Employers have shifted their focus from educational backgrounds to one’s zeal to learn new skills. To be successful in the future, professionals need to demonstrate foresight in navigating a rapidly shifting landscape of organisational forms and skill requirements, needing employees to be constant learners. Employers these days appreciate soft skills over tech suaveness, indicating that such skills, along with knowledge creation and innovation, will be part of future job requirements.

According to LinkedIn’s latest ‘Future of Skills 2019’ report, 62 per cent of Indian professionals feel daunted by the rapid pace of changing skills. The demand for talent equipped with the rising and ever-changing skills is three-times more than the rest of the talent base. This proves that as a professional, you must have relevant skills, like below, to sustain in the industry.

Complex Problem Solving

The ability to look at problems holistically and create solutions is a valuable skill to have – one that is easily developed through practice. The more difficult problems you tackle, the more you hone this ability.

Critical Thinking and Creativity

Ability to demonstrate logical reasoning to present and solve multiple facets of a problem and choose a viable approach that would deliver the best results is as vital as ever. Originality and creativity are crucial abilities – they cultivate critical thinking skills which provide an edge in the future.

People Skills

Machines cannot replace humans in leadership and managerial roles. The ability to manage, motivate, utilise and be sensitive to others’ needs will help professionals prove to be effective and successful leaders.

Emotional Intelligence

An empathetic and self-aware individual who can understand their and others’ emotions are more likely to be hired as managers. Socially intelligent employees easily assess the emotions of those around them and adapt accordingly.

Judgment and Decision Making

Employers lookout for employees who can make intelligent choices from bucket-loads of information, are innovative in their data interpretation approach and quickly learn new tools/ skills to improve their work efficiency.
Learning is a life-long process. Investing in new skills that will be relevant in the near future will make you stand apart and matter most in the future workplace.