Organisational Skills: Why They Matter for Your CV
Organisational skills show employers that you can stay on top of tasks and handle your workload efficiently. Whether you’re working on a team project, managing schedules, or coordinating resources, being organised helps you get things done on time and to a high standard.
Our customers have been hired by: *Foot Note
Organisational skills are crucial for any job application. You’ll need to highlight them on your CV and expand on them in an interview. These skills are essential in almost every role, relating to organising yourself, your tasks, and the people around you. Without strong organisational skills, it would be difficult to get things done efficiently.
In this article, we’ll explore what organisational skills are, why they matter, and provide examples to inspire your CV or application form.
What are organisational skills?
Organisational skills are the abilities that help you manage tasks, time, and resources effectively, allowing you to stay on top of your responsibilities and meet deadlines. These skills encompass a variety of capabilities, such as prioritising tasks, planning and scheduling, multitasking, and maintaining focus in a fast-paced environment.
At their core, organisational skills are about optimising workflow and adapting to changing demands. Whether managing a team, coordinating tasks, or simply staying organised with your workload, these skills are essential in keeping everything running smoothly.
For employers, individuals with good organisational skills are seen as reliable, productive, and capable of managing their workload with minimal supervision. Recruiters will often ask about your organisational skills through standard interview questions, so it’s best to be ready with a clear answer.
Need help identifying your organisational skills?
Our CV builder can automatically generate the right ones for you.
Why are organisational skills important on a CV?
Organisational skills show employers that you can stay on top of tasks and handle your workload efficiently. Whether you’re working on a team project, managing schedules, or coordinating resources, being organised helps you get things done on time and to a high standard. These skills improve your productivity and demonstrate that you can work under pressure and meet deadlines, qualities employers look for in candidates across all industries.
Having the right organisational skills on your CV is especially important when passing through applicant tracking systems (ATS). Many ATS are designed to scan CVs for relevant keywords.
Examples of organisational skills to include on your CV
Here are some examples of organisational skills that can help you stand out:
- Time management: The ability to plan and allocate your time effectively to meet deadlines.
- Project coordination: Organising tasks, resources, and people to complete a project on time.
- Multitasking: The ability to juggle multiple tasks or projects simultaneously without sacrificing quality.
- Prioritisation: Understanding what tasks need to be completed first and focusing on the most important ones.
- Event planning: Coordinating all the details needed for an event to run smoothly.
- Scheduling: Managing calendars, booking appointments, and ensuring availability for meetings or deadlines.
Below, we’ve provided two CV examples showcasing how to effectively include some organisational skills in the skills section of a CV. Take a look at how these skills are incorporated to create a well-rounded CV.
Example 1: Organisational skills for a barista CV
This barista CV highlights key organisational skills, including teamwork, time management, and communication. The candidate demonstrates their ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple tasks at once, and collaborate with team members to ensure smooth operations.
- Espresso machine operation
- Cash register operation
- Safe food handling practices
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Guest service
- Concise time management
- Superior communication skills
- Tea expertise
Example 2: Organisational skills for a nurse CV
This nurse CV emphasises essential organisational skills such as caseload management, patient record keeping, and communication. These organisational skills are vital for ensuring high-quality care, meeting deadlines, and supporting a smooth workflow in a healthcare setting.
- Caseload management
- Patient-centred care
- Data confidentiality
- Outstanding communication
- Patient record management
- Rehabilitation assessments
- Routine investigations
- Complex medical care
How to showcase organisational skills on your CV
1. Create a dedicated skills section
Every CV should have a dedicated skills section to spell things out to recruiters. This typically comprises a bullet-point list of your top 6-10 CV skills that you want to show off. You should include both hard and soft skills, with the latter including some organisational skills. Include relevant abilities like time management, project coordination, multitasking, and prioritisation. Below is an example of
2. Demonstrate specific skills in your work experience
Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them. In the work experience section, provide examples of using organisational skills in previous roles. For example, instead of saying “organised team meetings,” you could write “Successfully organised weekly team meetings, ensuring all deadlines were met and actions were assigned.”
Below is an example of organsational skills for an office manager being displayed in their work experience.
Work Experience: Office Manager | Intel Core
January 2018 – Present
- Coordinated office resources and schedules, managing a team of 5 staff members.
