Top 10 Skills Recruiters Look For in 2025

Finding a job is no walk in the park, so knowing what skills will give you a leg up can make all the difference. Finding the right combination of hard and soft skills to fit the job you’re hoping to land can be tricky. Read on to learn some of the top skills recruiters are looking for in potential hires.

Hard Skills

Hard skills are usually based on technical knowledge. They are often related to specific competencies or tools used to accomplish concrete jobs. Many of the hard skills that are most desirable in the job market today are technology-related skills.

Data Analytics and Literacy

Today, almost every industry is powered by data. Businesses analyze data to make decisions about customers to target, services or products to provide, and business actions to take. Familiarity with data analytics, or even an understanding of and ability to interpret data, can be a huge asset on a résumé.

AI/Machine Learning Skills

Like data, AI use is becoming ubiquitous in almost every industry. Whether it’s a chatbot on a website, a service or product being offered to customers, or a tool to improve business processes, you’d be hard-pressed to find a business that couldn’t utilize AI or machine learning in some way. Knowing how to configure and apply these tools can really set you apart in a pool of job candidates.

Basic Coding

Even the smallest companies can have use for basic coding skills. Having a working knowledge of common web languages such as HTML and CSS, or programming languages such as Python and Java, can be very valuable to employers.

Digital Fluency

More than proficiency in any specific program or tool, recruiters want to see that job prospects have digital fluency—the ability to learn and apply a variety a technology-based tools and concepts. Listing “proficient in Excel” as a résumé skill doesn’t pack the same punch that it used to—but if you have practice learning a variety of technology-related skills, and if you can catch on quickly to new technology applications, employers can be confident that you’ll be able to learn the technological tools they will require you to use.

Soft Skills

Soft skills, so named because they aren’t necessarily tied to any concrete or technical tools or tasks, are more generally applicable across a variety of applications, businesses, and jobs. Employers love when their employees have soft skills because, unlike hard skills that can generally be taught or trained on, soft skills are difficult to teach but can make a huge impact within an organization.

Teamwork

Working with others is unavoidable in most any job, which means being a team player is an essential skill. Employers want to see that you can have a positive impact on whatever team you’re a part of. Show that you are a positive team member by highlighting tasks that you’ve accomplished when working as part of a team and illustrating what you can contribute to a team setting.

Good Communication—Written and Oral

Along with being able to work with other people, you’ll also always need to be able to communicate clearly. Employees need to communicate with superiors, with customers, with team members, and with others within an organization. Sometimes this communication is written, and sometimes it’s spoken. But either way, employers want employees who they can count on to convey ideas and important information clearly.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Employers appreciate workers who can find creative solutions when they run into problems. Employees who don’t just do what they’re told but take an active role in trying to improve the business they work for—these employees are highly valuable. Employees who used their critical thinking and problem-solving skills have helped their companies develop new products, enter exciting new markets, reduce their carbon footprint, improve customer satisfaction, and more.

Leadership

Companies will always need people who they can count on to lead. Positive leadership can completely transform an organization, so developing and highlighting your leadership skills can go a long way in making you a promising candidate for any job.

Organizational Skills

An organized employee can save a company time and money—very valuable commodities in the business world! And that’s not to mention the personal benefits that come with being organized—reduced stress, fewer mistakes, and more personal time due to higher productivity.

Time Management, Self-Management

With the rise in remote work, employers are more concerned than ever in ensuring that their employees can manage their time—and themselves—well. Losing track of time, getting distracted, and prioritizing poorly are common challenges that most people struggle with at some point. However, knowing how to overcome the challenges you face will give you a powerful skill that businesses need in their employees.

When it comes to crafting your résumé, remember that a recruiter wants to know what you will do for the company—so be sure to highlight how the skills you have will make a difference for your potential employer. If you’d like some help building some of the skills listed here, as well as a number of other skills employers like to see, check out our post on using online resources to upgrade your job skills, or take a look at our catalog to see what other skills MyEducator might be able to help you develop. We are here to help you gain whatever skills you may need to land the job of your dreams!