"It’s a tough job market out here in 2020. We’re all looking for ways we can stay as competitive as possible, whether we’re climbing the ranks at our current company or looking for a new role. So what are employers really looking for? Based on LinkedIn’s 2020 analysis and number of open roles out there in the market, we’ve taken a look at the top hard and soft skills you need to be successful in 2020. Here’s exactly how you can continue to add them to your professional toolkit.
Soft Skills
Creativity
Training yourself to become more creative actually comes through a lot of practice. Learning a lot about how artists find inspiration and practice their way into better creativity can help us learn to flex this muscle as well. First, researching what inspires some of the best artists is a place to start. We can also get to know the routines and habits of creative leaders you admire to bring out our more creative sides.
Persuasion
Developing persuasion skills has a lot to do with being able to think from someone else’s perspective. What’s in it for them? Start by thinking of science-backed techniques including looking for small wins in a conversation, and being able to build rapport with a wide range of people.
Collaboration
Highly-effective collaborators are transparent and effective listeners, among other things. Today, this takes on an even more digital angle. Next, cross the hard/soft skills divide by learning about all the collaboration platforms that you could recommend to improve your team’s culture and productivity.
Adaptability
One key tool to grow your adaptability is to develop “Courses of Action.” It’s a tactic Navy SEALs use to prepare themselves for a range of outcomes in tough situations. Thinking a little wider about how the world might change? NC State University offers a certification in Climate Adaptation, highlighting to employers that you’re a sustainability-minded forward thinker.
Emotional Intelligence
EQ or your “emotional quotient” is one of the most critical skills to develop in your career. In fact, it’s the enabler that makes the delivery of all of your other hard and soft skills possible. We broke that down in detail here, and talked about all the ways that asking for feedback and being a better observer can fine tune those talents.
Hard Skills
Blockchain
Employers are trying to match business use cases to this new way to store, transfer, and validate data in a digital world. IBM offers one of the most well-known certifications. Further, the State University of New York offers a BlockChain Certification that gives you an opportunity to do a hands-on project. (Hello resume booster!) Interested in just getting fluent in this technology? The Linux Foundation has a great Blockchain Introductory Course through edX to help you understand the basics.
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing technologies support many aspects of top firms’ technologies today. First up, understanding the basics can be valuable, depending on your field. However, if you’re really in the market for some technical additions to your toolkit, the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Program is one of the best-regarded.
Analytical Reasoning
Listening to alternative points of view and building your own arguments helps develop analytical reasoning. One way to get that perspective is through teeing up a wide variety of podcasts on critical thinking. Consider treating these like a class, and taking notes. How do people research their points? Account for alternative views? These tips can help stretch your own analytical tool kit.
AI
Artificial intelligence is picking up more and more routine tasks as automation becomes more sophisticated. Understanding the basics of how AI could apply to your job could help you think creatively about maximizing your own productivity, or what parts of your job could change over time. LinkedIn Learning offers a comprehensive learning path for you to Master the Fundamentals of AI and Machine Learning.
UX Design
UX Design can represent a number of different sub skills that you might want to polish. Ranging from visual basics to programming, working through a big platform like Skillshare gives you some options. Other organizations like the Interaction Design Foundation take a career-first approach, offering classes directly tied to the most in-demand jobs today.