in cyber attacks. Employers across industries need dedicated experts with the technical knowledge and critical thinking skills to protect their data.
Here are some specific areas of cyber security that employers often look for:
- Scripting
- Risk analysis
- Controls and framework
- Intrusion detection
- Network security control
- Operating systems
- Incident response
- Security auditing
To highlight your cybersecurity skills compellingly, focus on specific tools or frameworks you’ve used, describing incidents you’ve resolved or security gaps you’ve closed. Include your impact on the organisation:
Developed and implemented comprehensive data security protocols, leading to a 45% improvement in system integrity and a 30% reduction in data breaches
2. Data management
Companies are increasingly expanding efforts to capture, store, and analyse large volumes of structured or unstructured data. 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:
- Data modelling, analysis, and visualisation
- Data storage and management (using databases and data warehouses)
- ETL (extract, transform, load) processes
- Data processing and computation (using programming languages such as Python or SQL)
- Data visualisation tools (Tableau, Excel, D3.js)
When showcasing your data management skills on a CV, it’s important to demonstrate scalability and efficiency (e.g., by mentioning workflows, automations, or systems you implemented to deliver large-scale improvements).
Here’s a work experience entry that demonstrates this approach:
Developed and implemented a data governance framework, improving data accuracy across 500,000+ records by 25%
3. Software engineering
Opportunities for software engineers have been expanding rapidly in recent years, with UK software engineering salaries increasing by 8% year-over-year.
Given the UK’s status as one of the top tech sector markets, software engineering skills are highly sought after across the economy, particularly in sectors like finance and health care. These are some of the most valuable software engineering skills:
- Programming and coding
- Object-oriented design (OOD)
- Understanding mathematical concepts
- Workflow development
- Debugging
When checking your software engineering skills, employers will want to know which programming languages, frameworks, and tools you’ve mastered — and how you’ve applied these skills to make specific achievements. Remember to specify the scope of your projects too:
Developed a RESTful API using Python and Flask, enabling seamless integration with third-party applications, resulting in a 40% reduction in manual data processing
4. Cloud computing
Cloud computing is pivotal in modern business, and expertise in tools like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform is in high demand across various industries. Health care, finance, retail, and manufacturing use cloud platforms for everything from data storage and analytics to AI integration.
Here are some examples of cloud computing skills that are highly sought after:
- Virtualisation (e.g., VMware)
- Containerisation (e.g., Docker)
- API design and integration (e.g., REST)
- Scripting and automation (e.g., Python)
- Identity and Access Management (IAM)
- Encryption (data at rest and in transit)
- Big Data tools (e.g., Hadoop)
When adding cloud computing skills to your CV, focus on demonstrating both technical scope and the impact of your actions at scale. This approach ensures that both technical and nontechnical hiring managers can understand the value you offer their organisation.
Here are a couple of examples from a data engineer CV:
Designed and deployed a scalable data pipeline on AWS using Lambda, S3, and Redshift, enabling the processing of 2TB of data daily with a 50% reduction in latency
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 working with users on a product or collaborating with design teams will show employers you have a solid understanding of this concept.
Some UX-related skills include:
- Product design
- Knowledge of information architecture and interaction design
- Wireframing and prototyping
- Using visual design software
To effectively demonstrate your UX skills, it’s important to focus on specific tools and methodologies and your work’s positive impact on user experience, business goals, or product success.
Conducted comprehensive user research, developed personas, mapped user journeys, and iteratively tested prototypes, resulting in a 30% increase in user engagement.
6. Artificial intelligence (AI)
Employers often seek applicants who have a strong understanding of artificial intelligence (AI) and can prepare IT systems for future changes. So if you can, include examples of what you’ve learnt about AI services or when you used AI software in a work setting.
These are other AI-related skills to put on your CV:
- Predictive analytics
- Robotics and automation
- Natural language processing techniques
- Signal processing techniques
It’s important to contextualise your AI expertise by showing how you used your knowledge to address specific business problems. Showing versatility across different areas of AI specialisation will further strengthen your CV.
Self-studied and attended a conference on AI, acquiring a solid understanding of basic AI concepts and principles, including machine learning and natural language processing
7. IT support
Having a team of skilled IT support professionals 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:
- 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
Highlight your IT skills by showing how you’ve delivered prompt and effective technical solutions while maintaining high user satisfaction rates, just as the applicant does in this example.
Leveraged comprehensive knowledge of IT systems, software, and hardware to provide prompt and efficient support to end-users, achieving a 95% customer satisfaction rating
8. Web development
The demand for digital services is higher than ever, so having web development skills gives you many options for work. These CV skills show you can help companies successfully interact with customers and clients:
- HTML and CSS
- React
- Kotlin
- Ruby on Rails
- Node JS
- Javascript
- PHP
- C#
When describing your web development abilities, be sure to emphasise the specific tools you’ve worked with while using relevant metrics to show the effectiveness of your skillset:
Expertly developed and deployed responsive and scalable web applications using a diverse tech stack including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, React, and Node.js
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 successful completion.
