20 Essential Skills That Employers Are Looking For In 2020

It’s not always easy to figure out what employers look for when you begin a career. Especially since there are so many different types of industry-specific roles, AND job functions that it can be difficult to determine what the best course of action may be to move forward in your career or to invest in your career development.  

That said, there are some skills (soft skills and hard skills) that are useful across the board. It doesn’t really matter what industry and role you work in – employers will value these skills for a variety of reasons.  

So, without further ado, here are our top 20 essential skills that employers are looking for in 2020. 

1. Communication Skills

It doesn’t matter what job you do; good communication skills are vital. They are also easy to express in an interview too! But that doesn’t mean that they are easy to master; it takes practice to learn how to communicate effectively at work and also a range of skills. 

Excellent communication skills can make or break a project. They can assist your ability to work as part of a team, lead others, and provide customers with the right kind of attention and communication both verbally and non-verbally.  

To gain this experience, it’s important to develop self-awareness so that you can be aware of what you need to change. You could also take courses like our Team Player Course.

2. Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Excel is a universal software that will surely bag you a job, especially if you learn all of the necessary excel skills and even some advanced skills too! Many administrative and energy level jobs require Excel skills, and more advanced roles require even more Excel prowess, so this is definitely a skill that you can develop throughout your career.

3. Microsoft Office

Staying on the Microsoft theme, knowing Microsoft and other programs such as GSuite are fantastic essential skills. They are vital for most businesses, and many employers do expect a degree of experience in these types of software even at entry-level. Courses like the Microsoft Office Essentials will give you everything you need to be able to confirm that you can match up to your future employer’s expectations.

4. Experience and Knowledge

It’s common that even at entry-level, many employers require a degree of experience or knowledge either about the skills involved in the job or of the industry. Gaining prior experience or knowledge will also set you apart from other candidates during the interview stage. Even coursework and portfolios can help you to demonstrate your knowledge or experience. 

To gain experience you can take courses, part-time jobs, internships, or even books. 

5. Analytics

With the onslaught of technology, analytics is a skill that is growing in popularity. Data can be crunched from all corners of the world about pretty much everything, and if you know how to perform analytical wizardry, you’ll bag a well-paid job and an interesting career. If you know your conversion rates from your click-throughs, you’ve got a valuable skill that the job market place needs. 

To find out what types of analytics are vital in your field of interest, simply perform a Google search to discover what you need for your chosen industry.

6. Quick Learning

Businesses are fast-paced these days, which is why quick thinking is a valuable job skill for employers in 2020. Technology moves like lightning and business need to remain agile. This means that job roles change as technology changes and that most businesses don’t have the time to concentrate on teaching somebody how to learn.  

The way that you can demonstrate that you can come up to speed quickly is by developing your basic skills and knowledge for the job in advance, and staying ahead of the game, which requires research and critical thinking skills. 

7. Programming

Knowing how to code is not important for all roles, but it’s very handy to know. It will come in handy in many roles, especially if you work with social media, website management or digital marketing. This is a skill that will definitely give you an edge. 

Coding is also a great career to choose, rather than just being a skill you can lean on. Programming careers are still in high demand and can be very lucrative. The types of code you should start with are HTML or CSS, and you can learn the basics of how to get started in this course; Programming for Beginners.

8. Teamwork and Collaboration

Even if you feel as though you work alone, you’ll find that in the workplace, you are almost always required to perform your job as part of a team. Making team working and collaboration skills a vital skill that employers are seeking in 2020. Ideally, you should watch and learn from others to develop your collaboration skills. However, courses in leadership are also a great idea too.

9. Administrative and Organisational Skills

You may have the charisma and charm, or intelligence to help you get by so far, but when you enter the workplace, you’ll need a whole new bunch of skills to help you stay on top. Organisation and the ability to perform administrative tasks are vital for anybody at every level.  

So it’s no surprise that employers are looking out for organised individuals with a few administrative skills in their arsenal. You can easily begin to pick these skills up by taking courses such as an Office Administration and Secretarial course.

10. Emotional Intelligence

In the workplace, you have to negotiate and collaborate with people who you may not choose to be around privately. You have to put aside your problems and emotions to focus on your work and stay on top of your tasks professionally.  

