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.
Top hard skills to help you get hired
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:
AI/Machine Learning
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.
Build this skill by:
- Learning Python and libraries like NumPy, Pandas, and scikit-learn.
- Taking beginner-friendly AI/ML courses online.
- Trying hands-on projects such as spam classifiers or recommendation systems.
- Building small projects and sharing them on GitHub to showcase your skills.
Data Analysis
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.
Build this skill by:
- Learning data tools such as Excel, SQL, and Python (Pandas).
- Practicing with real datasets from Kaggle or Google Data Analytics projects.
- Starting with analysis of simple data, (for example, your college placement stats or social media data) to show real-world application.
Cybersecurity
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.
Build this skill by:
- Developing an understanding of with networking basics (TCP/IP, firewalls, VPNs).
- Exploring ethical hacking tools like Wireshark and Burp Suite.
- Completing online certifications such as CompTIA Security+ or beginner cybersecurity labs, available for free.
Cloud Computing
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.
Build this skill by:
- Learning core cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure.
- Start with free tiers to deploy your first website or app.
- Developing your understanding of basic services like EC2, S3, and databases.
- Completing relevant certifications, such as AWS Cloud Practitioner.
Green Energy Skills
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.
Build this skill by:
- Developing your knowledge of sustainability tech and renewable energy systems.
- Exploring projects on solar panels, EV systems, or smart grids (particularly for engineering students).
- Taking short courses on energy management or environmental policy.
Best soft skills for your resume
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:
Problem-Solving
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.
Build this skill by:
- Practicing logical puzzles, DSA (Data Structures & Algorithms), and competitive coding.
- Joining hackathons or group projects where you face real-world challenges.
- Reflecting on how you solved those challenges so you can reference it in your CV.
Adaptability
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.
Build this skill by:
- Stepping out of your comfort zone to take on internships, open-source work, or cross-functional roles. Employers love candidates who show they can adjust to new tools and workflows quickly.
Leadership
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.
Build this skill by:
- Volunteering to lead college events, manage mini-projects, or mentor juniors.
- Taking initiative wherever possible to help your team move forward.
Creative Thinking
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.
Build this skill by:
- Brainstorming ideas for real-world problems or products.
- Joining design thinking or innovation challenges.
- Trying journaling or mind mapping to improve your ability to connect ideas differently.
Curiosity
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.
Build this skill by:
- Taking online courses, attending webinars, or exploring side projects outside your domain.
- Adding certifications to your Talentd profile to show continuous learning and initiative.