Here are some skills to help you improve your project management skills or write an IT-specific project manager CV:
- Using project management methodologies and frameworks (like Agile, Lean, Prince2, and Waterfall)
- Proficiency in project management software (Microsoft Project, Trello, Notion, Asana, and Salesforce)
- Scrum management
- Performance tracking
- Project life cycle management
When you write your CV, show employers how you’ve applied different PM methodologies to address a project’s unique needs. The more versatility you can demonstrate the greater your value will be to the employer.
Successfully led and executed multiple high-impact projects from conception to completion, using a balanced approach of Agile and Waterfall methodologies and generating £4 million in revenue
10. DevOps
DevOps is a top skill for companies in 2025 and is crucial in a competitive business environment because it allows organisations to continuously improve and deliver software. Skills needed for DevOps include:
- Automation tools (Jenkins, Puppet)
- Configuration management tools (such as Ansible and Terraform)
- Programming frameworks and languages (Bash, Go)
- Containerisation technology knowledge (Docker, Kubernetes)
- Monitoring and logging tools (like Grafana and Splunk)
- Agile software development methodology
To clearly illustrate your DevOps skills, specify the tools and frameworks you’ve mastered and focus on impact to demonstrate the value these skills have brought to previous employers (e.g., by reducing manual errors or speeding up development cycles).
Led the integration and optimisation of Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, using tools such as Jenkins, Docker, and Kubernetes
11. Basic IT Skills
Basic IT skills are essential for almost every role in 2025, demonstrating your ability to effectively manage tasks, collaborate, and adapt to modern technology. Employers value candidates who can showcase proficiency in these foundational tools.
Here are some basic IT skills that employers in most sectors look for in 2025:
- Word processing: Formatting, creating, and collaborating on documents using tools like Microsoft Word and Google Docs.
- Spreadsheets: Data management, analysis, and creating graphs with Excel or Google Sheets.
- Email: Managing professional correspondence and implementing effective email strategies.
- Social media: Leveraging platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram to engage audiences and support business objectives.
- Communication software: Using tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams for real-time collaboration and communication.
Here are some examples that demonstrate how to write about basic IT skills convincingly on a CV. Notice how the applicant highlights value by focusing on measurable results (e.g., the 20% reduction in supply shortages)
- Created and maintained inventory spreadsheets, leading to a 20% reduction in supply shortages
- Managed email communication, achieving a 95% customer satisfaction rating by responding within 24 hours
- Grew TikTok following by 17% through strategic content creation and engagement
12. 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’ll need to communicate well with project managers and negotiate fair payment.
Below 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
Because soft skills are so abstract, you shouldn’t list them in your skills section. Instead, include specific examples in your personal statement and work history to illustrate your soft skills. To emphasise these traits, you can also write about them in your cover letter, as this application has done.
At Ambleside Solutions, I demonstrated a strong ability to convey complex technical information to non-technical users, which enhanced user satisfaction and improved brand messaging.
How to list IT skills on your CV
Here’s how to list IT strengths on your CV in three quick steps:
1. Determine which of your IT skills the employer values most
The best way to get your target employer’s attention with your IT skills is by listing the ones they noted in their job advert. These are the IT skills that the company needs the most, so if you can show that you’ve got them on your CV, you’re more likely to get an interview.
You can also give yourself an advantage over other applicants by researching the company’s website, social media, and other internet presence to find other ways your IT skills can help them solve problems or achieve goals.
2. Give examples of your IT skills with hard numbers
Just listing IT skills from the job advert and your research on the company isn’t enough. You must also show how you’ve used those skills to produce results by providing examples and data.
Describing your IT skills with examples and data helps the employer picture what you can do if they hire you.
Here’s a well-written work experience bullet point with a clear example and hard numbers that provide context:
Implemented a cloud-based storage solution, leading to a 50% reduction in data retrieval times and enhancing the productivity of 200+ end-users
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3. Spread your IT skills throughout your CV
Put the most job-relevant examples of your IT skills and accomplishments in your CV personal statement, a brief summary of your CV that goes under your name and contact details. This is the first part of your CV that employers will read, so placing your most job-relevant information there is critical to your application’s success.
But don’t stop there. Continue describing your IT skills in the rest of your CV sections, including your:
- work experience section
- education section
- skills section
- hobbies & interests
Here’s an example web developer CV to give you an idea of how your finished CV should look. Notice how the applicant specified the technical scope of their previous jobs, which allows them to highlight the tools and platforms that they’ve used in the passed. This is a great strategy if you’re applying for jobs that require specific technical skillsets, such as in web development or software engineering.

Frequently asked questions about IT skills
Here are three of the most common questions job seekers have about IT skills:
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
- reading books and articles about technology
Why are IT skills important?
IT skills are important in 2025 because digital technologies are essential to every UK industry as well as the UK economy as a whole.
Developing strong IT skills can help you accelerate your career development and salary growth. High-demand tech skills such as AI can attract highly competitive salaries, even at entry level.
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.