Top 10 Job Skills Employers Are Looking For

In the sea of job applications, the struggle to stand out is real. Your CV seems flooded with qualifications, yet the perfect opportunity remains elusive. Your pain point is clear: despite the effort, the right doors aren't opening.

The key? Unveiling the specific job skills that employers crave. I'll show you the top ten in-demand flexible skills for all jobs that will transform your job search.

Read on to learn more about job skills sought after by employers in the UK and how to showcase them on your CV.

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What are job skills?

Job skills encompass a broad spectrum of competencies. Some are specific to your desired job, like knowing how to use certain tools or computer programs (technical skills). Others are about how you work with people, solve problems, and communicate (soft skills).

So, job skills (also referred to as transferable skills) are the abilities you bring to work that help you do your job well. As you can see in this study made by ManpowerGroup, 77% of employers globally report difficulty finding the skilled talent they need. In the UK, this number is as high as 80%. This makes it a significant opportunity for job applicants, as candidates possessing these sought-after abilities have a distinct advantage. You can position yourself as a valuable asset by aligning your skill sets with the in-demand abilities employers seek. All you need is to have these job skills and show them correctly on your CV.

What are the 10 most in-demand job skills?

Employers across various industries consistently seek candidates who possess a mix of technical and soft skills to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace. I picked 10 of them, which are considered to be some of the most crucial in multiple industries, as highlighted by the ManpowerGroup, McKinsey, Access Group, and the UK government. These are:

• IT skills
• Communication
• Adaptability
• Problem-solving
• Critical thinking
• Creativity
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Engineering
• Time management

Let’s discuss each one of them in more detail:

1. IT skills

Knowing how to work with data and operate various common programs, like the MS Suite, is important in nearly every industry. Having good IT skills means you can plan smart strategies, understand what customers want, and solve problems effectively. Companies really value people with this job skill. It's not just about numbers; it's about understanding what they mean and using that to succeed at work. If you're good with data, it can open up lots of opportunities and help you stay relevant.

2. Communication

Communication skills help you express yourself clearly and work well with others. When you can talk and write effectively, it makes everything at work smoother. It's not just about using big words; it's about ensuring people understand your words. This work skill improves teamwork and is crucial when explaining ideas or solving problems with your team.

3. Adaptability

Adaptability skills are crucial because they help you navigate changes and new situations with ease. Being adaptable means adjusting to different environments and challenges without getting overwhelmed. It also shows the willingness to learn and try new things. In the working world, things can change quickly, and employers really value people who can go with the flow and find solutions, even in unexpected situations. So, having strong adaptability skills not only makes you more resilient but also makes you stand out as someone who can handle whatever comes your way.

4. Problem-solving

Being a strong problem-solver means adapting to unexpected situations, making informed decisions, and actively contributing to finding the best solutions. Whether in technical domains like medicine or service-oriented roles like administrative support, there is a universal demand for workers with this job skill, who can creatively overcome obstacles and contribute to a more efficient workplace.

5. Critical thinking

Critical thinking skills are immensely valuable in the workplace, empowering you to analyse various situations. Developing strong critical thinking skills makes you a reliable team member and equips you with a versatile toolset applicable across various job environments, setting you up for success in the professional world. Critical thinking often goes hand in hand with problem-solving and decision-making transferable skills.

6. Creativity

Creativity skills mean thinking outside the box, coming up with fresh ideas, and finding inventive solutions to challenges. Employers value individuals who can bring a creative perspective to their work, whether in a field like graphic design or even administrative tasks. For example, in a marketing role, this job skill might involve developing engaging content or devising unique strategies to attract customers. Creative thinking isn't limited to specific jobs; it's a vital personal skill that can enhance your problem-solving abilities and make you stand out in any role.

7. Leadership

Leadership skills are crucial in the workplace, especially in managerial positions, as they involve guiding and inspiring others to achieve common goals. Effective leaders use this work skill to communicate clearly, make decisions, and motivate their team to perform at their best. For instance, in a managerial role, strong leadership might mean setting clear expectations for team members, providing guidance on tasks, and fostering a positive work environment. Employers highly value individuals who can take initiative, make sound decisions, and inspire others, contributing to the overall success of a team and organization.

8. Teamwork

Teamworking skills are important, a key job skill contributing to a positive and productive work environment. These skills involve collaborating with colleagues to achieve shared goals, communicate effectively, and contribute positively to the team dynamic. For example, in a project team, good teamwork skills mean working well with others, sharing ideas, and collectively finding solutions to challenges. Employers appreciate those who can work effectively in a team, recognizing that collaboration often leads to innovative ideas and potentially successful project outcomes.

