The Secret to CV Success is Balancing Hard and Soft Skills
With over 30% of the British workforce currently on the hunt for a new job, standing out in today’s competitive market can feel tougher than ever.
According to a careers expert, the secret to catching a prospective employer’s eye lies in striking the right balance between hard and soft skills on your CV. While technical abilities like data analysis or project management demonstrate what you can do, it’s your soft skills, such as teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving, that reveal how you do it. Guy Thornton, Founder of PracticeAptitudeTests.com, argues that blending both types of skills effectively doesn’t just tick boxes; it paints a fuller picture of you as a well-rounded candidate, boosting your chances of landing the job.
“Showcasing both your industry-specific expertise and your personal attributes is key to crafting a standout application.
“You want prospective employers to understand not only your proficiency in the role, but also your working style and how you’ll fit into their team.”
Below we explore, together with Guy Thornton, why showcasing a mix of hard and soft skills is essential – and how to do it in a way that makes your CV stand out:
What are hard and soft skills?
“‘Hard skills’ refers to more technical, specific knowledge or skills. These include the likes of researching, writing, using software, or analysing data. Basically, any of the hands-on parts of your role that you perform day to day.
“Soft skills, on the other hand, are interpersonal skills. They relate to how you interact and work with others. These are more difficult to quantify but could include things like teamwork, time management, and social skills.
“An easy way to remember is that hard skills are the ones that you need to perform the role in question, whereas soft skills are how you interact with the team, both in your working relationship and within the work culture itself.”
Why is it equally important to mention both?
“Culture and a good team dynamic are just as essential to a well-running organisation as having people that excel at the more intricate parts of their role.
“A study by Harvard University found that 85% of job success is a result of soft skills, while only 15% is due to technical skills.
“In addition, a LinkedIn survey found that 92% of recruiters and talent acquisition professionals believe that both skill types are of equal importance when it comes to hiring.”
It really makes sense when you think about it. Companies aren’t looking for robots. Rather, they are looking for people who demonstrate empathy for their coworkers, lead their teams to victory, and think on their feet when things get stressful.
By not mentioning them, your prospective employer has no idea what you are like as an individual. This, in turn, may lead them to choose someone who is more forthcoming in their application.
How to craft a great CV
To help job-hunters secure their dream occupations, we have listed some top tips for creating a CV that stands out from the pile:
Keep it clean and eye-catching: Your CV should have a professional, clear design. If you’re not sure where to start, consider using a template; there are an abundance of high-quality ones available online. Just make sure to customise it so it doesn’t look like a generic template.
Include achievements: Personal and professional achievements can really elevate your CV. Whether it’s an award you’ve won, volunteer work, or any other way you’ve made a difference, include anything that showcases your talents and dedication.
Tailor it to the job/company: Companies love when they get a sense that a candidate has put their all into the application. An excellent way to do this is by tailoring your CV and cover letter to the company. Use their tone, mission, and key points to align your application with their values.