Skills to put on a student CV

5 minute read · Updated 30 October 2026

The skills section is a quick summary of what you can do. Done well, it helps an employer see in seconds that you match the job. Done badly, it is a list of empty buzzwords. Here is how to get it right.

Two types of skills

People skills (soft skills)

These are about how you work with others and manage yourself. Employers hiring students often care about these most.

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Customer service
• Time management
• Problem solving
• Reliability and punctuality
• Leadership
• Adaptability

Practical skills (hard skills)

These are specific abilities you can show or test.

• Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, or Google Docs and Sheets
• Languages, with your level (for example, "Spanish, conversational")
• Cash handling
• Social media and content creation
• Basic coding
• First aid certificate
• Food hygiene certificate
• Full UK driving licence

How to choose

1. Read the job advert and underline the skills it mentions.
2. Match them honestly with skills you really have.
3. Add one or two practical skills that make you stand out.
4. Stop at six to ten. A long list makes each skill look less important.

Prove it elsewhere on your CV

A skills list is much more convincing when the rest of your CV backs it up. For each skill, ask: where have I shown this?

Skills to leave off

• Anything you could not talk about confidently in an interview
• Very basic computer skills like "using the internet" or "email"
• Vague phrases such as "hard-working" or "passionate". Show these through your experience instead.