In 2026, 65% of employers evaluate candidates based on specific competencies rather than degrees or job titles. Your skills section is where that evaluation starts.
A well-written skills section does two jobs at once: it passes ATS (applicant tracking system) screening by matching the right keywords, and it gives recruiters a quick snapshot of what you can do. Get it wrong, and your CV never reaches human eyes.
This guide covers 120+ skills organised by category and industry, with guidance on how to choose, format, and present them on your CV.
What Are CV Skills and Why Do They Matter?
CV skills are the abilities and competencies you bring to a role. They fall into two broad categories:
- Hard skills are technical, teachable abilities you can measure and demonstrate (e.g., Python, financial modelling, Adobe Photoshop)
- Soft skills are interpersonal and behavioural qualities that shape how you work (e.g., communication, problem-solving, leadership)
Both types matter. Research from hiring managers shows that 62% consider hard and soft skills equally important, while 24% say soft skills now matter more than technical ability. The ideal balance on your CV is roughly 60% hard skills and 40% soft skills.
Hard Skills vs Soft Skills: A Quick Comparison
The strongest CVs weave both types together. Your skills section lists them explicitly, while your work experience section shows them in action through accomplishments and results.
How to Choose the Right Skills for Your CV
Not every skill you have belongs on your CV. Follow these three steps to select the ones that matter.
Step 1: Analyse the job description
Read the posting line by line. Highlight every skill, tool, certification, and competency mentioned. These are the keywords the ATS and the recruiter will look for.
Step 2: Match your skills to the job
Compare the highlighted keywords with your own abilities. Prioritise skills that:
- Appear multiple times in the job description
- Are listed under "required" rather than "preferred"
- You can back up with evidence in your work experience section
Step 3: Cut the filler
Remove generic skills that every applicant lists ("Microsoft Word," "teamwork") unless the job specifically requires them. A focused list of 8 to 12 relevant skills beats a bloated list of 20 generic ones.
Top Soft Skills Employers Want in 2026
These are the interpersonal skills hiring managers consistently rank highest. Include them on your CV when they are relevant, but always back them up with evidence in your experience section.
Communication
Written and verbal communication tops employer wish lists every year. On your CV, be specific: "Presented quarterly reports to C-suite stakeholders" is stronger than listing "communication" alone.
Problem-solving
Employers want people who identify issues and propose solutions without waiting for instructions. Frame this through examples in your experience section.
Adaptability
With AI tools reshaping workflows across every industry, candidates who learn new systems quickly stand out. Mention specific tools or processes you adopted.
Leadership
Leadership is not reserved for managers. Taking initiative, mentoring colleagues, and driving projects forward all count. Read more about how to present this in our strengths and weaknesses interview guide.
Critical thinking
The ability to evaluate information, weigh options, and make sound decisions. Particularly valued in analytical and strategic roles.
Time management
Especially relevant for roles with competing deadlines, client-facing positions, or remote work where self-discipline is essential.
Emotional intelligence
Understanding and managing your own emotions while reading and responding to others. In 2026, 62% of hiring managers say EQ matters as much as technical skill.
Collaboration
Working effectively with cross-functional teams, remote colleagues, and external partners. Highlight specific team structures or collaboration tools you have used.
Full list of soft skills for your CV:
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Leadership
- Critical thinking
- Time management
- Emotional intelligence
- Collaboration
- Creativity
- Conflict resolution
- Decision-making
- Attention to detail
- Work ethic
- Active listening
- Negotiation
- Presentation skills
- Mentoring
- Strategic thinking
- Resilience
- Cultural awareness
Top Hard Skills by Industry
Technology and IT
- Python
- JavaScript / TypeScript
- SQL
- AWS / Azure / GCP
- React / Angular / Vue
- Docker / Kubernetes
- Git / GitHub
- CI/CD pipelines
- Machine learning (TensorFlow, PyTorch)
- REST APIs
- Linux system administration
- Cybersecurity fundamentals
- Prompt engineering
- Agile / Scrum methodology
- Infrastructure as Code (Terraform)
For a full tech CV walkthrough, see our Engineering CV guide or our Data Analyst CV guide.
Healthcare
- Electronic Health Records (EHR)
- Patient assessment
- HIPAA compliance
- Vital signs monitoring
- Medication administration
- CPR / BLS / ACLS certification
- Phlebotomy
- Medical coding (ICD-10, CPT)
- Wound care
- Infection control
- Clinical documentation
- Telehealth platforms
See our Medical Assistant CV guide for healthcare-specific formatting.
Marketing and Communications
- Google Analytics 4
- SEO (on-page and technical)
- Google Ads / Meta Ads
- HubSpot / Mailchimp
- Content management systems (WordPress)
- Social media management
- Copywriting
- A/B testing
- Marketing automation
- CRM platforms (Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Video editing (Premiere Pro, CapCut)
- Data visualisation (Looker Studio)
Finance and Accounting
- Financial modelling
- Excel (advanced: PivotTables, VLOOKUP, macros)
- SAP / Oracle ERP
- QuickBooks / Xero
- Budgeting and forecasting
- Tax compliance
- Regulatory reporting (IFRS, GAAP)
- Risk assessment
- Auditing
- Bloomberg Terminal
- Power BI / Tableau
- Anti-money laundering (AML)
Education
- Curriculum development
- Lesson planning
- Classroom management
- Differentiated instruction
- Assessment design
- Safeguarding
- Learning management systems (Canvas, Moodle)
- Special educational needs (SEN)
- Educational technology
- Parent communication
- Data-driven instruction
- Behaviour management
Design and Creative
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Figma / Sketch
- UI/UX design
- Wireframing and prototyping
- Typography
- Brand identity design
- Motion graphics (After Effects)
- 3D modelling (Blender, Cinema 4D)
- Print production
- Design systems
Administration and Office Support
- Microsoft Office Suite (advanced)
- Google Workspace
- Calendar and schedule management
- Data entry and database management
- Travel coordination
- Meeting minutes and transcription
- Filing and records management
- Invoice processing
- Reception and switchboard
- Office inventory management
Computer and Technical Skills for Your CV
Even outside of tech roles, computer skills are expected. Here is what to include depending on your proficiency level.
