When applying for a job, the CV or Curriculum Vitae is one of the vital documents that an employer checks. Essentially, it becomes your first impression, but on paper. Through your resume, you can show companies why they should choose you over other candidates. Therefore, knowledge of CV skills is essential. It can help you land the career of your dreams.
What are CV skills?
These are the abilities, knowledge, and talents that applicants list on their resume. Doing so will show the employers what you can offer their company. Those listed on the CV skills column will most likely come from prior work experiences. It may also be from educational experiences or hobbies. Additionally, these things you have learnt in the past can help you when given different tasks.
For example, you apply for a position as a chef in a restaurant. Employers will look for skills such as “good communication”, “great with teamwork”, or “knowledge in recipes and cooking”. All of these are things you learn at school or at home. In addition, you can also add other things that can boost your resume, such as willingness to try new things and flexibility with tasks.
The importance of knowing about CV skills
As mentioned earlier, the resume gives the first impression to an employer. It’s so crucial that companies can take one look at the document and immediately decide whether they want to hire you or not. This is why having excellent CV skills is important. Most importantly, you must know how to impress the employers even without saying anything. Here are a few reasons why you should prioritise your CV skills:
1. Highlights your credibility according to the job description
Employers that post job applications often list the skills and requirements they look for in an applicant. This helps the overall process because job seekers can easily decide whether they fit the position. If you have excellent CV skills, you can include everything you’ve learnt in the resume. Above all, this will show employers that you’re a perfect fit for the job.
2. Sets you apart from other applicants
If you know how to insert valuable information on your resume, you are highly likely to be hired. That is to say, part of having great CV skills is knowing that less is more. It’s not smart to overfill the document with unnecessary information. Therefore, highlighting the right skills fit for the job opening can make you stand out.
More importantly, a robust set of CV skills showcases your talents and versatility while emphasising soft skills. Listing these skills also gives employers a glimpse of your achievements, along with concrete evidence. This makes you a strong candidate in a list of job seekers with the same background as you.
3. Presents what you can offer
Most of the time, recruiters handle many applicants and don’t have the time to interview everyone, which is why resumes exist. Reading these can instantly determine if they see you as fit for the job. Creating an eye-catching CV shows companies what you can contribute to their business. Additionally, it’s important to remember that you compete with people with similar experiences. CV skills help you take one step further than the others and highlight qualifications.
What skills to put on CV?
With many CV skills obtainable, you might wonder which ones will help you stand out. Job hunting includes many applicants with almost the same background as you do. So, it’s essential to choose the best skills carefully. Here are the top skills you should include on your resume:
- Communication skills
- Customer service
- Leadership and teamwork
- Adaptability
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Technical skills
Although there are many more you can include, these are the most noticeable to employers. With these traits, you show employers that you can handle challenges in the workplace. Not only that, but it also shows how level-headed you are when needed. Technical CV skills are easily taught. However, working efficiently in the office despite changes can help you stand out.
The difference between hard skills and soft skills
You should include two critical things on your resume: hard and soft skills. It’s not enough to include past experiences and acquired talents. It would be best if you fit the description of being the perfect candidate for these employers. Having outstanding CV skills means understanding the difference between hard and soft skills. This can help specify which talents to showcase.
Hard skills
These are practical skills that you learn through experience or training. You need to have an extensive background in technical skills to say that your hard skills are excellent. More importantly, you won’t be able to perform specific tasks without hard skills. Here are examples that you should know about:
- Data analysis can be done using tools such as Google Sheets.
- Accounting through different software like QuickBooks.
- Foreign Languages (Mandarin, Spanish, French, etc.)
- Coding
- Graphic design is done using Adobe or other similar software.
Soft skills
On the other hand, soft skills say more about how you work with the team. Generally, these take a lot of work to measure. However, remember that soft skills are equally important as hard skills. Good CV skills are about knowing what to include in the resume. These traits can highlight how well you work with a group or how you handle pressure in the work environment. Some examples include:
- Good communication with people in the workplace through conversations or messages.
- Being cooperative and understanding with teammates.
- Having problem-solving skills and being able to produce solutions.
- The ability to manage tasks and organise time.
- Quickly adapting to different work environments.
Overall, soft skills are essential for any workplace or job industry. It enhances cooperation, collaboration, and teamwork. They create positive relationships among people in the team. More importantly, these are crucial for achieving the company's goals. It also helps members fully adapt to each other's dynamics.
How do you choose which CV skills to include?
Now that you know the difference between hard and soft skills, it’s time to choose which ones you should include. Additionally, focusing on the traits and talents you think would help make your resume stand out would be beneficial. Also, good CV skills will help you filter out irrelevant information that might bore the employers. Here’s what you should do:
- Read and understand what they’re looking for: A simple way to know how you qualify for the position is to look for the job description. Employers often tell you what they need by listing down traits and skills that they’re searching for in applicants.
- Highlight your strengths: Make sure you match the skills companies want to see.
- Don’t lie about your talents: If you have no training or experience that can benefit the employer, it’s best not to lie. Only include facts.
- Balance both hard and soft skills: Always ensure that you can use technical skills and balance them out efficiently. Working with a group and getting the job done makes a good impression.
Knowing which CV skills to include directly affects how companies will see you. Make sure you tailor the skills you include to the requirements that these employers posted. This will make you stand out and showcase your impressive talents over others. Relevant CV skills increase your chances of getting that position.
What are the CV skills that employers are looking for?
Employers often have a specific list of skills they look for, whether soft or hard. More importantly, you must know which ones you should include as a job hunter. Doing so will help narrow down choices, and eventually, companies will choose you. Here are the top most common CV skills that employers are looking for:
- Adaptability: Being able to adapt to changing workplace situations is highly valued by companies. It shows that you can handle adjustments easily.
- Effective communication skills: Clear communication through speaking and writing is essential. Also, being able to express yourself is a must.
- Problem-solving: When faced with challenges, you should be willing to make decisions to help improve the situation.
- Ability to work with a team: You cannot do everything alone. So, you should be able to work with the team and get things done together.
- Exceptional time management: Getting the job done on time and balancing tasks within the work period.
- Technical skills: Using software, regulating machines, or coding.
Often, employers look for a combination of hard and soft skills in an applicant, which is why we included both in the list above. Being able to show both skills on your resume makes your document noticeable to many. Moreover, you show recruiters that you are a well-rounded individual capable of helping the team.
Wrapping up: CV skills help you stand out
To sum it up, having a well-thought-out CV is vital in whichever line of work you wish to apply. It will allow you to show companies all you can offer. You can communicate your skills and talents through the document. This gives you a better chance of landing the position that you want.
CV skills play a vital role in giving you a chance in the job industry. Being able to highlight a mix of hard and soft skills almost always catches the employer's attention. Moreover, the listed awards, certifications, and experience are a great bonus. Knowing what to include also helps with your visibility in job pools.
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Creating a CV tailored to companies' wants is crucial for every job seeker. This is especially important for those who need experience in their field. Whether you’re a fresh graduate or want to explore other careers, invest in preparations and a high-quality educational background. The College of Contract Management offers courses and programmes that help improve and increase your chances of success. Enrol with us today!
