{"id":75727,"date":"2024-07-25T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-25T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/?p=75727"},"modified":"2025-08-14T13:36:53","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T12:36:53","slug":"hard-skills-in-the-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/hard-skills-in-the-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"Hard Skills in the Workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hard skills are essential for all roles in all workplaces – without them, you simply cannot perform your job correctly, safely or efficiently. When applying for a role, whether you\u2019re a professional looking for a new job or a school leaver looking to enter the workforce for the first time, job adverts will specify a list of must-have skills and qualifications. These are your hard skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ll look at what hard skills in the workplace are, outline the top hard skills that employers often ask for and help you learn more about how to enhance your hard skills as part of your continuing professional development<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What are Hard Skills in the Workplace?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hard skills are the technical proficiencies <\/strong>you need to perform a particular job role. Without hard skills, you\u2019d be unable or unqualified to do the job in question. For example, a hospital doctor must have hard skills in biology and a degree in medicine, whilst a carpenter<\/a> must have hard skills in woodwork and the ability to install cabinets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hard skills are obtained through education, training or hands-on experience<\/strong> and are practical skills that you can physically prove, such as with a certificate, qualification or demonstration. Employers will require you to have particular hard skills for particular roles in order to perform the tasks needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soft skills, on the other hand, are your non-technical skills and abilities, personal qualities, workplace behaviours and personality traits. Unlike hard skills, soft skills aren\u2019t quantifiable. You can find out more about soft skills with our article: Soft Skills in the Workplace<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Importance of Hard Skills<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Hard skills are important because, without them, you wouldn\u2019t be able to perform your job role proficiently or safely. Hard skills are vital for ensuring you are capable of carrying out a role.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For employers and hiring managers, hard skills show that you are qualified<\/strong> for a particular job. Without the necessary hard skills, you\u2019re unlikely to be considered as a candidate when responding to a job ad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To prove your hard skills to an employer, gather together your certificates and qualifications to use as evidence of your training and knowledge. If your hard skills have been learnt from practical, hands-on experience, then ensure you\u2019re able to demonstrate your abilities, either through a demonstration, links to past work experience or a training certificate. Make sure your hard skills are highlighted on your CV and cover letter<\/a> when applying for a role.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Hard<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Top Hard Skills Employers Look For<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The popularity and need for specific hard skills changes over time: in the past, it was vital to have a hands-on \u2018trade\u2019 to set you up for life whereas, in today\u2019s job market, the focus is much more on computer skills, your ability to use technology and marketing. Here are 30 examples of hard skills employers look for at the moment:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Accounting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Advanced first aid.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Basic life support.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Budget management.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Business development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Computer programming.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Computer software knowledge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  8. Copywriting.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  9. Customer relationship management (CRM) software.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  10. Customer service<\/a> skills.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  11. Cyber security<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  12. Data analysis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  13. Design.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  14. Digital marketing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  15. Engineering<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  16. Finance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  17. Financial analysis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  18. Foreign languages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  19. Graphic design.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  20. Management<\/a> skills.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  21. Marketing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  22. Project management<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  23. Recruitment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  24. Sales experience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  25. Sales management.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  26. Search engine optimisation (SEO).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  27. Social media skills.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  28. Social media marketing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  29. Software development.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  30. User experience (UX).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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    \"Interview<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

    The modern world has a big focus on technology and this is subject to constant change and upgrade, so being <\/strong>digitally literate<\/strong><\/a> is essential for obtaining a new job role, no matter the industry you work in. Employers often want candidates to be fluent in specific technologies and software<\/strong>, so provable hard skills in any of the following areas would be highly sought after:<\/p>\n\n\n\n