Soft Skills Are Essential for Career Success

Leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving are consistently ranked among the top skills employers look for in graduates. According to LinkedIn’s Global talent trends report, 92% of companies surveyed reported that human capabilities matter as much or more than hard skills in today’s business world.

But here’s the catch: developing these skills doesn't necessarily require a formal job or internship. Your time at university offers countless opportunities to hone these abilities through extracurricular activities, group projects, and volunteer roles.

In this blog, we’ll explore:

1. How to develop leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills while still in university.
2. How to effectively showcase these skills on your CV, using measurable outcomes and industry best practices.

By the end, you’ll have actionable strategies to build a strong skill set and position yourself as a standout candidate for internships, jobs, or graduate school.

1. How to Develop Leadership, Teamwork, and Problem-Solving Skills in University

The university environment is a perfect training ground for building professional skills. Whether through student societies, competitions, or volunteering, you can develop leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities organically by participating in activities that excite you.

1.1 Develop Leadership Skills

Leadership is about more than just holding a title—it’s about inspiring others, managing responsibilities, and driving results. Here’s how you can cultivate leadership skills during your university years:

Take on Leadership Roles in Student Societies:
Joining a student club or society is an excellent way to practice leadership. If you’re passionate about a cause—or even just curious—get involved. Start as a general member, then work your way up to an executive role.

• Example:
  "As President of the Environmental Awareness Club, led a team of 20 members to organize a campus-wide sustainability fair, attracting 500 attendees and securing three corporate sponsors."

Organize Events:
Event planning involves coordinating logistics, managing teams, and solving unexpected challenges—all of which are leadership in action.

• Example:
  "Led the planning and execution of a charity fundraiser that raised $10,000, involving 15 team members and 200 attendees."

Mentor Junior Students:
Mentoring younger peers in your course or club can refine your ability to guide and inspire others.

• Example:
  "Mentored first-year engineering students, helping them improve their technical skills and complete a semester-long group project."

1.2 Strengthen Teamwork Skills

Teamwork is about collaboration, communication, and navigating group dynamics. Employers value candidates who can work effectively with others, even in challenging situations.

Participate in Group Projects:
Whether it’s an academic assignment or a hackathon, group projects are an excellent way to practice teamwork. Focus on contributing effectively and resolving conflicts constructively.

• Example:
  "Collaborated with a team of five students on a case study competition, dividing tasks to analyze a business problem and presenting a solution that won second place."

Join Sports Teams or Performance Groups:
These activities build teamwork by requiring you to work toward a common goal, trust your teammates, and perform under pressure.

• Example:
  "Played on the university soccer team, contributing to a regional championship win by fostering team spirit and communication on the field."
  
  

Volunteer for Community Projects:
Community service often involves coordinating with diverse groups of people, which helps you develop strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.

• Example:
  "Volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, working with a team to construct housing for low-income families."

1.3 Enhance Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-solving is the ability to identify challenges, analyze options, and implement effective solutions. Here’s how to build this critical skill:

Compete in Hackathons or Case Competitions:
These events simulate real-world challenges, requiring you to brainstorm, strategize, and execute solutions within tight deadlines.

• Example:
  "Participated in a 48-hour hackathon, where my team developed a prototype app to reduce food waste, earning ‘Best Innovation’ award."

Take on Complex Academic Projects:
Independent research, capstone projects, or technical design challenges allow you to tackle intricate problems and showcase persistence.

• Example:
  "Conducted a research project on renewable energy, solving data collection challenges to produce a report used by local policymakers."

Solve Real-World Problems Through Volunteering:
Many nonprofit organizations face resource constraints, making them ideal places to practice creative problem-solving.

• Example:
  "Streamlined inventory processes at a local food bank, reducing waste by 25% through a new tracking system."

2. How to Showcase Skills Learned From Extracurricular Activities on Your CV

Once you’ve developed leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills, the next step is to effectively communicate these experiences to potential employers. Your CV is often the first impression you’ll make, so it’s crucial to present your skills in a way that is clear, concise, and impactful. The key lies in using measurable outcomes, well-structured descriptions, and industry best practices to highlight your achievements.

2.1 Use the STAR Method

When describing your extracurricular involvement on your CV, it’s important to go beyond simply listing your roles. Employers want to understand the context of your achievements, the actions you took, and the results you delivered. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) can help you structure your descriptions effectively:

• Situation: What was the context or challenge?
• Task: What specific responsibilities or goals were you given?
• Action: What steps did you take to complete the task?
• Result: What was the measurable outcome of your efforts?

Example:
"Organized a university-wide charity run (Situation) to raise funds for local shelters (Task). Led a team of 10 volunteers, secured 2,000 in sponsorships, andmanagedeventlogistics(Action).Theeventraised2,000 in sponsorships, and managed event logistics (Action). The event raised 2,000 in sponsorships,and managed event logistics (Action). The Event Raised 5,000 and attracted 300 participants (Result).”

By framing your achievements using the STAR method, you’ll provide employers with a clear and compelling narrative of your contributions and impact.

2.2 Highlight Leadership Skills

Employers value candidates who can take initiative and lead others toward achieving shared goals. When showcasing leadership experience, focus on the scope of your responsibilities and the outcomes you delivered. Use strong action verbs like “led,” “managed,” “coordinated,” and “initiated” to convey your leadership abilities.

