The most in demand soft skills for 2018 and beyond - Viewpoint Viewpoint careers advice blog

The most in demand soft skills for 2018 and beyond - Viewpoint Soft skills have always been on the radar of employers, but right now, your soft skills are more sought after than ever before. Why? Because technology is evolving at an unprecedented speed and new disruptors are permeating different industries every day. As a result, employers around the world are recognising the key role that their employee’s soft skills can have in enabling their organisations to embrace this change, and future-proof themselves. So, whatever your career ambitions are for 2018, whether it is progressing internally within your current organisation, or finding a new role elsewhere, the below soft skills will be of prime importance in helping you achieve your goals: 1. Cultural intelligence Developments in technology enable us all to become increasingly interconnected, no matter the distance. Nowadays, most employers will have, or will be planning to have, some sort of international reach; whether it’s one overseas client and remote worker, or a whole host of employees and clients dotted around the world. Furthermore, many global businesses are increasingly offering their employees the chance to relocate abroad. During 2017, for instance, I transferred a higher volume of ambitious Hays employees across our 33 countries than ever before. Therefore, it is becoming a key priority for business leaders that their current and future employees are able to build a rapport with international colleagues and clients, an ability which can only come from being culturally sensitive and attuned. So, if travelling and working abroad is a viable option for you, I would highly recommend it. But, you can also expand your world without leaving the country. You could learn a new language, even if it’s just at a basic level using a free smartphone app. Even broadening the types of books and newspapers that you read, the films you watch, the people you speak to and so forth can open up your mind to new cultures and perspectives. Whatever you do, ultimately, you need to “globalise yourself” in a bid to boost your cultural intelligence in 2018 and beyond. 2. Curiosity As technology moves at a pace quicker than ever before, it is becoming more and more apparent to leaders that they simply cannot afford to hire candidates who bury their heads in the sand and ignore the changes going on around them. Therefore, employers are increasingly looking for employees who make every effort to stay curious, constantly seeking to learn about the emerging trends in their industry and the role that technology has to play in this. 3. Customer focus The above ties in with the soft skill of having a strong customer focus, no matter what your role. Customer behaviours and expectations will change in accordance to what both the latest technology and most innovative competitors can offer, and the most valued employees will keep their ear to the ground, suggesting ways in which a business can adapt and compete. 4. A willingness to learn In his latest LinkedIn Influencer blog, our CEO, Alistair Cox advises candidates: “In this fast-moving world, a willingness to learn and adapt has never been so important.” Alistair goes on to advise jobseekers that they should “plug any gaps in your knowledge by keeping on top of current trends and changes relevant to your sector by reading reports, news articles, attending networking functions and seminars, and participating in online discussions.” Therefore, going hand in hand with my point about the importance of curiosity and a customer focus, comes the soft skill of adaptability; moving with the times and staying eager to grow your skills and knowledge alongside digital transformations. 5. Emotional intelligence No doubt, you saw the dramatic headlines this year about how automation should make us fear for our jobs and how by the end of 2018 there could soon be a robot sitting at your desk. This may be true for a number of low skilled, repetitive tasks. However, human relationships remain just as, if not more important within the world of work. Emotional intelligence, i.e. the ability to understand the emotions of others whilst being mindful and regulatory of your own, will become even more essential to companies who wish to automate some of their services whilst maintaining strong human relationships between customers and colleagues. As Alistair Cox explains: “We’re yet to see an algorithm that can read things like humour, temperament or enthusiasm as effectively as a person can.” As I said in the beginning, whether you are looking to either progress your career, or find a new role in 2018, these are the five soft skills which will be at the top of the decision maker’s agenda. These are the skills which will prove you are able to anticipate, adapt to, and work alongside the inevitable disruptions to your industry. These are also the skills which will truly set you in the next stage of your career journey. Want to progress in your career? Our career progression tips will help you get to where you want to be 5 ways to improve your problem solving skills 4 simple steps to prepare for future jobs The jobs and skills to seek out in 2018