One of the basic purposes of a CV is to showcase the skills of the candidate. It must convince a potential employer about your eligibility for the position. Moreover, they help you pass through the dreaded applicant tracking system which keeps many applications from ever reaching human hands.
However, the process of including this element in your CV is not as simple as it may seem. Firstly, there are various categories which you need to be aware of. It is also vital to know exactly which skills you should mention in your CV to make it most impressive. In this blog, we bring you a detailed overview of what the skills section of a good resume should contain.
The different skill types
There are two types into which skills are categorized: hard skills and soft skills.
Soft Skills
The personal qualities and attributes of an applicant which impact their job are called soft skills. They help them maintain workplace relations, troubleshoot, and perform in the best way possible.
Soft skills are essential for many industries, such as a profession in sales. They can make all the difference between success and failure in a person’s career. It is also very difficult to acquire or learn them from an external source. But there are ways to develop them consciously in both professional and domestic environments.
Some examples of soft skills are as follows:
- Time Management
- Problem-solving
- Teamwork
- Organization
- Adaptability
- Motivation
- Leadership
- Active listening
- Critical thinking
- Communication
- Attention to detail
- Flexibility
Hard Skills
The second category of skills is specific for each field and is needed to perform successfully in it. They are also often called technical skills. It is possible to learn them through formal training and course.
Possessing hard skills proves to a hiring manager that you have the knowledge to efficiently manage your duties. For example, a role could require you to be proficient in using Google Analytics. This will be considered a hard skill and you will need to obtain it if applying for that position.
Here are some examples of hard skills:
- Analytics
- Reporting
- Software proficiencies
- STEM skills
- Design tools
- Microsoft Office
- Foreign languages
- Social media platforms
- Database management
- Data visualization
- Bookkeeping
- Market research
The best way to include these skills in your CV
Having the skill set required for your intended career path is one thing. But it is also necessary to know how to feature your prized assets in your CV. Both soft and hard skills can be focused on in sections like Core Competencies or Areas of Emphasis. Apart from there, skills are also mentioned when you talk about the achievements and responsibilities of your professional history.
The designated section is ideal to convey all your relevant abilities loud and clear to a potential employer. That is why we place emphasis on this point to pick those skills which are exclusive for the role. Going through the job description gives you a clear image of the abilities the organization is seeking. Special attention must be given to those skills which overlap those you possess.
There are also ways to incorporate your skillset in the career history section. That does not have to be by specifically mentioning the skills by name. Instead, you can provide evidence, preferably quantifiable, displaying your command in that area. Showcasing hard or soft skills in this manner is extremely effective. Because it merely does not state a conjecture of your talents but solid proof.
Skills related to popular fields
Every role and professional path needs a unique skill set if you want to become a part of them. To make it easier for you we have listed several skills required in different prominent industries. These can be used as guidelines during the period when you are building skills for your CV.
For engineering and IT
- Computer network
- Expertise in programming languages
- Security
- Version control systems
- Collaboration
- Front end or back end development
For sales and customer service
- Active listening
- Product knowledge
- Persuasive speaking
- Rapport building
- Conflict management and resolution
- KPI software
For administration
- Data entry
- QuickBooks
- Proficiency with Google/Excel sheets
- Organization
- Attention to detail
- Email management
For finance
- Mathematics
- Accounting
- Financial analysis
- Cash flow management
- Financial modelling
- Client relations
For advertising and marketing
- Data analyzation
- CRM Software
- SEO
- Written communication
- Creative thinking
- Google Analytics
It is necessary to include concise yet clear details about how your skills have helped you achieve goals previously. Even if you are a fresh graduate, without job experience there are ways to elaborate your skills. For instance, you can mention volunteer work you have done to show your willingness to work. Relating that you have done additional courses and training programs also shows openness towards learning new things.
Once you have identified accurately which skills are required in your chosen profession it makes everything easier. It enables you to actively develop and obtain those skillsets. While writing your CV you can then select and include the skills which are most relevant to the role. It is best to organize your attributes and achievements in bullet form.
It is also most beneficial if you hire a reliable CV writing service to do the job for you. They have experts who know the current trends and requirements of every field. Therefore, you can save much time and effort by availing of their professional assistance. It also heightens the chances of landing an interview for your CV. As it is designed specifically to meet the job description you are aiming for.
By following these tips, you can ensure a CV that cannot be ignored by hiring managers. You can show the employer clearly how you can contribute productively at the workplace through a good CV. It only needs a strategic highlighting of the soft and hard skills you possess. But make sure that they do not deviate from the role you are applying for. Once that is accomplished your CV becomes the primary tool for starting a successful career.