The Most In-demand Skill You'll Need to Hire for In the Future

Sean Ahern
Posted by in Career Advice •


What skills will be the most desirable by employers in the upcoming future? Hard skills that are based on technology, or soft skills such as time management? Given our rapidly expanding technological world, you would assume the former, but you may be surprised to hear what skills many applicants are lacking that are becoming more in demand as time goes on.

Many applicants work and study diligently to learn hard skills such as data analysis and computer programming in order to become qualified enough for highly rigorous positions, but often fail to acknowledge and hone other highly valuable soft skills. Employers now and will be seeking a balance of hard and soft skills in applicants as it demonstrates a well-rounded education and skill-set. Some other soft skills that are in high demand are:

Decision making: Employers prefer applicants that can make well informed decisions on their own, requiring less management. As we move into an era that is utilizing more and more data to influence decisions, being able to analyze data and subsequently use proper judgment in what business action to implement is highly valuable. In this case, the soft skill of decision making actually bolsters the hard skill of data analysis.

Multitasking: More and more companies are downsizing their staff as they hire employees who are proficient in more areas than one. Having smaller teams also allows better communication between team members. Being able to multitask between different areas of expertise, such as writing copy for a website and also being able to design the backend of the website, is an extremely valuable trait.

Innovation: Every now and then an employee has that “janitor to vice president” moment in their career where they offer a new and innovative plan of action for the company to take. An employee who doesn’t just simply do their job but who is actively seeking more efficient and innovative solutions that can be undertaken by the entire company is someone who has upper management written all over them.

People skills: Finally, you’re significantly more likely to be hired if you’re a likeable person who is able to communicate and work well with others. It may seem a bit biased, as maybe you have a certain type of “resting face” that you worry will put you out of the running, but you have to remember that everyone is human, and that you’ll be working with these people every day in the same room.

 
Comment

Become a member to take advantage of more features, like commenting and voting.

Register
Sign In
  • Jeff G.
    Jeff G. •

    All this is ok, however, who among you youngsters are willing to go out and work,sweat work come home dirty and tired.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Brenda J thanks for your comment. It's so true that these skills are very important. In today's world, decision making seems to be left up to others - to society - instead of individuals making their own choices. People skills seem to be at an all-time low. People don't talk to each other. They text or they post on social media instead of picking up a phone and calling. I know I am truly guilty of doing that. So maybe we can all work on these skills in this new year.

  • Brenda J.
    Brenda J. •

    If I had to comment on this article, "Job Skills for the Future;" I always thought that small is best. Most people won't agree. People are taught that big is better and the bigger has been past down from generations. Now it's the norm. My gut desire is to continue this journey being the best woman that God has required me to be. I wouldn't normally comment, but the topic got me and the more I read the more I was reading myself. These four qualities, decision making, multitasking, desiring & doing extra & communicating are natural skills. I believe in 2020 the plumber will be called to fix the television. And if you want to keep the job until retirement get active & committed to your boss.& show her( him) the talents God has put in you. I continue working on the hard skills being better today than
    a year ago. No one knows it all. Experience can be a great teacher...

  • Rich M.
    Rich M. •

    By downsizing, the company is shooting their own foot. I think they way are doing is this is going to cause inferior work and products to be made. They (higher ups) just want more in their pockets and the hell with the workers. Sure it's great if you know more than job, but is bound to screw something up. After all, you don't call a plumber to do fix your tv. I personally know how to do a couple things together, but there are certain times when you can't be in two places at the same time. I could go on with this, but I won't. I may be wrong in my thinking and that's ok.

Jobs to Watch