Git and version control skills: what they are and how to show them
Git is version control software that records every change to a set of files so a team can work on the same code, compare versions and undo mistakes. O*NET lists Git among technology skills for software developers, web developers and data scientists. Show it through the work you did with it.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Skill | Git |
| Source of the occupation data | O*NET OnLine (US Department of Labor), accessed 31 October 2026 |
| Occupations in this guide that list it | 3 |
| Where to learn more | Our career guides and the O*NET pages linked below |
What is Git?
Version control keeps a history of changes. With Git, each person works on a copy, records changes in small steps, and merges them with the team. Hosting services built on Git, such as GitHub, add code review and tracking on top.
Which jobs use it?
The occupation pages on O*NET OnLine list technology skills and top essential skills. These occupations from our career guides include this skill or closely related ones:
- Software Developers (O*NET 15-1252.00): version control (Git, Apache Subversion).
- Web Developers (O*NET 15-1254.00): version control and development environment (Git, Apache Maven, Apache Subversion).
- Data Scientists (O*NET 15-2051.00): version control (Git), with GitHub among containers and DevOps tools.
O*NET examples are illustrative, not a requirement for every employer. Read the postings for the role you want.
How do I show it on a resume?
- Describe your workflow: branches, pull requests, code review, resolving merge conflicts.
- Link a public repository only if the code is yours and has no private data or credentials.
- Name the hosting service you used if a posting names one.
- Do not claim team experience from solo projects. Say which it was.
See the software engineer resume example and data analyst resume example for layout, and our guide to an ATS-friendly resume.
On LiveRec, employers who find candidates for a job see up to five of your skills on your card, with the ones that match the job first. Use the exact name of the skill, as in which skills to put on a profile.
Where can I learn it?
We link only official sources we could verify. The O*NET Skills Search shows skills and examples, and each career guide above explains typical education from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Ask your employer or school what training it offers, then add what you complete to your profile.
Frequently asked questions
Is Git the same as GitHub? No. Git is the version control software. GitHub is a hosting service built around Git. A resume can list both, with what you did on each.
Do I need Git for a web development job? O*NET lists Git for web developers, so most postings expect it. Check the postings you want and show a project history.
How do I show Git with no work experience? Keep a small project in a repository with a clear history and a short README, and describe your workflow in one resume line.
Related guides
When you are ready, search jobs on LiveRec.
Sources
- O*NET OnLine, Software Developers, 15-1252.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1252.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, Web Developers, 15-1254.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1254.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, Data Scientists, 15-2051.00: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-2051.00 (accessed 31 October 2026)
- O*NET OnLine, Skills Search: https://www.onetonline.org/skills/ (accessed 31 October 2026)