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How do I handle technical skills on my resume?

I'm an IT student completing my undergrad this semester. For the last week i've been updating my resume, portfolio, references, etc to prepare for job interviews in the coming months. I'm primarily seeking jobs as a software engineer and/or web developer. For the most part this is all going smoothly, however i'm having difficulty deciding how to manage technical skills in my resume. Being a recent graduate (who is seeking a technical job) i'm assuming that recruiters are interested in the technical skills i've developed. My problem comes in finding an effective way to list/group my technical skills. First question: should I include technical skills on my resume? Second question: what is the best way to list, group, and rate (on experience or proficiency) this information. My current method has two different lists. Software: name of software - proficiency* Languages & Technologies: name - proficiency** *possibilities - Proficient, Familiar ** possibilities - Extensive Understanding, Moderate Understanding Thanks for your input.

Public Comments

1. I think what you are doing is the right approach. Most of the resumes that cross my desk have a section at the top labled "skills" or "summary of qualifications" or something similar. I have such a thing on my own resume as well. You can lay out this section however you like, but I would advise against trying to pepper it with too many things. When I look at a resume from a programmer who lists twenty or thirty languages, I start to wonder how well he knows the one I'm interested in. Listing a proficiency level with each skill is a good way to help reduce that problem--just don't put "expert" by everything. :) Try to back up as many of the skills you list with items in your professional or academic career. When I see that somebody has C++ skills or WPF experience, I want to see something in their history that would tell me how much and what kind of projects. Finally, make sure your resume highlights what the recruiter is likely to want. If you want to be a C++ developer, don't spend half the resume highlighting your skills with Word and Excell. Good luck.