Key Points:
- Recruitment expert explains why once-valued CV skills like MS Office proficiency and typing speed are no longer impressing employers
- The shift includes moving away from basic tech skills, generic phrases like “team player”, and social media familiarity towards data literacy
- Expert reveals how jobseekers can modernise their CVs to align with skills-based hiring methods now adopted by 92% of UK employers
The job market has changed over the past decade with recruiters focusing more on proven abilities than credentials.
The CV skills that once guaranteed you an interview, like listing your typing speed or proclaiming yourself a “team player’, now barely register with recruiters in 2026.
This transition shows an unignorable change in workplace expectations. With 92% of UK employers now adopting skills-based hiring methods to build high-performance teams, according to Hays, the emphasis has moved from what qualifications you hold to what you can actually do.
Aaron Conway, director at Ronin Management PTE, a Singapore-based consultancy specialising in digital visibility and AI-driven optimisation, has worked with numerous professionals updating their approach to job applications.
He says that jobseekers are frequently yet unknowingly sabotaging their chances by highlighting skills that recruiters now consider basic expectations rather than competitive advantages.
Below, Conway lists the skills that have lost their shine and reveals what modern employers are actually looking for as we move into 2026.
The Skills Recruiters No Longer Care About in Your CV in 2026
- MS Office Proficiency
Twenty years ago, being able to navigate Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint was a legitimate selling point. Today, it’s assumed you can handle these basics. They’re the digital equivalent of being able to use a telephone.
“Listing ‘proficient in MS Office’ on your CV in 2025 is like saying you know how to send an email,” says Conway. “These tools are so embedded in everyday work life that recruiters expect everyone to have functional knowledge. What they want to see is what you’ve achieved using these tools, not that you can simply open them.”
- Typing Speed
In the era of typewriters and early computers, typing 60 words per minute was impressive. Now, with most professionals spending their entire workday at a keyboard, basic typing competency is a given rather than a specialty.
The exception? Roles specifically requiring transcription or data entry work. For everyone else, your typing speed is about as relevant as your handwriting.
- Social Media Familiarity
Simply stating you’re “familiar with social media” or listing platforms you use personally no longer carries weight. With billions of people worldwide using Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn daily, basic social media literacy is universal.
“Recruiters see ‘experienced with social media’ and think ‘so you scroll through Instagram like everyone else?’” Conway explains. “What matters now is whether you understand analytics, audience engagement strategies, or content performance metrics, i.e. skills that demonstrate business value rather than personal use.”
- Generic Phrases Like “Team Player” or “Hard Worker”
These overused descriptors have become meaningless through repetition. Every CV claims these qualities, which makes them ineffective differentiators.
“When everyone says they’re a hard worker and team player, the phrases become white noise,” says Conway. “Recruiters want concrete examples: ‘Led cross-functional team of 8 to deliver project 3 weeks ahead of schedule’ tells them far more than any generic claim ever could.”
What Modern Employers Want Instead
- Critical Thinking
The ability to analyse complex problems, evaluate information from multiple sources, and make sound decisions is now highly prized. Automation handles routine tasks, leaving humans to tackle challenges requiring nuanced judgment.
“Businesses need people who can spot problems before they escalate, question assumptions, and propose innovative solutions,” Conway notes. “This isn’t something you can automate away. It’s distinctly human value.”
Demonstrate this skill by showcasing examples where you’ve identified inefficiencies, challenged existing processes, or developed new approaches that delivered measurable improvements.
- AI-Assisted Productivity
While basic digital skills are expected, knowing how to leverage AI tools effectively is the new competitive advantage. This includes using AI for research, content creation, data analysis, or process automation.
“The professionals succeeding now aren’t those competing against AI. They’re the ones using AI to multiply their output and impact,” says Conway. “Whether it’s using ChatGPT to draft communications faster, employing AI tools for market research, or automating repetitive tasks, this fluency matters.”
- Data Literacy
Understanding how to interpret data, draw insights, and communicate findings has become valuable across nearly every role, not just for analysts or data scientists.
Conway emphasises this change: “You don’t need to be a statistician, but you should be comfortable reading reports, understanding what metrics mean for your business, and making data-informed decisions rather than relying purely on intuition.”
This includes basic competency with analytics platforms, understanding key performance indicators relevant to your field, and the ability to present data clearly to stakeholders.
- Communication Nuance
Modern work requires more sophisticated communication than ever before. This means adapting your message for different audiences, conveying complex ideas clearly, and navigating cultural and generational differences in remote or hybrid environments.
“It’s not enough to say you have ‘excellent communication skills’,” Conway explains. “Can you explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders? Do you know how to deliver difficult feedback constructively? Can you build consensus across departments with competing priorities? That’s the communication skill employers value.”
How to Update Your CV
Rather than listing outdated skills in your CV, Conway recommends focusing on achievements that demonstrate valuable capabilities to grab recruiters attention in 2026.
Replace “Proficient in MS Office” with “Developed Excel dashboard reducing monthly reporting time by 40%.” Swap “Team player” for specific examples of successful collaboration with measurable outcomes.
Most importantly, research what AI platforms say about your industry and role. If your skills and experience aren’t appearing where potential employers are asking AI for recommendations, you’re missing opportunities in the emerging search economy.
