LinkedIn, the social media platform, has published a comprehensive list of the most sought-after skills that employers are looking for when they pick employees. These skills are divided into two categories: general hard skills for any market, and specific industry expertise, including technology. The report emphasizes that possessing sought-after skills can assist individuals and teams in accomplishing their professional objectives, even in a challenging macroeconomic climate.
General hard skills for any market
LinkedIn's list of the top ten overall hard skills in 2023 reveals that IT leads the list, occupying most of the slots. Software development tops the list, followed by data management skills such as SQL, which enables companies to manage and make sense of data across the business, and is still in high demand. Finance also ranks within the top ten, along with Python, Java, Data Analysis, JavaScript, Cloud Computing, Operations, and Management of Customer Relationship.
IT skills
The most sought-after IT skills in the current job market are a combination of hard and general skills, including SQL and cloud computing, project management, management, and customer service. LinkedIn suggests that these skills can help professionals future-proof their careers as marketers, financial analysts, accountants, project managers, business professionals, IT professionals, engineers, or sales professionals. The report states that employers are seeking project managers who can provide guidance with understanding, patience, and confidence.
Most in-demand expertise
By analyzing the skills most frequently sought by employers, hirers, and job-posters on its job posting site between April and October 2022, LinkedIn has determined the most sought-after expertise. To identify in-demand skills, the same methodology was used, but with an added filter to eliminate some of the most widely used, non-specialized skills.
According to LinkedIn, workplace projects become more and more complex and technical, and managers need to be with a high-level technical or at least have a strategic understanding of the importance of a project to manage effectively. Aneesh Raman, vice president of LinkedIn's Opportunity Project, which generated the list of top skills, stated that every company at present is either a tech company or a tech-enabled one, " whether or not they are aware of it.
Soft skills
Soft skills such as communication, management, and leadership are also in high demand. LinkedIn notes that hybrid and remote environments of work have generated more challenges for IT shops. It may make employee devices not accessible. Communication and project management skills become more important in the absence of in-person access, according to the report.
Raman added that management, communication, and leadership are also some of the most-need skills this year. He replied to some media that "Soft skills get jobs". In addition, Demonstrating social skills, like the ability to communicate effectively across place and time or manage a team through change are important.
In conclusion, the LinkedIn report highlights the need for professionals to future-proof their careers by developing a mix of hard and soft skills. Companies are seeking technical and strategic understanding, and managers need to have a high-level understanding of a project's importance to manage effectively. Soft skills such as communication, management, and leadership are also essential in today's remote work environment.