Getting your CV to stand out can be difficult in today’s competitive job market. One sure way to grab the attention of employers is to highlight certain desirable skills. Below are 10 examples of skills that are highly sought after in an array of industries, and what you can do to develop these skills.
Leadership
Strong leadership skills are necessary when applying for senior roles, but can look good when applying to any level of profession. Experience leading others shows that you’re responsible, confident and able to work well with people. Of course, it’s important to show that you were a good leader – highlight times when you were able to motivate colleagues, diffuse conflict or make successful executive decisions. Being able to quantify your impact is recommended (e.g. ‘led a five person team to exceed sales targets by 30%’). Gaining leadership qualifications through courses can also help your CV to stand out.
First aid
In the event of a medical emergency, having an employee with first aid skills can be essential. Having such skills can also show that you’re dedicated to helping others and able to stay calm in a crisis. Consider certification or training that equips you to handle injuries or other medical situations such as CPR classes. These can be taken in the form of in-person classes or online courses.
Fire safety
Fire safety training is also highly sought after in many industries. If a fire breaks out, an employer can be confident that you will be able to carry out evacuation procedures or use extinguishers. Such training can also teach you to carry out risk assessment and help the company meet regulatory compliance. Look into workplace fire safety courses that can teach you everything you need to know – such courses are typically hands-on with an assessment at the end.
Foreign languages
Proficiency in foreign languages opens doors to international opportunities or jobs that require you to work with multicultural teams. Certain languages like Spanish, French, German, Mandarin and Arabic are particularly sought after. If you are fluent in another language, make sure to highlight this on your CV. If you can’t speak another language, it’s never too late to learn – look into courses in foreign languages that interest you and start learning the vocabulary and grammar. Qualifications can prove that you are able to communicate in another language at a certain level.
Coding
Basic coding abilities can help you break into many tech careers from website development to software testing. Programming languages like Python and JavaScript have many applications and are good languages to start with. Even learning HTML can help you stand out in many industries. When learning to code, consider taking official online courses that can give you credentials. Building a portfolio of software or websites that you’ve codes that also help you stand out to employers by proving that you’re able to put your skills to practical use.
Data analysis
Many companies are now realising the potential of big data – from sales figures to web traffic, there are all kinds of stats that can be collected and used to help improve businesses. Data analysis is the ability to take data and turn it into actionable insights by using software and charts. Courses in data science can delve deep into this subject and could help you land high paying roles in a variety of industries from finance to healthcare. There are also many short courses that you can take to help master certain programs like Google Analytics or Excel.
Digital marketing
Digital marketing includes a variety of sub-skills including social media marketing, copywriting and SEO. It is vital to companies in all industries for attracting customers. You can learn digital marketing skills by taking courses or by learning from online resources like websites and video tutorials. Proof that you are able to create viral content or build a popular site could show that you have digital marketing skills – make sure to reference these achievements on your CV. When applying to marketing roles, consider focusing on niche skills like SEO or social media marketing to set yourself apart.
Sales
Many companies also hire sales teams to help them attract customers. Having sales experience or sales qualifications can be vital when breaking into these types of careers. Even if you’re not applying for a sales role, sales experience can show that you are persuasive and people-oriented. Look into courses in sales to help you earn credentials that can make your CV stand out. Alternatively, if you have on-the-job experience, highlight metrics that prove your ability to increase sales.
Accounting
Every successful company also needs to be good at bookkeeping, budgeting and forecasting – which typically requires hiring or outsourcing an accountant. Gaining accounting qualifications could open up doors at all kinds of companies. It could also allow you to break into a variety of finance roles. Even when applying for non-finance roles, experience in accounting can show that you are organised and good with figures. There are a variety of accounting courses that you can take to teach you everything you need to know.
Customer service
Experience dealing with customers is crucial in client-facing roles – particularly in industries like hospitality, retail and support. Customer service skills include the ability to handle complaints, guide customers and achieve a high satisfaction rating. There are various jobs that can teach you this skill. There are also workshops that can teach tricks for dealing with difficult customers.
Conclusion
The above skills are in-demand across multiple industries making them great transferable skills to have. Of course, there are many other specialist skills that you can learn to get into specific careers from nursing to operating a forklift – make sure you know exactly what skills are required to break into your dream career and find a concrete way of building these skills. The more skills you possess, the more attractive you will seem to employers. If you ever decide to switch career paths, having a range of skills will also help you to make the jump.
