Your CV is your first opportunity to recruit recruiters, and showcasing your most in-demand skills is essential if you want to get noticed.

The skills you are going to do are depending on your needs. But there are certain skills that are applicable to every job you need to be present in your CV regardless of your field.

These skills are often called "soft skills" or "generic skills", and here are 5 of them that you should endeavour to include in your CV if you want to land job interviews.

 

 Communication 

The ability to effectively communicate is a skill sought-after in any position so it's essential to showcase this within your CV.

You have had to communicate with people of a variety of levels from shop customers in part-time roles, to managers in work placements, or even fellow students when working on University projects.

Consider situations where you have spoken in group settings or presentations in employment or ongoing studying. When documenting your communication skills it is also important to emphasize your ability to be a strong listener.  

Problem-solving

Employers are looking for candidates who can display their ability to achieve a situation.

Think of occasions where you have identified problems in project work, employment or education, and how you are able to come up with ideas to resolve the issue. If applicable, add instances of your ideas into action.

Teamwork

Any sector you are looking to pursue after your studies will require the capacity to work within a team. Use examples of a previous project to show how you could work with other team members to accomplish a common goal.  

If you have limited team involvement in a working environment, reflect on any extracurricular activities such as sporting teams or associations you have a part of.

Motivation

Recruiters will be looking for candidates who have a passion for progress, so illustrate your desire to develop in your chosen career.to progress, so illustrate your desire to develop in your chosen career.

Motivation can be demonstrated through examples of how you have gone above and beyond in any internships, projects or even during your studies. Do not just want to achieve but instead, you have to do your own career, whether this was through joining professional organizations or having a portfolio of work you can present.

Organization 

During your educational history, you will no doubt have organized and prioritized your own workload.

Draw on the examples and details of what strategies or plans you have in place to maintain a balance between studies and any work placements or club involvement. Showcase your proficiency to prepare and structure your work to ensure deadlines or action plans with.

 

Andrew Fennell is an experienced recruiter and founder of CV advice centre StandOut CV. Check out StandOut CV's detailed guide to CV skills with over 60 valuable skills you can add to your CV.