The best CV skills every employer wants to see

by Amber Rolfe

Your CV might look perfect, but without the right skills, it could still end up in the rejection pile…

Writing a great CV isn’t just about listing your job history. Hiring managers scan for specific skills that prove you’re the right person for their team. The challenge? Knowing which skills to highlight and how to present them so they grab attention.

The good news is, there are a few good skills for CVs that are on nearly every employer’s wishlist, no matter the industry. Master these, and you’ll be on your way to landing more interviews and securing a job you’ll love.

We’ve already revealed what you shouldn’t include on your CV, but here’s a quick list of skills employers look for in every application (and our advice on how you can demonstrate them effectively):

What makes a CV skill ‘essential’?

Essential CV skills fall into two main camps: soft skills (like teamwork) that apply everywhere, and hard skills, which are the specific technical abilities for the job you want.

Essential skills all solve real problems, add value to an employer, and show you can succeed in the role. Most importantly, you can back them up with solid examples from your experience. No fluff allowed.

If you choose a skills-based CV format, these critical skills become even more important – you want to showcase both your best skills in CV format, as well as those technical or job-specific skills that make you stand out from the crowd.

The top CV skills employers always look for

Here are some of the key skills for a CV, along with some CV skills examples to help you to demonstrate them effectively:

Communication skills

Strong communication skills pop up on almost every job spec, and for good reason. Whether you’re presenting to clients, collaborating with colleagues, or writing reports, clear communication is key to success.

But here’s the thing: just writing ‘excellent communication skills’ won’t convince anyone. You need to show, not just tell, and include examples.

Examples of communication skills:

• ‘Delivered monthly presentations to 50+ stakeholders, leading to 30% faster project approvals.’
• ‘Managed customer complaints by phone and email, achieving a 95% satisfaction rating.’
• ‘Created training materials that cut new employee onboarding time by two weeks.’

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Teamwork and collaboration

Most roles involve working with others, making teamwork skills incredibly valuable to employers. However, effective teamwork goes beyond just ‘getting along’ with colleagues.

Modern teamwork includes skills like conflict resolution, project coordination, and the ability to work across different departments or time zones.

Once you’ve thought of some unique examples to prove your skills, all you have to do is find a place for it in your CV. This could be in a section of its own (for example, if you have a skills-based CV), or listed underneath your work experience, hobbies, or education.

Examples of teamwork skills:

• ‘Coordinated a cross-departmental project with 12 team members, delivering results two weeks ahead of schedule.’
• ‘Mentored three junior colleagues, with all of them achieving a promotion within 18 months.’
• ‘Led weekly team meetings that improved project communication and reduced errors by 25%.’

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Problem-solving abilities

Employers value candidates who can think critically and solve problems independently. This skill is particularly important as workplaces become more complex and fast-paced.

Problem-solving skills encompass analytical thinking, creativity, and the ability to work under pressure. The key is showing how you’ve applied these skills to achieve real results.

Examples of problem-solving skills: 

• ‘Identified an inefficiency in the customer service process and implemented a solution that cut response times by 40%.’
• ‘Resolved a technical issue causing system downtime, preventing an estimated £10,000 in lost revenue.’
• ‘Developed a new workflow that eliminated a recurring bottleneck, improving team productivity by 20%.’

View all problem solving courses

Digital literacy and technical skills

Digital skills are no longer optional – they’re fundamental to most modern roles. However, the specific technical skills you need will vary significantly by industry and position.

For most professionals, basic digital literacy includes proficiency with common software like Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, or industry-standard platforms. More specialised roles may require programming languages, design software, or technical certifications.

Examples of technical skills:

• ‘Advanced Excel user with expertise in pivot tables, VBA macros, and data analysis.’
• ‘Proficient in Adobe Creative Suite, producing marketing materials that increased engagement by 35%.’
• ‘Certified in Salesforce administration, managing a database of over 5,000 customer records.’

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Leadership and management

Leadership skills are valuable even if you’re not applying for management positions. They demonstrate your ability to take initiative, guide projects, and inspire others.

Leadership can be shown through formal management experience, but also through project leadership, training responsibilities, or volunteer coordination.

Examples of leadership skills:

• ‘Managed a team of eight, achieving a 15% increase in departmental productivity.’
• ‘Led a company-wide initiative that improved employee satisfaction scores by 30%.’
• ‘Trained 25+ new employees on company procedures and safety protocols.’

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Adaptability and flexibility

The modern workplace changes rapidly, making adaptability one of the most sought-after skills. Employers want people who can learn new technologies, adjust to changing priorities, and thrive in uncertain environments.

This skill has become even more important following the shift to remote and hybrid working arrangements.

Examples of adaptability:

• ‘Successfully transitioned the team to remote working within one week, maintaining 100% productivity.’
• ‘Learned a new CRM system in two days and became the go-to person for colleague training.’
• ‘Adapted the marketing strategy during an economic downturn, maintaining sales targets despite a 20% budget cut.’

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Time management and organisation

Strong organisational skills show employers you can handle multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work efficiently without constant supervision.

