CV skills and qualities are what truly set candidates apart in today’s competitive job market. Every year, thousands of CVs land on recruiters’ desks, and many of them look strikingly similar. Degrees, qualifications, and job titles might catch the eye, but they rarely make one candidate stand out from another. What employers are really scanning for is evidence of the skills and qualities that predict workplace success — most notably, the ability to lead and the ability to communicate. Leadership and communication are not just “nice-to-have” traits; they are essential professional strengths that sit at the core of career effectiveness. Whether you’re a fresher writing your first CV or a professional aiming for the next step in your career, these two qualities can transform your CV from a simple list of responsibilities into a compelling story of impact. In the context of career development, it’s important to understand what are personal skills — such as adaptability, time management, or resilience — and what are professional skills, like project management, data analysis, or stakeholder communication. Together, these form a valuable skills and qualities list that employers look for when assessing candidates. This blog will explain why leadership and communication matter so much, what they actually look like in practice, and how you can showcase them persuasively in your CV — with skills and qualities examples that highlight your unique value in the workplace. Why Leadership and Communication Are Critical CV Skills Leadership and communication are standout CV skills and qualities that demonstrate your ability to inspire, influence, and collaborate effectively in any professional setting. The Shift from Qualifications to Attributes For decades, CVs were judged primarily on academic achievements and technical expertise. While these remain important, modern workplaces are far more complex. Employers now prioritise key skills and attributes over credentials alone. They need people who can not only perform tasks but also influence others, adapt to challenges, and communicate clearly across diverse teams. Recruiter surveys consistently reflect this. According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), over 80% of UK employers place strong emphasis on soft skills — particularly leadership potential and communication ability — when shortlisting candidates. These are not just abstract ideas; they are measurable professional skills and personal skills that predict whether someone will fit into teams, interact positively with clients, and take initiative beyond their formal job description. Employers Look for Proof, Not Promises One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is listing vague phrases like “great leadership skills” or “excellent communicator”. Recruiters see those clichés daily, and without evidence, they mean very little. Employers don’t want declarations — they want personal skills examples. They want to know when you led, how you communicated, and what results followed. That’s why leadership and communication aren’t just buzzwords you can mention casually; they’re CV skills and qualities you must demonstrate through actions, achievements, and outcomes in your CV. Why Leadership Matters at Every Level It’s tempting to think of leadership as something only managers or directors need. But in reality, leadership is broader. It includes: Taking responsibility in a group project Motivating colleagues when morale is low Coordinating an event or task Making decisions under pressure Even freshers can show leadership through university societies, part-time jobs, or volunteering — all valuable personal skills for CV writing. Professionals, meanwhile, can highlight moments where they guided teams, solved problems, or introduced new ideas. Leadership is about initiative and influence, not job titles. Why Communication Is Universal If leadership shows how you guide and influence, communication is the channel through which that influence is delivered. Poor communication is one of the top reasons projects fail, according to studies by the Project Management Institute. Strong communication — one of the most essential professional skills — ensures expectations are clear, mistakes are minimised, and working relationships thrive. Employers don’t just want workers who can “talk well” — they want candidates who can listen, explain, write, present, and adapt their style depending on the audience. Whether you’re sending an email, giving a presentation, or resolving conflict, communication is at the heart of success. These are core skills and qualities that belong on every CV. These Qualities Cross Every Industry Leadership and communication aren’t confined to management roles or customer-facing jobs. They’re equally vital in tech, healthcare, education, finance, and creative fields. Here are a few professional skills examples in action: In IT, a developer who explains complex code in plain language becomes invaluable In healthcare, a nurse who leads during emergencies can save lives In education, a teacher’s communication style shapes student outcomes In business, leaders who