The Most Important Skills Employers Look for in New Employees

Do you look at successful individuals in their careers and wonder how they achieved that success? The answer lies in their possession of a set of skills that make companies seek them out and compete for them. The job market has become an intensely competitive arena. Companies today require employees who not only perform the tasks assigned to them but who are also capable of innovating and adapting to the constantly changing global environment driven by rapidly evolving technology. What are the most important skills employers look for in new employees? Is a university degree and some training courses enough, or are there other factors that influence the hiring decision? Employers are looking for candidates who possess a combination of technical and personal skills that meet their needs and align with the company’s work culture. Let’s explore these skills in more detail.

Technical Skills

These technical skills are no longer required just for programmers and designers; they have become essential in most fields, especially mastering the modern tools and software that support your job. Technical skills include programming and dealing with complex computer algorithms, but also encompass a wide range of tools and knowledge, from website design to big data analysis, from database management to mobile application development, or even the basic essentials that anyone should master, such as Microsoft Office and Google Drive. Google Drive, the cloud storage service provided by Google, allows you to store and access files from anywhere.

The Most Important Technical Skills Employers Look for in New Employees

Technical skills can be divided into two parts. The first is the basics that every employee—or rather, any individual—should master in today’s technology-driven world, and the second is specialized skills that vary depending on your field of work.

First, Basic Technical Skills:

1.Basic Computing and Computer Usage:

• Using operating systems like Windows or macOS.
• Managing files and folders, and using office programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). How to acquire them:
• Follow lessons on YouTube or platforms like LinkedIn Learning.
• Practice using common office applications.

2.Research and Online Communication Skills:

• Effective searching using search engines (Google).
• Managing email professionally (e.g., Gmail, Outlook).
• Using virtual meeting applications (Zoom, Microsoft Teams). How to acquire them:
• Explore Google’s guides and tools like Google Search Operators.
• Try out email and virtual meeting apps.

3.Working with Cloud Storage Tools:

• Using Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox.
• Managing and sharing files via the cloud. How to acquire them:
• Take free courses on YouTube or the “Cloud Computing Basics” course by the University of California, Irvine on Coursera.
• Download tools and practice storing personal or professional files.

4.Basic Data Analysis:

• Using Excel to analyze data.
• Creating basic charts and reports. How to acquire them:
• Take short educational courses like “Excel for Beginners” on Coursera.
• Download data files and practice on Excel or Google Sheets.

5.Social Media Management:

• Creating professional accounts on LinkedIn and Twitter.
• Using content management tools like Buffer and Hootsuite. How to acquire them:
• Follow free courses like “Social Media Basics” on HubSpot Academy.
• Try using scheduling and posting tools.

Second, Specialized Technical Skills:

You can select the skills you need depending on your field and focus on ways to acquire them:

1.Programming and Software Development Skills:

• Most in-demand languages: Python, JavaScript, Java, C#, SQL. How to develop them:
• Enroll in courses through platforms like Coursera and Udemy.
• Apply what you’ve learned through small projects, such as developing web applications or contributing to open-source projects on GitHub.

2.Data Analysis and Big Data Processing:

• Required tools and technologies: Advanced Excel, Power BI or Tableau, R and Python for data analysis, Hadoop and Spark for big data. How to acquire them:
• Participate in data analysis competitions on platforms like Kaggle.
• Study specialized data science courses like “Data Science Specialization” on Coursera offered by Johns Hopkins University or the free “Introduction to Data Science” course from Kaggle, which is ideal for beginners.

3.Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning:

• Skills to master: Building and training models using libraries like TensorFlow and PyTorch; understanding neural networks and core machine learning algorithms. How to learn these skills:
• Study AI-focused courses like the “Deep Learning Specialization” on Coursera.
• Read books such as “Hands-On Machine Learning with Scikit-Learn, Keras, and TensorFlow.”

4.Information Security and Cybersecurity:

• Skills to learn: Penetration testing, risk analysis, and network management using tools like Wireshark and Kali Linux. How to acquire these skills:
• Obtain certifications like CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) and CISSP.
• Practice on platforms simulating system hacks, such as Hack The Box.

5.User Experience (UX) / User Interface (UI) Design:

• Tools to master: Adobe XD or Figma, usability testing tools. How to acquire them:
• Learn UX principles from free resources like the Interaction Design Foundation.
• Build a portfolio featuring your design work.

6.Cloud Computing:

• Skills required: Managing cloud services like AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure; understanding DevOps and tools like Docker and Kubernetes. How to acquire them:
• Study specialized cloud computing courses like Google Cloud Fundamentals: Core Infrastructure offered by Google through Coursera (free and suitable for beginners).

