Skills are an essential part of your CV, and you need to include plenty of them if you want to attract recruiters and land interviews.
But what key skills do employers want to see in your CV? And how do you write about them?
Here’s a list of the essential key skills for your CV in 2025, and a step-by-step guide on how to include them.
Best skills for your CV in 2025
If you want to get noticed by top employers and land interviews for the best roles, these are some of the most important top skills you’ll need to have on your CV.
- AI (Artificial intelligence) – Understanding how AI works and using tools like ChatGPT, Jasper, or automated systems can boost productivity.
- Adaptability – You should be able to adjust to new working environments and adopt new tools and technology.
- Time management – Every job will have deadlines, so managing your time properly is essential.
- Interpersonal skills – Being able to work collaboratively and communicate well will help you in just about every role.
- Data analysis – Proficiency in analysing datasets using tools like Excel, Tableau, or Power BI is crucial for data-driven decision-making.
- Microsoft Office or Google Suite – Skills beyond the basics, like pivot tables and macros in Excel, are very useful and highly valued.
- Email management – You should be able to productively manage your inbox and prioritise communications.
- Leadership potential – Showing initiative and motivating others is highly regarded, even in non-leadership roles.
- Database tools – Managing company data is an important IT skill for all modern companies.
- Collaborative tools – Employers will appreciate it if you’re already capable of using cloud-based online collaborative tools like Google Workspace.
- Organisation – Effectively managing tasks, schedules, and resources highlights a candidate’s ability to maintain order and ensure smooth operations.
- Problem solving – Employers value candidates who can analyse challenges, develop practical solutions, and implement them effectively to overcome obstacles.
- Attention to detail – Ensuring accuracy and thoroughness in tasks demonstrates reliability and quality assurance.
- Critical thinking – The ability to analyse situations, evaluate information, and make informed decisions is a highly desirable trait.
- Accountability – Owning up to mistakes, taking responsibility for actions, and ensuring follow-through builds trust and credibility.
Hard skills vs soft skills
When writing your CV, understanding the types of skills employers value is crucial. Broadly, they fall into two categories: hard skills and soft skills.
Both are equally important, but play very different roles in the workplace
Hard skills demonstrate your capability to carry out specific tasks within a job, such as writing reports or using spreadsheet software.
Whereas soft skills are personality driven traits, such as empathy and motivation, which help you to collaborate with others in the team.
Knowing the difference helps you present a well-rounded profile that meets the technical and cultural needs of any role.
Typically, a job will require a mix of hard and soft skills, so a modern CV must contain both.
Hard skills
Put simply, hard skills are specific to a certain role, and enable you to best carry out that job’s functions (for example, managing budgets in an accounting role, or speaking different language). They’re often easy to measure and describe specifically.
These are usually the ones recruiters look for when they’re seeking candidates, so they’re especially important to prioritise.
“Proficient with data analysis using Excel and Tableau, and managing CRM systems like Salesforce to streamline workflows.“
Soft skills
Meanwhile, your soft skills tend to apply to all manner of jobs, and are just as reflective of your personality: they’re harder to describe and demonstrate, and include things like reliability, empathy, and problem solving.
Seeing as recruiters don’t actively search for soft skills, they should be implied in your CV rather than stated explicitly. For example, rather than saying you’ve got “leadership skills”, prove it by detailing how you “lead a team of 15 and perform onboarding for new candidates”.
“Coordinated cross-departmental projects, managing timelines and delegating tasks to ensure successful completion ahead of schedule.“
How to write skills in your CV
Your skills need to be added to your CV in a way that shows recruiters how they can be beneficial to potential employers.
You should mention your skills at various key points of your CV’s design: your core skills section, your profile, and in your work experience.
Here’s a breakdown of how to add skills to each section:
Core CV skills section
Towards the top of your CV, you should have a dedicated core skills section, where you should bullet point your key expertise.
Here you’ll simply list 4-10 of your skills that are most important to the jobs you are applying for (hint: you can find these in job adverts).
Putting this section near the top of your CV is important, as it’ll be the first thing that catches a recruiter’s eye when they open it up: immediately show off that you’ve got the essentials that make you a good candidate.
