Hard Skills – Meaning Of Hard Skill and Top 10 Examples Of Hard Skill
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If you’re unfamiliar with “hard skills,” they are crucial in job applications. Hard skills are abilities and knowledge that can be obtained through training and certification, significantly enhancing your employment prospects.
Hard Skills Definition
Hard skills refer to the abilities that enable individuals to perform specific job tasks and fulfil job-related responsibilities. They are typically acquired through formal education, vocational training, or hands-on experience. Hard skills are centred around tasks and processes, such as utilizing tools, operating equipment, or navigating software applications.
In contrast, soft skills encompass qualities and abilities that determine how individuals perform their job and interact with others in the workplace. Soft skills include a strong work ethic, reliability, empathy, creativity, and effective communication with colleagues and clients.
10 examples of hard skill
Here are some hard skills
1. Microsoft Office Skills
The Microsoft Office Suite, also referred to as Microsoft Office or Office, is a widely used collection of productivity tools businesses use globally. While commonly known for its basic functions like word processing in Word and spreadsheet creation in Excel, the suite offers many advanced features and capabilities.
Beyond the basic tasks, users can leverage the suite to accomplish numerous complex tasks. While some roles may only require proficiency in the fundamental features, many mid and high-level positions necessitate a deeper understanding of the suite’s more intricate functions.
2. Writing Skills
Writing skills are an indispensable and widely sought-after hard skill that is essential across various professions, particularly in leadership positions. Whether it involves drafting quarterly reports, creating onboarding documents, delivering client presentations, or presenting sales pitches, a strong command of writing techniques is crucial for career advancement.
Having proficient writing skills is a prerequisite for most job roles, as it enables effective communication and the ability to convey ideas and information accurately and professionally. Developing and honing these skills can greatly enhance your career prospects and contribute to your overall success in the workplace.
Here are the categories in writing
- Email writing
- Note-taking
- Proposal writing
- Letter writing
- Presentation writing
- Business writing reports
- Creative writing
- Academic writing
- Storytelling
- SEO content writing
- Journalism
- Social media content writing
3. General Computer Skills
Computer skills encompass the proficiency to utilize both software and hardware, ranging from fundamental and general knowledge to specialized expertise. In today’s competitive job market, computer skills are in high demand across nearly all industries.
It is essential to highlight relevant computer skills on your resume, particularly when applying for office-based positions and if the job listing specifically requests such qualifications. Demonstrating your proficiency in various computer skills can greatly enhance your chances of securing employment and succeeding in your chosen field.
these include:
- Typing
- Basic or advanced graphics
- Use of graphic tablets
- Enterprise systems
- Bulk email management
4. Marketing Skills
Marketing skills encompass a broad range of abilities, including general sales and advertising knowledge, as well as expertise in consumer research. Additionally, a strong command of various technical digital skills is crucial for achieving success in contemporary online marketing practices.
Professionals equipped with solid marketing skills, both traditional and digital, are highly sought after in industries such as media, advertising, social media management, e-commerce, and product management. Possessing these skills can open up exciting opportunities and pave the way for a thriving career in the dynamic field of marketing.
- SEO/SEM: Ahrefs, SEMRush, SEO Power Suite, Majestic
- PPC
- Social media marketing and paid social media advertising
- CRO and A/B testing
- Email marketing and automation
- HubSpot, Aritic PinPoint, ONTRAPORT, Infusionsoft
- Funnel management
- UX Design
- Data visualization
- Google Analytics and Google Search Console
- AdWords, Facebook Paid Ads
5. Project Management Skills
Project management skills are invaluable for ensuring the timely and cost-effective completion of projects. Whether you are coordinating processes or managing a team, having strong project management skills is essential.
To excel in project management, it is crucial to possess general managerial expertise and proficiency in specific frameworks and software. These hard skills play a vital role in successfully overseeing projects. Here are a few examples of hard skills commonly associated with project management:
- Forecasting
- Budgeting
- Performance tracking
- Strategic planning
- Project scheduling
- Project lifecycle management
- Scrum management
- Agile software
- Financial modelling
- Kanban
6. General Management Skills
When pursuing senior management positions, possessing general management skills is highly sought after. These skills are essential for effectively leading and overseeing teams and operations.
In addition to these general management skills, it is also important to possess job-specific skills that are tailored to the specific role you are applying for. These specialized skills contribute to your ability to excel in the position and include:
- Planning
- Budgeting
- Finance
- Business knowledge
- Hiring
- Project management
- Negotiating
- Office management skills
- New business development
7. Analytical skills
The skill of analysis entails gathering relevant data, evaluating it, interpreting its significance, and effectively communicating the findings. Demonstrating strong analytical skills can greatly enhance your candidacy for any job, as employers value individuals who can proficiently analyze data.
- Data mining
- Research
- Reporting
- Data presentation
- Forecasting
- Resource management
- Database management
- Data Engineering
- Diagnostics
- Data and metrics interpreting
8. Technical skills
Technical skills encompass specialized knowledge and proficiency in fields such as information technology, engineering, and science. These skills involve the utilization of specialized software or equipment, showcasing a candidate’s expertise in a particular technical area.
- Web: HTML, CSS, Javascript
- Automated Billing Systems
- Payment processing
- CRM Platforms
- CAD
- Prototyping
- Lean manufacturing
- STEM skills
- Linear regression
- Workflow development
9. Design Skills
Proficiency in creating visually appealing materials is a valuable skill that extends beyond industries dedicated to graphic design, such as advertising. The ability to craft polished visual content is sought after in various work environments. Here are some examples of this skill in action:
- Photoshop
- Illustrator
- Typography
- InDesign
- UX/UI design
- UX research
- Data visualization
- Color theory
- Acrobat
- HTML/CSS
- Sketching
- Print design
- Layout
10. Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is becoming increasingly popular among businesses as a convenient solution for data storage and management. The demand for professionals who can build and manage cloud networks is on the rise. Here are a few examples of cloud computing in action:
- Cloud Architecture
- Storage and Data Management
- Networking Communication
- Cloud Middleware Technologies
- Cloud Applications, such as JSON, Rest, and RPC
Conclusion
Hard skills are job-specific abilities or knowledge that are acquired through education, hands-on experience, or training. They can be technical skills required for a specific job or a broader set of knowledge, such as project management.
Hard skills are crucial because they are often the initial qualification criteria in the job interview process. If you lack the necessary hard skills for a job, you may be disqualified at the initial stage.
