Knowing which skills to include on a CV can make a big difference when applying for jobs, internships, learnerships, apprenticeships and graduate opportunities.
Your skills show an employer what you can do and how you could contribute to their organisation. However, you should not simply add a long list of skills because they sound impressive. The best CV skills are relevant to the position you are applying for and supported by your education, experience, projects or other activities.
Whether you are an experienced professional, graduate, student or someone applying for your first job, this guide explains the different types of skills you can put on your CV and gives practical examples.
What Are Skills on a CV?
Skills are abilities, knowledge and strengths that you can use to complete tasks or perform effectively in a workplace.
For example, someone applying for an IT support position might list:
- Computer troubleshooting
- Microsoft Office
- Networking
- Hardware installation
- Customer support
- Problem-solving
- Technical support
Someone applying for an administrative position might list:
- Data capturing
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Filing
- Communication
- Organisation
- Time management
The skills you include should match the requirements of the job whenever possible.
Why Are Skills Important on a CV?
The skills section gives employers a quick idea of what you can offer.
Employers may look for specific abilities mentioned in the job advertisement. If your CV clearly shows that you have those relevant skills, it can make it easier for the recruiter to understand your suitability for the position.
Skills can also help demonstrate your potential when you do not have much work experience.
For example, a school leaver may not have formal employment experience but could have developed skills through school projects, sport, volunteering, leadership activities or computer courses.
Hard Skills vs Soft Skills
One of the most important things to understand when deciding which skills to include on a CV is the difference between hard skills and soft skills.
What Are Hard Skills?
Hard skills are specific abilities that can usually be learned through education, training, practice or work experience.
Examples include:
- Microsoft Excel
- Accounting
- Data analysis
- Programming
- Graphic design
- Web development
- Bookkeeping
- Data capturing
- Database management
- Welding
- Electrical installation
- Machine operation
- AutoCAD
- Computer networking
- Project management
- Digital marketing
Hard skills are often directly connected to a particular job.
What Are Soft Skills?
Soft skills are personal and workplace abilities that affect how you work and interact with other people.
Examples include:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Leadership
- Organisation
- Reliability
- Attention to detail
- Critical thinking
- Customer service
Most jobs require a combination of hard and soft skills.
Best Skills to Include on a CV
Here are some commonly useful skills that can be included on a CV when they genuinely describe your abilities.
1. Communication
Communication is useful in almost every workplace.
You could demonstrate communication through:
- Written communication
- Verbal communication
- Active listening
- Professional email communication
- Customer communication
- Presentation skills
Instead of simply writing “good communication”, consider specifying the type of communication you have experience with.
2. Computer Skills
Basic computer skills are valuable across many industries.
Examples include:
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Google Workspace
- Internet research
- Data capturing
- File management
For technical positions, you can list more specialised skills such as networking, programming, databases or computer troubleshooting.
3. Microsoft Excel
Excel is particularly useful for administrative, finance, accounting, data and business-related positions.
Depending on your ability, you could list:
- Spreadsheet creation
- Data entry
- Formulas
- Sorting and filtering
- Charts
- Basic data analysis
- Pivot tables
Only list advanced Excel skills if you actually know how to use them.
4. Customer Service
Customer service skills are useful for retail, hospitality, call centre, sales and many office positions.
Examples include:
- Customer communication
- Handling enquiries
- Complaint resolution
- Product knowledge
- Professional communication
- Customer relationship management
5. Teamwork
Many workplaces require employees to work with colleagues, managers, customers or other departments.
You can demonstrate teamwork through:
- Collaboration
- Sharing responsibilities
- Supporting colleagues
- Working towards team goals
- Participating in group projects
6. Problem-Solving
Problem-solving shows that you can identify an issue and work towards a practical solution.
Examples include:
- Troubleshooting
- Logical thinking
- Research
- Decision-making
- Identifying problems
- Finding practical solutions
Problem-solving is especially useful for technical, administrative, IT, engineering and management positions.
7. Time Management
Time management is important when a position involves deadlines, multiple tasks or appointments.
Examples include:
- Meeting deadlines
- Task prioritisation
- Scheduling
- Planning
- Managing multiple tasks
- Working independently
8. Organisation
Organisational skills can be useful for administrative, office, retail, education and management positions.
Examples include:
- Document management
- Filing
- Scheduling
- Record keeping
- Planning
- Inventory management
- Task organisation
9. Leadership
Leadership skills are not limited to managers.
Students and graduates can develop leadership through school activities, university organisations, sports teams, community projects and volunteering.
Examples include:
- Team leadership
- Delegation
- Decision-making
- Mentoring
- Project coordination
- Conflict management
10. Attention to Detail
Attention to detail is useful in jobs where accuracy matters.
Examples include:
- Data checking
- Proofreading
- Record keeping
- Document review
- Quality control
- Accurate data capturing
Technical Skills to Include on a CV
Technical skills can be particularly important when applying for specialised positions.
Depending on your career, examples could include:
IT Skills
- Computer troubleshooting
- Hardware support
- Software installation
- Microsoft 365
- Networking
- TCP/IP
- DNS
- DHCP
- Active Directory
- Technical support
- Cybersecurity awareness
- Programming
Marketing Skills
- Social media management
- Content creation
- Search engine optimisation
- Email marketing
- Market research
- Digital advertising
- Copywriting
- Analytics
Accounting Skills
- Bookkeeping
- Financial reporting
- Invoicing
- Reconciliation
- Payroll
- Budgeting
- Accounting software
- Microsoft Excel
Administration Skills
- Data capturing
- Filing
- Document management
- Scheduling
- Record keeping
- Microsoft Office
- Email management
- Office administration
Engineering Skills
Engineering skills depend heavily on the specific discipline.
Examples may include:
- Technical drawing
- CAD
- AutoCAD
- Engineering software
- Technical calculations
- Project coordination
- Quality control
- Equipment maintenance
Skills for a School Leaver’s CV
If you are a school leaver with limited or no work experience, you can still include useful skills.
Examples include:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Computer literacy
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Leadership
- Organisation
- Research
- Presentation skills
- Adaptability
You can develop these skills through school projects, sports, volunteering, community activities and other responsibilities.
Do not claim skills you do not have just because they appear on other people’s CVs.
Skills for a Graduate CV
Graduates can combine academic, technical and workplace skills.
Depending on your qualification, you might include:
- Research
- Report writing
- Data analysis
- Presentation skills
- Microsoft Office
- Project management
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Industry-specific software
- Technical skills related to your qualification
Your university projects can also provide evidence of your skills.
For example, instead of simply saying:
“Research skills”
you could explain the skill through your project experience:
“Conducted research, analysed information and presented findings as part of academic projects.”
Skills for an IT CV
IT positions often require specific technical abilities.
Examples include:
- Hardware troubleshooting
- Software troubleshooting
- Computer maintenance
- Microsoft 365
- Windows
- Active Directory
- Networking
- TCP/IP
- DNS
- DHCP
- Technical support
- Helpdesk support
- IT service management
- Cybersecurity awareness
- Programming
- Database management
Choose skills based on the particular IT position.
A helpdesk position may require different technical skills from a software developer or network administrator.
Skills for a Retail CV
Retail workers often need a combination of customer-facing and organisational skills.
Examples include:
- Customer service
- Communication
- Cash handling
- Point-of-sale systems
- Stock control
- Merchandising
- Sales
- Teamwork
- Product know
