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The skills listed on a CV help employers quickly understand your suitability for a proposed job role, so it’s important to take the time to tailor these to the specifications of the role you’re applying for. When it comes to those looking for opportunities in business, there’s a certain selection of skills which you should look to include on your CV.
People who are good at business need a mix of hard and soft skills, as they are likely to need to grow trusted professional relationships as well as dealing with important documents. Here, we take a look at some of the top CV skills that demonstrate when an individual is business-minded.
Excellent communication
Excellent communication skills are vital in many industries, but in the world of business they are especially valued. Being personable and effective with your communication helps with negotiating terms, securing contracts, and maintaining strong relationships with customers and suppliers.
Having strong communication skills also means that you can interact and collaborate with coworkers effectively to ensure high rates of productivity and low rates of errors.
Strong leadership
People who are successful in business tend to be leaders rather than followers. They know how to motivate teams, generate a productive working environment, and bring the best out in people.
There are many ways you can show you have the potential for strong leadership skills on your CV, from highlighting your self-confidence and resilience to showing you are accountable and don’t shy away from responsibility.
Risk management
Businesses constantly face risks from multiple sources, from cyber incidents and supply chain disruptions to legislation changes and regulation developments. To list this as a skill on your CV, you’ll need to understand what it means to manage risks and prioritise the health of the business.
It’s important to carefully consider risk to make smart business decisions, but being too risk averse can inhibit business growth and evolution. Risk assessment and management skills are therefore very valuable practical skills that can show you’re the type of person who can make informed business decisions or recommendations to drive a business forwards.
Problem solving
Problem-solving skills are very telling of a business-minded individual, as people who are good at solving problems are often resourceful, creative, analytical, and resilient. Businesses face new and unexpected challenges on a regular basis, particularly industry-leading businesses that are creating innovative new products or services. To keep up with the ever-changing market, it’s vital that challenges are dealt with quickly to prevent issues or loss of profit – so having a team who can think outside of the box and adapt is essential.
Project management
Project management is the process of overseeing a project from its initial conception as an idea all the way through to successful completion, so it requires someone with strong multitasking skills to manage budgets, team members, and stakeholders.
Someone with project management experience is likely to be well-organised, good at delegating, capable of managing time effectively, adaptable, and effective in conflict resolution, all of which are key skills in the business industry.
Highlight key skills
When you’re writing your CV, be sure to consider the specific business skills listed in the job description, and tailor your list of skills to reflect these. However, always be truthful and try not to exaggerate your experience – think of times you’ve shown the necessary skills and qualities needed for the position to give you confidence in showcasing your compatibility.
