The Most In-Demand Skills for 2024: Implications for Doctoral Education
As organizations come to grasp the full extent of what AI can do, they’re also coming to terms with all that it can’t do — those tasks that require the uniquely human skills that all businesses need. That’s the resounding takeaway from LinkedIn’s latest global inventory of the most in-demand skills for professionals.
"People skills are going to come more to the center of individual career growth," predicts LinkedIn VP Aneesh Raman, "and people-to-people collaboration is going to come into the center more for company growth. For leaders, you’ve got to start with communicating clearly, compassionately, and empathetically with your teams."
Talent development professionals and executives can help employees stay agile in this new world of work by continuing to help employees build mission-critical soft skills. A recent LinkedIn survey found that 9 out of 10 global executives agree that soft skills (aka “human” or “durable” skills) are more important than ever. So, it’s not surprising that communication ranks No. 1 on the 2024 list of overall most in-demand skills.
Since AI has changed work so profoundly over the last year, we’re also highlighting the top “skill of the moment” with the most notable surge in year-over-year demand: adaptability. It’s an indispensable skill that allows teams and organizations to keep steady and drive maximum impact. And this skill will become even more important as the pace of change only increases. Since 2015, skills for roles have, on average, changed by 25%; by 2030 it’s expected that number will reach at least 65%.
Today, more than half of LinkedIn members hold jobs that stand to be disrupted or augmented by AI.
To determine this year's most in-demand skills, data from LinkedIn's 1 billion members across 200 regions and countries was analyzed. Our data set illustrates how quickly the world of work is changing: in the last 12 months, members have added 680 million skills to their profiles, an increase of 80% year-on-year.
Communication, customer service, and leadership continue to be business-critical skills in the age of AI. And other emerging skills like problem-solving and research showcase the importance of upskilling, reskilling, and adapting to a changing world of work.
Here's the complete list of skills that will strengthen your teams and help you advance your career in this new era of work.
Communication
Customer service
Leadership
Project management
Management
Analytics
Teamwork
Sales
Problem-solving
Research
Ready to develop these skills?
Developing these skills can strengthen your preparation for the world of work and your ability to make significant contributions in your respective fields.
Stay up to date and prepared for the future!