The most in-demand professional skill is a good boss

It seems that after the big resignation, companies are finally thinking more about it — if you’re fooled by LinkedIn’s 2023 list of the most in-demand job skills. This year, the top two skills in the US are leadership and management, underscoring organizations’ need for leaders with the ability to collaborate effectively and efficiently.

But what does this have to do with the average worker? Keeping an eye on the most in-demand skills can put you one step ahead of recruiters and hiring managers. And that can be important at many companies that are conducting layoffs and hiring freezes. While most of the job cuts have been confined to a few sectors — most notably technology — if the US slides into recession this year, it could lead to more widespread job cuts.

The most in-demand LinkedIn skills in 2023 in the US are:

1. management
2. guide
3. Customer service
4. communication
5. sale
6. Research
7. project management
8. marketing
9. Analytical skills
10. Cooperation

“The list makes sense given where we’ve been in the country over the past three years,” says LinkedIn careers expert Andrew McCaskill wealth. “The world of work is really changing quite a bit, and to see that the top skills on the list include things like communication, customer service, sales, project management, research and analytical skills – these speak to me to the fact that companies have done this There’s an incredible amount of new hires and now they’re thinking, How do we make sure our work culture is one that people want to stay in?”

That ability to keep the right people really comes down to having good managers and leaders and really great communication skills across the organization, McCaskill says. “Especially with people who are both hybrid and remote, working in the office, you really have to raise the level of what we often think about soft skills,” he says, adding that these traits really make or break a company can – especially in times of uncertainty.

These skills are also becoming increasingly important in hybrid work environments, as a combination of these soft skills ensures that employees can effectively connect with their colleagues. Right now, employers are thinking about how to build teams that are able to communicate, adapt and be resilient, says McCaskill.

According to McCaskill, since the pandemic began, hiring managers and companies aren’t necessarily looking for job candidates with a specific degree or school listed on their resume — or even a specific company they’ve worked at. In fact, more than one large company has reduced or eliminated degree requirements for their open positions. “Now more recruiters and hiring managers are looking for skills – and employers are paying more attention to everyone’s skills in this tight job market.”

“What we’ve learned over the past three years is that whether you change jobs or not, our jobs change on us,” he says. Almost every industry has been transformed by technology, new ways of working and a global pandemic. Therefore, being able to bring soft skills to potential job seekers can help some employers feel more confident saying that this is an adaptable person.

Use your skills

Younger workers without direct managerial experience shouldn’t feel discouraged, says McCaskill. You don’t have to supervise direct reports to have and build managerial and leadership skills, he adds. Part of management is also managing upwards – and almost every worker has the opportunity to achieve this, no matter what level they are at.

Management is about making your manager’s job easier, says McCaskill. This can seem like asking really smart questions, updating your manager with the results, making sure you meet both deadlines, and making sure they have all the prerequisites to succeed.

Workers who are still at a relatively low level can also acquire leadership skills. For example, younger workers can learn leadership skills from a college project. But you can use that experience and apply what works in other, future situations — whether it’s the way you communicate or the time management skills you’ve learned.

Take stock of the skills you already have, including new skills you picked up at your last job, and then show how you use them, says McCaskill. Show an example of being a great team player, growing, or communicating effectively in a difficult situation.

“Part of it is talking about those skills in the right way,” says McCaskill. Managers are looking for problem solvers. So when you have that hiring manager or recruiter on the phone, make them understand what skills you have to solve problems effectively, and make them understand that you can do this in any new role.

Focusing on skills also gives workers more opportunity to orientate themselves. The most in-demand skills are transferrable to different jobs and industries. So if you’re looking for a new opportunity, whether internal or external, don’t just apply to the next level of your current job, McCaskill says. Think about the full range of skills you have to offer and how they might be applied to other jobs, other industries. For example, according to a 2022 LinkedIn study, a waiter has almost 70% of the skills needed to move into a customer service role.

“When you break down jobs into the skills required, career paths open up for people, and you start thinking about your skills in a way you haven’t done before,” says McCaskill.

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