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Hardware specialist skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted experts

Jennifer Richardson Ph.D.,

Anthony Baron

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical hardware specialist skills. We ranked the top skills for hardware specialists based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 56.3% of hardware specialist resumes contained plumbing as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a hardware specialist needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 hardware specialist skills for your resume and career

1. Plumbing

Here's how hardware specialists use plumbing:

Worked in tool rental, small engine repair, garden, electrical, hardware, garden and plumbing departments.
Acquired the product and application knowledge of hardware fixtures fittings plumbing timber etc.

2. Configuration Management

Configuration management is a technical system of management controls that includes decisions, actions, and approvals that are applied throughout the life cycle of a program or system and that maintain the consistency of its performance, functional and physical attributes from the conceptual phase to production and finally to post-production support.

Here's how hardware specialists use configuration management:

Support of MICOM community, specializing in application development, communications, configuration management, virus removal, and graphics services.
Applied management configuration management disciplines (planning, identification, control status accounting and auditing) to establish baselines.

3. Printers

Printers are a technological tool used to permanently apply ink to various surfaces and material but most often paper. They are used for printing books, fliers, images, billboard advertisements, and so on. There are many different types of printers, too, each built for a different purpose, material, and processes. A new generation of printers, usually referred to as 3D printers, can use materials such as plastic or resin to build different three-dimensional physical objects and can be used to create props, statues, and various other items.

Here's how hardware specialists use printers:

Configured the new machines with printers, scanners, etc., to ensure when users arrived they were in working order.
Configured, Implemented and administered Desktops, Laptops, and printers using Cisco wireless communications access points 1200 and 350 series.

4. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how hardware specialists use customer service:

Provided satisfactory customer service by informing customers of products using my expertise in product knowledge.
Provide technical support for installation technicians and customer service via telephone and on-site.

5. Computer System

Here's how hardware specialists use computer system:

Supported the development of remote telecommunications capabilities between PC's and mainframe computer systems.
Provided on-site hardware and software troubleshooting assistance for networks and stand-alone computer systems.

6. Troubleshoot

Troubleshooting is the process of analyzing and fixing any kind of problem in a system or a machine. Troubleshooting is the detailed yet quick search in the system for the main source of an issue and solving it.

Here's how hardware specialists use troubleshoot:

Implement firmware/software upgrade and troubleshoot for proprietary Micros hardware.
Assembled, repaired, installed and troubleshoot MAC, XT, AT and Pentium computers, at software and hardware level.

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7. Desktop Support

Here's how hardware specialists use desktop support:

Administer network security and perform desktop support, break/fix.
Provided desktop support for over 100 users.

8. Hardware Inventory

Here's how hardware specialists use hardware inventory:

Stocked and managed hardware inventory.
Maintain new and used PC hardware inventory.

9. Problem Resolution

A problem resolution refers to how a person identifies the problem, determining its cause, creating a reasonable solution, and implementing a conclusion. With the help of a client specialist, it is easier to handle such a situation. Problem resolution plays a vital role in helping resolve problems efficiently and effectively.

Here's how hardware specialists use problem resolution:

Provided installation documentation for local support personnel, performed problem resolution and hardware maintenance.
Logged trouble calls with the Support Center to include follow-up until problem resolution.

10. Hardware Support

Here's how hardware specialists use hardware support:

Delivered proactive risk management hardware support for assigned high-end Mission Critical customers including Fortune 500 clients.
Supported clients and staff with hardware support and specification for digital camera implementations.

11. PCB

The PCB (Printed Circuit Board) refers to the hardware part housing all of the device's electrical connections.

Here's how hardware specialists use pcb:

Worked with engineering test procedures to test and repair the PCB assemblies.
Design PCB layouts using CAD software such as Express PCB, PCB123, Pad2Pad.

12. Ethernet

Ethernet refers to a system that connects a series of computers in a local area network (LAN). This is often done through ethernet cables, which plug into a router or other port in the modem in addition to the computer port. As ethernet connects only a local network, there are more protocols regarding how information is transmitted.

Here's how hardware specialists use ethernet:

Tested, debugged, and/or qualified RF, USB, Ethernet, serial, audio amplifiers, and power circuits.
Configured and installed Desktop and Laptop computers on an Ethernet Network using hard wire and wireless technologies.

13. Windows XP

Here's how hardware specialists use windows xp:

Performed troubleshooting on Windows XP, Windows 7, and Windows 8.1 as well as MAC operating systems.
Compiled Windows CE and Windows XP Embedded OS for AMR devices; 2012, FaranirooClean tech.

14. Linux

Linux is a Unix-like operating system. Just like Windows, Mac OS, and IOS, Linux is an operating system used by millions across the globe. Android itself is powered by the Linux operating system. Linux manages all the hardware resources that are associated with your computer. The software is famous because of the protection it grants from viruses, malware, and crashes. The Linux operating system is entirely free and is an open-source software meaning it can be altered by those equipped with the knowledge to code.

