Your CV is one of the most important documents when applying for a job. It provides a snapshot of your skills, experience and qualifications to potential employers. With many candidates applying for the same roles, it's crucial that your CV stands out. One way to make yourself more attractive to hiring managers is by including a strong skills section. Our article will explore the best hard and soft skills to include on your CV to impress recruiters and land more interviews.
How to Format a CV
Before adding skills, it's important to know how to format a CV. A clear, structured layout where information can be easily digested is ideal. Use an easy-to-read font like Arial or Times New Roman, size 11 or 12. Ensure there is adequate white space by avoiding dense blocks of text. Use bullet points to list key responsibilities and achievements under each role. Your CV should be concise - 2 pages is perfect for most candidates. Highlight relevant skills and experience rather than listing every job you’ve held. Check for spelling and grammar errors. Ask someone else to review your CV before sending it to employers.
Key Hard Skills
Hard skills are specific abilities or knowledge you have acquired through training and experience. They are tangible and measurable. Certain hard skills are extremely desirable for all kinds of roles. Adding these to your CV can strengthen your application.
IT Skills
IT skills are sought after by almost every industry. Include your level of proficiency with common programs like MS Office, and data software such as Excel or CRM systems used in your industry. If you have coding languages or Photoshop expertise, add these too.
Social Media Skills
Managing company social media accounts is now an important task. Highlight experience running successful social campaigns or growing follower numbers substantially. Knowledge of platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn is a must. Show you understand social media best practices.
Foreign Languages
Speaking another language makes you an asset to international companies. Even basic skills in languages like Mandarin, Spanish, Arabic or French can set you apart from other candidates. Include languages you speak, along with your proficiency level for each.
Administration/Organisational Skills
Every business needs someone to keep things organised and running smoothly. Include great time management, administrative or planning skills on your CV. Use examples like coordinating complex projects, managing budgets efficiently or streamlining office systems.
Key Soft Skills
While hard skills get you hired, soft skills help you excel in roles. These personal attributes and interpersonal qualities show you'll be a great cultural fit. Soft skills make you more promotable. Here are some of the most desirable:
Communication Skills
The ability to communicate clearly and tactfully is vital for any job. Explain how you successfully convey complex concepts, liaise with stakeholders, resolve issues through tactful discussion, or create enthusiasm with presentations.
People Management Skills
Responsibility for managing, motivating or training others is highly valued. If you supervised, mentored or coached a team, detail positive outcomes like exceeding targets or retaining top talent.
Problem Solving Skills
The ability to analyse data, think critically and overcome challenges is hugely important. Use examples of how you solved a critical issue, improved processes, or delivered innovations in previous positions.
Teamwork Skills
Almost all jobs involve collaboration. Recruiters look for people who work productively within teams to achieve shared objectives. Give evidence of times you resolved group conflict, coordinated successfully on projects, or motivated others to maximise performance.
Tailor Your Skills Carefully
Thoroughly read the job advertisement and highlight required or desired skills for that particular role. Tailor your CV by only including the most relevant skills for that application. For example, a job in IT won’t need to hear about your experience bungee jumping in San Diego. Keep tweaking your skills section as you apply to use appropriate examples. Target each application.
Avoid Exaggerating Your Skills
While it’s crucial to showcase your skills effectively, never exaggerate your proficiency. You’ll likely be questioned thoroughly on anything in your CV during interviews. Get a friend to fact check your listed skills. Remember to consider transferable skills from other roles or qualifications too.
Top Tips for Presenting Your Skills:
- Use bullet pointed lists for easy reading
- Start sentences with action words like “created”, “led” or “launched”
- Use quantifiable facts and figures like percentages or time frames
- Choose widely recognisable skills relevant to many employers
- Break skills into categories like “IT skills” or “Administrative Skills”
- Only include truthful skills you can confidently discuss at interview
- Tailor your skills section carefully to every job application
- Ask former colleagues or managers which skills they would highlight
Carefully honing your CV skills section takes time but can really maximise your job applications. Follow best practices around formatting and presentation. Research the most in-demand hard and soft skills to supercharge your CV. Show relevant skills accurately and concisely. This vital part of your CV can grab a recruiter’s attention, communicate your abilities, and help secure that all important job interview. Update it regularly as you gain new abilities on the job. A compelling skills section on your CV could make the difference in advancing your career.
Check out our CV templates, career advice, and job search pages to take the next step on your career journey.