In today’s competitive market, most employers are looking for a wide range of skills, such as communication, within their job applicants. And because of that, landing a job has become a little more difficult for candidates. No doubt navigating the modern job search as a candidate can often feel quite opaque.

This is because, from an employee’s perspective, it can be challenging and tricky to identify which hard and soft skills you have to prioritize to remain competitive and which parts of your résumé you have to develop to stand out from the crowd.

While it is true that companies may only hire job candidates who can meet the minimum requirements for all technical competencies, keep in mind that there is an increasing appetite for job candidates who can demonstrate some advanced soft skills, such as adaptability, as these skills are usually harder to teach.

If you want to improve your chances of landing a great job, you should think about how your experiences have helped you in forming different soft and hard skills. No doubt applying these skills will make you a more rounded and valuable candidate for any position.

In-demand Hard Skills

Business Analysis

LinkedIn research reveals that every job professional must have some level of business analysis skills. This is regardless of the specific job role. The skill is important as it is all about finding solutions and answers to an organization’s problems. It also facilitates those solutions.

Did you know that business analysts are now worth their weight in gold to organizations if they do their job well? Also, note that business analysis that leads to better and smart choices can often save organizations from total disaster.

Analytical Reasoning

According to research studies, the demand for skills centered on data-driven decision-making is definitely on the rise.

As data collection and data analysis are continuing to increase rapidly, most companies are looking for employees who can interpret the data and then take action on that data to facilitate company growth and expansion. This is why if you can prove that you are capable of analytic reasoning, you will be able to show that you are management material and also a cut above the rest.

Affiliate Marketing

It is no secret that the rise of social media and digital marketing has managed to pave the way for affiliate marketing to become a new standard.

Did you know that affiliate marketing helps leverage the great power of influencers and organizational partnerships to reach hyper-targeted audiences? Many individuals with affiliate marketing skills command top-dollar for these skills, so it is certainly in your interest to know more about them.

Sales

You may know that selling is one of the most valuable hard skills. Note that the ability to sell is something that comes quite easily to some, while others find it challenging. However, it is worth noting that to stand out from the crowd, you have to show prospective employers that you can understand the sales funnel and the way it works.

You can achieve additional credit if you can also demonstrate effective and efficient sales team management.

Cloud Computing

You may know that cloud computing is an important computer system resource that has on-demand availability. Companies use it for purposes of data storage and computing power. Note that if you can show your employer that you have this skill, you will have an updated skill set that employers will appreciate.

In-demand Soft Skills

Creativity

Offering a unique and different perspective and thinking “outside the box” to examine a problem from various perspectives is important to generate new and improved ideas that drive the business forward. It is important to come up with excellent ideas, have brainstorming sessions with your team, and do something unique and original.

Keep in mind that creativity is one of the most important and desired soft skills in the modern workplace; so, shore up your imagination and creativity to get yourself out there.

Communication

You probably know that the ability to articulate (verbally and in writing) with colleagues, peers, and clients is considered the most desirable and highly valued skill by most employers. There is no doubt that communication is the key to success. So, become a better communicator by sharing your insights and collaborating with your team.

Adaptability

Many people find it difficult to adapt to change, but in the modern workplace, it is a necessity. When change comes, you will have to adapt to it and also keep moving ahead.

If you can’t adapt to change and stay rigidly set on a single path or idea, it can detrimentally affect you.

The Investment Banking Certificate (IBC) is a professional designation in 4 core disciplines in business and finance given by the New York Institute of Finance (NYIF). The IBC designation is an online 70-hour program comprised of on-demand, self-paced learning. You will learn directly from industry experts, market practitioners, and seasoned finance professionals about business finance, valuation, and investment banking.

About The New York Institute of Finance

The New York Institute of Finance (NYIF) is a global leader in professional training for financial services and related industries. NYIF courses cover everything from investment banking, asset pricing, insurance and market structure to financial modeling, treasury operations, and accounting. The New York Institute of Finance has a faculty of industry leaders and offers a range of program delivery options, including self-study, online courses, and in-person classes. Founded by the New York Stock Exchange in 1922, NYIF has trained over 250,000 professionals online and in-class, in over 120 countries.

See all of NYIF’s training and qualifications here.