In today’s job market, technical qualifications alone aren’t enough to land a great job. Employers are increasingly looking for candidates with strong soft skills—personal qualities that help individuals work well with others, communicate effectively, and handle workplace challenges.
So, how do you showcase your soft skills in a CV effectively? This guide will explain everything, with real-life soft skills examples and tips on how to make them stand out in your resume.
Why Include Soft Skills in Your CV?
Recruiters spend an average of 6-10 seconds scanning a CV before deciding if a candidate is suitable. That means your resume needs to highlight both hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (personal qualities) clearly.
Soft skills are valuable because they:
- Show how well you work with others.
- Demonstrate problem-solving and adaptability.
- Make you a strong candidate beyond technical qualifications.
For example, if two candidates apply for the same job, but one emphasizes their teamwork, communication, and leadership skills, they have a better chance of being hired.
Learn More: Valuable Skills in 2030: What Will Matter More Than a Degree?
Where to Include Soft Skills in Your CV
To effectively showcase soft skills, include them in the following sections of your resume:
1. CV Summary / Personal Statement
This is the first section employers read, so use it to highlight two or three key skills relevant to the job.
Example:
“Motivated customer service professional with five years of experience handling client inquiries and improving customer satisfaction. Excellent communication skills, a strong work ethic, and a proven ability to solve problems under pressure.”
2. Work Experience Section
Instead of simply listing job duties, show how your soft skills contributed to your success.
Example:
Customer Service Representative | ABC Retail | 2020 – Present
- Handled an average of 50+ customer inquiries daily, demonstrating effective communication and problem-solving skills.
- Collaborated with a team of 10 employees to improve service efficiency, increasing customer satisfaction by 15 percent.
- Trained new employees, showcasing leadership and teamwork.
3. Skills Section
Create a dedicated skills section that includes both hard and soft skills.
Example:
- Communication Skills
- Problem-Solving
- Time Management
- Leadership
- Adaptability
4. Achievements & Projects
If you have completed a project or received recognition, use it to highlight your soft skills.
Example:
- Employee of the Month three times for excellent customer service and strong teamwork.
- Successfully led a team of five in launching a new store promotion, showing leadership and creativity.
5. Education & Training
If you have attended workshops or training programs that improve your soft skills, list them under education.
Example:
- Effective Communication & Leadership Workshop – 2022
- Time Management & Productivity Course – 2021
Top Soft Skills to Include in Your CV (With Examples)
Below are ten soft skills that employers value most and examples of how to highlight them in your CV.
1. Communication Skills
Example: “Managed customer complaints effectively, leading to a 20 percent increase in positive feedback.”
2. Teamwork
Example: “Collaborated with a cross-functional team to streamline operations, reducing delays by 25 percent.”
3. Problem-Solving
Example: “Identified and fixed a recurring issue in the supply chain, saving the company R50,000 annually.”
4. Adaptability
Example: “Quickly learned new software during company transition, reducing downtime by 30 percent.”
5. Time Management
Example: “Consistently met deadlines by organizing tasks effectively, leading to a 95 percent project completion rate.”
6. Leadership
Example: “Trained and mentored five junior employees, helping them achieve promotions within a year.”
7. Creativity
Example: “Designed an innovative marketing campaign that increased sales by 40 percent.”
8. Work Ethic
Example: “Maintained a perfect attendance record for three years, demonstrating strong dedication.”
9. Conflict Resolution
Example: “Mediated disputes among team members, improving workplace harmony by 30 percent.”
10. Emotional Intelligence
Example: “Provided support to distressed customers, reducing complaints by 20 percent.”
Mistakes to Avoid When Adding Skills to Your CV
- Listing Too Many Skills Without Proof – Instead of just writing “Good at teamwork,” give a real-life example.
- Being Too Vague – Avoid phrases like “Great communication skills” without context.
- Ignoring the Job Description – Always match your soft skills to the requirements of the job.
How to Identify Your Best Soft Skills for Your CV
Not sure which soft skills to include? Follow these steps:
- Read the job description and note required skills.
- Identify three to five soft skills that match your experience.
- Add them strategically throughout your CV.
For example, if the job requires customer service, teamwork, and adaptability, use real examples to show you have these skills.
Read More: Top 50 Companies That Are Always Hiring in South Africa – Find Your Next Job Today
Soft skills can make a significant difference in your CV. By integrating them into your summary, work experience, and skills section, you will stand out from other candidates.
Employers want to see how you communicate, solve problems, and work with others—so make sure you prove your soft skills with examples.
Start updating your CV today and improve your chances of landing your dream job.
