What Are Job Skills and Why Are They Important?
Having the right skills can help you get your next job.
Job skills are the abilities you need to do your work well. These can be basic skills, like managing your time, or technical skills, like knowing how to code.
While having a college degree is still important, many employers are now looking more at skills than degrees when hiring. For example, LinkedIn found two important changes over two years: from 2019 to 2020, the number of jobs that did not need a degree went up by almost 40 percent. Also, from 2020 to 2021, job listings focusing on skills instead of degrees increased by 21 percent.
Because of this, job skills are becoming more important. In this article, you will learn more about job skills, including what they are and some examples.
What Are Job Skills?
Job skills are the skills you use to do your work effectively. They usually include three main types:
Workplace Skills: These are personal skills that help you do your job well. Examples include teamwork, time management, and problem-solving. Some people call these "human skills," "employability skills," or "soft skills."
Technical Skills: These skills relate to specific knowledge needed for a job. Examples include coding in Python, analyzing data, or using certain accounting software. These are often known as "hard skills."
Transferable Skills: These are skills that can be used in different jobs. For example, if someone is good at teamwork and knows how to code in Python, they can use those skills to switch from being a programmer to a STEM teacher. Transferable skills can move with you from one job to another.
You can gain job skills in many ways. Some skills may come naturally, while others you might learn through school or work experiences. No matter your current skill level, you can always improve your skills and learn new ones with practice.
Examples of Job Skills
Sometimes, we do things so often that they feel natural to us, and we may forget they are actual skills that others might not have. Looking at examples of how others use their skills can help you recognize your own abilities.
Here are some hypothetical examples of people and the skills they use in their daily lives. As you read through these, think about the skills you already have.
- Example: A high school student who organizes a weekly schedule and sets up study groups with classmates
- Skills: Project management, Coordination, Teamwork
- Example: An accountant who works through cases alone every afternoon
- Skills: Accounting software, Attention to detail, Ability to work independently
- Example: A server who manages busy shifts during peak hours
- Skills: Communication skills, Ability to work under pressure, Point-of-sale (POS) system
- Example: A single parent who arranges care for their child with family and friends while they work
- Skills: Planning, Responsibility, Problem-solving
- Example: A UX designer who leads a team at a tech startup
- Skills: Leadership, Management skills, CSS
Consider how these examples relate to your own experiences and the skills you may possess.
Top Job Skills for 2023
If you want to know which skills will be important in the near future, this list will be helpful.
The report is divided into two main sections: human skills, which focus on workplace skills, and digital skills, which highlight technical skills.
Top Workplace Skills for 2023
Storytelling: The ability to create engaging narratives that capture the audience's attention.
Change Management: Helping individuals or organizations adapt to new processes, goals, or technologies systematically.
Organizational Development: Enhancing an organization's mission by integrating new skills, tools, and strategies into existing processes.
Influencing: The skill to drive change and impact decisions through effective communication.
People Management: Identifying, developing, and keeping talent to support the organization’s objectives.
Culture: Understanding and shaping the way things are done within an organization.
Collaboration: Working together with others to achieve common goals.
Decision-Making: The ability to make informed choices by gathering information, analyzing it, and considering alternative options.
Communication: Effectively conveying ideas to diverse audiences through different media.
Planning: Identifying goals and creating a clear plan to achieve them.
These skills are increasingly valuable as workplaces evolve, making it important to focus on developing them for career growth.
Top Technical Skills for 2023
- Scrum Software Development: A project management framework used to create new software products and features effectively.
Data Visualization: The graphical representation of data and statistics through charts, graphs, and other visual tools.
Customer Success Tools: Tools designed to track and analyze user experiences to improve customer satisfaction.
E-commerce: The process of buying and selling products online.
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software: Software that helps track and manage customer interactions and sales processes.
User Experience (UX) Design: A design discipline focused on how users interact with products to ensure they have a positive experience.
Agile Software Development: An approach to project management that emphasizes flexibility and continuous improvement in software development.
Software Framework Development: A methodology that promotes efficient software development processes.
System Software Development: The design, building, and maintenance of interconnected software systems.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Techniques used to enhance a website's visibility in search engine results.
Developing these technical skills can significantly enhance your career opportunities in the evolving job landscape.
Job Skills for Resumes
Job skills, both workplace and technical, play a crucial role in what employers look for when filling positions. Many employers are now prioritizing applicants with relevant skills over those who only have formal credentials. Therefore, it is essential to highlight your unique talents on your resume.
Let’s explore one of the most effective ways to do that.
Job Skills as Keywords
Many companies today use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to manage the large number of job applications they receive. These systems utilize algorithms to scan resumes and identify qualified candidates by looking for specific keywords related to job skills.
However, while ATS are efficient at sorting applications, they can sometimes overlook qualified applicants who do not optimize their resumes for these systems.
To ensure your resume stands out, try using the same phrases or keywords found in the job descriptions provided by employers. Here are some steps to help you identify and use keywords on your resume:
Find a Job Listing: Look for a job listing that interests you and read the job description carefully.
Note Required Skills: Identify any required or preferred skills that the employer wants candidates to possess. Reflect on how your own skills match these requirements.
Adapt Your Resume: Incorporate the exact (or similar) keywords and phrases from the job description into your resume. For example, if a job posting mentions "conflict resolution," use that exact phrase instead of a similar one like "dispute resolution."
Keep It Easy to Scan: Ensure your resume is easy to read by using a clean and simple layout. A chronological format is often best for this purpose. Avoid using flashy graphics, as many ATS struggle to read complex designs, which could lead to important information being overlooked.
By following these steps, you can effectively highlight your job skills and increase your chances of passing through the ATS to reach hiring managers.
