Studies Reveal the Skills Employers (Really) Want

What skills do employers want?

Employers are increasingly prioritizing job candidates’ skills instead of background factors like education and work history when trying to hire the best employees. In fact, a survey by TestGorilla found that 70 percent of employers say skills-based hiring is more important than looking for great resumes when interviewing for roles. This trend is excellent news for candidates; 86 percent of job seekers surveyed felt that the ability to showcase their role-specific skills to potential employers could help them land their dream job.

But what in-demand career skills are these employers seeking? A LinkedIn analysis of global member data provides detailed insights into the soft and hard skills employers want today. The platform investigated the skills listed and exhibited by recently hired professionals and site members who were contacted by recruiters. It also looked at the most common skills listed in paid job postings on LinkedIn over a six-month period.

We examined LinkedIn’s insights and other current reports to identify some of the most sought-after hard and soft skills in today’s job market.

Soft skills employers want

Soft skills never go out of style. According to LinkedIn’s 2024 Workplace Learning report, 91 percent of global executives say soft skills — also called “human” or “durable” skills — are more important than ever.

These nontechnical skills — including how professionals interact with colleagues, solve problems, manage work and exhibit emotional intelligence skills — remain critical and valued by many employers. These skills often transcend specific positions and job descriptions, making them desirable attributes for employers in nearly any industry.

Soft skills employers value include communication, leadership, adaptability and teamwork.

1. Communication

According to the LinkedIn analysis, communication proficiency is the most sought-after soft skill for employers. While effective employee communication is a two-way street, hiring professionals with exceptional communication skills gives employers an instant bonus.

Communication skills are particularly critical in an era when remote and hybrid work arrangements require workers to collaborate across a range of online channels and platforms — as opposed to just in person. This environment means the quantity of workplace communications is rapidly increasing, but the potential for costly miscommunication is staggering. According to Grammarly’s 2023 State of Business Communication report, miscommunication costs businesses an average of $12,506 per employee per year.

However, a business must assemble hybrid teams full of highly communicative and empathetic professionals; in doing so, they can streamline company communications, save money, make more deals and improve their brand reputation.

2. Leadership

The LinkedIn analysis identified leadership as another in-demand skill employers want. Strong leadership pipelines are crucial to organizational growth and continuity for businesses in every industry. Employees with leadership potential either possess innate leadership abilities or have developed and honed leadership skills; such skills help them motivate and guide others, promote collaboration, resolve conflicts and encourage creativity in colleagues, teams and co-workers.

Identifying leadership characteristics is particularly important when hiring for a cultural fit; this is because leaders don’t just adapt to a company’s culture — they help shape and strengthen it.

3. Adaptability

The LinkedIn analysis called adaptability the top “skill of the moment,” noting that this skill saw the most notable surge in year-over-year demand. Adaptable workers help keep teams steady amid constantly changing industry environments and help organizations drive maximum impact.

Technology changes rapidly, and in-demand skills differ from year to year. In fact, LinkedIn says skills for specific roles are expected to change by 65 percent by 2030. Employees who can quickly learn new tools, systems and processes can help businesses pivot amid fast-paced innovations and industry changes. Their ability to embrace new technology and learn new skills will help companies transition, brainstorm solutions and stay relevant no matter what industry disruptions occur.

4. Teamwork

The ability to work well as part of a team is a tried-and-true quality long valued by employers. Individuals who perform well in a team help foster an environment of workplace collaboration — increasing productivity, boosting company goodwill and helping solve problems. As a bonus, professionals who can work well in a dispersed team of remote, in-person and hybrid colleagues can foster continuity and shared goals; this skill helps a business thrive.

Cohesive teams are better at problem-solving — respectfully incorporating different perspectives to create a positive environment where everyone works toward the best solutions for the business. Hiring people who exhibit teamwork skills is a wise choice for hiring managers.

Hard skills employers want

While soft skills apply to any industry, hard skills are more specific. The good news is that many hard skills can be learned and honed. Consider the following four tech-fueled hard skills currently in demand by many employers.

1. Proficiency with AI

AI is transforming businesses in numerous industries. According to LinkedIn’s Future of Work report, AI innovations will likely affect more than half of LinkedIn members’ current jobs.

