5 Essential Computer Skills for a Technology Career

Start preparing for your new career by honing in on these five skills.

Having a firm grasp of essential computer skills is important for success in a tech career of any kind.

This includes skills like typing, using spreadsheets effectively, using project management platforms, and more.

Many of these skills will help you get your work done efficiently and will help you collaborate well with others, no matter your role.

Let’s explore five essential computer skills to help you prepare for a tech career. 

1. Typing

Typing accuracy and speed are foundational skills that can help you excel at any tech job. For example, faster typing speeds can help you write code in less time. This can be critical when you’re working on a deadline and must deliver project updates or fix bugs quickly. If you’re a technical writer, you’ll be able to produce more content – and the list goes on. All tech roles require solid typing skills that you can work to improve over time. 

How to Improve Typing Skills

A variety of resources can improve your typing skills, accuracy, and speed. Typing.com is popular because it offers advanced lessons. 

2. Using Spreadsheets

Project and organizational information is often shared through spreadsheets, which make information easier to scan, process, organize, and develop. Platforms like Excel and Google Sheets are used by businesses for project management and execution. Knowing how to use these effectively can help you take charge of your project participation and leadership. 

How to Improve Spreadsheet Skills

The best resources often come from the software company itself. For example, if you want to work with Excel, there are training and support videos created by Microsoft.

3. Using Presentation Software 

PowerPoint, Google Slides, and others are effective communication and presentation tools. Depending on your role, you might need to present research findings, provide insight into a project idea or plan, or otherwise communicate with teammates using a medium that can be both visual and copy-focused. It’s essential to understand the best practices of presentations, including how much copy to use on a slide, how many visual effects to lean on, and more. Understanding these things will help you communicate your message clearly and effectively. 

How to Improve PowerPoint Skills

For PowerPoint, Microsoft offers a variety of videos and training resources to develop this vital computer skill. For Google Slides, here are some great pointers.

4. Video Conferencing

Even if you find an in-person job, knowing how to use online meeting platforms like Zoom, Google Meets, RingCentral, GoToMeeting, or others is an important part of any tech role. You’re likely to meet with outside stakeholders, remote coworkers, and others online throughout your career. You should know how to launch a meeting, share screens, use the chat features, and record meetings, among other things. 

How to Develop Video-Meeting Computer Skills

Each program is different, but depending on which ones you’re using most, visit the support sections of the company websites. For example, you could visit Zoom, Google Meets, and GoToMeeting support for help with all aspects of the platforms.

5. Using Project Management Programs

Tech work is a team endeavor. You’ll need to work with managers, clients, coworkers, freelancers, and many others to take a project from concept to completion. This often requires project-management software, which comes in many forms to meet the needs of different organizations. These platforms are used to move projects from one phase to another, store work records, leave notes, and connect the team with managers and other project stakeholders. 

How to Learn Project Management Software

For help, it’s best to turn to the companies making the software. Asana, for instance, has the Asana Academy that helps you learn to use the platform as a team leader or member. Trello also has a good collection of resources in the Trello Guide

Depending on where you are in your career journey, you may already feel comfortable with some items on this list. If that’s the case, consider this list a reminder that you’re well on your way to becoming a tech professional.

If items on this list feel like they need work, that’s a good sign that you’re in the right place and you’re on the right track. Focusing on foundational computer skills is a great way to kickstart your career in tech. 

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