Examples of Hard Skills (And Why You Should Learn Them)

In the ever-shifting job landscape, mastering hard skills can be your competitive edge.

Defined by their technical nature and often necessitating formal training or certification, hard skills can elevate your desirability in many industries. While soft skills, like effective communication and adaptability, are indispensable, it’s the hard skills that can distinguish you in a sea of candidates or when spearheading a crucial project. They’re typically the key to unlocking doors to new career paths. Curious about what constitutes hard skills and how to hone them? Dive in to uncover more!

What Are Hard Skills?

Hard skills are specific, technical, measurable abilities that contribute to an individual’s success in the workplace. Many employers place a premium on hard skills when hiring and evaluating employees, as they provide tangible evidence of an individual’s ability to perform essential job tasks. You can learn these skills through formal education or training, or acquire them through experience. Either way, developing hard skills can help you advance your career and earn a higher salary.

Examples of Essential Hard Skills for the Job Market

A century ago, typing and filing skills were enough to get an entry-level office position. But times have drastically changed since the invention of the computer, the internet, and artificial intelligence. Technology has transformed the job market at breakneck speed. Now, besides basic computer literacy, you need some of the following hard skills to boost your chances of getting hired:

1. Project Management

Project management skills are essential for any individual who wants to lead a team. This involves meticulous planning, organizing, and controlling resources to achieve a specific goal. To efficiently manage a project, you must have a rudimentary knowledge of the various roles of your team members. You should also know how to use various project management software for streamlining work processes. Did you know how an architect needs to be knowledgeable in areas that are supposed to be the domain of engineers, such as electrical, plumbing, mechanical, HVAC, and structural design? The same goes for project management. You are practically a systems architect. Let’s say your team is creating enterprise solutions for a client. As a leader, you must have a deep understanding of coding, system architecture, data processing, and every other aspect involved in the project to see it finished on time.

2. Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace

Microsoft Office is a suite of applications that are widely used in businesses around the world. It includes MS Word for word processing, Excel for creating spreadsheets, PowerPoint for making slide presentations, and many other apps, especially if you’re on the 365 platform. Being proficient in Microsoft Office can make you more marketable to employers. This is the bare minimum qualification for anyone seeking any white-collar job. Google Workspace is like the online version of Microsoft 365. It has counterpart programs for each of the MS Office’s features (e.g. Google Docs for MS Word, Google Sheets for MS Excel, etc.). The difference here is that your files are saved in Cloud storage instead of your PC’s hard drive.

3. Research Skills

The ability to conduct research is a valuable hard skill. It’s not just the knack for finding information, but having a methodical approach to gathering statistical data (including big data). This may involve strong analytical and interpersonal skills, especially when you are getting firsthand information from a source. For example, if you are an investigative journalist, you need to interview eyewitnesses, government authorities, subject experts, etc. Your job may also involve data scraping from online sources, so you must be adept at surfing the internet like a professional.

4. Data Analysis

Data analysis involves critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. You can couple the information-gathering process with the propensity to analyze data. You should know how to check their veracity, identify their applications, and use them to create solutions. Analysis skills also involve breaking down information to identify trends and patterns while using advanced analysis apps like Google Data Studio.

5. Hardware Repair and Maintenance

Fixing hardware requires extensive technical training and experience. Unlike software development, where you work on computer programs, here you deal with physical machines and their multiple components. This is a broad spectrum category, as not all technicians are the same. Some specialize in computers and other electronic devices, others in industrial machines, while others are adept in robotics applications. Auto-mechanics, elevator technicians, air-con technicians, and many other professionals also belong to this category. According to Zip Recruiter, computer technicians in the USA make roughly between $28,000 to $43,500 per year. These examples are just the tip of the iceberg. There are many other hard skills you can learn and train yourself in to join today’s workforce.

Other hard skills for you to consider:

• Computer programming
• Accounting and bookkeeping
• Web development
• Statistical analysis
• Marketing research and analysis
• Search engine optimization (SEO)
• Video editing and production
• Sales management
• Mechanical engineering
• Carpentry and woodworking
• Electrical engineering
• Plumbing
• Welding
• Automotive repair and maintenance

The Importance of Hard Skills

Hard skills are essential for success in the job market and can be divided into areas such as computer literacy, facilities, and technical equipment expertise, speaking language proficiency, data analysis, and interpretation. The best examples of hard skills are those that show analytical thinking, as well as practical skills in a particular area of expertise. For example, potential employers might look for candidates who are well-versed in coding languages or software applications that allow them to create solution-oriented designs. Understanding a range of technologies is important for developing ideas and troubleshooting technical issues. The ability to interpret data accurately can also give you a competitive edge in the marketplace. Ultimately, hard skills assure employers that their recruits have the right tools to perform specific roles with skill and confidence.

