Skills based CV template

by Amber Rolfe

Lacking in work experience? Gaps in your CV? Want to change careers? A skills based CV could be for you…

Unlike traditional CVs that focus on chronological work experience, a skills based CV format puts your abilities at the forefront. This approach is perfect for career changers, recent graduates, or anyone wanting to emphasise what they can do rather than where they’ve worked.

Not sure where to start? Luckily, you don’t need to spend hours reformatting your CV to create one – because we’ve put together a skills based CV template (along with some helpful tips to help yours stand out):

Download your free skills based CV template

Just here for the template? Click the link below to download it in Word format.

What is a skills based CV?

A skills based CV prioritises your transferable skills and competencies over your employment history. 

Instead of listing jobs chronologically, this type of CV lists your skills first – grouping your abilities into relevant categories, and demonstrating how your experiences translate into valuable workplace skills.

This skill based CV format works particularly well if you:

• Have gaps in your employment history
• Want to change career direction
• Lack direct experience in your target role
• Have diverse experiences that don’t follow a linear path
• Are a recent graduate with limited work experience

Why choose a skills based CV layout?

The suitability of a skills based CV will depend on your individual situation, how much experience you have, and where you’re at in your career. 

Here are the key advantages of using one over traditional formats:

• It highlights your strengths first: Your most relevant abilities appear prominently, catching the recruiter’s attention immediately.
• It allows you to draw attention away from employment gaps: By focusing on skills rather than dates, gaps become less noticeable.
• It demonstrates versatility: It shows how experiences from different contexts contribute to your professional expertise.
• It supports career changes: Helps bridge the gap between your current experience and your desired role.
• It showcases potential: Emphasises what you can do rather than just what you’ve done.

View all CV templates

How to write a skills based CV

Whether you use a template or start from scratch, there are a few essential things you need to include in a skills based CV. Here’s how it should be structured: 

Personal statement

Your personal statement is the first thing an employer sees, so making it stand out is essential.

Keep it concise (around 3-4 lines), and focus on:

• Your key strengths and skills
• Your career goals
• What you can offer employers
• How your background aligns with the role

Example personal statement for a skills based CV: 

Dynamic marketing professional with strong analytical and creative skills developed through diverse project management experience. Seeking to leverage data analysis expertise and customer insight abilities in a digital marketing role.

How to write a personal statement

Key skills section

Skills based CVs are designed to emphasise your attributes, so this section is the key to its effectiveness.

Organise your abilities into 4-5 clear categories, each with supporting evidence.

Choose skills that are:

• Relevant to your target role
• Backed by concrete examples
• Transferable across industries
• Mentioned in job descriptions

Under each skill, include 2-3 bullet points showing how you’ve applied or developed this ability. Use specific examples and quantify achievements wherever possible.

What are transferable skills?

Soft skills vs. hard skills

Education

How you present your education depends on its relevance to your target role:

• Recent graduates: Include modules, projects, achievements, and predicted grades. Highlight coursework that demonstrates relevant skills.
• Experienced professionals: Focus on qualifications, institutions, and dates. Add relevant training or certifications that support your skills claims.
• Career changers: Emphasise any education that bridges your current experience with your desired role.

Which parts of my education should I include in my CV?

Employment history

In a skills based CV layout, your employment section should be concise but informative. List roles with:

• Clear job titles and dates
• Company names and locations
• Brief descriptions focusing on achievements
• Quantified results where possible

Since your skills section does the heavy lifting, keep job descriptions focused on outcomes rather than detailed duties.

What words should I use on my CV?

Additional sections

While not essential, you could also consider including:

• Relevant projects: Volunteer work, hobbies and interests, freelance projects, or personal initiatives that demonstrate key skills
• Certifications: Professional qualifications or training programmes
• Languages: If relevant to your target role
• Professional memberships: Industry associations or societies

Tips for creating an effective skills based CV

1. Match skills to job requirements

Study job descriptions carefully and identify the most important skills employers want. Use similar language and keywords throughout your CV to pass applicant tracking systems.

2. Provide concrete evidence

Don’t just list skills – prove you have them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your examples:

• ‘Improved customer satisfaction by 25% through implementing a new feedback system during a six-month retail placement’

3. Keep it relevant

Quality over quantity. Choose 4-5 key skills that directly relate to your target role rather than listing everything you can do. Remember, tailoring your CV to the job is always essential. 

4. Use action verbs

Start bullet points with strong action words like ‘developed’, ‘implemented’, ‘managed’, or ‘achieved’ to create impact.

5. Quantify achievements

Numbers grab attention and provide context. Include percentages, timeframes, budget sizes, or team sizes wherever possible.

How to write a CV

Common mistakes to avoid on your skills based CV

• Overloading with skills: Too many categories or skills can overwhelm recruiters. Focus on the most relevant ones.
• Lack of evidence: Simply listing skills without proof won’t convince employers you have them.
• Generic examples: Tailor your examples to each application rather than using the same CV for every job.
• Ignoring the job description: Failing to align your skills with employer requirements reduces your chances of success.
• Poor formatting: Dense text blocks or unclear headings make your CV hard to scan quickly.

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

Sample skills categories

Here are some common skill categories to consider for your cv skills based template:

Communication Skills

• Public speaking and presentation delivery
• Written communication across various formats
• Stakeholder management and relationship building

Leadership and Management

• Team coordination and motivation
• Project planning and execution
• Conflict resolution and problem-solving

Technical Skills

• Software proficiency (specify programmes)
• Data analysis and reporting
• Digital marketing tools and platforms

Analytical Skills

• Research and information gathering
• Critical thinking and evaluation
• Process improvement and optimisation

Final thoughts

Remember, your skills based CV should make your capabilities stand out. Each section should work together to build a picture of someone who can succeed in your target role.

Don’t worry if your experience doesn’t follow a traditional path – that’s exactly why this format exists. Focus on demonstrating transferable skills and showing employers what you can achieve.

Whether you’re using a skill based CV template or creating your own from scratch, the key is matching your unique combination of skills to employer needs.

Ready to create your skills based CV? Download our free template now. 

View all free CV templates

If you’re ready to get started on your job search, view all available jobs on Reed.co.uk now.