• Example 1:
  "As President of the Entrepreneurship Club, managed a team of 15 members to organize a pitch competition featuring six startups. Secured $8,000 in sponsorships, resulting in a successful event attended by 200 students and local professionals."
• Example 2:
  "Initiated a peer mentorship program within the Science Society, pairing 20 first-year students with upper-year mentors. Improved student retention rates by 15% through enhanced academic and social support."

When describing leadership roles, always quantify your achievements where possible. Numbers provide concrete evidence of your impact and make your CV more compelling.

2.3 Showcase Teamwork Skills

Teamwork is a universally valued skill that applies across industries. To demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively, highlight experiences where you worked in a group to achieve a specific goal. Focus on how you contributed to the team’s success and the results that were achieved.

• Example 1:
  "Collaborated with a team of five students to compete in a national case competition, developing a business strategy that placed in the top 10% of 200 competing teams."
• Example 2:
  "Worked with a team of six volunteers to plan and execute a community food drive, collecting over 1,000 items and distributing them to 50 families in need."

In addition to describing the tasks you completed, emphasize your ability to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and adapt to challenges within the group. These traits are highly valued by employers and demonstrate your readiness to work in professional teams.

2.4 Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-solving skills are essential for navigating challenges in the workplace. Employers want to see that you can think critically, analyze complex situations, and implement effective solutions. When describing problem-solving experiences, focus on the challenges you faced, the innovative solutions you developed, and the outcomes you achieved.

• Example 1:
  "Identified inefficiencies in the scheduling system for the university debate team. Designed and implemented a new system using Google Sheets, reducing scheduling conflicts by 30% and increasing attendance at practice sessions."
• Example 2:
  "Addressed declining engagement in the university’s volunteer program by introducing a quarterly recognition initiative. Increased volunteer retention rates by 20% over one year."

By highlighting specific examples of how you’ve solved problems, you’ll demonstrate your ability to handle challenges in a professional setting.

2.5 Quantify Your Achievements

Employers love numbers because they provide context and clarity about your impact. Wherever possible, include metrics that illustrate the scale and success of your efforts. This could include:

• Attendance numbers: "Planned a cultural fair that attracted 500 attendees."
• Financial impact: "Raised $10,000 in sponsorships for club activities."
• Performance results: "Increased event participation by 25% through targeted marketing campaigns."
• Efficiency improvements: "Reduced project completion time by 20% through process optimizations."

Even if your achievements aren’t immediately quantifiable, consider how you can tie them to broader outcomes. For example, did your actions improve participation, engagement, or satisfaction?

• Example:
  "Implemented a new membership onboarding process for the Robotics Club, improving member retention rates by 15% and increasing active participation in projects."

2.6 Tailor Your CV to the Job Description

A common mistake students make is using the same CV for every job application. To stand out, tailor your CV to match the specific requirements of the role you’re applying for.

How to Tailor Your CV:

• Analyze the Job Description: Identify the skills and qualifications the employer values most.
• Incorporate Keywords: Use the same terminology as the job posting to ensure your CV is ATS (Applicant Tracking System) friendly.
• Emphasize Relevant Experiences: Highlight extracurricular activities and accomplishments that align closely with the job’s responsibilities.

If you’re applying for a marketing role, focus on experiences where you demonstrated creativity, communication, and strategic thinking. 

• Example:
  "Designed social media campaigns for the university’s charity drive, increasing online engagement by 50% and exceeding fundraising goals by $2,000."

Tailoring your CV not only increases your chances of passing ATS filters but also ensures that hiring managers immediately see why you’re a strong fit for the role.

Pro-tip: Crafting a strong CV that effectively highlights your skills and achievements can be a daunting task, especially when trying to tailor it to specific roles or showcase experiences from extracurricular activities. While you now have the tools and strategies to frame your skills with impact, why not make the process even easier with tools like FirstResume? 

Why FirstResume

FirstResume is an AI-driven platform that takes the stress out of job applications by helping you craft keyword-optimized resumes, compelling cover letters, and everything else you need to set yourself apart. Whether it’s fine-tuning your descriptions of leadership roles, presenting measurable outcomes from teamwork projects, or ensuring your CV is ATS-friendly, FirstResume has you covered.

With advanced features like job compatibility analysis and smart job tracking, we guide you seamlessly toward landing your dream role. Plus, our platform ensures your CV is future-proofed and aligned with industry expectations, making it easier than ever to showcase the skills you’ve worked hard to develop.

Don’t wait. Keep your CV stand out-ready and your skills relevant. Start creating an impactful resume today by visiting FirstResume! The career you’ve always envisioned is just a click away.

Why These Strategies Work

Employers care about more than just technical skills—they’re looking for well-rounded candidates who can lead, collaborate, and solve problems. By participating in activities like student societies, competitions, and volunteering, you’re not just having fun—you’re building a resume that tells a compelling story of your potential.

Remember, it’s not about what you did, but how you did it and the impact you made. With a combination of well-developed skills and a clear, results-focused CV, you’ll stand out as a candidate employers can’t ignore.

Start Building Your Skills Today

Leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills aren’t just for the workplace—you can develop them right now, during your time at university. Find activities that excite you, take on challenges that stretch your abilities, and don’t be afraid to step into leadership roles.

And when it’s time to apply for your first internship or job, use the STAR method to showcase your impact. Remember: employers want to see potential, not perfection. Or even better, use FirstResume to prepare your perfect resume, cover letter and everything you need for your job applications with AI in seconds.

What’s one step you can take this week to develop these skills? Whether it’s joining a club, signing up for a competition, or volunteering for a project, start today. Your future self will thank you!