5 of the most in-demand skills for the future of work

According to a study by Gartner, 64% of managers don’t think their employees are able to keep pace with future skill needs. And as businesses continue to digitalise their processes, HR leaders are noticing significant skill gaps. With so many human resources trends taking off, we’re beginning to see a major shift in priorities.

While we’ve recently seen a heavy focus on improving technical skills for work, such as computer programming and data science, the development of soft skills has taken a back seat.

According to Deloitte, two-thirds of jobs will be soft-skill intensive by 2030, confirming that the skill gap doesn’t only exist within technical roles. Additionally, research from Deloitte revealed “the average worker is missing around 2 of the 18 critical skills that are advertised for a job”.

If we compare this to 2010, where the average worker lacked 1.2 of the skills for work, we can see the gap is widening over time. As the leaders of tomorrow begin to enter the workforce, it’s never been more important to be aware of the most in-demand skills for the future of work.

Read on as we share the attributes you need to continually develop to future-proof yourself and your team.

1. Innovation and creativity

Technology is at the forefront of every industry, so it’s crucial you remain creative and innovative. When we were younger, we were told that thinking outside of the box is a great skill to have, and this continues throughout your entire career.

Interestingly, 73% of organisations reported that creative thinking abilities were a top priority for them when considering talent as we move into the future, agreeing that this skill set is increasing in relevance and importance. On top of this more than 70% of companies surveyed consider creative thinking and analytical thinking to be the skills for work most expected to rise in importance between 2023 and 2027.

However, according to Adobe, 78% of employees over the age of 25 wish they had greater creative ability and equally, 78% of hiring managers believe that creativity is critical to economic growth.

With many people putting themselves in the ‘I’m not creative’ basket, it’s crucial to remember that being creative doesn’t just apply to the arts, and thinking this way instantly creates a roadblock. Being creative can be as simple as thinking of challenging the status quo to try new things.

STEM fields can benefit from creative thinking just as much as the arts.

2. Problem-solving and critical thinking

According to the World Economic Forum, one in three jobs require complex problem-solving skills for work and the ability for employees to think critically. While specific professions like engineering and science require critical thinking in their day-to-day, they’re not the only ones!

It’s become apparent that roles outside these areas need to do the same to create a true competitive advantage.

Machine learning and artificial intelligence enable better access to data, so you have the ability to make strategic decisions. If you’re scared of automation taking over your role, don’t be! It’s important to shift your view to see how it can actually improve your ability to make decisions and solve problems.

If you want to take a look at how automation is impacting the human resources industry, you can read our blog.

3. Growth mindset

Growth is a massive focus for many businesses, and therefore having employees that share this passion is increasingly important. In ever changing workplaces, it’s essential to be agile and able to pivot. So, what exactly is a growth mindset? It’s the ability to continually improve so you can be great at anything when you put your mind to it. Not only this, but having a growth mindset involves continually being on the lookout for the latest trends and innovations that can help you be better and perform better.

4. Interpersonal skills for work

When the future of work is faced with so many changes on the technology and automation front, it’s important to remember that having strong interpersonal capabilities are always in demand. The ability to communicate effectively is an important skill that can be the difference between a manager and a leader.

Whether it’s communicating with co-workers to complete a project or working with clients, communication is a skill that should never be underestimated.

With this being said, it’s important that we never push interpersonal communication abilities to the side. At the end of the day, this important skill could be the deciding factor in your success.

5. Data analysis

With technology prevalent in every industry, it’s demanding a shift for people to become more analytical. Traditionally, roles that may not have ever needed to look at data are now making decisions based on insights. This is necessary so they can prove ROI and subsequently plan for growth.

Having the skills for work to analyse data is something well sought after in the ever-changing job environment. For example, traditionally, a content writer may have never looked at data. However, today they must look at the performance of their content and capitalise on trends to improve reach.

Key takeaways

With technology leading the way in every industry, the most in-demand skills for work are evolving. It’s important you focus on attributes that will prepare you for the future, such as creative thinking, leadership, communication and having a growth mindset can set you apart from the rest.

To get more support with helping your team develop future proofed skills, consider Employment Hero’s Employment OS (operating system). Our all in one hiring and payroll solution built to flex with your business, and offers everything your business needs, from finding and hiring top talent using SmartMatch, seamlessly onboarding new hires, automating complex payroll, and driving employee engagement and morale, all backed by UK-based expert support.

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To learn more, request a demo today.

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