Landing your perfect job is one thing. Keeping it is where it’s at.

The digital age changes the world drastically - every day. On top of that we have and are still dealing with a global pandemic. These constant changes not only shape our private lives, but the business world too.
What does this mean exactly? New industries and new job requirements are emerging. Just having the nuts-and-bolts required to do a job isn’t enough anymore. Hiring managers are now looking for candidates with skills for the future.
In this article, we are looking into both soft and hard skills high in demand for the future of work.
As you get ready to jump into the job market of 2022, now is the time to brush up on these 10 most wanted skills for the future.

The Top 10 Skills of the Future

1. Emotional Intelligence

   As diversity in workplaces is increasing, emotional intelligence is a must for any top candidate. Being emotionally intelligent means that you can quickly evaluate emotions of people around you, allowing you to adapt accordingly. From tone of voice, choice of words, to physical gestures and expressions. This has always been a key skill for employees, but is becoming more dominant as we collaborate with larger groups of diverse people in different settings.
   
   Hot Tip: You can practice this skill with your friends or family. Next time you grab a coffee with a group of friends, see if you can decipher their true emotions. At the next family event, assess your aunt’s reaction when you tell her that you’re still single - and see if a change of your tone of voice will keep her happy.

2. Sense-Making

   Smart machines have long taken over processes that used to be done by humans. Think of manufacturing, production, apps, and services such as order taking or a car wash. Even though smart machines have improved many routines, they don’t possess higher skills such as sense-making. Someone with sense-making is able to discover the deeper meaning of things. As this high level skill is unique to humans alone, it will give you a comparative advantage over smart machines.
   
   Hot Tip: Sense-making helps you to be better at decision making, therefore is a beneficial skill to have in many ways. When a new concept is being presented to you and you’re being asked for feedback, think critically. Why is there a new concept in the first place? Did the old way not work anymore? Why? How is the new concept going to change things? What purpose will it fulfil?

3. Cultural Competency

   In the global interconnected world we live in, employees need to be able to work in any environment they’re placed in. This asks for adaptability, but more importantly for cultural understanding. With organisations increasingly recognising the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion, successful candidates must be able to work well in diverse teams.
   
   Hot Tip: Expand your network! Step out of your comfort zone and connect with new people from different backgrounds. Join a social club, attend networking events, and get involved in your community. Networking with like-minded people lets you form valuable relationships both personally and professionally.

   
   
   

   
4. Adaptive Thinking

   If the global pandemic has taught us one thing it is to be ready for change and when it comes - adapt. The ability to respond adequately in unexpected situations means that you are using adaptive thinking; A skill that is getting increasingly important to hiring managers. What it also means is that you can go from writing a professional case study to a fun social media post. In a way it's like “thinking outside the box” with the consideration of unpredictable times.
   
   Hot Tip: People prefer following ways they are familiar with to solve a problem or situation. But by doing so, they tend to get stuck in their old ways, limiting their ability to use adaptive thinking. A good way of practicing adaptive thinking is to practice living in the now. When you live in the moment and a tricky situation arises or you’re required to swap from one task to another, you can learn how to focus on the one current situation in front of you.

5. Computational Thinking

   Every interaction leaves behind a digital footprint, everything gets turned into data. As the amount of data is increasing, so is the demand for computational thinking. This skill involves the understanding of data and fundamentals of programming. Current candidates with basic technological understanding, for example for Google Suite or Microsoft, have an advantage over their competing candidates. In the near future, knowledge in statistical analysis and quantitative reasoning will put you at the top of the list.
   
   Hot Tip: Don’t be afraid! Data analysis can sound frightening, but it can be quite fun once you get into it. Plus, learning this skill would up your employability by a mile. Remember, you’re not required to become the next data scientist. Just to understand what you look at when a table of data is presented to you and to think of ways to interpret it.

6. Understanding of New-Media Tools

   The explosion of social media and user-generated content has changed the way we communicate. New-media tools such as videos, blog posts, and podcasts are becoming the new norm. Producing persuasive content with new-media tools is a skill that is turning into a must-have for top candidates of the future.
   
   Hot Tip: Mastering this skill requires hands-on practice. The good news is that you can play around with new-media tools from the comfort of your home! For example, you can show off your video skills in your next job application by producing an introduction video. For more tips on how to present confidently in front of the camera, click here!

7. Design Approach

   The computational world brings about new opportunities with new communication tools and insights. Having a design approach means to develop work processes leading to desired outcomes. From mapping out your physical work environment for highest productivity to using automation to improve operational processes, the skill of having a design approach will be highly wanted.
   
   Hot Tip: You can take a design approach in your everyday life! Think about how you can improve your days to simplify duties and give yourself more free time.

   
   
   

   
8. Multifaceted Problem Solving

   Many of today’s problems are too complex to be solved alone. Even bringing together a group of people with different expertise isn’t enough anymore. What today’s employee needs is an understanding of diverse disciplines. The traditional one-way career is no longer wanted. As we mentioned earlier, people are most likely to have multiple careers throughout their lives. With that comes the ability to understand more than just one discipline.
   
   Hot Tip: The ideal employee of the future is T-shaped. What this means is that they have a deep understanding of one trade and know basic concepts of other trades. Don’t think you have to master every single trade! Focus on the one that you’re most passionate about, but expand your knowledge by learning bits and pieces of multiple other disciplines.

9. Filter Mode

   In a world with a constant overload of content, top candidates need to have the ability to filter through information quickly and recognise what’s important. They will have to come up with their own solutions on how to do that. Additionally, they need to be able to use new tools and technologies to make use of the important information.
   
   Hot Tip: Test your filter mode ability by picking a random news article and flicking through it really quickly. By the end of it, note down three things that stood out. This practice will train your cognitive load skills - the way we process information.

10. Digital Collaboration

    Advanced technologies make it easier than ever before to share and collaborate online. Since covid this also applies to the working world. But the online work environment also requires new skills. Competencies in online working platforms such as Microsoft Teams or Google Suite are a must-have for top candidates. Furthermore, they need to become adept at finding ways of staying productive and engaged.
    
    Hot Tip: Your physical work environment can highly influence your digital work efficiency. Make sure you have a solid internet connection and choose a spot with a social ambience, such as a co-working space.

Now is the time to up your skills for the future of work. And if you haven’t landed your perfect job yet, you are at the right place.

You can create a free profile with Bosware Recruit today! Based on your information and job requirements, we match you with the perfect employer out there in no time.