communicate vision clearly inspire performance This universality is why recruiters in almost every industry actively scan CVs for proof of these skills and qualities. The Psychology of Hiring Decisions Behind every hiring choice is psychology. Employers know technical skills can be taught; attitude and interpersonal behaviours — including key personal skills — are much harder to develop. When they see evidence of leadership and communication in a CV, they feel reassured about a candidate’s long-term potential. Consider two CVs for an entry-level role: Candidate A lists qualifications and technical skills only Candidate B includes qualifications but also describes leading a student society, resolving conflicts in group projects, and presenting ideas to 100+ people Candidate B immediately feels more “employable” — not because they have more experience, but because they demonstrate the mindset, skills and attributes, and initiative that suggest future success. Strong CVs Tell Stories, Not Just Lists A CV is often seen as a list of jobs and responsibilities. But the most impactful CVs go beyond that — they tell a story: “Here’s how I took initiative, here’s how I communicated effectively, and here’s the impact it made.” For example: Weak: “Responsible for organising meetings.” Strong: “Led weekly team meetings, ensuring clear communication across departments and resulting in a 15% increase in project completion rates.” The second example shows leadership, communication, and measurable impact — all in one line. It turns an ordinary task into a compelling proof point. This is how to showcase your list of skills and qualities in a way that resonates with recruiters and employers alike. Setting the Stage for Leadership and Communication Deep Dive Now that we understand why these two qualities matter so much, the next step is to break them down individually as key CV skills and qualities. We’ll explore: What leadership really means (beyond managing people) How freshers and professionals alike can demonstrate it Why communication is more than “speaking well,” and how to show it through real achievements By the end, you’ll have practical strategies to present leadership and communication in your CV — not as vague traits, but as proven CV skills and qualities backed by evidence, clarity, and confidence. Leadership as a CV Skill and Quality Leadership as a CV skill and quality shows your ability to take initiative, guide others, and drive positive outcomes in any role or industry. It’s one of the most in-demand CV skills and qualities, valued by employers across all sectors and at every career stage. What Leadership Really Means When people hear the word "leadership," they often think of CEOs, managers, or directors sitting at the top of an organisation. But leadership in the workplace — and especially on a CV — is much broader. It’s about taking initiative, guiding others, and being accountable for outcomes. Leadership isn’t only about having formal authority; it’s about how you influence, support, and motivate those around you. These are key personal skills and qualities that employers associate with high-performing individuals. Employers want to see evidence of leadership because it suggests you can step up when needed, take responsibility, and contribute beyond your immediate tasks. This holds true whether you’re applying for your first graduate position or aiming for a senior role. Including leadership in your CV skills and qualities list shows that you bring value beyond the basics. Leadership Beyond Job Titles You don’t need “Manager” in your job title to show leadership. Many forms of leadership are informal yet impactful. Employers recognise skills and attributes examples such as: Leading projects – Coordinating tasks, setting deadlines, and keeping teams focused. Decision-making – Taking responsibility when choices are tough. Mentoring or guiding – Helping new colleagues or peers understand systems or processes. Problem-solving – Taking charge during a crisis and delivering solutions quickly. Innovation – Proactively suggesting and implementing new ideas. For instance, a fresher may have led a university society or organised a group presentation — both excellent examples of skills and qualities for a CV. An experienced professional may have managed cross-functional teams or driven departmental improvements. Both demonstrate leadership at different levels, suitable for inclusion in both personal resumes and professional profiles. Key Leadership Traits Employers Look For When reviewing applications, employers scan for core CV personal skills that align with leadership potential. These include: Accountability – Owning results, whether positive or negative. Motivation – Inspiring others to do their best. Delegation – Distributing tasks and managing capacity. Influence – Persuading others through logic or enthusiasm. Strategic thinking – Seeing the bigger picture and aligning actions with long-term goals. Even if you’re a student or recent graduate, you can demonstrate these personal attributes for CVs through sports teams, volunteering, part-time jobs, or academic projects. They're not just soft skills — they’re vital personal and professional skills that employers expect to see in a strong CV skills and qualities section. How to Demonstrate Leadership on a CV 1. Use Action Verbs That Signal Leadership Strong verbs reflect initiative and authority. Try using verbs like: Led Coordinated Organised Initiated Supervised Directed Implemented ✅ Strong: “Led a team of five to deliver a marketing project ahead of schedule.”