CV TIPS - 4 Ways To Showcase Soft Skills On A Resume Without Sounding Generic
Posted 30th October 2025 • Written by Sho Dewan on forbes.com • • • • • •
Turn Your Bullet Points Into Stories
Let’s be real; no one’s going to get excited about a bullet point that lists tasks. Your resume is your chance to tell the story of how you applied your skills and made an impact. Recruiters don’t have time to read a novel, so those quick-hit bullet points are the easiest way for them to get the scoop on your skills. Focus on showcasing specific experiences where your soft skills came into play. How did you actually collaborate with a team or lead a project?
For example, instead of saying, "I’m a great leader," write, “Led a team of 10 to successfully execute a marketing campaign, increasing engagement by 20%.” Use strong action verbs to let your soft skills speak for themselves. Think of it like storytelling: what was the challenge, what did you do, and what was the outcome? Give them something they can picture rather than a bunch of corporate jargon.
Let Your Degrees And Certifications Do The Talking
Have you ever taken a course on leadership or communication and thought, "Wow, I should totally brag about this"? Well, you should! Certifications and training not only validate your technical qualifications; they highlight your soft skills, too. By putting these achievements on your resume, you’re showing that you’re not merely claiming to be a strong leader or communicator, but you’re invested in becoming one.
And hey, if traditional degree programs sound too long and expensive, micro-credentials are your new best friend. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning or Coursera offer these bite-sized courses that provide digital certificates or badges you can include on your resume. For example, instead of writing “excellent communicator,” you could say: “Earned a Certificate in Effective Team Leadership from Coursera, demonstrating proven ability to lead teams and drive collaboration.” Sounds way more legit than saying, “I’m good with people,” right?
Flex Your Awards And Achievements
If you’ve ever been recognized for your leadership or teamwork, this is your time to shine. These awards are more than recognition; it means that others have seen and appreciated your soft skills. Whether it's an award for being the "Top Performer" in your team or a recognition for "Excellence in Leadership," these accolades show you’ve stepped up in real-life situations, and people noticed.
When your achievements match the role you’re aiming for, they make your resume pop. Employers love concrete examples of how candidates have been recognized for their contributions. Instead of mentioning you’re a “strong communicator,” try something like: “Awarded ‘Best Presenter’ during a company-wide leadership summit, recognized for delivering engaging presentations to 200+ employees.” That’s not just talking the talk; it’s walking the walk. It proves to employers that you didn’t only claim to be good at public speaking — you’ve been recognized for it.
Let Your Resume Speak For Itself
First impressions count, and your resume is a great place to make a good one. A well-organized, clearly written CV speaks volumes about your soft skills without you having to spell them out. Resumes that are easy to read and understand reflect your professionalism, attention to detail, and communication skills.
And don’t forget to include a portfolio if it’s relevant. Showing off your work is a great way to get people to notice your creativity, analytical thinking, and problem-solving abilities. If you're a graphic designer, dropping a link to your online portfolio is a no-brainer. It instantly shows potential employers your design skills and creativity in action, letting them see what you can do. The same goes for writers. If your role involves content creation, including writing samples or reports is a great way to back up your skills with real examples. It's like saying, "Here’s the proof; go ahead and take a look." Showing is always more powerful than telling.
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