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How to Identify the Skills Employers Want in 2025

Do you have the skills needed to secure the job you want in 2025? Whether you are well into your job search journey or just starting out, most candidates want to make sure they have what it takes to land the job. Due to major events in the past five years (the pandemic, government and financial changes), the workplace has changes across all industries. Identifying the skills employers will want in 2025 involves understanding the broader trends in the workplace, technology, and society. Here are several key strategies to help you spot what will be in demand:

How to Identify the Skills Employers Want in 2025
Skills Employers Want

1. Job-Specific Certifications and Education

There have been some shifts in the way that many jobs are done. This can require new skills to be obtained by employees and candidates searching for a job in a specific field. Keep an eye on job trends in specific industries. For example, in healthcare, roles in telemedicine or digital health might require a blend of tech and healthcare knowledge. Likewise, in finance, understanding AI-driven investment tools might become crucial.

2. Networking and Thought Leadership

A good way to identify new trends or changes within your desired industry, is to follow thought leaders, industry events, webinars, and even podcasts related to future work trends. These spaces often provide early glimpses of emerging skill needs. They may also offer information on where to go if you are interested in learning more about new skills.

3. Industry Reports & Surveys

  • Tech and Business Consultancies: Companies like McKinsey, Deloitte, and PwC regularly publish reports on the future of work. These reports can shed light on what employers are forecasting in terms of skill needs.
  • Job Market Analysis: Websites like LinkedIn and Indeed often release annual insights based on job postings, identifying the skills that are in high demand.

4. Emerging Technologies

  • As technology advances, new skills emerge. In 2025, skills related to:
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
    • Cybersecurity (as data privacy and security threats grow)
    • Blockchain (beyond crypto, in areas like supply chain, contracts, etc.)
    • Data Analysis and Visualization will likely be in high demand.

5. Soft Skills and Human-Centered Capabilities

Not a tech person? Not a problem. While technical skills are essential in many industries in 2025, this does not cover everything. Many employers are still in great need of human-centered skills.

  • Emotional Intelligence (EQ) for effective communication and leadership. If you are looking for a management role, a position working with kids or even a primarily team based role, obtaining the skill of emotional maturity and intelligence is essential for success. Not every person is managed the same. We are all very complex and diverse people. This requires a lot of flexibility from a person in leadership in order to meet the needs of everyone on their team.
  • Adaptability and Problem-Solving– One of the most sought after skill sets is the ability to adapt and problem solve in a rapidly changing environment. Many workplaces are short staffed or have constantly changing staff members, patients, or clients. A person that can “role with the punches” by jumping in where and when they are needed or help solve a problem a huge asset to any employer.
  • Collaboration – The ability to collaborate or work well with others is a great skill to have in any office but particularly in hybrid or remote work settings. There is a lot of movement, everyone’s day looks different and communication can be lost when you are not working physically next to someone. Collaboration requires employees to be great communicators so everyone on the team is clear about what role they are playing and what is needed in order to make the group successful.

6. Continuous Learning

Just because you are done with school, does not mean that you are done learning. With the pace of technological changes, cultural changes and so much more, being able to learn quickly and adapt is more important than ever. Skills like: Learning Agility (ability to pick up new skills quickly) and Curiosity (staying up-to-date on industry trends) will remain highly valued.

7. Environmental and Social Responsibility

One major trend in the overall workplace is the need for sustainability and ethical business practices. More than ever before, social responsibility has gained importance as consumers and stakeholders demand more responsible practices from companies. Candidates with skills related to: Sustainability and Green Technologies and/or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) will likely be in demand, especially in industries like energy, agriculture, and manufacturing.

8. Global Mindset & Diversity Awareness

As companies continue to globalize and prioritize diverse workforces, skills in cross-cultural communication, diversity, and inclusion will become more important. There are entire degrees on these topics, however, most companies also provide sensitivity training that will give you some of the skills needed to work well in a diverse environment.

Do you have the skills needed to get your dream job? Still need help getting your foot in the door? Swift Staffing Solutions can help! Here are a few ways that using a staffing agency to find employment may be a benefit to you:

How Swift Staffing Solutions Can Help:

  1. Access to More Opportunities: Our recruiters have relationships with a wide range of employers, including many that don’t advertise their job openings publicly. This gives you access to positions you might not have come across on your own.
  2. Time-Saving: Job hunting can be time-consuming, but staffing agencies streamline the process by helping match your specific skills and preferences with the right roles. We take care of much of the legwork like finding openings and submitting applications.
  3. Expert Guidance: Swift Staffing Solutions has recruiters who specialize in your field, so they understand the job market and can provide valuable insights. They can help you refine your resume, coach you for interviews, and offer advice to make you more competitive in the job market.
  4. Temporary and Permanent Opportunities: MOST of our job placements are permanent, however, we do have some that are temporary or part-time if that would better fit your needs. If you’re open to temporary or contract roles, it can be a great way to gain experience, build your skill set, acquire new connections, and possibly transition into a permanent position.
  5. Negotiating Salary and Benefits: Swift Staffing Solutions can also negotiate on your behalf, helping you secure better pay or benefits.
  6. Free to Job Seekers: We don’t charge job seekers for our services, which means you can benefit from our expertise without any cost to you.

If you are looking for a competitive advantage when it comes to finding a job, please feel free to contact one of our recruiters today for additional information on how to get started with us.

author avatar
Darcy Swift