❌ Weak: “Helped with marketing tasks.” These verbs turn general statements into clear examples of skills and qualities in action. 2. Add Measurable Results Measurable outcomes give weight to your leadership claims. For example: “Managed a student-led charity event, raising £1,500 for local causes.” “Supervised a team of three interns, improving project delivery speed by 20%.” These types of achievements offer real-world professional skills for CVs that employers can trust. Take this Online Presentation Skills Training Course Now→ 3. Tailor Examples to the Role If the job requires managing people, highlight how you’ve led groups. If it involves innovation, showcase the new ideas you’ve introduced. Aligning your skills and qualities CV examples with the job description makes your application stronger and more relevant. 4. Include Leadership in Multiple Sections Personal Profile: Mention your leadership mindset and potential upfront. Work Experience: Highlight specific leadership moments with quantifiable outcomes. Additional Experience: Use volunteering, student societies, or freelance work to show informal leadership roles. This multi-layered approach reflects a well-rounded list of professional skills and demonstrates that you’re more than just your job title. Case Studies: Weak vs Strong Leadership Phrasing ✅ Strong: “Led weekly meetings with cross-departmental teams, improving communication and reducing project delays.”❌ Weak: “Responsible for organising meetings.” ✅ Strong: “Coordinated fundraising campaign with 10 volunteers, exceeding donation target by 25%.”❌ Weak: “Took part in fundraising event.” ✅ Strong: “Directed group of four in research project, allocating roles and achieving highest mark in class.”❌ Weak: “Worked on group project.” Clear, specific language with outcomes attached transforms basic example of skills of a person into powerful leadership evidence. Examples of Leadership Across Career Stages Freshers / Graduates: Organised university society events Managed group assignments Volunteered to mentor new students Early-Career Professionals: Took initiative to streamline processes Coordinated small project teams Acted as point of contact between departments Experienced Professionals: Supervised staff and delegated tasks Set strategic direction for projects Led change management initiatives Leadership evolves, but it always starts with taking responsibility and showing initiative — two standout personal qualities for CVs. Why Employers Value Leadership Evidence Leadership on a CV tells employers that: You can step up when needed You can motivate and guide others You’re ready for professional growth You won’t just “do tasks” — you’ll move the organisation forward Even if you’re not applying for a formal leadership role, employers prefer candidates who show potential to grow into one. Including leadership as one of your top skills and qualities for a CV — supported by evidence — is a powerful way to make your application stand out. Communication as a CV Skill and Quality Communication as a CV skill and quality reflects your ability to convey ideas clearly, listen actively, and adapt your message to different audiences — essential for success in any role. It is one of the most in-demand CV skills and qualities, and it consistently ranks high on the professional skills list across all industries. What Good Communication Really Means Communication is one of the most sought-after professionalism skills in today’s job market, and it goes far beyond just “speaking well.” True communication encompasses verbal, written, non-verbal, and digital interactions. It involves expressing ideas with clarity, listening actively, and ensuring that messages are not only delivered but also understood. According to many employers, poor communication is a leading cause of workplace conflict and project failure. That’s why candidates who can demonstrate communication as one of their professional skills for resumes are often prioritised. It signals both clarity of thought and the ability to collaborate harmoniously — two critical personal attributes for a job. Why Communication Matters to Employers Reduces Mistakes and Misunderstandings Clear communication ensures that instructions are followed, deadlines are met, and expectations are aligned. Supports Teamwork Effective collaboration requires the ability to listen, share ideas, and compromise — core personal skills CV writers should showcase. Builds Client and Customer Relationships Especially in customer-facing roles, communication can shape the company’s reputation and directly influence revenue. Drives Productivity Good communicators save time by keeping everyone informed, reducing confusion, and