Job offers almost systematically mention digital tools, even for positions far removed from pure IT. Listing software on a CV is no longer enough to catch the attention of a recruiter who sifts through dozens of applications each day. The real question is how to present these IT skills: their placement, level of detail, and especially their relevance to the targeted position determine whether they work in your favor or go unnoticed.
IT Skills and Digital Skills: A Useful Distinction on a CV
The two terms are often used interchangeably, even though they do not cover the same scope. IT skills refer to the technical mastery of tools, software, or languages (Excel, Python, SQL, a business ERP). Digital skills encompass a broader spectrum: digital culture, online communication, e-reputation management, collaborative use of cloud platforms.
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On a CV, this distinction has a direct consequence. A recruiter looking for someone to manage a database wants to read specific software names and a level of proficiency. A marketing manager hiring a community manager is more interested in the ability to engage on social media and run campaigns using Google Ads or Meta Business Suite.
Before writing your section, identify what the job listing actually expects. If it mentions “proficiency in office tools,” the recruiter wants to know which spreadsheet you use and to what degree of complexity (pivot tables, macros). Knowing how to indicate your IT skills on a CV starts with this careful reading of the job ad.
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Software Proficiency Level: What Recruiters Really Check
Writing “Word, Excel, PowerPoint” without further details has become background noise on CVs. This triptych teaches the recruiter nothing because it reveals nothing about your actual level. The difference lies in the degree of detail.
Specifying a level for each tool changes the recruiter’s perception. The most readable convention remains a simple scale: beginner, intermediate, advanced. Some candidates add “expert” for tools they have used daily for several years, supported by certifications.
What Makes a Level Credible
A displayed level without proof remains a statement. Two elements enhance credibility:
- A recognized certification (Google Analytics, Microsoft Office Specialist, AWS Cloud Practitioner) mentioned next to the relevant tool, with the year of attainment if it is recent.
- A concrete achievement in the work experience section that utilizes the tool. Saying “Excel – advanced” carries more weight when the experience section mentions “automation of monthly reporting via VBA macros.”
- A link to a portfolio, GitHub repository, or online project, relevant for technical profiles (development, data, design).
Linking each skill to a context of use transforms a passive list into proof of experience. Recruiters filtering applications with ATS (automatic sorting software) spot keywords, but those who later read the CV remember candidates who can demonstrate what they have done with the tool.
Dedicated Section or Skills Integrated into Experiences: Which Format to Choose
The two approaches are not mutually exclusive, and the best option depends on the volume of IT skills you have to present. A developer or data analyst should create a distinct technical section, organized by areas (languages, frameworks, databases, versioning tools). For a commercial or administrative profile, two to five tools are sufficient, and they benefit from appearing in a short “skills” section.
Organization by Areas Rather than Alphabetical List
Classifying tools by category makes reading easier. A recruiter scans a CV in seconds. Skills sorted by area are identified more quickly than a flat list. For example:
- Data Management: SQL, Power BI, Google Sheets (advanced level)
- Communication and Marketing: Canva, Mailchimp, Google Analytics
- Collaborative Tools: Notion, Slack, Trello
- Programming: Python, JavaScript (intermediate level)
This format has an additional advantage: it shows that you understand the logic of your skills instead of stacking them without hierarchy.
Tailoring the Section to the Target Position
An effective CV does not list all acquired skills but those that serve the position. If you are applying for a digital project manager role, highlight project management tools (Jira, Asana, Monday) and software for tracking indicators. If you are targeting an accounting position, proficiency in Sage, Cegid, or SAP takes precedence over your knowledge of Photoshop.
Removing irrelevant skills is not a depletion of the CV. It is a signal of professional maturity that shows you have read the job listing and understood the expectations.
AI Skills: Should They Be Mentioned on a CV in 2025?
This question is increasingly being raised, especially since the widespread release of tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, or Copilot. Feedback from the field varies on this point: some recruiters see it as a sign of technological curiosity, while others consider that “knowing how to use ChatGPT” is not a differentiating skill.
Mentioning AI makes sense when the usage is specific and measurable. Writing prompts to automate report generation, using a machine learning model to segment a customer base, or configuring a chatbot on an e-commerce site are concrete examples that deserve to be included on a CV.
On the other hand, stating “use of ChatGPT” without context resembles “proficiency in Google”: too vague to inform the recruiter. If you include skills related to artificial intelligence, specify the tool, the context of use, and the results achieved.
The IT skills section of a CV functions like a calibrated showcase: it is better to have five well-documented tools than fifteen software names without context. The sorting, level of detail, and adaptation to the position remain the three levers that separate a read CV from a skimmed one.