CV Writing Tips: 4 Skills & You MUST Include in Your CV

By Jane Okoth,

With so many graduates on the job market, potential employers are likely to judge you based on the evidence of your skills and work experience.

It is everyone’s expectation to find a competent and experienced individual who will stand out from the crowd.

So which is the best way to write a CV by including your skills and competencies while at the same time impressing the employer?

Speaking to Florence Mukunya, a Career Advisor at Corporate Staffing Services, she advises that what you include on the skills section will depend on the career and profession you work in.

“For instance, if you are seeking a job in accounting, there are specific skills and abilities that you may need to include that you gained through your working experience,” she says.

Ms Mukunya also points out the importance of listing general skills in your CV while also distinguishing them from work related skills.

“These could be transferrable skills which you gained during work experience, volunteering or any other experience which is not directly related to any job but can be applied in any profession,” she states.

She states that one capability that is important to employers is the communication skills which can be broken down in verbal and written form.

She explains that, “As an employee, you need to express yourself concisely, be a good listener and also be good at asking questions.”

“Also take note that your ability to communicate well will be one of the most noticeable things about you during the application process,” she advises.

Ms Mukunya says that your CV should include your ability to prove that you are a team player as well as manage and delegate duties to others and take on responsibility.

“This is because leadership skills are critical hence the need to prove you can assign and delegate tasks well, set deadlines and lead by good example,” she opines.

When it comes to listing your computer technical skills, which is the way to go? I pose.

“In this era of technology, almost everybody has learnt the basic computer skills,” she says.

She however advises that, “If you don’t have much work experience, list it as one of your skills.”

Ms Mukunya also maintains that your computer knowledge and skills on your CV also has to depend on a specific qualification.

“For instance, if you are applying for an IT job and happen to have the skills of a specific computer software such as ERP, remember to include it since that may be an added advantage to your CV,” she advocates.

With all that is mind what skills in a CV are likely to be of much significance?

“The skills that are related to your job are much considered more than the general ones which many people tend to possess,” she responds.

‘Take a situation whereby someone who is wanted for an IT Support Assistant job and has skills for a sales person, how will that be of benefit to the recruiter?” she asks.

Her final advice to job seekers is to ensure that they emphasize more on the skills and competencies that are in line with the job they are applying for.