{"id":18372,"date":"2023-01-31T14:23:26","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T14:23:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adzuna.co.uk\/blog\/?p=18372"},"modified":"2023-01-31T14:37:45","modified_gmt":"2023-01-31T14:37:45","slug":"top-40-skill-based-keywords-to-pass-the-cv-screening-test","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adzuna.co.uk\/blog\/top-40-skill-based-keywords-to-pass-the-cv-screening-test\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 40 skill-based keywords to pass the CV screening test"},"content":{"rendered":"

Job hunting can feel like a journey through the depths of hell and back, much like Dante’s epic adventure in <\/span>the Divine Comedy<\/span><\/i> – sending job applications as in the inferno, going through the interview process as in purgatory, and receiving a job offer as in paradise. Unlike Dante, very often, we\u2019re endlessly stuck in the inferno of hopelessly sending job applications and not hearing back from anyone.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t get beaten up yet! There is actually a way to increase your chance to get past the first stage of job hunting. Since more companies are using CV screening software nowadays \u2013 an AI tool that automatically matches job requirements and candidate qualifications based on their CVs, we source this year\u2019s most attractive skill-based CV keywords in our database of over 1 million job ads.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this article, you\u2019ll find the most sought-after 20 soft skills and hard skills, and also industry-specific buzzwords to put in your CV so you have a better shot at securing the first interview.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Show off your management skill and flexibility<\/h2>\n

The economy is wild now. Businesses have a lot on their plates: inflation, labour strikes, and tighter budgets. They\u2019re therefore desperately looking for managers to lead the pack – with more than one in three (37%) advertised job openings asking for <\/span>management<\/b> skills. Every sector wants its people to have these managerial skills, and eight sectors (Accounting & Finance, Energy, Engineering, HR & Recruitment, IT, Legal, PR & Marketing, and Scientific & QA) put that as their top priority. In fact, they\u2019re not only after management skills. They\u2019re also on the hunt for top-notch <\/span>leadership<\/b> (103,072 advertised jobs) and <\/span>coaching<\/b> (48,453 jobs) skills.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

While the pandemic might be ending (thank god!), businesses are facing new challenges, explaining why many are looking for employees who can handle stress and sweeping changes. Over 300,000 job ads in January are asking for jobseekers to showcase <\/span>flexibility<\/b>, while nearly 50,000 job ads are looking for potential candidates who can thrive in a <\/span>fast-paced<\/b> environment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In such times, having a positive and efficient work environment is crucial to avoid burnout and maintain operational efficiency. Candidates who put <\/span>organised <\/b>(162,905 jobs), <\/span>innovative <\/b>(94,367 jobs), <\/span>detail-oriented<\/b>, (73,707 jobs), and <\/span>creative <\/b>(72,064 jobs) examples on their CV have a higher chance to pass the first screening test. Interpersonal skills, including <\/span>communication<\/b> (248,168 jobs), <\/span>customer service <\/b>skill (117,539 jobs), <\/span>teamwork <\/b>(73,212 jobs), and <\/span>collaborative <\/b>(50,686 jobs) are equally appealing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Personality is always a win for your application. After all, your potential employers are human, and they\u2019re going to favour someone with a positive attitude. Put these adjectives in your CVs: <\/span>friendly <\/b>(114,241 jobs), <\/span>confident <\/b>(95,187 jobs), <\/span>enthusiastic <\/b>(58,509 jobs), <\/span>reliable <\/b>55,273 jobs) and <\/span>motivated <\/b>(41,667 jobs).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Rank<\/th>Soft skill<\/th>Proportion of job ads with this skill, Jan 2023
\n
\n<\/th>		Number of job ads with this skill, Jan 2023
\n
\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
1<\/td>Management
\n
\n<\/td>		36.4%
\n
\n<\/td>		325,497
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/td>Flexibility
\n
\n<\/td>		34.8%
\n
\n<\/td>		311,669
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/td>Communication
\n
\n<\/td>		27.7%
\n
\n<\/td>		248,168
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/td>Organisation
\n
\n<\/td>		18.2%
\n
\n<\/td>		162,905
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/td>Customer service
\n
\n<\/td>		13.1%
\n
\n<\/td>		117,539
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/td>Friendly<\/td>12.8%
\n
\n<\/td>		114,241
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7<\/td>Leadership
\n
\n<\/td>		11.5%
\n
\n<\/td>		103,072
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8<\/td>Confidence
\n
\n<\/td>		10.6%
\n
\n<\/td>		95,187
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9<\/td>Innovative
\n
\n<\/td>		10.5%
\n
\n<\/td>		94,367
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10<\/td>Attention to detail
\n
\n<\/td>		8.2%
\n
\n<\/td>		73,707
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11<\/td>Teamwork<\/td>8.2%
\n
\n<\/td>		73,212
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12<\/td>Creativity
\n
\n<\/td>		8.1%
\n
\n<\/td>		72,064
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13<\/td>Enthusiastic
\n
\n<\/td>		6.5%
\n
\n<\/td>		58,509
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14<\/td>Reliability
\n
\n<\/td>		6.2%
\n
\n<\/td>		55,273
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15<\/td>Collaborative
\n
\n<\/td>		5.7%
\n
\n<\/td>		50,686
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
16<\/td>Coaching<\/td>5.4%
\n
\n<\/td>		48,453
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17<\/td>Fast-paced
\n
\n<\/td>		5.3%
\n
\n<\/td>		47,831
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18<\/td>Project management
\n
\n<\/td>		5.0%
\n
\n<\/td>		45,174
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
19<\/td>Motivated<\/td>4.7%
\n
\n<\/td>		41,667
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
20<\/td>Interpersonal skills
\n
\n<\/td>		4.0%
\n
\n<\/td>		35,991
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