Core Skills
- Bookkeeping
- Financial records reporting
- Key accounting principles
- Transaction processing
- Customer liason
- Advanced MS Excel
- Ledger entry & reconciliation
- Billing & collections
- Invoice statements
- Xero, Sage Business Cloud
CV profile
Beyond the CV skills section, you’ll need to make good use of your CV profile or personal statement.
This section is where you provide an headline summarising of your biggest strengths, and fundamentally how you would use them to benefit the employer. Use action verbs to properly express the value of your skills.
For example, you might mention that you “lead a team of 20 freelance writers”, which implicitly states your leadership soft skills while conveying the value you’d bring to a new management role.
Professional Profile
A skilled AAT Level 3 accredited Accounts Receivable Clerk with over six years’ experience and in-depth knowledge of accounting, billing, and collections. Proficient in using accounting software such as Sage, QuickBooks, and Xero to manage invoicing, payment tracking, and financial reporting. Experienced in reconciling accounts, processing high-volume transactions, and handling month-end closing with precision. Skilled in resolving customer billing disputes through robust problem-solving and communication techniques, reducing outstanding debts effectively. Adept at implementing process improvements and controls to optimise accounts receivable workflows, ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory standards. Proven track record of meeting accounts receivable targets, reducing days sales outstanding (DSO), and enhancing overall cash flow to support organisational profitability.
Work experience
When it comes to adding skills to your work experience section, you’ll not only need to weave them into the content, but show how they contribute to your work performance.
You’ll need to work them into each section of a past role:
- Outline – By stating your role and position within the company, you’re giving a broad overview of the skills you employed
- Responsibilities – Each of your duties required different skills, so you should outline a wide variety of your tasks.
- Achievements – This is where you show how your skills led to success and a positive impact, using numbers to back them up in a more convincing way.
Look at how the below job example incorporates skills into each section.
Accounts Receivable Clerk | Midlands Food Inc.
Outline
Working for a world-renowned FMCG company based in the heart of Derby, managing over 300 accounts within the accounts receivable ledger.
Responsibilities
- Post incoming payments onto the ledger, including cash, cheques, and credit card transactions.
- Complete accurate debt reporting, including total outstanding debt per account, overall debtor balance, and debtor days.
- Resolve valid or approved deductions by adjusting ledger entries.
- Conduct daily account reconciliations and generate accurate invoices for customers.
- Prepare statements of accounts and verify payment discrepancies by liaising with sales, trade promotions, and customer service departments.
- Perform credit control, including chasing payments and generating payment plans per the company’s debt collection procedure.
- Effectively manage customer account queries and complaints through to resolution.
- Support the Accounts Receivable Manager in producing monthly management reports.
Achievements
- Developed new policies and procedures around accounts receivable, cash flow, and reconciliation processes, reducing the average invoice processing time by 27%.
- Reduced aged debt from over £150k to £15k through improved tracking, debt follow-up, and customer negotiations.
- Decreased debtor days from an average of 103 to under 35, significantly improving cash flow.
How many skills should I put on my CV?
You should add 4-10 skills to your core skills section. While there’s no strict rule on how many skills you should include in your CV altogether, adding about 10 to 20 across the entire CV should be enough to convey your key expertise.
Make sure you include enough to show recruiters that you’ve got the right skill set to perform well in the field: so make sure each one is tailored precisely for the individuals roles you’re applying for.
If you’re wondering how to tailor the skills you mention to the jobs you’re applying for, then look no further than the job listings: the recruiter helpfully lists the qualities they’re looking for in a candidate, so make sure your skills reflect that.
CV skills examples
Here are some examples of the skills employers from a range of jobs and industries will be looking for on a candidate’s CV.
Soft skills 🤝
Soft skills are the backbone of workplace success, helping you build relationships, solve problems, and adapt to challenges in any role or industry.
- Emotional intelligence – The ability to understand, manage, and empathise with emotions in yourself and others is critical for building strong relationships.
- Effective communication – Articulating ideas clearly, actively listening, and adapting communication styles to different audiences is always in demand.
- Problem-solving – Thinking critically, analysing situations, and coming up with creative and practical solutions sets top candidates apart.
