CV Skills Examples: 100+ Skills to Put on Your CV in 2026
The best skills to put on a CV in 2026 — by industry and role. Hard skills, soft skills, technical skills, and exactly how to list them to pass ATS and impress recruiters.
Why Your CV Skills Section Matters More Than You Think
Most candidates treat the skills section as an afterthought — a list of buzzwords tacked on at the end. That's a mistake.
Your skills section is one of the highest-weighted fields in ATS (Applicant Tracking System) scoring. Keyword matches between your skills section and the job description directly affect whether your CV reaches a human reviewer.
Done right, a skills section:
- •Gets you past ATS keyword filters
- •Lets recruiters confirm technical fit in 5 seconds
- •Creates a searchable signal on LinkedIn and job platforms
Done wrong, it's invisible.
Hard Skills vs Soft Skills: What's the Difference?
Hard skills are specific, teachable, measurable abilities: Python, Google Analytics, ACCA, PRINCE2, AutoCAD. These are what ATS systems search for.
Soft skills are interpersonal and behavioural traits: leadership, communication, problem-solving. These matter to humans, but adding "communication" to a skills list impresses nobody. Show soft skills through achievement bullets instead.
Rule: Fill your skills section primarily with hard skills. Let your experience bullets demonstrate the soft ones.
Skills by Industry
Technology / Software Engineering
Languages & Frameworks
Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Go, Rust, Java, C#, C++, Ruby, Swift, Kotlin, PHP, R, Scala
Frontend
React, Next.js, Vue.js, Angular, Tailwind CSS, HTML5, CSS3, Svelte
Backend
Node.js, Django, FastAPI, Spring Boot, Express, GraphQL, REST API, gRPC
Cloud & DevOps
AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, CI/CD, GitHub Actions, Jenkins
Databases
PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Redis, Elasticsearch, Supabase, Firebase, DynamoDB
AI / ML
TensorFlow, PyTorch, scikit-learn, LLM integration, RAG, NLP, computer vision, Hugging Face
Finance & Accounting
Qualifications (always list)
ACCA, CFA, CPA, CIMA, ACA, FRM, CMA, CA
Technical Skills
Financial modelling, DCF valuation, LBO modelling, three-statement modelling, scenario analysis
Software
Bloomberg Terminal, Excel (advanced), Power BI, Tableau, SAP, Oracle Financials, NetSuite, Xero
Specialisms
IFRS, GAAP, FRS 102, transfer pricing, AML/KYC, Basel III, Solvency II, hedge accounting
Marketing & Digital
Digital Channels
SEO, SEM, PPC, Google Ads, Meta Ads, LinkedIn Ads, TikTok Ads, programmatic, affiliate
Analytics
Google Analytics 4, Adobe Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, Looker, Tableau, Power BI
CRM & Automation
HubSpot, Salesforce, Marketo, Pardot, Klaviyo, Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign
Content & Creative
Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Canva, Webflow, WordPress, Shopify, Contentful
Key Metrics to Name
CAC, LTV, ROAS, CTR, MQL, SQL, pipeline, ARR, retention rate, churn
Project Management & Operations
Methodologies
Agile, Scrum, Kanban, PRINCE2, PMP, SAFe, Lean, Six Sigma, Waterfall, RAID
Tools
Jira, Confluence, Monday.com, Asana, MS Project, Smartsheet, Notion, Trello
Skills
Stakeholder management, risk management, resource planning, budget management, change management
Human Resources
Qualifications
CIPD Level 3/5/7, SHRM-CP, PHR, SPHR
Systems
Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, BambooHR, Greenhouse, Lever, ADP, Personio
Specialisms
Talent acquisition, TUPE, employment law, HRBP, DEI, L&D, compensation & benefits, succession planning, employee relations
Sales & Business Development
CRM
Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive, Zoho, Microsoft Dynamics
Methodologies
MEDDIC, SPIN Selling, Challenger Sale, solution selling, account-based selling (ABS)
Skills
Enterprise sales, B2B SaaS, SDR, BDR, outbound prospecting, cold calling, contract negotiation, quota management
Healthcare & Clinical
Clinical
Patient assessment, care planning, clinical governance, evidence-based practice, medication administration, wound care
Systems
EPIC, SystemOne, EMIS, Cerner, Meditech
Qualifications
NMC registration, GMC registration, DHA licence, HCPC, BLS/ALS, ALS Instructor
Legal
Specialisms
Corporate law, M&A, litigation, employment law, IP, commercial contracts, dispute resolution, data protection (GDPR)
Qualifications
Solicitor (England & Wales), barrister, LPC, BPC, SQE
Software
LexisNexis, Westlaw, iManage, NetDocs, HighQ
Universal Skills Worth Listing
These work across almost every role when specific:
| Generic (weak) | Specific (strong) |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Office | Excel (advanced: pivot tables, VLOOKUP, Power Query) |
| Communication | Stakeholder management, executive presentations |
| Data analysis | SQL, Power BI, GA4 |
| Languages | French (C1), German (B2), Arabic (conversational) |
| Project management | PRINCE2 Practitioner, Jira, Agile/Scrum |
How to Format Your Skills Section
Option 1: Categorised list (best for technical roles)
`
Languages: Python, TypeScript, Go
Cloud: AWS (EC2, S3, Lambda), GCP
Databases: PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis
Tools: Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, GitHub Actions
`
Option 2: Simple list (best for non-technical roles)
`
Salesforce · HubSpot · Google Analytics 4 · Tableau · SQL · Excel (Advanced)
MEDDIC · Enterprise Sales · Account-Based Selling · Contract Negotiation
`
Never use skill bars ("Python ████░░ 4/5"). They mean nothing, waste space, and ATS can't read them.
The Golden Rule
Read the job description. Find the 10 most-repeated technical terms. Make sure every one of them appears in your skills section — in the exact same words used in the posting.
FixerCV's ATS checker scans your CV against the specific job you're targeting and tells you exactly which keywords are missing. Free analysis at fixercv.com.
Put it into practice
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