Searching for a job in 2025 is not what it looked like around 5 years ago. Now it’s not just about “tell me what you have done”. It’ also about how your skills are organised, expressed, and decoded by machines and humans alike.
Recruiters do not simply scan resumes anymore. They scrutinise. And so does the applicant tracking systems (ATS). The most dominant resumes now are the ones that include both accuracy and a distinct persona. Also, the one that kicks off by legibly listing primary and secondary technical domain skills.
If you are thinking…
- Can I just list my core tech skills or should I also name the side tools I am proficient in?
- If I do not use the relevant keywords, will ATS select my resume?
- Exhibiting growth in my skills without sounding too overconfident. How can I achieve this?
This blog is just for you.
Let’s explore why identifying and listing your primary and secondary domain skills is essential. It’s not just about keeping your resume neat; it’s your ticket to greater visibility, relevance, and success in getting hired.
What Are Primary and Secondary Technical Domain Skills?
Let’s break it down simply.
Primary Domain Skills
These are your main skills, the key technologies or areas of expertise you’ve focused on the most and can manage on your own.
Consider them as superpowers you possess.
If someone handed you a laptop today and asked you to create something with these tools, you’d likely respond, “Sure, let’s do this.”
Examples:
- Java for a backend developer
- Python for a data scientist
- ReactJS for a front-end developer
- AWS for a cloud engineer
These skills usually match directly with your job title and duties.
Secondary Domain Skills
These are your supporting skills, the tools, techniques, or platforms that back up your primary skills. You might not use them every day, but they can improve your effectiveness.
Think of them as your utility belt.
They show your range and how you collaborate with teams, troubleshoot more effectively, automate more efficiently, and adjust more quickly.
Examples:
- Git, Jenkins, and Docker for a developer
- SQL, Tableau, or NumPy for a data analyst
- Terraform, Kubernetes for a DevOps engineer
- Agile, APIs, or Figma for contributors across teams
Possessing strong secondary skills in today’s project-based tech economy can often tilt hiring decisions in your favor.
Why It’s Important to List Both on Your Resume
- Hiring Managers Look for Relevance and Range
Envision this: A recruiter receives two resumes for a data analyst role.
- Candidate A lists: Python, Machine Learning
- Candidate B lists: Python (Primary), Machine Learning (Primary), SQL (Secondary), Tableau (Secondary)
Which profile looks better for a live project
It’s definitely candidate B. The reason is they foresee the data-to-dashboard journey not just pertaining to coding. You demonstrate that you are project-ready and not just job-ready while you list both types of skills.
- ATS Algorithms Are All About Keyword Matching
Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems [ATS] today to filter resumes. ATS does not check resumes the same way how the human eyes do but they match the keywords to the job descriptions
If a job post mentions:
- “Great knowledge of Python, SQL, and Tableau”
And your profile only says: - “Skilled in Python”
You’re therefore missing an advantage.
To pass ATS filters it is necessary that you mention both primary and secondary skills in your resume. Increase your visibility by simply including these to make your CV powerful and your candidature, credible.
- It Shows You’re Not a One-Tool Wonder
Recruiters are in search of those specialist specialists who can work as a team across various disciplines. Will they consider a Front-end developer who has an amazing understanding of UX or a Backend Engineer who knows who is proficient in DevOps? In the modern tech teams of various companies these are considered the dream profilesMaking a list of secondary skills shows the candidate’s willingness to learn, adaptability, and team fit, which are the unspoken qualities that go ahead of the mentioned job description.
- It Matters for Both Freshers and Experienced Professionals
Freshers often are stressed that they seldom have “enough” to express their talent. Though in your early days of career, you’ve experienced a combination of tools during campus projects, internships, or hackathon events.
Being able to understand the difference between what you’ve gained mastery over (primary) vs what you’ve fiddled around in or helped around with (secondary) brings a matured structure to your resume.
Talking about mid-level or senior talent? This structured view exhibits your experience in the way you have evolved and your calibre and the ability to maintain relevancy in a dynamic tech arena.
