In this blog post, we’ll look at the five most in-demand CV skills – and how to present them in a way that captures interest and increases your chances of progressing through the recruitment process.
Two types of skills in your CV
When writing your CV, it is important to showcase both hard and soft skills. Here we explain the difference between them and why both are important.
Hard skills
Hard skills mean specific, measurable knowledge you learn through education or experience. Examples of these are:
- Programming
- Accounting
- SEO
These skills are often a basic requirement to perform a particular job.
Soft skills
Soft skills are about how you collaborate, communicate and solve problems. They are harder to measure, but just as important. Examples of soft skills:
- Cooperation skills
- Problem solving
- Taking responsibility
Soft skills show how you contribute to the work environment and cooperate with others.
Balance both in your CV
A strong candidate will showcase both types of skills in their CV. Hard skills show that you can do a job, while soft skills show that you can work with others. It can be difficult to know which soft skills to include and which not to. Therefore, we list below the top 5 skills for your CV.
5 important skills to mention in your CV
1. problem-solving skills
The ability to tackle challenges and find solutions is highly valued in almost any role, from engineering to administration. Employers want to see that you can think independently, analyze situations and make decisions that lead forward.
| How to show it on your resume:“Resolved a recurring error in the inventory management system, reducing downtime by 25% and improving the flow between departments.” |
Remember to highlight concrete situations where you have taken the initiative, improved a way of working or solved a practical problem – preferably with figures or clear results.
2. cooperation skills
Most employers are looking for team players – not loners. The ability to collaborate with different personalities and professional roles is often crucial to the smooth running of a business.
| How to show it on your CV:“Worked in a team with fitters and technicians to coordinate service efforts – resulting in faster fault resolution and increased customer satisfaction.” |
Please give examples of projects and collaborations you have been part of and where you have worked with others. Highlight your role in the group and how you contributed to the group’s results.
3. communication skills
Being able to communicate clearly – both orally and in writing – is a skill that is valued in any industry. It’s not just about speaking in front of people, but also about listening, adapting your message and avoiding misunderstandings.
| How to show it on your CV:“Responsible for customer contact and received service requests, improving case management and reducing recurring errors.” |
Please highlight examples where you have been a bridge between different departments and have had a role with customer contact. Communication is as much about clarity internally as externally.
4. initiative and autonomy
In a fast-paced and changing work environment, it is important to be able to take initiative, make decisions and drive work forward on your own. Employers are looking for people who don’t just wait for instructions, but who identify areas for improvement and drive work forward themselves. Being autonomous means taking responsibility, prioritizing correctly and solving tasks without constant guidance.
| How to show it on your CV:“Identified and implemented a new approach to streamline document management, reducing administration time by 20% and freeing up more time for customer service.” |
Being able to show that you can make decisions and take initiative without depending on constant guidance adds great value to your CV. Employers value candidates who are proactive and find solutions even in challenging situations.
5. digital literacy and technological understanding
As digitalization and technology development permeate more and more professional roles, the ability to manage systems, tools and digital working methods has become crucial. This is true whether you work in the workshop, in the office or in the field.
| How to show it in your resume:“Performed troubleshooting on vehicle harnesses and documented work in digital service records. Worked daily with diagnostic tools and technical support.” |
Be clear about what programs, tools and systems you have experience with – and how you have used them in practice. It is not enough to write “IT-savvy” – show what it actually means.
How to choose your skills for your CV
If you are unsure about which skills you should highlight in your CV, you can start by reflecting on your past experiences, both in work and other contexts. The aim is to find the strengths that best reflect what you can actually do and what the employer values.
Review your past achievements
Think back to situations where you achieved good results. What did you contribute and what skills did you use to achieve the goal? Maybe you solved a problem, improved a way of working or took an initiative that led to change.
Ask for feedback
It is often difficult to put your own strengths into words. Therefore, ask former colleagues, teachers or friends what they think you are particularly good at.
Seek insight from experts
If you are unsure about the skills required for the role you are applying for, try to contact someone with experience in the sector. Ask what skills are most in demand and compare them with your own strengths.
How to present skills in CVs in a convincing way
To make your skills really stand out in your CV, it is important to link them to concrete tasks and results. Many candidates list their strengths in bullet points, but without context they easily lose their power. Here are four tips on how to best highlight your skills:
1. focus on relevant skills
On average, recruiters spend less than 10 seconds scanning a CV. Therefore, always adapt the content of your CV to the position you are applying for. Read the job advertisement carefully and identify the skills required. By choosing the right keywords, you will tailor your skills specifically to the employer’s needs.
2. Integrate skills into your job descriptions
Integrate the skills into your previous experiences, preferably with figures, effects or examples that demonstrate your actual competence.
For example, compare“solution-oriented” with“solved a recurring delivery problem that reduced lead times by 15%”. The second option doesn’t just tell you what you’re good at – it shows when you solved a problem, how you did it, and what it led to.
3. use active and clear language
A CV should be easy to read and give a professional impression. Avoid passive phrases and auxiliary verbs, such as “can”, “will” and “should”. Write “managed” or “implemented” instead of “was responsible for”. This creates a more powerful and credible impression.
4. avoid clichés and general expressions
Generic phrases such as “I am a team player” or “I am passionate about my work” often lose their power. To stand out, you should instead demonstrate these qualities through examples and results.
For example:“Collaborated with three departments to develop a common solution, resulting in a 30% time saving”
Want more tips on how to write a CV that stands out? Read our guide on how to write a winning CV here.
Starfinder’s advice for job seekers
At Starfinder, we work daily to help candidates raise their profiles in the right way. Whether you are looking for a job in technology, service or administration, it is important to adapt your CV to the role you are applying for.
We recommend that you:
- Customize your CV for each position – highlight what is most relevant to the role
- Describe your skills with examples – not just in bullet points
- Structure the text clearly – an easy-to-read format makes it easy for employers to quickly see your potential.
And remember – your CV is not just a record of what you have done, it is a tool to show who you are and what you can contribute.
Would you like personalized help to highlight your skills in your CV? Do not hesitate to contact us – we will be happy to guide you further.
