Hard Skills — Measurable Technical Abilities
Hard skills are job-specific, quantifiable competencies acquired through training or education, such as programming, data analysis, graphic design, or foreign languages. They prove you can do the technical parts of the role.
Last updated: 1/4/2026 · Author: MojCV Team · Reviewed by: HR Specialists
Last updated: 1/4/2026
Author: MojCV Team · Reviewed by: HR Specialists
In Plain English
Hard skills are specific, measurable abilities you learned through training or practice. If you can take a test or get a certificate for it, it’s a hard skill like driving a truck, using Excel, or speaking Spanish.
Common Examples
Hard skills vary by industry. Here are the most common ones recruiters look for:
- Skilled Labor: Forklift license, welding, electrical wiring, HGV driving.
- Office/Admin: Microsoft Excel (Pivot tables), bookkeeping, data entry, payroll software.
- Healthcare: First aid, medication administration, patient handling.
- Hospitality: POS systems, barista skills, food hygiene certificates.
- IT/Tech: Python, HTML, cybersecurity, technical support.
- Languages: Fluent Spanish, B2 English, conversational German.
How to List Hard Skills Correctly
- Be specific: Don’t just write "Office." Write "Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP, Macros)." Specifics prove you aren’t guessing.
- Copy the Job Ad: Use the exact names of tools or licenses mentioned in the job posting. This helps you pass automated CV scanners (ATS).
- Show your level: Use simple terms like "Beginner," "Intermediate," or "Expert."
- Keep it modern: Remove outdated tech. If nobody uses the software anymore, it makes your CV look old.
Hard vs. Soft Skills: What’s the Difference?
Think of it this way:
- Hard Skills prove you can do the technical work.
- Soft Skills (like teamwork or communication) prove you are a good person to work with.
You usually need the hard skills just to get an interview. The soft skills help you get the job offer.
The Bottom Line
The "Can You Do It?" Test
Recruiters use hard skills as a filter. If a job requires a nursing degree and you don’t have one, your personality won’t matter. List your technical skills clearly at the top of your skills section so the recruiter sees them in the first 5 seconds.
Explore other glossary terms
- Employment Gap — Periods Without Formal Employment
- Reverse-Chronological Order — The Most Common CV Format
- Soft Skills — How You Work with People & Challenges
- ATS (Applicant Tracking System) — What It Is & Why It Matters
- Professional Summary — Your CV's Strong Opening