The world of work is changing, and with it, so are the skills you’ll need to get hired in 2025 and beyond. Rapid advances in technology, combined with changes to workplace culture and environments have increased the value of two types of skills. Firstly, tech skills are increasingly a requirement across various industry sectors, while soft skills that help you adapt to new ways of working can also make you stand out from the crowd. Let’s take a deeper dive into the top 10 skills that matter most in the current hiring landscape.
The growing use of tech and data across numerous industry sectors means that, among hard and technical skills, IT and technology-focused skills are increasingly valuable. Some of the best hard skills for your resume include:
The exponential growth of AI is perhaps the biggest step change in the world of work since the advent of the internet. AI is transforming industries, leading to an increased demand for engineers who can develop intelligent algorithms and automated systems. Adding AI and machine learning skills to your portfolio is one of the most valuable ways to broaden your employment options, with the World Economic Forum listing it as the fastest-growing skill in the world of work today.
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The role of data in business intelligence is another key growth area. As data availability has grown, data-led decision-making has become essential as companies seek to gain a competitive edge. The ability to work with big data, either as a data analyst or a data scientist, is therefore more valuable than ever. Even just a basic understanding of data analysis can serve you well in various roles and industry sectors, from marketing to public services like education and government.
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Cyberattacks are on the rise around the world, and are considered one of the biggest threats facing businesses in 2025. The growth in cyberattacks has led to cybersecurity experts, analysts and consultants becoming a highly valuable commodity to all sorts of businesses. Skills like network security, cryptography and programming languages can all help you build highly useful skills in cybersecurity for future employment opportunities.
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Cloud computing has become one of the biggest growth areas in tech over recent years. Large companies are integrating cloud services to help them reduce costs and increase efficiency, so honing your skills in this area can prove valuable for employers looking to gain an advantage across various sectors. Cloud computing also helps firms become more sustainable, responding to the climate crisis while remaining innovative.
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Speaking of sustainability, the energy transition is opening up new opportunities for green skills across various specialisms. These include engineering skills, environmental consultancy, project management skills and environmental compliance knowledge. Green jobs are a massive growth sector, so deciding to specialise in new and emerging environment technologies can open up strong employment opportunities for now and the future.
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The constant changes to working practices driven by technological development have also led to soft skills growing in value. Certain technical skills have been devalued, while others require a commitment to constantly learning and adapting to new technologies. As such, recruiters and employers are targeting candidates who can show they have the basic foundations for success. These are some of the key soft skills for your resume in 2025:
Almost every job, to some extent, requires an element of problem-solving, including many roles that require the use of increasingly complex systems and data. The ability to assess a challenge, evaluate your options and make the correct decision can be applied to numerous roles and industries, whether you’re working with cutting-edge technology or you’re in a public-facing role such as customer service.
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Skills in adaptability, flexibility and resilience can all show employers that you’re able to handle the complex and ever-evolving challenges of the modern workplace. Aside from the advance of technology, other forces like the pandemic and growing economic uncertainty have all contributed to work changing more rapidly and profoundly than ever before. If you can show employers examples of your ability to adapt and flex to changing circumstances, you’ll be well-equipped for success in your job search.
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Another response to the growing change in workplaces and working practices, employers are increasingly seeking candidates who can display valuable leadership qualities. The rise of remote and hybrid work has created new challenges for how to manage and motivate a team, while the other major influences of technology and economic uncertainty make change management skills more critical than ever. This means if you can show evidence of the impact of your leadership skills in work or other environments, you’re putting yourself in a strong position compared to other candidates.
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Creative thinking doesn’t just mean being able to write, design or create content. It also means being able to innovate, solve problems, increase efficiency and apply ingenuity to any workplace challenge. Creative thinkers can see situations from different perspectives, and their vision and ability to conceptualise complex problems can help them make vital contributions in a team environment.
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A commitment to adding new skills and understanding new ways of working is one of the most highly regarded soft skills in this changing world of work. Upskilling and re-skilling workers is one of the best ways companies can become more efficient and resilient to changing external forces. As such, if you can show employers you have a commitment to lifelong learning and adding new skills and specialisms to your portfolio, you’ll be more likely to thrive in many different roles and industries. This can be a tricky skill to evidence in your resume, though listing certifications and training is one way to show a proactive mindset and a commitment to professional development.
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Senior Fullstack Engineer
Azhar Khan is the founder of Talentd, and a Sr. FullStack Engineer, currently working for USA Fintech company.