You also have to have hard discussions, meetings and experience uncomfortable situations occasionally and if you don’t have the emotional intelligence to understand how to interact and react in these situations and if you cannot read social cues you are going to struggle. Which is why emotional intelligence is high on employers hit lists for 2020.

11. Photoshop

Similar to programming, Photoshop is one of those skills that will set you apart from your colleagues and give you the edge if you know what you are doing. This is also a skill that can be turned into a career. Most businesses have social media, websites, brochures and many other forms of content that they might need tweaking or editing in photoshop.  

So if you have the knack for Photoshop make sure you put it on your CV and express your proficiency in your interview so that your employer can see what you can bring to the table if you were hired. 

12. Social Media

You probably won’t be surprised to see this skill on the hit list of essential skills employers are looking for in 2020. That’s because it’s a hot commodity in the workplace right now, and many employers will assume that if you are a millennial that you’re going to know what you are doing when it comes to social media.  

You don’t have to be a social media expert, but if you know your way around Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and Instagram, then you’ll be of interest to a prospective employer. Our Advanced Diploma in Social Media Marketing will give you all of the skills necessary to get that job.

13. Strong Work Ethic

This is no new skill. A strong work ethic has been a well-regarded skill for many years. Because who wants to employ somebody who doesn’t turn up on time, skips work or antagonises their colleagues by not pulling their weight? If you can’t demonstrate a strong work ethic, you’ll find it difficult to find any job. 

It’s not just the inconvenience that employers are concerned about when it comes to a lack of work ethic. They know that ultimately the actions or inaction of somebody with a poor work ethic will lead to letting down their customers, mistakes, damaged reputations and even losing good staff because they are overworked.  

There’s a reason why there is a vacancy – that’s because businesses need somebody to do something that their business needs. The unfortunate thing is most people with a poor work ethic don’t consider the huge impact their actions have on the business they work for and their colleagues, which is why employers will look for signs of this from the offset and throughout your trial period.  

To demonstrate a strong work ethic, all you need to do is commit to turning up to work every day on time, with the right attitude. Alert and prepared to do your job to the best of your ability.

14. Customer Service

There are always customers or client-facing roles in all businesses, and there are also many entry-level positions available in this area too. Which means that great customer service skills and the ability to demonstrate those will ensure that you’ll find yourself an active member of the workforce in no time at all.

15. Positive Outlook

Attitude makes all the difference between whether you’ll get that job or not. If you have a poor attitude, and somebody else has a good attitude, and slightly lower skills, chances are that employers will hire the person without all of the skills. That’s because you can’t teach people how to have a good attitude at work, and you can’t make them either.  

Somebody positive, cheerful and willing to learn and embrace the inevitable change that comes in the workplace will always win that job over someone who doesn’t show these skills.  

Get ahead by learning more about Psychology; this way, you’ll develop a stronger sense of self-awareness – a vital component for ensuring you have a positive attitude.

16. Digital Marketing

Digital Marketing is a hot skill right now, and it’s one that will help you get an entry-level position in no time at all but also set you up for a potentially lucrative career. You can easily learn digital marketing by studying for a Diploma in SEO and Digital Marketing.

17. Presentation Skill

In corporate offices, presentation holds on a regular basis. Employers value those employees who have presentation skill. Presentation Skills Training Course, offered by John Academy can be a great resource for those who want to excel in presentation skill.

18. Problem Solving and Decision Making

Employers give emphasis on problem solving skills. By problem-solving, employers mean the ability to handle tough or unwanted situations in the workplace. Employers rely on those employees who can assess tough situations and calmly identify solutions. Problem Solving & Decision Making Certificate Course can be a great option to master the skills.

19. Business Writing Skills

Business writing skills are one of the most important skills that every employer looks for. Business writing skill has a great impact on career advancement. In order to become efficient in business writing this Business Writing Essential Skills Course can be a good option.

20. Expertise in Health and Safety

In order to exercise safety procedures in the workplace, you must have expertise in health and safety. Employers always try to retain those employees who are the assets to the company. Health and Safety skills are rare in general employees. This exclusive expertise will enhance your chances to become a successful employee in any company. John Academy offers Diploma in Health and Safety which will augment your expertise in the field.