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Skills Needed for IT Jobs UK | Essential Tech & Soft Skills for IT Careers

12/12/2025

Skills Needed for IT Jobs UK: Essential Technical & Soft Skills for a Successful Tech Career

The UK’s growing technology sector is having a dramatic effect on the competition for IT Jobs UK with more people than ever before competing for these types of jobs. Employers want candidates not only with knowledge of new digital tools but also those who can be adaptable, effectively solve problems, and communicate well with others within multiple functions of their organisation. Your skillset is one of the most important factors that will determine whether you are hired for an IT job, so whether you want to work in Software Development, Cyber Security, Cloud Computing, Data Analytics, or even Entry-Level IT Jobs UK, it is imperative that you have the right technical skills, as well as the right soft skills and industry-ready skills.

This guide provides an overview of the types of technical skills (hard skills), soft skills, and industry-ready skills that leading UK Tech Employers expect from technology professionals (IT professionals). It is important to have knowledge of these skills in order to increase your chances of being hired for an IT Job in the United Kingdom.

  1. Required Technical Skills for IT Jobs UK

Technical skills or hard skills are the foundation for all technology positions within the organisation. Employers rely upon these skills to know that you will be able to confidently and efficiently perform your responsibilities.

1.1 Programming & Software Development Skills

A candidate with Coding skills is one of the top three most important technical skills for those looking for IT jobs in the UK. Some common coding languages that are used in Software Development include:

  • Python
  • Java
  • C#
  • JavaScript
  • C & C++
  • SQL 

These coding languages are used in a variety of different applications and areas including Software Development, Automation, Back-End System Development, Database Administration, and Artificial Intelligence Driven Solutions.

  1. Skills for Working in Cloud Computing

As more organizations begin to utilize Cloud Computing, knowledge regarding the capabilities of cloud-based solutions will become increasingly important to help individuals secure IT employment opportunities within the U.K.

Some examples of popular cloud-based technologies are as follows:

  • Amazon Web Services (AWS) 
  • Microsoft Azure 
  • Google Cloud Platform (GCP) 
  • Skills Employers Seek Relating to Cloud Computing Include:
  • Architecting a cloud solution 
  • Migrate application(s) to the cloud 
  • Creating serverless applications 
  • Networking & Security in the cloud 
  1. Skills Relating to Cybersecurity

As cybercriminals become more sophisticated and cyber-attacks increase in number, it is critical that IT professionals possess cybersecurity skill sets. For many available IT positions in the U.K. Employers require at least a basic knowledge of and understanding of the principles of cyber/computer security.

Some of the key federal cybersecurity skill sets are as follows:

  • Ethical Hacking 
  • Network Security 
  • Vulnerability Testing 
  • Risk Assessment 
  • Security Compliance 
  1. Networking Skills

For positions such as IT Support, System Administration, and Infrastructure Engineering networking connectivity plays a significant role.

Examples of recommended knowledge to pursue related to networking knowledge include:

  • Protocols TCP/IP 
  • DNS & DHCP 
  • Creating & Managing Firewall & VPN Solutions 
  • Creating & Configuring Routers & Switches 
  • Troubleshooting Networking Issues 
  1. Skills in terms of Data Analytics & Data Bases

Data-driven decision-making is quickly becoming a priority by many organizations today.

Examples of important data skills are as follows:

Structured Query Language (SQL) & Non-Structured Query Language (NoSQL) 

Creating Data Visualizations using software programs such as PowerBI & Tableau 

Preprocessing Raw Data to Prepare for Analysis 

Statistical Analysis using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences)

  1. DevOps and Automation Skills:

DevOps is emerging as one of the fastest growing segments of the UK technology industry and has therefore become a fundamental competency for software and cloud engineers.

There are certain areas of knowledge that will be particularly helpful for an individual seeking a career in this field, such as:

  • CI/CD pipelines
  • Docker and Kubernetes
  • Version control using Git
  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
  1. IT Support and Troubleshooting Skills

The primary areas of focus for the entry-level technology professionals in the UK will be developing technical skills through formal education or on-the-job training. To develop the necessary skills, entry-level IT jobs in the UK will require the following competencies:

  • Installation of hardware and software
  • Troubleshooting of operating systems
  • Basic understanding of networks and how they operate
  • Using ticketing systems (Jira, ServiceNow)
  • Providing good customer service
  • The entry-level role is the perfect entry point for any new IT professional.
  1. Soft Skills Required for IT Jobs in the UK:

Having only technical skills is not sufficient for success. In fact, the importance of soft skills that enhance team collaboration and productivity is increasingly being recognised by employers in the UK.

  1. Problem-Solving Ability:

Many IT jobs require understanding how to identify a problem, gather data, and make improvements to systems. Candidates with strong problem-solving skills have a competitive advantage over those without such skills.

  1. Clear Communication Skills:

The ability to clearly communicate with colleagues and clients about technical issues and solutions is critical for success in IT jobs in the UK.

  1. Teamwork and Collaboration:

Most IT projects involve working with multiple departments and teams (developers, analysts, designers, testers and managers). Being able to work well within a team is very important to your career success.

  1. Adaptability and Willingness to Learn:

The technology sector evolves quickly. Therefore, employers want candidates who have the ability to learn new technologies and tools and keep current with developments in information security practices.

  1. Time Management

Being organized with your time to complete multiple tasks, meet deadlines and prioritize your workload is incredibly important for an IT Professional.

  1. IT Certifications to Enhance Your Chances of Landing an IT Job in the UK

Certifications provide proof of an individual's knowledge and commitment to building their skills.

Recommended certifications in the UK include CompTIA A+ / Network+ / Security+, AWS Cloud Practitioner / Solution Architect, Microsoft Azure Fundamentals, Cisco CCNA, Google IT Support, ITIL Foundation and Oracle Java Certification.

This certification can help increase your chances of getting hired and prove your technical and support skills.

  1. Ways to Obtain the Skills Employers Seek in IT Jobs in the UK

Employers are looking to hire candidates for IT jobs in the UK who have experience. You can acquire IT skills in the following ways:

  • Online courses
  • Coding boot camps
  • Personal projects or GitHub repositories
  • Internships
  • Freelancing
  • Open source contributions

Many employers place as much if not more emphasis on practical experience than they do on education when evaluating candidates.

  1. Conclusion

If you develop technical and soft skills that are aligned with what UK employers are looking for, you will have access to a multitude of IT jobs. Whether you are seeking to become a Cloud Engineer, Cybersecurity Specialist, Software Developer or IT Support Professional, focusing on the skills that are in demand by UK Employers will assist you in building a successful and rewarding career.

FAQs

1. What are the most important skills for IT jobs UK?

Programming, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data analysis, networking, and IT support skills are among the most important.

2. Do I need certifications for IT jobs UK?

Certifications are not mandatory but significantly improve your chances of getting hired.

3. Can beginners apply for IT jobs UK?

Yes. Entry-level roles such as IT support, helpdesk technician, and junior developer are ideal for beginners.

4. Are soft skills important in IT careers?

Absolutely. Communication, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving are essential for success.

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