When you are looking to bring someone new into a company, you’ll probably find that you have a lot of candidates apply and therefore lots of CVs to get through. Candidates generally have different backgrounds and workplace experience, which can of course provide you with a great deal of diversity in your workforce. What skills should candidates include in their CVs though? The importance of each of these skills will vary depending on what you’re looking for in a candidate.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s an entry level position or a senior role, candidates should be able to include a lot of the following skills in their CVs. Though some of them may seem basic compared to much more impressive training and experience, these are the skills that form the basis of a great candidate.

Leadership Skills - It doesn’t matter on the role that the candidate is applying for, they should be able to include leadership skills of some description in their CV. Though you may initially assume that it’s only the managers of the world that require leadership skills, this isn’t the case. In fact, it’s hugely beneficial for a team member at any level to showcase that they can lead themselves to success and also lead in a group situation when necessary. If the workload suddenly increases, a candidate should be able to take charge with projects. If a group project comes up, a candidate should be able to lead others with confidence and build trust with those around them.

Social Skills - Let’s face it, nobody wants to hire someone who isn’t able to fit in with the existing team. This is why social skills are a hugely important part of a CV. Without great workplace social skills, it can be hard for a candidate to gel with other members of staff. This can create tension and hinder productivity but remember that all important fact that diversity can really help a business to thrive. Candidates should include key examples of social skills in their CV, so that as a recruiter you can easily see that they’re able to work well in new social situations. This could include examples of where candidate has attended networking events or led training sessions.

Teamwork Experience - Though a candidate may be applying for a singular role, they should be able to showcase examples of when they have successfully worked as part of a team. Teamwork experience comes in all different forms, so there’s a wide variety of examples that can be given. For example, a candidate could highlight how they worked with other members of staff at their previous role to secure a new client for the company. They could even focus on teamwork experience outside of the workplace, such as by being part of a successful local sports team.

A Good Understanding of Computers – Now this could depend on the industry but if there’s one thing that’s hard to avoid in any workplace these days, it’s computers. Of course if you are recruiting a computer programer then this will be extremely important but most industries will require candidates to have a good understanding of common programs. This doesn’t simply mean being able to send an email and check Facebook, it means being able to use a wide range of computer programs that are popular within the industry. A candidate’s competence with a computer can single them out from others who are applying for the same role.

Excellent Communication Skills – A key skill to being able to communicate with colleagues and/or clients. You might require a candidate that can articulate complex problems or someone who is able to build rapport quickly. Roles can change and evolve with a new candidate and you’ll want to be sure that they can handle whatever is thrown at them, whether that be a presentation or a promotion. Excellent communication skills are also a vital part of building strong relationships and networks.

Organisational Skills - Organisation is hugely important in any workplace, as it helps to keep the company in order and it ensures that no important tasks are missed. Plus, a lack of organisation can go as far as to hinder the work of others. Shockingly, a surprising number of candidates fail to highlight this rather simple skill in their CV. If you are torn between two candidates with very similar experience, good organisational skills could help one to stand out from the other.

As you can see, the skills that candidates should always include in their CV vary hugely depending on what you are looking for. However, they are all an equally important part of what makes a candidate employable. By focusing on candidates that are able to showcase the key skills listed above in their CV, you will be able to narrow down your options. Another great way to eliminate unsuitable candidates is to use our psychometric tests. To find out more, get in touch.