These skills are particularly important for roles involving project management, customer service, or any position where you’ll be juggling multiple responsibilities.

Examples of organisational skills:

• ‘Managed the calendar for a senior executive, coordinating 50+ meetings per month with zero scheduling conflicts.’
• ‘Implemented a new filing system that reduced document retrieval time by 60%.’
• ‘Balanced full-time studies with part-time work, achieving a first-class degree while exceeding sales targets.’

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Job skills for your CV

Although many of the key skills employers look for are transferable from industry to industry, others focus on your specialist expertise.

Here are some examples of essential job-specific skills that you can adapt for your own CV, based on your experience:

Care assistant skills for a CV

• Compassion and empathy
• Personal care and hygiene support
• Medication administration (with relevant training)
• Safeguarding and compliance awareness
• Communication with residents and families

Example: ‘Provided daily personal care and emotional support to six residents, following care plans and ensuring dignity at all times.’

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Sales skills for a CV

• Negotiation and persuasion
• Relationship building
• CRM software experience
• Meeting sales targets
• Product knowledge

Example: ‘Oversaw a portfolio of 80+ clients, consistently exceeding quarterly sales targets by 20% through relationship-driven selling and upselling strategies.’

Jobs in the sales industry

IT skills for a CV

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Troubleshooting hardware and software issues
• Database management
• Cyber security awareness
• Programming languages (e.g., Python, Java)

Example: ‘Developed and maintained internal databases, improving data retrieval speed by 40% and reducing system errors.’

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Technical skills for a CV

• Project planning software (e.g., MS Project, Jira)
• Data analysis
• CAD design
• Network administration
• System integration

Example: ‘Used CAD software to design prototypes, accelerating the product development cycle by two weeks.’

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Customer service skills for a CV

• Active listening and empathy
• Handling complaints and escalations
• Conflict resolution
• Point-of-sale system use
• Problem-solving under pressure

Example: ‘Resolved customer complaints swiftly, achieving a 98% satisfaction rating and earning ‘Employee of the Month’ twice.’

Good customer service examples

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Marketing skills for a CV

• Social media management
• Content creation and copywriting
• SEO and PPC advertising
• Data-driven campaign analysis
• Branding strategies

Example: ‘Managed multi-channel campaigns that increased website traffic by 60% in six months and drove record engagement on social media.’

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Project management skills for a CV

• Risk assessment and mitigation
• Stakeholder communication
• Budgeting and resource allocation
• Agile and Scrum methodologies
• Timeline and milestone tracking

Example: ‘Led a cross-functional team of 10 for a six-month project, delivering all milestones on time and 8% under budget.’

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Retail skills for a CV

• Merchandising and stock control
• Customer service and upselling
• Inventory management
• Cash handling and till operation
• Visual display setup

Example: ‘Implemented new merchandising layouts that boosted impulse purchases by 15% and reduced time spent restocking.’

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When you match the right sector-specific skills to the role – and back them up with punchy, real-world examples – you’ll have a CV that stops recruiters in their tracks.

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How to research skills for specific roles

While the above skills are important for almost every role, the real key to standing out is to ensure you’re demonstrating the skills the employer has actually asked for.

Here’s how to research effectively:

• Analyse job descriptions: Look at multiple listings for similar roles and note which skills appear most frequently. These are your priorities.
• Check company websites: Review the ‘About Us’ and ‘Careers’ sections to understand company culture and values.
• Use professional networks: LinkedIn is particularly useful for seeing what skills people in similar roles highlight.
• Industry publications: Trade magazines and websites often discuss emerging skill requirements.

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Common CV skill mistakes to avoid

Even the best of us make mistakes. Here are a few common slip-ups to watch out for:

• Being too vague: ‘Good with people’ means nothing. Instead, say how you’ve worked with people and what you achieved. The STAR method is your best friend.
• Listing outdated skills: That ancient software you used a decade ago? Probably best to leave it off.
• Keyword stuffing: It’s tempting to cram your CV with buzzwords, but it just makes it hard to read.
• Claiming skills you can’t prove: If you can’t talk about it confidently in an interview with a real example, don’t include it.

Top CV mistakes to avoid (and what to do instead)

Using a skills-based CV format

For some jobseekers, a skills-based CV template works better than a traditional chronological format. This approach is particularly useful if you’re:

• Changing careers
• Have employment gaps
• Want to highlight transferable skills
• Are a recent graduate with limited work experience

A skills-based CV organises information around your competencies rather than your work history, allowing you to showcase relevant abilities regardless of when or where you developed them.

View all CV templates

Final thoughts on CV skills

Remember, the best CV skills are ones you can confidently discuss and demonstrate. Focus on building genuine competencies rather than just listing impressive-sounding abilities.

Ready to put these skills to work? Start by reviewing job descriptions in your target field and identifying which skills appear most frequently. Then, craft specific examples showing how you’ve applied these skills to achieve results.

For more comprehensive guidance on creating a standout CV, check out our free CV template or find out how to write a CV that gets results.

View all CV help & tips 

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Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs now, or develop your skills with a course.