Showcase these skills to make your CV shine

How can you make your CV stand out against the competition during a job search? One of the best ways is to showcase your skills in a way that speaks to the reader.

Increasingly, hiring managers are placing more importance on the skills a candidate has. Often the potential for success can outweigh past job titles and experience.  

If your CV doesn’t clearly showcase your skill set, it’s probably time for a CV refresh. But where to begin? In this blog we’ll guide you through the good skills to put on a CV to make you look your best.

Showcase your strongest technical skills on your CV

Research suggests that Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology will displace 85 million jobs. Understandably you may feel that this is cause for concern. However, the same research also suggests that AI will also help to create 97 million new jobs.

We all need to start seeing technology as our co-worker. Each party needs to work with the other seamlessly to get the right results. As technology mentor, Nadjia Yousif says in her TED Talk, “To work these days, you need to be able to work with technology.”

Discuss your technical abilities, especially with AI 

Over four in five leaders say job applicants need new skills to prepare for the growth of AI. According to a recent report, the five most in-demand high income skills for 2024 are: 

• Generative AI (GenAI)
• Data analysis
• Software development
• User experience (UX)
• Web development 

Regardless of your job or sector, being able to work in harmony with technology is becoming a coveted skill. Showcase specific technical skills you have in the skills and work experience sections of your CV.  

Don’t forget to evidence your data literacy and fluency too. You probably have more computer skills in this area than you originally thought. 

What if you don’t have any of the tech skills listed? 

If you lack the experience in these types of skills, ask your employer about any training opportunities available. Or you can upskill in your own time. You can find plenty of free training materials available online. 

Demonstrate the strength of your soft skills on your CV 

Dan Roth, Editor in Chief at LinkedIn states “…you always have to have those soft skills too. The soft skills are what enable you to change industries, change jobs, change positions…” 

Below is a summary of the most important soft skills you need to develop. Don’t forget to also provide job specific evidence throughout the skills and work history sections of your CV: 

Creativity 

LinkedIn has recently announced that creativity is the most in-demand soft skill out there. Demonstrating your creativity throughout your CV will essentially tell the reader that you:  

• Are curious
• Will play a key role in problem solving
• Will be instrumental in thinking of new ideas. 

All things which will ultimately future proof the business and drive growth. Include successful ideas on your CV and be ready to talk through them during the interview process. 

How to build your creativity 

To build creativity you need to dedicate consistent time to improving your knowledge and understanding: 

• Stay curious and anticipate the changes that are going on around you
• Have the confidence to air what you observe with your team and the wider business.  

Listen to webinars and podcasts, watch TED Talks, read industry articles and analyse what the competition is doing. The more you work, the better equipped you will be to propose creative ideas that will set you apart from the crowd. 

Adaptability 

We all need to get better at dealing with change to prepare for success in the future. This is regardless of whether it be changes in technology, people, processes or working patterns. 

Can you think of a time in your previous roles where you had to adapt to a change in your role? If so, add this to the employment history of your CV, and be ready to discuss this during your interview. 

How to practice adaptability 

It can be difficult to deviate from a defined plan. But flexibility is a valuable skill to demonstrate on your CV. To create examples for your CV, embrace change in your current role: 

• Ask colleagues for feedback on your current processes to identify opportunities to adapt and improve
• Seek training in new tools and processes where relevant
• Maintain an open mind and be willing to step outside of your comfort zone.

Verbal communication 

Increasingly, it’s the inherently human skills which employers are demanding more and more. And no skill is more human than verbal communication. 

Many jobs require clear, effective verbal communication.This has never been more powerful or more important in today’s workplace.  

Highlight your strong verbal communication skills on your CV. Mention any public speaking, collaborations or negotiations. During the interview process, ensure you let your verbal communication skills shine. 

How to gain more experience with good verbal communication 

Gather examples to discuss at interview by actively seeking to improve your communication style everyday.  

• Be concise – use fewer words to make your point more clear
• Practice active listening – remember that communication should always go both ways
• Be mindful of your tone – consider how you speak, beyond what you say alone 

By refreshing your skills you are refreshing your CV 

We must ensure that both our hard and soft skills are constantly up-to-date to stay relevant.  

Worryingly, a key mistake many professionals make is that they simply forget to document all the new skills they’ve learnt. Whenever you learn a new skill, always remember to update your CV. Add these keywords to your CV in a way that ensures it makes it past the algorithms and onto the shortlist. 

Our human skills matter, and they matter more than they ever have done before. When updating your CV, demonstrate to the reader that you have the skills needed to work alongside emerging technology. That you can easily adapt to change and you are able to deliver value in today’s ever-changing world of work. 

Updating your CV? Our CV writing tips and advice will help you get started: 

• Should I include my hobbies on a CV?
• How to show your skills in a job application
• 3 essential CV questions to answer