maintaining project momentum. In the UK workplace — where collaboration across departments, time zones, and cultures is common — communication is considered one of the most critical CV skills and qualities to demonstrate. Different Dimensions of Communication Skills Here’s a breakdown of the various forms of communication that can be added to your list of personal skills or professional skills list: Verbal Communication – Presenting ideas in meetings, giving feedback, or explaining tasks. Written Communication – Writing reports, formal emails, proposals, and even your CV. Non-Verbal Communication – Using appropriate body language, tone, and facial expressions to reinforce messages. Digital Communication – Interacting via remote platforms (e.g. Teams, Zoom), and instant messaging tools. Active Listening – Understanding before responding — a highly valuable yet often overlooked personal skill. Outstanding communicators combine all of these, making them strong examples in any CV skills and qualities section. How to Demonstrate Communication Skills on a CV Effective ways to showcase your communication skills clearly and confidently on your CV. 1. Use the Personal Profile Your personal profile is the perfect place to highlight communication as one of your key personal skills CV examples. Avoid vague clichés like “excellent communicator” and instead use specifics: “Confident communicator with experience presenting to 50+ students and liaising with university stakeholders.” 2. Highlight Achievements in Work Experience Employers prefer evidence. Use bullet points under your job experience to show measurable impact from your communication skills: “Delivered weekly presentations to senior managers, leading to the adoption of a new workflow system.” “Drafted client-facing reports with 100% accuracy, consistently praised for clarity and tone.” 3. Include Communication in the Skills Section Don’t just write "communication" — specify the examples of professional skills within that category: Verbal: Public speaking, negotiation, phone-based support. Written: Report writing, documentation, email correspondence. Digital: Online meetings, messaging tools, content collaboration platforms. These can be added to both your list of personal skills and professional skills for resume visibility. 4. Let the CV Speak for Itself Your CV is itself a test of your communication. A well-written, error-free, and logically structured CV demonstrates clarity — a core personal skill definition that employers will assess even before speaking to you. Weak vs Strong Communication Phrasing on CVs ❌ Weak: “Good written skills.”✅ Strong: “Authored weekly reports summarising financial data for 200+ clients, praised for clarity.” ❌ Weak: “Excellent verbal communicator.”✅ Strong: “Presented research findings to an audience of 100 peers, simplifying technical terms for general understanding.” ❌ Weak: “Responsible for answering calls.”✅ Strong: “Handled 30+ daily client queries via phone and email, maintaining a 95% customer satisfaction rating.” These stronger versions turn general statements into impactful examples of professional skills in action. Examples of Communication Across Career Stages Freshers / Graduates: Presented group projects to classmates Wrote blog posts or newsletters for student organisations Volunteered as a society representative, liaising with university staff Early-Career Professionals: Drafted proposals or client documents Managed team emails and scheduled meetings Facilitated small group discussions or internal briefings Experienced Professionals: Delivered presentations at industry events Negotiated contracts or resolved high-level client concerns Produced reports for executives or board members Regardless of career stage, effective communication adapts to audience, tone, and medium — a must-have in any personal skills list or professional skills list. Why Recruiters Value Communication Evidence On a CV, clear evidence of communication skills tells recruiters that: You can represent the company professionally You will reduce misunderstandings and errors You’ll support team cohesion and client satisfaction You possess essential personal and professional skills that contribute to organisational success Without strong communication, even technically skilled candidates may struggle to collaborate or lead. That’s why showcasing communication as one of your core CV skills and qualities can significantly improve your chances of getting shortlisted. How to Develop and Showcase Leadership and Communication Skills Effective ways to develop and showcase leadership and communication skills on your CV to stand out to employers. Developing Leadership Skills Leadership doesn’t come only from formal positions; it develops through practice, responsibility, and initiative. Here’s how freshers and professionals alike can strengthen leadership qualities and other important personal skills and attributes: Take Initiative in Group Projects – Whether at university or in the workplace, volunteering to coordinate tasks or lead discussions demonstrates leadership and highlights your work skills for CV. Join or Organise Societies