Basic computer skills (expected in most roles)
- Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook
- Google Docs, Sheets, Slides
- Email management
- Web browsing and online research
- File management and cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox)
Intermediate computer skills
- Excel formulas, PivotTables, and conditional formatting
- CRM software (Salesforce, HubSpot)
- Project management tools (Asana, Trello, Monday.com, Jira)
- Video conferencing (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet)
- Basic HTML and content management systems
Advanced computer skills
- Programming languages (Python, JavaScript, SQL, R)
- Data analysis and visualisation (Tableau, Power BI, Looker)
- Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- AI and automation tools (ChatGPT, Claude, GitHub Copilot)
- Database management (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB)
AI Skills: The New Must-Have for 2026
Job postings requiring AI skills jumped 70% year-over-year, with 13.3% of all positions now listing them explicitly. Even non-technical roles increasingly expect AI literacy.
Skills worth adding to your CV if you use them:
- Prompt engineering (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini)
- AI-assisted coding (GitHub Copilot, Cursor)
- Workflow automation (Zapier, Make, n8n)
- AI-powered analytics (using AI for data interpretation and reporting)
- AI content tools (Midjourney, DALL-E, Runway for visual content)
Only list AI skills you genuinely use. Claiming prompt engineering experience when you have only asked ChatGPT basic questions will fall apart in an interview.
How to Format Your Skills Section
There are three common formats. Choose the one that fits your CV layout and experience level.
Format 1: Simple list (best for ATS)
Skills
Python, SQL, Tableau, Google Analytics, Excel (advanced), A/B Testing, SEO, Project Management, Stakeholder Communication
This format is clean, scannable, and ATS-friendly. Works well when space is limited.
Format 2: Grouped by category
Technical Skills: Python, SQL, Tableau, Power BI, Google Analytics
Marketing Skills: SEO, PPC, Content Strategy, A/B Testing, Email Automation
Soft Skills: Stakeholder Communication, Cross-functional Collaboration, Presentation
This format works well when you have skills across multiple domains and want to show breadth.
Format 3: Integrated into experience (no separate section)
Instead of a standalone section, weave skills into your job descriptions:
"Built automated reporting dashboards using Python and Tableau, reducing manual reporting time by 60%"
This approach works best for senior professionals whose experience section is the strongest part of their CV.
For most candidates, Format 2 (grouped by category) offers the best balance of ATS optimisation and readability.
Skills to Avoid Listing on Your CV
These add no value and waste space:
- Obvious skills: Microsoft Word, email, internet browsing (assumed for any office role)
- Vague buzzwords without context: "team player," "hardworking," "go-getter"
- Outdated tools: Lotus Notes, Internet Explorer, Windows XP
- Skills unrelated to the role: Listing Adobe Photoshop for an accounting position (unless the job description asks for it)
- Self-assessed proficiency bars: Visual skill-level charts ("Python: 4/5 stars") are subjective, unverifiable, and often stripped out by ATS
How Many Skills Should You List?
8 to 12 skills is the sweet spot for most CVs. This is enough to cover both hard and soft skills without diluting your strongest qualifications.
Here is a rough breakdown:
- 5 to 7 hard skills (directly from the job description)
- 3 to 5 soft skills (backed by evidence in your experience section)
Adjust based on your experience level:
- Freshers and graduates: Lean heavier on hard skills from coursework and certifications to compensate for limited work experience. See our student CV guide for more.
- Mid-career professionals: Balance hard and soft skills equally
- Senior professionals: Emphasise leadership and strategic soft skills alongside core technical competencies
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best skills to put on a CV with no experience?
Focus on skills gained through education, volunteer work, and personal projects. Technical skills from coursework (Excel, programming languages, design tools) carry weight. Pair them with soft skills you can demonstrate through extracurriculars or group projects. See our full guide on writing a CV with no experience.
Should I include soft skills on my CV?
Yes, but be selective. Only include soft skills that are relevant to the role, and support them with evidence in your experience section. "Led a team of 8 during a product launch" demonstrates leadership far better than the word "leadership" alone.
How do I know which skills an ATS is looking for?
Read the job description carefully. Every skill, tool, certification, and competency mentioned is a potential ATS keyword. Use the exact phrasing from the posting. For a deeper explanation, read our ATS guide.
Should I list skills in my CV summary as well?
Yes, your top 2 to 3 skills should appear in your CV summary or resume objective. This gives them double visibility: once in the summary where the recruiter reads first, and again in the skills section where the ATS scans.
Are AI skills worth adding to my CV?
If you genuinely use AI tools in your work, yes. Job postings requiring AI skills grew 70% in the past year. List specific tools and applications (e.g., "Prompt engineering with Claude for content research") rather than vague claims.
Key Takeaways
- List 8 to 12 skills, balanced roughly 60% hard skills and 40% soft skills
- Mirror the exact language from the job description for ATS compatibility
- Group skills by category for easy scanning (Technical, Marketing, Soft Skills)
- Back up every soft skill with evidence in your work experience section
- Include AI and automation skills if you use them, as demand grew 70% year-over-year
- Drop generic filler ("Microsoft Word," "team player") in favour of specific, relevant competencies
- Name exact tools and platforms rather than vague proficiency claims