Top Skills Employers Look for in a CV and How to Highlight Them

When crafting a CV, it's essential to showcase the skills that employers value the most.

Formulate Impressions is here to help highlight these skills effectively which can make a significant difference in landing an interview. Here’s a guide on the top skills employers look for and tips on how to present them in your CV.

1. Communication Skills

Why Employers Value Them:

Clear communication is crucial in almost every job. Employers seek candidates who can convey information effectively, both verbally and in writing.

How to Highlight:

Experience Section:

Use bullet points to describe instances where you’ve successfully communicated with teams, clients, or stakeholders. For example: "Led weekly team meetings to discuss project progress and address any issues."

Skills Section:

Explicitly list communication skills and provide context. For example: "Excellent written and verbal communication skills developed through client presentations and report writing."

2. Teamwork and Collaboration

Why Employers Value This:

Most roles require working with others to achieve common goals. Employers want to know you can work well in a team setting.

How to Highlight:

Experience Section:

Describe team projects and your role in them. For example: "Collaborated with a cross-functional team to develop a new marketing strategy, resulting in a 20% increase in sales."

Achievements Section:

Mention specific achievements that were possible due to effective teamwork. For example: "Part of the team that won the company’s annual innovation award."

3. Problem-Solving Abilities

Why Employers Value Them:

Employers need individuals who can tackle challenges and find effective solutions.

How to Highlight:

Experience Section:

Provide examples of problems you’ve solved in previous roles. For example: "Identified and resolved a bottleneck in the production process, reducing lead time by 15%."

Skills Section:

Include specific problem-solving skills, such as critical thinking or analytical skills, with brief explanations of their application.

4. Technical Skills

Why Employers Value Them:

Specific technical skills are often necessary for job performance, especially in tech-driven industries.

How to Highlight:

Skills Section:

List relevant technical skills prominently. For example: "Proficient in Java, Python, and SQL."

Experience Section:

Detail how you’ve used these skills in your previous roles. For example: "Developed and maintained company website using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript."

5. Leadership Skills

Why Employers Value Them:

Leadership skills indicate your ability to manage projects, inspire teams, and drive results.

How to Highlight:

Experience Section:

Highlight leadership roles and responsibilities. For example: "Managed a team of 10 sales representatives, setting targets and overseeing performance."

Achievements Section:

Mention any leadership achievements. For example: "Implemented a new training program that increased team productivity by 25%."

6. Adaptability and Flexibility

Why Employers Value This:

In a rapidly changing work environment, the ability to adapt is crucial.

How to Highlight:

Experience Section:

Provide examples where you’ve successfully adapted to changes. For example: "Adapted to a new CRM system, becoming proficient within two weeks and training the rest of the team."

Skills Section:

Include adaptability as a skill and give context. For example: "Adaptable to changing work environments and new technologies."

7. Time Management Skills

Why Employers Value Them:

Effective time management skills ensures productivity and the ability to meet deadlines.

How to Highlight:

Experience Section:

Describe how you manage your time effectively. For example: "Successfully managed multiple projects simultaneously, consistently meeting deadlines."

Achievements Section:

Mention any time-specific achievements. For example: "Reduced project completion time by 10% through improved workflow processes."

Final Tips for Highlighting Skills

1. Use Keywords: Tailor your CV to the job description by incorporating relevant keywords. This can help your CV get past automated applicant tracking systems (ATS).

2. Quantify Achievements: Whenever possible, use numbers to quantify your achievements. This provides concrete evidence of your skills.

3. Tailor for Each Job: Customise your CV for each application, emphasising the skills most relevant to the job.

By understanding the top skills employers look for and effectively highlighting them, Formulate Impressions can create a CV for you that stands out and increases your chances of landing your desired job.

Remember, a well-crafted CV not only lists your skills but also demonstrates how you’ve applied them to achieve tangible results.