Examples
Best Skills to Put on a CV (with Examples)
The best skills to put on a CV are the ones the job advert asks for that you can genuinely prove. Include a mix of hard skills (software, tools, languages, technical abilities) and soft skills (communication, teamwork, problem-solving), list eight to twelve in a skills section, and back the most important ones up with examples in your work experience.
Hard skills vs soft skills
| Hard skills | Soft skills |
|---|---|
| Teachable, measurable abilities | Personal qualities and ways of working |
| Excel, accounting software, coding, foreign languages, data analysis, design tools | Communication, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, time management, adaptability |
| Easy to list in a skills section | Best proven through examples in your experience |
Soft skills employers value most
- Communication — explaining things clearly in writing and in person.
- Teamwork — working well with colleagues and other departments.
- Problem-solving — finding practical solutions when things go wrong.
- Time management — prioritising work and meeting deadlines.
- Adaptability — learning new tools and handling change.
- Leadership — guiding, training or motivating others, even without a manager title.
- Customer focus — understanding and looking after customers or clients.
- Attention to detail — accurate, careful work.
Hard skills in demand
- Digital and office: Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint, Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams.
- Data: data analysis, reporting, SQL, Power BI, Tableau.
- Marketing: SEO, social media management, Google Analytics, copywriting, email marketing.
- Finance: bookkeeping, Xero, QuickBooks, Sage, budgeting, forecasting.
- Technology: programming languages (Python, JavaScript), cloud platforms, cybersecurity basics.
- Languages: list each language with your level, e.g. “Urdu (native), English (fluent), Arabic (basic)”.
Skills examples by job type
| Job | Example skills |
|---|---|
| Customer service | Complaint handling, CRM systems, active listening, patience, multitasking |
| Administration | Diary management, data entry, Microsoft Office, record keeping, organisation |
| Sales | Negotiation, lead generation, CRM (e.g. Salesforce), presenting, target achievement |
| Teaching | Lesson planning, classroom management, safeguarding, differentiation, assessment |
| Accounting | Month-end close, reconciliations, financial reporting, Excel, accounting software |
| Software development | JavaScript, Python, Git, testing, APIs, problem-solving |
| Healthcare | Patient care, clinical observations, record keeping, infection control, empathy |
| Marketing | Content creation, SEO, social media, analytics, campaign planning |
How to choose the right skills for each job
- Read the job advert and list every skill, tool and qualification it mentions.
- Tick the ones you genuinely have. Never list a skill you could not discuss in an interview.
- Use the employer’s wording — “Microsoft Excel” rather than “spreadsheets” if that is what the advert says.
- Put the most relevant skills first.
- Prove the key ones in your experience bullet points.
How to present skills on your CV
- Use a short Skills section with eight to twelve items, separated by commas or in two or three short lines.
- Write skills as words — avoid progress bars or star ratings, which ATS cannot read and which do not mean much to recruiters.
- Add levels only where they are meaningful, such as languages or certifications.
- Mention your top skills in your CV summary as well.
Skills to leave off your CV
- Outdated basics such as “internet browsing” or “email” — they are assumed for almost every job.
- Skills you cannot back up — if you list it, expect to be asked about it.
- Vague buzzwords like “synergy” or “go-getter”.
- Skills irrelevant to the role — save the space for what the employer needs.
How to describe your skill level
For most skills, the best proof is what you have done with them. Where a level helps — languages, software, certifications — use plain, widely understood terms:
| Skill type | How to show the level |
|---|---|
| Languages | Native, fluent, professional working, intermediate, basic — or a framework level such as CEFR B2 or an IELTS score |
| Software | Basic, intermediate, advanced — plus what you use it for, e.g. “Advanced Excel (pivot tables, XLOOKUP, dashboards)” |
| Certifications | The official certificate name and year |
FAQ
How many skills should I put on my CV?
Usually eight to twelve. Enough to match the job advert, but few enough that each one is relevant and believable.
Should I include soft skills on my CV?
Yes, but prove them. A line in your experience that shows teamwork or leadership in action is far more convincing than the word alone.
What skills should I put on a CV with no experience?
Focus on transferable skills from school, university, volunteering or part-time work — such as communication, teamwork, IT skills and time management. See our guide on writing a CV with no experience.
Can WiseCV suggest skills for my CV?
Yes. WiseCV’s AI can tidy up your skills list and suggest relevant skills based on what is already in your CV. You choose which ones to add.