Should You Include Microsoft Word or Office on a Resume in 2024?

If you want to be a cut above the competition, your skills section needs to be strong. But you already knew that. One of the most common questions job seekers ask is whether to include Microsoft Office skills on a resume. It’s a tricky conundrum. 

Of course, including relevant skills on a resume is important for two reasons.

1. It quickly shows the hiring manager that you have the skills required for the position.

2. It helps you to get past an ATS system, which is a software used by most employers to automatically screen resumes. 

It’s a win-win scenario! 

So, when you’re ready to put pen to paper, you may be wondering whether to include Microsoft Office skills on your resume. The truth is that it depends on which particular skills you mean, as Microsoft Office consists of a suite of skills.

In the following guide, we will look at each of these skills, whether they are worthy of a top spot on your resume, and, if so, how you should incorporate them within your resume. 

What is Microsoft Office?

First, let’s take an overview of what Microsoft Office actually is.

It’s a suite of productivity tools used internationally across many organizations and companies, helping to create spreadsheets, text documents, and numerous other complex tasks.

Microsoft Office includes:

Should you include Microsoft Word on a resume?

The short answer: No.

If you’re thinking of putting Microsoft Word on your resume, here’s your sign not to bother. Why? Nearly everyone knows how to use Microsoft Word, so including it on your resume does not give you an edge. Frankly, it’s 2024, and most employers would expect you to be proficient in Microsoft Word.

Here is a YouTube video that is worth watching if you don't know how to use Microsoft Word.

If you highlight that you can use Microsoft Word on your resume, you’re not saying very much at all. It’s like saying you know how to operate a cell phone--it just doesn't belong on a resume. Therefore including it will do more harm than good.

That doesn’t mean that you should be leaving out other key skills. Your resume is the ideal place to show an employer what you are bringing to the table. ​​We will discuss later on in this post the types of skills to include on your resume in order to stand out. However, the important lesson here is that Microsoft Word is certainly not something that needs including.

Should you include Microsoft Excel on a resume?

The short answer: Yes.

If you’re a complete whiz kid when it comes to Microsoft Excel, you should include this on your resume. Microsoft Excel is a little more complicated than Microsoft Word, and can be a very useful skill in many jobs. This is especially true for positions that specifically require you to use Microsoft Excel, such as accounting or bookkeeping. 

So, is it worth putting Microsoft Excel on your resume? Chances are that it might be. Here are two things you need to keep in mind when listing Microsoft Excel on a resume.

1. Make sure that you know how to use Excel at a near expert level. The program is pretty complex so ensure that you know all of the ins and outs. It’s no good saying that you are proficient in this skill if you only know the basic functions. 

2. Only include Excel on your resume if it’s relevant to the position you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a nursing position, you probably won’t need Excel on your resume. Before you decide to put Microsoft Excel on your resume, consider whether it aligns with the job position you are after. 

Should you include Microsoft PowerPoint on a resume?

The short answer: No.

So, you can put together a wicked slideshow on PowerPoint. That’s not the massive flex that you think it is. Microsoft PowerPoint, like Word, is fairly simple to use and doesn’t require advanced knowledge. For that reason, when you add Microsoft PowerPoint to your resume, it doesn’t tell the employer anything that they don’t already expect of you. 

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. If your job relies on putting together engaging sales decks for clients, you might want to point out that you use Microsoft PowerPoint to do so. Consider how well this program aligns with your job duties. 

Should you include Microsoft Outlook on a resume?

The short answer: No.

In the modern world, we all know how to use email software. Microsoft Outlook is exactly that--it’s Windows’ version of an email platform. As you might imagine, it’s not particularly hard to get your head around using this type of software. You simply log in and away you go. 

When you brag about being able to use Microsoft Outlook on a resume, it could be a red flag to employers. The fact that you think this is an impressive feat might worry them. Instead, stick to including Microsoft Office software that is more complex to use. 

How do you list Microsoft Office skills on a resume?

Now that you know which skills are resume-worthy, let’s talk about how to get the job done. Learning how to describe Microsoft Office skills on your resume doesn’t have to be difficult. One of the most obvious places for these talents is in the skills section. When you bullet point both soft and hard skills, you can additionally include any software where you showcase a high proficiency. 

Of course, you can also include any Microsoft Office specialist certifications on your resume. For example, if you have undertaken training in how to use Microsoft Excel, don’t be afraid to include that information within your next application. The extra time and effort you have put into ongoing learning and development may be enough to turn a recruiter’s head. 

You don’t need to confine your Microsoft Office skills to the skills section either. When drafting your resume, you can weave these talents through the rest of the content. When it comes to the employment section, you can include the skills in bullet points within the job responsibilities.

For example, you could write, “Utilized Microsoft Excel to keep track of sales figures, accounting, and general outgoings.”

This not only highlights that you can use the software, it shows what tasks you have used it for. 

When should you include Microsoft Office on a resume? 

If you know how to use all of the programs in Microsoft Office, and it’s listed as a required skill in the job description, then you can include it. However, if this package is not listed in the job advert, you should avoid adding it to your resume. It’s just not worth the trouble!

Which skills should you be including on a resume?

Microsoft Excel is the only skill you should consider listing independently in relation to IT / software skills out of all of the Microsoft Office suite.

You want to include hard skills and those technical skills that are relevant to the position you are targeting. Remember that the purpose of your resume is to show how you’re qualified for that particular position. Listing irrelevant skills and obscure information on a resume will do you more harm than good. Carefully study the job description to see which skills are required or preferred, and list those on your resume, as long as you possess them.

The takeaway

By now, you should know which core skills you need to list on your resume. The set of Microsoft Office skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Outlook, are fairly simple to use and any employer would expect you to be familiar with them. Listing these on your resume does not give you an edge over the other candidates. For that reason, you should leave them off your next application. However, as we have covered here, there are sometimes exceptions to the rule. 

When creating your resume, it pays to be selective in what you write. The last thing you want to do is waste the hiring manager’s time with unnecessary information. Only include skills that show a potential employer that you have what it takes to get the job done. Highlighting relevant hard skills will also help get your resume past ATS systems. Since most employers now use that software, you need to get it right.

Good luck with your job search!

Looking to land your next dream job? Sprucing up your resume is the first step toward success. Don’t leave things to chance. Take a look at our expert-backed resume writing services. Having an optimized application written by an expert means that you will have a better chance of getting your foot in the door of that all-important interview. 

This article was originally written by Charlotte Grainger and has been updated by Elizabeth Openshaw.

Recommended reading: 

• ATS Resume Test: Free ATS Checker & Formatting Examples

• Why Is It So Hard to Find a Job? (+ 6 Tips)

• Writing an Outstanding Resume with No Experience (+ Examples)