Your CV skills section is crucial for passing ATS systems and catching recruiters' attention. This guide shows you exactly which skills to include, how to format them, and provides real examples for different industries.
Why Your Skills Section Matters
The skills section is one of the first places recruiters and ATS systems look. It provides a quick snapshot of your capabilities and helps match you to job requirements. 92% of recruiters use ATS systems that scan for specific skills keywords.
📊 Research Shows
CVs with a well-structured skills section are 40% more likely to pass ATS screening and get reviewed by human recruiters.
Types of Skills to Include
1. Technical Skills (Hard Skills)
Specific, teachable abilities that can be measured and verified:
Technology:
- • Programming languages (Python, JavaScript, Java)
- • Software (Excel, Salesforce, Adobe Creative Suite)
- • Databases (SQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL)
- • Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
Professional:
- • Data analysis & visualization
- • Financial modeling & forecasting
- • Project management methodologies
- • Digital marketing (SEO, PPC, Analytics)
2. Soft Skills (Transferable Skills)
Personal attributes and interpersonal abilities:
✅ Include These (with evidence):
- • Leadership & team management
- • Communication & presentation skills
- • Problem-solving & critical thinking
- • Stakeholder management
- • Time management & organization
❌ Avoid Generic Claims:
- • "Hard worker" - too vague
- • "Team player" - overused cliché
- • "Fast learner" - everyone says this
- • "Detail-oriented" - prove it instead
3. Industry-Specific Skills
Skills unique to your field or sector:
Healthcare:
Patient assessment, medication administration, clinical documentation, infection control
Finance:
Financial reporting, audit, UK GAAP, IFRS, VAT compliance, risk management
Marketing:
SEO/SEM, content marketing, marketing automation, Google Analytics, A/B testing
Education:
Curriculum planning, differentiation, behavior management, assessment, safeguarding
How to Format Your Skills Section
Format Option 1: Categorized List (Recommended)
SKILLS
Technical Skills:
Python, SQL, Tableau, Power BI, Excel (Advanced), Google Analytics, Salesforce
Project Management:
Agile, Scrum, PRINCE2, Jira, Confluence, Risk Management, Stakeholder Engagement
Languages:
English (Native), French (Fluent - C1), Spanish (Conversational - B1)
✅ Why This Works:
- • Easy for ATS to scan
- • Clear organization by category
- • Highlights most relevant skills first
- • Includes proficiency levels where appropriate
Format Option 2: Simple List
KEY SKILLS
JavaScript • React • Node.js • AWS • Docker • PostgreSQL • Git • CI/CD • Agile • TDD
✅ Best For:
- • Technical roles with many tools/technologies
- • When space is limited
- • Skills that don't need categorization
Format Option 3: Skills with Context
CORE COMPETENCIES
• Data Analysis & Visualization
Expert in SQL, Python, Tableau - built 20+ dashboards for C-suite
• Project Management
PMP certified - delivered 15+ projects worth £10M+ on time and under budget
• Team Leadership
Managed cross-functional teams of up to 25 people across 3 countries
✅ Best For:
- • Senior-level positions
- • When you want to add credibility
- • Highlighting major achievements
Skills Section Examples by Industry
Software Developer
Technical Skills:
JavaScript, TypeScript, React, Node.js, Python, Java, SQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, AWS, Docker, Kubernetes, Git, CI/CD
Frameworks & Tools:
Next.js, Express.js, Django, Spring Boot, Jest, Cypress, Jenkins, Terraform
Methodologies:
Agile, Scrum, TDD, Microservices Architecture, RESTful APIs, GraphQL
Marketing Manager
Digital Marketing:
SEO, SEM, PPC, Content Marketing, Email Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Marketing Automation
Tools & Platforms:
Google Analytics, Google Ads, HubSpot, Salesforce, Mailchimp, Hootsuite, SEMrush, Ahrefs
Skills:
Campaign Strategy, Data Analysis, A/B Testing, Budget Management, Team Leadership
Accountant
Accounting:
Financial Reporting, Management Accounts, Audit, Budgeting & Forecasting, Cash Flow Management
Software:
Sage 50/200, Xero, QuickBooks, Excel (Advanced - VLOOKUPs, Pivot Tables, Macros)
Standards & Compliance:
UK GAAP, IFRS, VAT, Corporation Tax, FRS 102
Project Manager
Methodologies:
Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, PRINCE2, Lean, Six Sigma
Tools:
Jira, Confluence, MS Project, Asana, Trello, Smartsheet
Core Skills:
Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Resource Planning, Budget Control, Team Leadership
How to Choose Which Skills to Include
Read the Job Description Carefully
Highlight all skills mentioned. These are your ATS keywords - include them if you have them.
Prioritize Relevant Skills
List skills most relevant to the target role first. Less relevant skills go at the end or are omitted.
Be Honest About Proficiency
Only include skills you can confidently discuss in an interview. Don't lie - you'll be found out.
Remove Outdated Skills
Delete obsolete technologies (Windows XP, Flash, outdated programming languages) unless specifically requested.
Include Certifications
Professional qualifications add credibility: PMP, ACCA, AWS Certified, CIPD, etc.
Common Skills Section Mistakes
❌ Using Skill Rating Bars
ATS systems can't read graphics. Use text only: "Advanced", "Intermediate", "Proficient"
❌ Listing Too Many Skills
Quality over quantity. 10-15 relevant skills is better than 50 generic ones.
❌ Being Too Vague
Bad: "Computer skills"
Good: "Excel (Advanced), Salesforce, SQL, Python"
❌ Including Obvious Skills
Don't list "Microsoft Word" or "Email" unless it's a very entry-level role. These are assumed.
Should You Include Soft Skills?
Yes, but with caution. Soft skills are important, but they need to be backed up with evidence in your work experience section.
Good Approach:
List soft skills in your skills section, then prove them in work experience:
Skills: Leadership, Stakeholder Management
Experience: "Led cross-functional team of 12 across 3 departments, managing C-suite stakeholders for £5M project"
❌ Bad Approach:
Listing generic soft skills with no evidence:
Hard worker, Team player, Fast learner, Detail-oriented, Self-motivated
These are clichés that everyone claims. Prove them instead.
Generate Your Perfect Skills Section with AI
Identifying the right skills and formatting them properly can be challenging. My CV Buddy uses AI to analyze job descriptions and automatically create optimized skills sections.
AI-Powered Skills Optimization
Upload your CV and paste the job description. Our AI extracts relevant skills from both, matches them to ATS keywords, and creates a perfectly formatted skills section that passes screening systems.
Key Takeaways
- Match job description keywords for ATS optimization
- Use categorized format for clarity and scannability
- Include technical skills, industry skills, and relevant soft skills
- Be specific - "Python, SQL" not "computer skills"
- Prove soft skills with evidence in work experience
- Update regularly - remove outdated skills, add new ones