Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills: How to Present Each
Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities: software proficiency, programming languages, foreign languages, accounting qualifications, or technical certifications. Soft skills are interpersonal and character-based: communication, leadership, problem-solving, time management.
Both are valuable, but they should be presented differently on your CV. Hard skills should be listed explicitly in your skills section — they are verifiable, ATS-friendly, and instantly scannable. Soft skills are better demonstrated through achievements in your work experience section rather than just listed. 'Strong communicator' in a skills list is weak. 'Presented quarterly reports to the board of directors, securing £500K in additional funding' in your work experience is powerful.
- Lead with hard skills in your skills section — they are more verifiable and ATS-friendly
- Demonstrate soft skills through achievements in your work experience, not just a list
- Avoid listing generic soft skills ('team player', 'hardworking') without evidence
- Pair each key skill with a one-line evidence statement where space allows
The Keyword Extraction Method
The most effective skills section mirrors the language of the job description. Here is a step-by-step method for building yours:
1. Print or highlight three to five job descriptions for your target role. 2. Identify every skill, tool, technology, and qualification mentioned. 3. Categorise them into hard skills and soft skills. 4. Compare them to your own skills and experience. 5. Include every matching skill using the exact phrasing from the job description.
This method works because ATS systems match on precise terms. If the job asks for 'stakeholder management', use that exact phrase — not 'working with people'. If it asks for 'CRM software', name the specific CRM you use (Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Dynamics).
- Use the exact phrases from the job description — not synonyms or paraphrases
- Include both the full term and acronym: 'Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)'
- Review multiple job descriptions to identify the most commonly requested skills
- Update your skills section for every application to match the specific job requirements
Key Takeaway
ATS systems match on exact terms. 'Stakeholder management' and 'working with people' are not the same to a machine. Always use the precise language from the job description.
In-Demand Skills for 2026
The UK job market is evolving rapidly, and certain skills are in particularly high demand for 2026. Research from Robert Half found that 45% of UK businesses plan to blend financial knowledge with AI and digital skills in their team growth plans. The government's assessment of priority skills to 2030 identifies the highest additional employment demand in digital, adult social care, construction, and engineering.
Key skills to consider adding to your CV if you have them: AI literacy and prompt engineering, data analysis (Excel, SQL, Power BI, Python), cloud computing (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud), cybersecurity fundamentals, project management (Agile, PRINCE2), digital marketing (SEO, PPC, analytics), and stakeholder management.
- Highlight AI literacy and data skills — they are increasingly expected across all sectors
- Include cloud platforms and tools you are proficient in (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
- Add project management methodologies (Agile, Scrum, PRINCE2, Lean)
- List digital marketing skills with specific tools: 'Google Analytics', 'Meta Ads Manager'
45%
of UK businesses plan to blend financial knowledge with AI and digital skills in their 2026 team growth plans
Source: Robert Half
What to Include and Where to Place It
Include: core technical skills relevant to the role, software and tools you use regularly, industry-specific knowledge or methodologies, languages with proficiency levels, and professional certifications. For most roles, 8 to 12 skills is the right number — more than 15 looks padded, fewer than 5 looks sparse.
The placement of your skills section depends on your career stage. Graduates and career changers should place it near the top of their CV, immediately after the personal statement, to foreground their capabilities. Experienced professionals with a strong work history should place skills below work experience, where achievements already demonstrate their abilities.
Consider grouping related skills together for clarity: 'Data Analysis: Excel (advanced), SQL, Power BI, Python (pandas, NumPy)' is more scannable than listing each tool separately.
Skills to Leave Off Your CV
There are certain skills that add no value to your CV because they are either assumed or unverifiable without evidence. These include: 'Microsoft Office' (unless you have advanced Excel, VBA, or Power BI skills), 'good communication skills', 'team player', 'hardworking', 'attention to detail', and 'fast learner'.
These phrases have become so overused that they are invisible to recruiters. Replace them with specific, relevant, and verifiable skills. And never include a skill you cannot discuss confidently in an interview — listing 'Python' when you completed one online tutorial will backfire if you are asked a technical question.
- Remove 'Microsoft Office' unless you have advanced skills worth specifying
- Cut generic phrases: 'team player', 'hardworking', 'attention to detail'
- Never list a skill you cannot discuss confidently in an interview
- Replace vague skills with specific ones: 'data analysis' becomes 'SQL, Power BI, Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP)'