10 skills employers look for

When updating your CV it can be difficult to know what skills to highlight to support your application with potential employers, especially if you have been on a career break for a while or are looking to launch a career in a new area.  

However, there are several skills that employers are particularly interested in, which makes them essential additions to your CV, where applicable.  

In this article, we explain the top five hard and soft skills that employers are actively looking for in potential candidates. We will also provide some top tips for showcasing your skills on your CV and how to upskill yourself as a job seeker.  

Are you looking for a new job? You may find our tips on starting a new job useful to help you get started and settled in quickly.

Hard Skills                      

Below are some of the in-demand hard skills that UK employers are interested in seeing on your CV: 

Digital Skills – As the internet continues to change the way we live, work and shop, digital marketing skills continues to be in high demand from employers. Digital skills broadly refer to those skills required to use digital devices, communication applications, and networks to access and manage information.  

IT Skills – While the global COVID-19 pandemic changed the way that many of us work, there is still a large demand for employees with technical IT skills. Depending on your job role, you will need varying levels of IT knowledge and experience. If you’re considering a career in IT, explore our range of IT qualifications, to find a suitable place to start.  

Project Management – The skills gained from project management qualifications are not only used for large, multi-million-pound projects. These important skills are highly valued in workplaces where you can help support management teams, create annual plans, and keep teams motivated and on track. Many jobs outside of traditional Project Management roles use the skills and techniques often found in Project Management qualifications, making them useful skills to gain.    

Finance and Budgeting – Employers are keen to hire candidates with basic financial and budgeting skills, so it’s a good idea to gain the necessary skills and level of understanding for the job you’re applying for, such as managing budgets. A Bookkeeping course is great for getting started.  

Health and Safety - Even though more of us than ever are working from home, health and safety skills will remain in demand as employees slowly return to the office. As these skills are beneficial for everyone who works in an office, you do not need to be in a Health and Safety role to considering earning your IOSH or NEBOSH Health and Safety qualifications.  

Soft Skills          

While hard skills are concrete, measurable abilities, soft skills can be harder to define, although they are important to add to your CV.  

Essential soft skills include:  

Creativity - This is a soft skill that is hard to teach. That said, you can cultivate creative skills by adopting a creative outlet such as music, art, or drama. Bring creativity to the workplace by embracing new, innovative ways of solving problems. If you struggle with creativity, it helps to change your routine and look at things with a fresh perspective. Creating a brainstorming wall can also help you channel your creativity.  

Leadership - Effective leadership is essential to run a successful organisation, so it is obvious why employers are looking for those with leadership skills. If you are not a natural leader, there are many books and webinars available to help you build strong leadership skills.  

Teamwork - Good teamwork skills are vital to many workplaces, particularly those in which departments work together to create positive outcomes. In a teamwork situation, it is important to be aware of your strengths and weaknesses and improve both where required. As everyone is different, it is also important to learn how to work with others and handle/reduce conflict in the workplace.  

Communication - Effective communication is essential for businesses to run smoothly, so do not underestimate this soft skill. When communicating, be aware of your goals and consider how best to communicate these to others to help them understand. Learn how to develop effective communication skills.  

Negotiation - Finally, strong negotiation skills will always serve you well, from negotiating your salary and benefits to finalising a deal with a major client.  

How to outline your skills on your CV     

When outlining skills on your CV, it is useful to first write down your top skills as not everything mentioned in this article will apply to every employee. Arguably it is better to focus on quality over quantity, so you might find it useful to focus on a few key skills rather than simply listing many hard and soft skills on your CV.  

Employers will always be impressed by candidates who can back up their claims with evidence, so wherever possible, provide evidence to show how your skills relate to the workplace.                

How to upskill yourself               

Now you know the most in-demand hard and soft skills, it's time to upskill yourself! There are many ways to take your skillset to the next level from formal training to personal development.  

We have seen the main hard skills that employers are looking for. As a training provider of a wide range of courses and qualifications, we offer many opportunities for you to upskill yourself and work towards a career change or new job. View our full range of training courses and get started today!  

Other ways of upskilling yourself include taking time to read articles and books on career development, watching relevant videos on YouTube, or listening to educational podcasts. Finally, you can grasp opportunities in your current workplace to develop your skills and boost your prospects for progression.  

Are you an employer looking to upskill your staff? Find out how to get started with our guide on the advantages of staff training.

Interested in a training course? To get started or discuss your requirements in more detail, call our Course Consultants on +44 (0) 20 3198 7700 or fill out our contact form and someone will be in touch with you to go through your training options.