Skills for a stand-out CV
So you’ve found a job you want to apply for – ka pai! Applying for that job role can be daunting, especially if you’re not sure what skills to include. To ensure professional success in any job role, it's important to understand how your professional skills align with the job requirements of the role you’re applying for. For this reason, we recommend thoroughly reading over the job description a few times and highlighting any keywords that align with your current skill-set. For more inspiration, we’ve included a list of skills and why they’re important to get those creative juices flowing. Check them out:
Administration Skills
Administration skills are essential to any business, and including these skills in your CV can significantly enhance your chances of success. These skills encompass a wide range of abilities, including proficiency in organisational software, communication skills and project management.
Analytical Skills
Analytical skills can demonstrate your ability to gather, interpret, and evaluate information to make informed decisions and solve complex problems -- what employer wouldn't want that? Analytical skills can include abilities such as research skills and logical reasoning skills. To strengthen your CV, you might also like to consider providing specific examples of how you've applied your analytical skills in previous experiences. This could involve projects where you employed data analysis techniques, solved challenging problems, or made professional recommendations based on thorough research.
Collaboration Skills
Collaboration skills are highly valuable – and it's a great idea to highlight them on your CV. The ability to work effectively with others and contribute to a team environment is essential in many professional scenarios and settings. Effective collaboration skills could include proficiency in working with people from different backgrounds, cultures, or areas of expertise. Being able to embrace and appreciate different perspectives can greatly contribute to productive teamwork! Remember, collaboration is not limited to just working within your team: it can encompass collaborating with stakeholders, clients, or other departments as well.
Communication Skills
Effective communication is undoubtedly a valuable asset in any workplace and can enable understanding, collaboration, and productivity in a professional environment. Moreover, excellent communication skills go beyond just verbal interactions. They include active listening, written communication skills, and the ability to tailor your message to different audiences.
Computer Skills
In today's digital age, employers are often looking for candidates who possess a wide range of technological abilities. By showcasing your computer skills, you demonstrate your ability to adapt to modern work environments and utilise technology to effectively solve problems. Ka rawe! Examples of effective computer skills include proficiency in programming languages and software, data analysis, or digital marketing. You can also include information about relevant certifications or courses you have completed that can further strengthen your candidacy and showcase the value you can provide to the workplace.
Creativity Skills
Including creativity skills on your CV can help you stand out to employers as they showcase your ability to think outside the box, generate innovative ideas, and approach problem-solving with a fresh perspective. Creativity skills can include graphic design, content creation, marketing campaigns, or product development. Remember, each job application requires a tailored approach, so consider the industry and position you're applying for, and highlight aspects of your creativity that are most relevant to the role.
Customer Service Skills
Including customer service skills on your CV not only highlights your ability to deliver outstanding customer service, but it also showcases your adaptability, problem-solving abilities, and strong interpersonal skills to employers. These skills can include providing exceptional assistance and support to customers, effectively managing inquiries and resolving issues. Overall, customer service skills demonstrate your ability to effectively interact with and cater to the needs of customers or clients.
Finance Skills
Financial skills can significantly enhance your CV: incorporating finance-related expertise not only highlights your ability to manage money but it can also demonstrate your analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities. You can consider listing specific finance skills such as financial analysis, budgeting and forecasting, risk management, financial reporting, financial modelling, or proficiency with accounting software such as QuickBooks or Excel. You could mention any professional certifications you hold to demonstrate your commitment to excellence in the finance field.
HR Skills
Including HR skills can help your CV stand out – and these skills are not limited to specific job titles. They can be valuable in various industries and roles, as every organisation needs professionals who can effectively manage talent and promote a healthy work environment. HR skills encompass various aspects such as recruitment, employee relations, training and development, performance management, and more.
