What are Soft Skills and how can you include them on your CV?

To get to the stage of interviewing, you want to make sure your CV catches attention. You have more skills than you realize and there are some that you may be overlooking – want to know what they are? Read on!

Think about the qualities that make someone great to work with. A few words coming to your mind might be: organized, a team player, shows leadership, flexibility, performs well under pressure, has attention to detail, and is motivated.

That’s what soft skills are! 

Do any of these traits sound like the type of worker you are? If so, make sure to write them on your CV. 

When applying for a new job, these soft skills help set you apart from other candidates as they are considered important characteristics an individual has that add value to a workplace. They are different from “hard” technical skills, but just as important to note to a future employer. 

You can mention these excellent qualities on your resume. And if you’re getting ready for a job interview, you might want to think of examples or anecdotes that tangibly showcase these skills and the type of employee you are. 

Let’s look into the specifics of why some of these skills are desirable. 

Communication skills

Often in the workplace technical skills are necessary, but the ability to communicate well with others or show motivation creates a smooth work environment – and that’s what employers want. Collaboration with team members and talking through solutions is a valued skill. Employers also value workers with a positive attitude and spirit of initiative. 

Attention to Detail

Organization and attention to detail are some other traits employers like to see on a resume. Think about how easily a project can become derailed without organization or the amount of time saved when you have employees that need little to no correction. Even more of a reason to add these to your list of skills. 

Leadership

Leadership can look many different ways and does not always have to mean being a manager. Think of the times you were responsible for your own work, held yourself accountable, and helped others achieve their goals in the best interests of the team. Don’t undermine these important qualities in your work.

Ability to Work Under Pressure

Some jobs require tasks being done under pressure, if you only have the hard skills but are unable to perform under pressure, not much will get done. As a veteran, you probably have found yourself in situations that required you to work in straining or challenging situations, so you definitely have an advantage over many other civilian candidates. Make sure to highlight that you can handle pressure and stress. Also, showing flexibility and adaptability will demonstrate to employers that you can work around hiccups and be helpful in finding solutions. 

So remember the qualities and soft skills you bring to a workplace – aside from just technical skills – can make a difference in you getting the job over another candidate with equal work experience. Don’t forget to mention them extensively so future employers truly know what you are capable of!