Employers know that AI is rapidly changing operations; thus, they need team members who can effectively leverage this tech innovation to drive results. For example, employers will increasingly seek out professionals who can use generative AI and help shape AI models to achieve specific results and boost efficiency. As a bonus, they’ll be able to teach colleagues these skills and position themselves as leaders.

Workers versed in AI will likely be in even more demand in the future.

2. CRM software experience

The LinkedIn analysis revealed that employers want candidates with robust customer service and customer relationship management skills. Specifically, professionals who can manage customer relationships and build trust with consumers are highly valued and prioritized.

While dealing well with customers may be somewhat of a soft skill, hard skills are intrinsic to this category. For example, candidates proficient in the best CRM software, such as Salesforce and HubSpot, will have a leg up on the competition; this is because they can help automate functions and provide more efficient and reliable customer service. CRM software solutions are increasingly adding AI innovations to their platforms; this means job candidates who can add a human touch and help navigate AI customer support will be prized.

3. Working with data and research

Data is being generated at a fast and furious pace, fueled by AI and robust business software. In fact, according to Statista, global data creation is projected to grow to more than 180 zettabytes by 2025 — making data analytics and research highly in-demand skills.

Individuals who can glean actionable insights from all this data will remain in high demand for the foreseeable future. Employers need workers who can apply statistical and logic-based methods to organize and evaluate data to determine what’s useful and what’s junk. They need people qualified to understand sales analytics to help inform decisions; they’ll also implement big data solutions, track sales and service performance via CRM analytics, and much more.

4. Information technology skills

Tech skills are always sought after, but they change with innovation and technology’s evolution. Tech-savvy employees are valued in every industry, not just the tech sector. Finance, healthcare, market research, manufacturing and construction all need skilled IT professionals.

Beyond data analytics, people with programming skills (Python, C, C++, Java, etc.) and user experience (UE) and user interface (UI) design skills will have no shortage of opportunities. This also goes for knowledge of cloud computing platforms like Amazon Web Services, data visualization and big data applications as well.

Tips for developing and demonstrating job skills to get hired

Even if you haven’t yet honed in-demand hard skills or worked on essential soft skills, the good news is that you have many ways to “upskill”; this means learning new skills to stay competitive in your industry. Even if you’re already proficient in many top skills, learning more and staying current is essential. Consider the following tips for developing and demonstrating job skills to get hired:

• Identify your knowledge gaps. Upskilling is most effective when you have a clear goal, such as being in the running for a promotion or entering a new industry. Your first step is determining any gaps in your current knowledge and skill set that would be barriers to reaching that goal. Once you identify your knowledge gaps, you can start looking for resources to help fill them.
• Investigate learning resources. Plentiful online classes and learning resources exist for nearly every skill set imaginable. For example, you can pursue top programming certifications; this can help you expand your programming knowledge. It can also aid in finding networking certifications and other IT certifications to expand IT job options or help pursue corporate training and development certifications to boost your earning potential. Other online business education programs and platforms can provide high-quality, specialized courses to help you develop numerous tech and business skills.
• Find a mentor. Consider finding a mentor who is highly proficient in the skill you want to hone. Shadow them, ask questions and gain valuable feedback. Some mentorships are informal, like a work colleague willing to spend time with you to demonstrate their knowledge. Others are more formal programs offered through employers, universities or professional organizations.

• Take advantage of micro-learning resources. Micro-learning encompasses short bursts of learning; this often entails consuming short-form content on social media sites like Instagram or YouTube. Many content creators on these platforms have backgrounds in various professional skills and share tips and instructions via videos or short text slides.
• Outline your skills-based experience. It’s crucial to show employers what you’re capable of — both the skills you already possess and any skills you’ve recently acquired. Write down all your skills-based experiences. For example, note classes and projects you’ve completed that demonstrate your mastery of a specific skill. During interviews, employers may ask for examples of when you’ve demonstrated proficiency in a specific area, so having ready examples will show your confidence and competence. Ensure your resume and LinkedIn profile list all your current skills so employers can find you.

Know your skills to stand out to employers

Communicating your skill set clearly to prospective employers is crucial. Remember that hard and soft skills matter, with soft skills becoming increasingly sought-after in today’s workplace. If you’re a great communicator, an empathetic leader or a creative problem-solver, don’t forget to highlight those skills alongside your technical and software expertise. This will make it easier for employers to understand the value you can bring to their organization.