and Clubs – Being part of student unions, sports clubs, or professional groups provides real leadership opportunities and builds your personal qualities CV. Seek Opportunities to Mentor – Helping peers or juniors builds confidence, patience, and decision-making ability—key examples of personal skills that employers value. Look for “Stretch Assignments” – In a workplace, volunteering for tasks outside your normal scope shows willingness to step up and develop your personality skills. Leadership is like a muscle: the more you practise it, the stronger it becomes. Developing Communication Skills Communication can be improved deliberately with effort, alongside cultivating other good personal skills: Practice Public Speaking – Join debating clubs or present at society events to gain confidence and improve your personal skills in CV presentation. Improve Writing Skills – Start a blog, contribute to newsletters, or take online writing courses to enhance your professional communication. Embrace Feedback – Ask colleagues or mentors how clear your communication is and adjust accordingly, showcasing your openness to growth and development of personal skills and attributes. Observe and Learn – Watch how effective communicators express themselves and adapt their style to develop well-rounded work skills for CV. Strong communication develops over time, but even small efforts (like proofreading emails or practising clarity in presentations) build long-term habits. Showcasing Leadership and Communication on a CV Use Specific, Evidence-Based Language Avoid empty claims. Instead of “Excellent leader and communicator,” write: “Led a team of five in completing a market research project, delivering results ahead of schedule.” “Presented findings to an audience of 100+, simplifying complex data into actionable insights.” Tailor to the Job Description If the job emphasises “team leadership,” highlight your leadership examples first. If it stresses “client communication,” focus on customer-facing achievements to highlight relevant CV skills and qualities. Include These Qualities in Multiple Sections Profile/Summary: Introduce yourself as someone with strong leadership, communication, and other key personal qualities for CV. Work Experience: Provide evidence through bullet points featuring your personal skills and qualities. Additional Experience: Use volunteering, societies, or personal projects to fill gaps and demonstrate your personal skills list. Use the STAR Method in Bullet Points Show Situation, Task, Action, and Result. For example: “Coordinated society fundraising event (Task), delegated roles to 8 volunteers (Action), and raised £2,000 for charity (Result).” This proves leadership and communication, alongside other vital personal and professional skills, in one line. Showcasing Beyond the CV Employers cross-check your CV with other sources. Make sure your personal brand is consistent: Cover Letter: Expand on one or two examples that demonstrate these CV skills and qualities in detail. LinkedIn: Mention leadership and communication in your profile headline and description to highlight your personal skills CV. Interviews: Expect to be tested with questions like: “Tell me about a time you led a project.” “Describe how you resolved a communication breakdown.” Common Mistakes to Avoid Over-claiming: Writing “natural leader” without proof makes you sound arrogant and weakens your list of professional skills for CV. Vague Language: “Good communicator” means nothing without examples of your personal skills and attributes. Inconsistency: Saying you’re detail-oriented but submitting a CV with typos undermines your credibility and professionalism skills. Cliches: Avoid phrases like “born leader” or “people person” — they sound generic and don’t showcase your personal qualities CV effectively. Conclusion Leadership and communication aren’t just buzzwords — they are the backbone of employability. Employers don’t shortlist CVs that simply list responsibilities; they shortlist candidates who demonstrate personal qualities and skills that inspire confidence. Strong leadership shows you can take initiative, guide others, and add value beyond your role. Strong communication ensures your ideas are understood, your relationships are positive, and your work moves smoothly across teams. The good news is that both CV skills and qualities, including these vital skills and personal attributes, can be developed, refined, and showcased effectively, no matter your level of experience. Whether through group projects, internships, volunteering, or professional roles, every opportunity is a chance to practise and highlight these qualities for resume success. If you’re updating your CV, take a closer look at how you’re presenting yourself. Replace vague claims with specific achievements, use evidence-driven language, and make sure leadership and communication shine through. In a crowded job market, these are the personal qualities and skills that transform a CV from ordinary to outstanding — and they could be the very reason you get called in for that interview. Take this Online Presentation Skills Training Course Now→