7.E-Commerce and Digital Marketing:

• Skills required: SEO (Search Engine Optimization), managing advertising campaigns via Google Ads and Facebook Ads, performance analysis with Google Analytics. How to acquire them:
• Follow free courses on Google Digital Garage and HubSpot Academy.
• Work on small campaigns to gain experience.

In addition to the steps above, here are some extra tips to strengthen your position among competitors:

• Self-learning: Keep regularly searching for updates in your field and learning the skills related to those updates.
• Practical application: The best way to prove you possess a good technical skill level is through hands-on practice.
• Obtain professional certifications, especially those recognized globally.
• Work on real projects, even if they are voluntary or virtual, to build a strong portfolio.

Soft Skills

Imagine a work environment full of collaboration and positivity, where everyone actively contributes to achieving the team’s goals. This ideal environment doesn’t build itself; it’s the result of the combined efforts of individuals who possess strong soft skills, such as effective communication, teamwork, and flexibility.

Essential Soft Skills Employers Look for in New Employees

Effective Communication Skills: Effective communication is key to building strong relationships, resolving conflicts, and turning ideas into tangible outcomes. This is achieved by the ability to express thoughts clearly in simple terms, as well as listening actively to others.

Emotional Intelligence: In the workplace, you’re not alone! It’s crucial to understand your own needs and those of your colleagues and clients, appreciating their feelings to maintain a harmonious work environment that fosters productivity.

Problem-Solving Skills: The ability to analyze challenging situations, identify their root causes, and then suggest innovative and effective solutions. This skill isn’t limited to a specific field; it’s required in all aspects of our lives, whether in work, study, or personal relationships.

Time Management: The ability to use techniques and strategies to organize your time, prioritize tasks, and maintain a balance to meet deadlines efficiently.

Ways to Improve Soft Skills:

• Join volunteer workgroups to gain real-world experience.
• Take free training courses such as the “Career Success Specialization” offered by the University of California, Irvine through Coursera.

In addition to the previously mentioned soft skills, you can compete more effectively in the job market by acquiring the following skills:

Adaptability

Technology is constantly transforming the job market, leading to continuous changes in techniques and work methods. Therefore, adapting to change is essential to stay competitive. Companies seek flexible employees who can quickly adjust to new changes, learn from mistakes, and improve.
How to develop adaptability skills:

• Be prepared to learn new skills.
• Don’t resist changes to traditional work methods.
• Embrace new challenges and move away from routine.
• Take courses to learn new skills, even outside your field.

Teamwork and Leadership

Collaboration among team members, each contributing their expertise and abilities, leads to results far exceeding what an individual could achieve alone. The ability to get along with others, value their opinions, and work towards a shared goal is a skill that adds value in the job market. Leadership is not just for those with the title of "Manager." Leaders contribute to creating a positive and motivating work environment. Even if you’re not in a leadership position, anyone can show leadership by taking initiative, being responsible, and thinking creatively.
How to improve teamwork and leadership skills:

• Participate in group activities, either in-person or online.
• Learn modern leadership techniques through workshops or books like "Start with Why" by Simon Sinek.
• Join free courses like “Introduction to Team Leadership” offered by Alison.

Creativity and Innovation

If you and many competitors offer the same product or service, what makes a customer choose you over the others? The answer is creative thinking, as employees can discover solutions that weren’t initially considered, giving the company a unique advantage that attracts customers in a competitive job market.
Ways to enhance creativity:

• Read in diverse fields beyond your specialty.
• Practice brainstorming techniques.
• Take training courses like “Creative Problem Solving” offered by the University of Minnesota through Coursera.

Cultural Competency and Diversity

It’s no longer enough for companies to work only in a local environment. Interacting with diverse cultures has become essential. This cultural diversity enriches the workplace but requires employees to possess strong skills in interacting with people from different backgrounds, understanding their beliefs and traditions, and building relationships based on mutual respect, especially in international companies.
How to enhance cultural competency:

• Learn new languages.
• Open yourself up to different cultural experiences through travel or engaging in international cultural communities on social media platforms.
• Join free training courses like “Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace” offered by the University of California, Irvine through Coursera.

Analytical Skills and Decision Making

The ability to collect and analyze data accurately, gain deep insights, and then translate these insights into strategic decisions allows organizations to discover emerging trends, identify hidden opportunities, and anticipate future challenges, helping them achieve their goals more effectively.
How to develop analytical and decision-making skills:

• Train your mind to think critically through solving puzzles and practicing mental games.
• Study statistical analysis and learn tools like Excel and Tableau.
• Take free courses like “Problem Solving Using Computational Thinking” offered by the University of Michigan through Coursera.

You are more than just an employee. You are a partner in success. The most important skills employers seek in new employees are strong technical skills, but they also look for individuals who excel in flexibility, creativity, and the ability to work as part of a team. The job market is competitive, and everyone is vying for the best opportunities. You must stand out to be the candidate companies are searching for.