Skills come in many forms - and we all have them. You likely picked your course of study based on some knowledge of what your skills and strengths are (or are not.) If you’re like most of us, you may not think seriously about your skill sets until actually job hunting. Whether you’re heading into the workforce or just beginning to think about your professional future, it’s important to know what skills employers are looking for in new hires.
Let’s pretend that the job hunt is happening now. What skills do you have today that would land your dream job? Do your skills match up with the demands of today’s workplace? Do you know what employers are looking for?
Hard Skills vs. Soft Skills
Professional skills are often categorized as soft skills or hard skills. Soft skills are personality traits and behaviors. Think of them as the way you act, depending on a specific situation. According to research by LinkedIn and Indeed, trending soft skills for 2020 include:
- Creativity
- Persuasion
- Collaboration
- Adaptability
- Emotional Intelligence
- Problem-Solving
- Communication
- Self-Direction
- Drive
Hard skills are teachable and measurable abilities. Think of skills like math, reading, writing or using a computer. (The latter being a must have skill in this Covid-era!) Our friends at LinkedIn and Indeed have listed these as some of the must have hard skills for 2020:
- Blockchain
- Cloud Computing
- Analytical Reasoning
- Artificial Intelligence
- Business Analysis
- Affiliate Marketing/ SEO Marketing
- Sales
- Video Production
- Bilingual/Multilingual
- Database management
- Data mining
Now that you know what employers are looking for, seek out opportunities that will enhance these skills. We’ll even help you get started!
Next Steps
Remember, it’s never too early to start thinking about your future career. Here’s a few steps you can take today to set your sights on success:
- Research trending job skills in 2020 and beyond.
- Study abroad! Many of the soft skills and hard skills for 2020 can be enhanced through education abroad.
- Familiarize yourself with the skills needed for careers you are interested in. Look at job posts, befriend HR/Hiring managers. (in other words…do your homework!)
- Complete an internship (or two) to enhance your soft and hard skills
