When considering your CV, you typically focus on including your experience, job responsibilities, education, and so on. However, one crucial aspect you shouldn’t overlook is your skills.
Skills are currently the most significant factor in securing a job, many companies are shifting from traditional criteria like degrees and years of experience to skills-based hiring to ensure they select the most qualified person for the job.
So, what kinds of skills are we talking about?
Recruiters are interested in both hard skills (verifiable skills like coding or graphic design) and soft skills (less quantifiable abilities like multitasking and problem-solving).
For instance, you may possess a specialized certification that wasn’t necessarily a higher education degree, such as a bachelor’s degree, this could be a certificate from an online marketing course or fluency in another language — both excellent skills to include.
While some skills can be incorporated into bullet points under your experience, the rest should find a place in the skills section of your CV. Showcasing your skills can distinguish you from other candidates.
The Top 10 Most Sought-After Skills LinkedIn analyzed job listings on its platform to identify the most frequently mentioned skills. Here are the top 10 skills that recruiters are currently seeking:
- Customer Service
- Sales
- Accounting
- Business Development
- Marketing
- Leadership
- Communication
- Digital Marketing
- Sales Management
- Problem Solving
Certainly, not all of these skills will be relevant to every job search. However, it’s essential to train yourself to identify the skills companies are looking for in job descriptions. If you possess these skills, make sure to highlight them on your CV and emphasize them during interviews to convey, “I have precisely what you’re looking for!”
If you happen to find yourself unemployed or dissatisfied with your job and unsure about your next steps, consider this list for inspiration. It could lead to your next career move or help you present yourself effectively for a position.
However, remember to be honest! Don’t claim to possess skills you don’t have just to secure a job. This will become apparent on the job, eroding trust from the outset. Instead, consider taking a class to acquire the required skill if an employer is seeking it.
Soft Skills Play a Crucial Role in Hiring Decisions You might not be accustomed to highlighting your communication skills or ability to manage multiple tasks, but that might change after you read this: A significant 93% of employers said that soft skills played a critical role in their hiring decisions, according to ZipRecruiter.
That’s a substantial number and a significant opportunity to capture attention during a job search.
But what precisely are soft skills?
Soft skills are those that demonstrate how you work. Some involve interpersonal skills, while others relate to processes. They primarily concern how you would fit into an organization. Is the organization or industry fast-paced? If so, strong time-management skills are essential. Does the job involve frequent changes? In that case, flexibility is key.
Don’t worry if you don’t possess all of these skills. The goal is to identify your existing skills and how they align with a prospective job or employer. Finding the right fit benefits both you and the employer. Ideally, you should enjoy your work and feel that you are performing at your best.
Soft skills encompass various attributes, so it’s essential to emphasize those relevant to the position you’re applying for and that recruiters are seeking.
ZipRecruiter examined millions of job listings and compiled a list of the eight most in-demand soft skills:
- Communication skills
- Customer service
- Scheduling
- Time-management skills
- Project management
- Analytical thinking
- Ability to work independently
- Flexibility
Once again, even if not all of these apply to you, train yourself to identify these skills in job descriptions when applying. Assess which ones you possess and incorporate them into your application, whether in your CV, cover letter, or interview responses.
For instance, if asked about a challenging work situation and how you overcame it, you might need to highlight your communication skills to resolve a conflict, showcase time-management skills to meet a tight deadline, or demonstrate flexibility by adapting to a new direction. These details are crucial to convey in your responses to demonstrate that you are the ideal candidate for the job.
Be Selective! Place these skills near the top of your CV. Avoid creating an extensive list; select those that best showcase your abilities. “three or four top skills that the employer values.”
Additionally, avoid including too many generic terms such as “sales,” “marketing strategies,” and “public speaking” in your skills section, as this may appear overwhelming.
The aim is to let your experience take precedence. Including focused skills can set you apart from other candidates and enhance your chances of landing the job.
Don’t Forget to Include Your Skills on Your LinkedIn Profile If you’ve ever thought, “If only I knew what employers were seeking,” or “If only I had connections like some people,” you’re in luck! Social media has levelled the playing field, providing you with the opportunity to connect and learn.
Start following recruiters and career coaches on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and others, as they often share insights into the skills and qualifications sought by employers.
Emily Durham, a career coach and content creator with over 200,000 followers, offers valuable tips for enhancing your LinkedIn profile:
- Upload a profile photo and banner image, as they significantly increase your profile’s visibility.
- Craft a more creative headline than your default job title. This headline appears on your profile and in various LinkedIn contexts, so it’s an opportunity to convey your value proposition and highlight skills, keywords, achievements, and values.
- Ensure you list your skills in the designated section, as recruiters frequently search LinkedIn for candidates based on these skills.
Remember, the most important skill during this process is your ability to market yourself effectively. You possess the skills, tools, and network; now, use them to convince recruiters that their search is over — they’ve found the perfect candidate.