This document discusses essential IT skills that are required for many jobs today, including word processing, presentations, spreadsheets, and data storage. It provides an overview of each skill, describing what the software is used for and some popular options to learn. Word processing involves creating, editing, and formatting documents, and Microsoft Word is the most common program, though free alternatives exist. Presentations are used to discuss topics through slideshows, with Microsoft PowerPoint as the standard, and free options like Google Slides. Spreadsheets organize and calculate data in rows and columns, with Microsoft Excel being dominant but free or online versions also available. Data storage software helps store and manage information for reference and analysis.

1. Essential IT Skills that will Get You Hired as
an IT Professional
We are all aware of the fact that IT knowledge is mandatory these days for getting even the
mediocre of jobs. Most of the posts these days are getting computerised, automated. There are
specific IT skills we ought to learn. These skills are essential in the job sectors of our lives. We
all have that one friend who has a vast knowledge of computers and IT. And then we also have
a few friends who don’t have any computer skills at all. If you know any such person, this article
could change his/her life. This article intends to solve some of those problems as we dig deep
into the realm of IT. We are going to discuss what the essential IT skills are, how we can gain
them with ease.

2. Briefs of Essential IT Skills
Now let’s find out what are the skills that we can not but learn. Let’s define the essential first.
Since we are trying to get a traditional job and not an unconventional one, we will identify our
needs as such. Almost all conventional jobs need knowledge of office suite programmes. They
expect us to know word processing, presentation, spreadsheets and data storage. We intend to
take a brief of each of these in this article.
Word Processing
Image by Microsoft
The one skill that everyone requires to learn is word processing. Many people know it as
Microsoft word training. But one can perform word processing without Microsoft Word. One
alternative to Microsoft word would be google docs. There are many other office applications
that provide word processing. Dropbox Paper, OpenOffice Writer and LibreOffice Writer etc. are
some free MS Word alternatives. Many people don’t know that even Microsoft offers a free

3. alternative to MS Word. Word online comes as a part of Office Online suite. Though it doesn’t
contain all the tools from its paid counterpart, it meets all the basic needs.
What is Word Processing Software?
We use word processing software to manipulate a text document, such as a CV or a report. In
general, we enter text via typing. The software gives us the tools needed for copying, pasting,
deleting and formatting. An idea of the uses of word processing software include:
 Creating, editing, saving and printing documents.
 Moving and deleting text within a document or copying and pasting necessary items.
 Formatting text, such as font type, underlining, bolding or italicizing.
 Creating, formatting and editing tables.
 Inserting illustrations, photographs and elements from other software.
 Checking and correcting grammar and spelling.
When it comes to word processing, it’s not a quality that will set you apart from everyone for
knowing it. Instead, it’s a skill that everyone has. You have to have it for not falling behind. It
falls into the category of fundamental computer knowledge these days. Thus if you don’t yet
have this skill, our suggestion would be to take a course on it. Shouldn’t take too long.
Enroll Now: Microsoft word Online Training for Beginners

4. Presentation
Image by Microsoft
A presentation program is a software that we use to create a slide-show that discusses a topic.
Every corporate office has requirements for people with knowledge of presentation software.
Again, Microsoft PowerPoint is the highest used presentation software. Thus many people call
this Microsoft PowerPoint Training. Thus, somebody who knows MS PowerPoint will know the
industry-standard presentation software. Every corporate office has requirements for people
with knowledge of presentation software. But, like Word Processing, there are various
alternatives. Google Slides would be the most well-known alternative. PowerPoint Online is
Microsoft’s own alternative offering. Apart from these, LibreOffice Impress, OpenOffice Impress,
Zoho Show etc. are free alternatives. If you are willing to pay monthly, there are software to get
you started fast. Visme, Prezi, Canva & Slidebean etc. are examples of such software.
What is a Presentation Software?

5. We use presentation software to display content in a slide-show form. It has three primary
functions. Among them, at first, we have an editor with which we insert and format text. After
that, there is the method of insertion and manipulation of graphic images. Finally, it has a slide-
show system to display the content.
We use presentation programs in businesses and schools for teaching or discussing a topic.
Often, the presenter uses a projector to project the slide-show up on to screen that helps
everyone to see.
Once created, a person or group of people stand in front of others and present it. Presentations
are shown one slide at a time. It helps to explain the topic of the slide and then to move to the
next slide until the slide show ends. For example, in a business presentation, a presenter may
go through slides. The slides could illustrate how the company is doing, its profits, sales, and
other relevant information.

6. Spreadsheets
Image by Microsoft
A spreadsheet is a file made of columns and rows. It helps sort data, arrange data, and
calculate numerical data. What makes a spreadsheet software program unique? It can calculate
values using mathematical formulas and the data in cells.
An example of how we may utilise a spreadsheet is creating an overview of our bank’s balance.
The most prominent spreadsheet software is Microsoft Excel. And like MS Word and
PowerPoint, MS Excel training dominates spreadsheet tutorials. Without a doubt, Microsoft
Excel is the standard of the industry. People with skills on this software were adored across the
world. The market has saturated with people with knowledge of spreadsheets. But it doesn’t
mean that one can get away without knowing spreadsheets. It is generally an expected quality
in a candidate when he/she is applying for a job. The corporate world is very dependant on
spreadsheets.

7. Although MS Excel is very dominant in the world of spreadsheets, google sheets are on a
steady rise. There are other alternatives too. OpenOffice Calc and LibreOffice Calc are
examples of free alternatives of Microsoft Excel. And Excel Online is Microsoft’s own offering
that we could use instead of the paid MS Excel.
What is a Spreadsheet?
A file that exists of cells in rows and columns is a spreadsheet. It can help arrange, calculate
and sort data the data in a spreadsheet. The rows in a spreadsheet have numeric names (1, 2,
3 etc) while the columns have alphabetic names (a, b, c etc). So the names of cells exist of a
letter and a number that points out their position in the grid.

8. Data storage
Among essential IT skills, we are going to introduce Data storage and management. We use
this kind of software to enter, search, sort and report on information. Like other office-software,
MS Access is very popular among basic Data storage software. There are a few free
alternatives like LibreOffice Base, Hyperbase or Zoho Creator. MySQL is also gaining popularity
but it is considered somewhat different. Microsoft offers Access Online as another alternative.
Learn Microsoft Access and enhance your expertise.
What is a Data Storage Software?
Data storage software helps us store information for reference, reporting, and analysis. They
help us analyse large amounts of information. They also help to manage related data better
than spreadsheet applications.

9. Where do We Go from Here Now
Well, it’s evident that we need to brush up our IT skills if we want to strive in this era. And
learning it online could be one of the possible solutions. With that in mind we can conclude that
IT skills are very essential and we should take care of it when we have the opportunities and
before it’s too late.