Leadership Skills
Leadership skills not only demonstrate your ability to guide and motivate others, but they also showcase your capacity to make informed decisions, solve problems, and drive positive change in a team or organisation. Pretty neat, alright! Furthermore, employers often seek candidates with leadership skills because they recognise the value of individuals who can take charge, navigate through challenges, and influence others in a positive way. These skills are particularly relevant in workplaces that prioritise collaboration, innovation, and adaptability. Additionally, if you have participated in any leadership development programs, training workshops, or certifications, be sure to include them. This shows your commitment to personal growth and your willingness to invest in refining your leadership abilities.
Marketing Skills
Incorporating marketing skills in your CV can be a great way to get noticed by employers. Including these skills can demonstrate your ability to drive brand awareness and consumer engagement but also highlight your aptitude for strategic thinking and effective communication. Digital marketing skills, such as search engine optimisation (SEO) knowledge or social media marketing expertise, can be especially valuable in today's increasingly online-focused world. These abilities underscore your proficiency in maximising online visibility, driving website traffic, and executing engaging digital campaigns.
Organisational Skills
Including organisational skills on your CV not only demonstrates your ability to manage and prioritise tasks effectively but also showcases your dedication to structured and efficient work practices. These skills are highly valued by employers as they contribute to improved productivity. Organisational skills can include planning, adaptability, multitasking, information management and task delegation.
Project Management Skills
Adding project management skills can greatly enhance your CV potential. Possessing strong project management skills demonstrates your ability to effectively plan, organise, and execute tasks within given constraints. Not only does this impress employers, but it also highlights your capability to lead teams, handle complexity, and deliver successful outcomes. These talents include coordinating tasks, facilitating effective meetings, and promoting teamwork, thereby showcasing your ability to create a positive and productive work environment.
Problem Solving Skills
Problem-solving skills are crucial in today's fast-paced and complex world, and they are highly sought after by employers. By highlighting your problem-solving abilities, you demonstrate to potential employers that you can effectively analyse challenges, think critically, and develop innovative solutions. Employers understand that problem-solving is a transferable skill that adds value to the workplace -- from resolving technical issues, optimising processes, or overcoming interpersonal challenges, employers are looking for innovative problem solvers who take initiative and are up for solving challenges on the fly.
Resourcefulness Skills
Highlighting your resourcefulness on a CV can demonstrate your ability to overcome challenges and find innovative solutions. Employers love this! Rather than simply stating that you possess resourcefulness skills, you can provide concrete examples in your CV to highlight how you have utilised resourcefulness in different situations. For instance, you can mention a time when you successfully used limited resources to complete a project ahead of schedule or found alternative approaches to problem-solving when faced with obstacles. You can expand on this in the employment history section, or even elaborate on this in your cover letter.
Sales Skills
Sales skills are highly sought after in a variety of industries. Sales skills not only demonstrate your ability to persuade and influence others but also showcase your ability to drive revenue and achieve targets. Sales skills include being adept in CRM software, product knowledge, listening skills and effective negotiation skills. This shows potential employers that you have a deep understanding of effective sales strategies and can adapt your approach based on different situations and customer profiles.
Teamwork Skills
Lastly, teamwork skills not only demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively with others but also highlight your capacity to contribute positively to the success of a team or organisation. Teamwork skills encompass a range of abilities, including excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, which allow you to convey ideas clearly and collaborate with team members effectively. Active listening is another important skill that demonstrates your attentiveness and understanding of others' perspectives. Being able to analyse challenges, brainstorm solutions, and make informed decisions collectively enables teams to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals more efficiently. Employers highly value individuals who can contribute their unique perspectives and critical thinking skills to ensure team success.
Ok, gotcha! Now where do I put my skills on my CV?
Our CV templates at cvapp.nz are designed to simplify the formatting process and make it more convenient for you. We take the hassle out of formatting and have a skills section ready to go on all of our templates. Whether you're an expert engineer, a talented teacher or skilled in sales, our CV templates provide the perfect platform to present your skills effectively. Woo hoo!
