Recruiters, on average, spend just 6 seconds scanning a CV, making it essential to capture their attention quickly by showcasing the right skills. Including a well-balanced blend of soft and hard skills is a sure way to make a strong impression.
A CV skills section that aligns with the job description increases your chances of passing through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which are commonly used by recruiters to filter candidates.
In this guide, we will explore the importance of both soft and hard skills, provide examples for different industries, and offer actionable tips for creating a CV skills section that truly stands out.
What Are CV Skills and Why Are They Important?
Skills on a CV can be classified into 2 broad categories:
Soft Skills: Personality traits or interpersonal qualities, such as communication and teamwork, that are transferable across multiple job roles.
Hard Skills: Technical skills, ceritifcations or job-specific abilities learned through education or work experience, such as programming or project management.
Employers look for a mix of both hard and soft skills to assess your fit for the role and your potential to adapt to the company culture.
Soft Skills for a CV
Soft skills are increasingly important, as they reflect your ability to work effectively with others, manage time, and adapt to various work environments. These traits can apply to a wide range of careers and help recruiters gauge your suitability for their company culture.
Examples of Soft Skills:
Communication: The ability to clearly articulate ideas and instructions, both verbally and in writing, is crucial in almost every job. For instance, in customer service, clear communication helps in resolving issues quickly and maintaining a positive relationship with customers.
Problem-solving: This skill shows your ability to assess challenges and develop effective solutions, essential in fields like engineering or management.
Teamwork: Being able to work well with others is essential in team-oriented roles like project management, marketing, or healthcare.
Leadership: Even if you're not in a managerial position, showcasing leadership abilities demonstrates initiative and the ability to motivate colleagues.
Adaptability: In today's fast-paced work environments, your ability to adjust to new tasks, technologies, or organizational structures is highly valued.
Soft Skills by Industry:
Receptionist: Excellent communication skills, multitasking, and time management.
Marketing: Creativity, charisma, and the ability to work under pressure.
Engineer: Critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Architect: Detail-oriented, collaborative, and strong numerical skills.
Hard Skills for a CV
Hard skills are specific, technical abilities that relate directly to your job role. These are measurable competencies that can be demonstrated through certifications, training, or direct experience.
Examples of Hard Skills:
Data Analysis: Proficiency in tools like Excel or data visualization software is essential for analysts, marketers, and finance professionals.
Project Management: Skills like budgeting, resource allocation, managing sprints, UAT and deadline management are crucial for roles in construction, IT, and consulting.
Programming Languages: For software developers, coding skills such as Java, Python, or Ruby are critical.
Foreign Languages: In roles like translation or customer service, fluency in multiple languages is often required.
SEO/SEM Marketing: Knowledge of SEO, PPC, social media and marketing strategies is crucial for digital marketers.
Hard Skills by Industry:
Wealth Manager: Proficiency in fact finding, market knowledge of investments, pensions, industry specific qualifications such as the Level 4 Diploma in financial planning and customer due diligence are essential skills.
Teacher: Experience with curriculum design, blended learning, behavioural management, and educational software.
Project Manager: Expertise in budgeting, continuous improvement, Agile / Waterfall methdology and strategic sourcing.
Retail: Knowledge of retail POS systems, products, refunds / exchanges, personal shopping and customer experience.
Crafting a Skills Section on Your CV
To effectively present your skills, follow these strategies:
Match the Job Description: The most effective way to choose skills is to mirror the job advert. Analyze the job listing and identify key competencies, both soft and hard. For instance, if a receptionist job description emphasizes strong IT and communication skills, ensure your CV reflects these attributes. This tactic will help you pass ATS filters and appeal to human recruiters alike.
Example:
Job Description: “Strong IT skills, exceptional communication skills, time management, and attention to detail.”
Suggested CV Skills:
MS Office proficiency
Database management / analysis
Efficient multitasker
Strong communication (verbal, written, and phone)
Use your strongest Skills: The ideal skills section should feature up to 12 skills, ensuring a balance between soft and hard skills. For technical roles, focus more on hard skills, while customer-facing roles might require more soft skills.
Be Specific: Vague skills like "organised" or "hardworking" don’t tell the recruiter much. Instead, quantify where possible—mention specific software, certifications, or measurable achievements, such as “Managed budgets of up to £500k annually.”
Don't Overload on Hard Skills: While technical proficiency is essential, listing only hard skills can make your CV seem impersonal. Recruiters are also interested in your personality and how you’ll fit in with the team. Culture fit is of high importance.
Buzzwords: Use Them Wisely
Some words become buzzwords in the recruitment space—"agile" is a common example. While using these terms can be effective, overuse can make your CV blend in with others. Consider replacing overused buzzwords with more tailored, descriptive terms that reflect your individual skills and experience.
The Importance of Customisation
Every job application should have a tailored CV. While it’s tempting to send out the same CV for every role, customising your skills section based on the job description dramatically improves your chances of landing an interview. Look at the required skills in the job listing and make sure they feature prominently in your CV.
Example:
Job: Marketing Manager
Suggested Skills:
SEO and SEM knowledge
Email / Social Media marketing strategy
Net Promoter Scores
Content Creation and Copywriting
Data-Driven Decision-Making
What If I Don’t Have Many Hard Skills?
For junior candidates or those transitioning into a new field, lack of hard skills can feel like a major setback. However, employers understand that beginners will have more limited technical knowledge. In these cases, focus on soft skills, and emphasise any training, personal development or willingness to learn.
Additionally, review the company’s core values. Many organisations value personal traits like ambition, teamwork, and adaptability just as much as technical skills. You can reflect these values in your soft skills section.
FAQs About CV Skills
What are key skills in a CV?
Key skills are the essential competencies, both personal and technical, that you possess. These should be listed in a dedicated section for easy identification by recruiters underneath the personal statement on your CV / Resume. Think of them as the hook to make the recruiter want to read more. Every part of your CV must immediately resonate with the person reading it as to why you have applied.
Why are soft skills important?
Soft skills demonstrate your ability to work in specific environments and with certain types of people. For example, a software developer with excellent communication and problem-solving skills will stand out in a pool of technically proficient candidates.
Why are hard skills essential?
Hard skills show recruiters whether you have the technical qualifications needed for the job. For highly specialised roles like project management or medicine, these skills are often non-negotiable.
How many skills should be on a CV?
Include around12 skills, with a healthy mix of both soft and hard skills.
What if I don’t have technical skills?
Focus on your soft skills and any relevant training or certifications. Show your willingness to learn and develop technical skills on the job.
Conclusion
The skills section is one of the most crucial parts of your CV. By understanding the difference between soft and hard skills, aligning them with job descriptions, and tailoring your CV for each role, you will significantly increase your chances of standing out to recruiters.
Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out, highlighting the right skills will make a big difference in landing that dream job.
Please see my other blogs covering a host of career topics, to assist you on your journey. Still stuck? Join other clients of mine who have had a 100% success rate in landing interviews for their dream job. Call Now - 07473 040002.
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