Why you should showcase soft skills on your CV

Donít be shy about showing off your extra-curricular experience on your CV – it may just set you apart from the candidate pack in todayís tough employment market.

Jon Michel, principal of Jon Michel Executive Search, tells eFinancialCareers that including all-around abilities indicates that a candidate can work hard, play hard and is therefore robust enough to cope with the long hours in the banking sector.

ìSuccessful candidates will ideally be good communicators, so debating will be useful, while sports achievements, community work, travel and adventure will indicate an all-rounder and team player,î adds Michel.

Luke Heath, chief executive of Chandler Heath Executive Recruitment, warns candidates against using CV clichs. ìGeneral comments such as ëself-starterí, ëthought leaderí, ëteam playerí are over-used. And be sure to avoid embellishments as there is a high probability of being found out,î he says.

Heath adds that a CV must be succinct, so limit it to three pages. The contact details must be clear and on page 1. ìBe specific about achievements and use numbers wherever possible.î

John Coles, managing director of search firm Coles Christie & Associates, says if candidates make it through to an interview, then they must show flexibility.

ìAlso demonstrating good corporate connections and work in progress will help. No one will hire anyone who wonít bring in a deal flow straight away,î he warns. ìNo one will be training up i-bankers for a year or two.î