 <\/p>\n

Hottest hard skills of 2023<\/h2>\n

As consumers are tightening their purse strings and being more cautious with big purchases, companies are on the hunt for employees with superb sales skills. In January 2023, over 120,000 job ads listed sales skills as a requirement, accounting for 14% of all job ads.<\/span><\/p>\n

Following on, companies are also looking for candidates with engineering skills, driven by a rise in the engineering vacancies since November 2022.<\/span><\/p>\n

With remote work and video meetings becoming the norm, employers are valuing skills like excellent reporting skills and a flair for email writing. Companies are looking for Microsoft Office pros (27k+ jobs), especially those who excel at Excel!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Rank<\/th>Hard skill<\/th>Proportion of job ads with this skill, Jan 2023
\n
\n<\/th>		Number of job ads with this skill, Jan 2023
\n
\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
1<\/td>Sales
\n
\n<\/td>		13.5%
\n
\n<\/td>		120,471
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2<\/td>Engineering knowledge
\n
\n<\/td>		12.9%
\n
\n<\/td>		115,304
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3<\/td>Reporting
\n
\n<\/td>		12.3%
\n
\n<\/td>		110,128
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4<\/td>Email writing
\n
\n<\/td>		9.7%
\n
\n<\/td>		86,473<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5<\/td>Excel<\/td>7.7%
\n
\n<\/td>		69,091
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
6<\/td>Finance knowledge
\n
\n<\/td>		7.3%
\n
\n<\/td>		65,420
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
7<\/td>Marketing knowledge
\n
\n<\/td>		6.7%
\n
\n<\/td>		60,256
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
8<\/td>Writing
\n
\n<\/td>		4.6%
\n
\n<\/td>		41,314
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9<\/td>Business development
\n
\n<\/td>		3.6%
\n
\n<\/td>		32,338
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
10<\/td>Microsoft office
\n
\n<\/td>		3.0%
\n
\n<\/td>		27,091
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
11<\/td>Procurement<\/td>2.6%
\n
\n<\/td>		23,340
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
12<\/td>Accounting
\n
\n<\/td>		2.6%
\n
\n<\/td>		23,336
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
13<\/td>Social Media
\n
\n<\/td>		2.5%
\n
\n<\/td>		22,048
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
14<\/td>SQL
\n
\n<\/td>		2.0%
\n
\n<\/td>		17,548
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
15<\/td>Python
\n
\n<\/td>		1.8%
\n
\n<\/td>		15,974
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
16<\/td>Troubleshooting<\/td>1.8%<\/td>15,729
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
17<\/td>Due diligence
\n
\n<\/td>		1.7%
\n
\n<\/td>		14,938
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
18<\/td>Counselling
\n
\n<\/td>		1.6%
\n
\n<\/td>		14,630
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
19<\/td>AWS
\n
\n<\/td>		1.5%
\n
\n<\/td>		13,347
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
20<\/td>Change management
\n
\n<\/td>		1.5%
\n
\n<\/td>		13,312
\n
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

 <\/p>\n

Attention, workers on strike or recently axed!<\/h2>\n

The tech sector was badly hit by the recent mass layoffs as a result of businesses\u2019 cost-cutting initiatives or plans to recruit new blood. The good news is, programmers are always in hot demand. Those who are looking for a new role should include SQL, Python, Java, JavaScript, and HTML in their CVs. Show off soft skills like management, communication, flexibility, organisation, and thinking outside the box.<\/span><\/p>\n