top 10 skills that can strengthen your CV

Top 10 Skills That Can Strengthen Your CV

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Your CV is your first opportunity to impress potential employers, so ensuring it highlights the right skills is essential. Whether you’re looking to advance in your current career or switch industries, having a well-rounded skill set can make all the difference. Below, we’ve outlined the top 10 skills that can strengthen your CV and help you stand out to recruiters and employers.

  1. Communication Skills

Strong communication is essential in almost every job. Employers value candidates who can express themselves clearly, whether it’s through emails, presentations, reports, or face-to-face interactions. Be sure to highlight both written and verbal communication skills on your CV.

  1. Adaptability & Flexibility

With workplaces constantly evolving, employers are looking for candidates who can embrace change and adjust to new challenges. If you’ve successfully navigated changes in your career—such as learning a new system or adapting to remote work—make sure to showcase this.

  1. Problem-Solving Ability

Employers appreciate candidates who can think critically and resolve issues independently. Whether you’ve improved a process, solved a customer’s issue, or tackled a challenging project, highlighting problem-solving skills on your CV demonstrates your ability to handle obstacles effectively.

  1. Teamwork & Collaboration

Even in roles that require independent work, collaboration is key. Showcasing your ability to work well with colleagues, clients, or cross-functional teams will make you a stronger candidate. Include examples of projects where teamwork played a role in achieving success.

  1. Digital & IT Skills

In today’s tech-driven world, having digital proficiency is essential. Depending on your industry, this could include anything from Microsoft Office and data analysis to social media management or coding. If you have specific software skills relevant to your field, be sure to include them.

  1. Leadership & Initiative

Even if you’re not applying for a managerial role, employers appreciate candidates who take initiative and demonstrate leadership qualities. If you’ve led a project, mentored a colleague, or taken on extra responsibilities, highlight these experiences on your CV.

  1. Organisation & Time Management

Employers look for candidates who can handle multiple tasks efficiently and meet deadlines. If you’ve managed projects, scheduled workloads, or successfully juggled multiple priorities, showcase these organisational skills to prove you can work effectively under pressure.

  1. Creativity & Innovation

Businesses value creative thinkers who can bring fresh ideas to the table. If you’ve contributed innovative solutions, improved processes, or played a key role in brainstorming new initiatives, make sure your CV reflects your ability to think outside the box.

  1. Customer Service & Interpersonal Skills

For roles that involve interacting with clients or customers, strong interpersonal skills are a must. Highlight any experience in customer service, client relations, or stakeholder management, as these skills demonstrate your ability to build and maintain professional relationships.

  1. Attention to Detail

Small mistakes can be costly in any role. Whether you’ve worked in a job that required precision—such as finance, healthcare, or design—or you’ve consistently delivered high-quality work with great accuracy, this is a valuable skill to include on your CV.

How to Showcase These Skills on Your CV

Instead of simply listing these skills, try to provide specific examples of how you’ve demonstrated them in your work experience. Use bullet points under each job role to highlight key achievements, and where possible, include measurable outcomes (e.g., “Improved efficiency by 20% through streamlining administrative processes”).

Final Thoughts

Using these top 10 skills that can strengthen your CV, you can create a document that highlights these in-demand skills that will give you an edge in today’s competitive job market. Take time to tailor your CV to the role you’re applying for, ensuring the skills you include align with the job description.

Need help refining your CV? Get in touch with our recruitment team for expert advice and support.