The Balance Careers
10 Skills to Work in Information Technology
  • Finding a Job
    • Job Searching
    • Career Planning
    • Internships
    • Work-From-Home-Jobs
    • View All
  • Career Paths
    • US Military Careers
    • Sales
    • Entertainment Careers
    • Technology Careers
    • View All
  • Succeeding at Work
    • Human Resources
    • Management & Leadership
    • Women in Business
    • Work-Family Balance
    • View All
visit our other sites
Technology Careers
  • Skills
  • Basics
  • Job Search
  • Career Types
  • Education
  • Workplace Issues
  • Changing Careers
  • All Technology Careers
    Technology Careers Skills

    10 Skills to Work in Information Technology

    • Share
    • Flip
    • Pin
    • Share
    • Email
    By Laura Schneider
    Updated August 08, 2018

    Whether you are just starting your technical career or looking to make a career change, it helps to know what career skills are hot in the job market. The following list is of technical skills that are currently in high demand. The list includes information, a brief history of each technology, and links to training resources.

  • 01
    Unix Operating System

    Group of IT experts in their office.
    gilaxia/E+/Getty Images

    The Unix Operating System is the foundation of the internet. Unix is a critical skill for a career in Information Technology.

  • 02
    Linux Operating System

    The Linux Operating System is a Unix-like operating system that is being used by many large companies. It is quickly growing in popularity and is a popular operating system to develop for. Linux is a great career skill if you want a career as a System Administrator.

  • 03
    Java Programming Language

    Java is an object-oriented programming language developed by Sun Microsystems. Java is a popular career skill if you want to be a Web Developer.

  • 04
    C++ Programming Language

    C++ is another high level, object-oriented programming language. C++ is often used in commercial application software development. It has been and continues to be a hot programming career skill in the market. A career as a Software Engineer would be the most likely with C++ expertise.

  • 05
    Perl Programming Language

    Perl is a dynamic scripting language that is used quite often in networking, system administration, and website development. Knowledge of this multi-use language is a must-have for many career paths.

  • 06
    MySQL Database Management

    MySQL is a database management tool that is widely used. Knowledge of MySQL is necessary for many careers, including Database Administrators, Web Developers, and Software Engineers.

  • 07
    Microsoft C# Programming Language

    The C# programming language from Microsoft Corporation is rapidly gaining popularity as more companies utilize the .NET framework. It is one of the hottest career skills in the market right now for developers.

  • 08
    XML - Extensible Markup Language

    XML or Extensible Markup language is a popular language that makes information on the internet viewable across many different platforms. It is relatively easy to learn. While many developers know XML, fewer of them are experts in XML. It is a specialty focus that is gaining popularity for a career in web development.

  • 09
    HTML Skills

    HTML continues to be a necessary skill to have for ​web design careers. Expert knowledge of HTML is a must-have for this career path.

  • 10
    Project Management

    Management of technical projects is a necessary career skill for advancement, no matter which technical career path you choose. Formal project management training is a great start to more senior level technical roles.

  • hadoop.JPG

    11 Big Data Tech Certifications to Take Your Career to the Next Level

  • computer programmer

    Here Is a List of High-Paying Programming Languages You Can Learn

  • SQL programming language

    Why You Should Learn About and Use SQL

  • Data analysis

    Want to Become a Data Scientist? Learn One of These Languages

  • learn PHP online

    Learn PHP Coding for Free with These 12 Websites

  • Focused software tester working at laptop in office

    Software Testing Varieties and Differences

  • Learning SEO to boost resume

    6 Non-Coding Digital Skills To Boost Your Resume

  • Business people sharing digital tablet in meeting

    Top IT Networking Skills

  • a long view of a man sitting in a hallway working on a laptop

    How to Become a Certified Ethical Hacker to Thwart Malicious Hackers

  • Indian businessman reading a business magazine on a tablet.

    Here's a List of Top Information Technology Publications Worth Reading

  • Two male CSS programmers working on a laptop

    Are You Sass or LESS When It Comes to Preprocessors?

  • Businessman standing in discussion with coworkers

    The Top 4 Jobs in Information Technology (IT)

  • Designers working at desk in small office

    Bootstrap or Foundation: Which Front-End Framework Should You Use?

  • Man driving an Uber with woman sitting in car

    Landing a Job at Uber—And We Don't Mean Driving

  • College students studying at table

    6 of the Best Coding Bootcamps in San Francisco

  • Male teacher helping boys programming at laptops in classroom

    Discover the Core Skills You Need to Master as a Front-End Developers

Our Best Money Tips, Delivered
You're in! Thanks for signing up.
There was an error. Please try again.
Facebook Pinterest Twitter Flipboard Linkedin
  • Finding a Job
  • Career Paths
  • Succeeding at Work
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
Also from The Balance Team
The Balance
The Balance Small Business
The Balance Careers is part of the Dotdash publishing family.
  • Lifewire
  • ThoughtCo
  • TripSavvy
  • The Spruce
  • and more