It is a limited-time offer that will not always return once it is gone.
Recruiters and hiring managers, after receiving thousands of CVs for a job opening, might never be able to fit in the time to read each of them word for word. What do they look for first? Skills.
Have your skills section be like a spotlight that shines attention on your capabilities, telling employers at a glance whether you possess what they seek. Offering a good mixture of hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (interpersonal strengths) will elevate you over the competition and help you get past ATS.
In this extended guide, we will analyse the best skills for your CV, showcase skills with real-world examples, and explain how to tailor your skills so that every application really shines.
Why Are Skills So Important in a CV?
A CV is not simply an account of jobs that have been managed; much rather, it is a marketing document. The aim is to convince employers that you are the solution to their problem: filling a role with someone capable and dependable.
A skills section gives you the ability to:
Check your resume against ATS filters: Many companies use software similar to ATS filters that screen CVs for keyword content. Unless your CV lists the key skills, it may never even reach human eyes.
Draw attention to your strengths: A recruiter should know within 10 seconds what your skills are.
Show versatility: Where transferable skills prevail, so does the candidate: Even if the work history doesn’t directly match the job.
Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities that are often gained through training, certifications, or hands-on experience. They’re essential in industries where technical knowledge is non-negotiable.
Every role today benefits from digital literacy. Depending on the role, consider adding:
Data is the lifeblood of decision-making. Employers prize candidates who can interpret and act on information:
For tech-driven roles, specific technical expertise makes your CV stand out:
Tailor this section to your field:
In a global economy, languages are an advantage:
While hard skills get you noticed, soft skills often land you the job. These are personal attributes that affect how you work with others and handle challenges.
Even if you’re switching industries, transferable skills show employers you bring lasting value:
Not every skill belongs on every CV. To get it right:
Match the job description: Use the exact keywords the employer lists.
Be selective: Quality over quantity—5–10 well-chosen skills beat 20 generic ones.
Prove them elsewhere: Back up skills with examples in your work history or cover letter.
Update regularly: Technology and workplace trends change—your CV should keep up.
Mistakes to Avoid
Being too vague: Instead of “computer skills,” write “Excel (Pivot Tables, Macros).”
Listing outdated skills: Windows XP proficiency won’t impress anyone in 2025.
Overloading soft skills: Don’t just list “team player” without examples.
Copy-pasting everything: Tailor your skills section for each application.
And so, what skills on a CV for a legal sector role would make or break a candidate’s selection? That is exactly where Owen Reed would intervene, the London-based leader in legal recruitment.
Owen Reed sees beyond mere qualifications; law firms seek the right blend of technical knowledge and soft skills that lend the environment upon which clients can depend for long-term servicing. No matter if the vacancy applies to Legal PA and EA, Document Production, or Proofreading, CVs have to showcase the skills of precision, organisation, communication, and adaptation.
Following their Source & Screen recruitment model, Owen Reed does not just send on CVs to the employers; they partner with candidates to actually ensure that their CV portrays the relevant skills in the right way, whether it is the very skills top-tier law firms are actually after.
Facing a crowded legal market in making a CV stand out? An Owen Reed collaboration can provide up to a half-acre, yet successfully market your skills and vivaciously connect with roles best suited to your strengths.
Ready for the next step? Scan through listings with Owen Reed, and let them take you through the process of creating a CV that opens doors in the legal world.
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