Businesses evolve. So do your skill requirements. As a Toronto recruitment agency, we know that with every new year, there are certain skills and knowledge areas you need your employees to adapt to. While the focus on developing technology-based skills is obvious, other soft skills are proving to be just as important to company development. The sooner you can identify and utilize the most in-demand skills, the quicker you can gain a competitive advantage over your top rivals.
“Understanding what those skills are early on can give you a leg up on the competition. And while the soft skills valued by companies tend to change gradually, the most sought-after hard skills evolve lickety-split, pushed largely by the relentless transformation of modern technology,” says Bruce Anderson on the LinkedIn Talent Blog.
So, what are the top soft and hard skills right now? LinkedIn has identified the skills companies need the most in 2020.
Top 5 Soft Skills Companies Need
Here are the top behaviours, approaches, ways of thinking and personal skills companies need today:
- Creativity
- Persuasion
- Collaboration
- Adaptability
- Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is becoming a very important skill. People with strong EQ can help improve company culture. You can assess these skills through personality testing.
Top 10 Hard Skills Companies Need
Here are the top knowledge areas and technical abilities companies need today:
- Blockchain
- Cloud computing
- Analytical reasoning
- Artificial intelligence
- UX design
- Business analysis
- Affiliate marketing
- Sales
- Scientific computing
- Video production
Blockchain is leading the way for in-demand hard skills this year. “Blockchain is now being used in industries ranging from shipping to healthcare, from farming and food safety to entertainment and gaming,” says Anderson.
Read More About Skills Requirements
Check out these recent blogs by our expert Toronto recruiters about how to assess candidate skills, and the types of skills to focus on developing.
Are You Assessing Candidates’ Social Skills During the Hiring Process?
4 Benefits of Using Candidate Skills Tests During the Recruitment Process
Hire Better: Focus on Transferable Skills Over Experience When Hiring
What Is Upskilling? 5 Reasons to Invest in It
IQ PARTNERS is an Executive Search & Recruitment firm supporting clients across the country. We help companies hire better, hire less & retain more. We have specialist teams of recruiters in Executive Search / Board & C-Suite, Technology, Media, Digital & Marketing, Accounting & Finance, Financial Services & Insurance, Cannabis, Startup, Data Science, Consumer, eCommerce & Retail, Operations & HR, Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Engineering, Legal & Professional Services, Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences, Non-Profit & Sustainability, and Sales. IQ PARTNERS has its head office in Toronto and operates internationally via Aravati Global Search Network. Click here to view current job openings and to register with us.