- Adaptability – Flexibility to navigate change, embrace new challenges, and thrive in evolving work environments is highly sought after.
- Teamwork and collaboration – Being able to work seamlessly with others, share responsibilities, and contribute to collective goals makes you a team asset.
- Time management – Organising, prioritising, and efficiently completing tasks under deadlines ensures consistent productivity.
- Leadership – Inspiring and guiding others, even in non-leadership roles, demonstrates initiative and the ability to drive results.
- Conflict resolution – Managing disputes tactfully and finding mutually beneficial outcomes is invaluable in maintaining harmony and productivity.
- Creativity – Thinking outside the box and approaching challenges with innovative ideas drives progress in any role.
- Work ethic – A strong sense of responsibility, reliability, and commitment to delivering high-quality work consistently makes you a trusted employee.
Retail skills 🛒
Retail demands a unique mix of customer focus and operational expertise, making the right skills essential for driving sales and ensuring smooth store operations.
- Point of Sale (POS) system proficiency – Experience operating POS systems like Square, Shopify, or NCR for seamless transactions and inventory tracking.
- Merchandising – Skills in visual merchandising, product placement, and display creation to attract customers and maximise sales.
- Stock management – Expertise in inventory control, stock replenishment, and shrinkage reduction to ensure optimal product availability.
- Sales techniques – Knowledge of upselling, cross-selling, and consultative sales approaches to drive revenue and improve customer satisfaction.
- Cash handling – Precision in processing cash transactions, handling refunds, and balancing tills to maintain financial accuracy.
- Customer relationship management (CRM) – Familiarity with CRM tools like Salesforce or HubSpot to track customer interactions and improve loyalty.
- Loss prevention – Understanding methods to reduce theft, monitor suspicious activity, and implement security measures effectively.
- Product knowledge – In-depth expertise on product specifications, benefits, and usage to assist customers and build trust.
- Retail math – Accurate calculations for discounts, sales tax, and profit margins, ensuring error-free financial transactions.
- Scheduling and rostering – Proficiency in workforce management tools like Deputy or When I Work to efficiently plan shifts and ensure adequate staffing.
Technical skills 🔨
Technical skills are indispensable in today’s workplaces, providing the tools to manage tasks, troubleshoot issues, and embrace evolving technologies.
- Microsoft Office proficiency – Mastery of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for document creation, data analysis, and presentations.
- Data entry and management – Accuracy in entering, updating, and organising information using databases or spreadsheets like Google Sheets or Excel.
- IT troubleshooting – Basic knowledge of diagnosing and resolving software, hardware, or connectivity issues to maintain productivity.
- Email and calendar management – Expertise in tools like Outlook or Gmail for handling communications and scheduling efficiently.
- Typing speed and accuracy – Fast and precise typing for documentation, communication, and task completion in digital environments.
- Search engine research – The ability to effectively gather information using search engines, ensuring relevance and reliability.
- File management – Knowledge of organising, compressing, and transferring files across cloud systems like Google Drive or Dropbox.
- Digital collaboration tools – Familiarity with platforms like Slack, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams for team communication and remote work.
- Social media basics – Competence in using social platforms for professional networking, brand awareness, or customer engagement.
- Basic cybersecurity awareness – Understanding of secure practices like managing passwords, avoiding phishing scams, and using multi-factor authentication.
Communication skills 💬
Strong communication skills are critical in every profession, especially customer service or teaching roles, ensuring you can collaborate effectively, convey ideas clearly, and build lasting connections.
- Active listening – Fully focusing on the speaker, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully to ensure effective exchanges.
- Clarity and conciseness – Articulating ideas and information in a straightforward, easy-to-understand manner without unnecessary jargon.
- Nonverbal communication – Using body language, facial expressions, and tone effectively to reinforce messages and convey confidence.
- Public speaking – Delivering presentations, speeches, or group updates confidently and engagingly to diverse audiences.
- Empathy – Understanding and responding to others’ feelings and perspectives to build trust and rapport.
- Written communication – Crafting clear, well-structured emails, reports, and other documents tailored to the audience and purpose.
