Why & how to add core skills to your CV (with examples)

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4 min read. Updated on January 22, 2020

Charlotte Grainger (TCV)

Spoiler: CV core skills prove that you're qualified

Core competencies, also known as key skills, can help your CV stand out. While often essential for executive-level CVs, they can be valuable at any stage of your career to help showcase your suitability for a role. In this guide, we’ll explain the importance of including these core skills on your CV when applying for jobs and how you can effectively add them to yours.

What are core skills on a CV?

Core skills are essential skills that prove you're well-qualified for the job you're pursuing.

Directly related to the role you're applying for, the core skills on your CV should reflect the main skills that the hiring manager expects from you. Think of them as the most important skills you’ll need to succeed on the job – talents you’ll use on a daily basis if you land the role.

If you’re wondering where to start, you can often find core skills – both hard skills (job-specific) and soft skills – in the job specification criteria. Start there and see which skills the recruiter requires before applying for the job. You might find that there’s a comprehensive list of competencies you can use there.

Why include core skills on your CV

Now, let’s talk more about why this part of your CV matters. Summarising your essential, relevant abilities by adding core skills to your CV helps to strengthen it in two important ways:

They catch the recruiter's attention

Your prospective employer values certain key qualities. By pulling the best, relevant keywords from the job description, pairing them with your skill set, and concisely listing them at the top of your CV, it becomes clear from the off that you're a qualified applicant.

Including core skills on your CV saves the recruiter some time, as instead of scanning through your entire document to see if you can execute the role, they can immediately see that you can. This means they can spend the rest of their time reviewing and evaluating your work experience and career achievements in detail.

They help you pass the ATS

Applicant tracking systems (ATS) review applicants' CVs before they reach the eyes of a recruiter. It's an ATS's job to scan CVs for keywords and other desirable qualities to see if a candidate is eligible for the role. They then filter out unqualified applicants and pass the relevant CVs to the recruiter for review.

By choosing core skills for your CV, you give yourself the best chance of creating an ATS-friendly CV. Adding a section that lists key skills from the job description incorporates crucial keywords that an ATS scans for, a small thing that could make a big difference to your success rate.

How to add core skills to your CV

Thinking of adding core skills to your CV yourself? The best way to highlight your core skills is by creating a Core Competencies or Key Skills section right below your personal statement. This is a prominent position — meaning that it’s one of the first things a hiring manager will see.

Here’s how to get started:

1. Identify relevant skills

Look at the job posting and note the skills listed in the criteria. Highlight any that you have under your belt.

2. Use keywords from the job advert

List your core skills in a bullet-point format under your skills section. Make sure you use the exact same words as the advert to help you get past the ATS.

3. Provide real-world examples

Take things a step further by showcasing your core skills in your CV work experience section. When detailing your achievements in this part of your CV, weave in your core skills and use facts and figures, where applicable, to demonstrate how these talents have helped you deliver tangible results.

Popular core skills examples for a CV

Choosing the right core skills to put on your CV doesn’t have to be hard. The following are common skills that employers look for – chances are, some of these may apply to the role you’re going for. Core skills for your CV may include:

Always review the job advert and consider which core skills you possess. Then, make these competencies stand out on your CV for all the right reasons.

Spruce up your application

Don't underestimate the power of adding a snapshot of your core skills on your CV. Tailored to the job you're applying for, these key competencies could be the driving force that secures you your next interview.

Does your CV hit the mark? Send it for a free CV review by one of TopCV’s experts now. You might even land your next job sooner than you think.

This article was originally written by Laura Slingo and has been updated by Charlotte Grainger.