Today we can no longer imagine working in a place where at least one computer is not required. Perhaps a couple of decades ago it would have been possible, but nowadays it’s hard to imagine offices without computers with digital tools.
Technology is everywhere, so it is essential to complement your knowledge of computers. It should be noted that it is not about knowing how to program, create apps or a website unless it is your professional field. Ideally, you should know how to handle basic tools.
Although the programs depend on the sector in which you work, some tools are basic for almost any type of company.
On the other hand, it is also important to know how to indicate your computer literacy on your resume. You should first name the program and then the operating system in which it is used (Windows, Linux, etc). Next, you should include your level of proficiency. If you have an official certification, don’t forget to mention it.
What Is Computer Literacy?
Computer literacy is a generic term for numerous qualifications. This includes simple skills such as operating a mouse through current programming languages.
The more specific the job, the more specific IT skills are expected in the CV or application. A software developer should be proficient in relevant programming languages and controllers. Financial experts benefit from SAP skills. Online editors or content managers should be familiar with WordPress or Photoshop.
Acquire And Improve It Skills
If you have too little IT knowledge, you can acquire or refresh it. According to the study, the unemployed over 55 fail because they have insufficient or outdated computer skills. Computer literacy is especially important in the 21st century. There are now numerous and free ways that will help you improve it:
1. YouTube Tutorials
YouTube is not only the second-largest search engine in the world but also one of the most used channels for out-of-school education. There are now detailed tutorials and how-to videos on almost every topic.
They are also all free – you only have to watch a bit of advertising at the beginning and in between. By regularly learning more in self-study, practicing and applying new knowledge, you expand and deepen important IT skills.
2. E-Learning Provider
Numerous professional e-learning providers have established themselves in recent years. Some of them also offer free online courses for beginners. Webinars for advanced professionals are, unfortunately, not free.
But prices between 30 and 300 dollars per course are normal. The best-known online seminar providers for IT skills include Codecademy, Coursera, Edx, Free Code Camp, and Udemy.
3. Training And Workshops
In addition to the numerous online offers, there are still a number of face-to-face seminars for IT training courses and workshops. Face-to-face events are suitable for anyone who needs personal exchange and finds it harder to focus at home in front of the screen.
4. Hackathons
A hackathon is an event for programmers. They come together for one or more days to solve a very specific challenge or to develop new ideas.
However, hackathons are not aimed at beginners but at advanced users. They are therefore particularly suitable if you want to apply and deepen your profound IT knowledge.
5. Online Search Skills
There are many ways to improve online search skills. Those include knowing what platforms to use to look up specific content, knowing special symbols to use to make your Google searches more specific, knowing which browser is better, etc.
You should learn how to find accurate data quickly and how to verify it if necessary. Some specific platforms worth mentioning are Unsplash, Nuwber, DuckDuckGo, Vimeo, and Merriam-Webster dictionary.
6. Office
Whether it’s Microsoft Office, the one used by most companies, or OpenOffice, which is similar and free, you should master at least the basic level of this suite of programs.
And not only notions of Word, the word processor, but also of the spreadsheet, Excel. It is increasingly common for any type of company to use Excel as a control tool. The Access database package is also widely implemented.
7. Photoshop
Although it may seem that it is only used in graphic design companies, Photoshop is a very useful tool since it can help you, for example, to create an advertisement, retouch photos for your website or just for your own needs.
More and more companies are using Photoshop, so knowing this graphics editor will significantly improve your resume. Scribus and Gimp are very similar tools, but free.
8. Adobe Reader
PDF, also very common, is a widely used standard for sending files or important documentation, since it is light, secure, and easy to handle. Therefore, it is very useful to know about the creation and modification of different types of files.
To do this, you should use programs such as Adobe Reader, the most common, paid and from the same company as Photoshop or Illustrator, or the Free PDF Reader, a free version for managing PDF files.
9. WordPress
WordPress is one of the most used digital tools for creating and editing web pages. If you work in a SME, advertising is vital, and having computer knowledge about this software will allow you to create simple but useful web pages.
There are many other programs and digital tools, whether it’s for running work groups, organizing tasks, editing videos, or even keeping track of stock, they can be useful to you. Always depending on the professional field in which you develop, computer literacy is a key point in your resume.
Professions Where Computer Literacy Is Important
Hardly anyone can get by today without a relevant computer or IT knowledge. Engineers need them just as much as business economists, tax consultants, or journalists.
Even waiters and cashiers are increasingly coming into contact with it in their everyday work. There are still exceptions, but they are becoming rarer. In these jobs IT skills are especially required:
– Software developer (backend, frontend, mobile full stack)
– Administrator (database, system)
– Data Scientist
– Web designer
– Game designer
– Product Manager
– Marketing Manager
– Social Media Managers
– SAP consultant
– Security specialist
– Systems analyst
– SEO expert
– IT consultant
– Cloud Architect
– Business Analyst