- Persuasion – Influencing others through logical arguments, storytelling, or emotional appeals to gain buy-in or support.
- Feedback delivery – Providing constructive and actionable feedback in a way that is respectful and encourages improvement.
- Conflict resolution – Managing disagreements professionally, finding common ground, and resolving issues amicably.
- Adaptability in communication – Adjusting tone, language, and approach based on the audience, situation, or cultural context to ensure understanding.
Admin skills 📄
Efficient administration keeps businesses running like clockwork, so having strong administrative skills is essential for both support roles and beyond.
- Organisational skills – The ability to prioritise tasks, manage multiple schedules, and maintain a structured workflow for maximum productivity.
- Time management – Expertise in meeting deadlines, scheduling appointments, and balancing workloads effectively.
- Data entry and accuracy – Precision in inputting, updating, and verifying records across databases and spreadsheets.
- Calendar and scheduling management – Proficiency in coordinating meetings, events, and appointments using tools like Outlook or Google Calendar.
- Document management – Skills in creating, organising, and archiving documents, both digitally and physically, for easy accessibility.
- Communication skills – Handling calls, emails, and memos with professionalism, ensuring clear and effective correspondence.
- Customer service skills – Interacting with clients, staff, or visitors courteously and efficiently, addressing inquiries and concerns.
- Attention to detail – Meticulousness in reviewing documents, proofreading correspondence, and ensuring all administrative processes run smoothly.
- Technology proficiency – Familiarity with office software like Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and other administrative tools.
- Problem-solving skills – Quickly resolving issues related to scheduling conflicts, resource allocation, or administrative processes.
Marketing skills 🛍️
Marketing skills are vital for capturing attention, driving engagement, and ensuring a brand’s success in an increasingly competitive digital marketing landscape.
- Content creation – Crafting compelling blog posts, social media updates, videos, and other materials to engage audiences and build brand identity.
- SEO and SEM proficiency – Optimising content and managing paid search campaigns to improve visibility and drive traffic to websites.
- Data analytics – Analysing metrics and performance data using tools like Google Analytics to measure campaign effectiveness and identify opportunities.
- Social media management – Strategising, scheduling, and engaging on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok to connect with target audiences.
- Email marketing – Designing and executing campaigns that nurture leads, boost conversions, and build customer loyalty through tools like Mailchimp or HubSpot.
- Market research – Gathering and interpreting consumer data to understand trends, preferences, and competitive landscapes for informed decision-making.
- Brand management – Developing and maintaining a consistent brand voice, image, and message across all channels and campaigns.
- Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising – Creating and managing ads on platforms like Google Ads or Meta Ads Manager to generate leads and drive revenue.
- CRM tools expertise – Using systems like Salesforce or HubSpot to manage customer interactions, segment audiences, and optimise marketing efforts.
- Graphic design basics – Designing visually appealing graphics marketing materials using tools like Canva or Adobe Creative Suite to support campaigns.
IT skills 🖥️
In the digital age, IT skills are more crucial than ever, equipping professionals with the expertise to manage systems, secure data, and power innovation.
- Programming languages – Proficiency in coding languages such as Python, Java, C++, or JavaScript for software development and problem-solving.
- Network management – Expertise in configuring, maintaining, and securing networks, including knowledge of TCP/IP, DNS, and firewalls.
- Cybersecurity – Skills in identifying vulnerabilities, preventing cyberattacks, and implementing security protocols to protect systems and data.
- Database management – Experience in working with SQL, NoSQL, or Oracle to store, retrieve, and manage data efficiently.
- Cloud computing – Familiarity with cloud platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud for deploying and managing cloud-based services.
- System administration – Managing operating systems like Windows, Linux, or macOS, including user account management and software updates.
- Troubleshooting and technical support – Diagnosing and resolving hardware, software, and connectivity issues to maintain smooth operations.
- DevOps tools and practices – Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, containerisation (e.g., Docker), and orchestration tools (e.g., Kubernetes) for efficient software deployment.
- IT project management – Using methodologies like Agile or Scrum to plan, execute, and deliver technology projects on time and within scope.
- Virtualisation – Working with virtual environments and tools like VMware or Hyper-V to optimise resource allocation and scalability.