9. Engineering

Engineering skills are essential for many industries, and there is a universal demand for employees with these job skills. Engineers bring valuable problem-solving and critical thinking skills to the workplace, whether designing new products, improving processes, or addressing complex challenges. Their ability to contribute to efficient solutions makes them indispensable assets. The impact of a gap in engineering skills translates to almost every industry.

10. Time management

This fundamental job skill involves prioritizing tasks, setting realistic deadlines, and organizing work effectively. Employers value workers who can manage their time well, since it directly impacts the quality and timeliness of work. Developing strong time management skills helps employees meet deadlines, achieve goals, and contribute to a more organized and less stressful work environment. This personal skill is especially vital for all remote and freelance jobs, as it proves self-motivation.

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How to include the right job skills to put on a CV?

Choosing the right job skills for your CV involves thoughtfully evaluating the job requirements you're applying for. Start by carefully reading the job description and noting the skills mentioned. For example, when they are “looking for a team player,” the company wants their employee to have well-developed teamwork skills.

Identify the key technical and soft skills the employer values. Next, assess your own skills and work experiences. Highlight those that align with the job requirements.

Consider including a mix of technical skills relevant to the industry and soft skills demonstrating your ability to collaborate, communicate, and problem-solve. Especially since some consider soft skills to be the key job skills that employees need to succeed in their careers.

Here’s a walkthrough on putting job skills on your CV:

1. Start with your CV profile

The first place where you can show your personal skills is your CV summary or CV objective. This brief but impactful section is your professional introduction, allowing you to showcase key attributes. Here’s an example:

Job skills examples–CV profile

This CV profile shows multiple job skills. From sales and negotiation, through team collaboration, to leadership. These skills collectively paint a comprehensive picture of a sales professional with a strong track record of achieving results, building and maintaining client relationships, and implementing strategic initiatives.

2. Build an impressive work history section

The profile isn’t the only section of a CV where you can showcase your personal skills. This is how you can incorporate job skills into your work history:

Job skills examples—work experience section

These professional work achievements prove several job skills. The first shows negotiation and strategic planning, the second presents strong communication, and the third showcases empathy and conflict resolution.

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3. Include an education section

Next, let’s move to the education section, an important place to showcase your work skills when writing a CV with no experience.

Job skills examples—education section

These activities show this candidate’s teamwork skills and general sales and financial abilities.

4. Add a curated skills section

As the name suggests, this part of your CV is all about your personal skills. Tailor them to the job ad, and remember to include a quantified achievement for each one to prove your expertise.

Job skills examples—skills section

This section is great, as you can showcase all the job skills you want simply. Keep in mind that you don’t want to overwhelm the recruiter. 5 skills is a sweet spot.

5. Finish with additional sections

The last places to present your personal skills are your extracurricular activities sections. Below, I use volunteer experience as an example.

Job skills examples–additional sections

This section shows our candidate possesses leadership and strategic planning job skills.

To sum up, include mentions of your skills, not only in the skill section but also in your work history, CV profile, and bonus sections, such as your hobbies & interests. Tailor your skills section to reflect the most sought-after competencies in your field of work.

How to improve your job skills?

Continuous improvement is a skill in itself. And it’s something each one of us does practically every day, even if we don’t realise it. But, there are some specific ways that offer focused improvement of your job skills.

1. Workshops & courses

Embrace a mindset of lifelong learning by regularly participating in workshops, online courses, and industry seminars. This not only enhances your current work skills but also keeps you abreast of the latest industry trends and technologies. Continuous learning demonstrates adaptability and a commitment to staying relevant in the industry.

2. Seeking feedback and constructive criticism

Actively seek feedback from colleagues, supervisors, or mentors. Constructive criticism helps identify areas for improvement and allows you to refine your skills. Embracing feedback demonstrates a willingness to grow, adapt, and enhance your performance.

3. Networking and collaboration

Engage in professional networking, both within and outside your organization. Collaborating with professionals from diverse backgrounds exposes you to different perspectives and approaches, enriching your skill set. Networking also creates mentorship and knowledge exchange opportunities, fostering a collaborative work environment and potentially leading to career advancement.

4. Learn to utilize emerging technologies

Stay tech-savvy and leverage automation tools relevant to your field. Embracing technology enhances efficiency and productivity, allowing you to focus on higher-value tasks. For example, mastering project management software can streamline workflow, showcasing your ability to adapt to modern work methods and improving overall team effectiveness.

5. Mentorship and reverse mentorship

Establish mentor-mentee relationships, both traditional and reverse mentorship. Learning from experienced professionals provides valuable insights and guidance, accelerating your skill development. Simultaneously, engaging in reverse mentorship, where you mentor someone with expertise in areas you wish to improve, enhances your leadership and communication skills.

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Thank you for reading this article about work skills. If you have any questions at all about job skills for your CV, please ask in the comments section. We’ll always gladly help.

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Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.