- Organised company events and meetings, ensuring seamless execution.
- Implemented a new filing system that improved the organisation and retrieval of documents by 40%.
Briefly mention your skills in your personal statement
Organisational skills can also be highlighted in your personal statement. This is the short paragraph at the top of your CV which introduces you as a candidate.
It’s best practice to include some of your top qualities from the get-go. If it’s particularly relevant to the job, you may want to highlight some examples of strong organisational skills. That could be task prioritisation for a busy solicitor, experience in rota management for an office manager, or interpersonal skills for a sales executive. Below is an example personal statement.
Confident call centre operative dedicated to solving customer problems. Experienced in promptly handling calls with specific industry knowledge of software-as-a-service IT. Looking for a new challenge to apply excellent communication, following over a decade of experience.
Ways to improve organisational skills
Step 1:
Prioritise your tasks
Start by identifying your most important tasks. Distinguish between urgent and non-urgent, as well as important and unimportant tasks. This will help you focus on what matters most and tackle high-priority items first.
Tip: Make a to-do list each day, ranking tasks in order of priority.
Step 2:
Break large tasks into smaller chunks
Large projects can feel overwhelming. Instead of tackling them all at once, break them down into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes the project feel less daunting and helps you maintain focus as you complete each step.
Tip: Set deadlines for each small task to keep yourself on track.
Step 3:
Use time management techniques
Effective time management is crucial for staying organised. Adopt techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique (working in short, focused intervals) or time-blocking (allocating specific hours to specific tasks). This will help you stay focused and ensure that you make progress without feeling stressed.
Step 4:
Keep your workspace tidy
An organised physical environment can lead to a clearer mind. Keep your desk or workspace tidy by organising your files, materials, and equipment. It’s easier to stay organised when everything has a designated place.
Tip: Declutter your space at the start or end of each day to keep things manageable.
Step 5:
Embrace digital tools and organisational apps
Take advantage of digital tools such as task management apps (like Trello or Asana) or calendar tools (Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook) to keep track of deadlines, appointments, and meetings. These tools can help you stay on top of tasks and communicate effectively with your team.
Step 6:
Improve your communication skills
Good communication is key to organisation, especially when collaborating with others. Be clear and concise in your emails, meetings, and messages. Ensure that expectations are set and that everyone involved understands their role and deadlines.
FAQs about CV organisational skills
Where can I mention organisational skills on my CV?
Organisational skills should primarily be highlighted in the skills section of your CV. This allows recruiters to see your abilities quickly. You can also incorporate them into your work history by providing examples of how you've applied these skills in previous roles. Additionally, mentioning your organisational skills in your personal statement can provide a more personal touch.
How do I showcase my organisational skills on my CV?
How do organisational skills benefit my career?
What are some examples of organisational skills that I should include on my CV?
How do I improve my organisational skills for my CV?
Are organisational skills more important than technical skills on my CV?
Organisational skills and technical skills serve different purposes. Organisational skills are crucial for demonstrating your ability to manage tasks and projects effectively, while technical skills show your expertise in specific tools or methods. It’s best to showcase both types of skills on your CV for a well-rounded profile.
Key takeaways
- Hard skills are technical abilities that are learned through education, training, or experience. They are often measurable and directly relevant to the tasks required in a job.
- Tailor your CV by including 4-6 hard skills that match the specific job you’re applying for. Highlight the skills most relevant to the role to stand out to employers.
- Quantify your hard skills whenever possible. Use metrics and examples to show how your technical expertise has delivered tangible results in previous roles.
- Only list hard skills that you are confident in. If you’re still learning a skill, be transparent about your level of expertise. Remember, recruiters can test your skills during the interview process!
Create your CV today
Ready to take the next step in your career? Your CV is your opportunity to highlight the skills, experience, and qualifications that set you apart. With our easy-to-use CV builder, you can quickly create a professional CV that showcases your unique abilities. Download your new CV and apply for your next opportunity in just a few clicks.
Andrew Smith
Senior Content Writer
Andrew Smith – an accomplished English copywriter with a strong background in SEO optimisation. Passionate about producing engaging content, Andrew has written across various fields, including health and fitness, security, travel, and tourism.
Related Content
*The names and logos of the companies referred to above are all trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with myperfectCV.