Quick Overview
A CV highlights both skills and personal attributes. Skills are abilities gained through training and experience, while attributes are traits that reflect personality and work style. The right combination shows employers not only what you can do but also how you contribute to a workplace.
This guide covers:
✅ The difference between skills and personal attributes on a CV
✅ Hard skills that make applications stand out, including technical expertise, digital literacy, and project management
✅ Key personal attributes employers value, such as communication, teamwork, adaptability, and leadership
✅ How to format skills and attributes effectively within different CV sections
✅ Tips for tailoring skills and attributes to specific job applications in the UK market
Your resume or CV is your opening gambit on your quest for a job, so make sure it leaves a lasting impression by listing your skills and attributes. There is no need to worry if you are fresh out of school seeking your first role or even if you are looking for a new job in a different industry. Considering what personal skills and attributes to add, how to present them, and what attributes to include will make a strong difference. Employers want to hire people who can not only do the work but also succeed in their organisation and add the right value.
In this blog, we will discuss how to differentiate personal skills and attributes, which ones to include in your resume, and share valuable insights that can help make your CV persuasive for UK employers and recruiters.
🔍 Skills vs Attributes: What’s the Difference?
Before we move ahead, let’s tackle this first:
- Skills pertain to what you are capable of doing. They can be gained from training. Their acquisition can be a result of education or previous work experience. They can be viewed as abilities, for example, coding, writing and Excel.
- Attributes, in contrast, are definitions of personal traits. They denote who you are. An example can be someone who is dependable, flexible, or observant.
The best CV makes a solid claim for both: what you are capable of doing and your personal attributes.
🛠️ Hard Skills That Make Your Resume Stand Out
These abilities are quantifiable and distinct. Hard skills are binary. Either you have them, or you don’t. When including hard skills, always focus on the specific job requirements.
1. Technical Skills
In each industry, this may cover:
- Software development (Python, Java, HTML/CSS)
- Data analysis (Excel, Power BI, SQL)
- Design tools (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma)
- CRM systems (Salesforce, HubSpot)
2. Languages
In the current business climate, being bilingual or multilingual offers a major advantage, especially within a global organisation. Always remember to state your fluency level (e.g., native, fluent, intermediate).
3. Digital Literacy
Almost all employers want digital-savvy candidates:
- MS Office Suite
- Google Workspace
- Email marketing tools
- SEO tools (Ahrefs, SEMrush)
4. Project Management
Employers love people who can manage time and tasks:
- Agile or Scrum methodologies
- Trello, Asana, Jira
- Budgeting or timeline tracking tools
5. Industry-Specific Skills
If you’re in healthcare, engineering, legal, or education, highlight any sector-specific expertise, such as:
- Medical coding (for healthcare)
- AutoCAD (for engineering)
- Legal research tools (for law)
- Lesson planning and safeguarding (for education)
Best Personal Attributes to Highlight
These qualities tell employers about how you work, interact with others, and approach challenges. They’re especially important when applying to roles that involve teamwork, communication, or leadership.
1. Communication
This is number one for a reason. Whether written or verbal, your ability to express ideas clearly is vital in nearly every job.
📝 How to say it on your CV:
“Strong communicator with experience in writing reports, emails, and delivering presentations to senior management.”
2. Teamwork
Employers look for people who can collaborate and contribute to group success.
📝 As described on your CV:
“Works well within teams, actively participates in group work, and aids peers in achieving common goals.”
3. Problem Solving
Can you solve problems and think critically within strict time limits? This is crucial for customer service, IT, and operations.
📝 As described on your CV:
“Identifies problems and implements practical, cost-effective solutions in constrained timeframes.”
4. Adaptability
Businesses are transforming on an almost daily basis, especially in this digital age. Show that you are open to learning and flexible in diverse contexts.
📝 Example phrase:
“Demonstrated ease in transitioning to remote work and adoption of new software tools, thus adaptable and quick to learn new systems.”
5. Attention to Detail
Incorporating focus areas like attention to detail is crucial because errors are associated with financial loss. Candidates who are detail-oriented, meet high standards, and have a strong focus are valued.
📝 How to present it:
“Detail oriented, ensures accuracy in submission of reports, documentation, data and receiving complete instructions with very little guidance.”
6. Time Management
Meeting deadlines is crucial in every job, and balancing a range of responsibilities is crucial.
📝 On your resume:
“Strong time management, prioritises tasks and meets competing deadlines with ease.”
7. Initiative
An employee is forward-thinking and takes control without being hand-held.
📝 Sample:
“Took the initiative to lead a project on reducing paper waste. This initiative led to a cost saving of 30%.”
8. Leadership
You may not be gunning for a management role, but demonstrating leadership shows you are able to motivate, delegate, and accept responsibility.
📝 On your CV:
“Participated in mentoring and led team meetings, improving project execution.”
9. Reliability
Beginning with r, this skill is very valuable while often overlooked.
📝 Phrase to use:
“Recognised for consistent punctuality and punctual in delivering a high standard of work in demanding environments.”
10. Emotional Intelligence
Important for people-oriented work—HR, teaching, counselling, and management.
📝 Include this:
“Emotionally and empathetically attuned, skilled in managing client relationships and sensitive interactions.”
✍️ Formatting Skills and Attributes on Your CV:
Now that you know what to include, here’s how to do it right.
✅ Separate Skills Section
Create a personal Skills section near the top of your CV with bullet points. Tailor it to match the keywords in the job posting.
Example:
makefile
CopyEdit
Skills:
• Advanced Excel & Power BI
• Strong Written and Verbal Communication
• Team Leadership & Coaching
• Fluent in English and Spanish
• Conflict Resolution
✅ Weave Attributes into Your Experience
Instead of listing personal traits in isolation, show them through your achievements in the Work Experience section.
Example:
Customer Service Assistant, Tesco (June 2021–August 2023)
Delivered consistently high customer satisfaction scores through clear communication, active listening, and resolving issues on first contact. Recognised by management for adaptability during peak periods.
🎯 Pro Tips to Make Your Resume Stand Out
- Tailor for Each Job: Never send the same CV twice. Match your personal skills and attributes to what the employer is asking for.
- Use Action Verbs: Words like “managed,” “led,” “developed,” “solved,” “improved” carry more weight.
- Keep It Concise: One or two pages max, with clear formatting and bullet points.
- Quantify Achievements: Use numbers to back up claims (e.g., “Increased sales by 15%,” “Handled 50+ customer queries daily”).
💡 Final Thoughts
Your resume isn’t just a list—it’s your marketing tool. Including the right blend of personal skills and attributes will help you show recruiters that you’re not just capable, but also an excellent fit for the team.
Take the time to review job ads, reflect on your experiences, and update your CV accordingly. With a well-crafted resume that showcases your personal skills and attributes, you’ll be in a much stronger position to land interviews and stand out from the crowd.
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