When writing a CV, it can be difficult to know what skills to include. After all, it’s best practise to tailor it to every different job you apply to, meaning the skills you focus on may differ in each version you produce.
That being said, there are some soft skills that are a key requirement in most, if not all jobs, out there. So read on for the eight skills that you should include in your CV this year.
1. Communication
You’ll rarely find a job where communication isn’t needed. Whether it’s interacting with colleagues, customers, or suppliers, being able to communicate effectively is crucial in the workplace.
So, consider how you can showcase this on your CV. Think of a time where your strong communication skills enabled you to reach a positive result or complete a task to the highest standards.
2. Working under pressure
In the current market, organisations are under a lot of strain to do more with less. As such, the ability to work under pressure is highly sought after by employers.
Whether that’s working against tight deadlines, juggling a number of different tasks, or dealing with challenging people, ensure that you show that you can work under pressure and you’ll definitely stand out.
3. Problem solving
Employers want solutions, not problems. If you’re someone that can’t work with others to solve a problem, then you better start learning how to!
Problem solving is crucial in the workplace. We come up against a number of challenges daily, but being able to resolve this and ensuring they have little impact on the wider business is very important.
4. Organisation
Organisation is another important skill to perfect. So, consider how you can showcase this on your CV. How have your strong organisation skills helped you to succeed at work? Perhaps you managed multiple different projects at work, or organised your time well during your studies.
Whatever it is, be sure to use practical examples to help bring your skills to life. This makes it easier for the employer to consider the difference you can make in their business.
5. Flexibility
The best workers are the ones that are flexible and open to taking on new tasks and responsibilities. If you’re seen to be someone that is set in their ways or won’t budge on certain areas, you aren’t exactly going to stand out from the crowd.
You can show off your flexibility skills by mentioning how you took on extra work during your time with a certain employer.
6. Teamwork
Do you work well with others? If so, put this in your CV! In any job, you’ll be working with a team of colleagues and if the employer can see that you’ll come along and fit in right away, they’ll be more likely to want to hire you.
Again, showcase this on your CV within your experience or education section – or even in a hobbies & interests section if relevant.
7. Willingness to learn
It’s only natural to want to learn and develop in your career. The good news is that companies want to hire people that will grow alongside their business. So, if a willingness to learn is one of your key skills, then shout about it on your CV.
This is particularly useful in your personal profile, where you can talk about what drives you and what you’re looking for in your next job.
8. Innovative thinking
In a competitive market, companies are keen to bring people on board that can help to push their business to new heights. That includes coming up with innovative ideas that set them apart from their competition.
If you’re a creative person and good at thinking outside the box, then this is a great skill to put on your CV. Plus, if you have a proven track-record of your innovative ideas coming to fruition, even better!
Get these skills on your CV
It can be difficult to know what you should and shouldn’t include in your CV. But, focussing on key skills is extremely important. Remember to always tailor your CV to each job you apply for, but also focus on the soft skills that may not be on the job spec – good luck!
About the author
This guest post is from CV-Library, one of the UK’s leading independent job board and experts in recruitment.