The job market is experiencing a gradual transformation. As companies seek to streamline costs and maximize profits in an unstable economy, the demand for skills has shifted to highlight long-term, transferable skills that can’t be replicated by a computer or machine. Laurence Shatkin recently created a list of these in-demand skills and their correlation to wage-earning potential on his blog. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at just a few of those skills and what they look like on the job.
Long-Term Skill: Decision-making
Decision-making requires the ability to weigh cost vs. benefit, not just in terms of dollars, but also in more subjective areas like brand image, networking with other companies, and customer service. Demand for positions that require this skill have increase nearly 200% over the course of the past four years according to Wanted Analytics.
Long-Term Skill: Critical Thinking
Learning to compare different approaches, determine the strengths and weaknesses of each, and make an informed decision requires more than just looking at the various features of each option. Logic and analysis combined with a good grasp of the needs of the company and what makes a good “fit” will set the best talent apart from the rest of the pack.
Long-Term Skill: Leadership and Motivation
What sets apart great leaders from mediocre ones? It’s the ability to motivate people. Great leaders understand what makes people tick, how to get them to work together as a team, and how to make them feel like valuable employees. As the saying goes: Manage programs. Lead people.
Long-Term Skill: Writing
Writing involves more than just putting words on paper. Good writing requires strong persuasive skills, the ability to communicate effectively, and a knack for putting ideas into succinct, readable format. As long as there are websites and marketing campaigns, skilled writers will be in high demand.
Long-Term Skill: Learning and Problem-Solving
Some of the most valuable workers on any team are those with the ability to grasp new information, identify and analyze problems, and come up with viable solutions. Creative thinking, idea-generating, and innovative application of current resources all help businesses reach goals faster and more cost effectively.
Not surprisingly, the jobs requiring greater knowledge skills tend to be at the higher end of the pay scale. Because those skills cannot be acquired overnight, it’s important that employees and job candidates be constantly looking for ways to continue their education, increase their critical thinking capabilities, learn new skills, and demonstrate proficiency in the “soft skills” arena.