Examples of Primary and Secondary Technical Domain Skills
Here are some role-based real-world examples that demonstrate how these abilities complement one another.
- Software Developer
Primary: Java, Spring Boot
Secondary: Git, Jenkins, REST APIs, Maven
- Data Scientist
Primary: Python, Machine Learning, Pandas
Secondary: Tableau, SQL, NumPy, Power BI - Cloud Engineer
Primary: AWS, Azure
Secondary: Kubernetes, Terraform, Cloud Monitoring Tools - DevOps Engineer
Primary: CI/CD pipelines, Ansible
Secondary: Docker, Jenkins, GitLab, Linux scripting - Front-End Developer
Primary: ReactJS, JavaScript, HTML/CSS
Secondary: Figma, Bootstrap, Responsive Design
List of Primary and Secondary Technical Domain Skills by Category
Check out some role-based pratical examples that show how these skills and abilities compliment each other.
- Software Development
Primary: Java, .NET, Python, Node.js, C++
Secondary: Git, Agile, APIs, Jenkins, Docker - Data & Analytics
Primary: SQL, Python, R, Power BI
Secondary: Excel, Tableau, Hadoop, Scikit-learn - Cloud & DevOps
Primary: AWS, Azure, GCP, Kubernetes
Secondary: Jenkins, Terraform, CI/CD, CloudWatch - Cybersecurity
Primary: Penetration Testing, Threat Modeling, Network Security
Secondary: SIEM Tools, ISO 27001, Risk Assessment - UI/UX Design
Primary: Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch
Secondary: HTML/CSS, A/B Testing, Zeplin - Mechanical/Engineering
Primary: AutoCAD, SolidWorks, MATLAB
Secondary: CATIA, ANSYS, Simulation Software
How Freshers Can Identify Their Primary and Secondary Skills
Developing a skill map does not require many years of hardcore experience. Here’s how you can crack it:
- Look at Your Projects:
List the tools you use most. What were you most confident in doing? - Check What You Least Browse on Google :
This one will likely be a primary skill. Secondary skills are the ones you’re still exploring. - Check Your GitHub or Portfolio:
What tech stacks repeat themselves? - Match Against Job Descriptions:
If 80% of job postings for your dream role mention a tool — that’s a skill worth building into your primary or secondary list. - Talk to Peers or Mentors:
Ask them what they see as your standout skills. It often helps clarify what you bring to the table.
How to Effectively List Them on Your Resume
Here’s how to effectively list both primary and secondary technical domain skills:
- Create Two Different Headers
“Primary Technical Skills”
“Secondary Technical Skills”
This immediately exhibits structure and maturity in the resume’s presentation.
- Mention Primary Skills First in Summary and Bullet Points
Highlight them in the professional summary or under each role’s achievements.
- Align with Job Description Keywords
Use similar terminology to what’s in the JD. For example, if the JD says “REST APIs” and you list “Web Services,” update it.
- Justify Every Skill With a Use Case Scenario
Link skills to outcomes whenever possible:
- “Developed a fintech platform’s RESTful API with Spring Boot.”
- “Rollout time is reduced by 40% thanks to Jenkins-powered automated deployments.”
- Avoid Making it Wordy
Instead of listing fifty tools, choose a select few that best represent your areas of expertise.
Skills That Speak Get You Hired
Clarity is preferable to clutter in the age of automated hiring and skill-based recruiting.
Hiring managers and systems can better understand your contributions if you can distinguish between your primary and secondary domain skills.
It informs them:
-
What you’re an expert at
-
What you’re discovering
-
And where you can make a difference that goes beyond the obvious
We have established a network of over 50,000 of India’s leading tech women at SheWork, and each one is mapped not only by experience but also by primary and secondary skills. Our AI-driven system looks for more than just keywords. Fit, adaptability, and genuine project readiness are what it looks for.
We collaborate with multinational corporations and GCC nations seeking adaptable, dynamic tech teams. We’ve seen how showcasing layered skills quickly results in real hires, from data analysts to cloud engineers.
Do you want to be recognized for your true worth?
List your skills smartly to start with. We’ll take it from there.
Join our elite tech talent community at Shework.