How to Acquire Hard Skills?

No matter what stage you are in your career, learning new skills can benefit you. Whether you want to move up in your current field or switch to a new one entirely, acquiring new skills is essential. Hard skills are specific technical abilities that you can learn and measure. They are often specific to a certain industry or job, and you can acquire them through training or education.

Why Bother Learning Hard Skills? (6 Benefits)

There are many benefits to learning hard skills, including improved job prospects, higher earnings potential, and increased knowledge and ability. They are, in fact, essential for success in many fields. Learning and mastering hard skills can bring you the following benefits:

1. They Make You More Marketable

In today’s job market, employers are looking for candidates with specific skills and abilities to fill certain responsibilities. Employers value hard skills. They would go for the candidates with impressive training or even have certifications for the skills required for the job. For example, if a company that makes software or electronic devices has an opening in its production department, it would look for candidates with technical backgrounds related to their industry. By learning a hard skill, you can make yourself more attractive to potential employers and increase your chances of getting hired.

2. Hard Skills Help You Command Higher Salaries

Employees with hard skills are often compensated more handsomely than those without them. So if you want to earn a higher salary, acquiring a hard skill is a good place to start. Many employers will pay a premium for employees with strong hard skills. Another factor is the length and quality of experience you have in the field. If you have the hard skills that are in demand, with impressive work experience to boot, you can negotiate for a higher salary or hourly rate.

3. They Make You More Productive and Efficient

By definition, hard skills are those that can be learned through practice and education. This means you are more knowledgeable and capable of doing certain jobs. With the right training and experience, you become an expert in your field and do things you never thought possible. Learning a hard skill also helps you work more efficiently and do more in less time. This is especially beneficial if you’re self-employed, a freelancer, or are running your own business. If you want to be successful in your career, you need to be productive. Hard skills can help you be more efficient and get more done.

4. Hard Skills Make You Stand Out From the Crowd

In a competitive job market, anything that can help you stand out from the crowd is worth considering. If you have the hard skills that employers are looking for, you’ll be in a better position to land the job you want. Acquiring hard skills takes time and effort, but it’s worth it in the end. With hard skills, you can make yourself more marketable, efficient, and successful in your career.

5. They Improve Your Job Prospects

In today’s competitive job market, employers are looking for candidates with the essential hard skills they need to get the job done. By learning and mastering certain technical skills, you can make yourself more attractive to potential employers and improve your chances of landing the job you want. You can gain certificates and LinkedIn badges that will prove that you know what you’re doing.

6. Hard Skills Are Essential for Success in Various Fields

Whether you want to be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer, you need to have the hard skills required to succeed in those fields. Most times, the skills you acquire in one field can be applied to another. For example, if you have training and experience in project management while working in a telecommunications company, you can bring those skills to other industries like banking & finance. In essence, if you’re looking to improve your job prospects, earnings potential, or knowledge and ability, learning hard skills is a great place to start.

FAQs on Hard Skills:

1. What are the best hard skills to learn?

Consider learning software programming, machine learning, engineering principles, marketing strategies, and financial analysis. These skills require a lot of time and effort to master and are essential for many careers.

2. What are hard skills and why are they important?

Hard skills are specific, measurable, and teachable abilities that contribute to an individual’s ability to perform a particular job. Hard skills are often technical and are acquired through formal education or training. They are important because they can predict an individual’s success in performing a specific task or job.

3. What are the hard skills in school?

Some examples of hard skills that are often learned in school include mathematics, writing, and computer programming. These skills are important because you can use them in various real-world situations. For example, mathematical skills enable you to calculate the cost of a product or service, while writing skills can help you communicate effectively with others. Computer programming skills give you the capacity to write software applications or develop websites.

4. What are hard skills in a career?

Some examples of hard skills are:

• Computer skills (hardware and/or software)
• Foreign language proficiency
• Analytical and research skills
• Time management and organization

Conclusion

Building hard skills is an important step in achieving your career or academic goals. Honing your technical abilities gives you a competitive edge and helps you stay ahead of the curve when new technology emerges. Hard skills can provide structure and organization to even the most complex tasks, giving you confidence in tackling any challenges. Building technical proficiency can help differentiate you from the competition by broadening your range of expertise. If you’re serious about building your career or excelling in academics, getting comfortable with hard skills should be a priority. Next up, you may want to explore how to learn new skills at home.