Top skills you need to land a job in 2022

The war of talent is real. In today’s competitive workplace, companies are giving less importance to degree requirements and are emphasizing more on soft-skills requirements in their job adverts and testing hard skills through certifications, evaluations and other methods.

Employers generally seek a combination of both. It is therefore very important for candidates to understand what skills are in high demand to give them a leg up on the competition and become more marketable.

Looking for a new job, either a graduate or professional? Learn more about the top skills you need to land a job in 2022:

Technical skills needed in different industries

Technical skills are the knowledge and experience you need to perform a particular job. It can vary across industries and jobs. Some examples that are currently in demand in the workplace:

Project management

Organizing resources, managing budgets, and people from conception to project implementation. Choosing a career in project management involves developing these technical skills:

1. Budget planning
2. Project planning
3. Project management tools 
4. Quality assurance
5. Risk management

Data analysis

Nowadays, nearly every industry today relies on data to help in decision-making. Employers are looking for someone who can collect, organise, and then interpret these valuable insights

The most common data analytic skills are:

1. Research
2. Data mining
3. Database management
4. Data presentation
5. Forecasting
6. Data visualization

Programming and coding

Whether you are applying as a software engineer or web developer, you need to have a good knowledge of coding and programming. Expertise requires for this job is:

1. C++
2. HTML/CSS
3. Java
4. JavaScript
5. Python
6. SQL

Information Technology Security

With businesses moving online and migrating to cloud storage, there is an increased demand for information technology security experts. These specialists can control data breaches and ensure that organizations retain their brand positioning and reputation. Those skills include:

1. Network and system administration
2. Cloud computing
3. Cybersecurity
4. AI
5. Data mining & analysis
6. Programming and coding
7. Software engineering

Digital Marketing

As we all know, social media and digital marketing have become a major part of marketing strategies in most businesses. Everyone can mention “experience in social media” in their resume, but if you are able to quantify your Marcom results with facts and figures; well-defined KPIs, and goals conversion achieved with the hiring managers, you will be able to stand out from the competition.

   Here are common marketing skills to consider:

1. Content creation
2. Graphic design
3. Data analysis
4. Email marketing
5. SEO
6. Social media ads
7. Copywriting

Digital Media

Another common career which is growing in today’s modern age is digital media. It requires a mix of both creativity and technical skills. When choosing a career in digital media, you need to learn and develop the following skills:

1. Adobe suite
2. Digital Photography
3. Video production
4. Audio editing
5. UX design

Accounting & Finance

The accounting and finance industry is growing rapidly. If you are interested in joining this booming field or are looking to take the next step in your accounting career, now is the time to start developing your accounting skills. Nowadays, job positions in this industry don’t require only a credential (degree or ACCA) but having a set of well-honed skills will make out the right candidate. The key skills are:

1. Billing
2. Bookkeeping
3. Accounting software
4. Microsoft Office
5. Financial planning & analysis
6. Reconciliation
7. Risk Management
8. Budgeting and forecasting

Soft skills in demand to get a job in 2022

Soft skills refer to character traits and interpersonal abilities. They are less about your qualifications and more personality-driven. Experts say that soft skills are more important than technical skills.

When applying for a job, consider developing these soft skills to ensure you appear to be the best candidate:

Communication

As an able communicator, you should be able to adjust your tone and style according to your audience, comprehend and act efficiently, and explain complex issues to clients. Ask yourself whether you can convey a key message with as few words as possible? Or close a deal by asking the right question at the right time? Remember that no matter how complicated a situation is or how difficult a customer/co-worker can be, the ability to communicate effectively still holds the high card.

The most common communication skills are: 

1. Verbal communication
2. Written communication
3. Presentation
4. Constructive feedback
5. Active listening

Problem-solving

This skill requires a particular mindset. It’s about how fast you can think and how quickly you can act. Candidates who can approach a problem with a cool head will often find a solution more efficiently than those who cannot. It is important to show the employer how you have handled a challenge with your head up and point out that you are able to think critically and creatively even under pressure.

These are the skills associated with problem-solving: 

• Analysis
• Logical reasoning
• Observation
• Brainstorming
• Decision-making

Dependability

Dependability skills have great importance in the workplace. In today’s remote and hybrid work culture, the employer should be able to trust you can complete any task, and that you will do it well. A dependable employee produces consistent work, meets deadlines, is self-sufficient and reliable, makes commitments, and follow-up on what has been done. At work, being dependable can come with some good rewards.

Emotional Intelligence

Emotional Intelligence (EI or EQ) is the awareness and management of one’s emotions and that of others. Mrs Sarah Sabin, Transformational Leadership & Business Coach, quoted, “Emotional intelligence is the strongest indicator that an employee will be a high performer”. 

You need to demonstrate how, during a workplace/life challenges that you experienced, you have listened to the concern of others and came up with a solution for a win-win.

Employers know that candidates with high EQ manage change perfectly, respond well to feedback, make wise decisions and are able to work effectively. 

Learn more from Daniel Goleman on the 12 components of Emotional Intelligence.

Innovation & Creativity

Creative thinking is the process of looking for new ways to do things to reach fresh solutions. Every organization requires some level of creativity and innovation. It can range from art or design to questioning and experimenting. So if you want to have a competitive advantage and be in demand, you need to be creative.

Now that we’re in the modern tech age, you have plenty of knowledge at your fingertips. You need to prove to the employer that you can come up with a unique approach e.g.; how to cut costs, streamline the processes, close a sale, produce a compelling marketing campaign or even launch a new and innovative product.

Resilience

Resilience is the ability to bounce back swiftly from failure and adversity, not just returning to the status quo, but also making use of the opportunity to learn and grow. It is considered an indispensable skill needed in a job.

If you have the ability to prioritize strategically, adapt to changes and keep working towards the long-term goals even if there are short-term setbacks, you are the ideal candidate for the hiring managers.

Below are some interview questions, hiring managers will ask you to assess your resilience, including:

• How do you deal with challenges?
• What has been your biggest failure, and how did you deal with it?
• Tell us about a time when you had to deal with a major crisis
• Describe a time when something didn’t work out as well as you’d hoped. What did you do, and what did you learn from it?
• How would you respond if you received negative feedback from your seniors?

Or you can be invited to participate in a role-play where the employer will give you a challenging situation and assess how you would respond in a real-life work environment.

As industries and consumer behaviour are evolving, so do the top skills in demand that companies value. In the remote and hybrid culture of today’s workplace, where skills like adaptability and resilience have come to the fore, employers need candidates with a solid mix of technical and soft skills. While some skills are innate, others can be developed through study and practice to enhance your career.

Written by Karishma Pattoo, Content Specialist at Proactive Talent