When crafting your CV, it’s natural to focus on hard skills—those technical abilities or qualifications specific to your job, like programming, bookkeeping, or graphic design. But while hard skills are crucial, soft skills are often the deciding factor in whether you land the interview.
Why? Because employers want to hire people who can do the job and fit seamlessly into the workplace. Soft skills like communication, teamwork, and time management show how you’ll collaborate with colleagues, solve problems, and contribute to the company’s success. Highlighting these skills on your CV can set you apart from equally qualified candidates.
Let’s explore what soft skills are, why they matter, and how to showcase them effectively on your CV.
What are soft skills?
Soft skills are personal traits and behaviours that affect how you interact with others and approach tasks. Unlike hard skills, which are learned through training or experience, soft skills are often developed through everyday life and work.
For example, communication is a critical soft skill that applies across industries. Whether you’re a customer service representative, a project manager, or an IT professional, being able to explain ideas clearly and listen effectively is essential.
Other common soft skills include:
- Problem-solving
- Leadership
- Time management
- Organisation
- Teamwork
- Creativity
- Conflict resolution
The list is endless, but the key is to identify the soft skills that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for. For instance, if you’re targeting a role in hospitality, focus on customer service, rapport building, and adaptability. If you’re applying for a leadership position, highlight decision-making, mentoring, and conflict resolution.
Soft skills aren’t just nice-to-haves—they’re must-haves. Employers value them because they influence how you’ll handle challenges, work with others, and contribute to a positive workplace culture.
Why soft skills are important for your CV
Employers don’t just want to know what you can do—they want to know how you’ll do it. While hard skills demonstrate your technical ability, soft skills show your approach to problem-solving, teamwork, and workplace dynamics. Together, these qualities paint a fuller picture of your potential as an employee.
Imagine a hiring manager reviewing two CVs for a customer service role. Both candidates have experience answering calls and resolving complaints, but one also highlights their ability to empathise with customers, handle conflict constructively, and build rapport. Who do you think gets the interview?
Soft skills make you stand out by adding a human element to your qualifications. They reassure employers that you’re not just capable of performing tasks—you’re also someone they’d want on their team.
How soft skills boost your CV
- Highlight transferable skills: Employers often look for candidates who can bring value beyond the specific requirements of the job. For instance, problem-solving, communication, and time management are useful in almost every role. A software developer who mentions collaboration and creativity in addition to coding skills might stand out as someone who can work well with teams and think outside the box.
- Showcase achievements: Employers want proof of your soft skills in action. For example, instead of saying, “I’m organised,” demonstrate it with an achievement: “Coordinated a cross-departmental project, meeting deadlines and reducing errors by 20%.”
- Build a stronger connection: Including soft skills that match the company’s values can make your application more compelling. If the job advert mentions a “fast-paced, collaborative environment,” you can align by describing how you thrive in such settings: “Excelled in a fast-paced role, contributing to team success through effective communication and adaptability.”
The key to relevance
It’s important to tailor your soft skills to the specific job. For instance:
- For a leadership role: Focus on mentoring, decision-making, and conflict resolution.
- For a creative role: Highlight adaptability, brainstorming, and collaboration.
- For a customer-facing role: Showcase empathy, active listening, and relationship-building.
By choosing the right soft skills and providing examples, you’ll present yourself as a well-rounded candidate who not only meets the technical requirements but also has the personal attributes to succeed in the role.
What are the most important soft skills for a CV?
Not all soft skills are created equal—some will be more relevant to the role you’re applying for than others. To make your CV stand out, focus on the skills that match the job description and are valued in the industry. Employers aren’t just looking for someone who can do the job; they want someone who can thrive in their specific environment.
How to identify the right soft skills for your CV
Start by analysing the job advert. Look for keywords that describe the company’s ideal candidate. For example, if they emphasise teamwork and adaptability, you’ll want to highlight those attributes. If leadership and decision-making are mentioned, tailor your CV to showcase those strengths.
Next, think about the industry. Here’s how soft skills might vary by sector:
- hospitality and customer service: Strong communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills are essential. A hotel receptionist, for instance, might say: “Built rapport with guests, increasing repeat bookings by 15%.”
- sales and marketing: Persuasion, creativity, and time management are key. A marketing executive could write: “Developed innovative campaigns, driving a 20% increase in leads.”
- management and leadership: Decision-making, mentoring, and conflict resolution are vital. A project manager might say: “Led a cross-functional team, delivering a £1m project on time and within budget.”
How to demonstrate soft skills on your CV
The biggest mistake job seekers make is listing soft skills without evidence. For example, writing “I’m a great communicator” doesn’t tell the hiring manager how or where you’ve used that skill. Instead, integrate your soft skills into your job descriptions and achievements.
Examples of integrating soft skills into your CV
- Teamwork: “Collaborated with a team of five to implement a new inventory system, reducing errors by 25%.”
- Time management: “Managed multiple client accounts, meeting 100% of deadlines over a two-year period.”
- Problem-solving: “Identified and resolved a bottleneck in the production process, increasing efficiency by 10%.”
When you connect soft skills to measurable outcomes, you not only make your CV more compelling but also show the employer that you can deliver results.
The power of storytelling
Think of your CV as a narrative of your career. Your soft skills add personality and depth to the technical qualifications you’ve worked hard to achieve. By demonstrating how your unique combination of attributes has driven success in the past, you’ll give employers a reason to put your CV in the “yes” pile.
Finally…
Soft skills are the secret ingredient that can make your CV truly stand out. While hard skills show what you can do, soft skills demonstrate how you do it—your approach to teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and more. By tailoring your soft skills to the role, providing concrete examples, and linking them to measurable outcomes, you’ll present yourself as a well-rounded candidate who is both technically capable and personally adaptable.
Remember, your CV is more than a list of qualifications—it’s a reflection of who you are as a professional. With the right balance of hard and soft skills, you’ll make a strong impression and increase your chances of landing that all-important interview.