Here's how hardware specialists use linux:

Converted servers from UNIX to Linux, all hardware diagnostics and repair including printers/plotters/desktops etc.
Standardized monitoring agent deployment procedure and software distribution bundles for Unix / Linux servers, improving installation consistency and product support.

15. Computer Equipment

Computer hardware refers to all the physical parts of a computer which include the central processing unit (CPU), mouse, keyboard, data storage, monitor, graphics card, sound card, motherboard, and speakers.

Here's how hardware specialists use computer equipment:

Configured, installed, and supported all computer equipment for students and faculty on campus.
Directed the installation and upgrades of all incoming computer equipment.

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What skills help Hardware Specialists find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on hardware specialist resumes?

Jennifer Richardson Ph.D.

Professor, Purdue University

Always the soft skills - they stand out I think first and foremost regardless of where you are coming from and where you are going to. Without the ability to communicate, collaborate, facilitate, and problem-solve it is tough to succeed in today's environment. Experience is also key no matter the position; without prior experience to demonstrate the skills you are indicating you have trained for it is hard for those doing the hiring to know if you have learned the skills or if you have learned and experienced (or applied) those skills. Students should seek out opportunities to apply their skills while still working through their program. I believe going forward with K-12 educators we will see that those that have training or professional development with teaching at a distance will go a long way. Before COVID-19 hit we were already planning a new offering for virtual instruction licensure, it is now garnering a lot of attention.

What soft skills should all hardware specialists possess?

Anthony Baron

Teaching Assistant, Associate Software Engineer, American University

The main soft skills I would say are needed for Computer Science software engineering are patience, perseverance, creativity, respect, teamwork, and openness to learning and teaching. Programming involves a lot of trial and error, researching, and learning better techniques for solving a problem. Due to this, patience and perseverance to reach the final goal in mind are crucial. When it comes to the learning aspect, there are many languages, frameworks, and libraries, and working with them involves a steeper learning curve than others. On top of this, there are often more elegant ways to program a solution, and many new frameworks and libraries are released throughout the industry. This is where patience and perseverance is also a virtue. Lastly, programming and creating a product are often done in teams, where working together and learning from each other is important.

What hard/technical skills are most important for hardware specialists?

Anthony Baron

Teaching Assistant, Associate Software Engineer, American University

The main technical/ hard skills, I would say, are mainly the same as in part 1. Another hard skill that will come through with experience in programming is learning how to Google, more specifically knowing exactly what to search to solve an issue in the code.

What hardware specialist skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Ranganathan Chandrasekaran

Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, University of Illinois

With remote-working and virtual collaborations becoming routine, more firms are increasing their investments in technology. In my opinion, irrespective of the location, many companies will seek to hire technology professionals.

What type of skills will young hardware specialists need?

Joshua Davis Ph.D.

Lecturer, Carleton College

Studying mathematics is good practice for rigorous thinking and problem solving, which are valued across the workforce. For science and engineering applications, it is often also helpful to have R, Python, Matlab, or another popular programming language. But technical abilities get the graduate-only so far. They need interpersonal communication skills so that they can understand the needs of stakeholders and cooperate with colleagues. For this reason, many faculty at my school emphasize writing, speaking, listening, and teamwork skills.

What technical skills for a hardware specialist stand out to employers?

Chirag Parikh Ph.D.

Computer Engineering Chair, Grand Valley State University

If you ask me, I consider valuable experience over good paycheck. Once you have gained that experience the paycheck will follow. As soon as you are out of college, the knowledge gained is very fresh and raring to go. If put into the right place can enhance your technical skills and you can do wonders.
As a Computer Engineering professor, I would say the job opportunities are tremendous for students out of college as they can venture into hardware field (technical support, hardware engineer, test engineer and much more) as well as software field (software engineer, software developer, software tester and much more). The possibilities are endless.
With COVID and employees working remotely there is still ample opportunity to enhance your technical and interpersonal skills as I believe remote working might stay for a while till things get back to normal.

Do you want to know more?

List of hardware specialist skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a hardware specialist resume and required skills for a hardware specialist to have include:

Plumbing
Configuration Management
Printers
Customer Service
Computer System
Troubleshoot
Desktop Support
Hardware Inventory
Problem Resolution
Hardware Support
PCB
Ethernet
Windows XP
Linux
Computer Equipment

PCS
Unix
Software Issues
POS
Product Knowledge
OS
SQL
User Support
Network Hardware
Computer Software
ITIL
Windows NT
Remote Desktop
VPN
Novell

Software Applications
Customer Support
Mac
Software Problems
Network Infrastructure
User Accounts
Software Packages
TCP/IP
Lan
Phone Support
Party Vendors
CPU
PBX
Patch Panels
Peripheral Equipment

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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