8 Job Skills Most In Demand Right Now
Revising your resume can feel like throwing spaghetti at a wall and hoping something sticks. Are hiring managers expecting automation skills now? Is Excel too basic? And what skills are companies actually looking for?
There is data on that. LinkedIn’s recently published Skills at the Peak report tracks the fastest-growing talents among US professionals by looking at two things: the skills people add to their LinkedIn profiles and the skills listed by those who have found new jobs in the past year.
“Why is this important? Skills are how people get hired,” said Dan Roth, LinkedIn’s editor-in-chief. Today the show. “[Companies] they see what you can do, not what your last major was or where you went to school.”
Whether you’re updating your CV, thinking about a career pivot or looking for future career opportunities, this year’s list is a guide to what employers are really looking for – from AI and automation to communication and leadership skills.
The skills required fall into several key categories:
1. AI engineering and performance
AI skills aren’t just for developers – they’ve become a must-have for every industry. McKinsey’s 2025 survey found that nearly 88% of organizations have already embedded AI in at least one business function.
On the technical side, capabilities such as rapid engineering, model training, APIs and data annotation show that you can directly use AI tools to build, train or optimize systems. But employers are also looking for new hires who have smart ideas about how to use AI to streamline workflows, improve decision-making or solve real-world problems.
The key to your resume is to show both what you can do and how you use it in real life. Highlight specific fields or projects, and whenever possible, explain the results. The more clearly you can demonstrate how you have used these AI capabilities, the better.
2. Efficiency
Employers value candidates who not only get things done but also make teams run smoothly. Capabilities such as workflow automation, process optimization and data analysis mean you can reduce repetitive work, streamline operations and free up time for high-value projects.
On your resume, this means highlighting the ways you’ve made a tangible impact on efficiency. If you’re going to discuss how you automated an important process for the team you worked on, throw in some data: How many hours did you save per week? This shows that you have both the technical knowledge and practical problem-solving skills that employers are looking for.
3. AI business strategy
Organizations are looking for experts who can determine where and how AI can add the most value – the people who actually drive the business forward. That means thinking logically: identifying projects with the greatest impact, making sure efforts meet ethical and legal standards and turning new technologies into measurable results.
The average value among the roles on this list from LinkedIn shows real impact from idea to execution. In your resume, highlight achievements that demonstrate strategic leadership, emphasizing both the tools you used and the results you delivered.
4. Management and stakeholder communication
Even in the tech-heavy world, being able to communicate clearly can set you apart. That’s especially true in a workplace where interaction is low. According to a Gallup report, only 21% of workers worldwide report being engaged at work – and communication and leadership play a role in driving that number higher.
The fastest growing skills in this category include multitasking, leadership communication, managing stakeholders and public speaking.
It’s not enough in 2026 to say you’re a “team player.” According to LinkedIn’s report, professionals who can effectively communicate with decision makers and guide teams across functions are increasingly in demand.
5. Financial performance and reporting
In today’s volatile economy, companies are looking for people who can understand complex financial data and turn it into actionable information. Skills in this area include budget and expense management, financial data analysis and report reconciliation.
When highlighting skills in this section on your resume, focus on how your financial analysis or reporting knowledge contributed to better budgeting or informed business decisions.
6. Leadership and people management
Strong leadership involves building strong teams and helping them perform at their best. Key skills in this category include multidisciplinary team management, performance improvement, skills development and team management.
So you managed the band at your previous gig. How has your leadership improved performance or helped drive change? What other ways have you worked as a mentor and fostered collaboration?
7. Business and revenue growth
With increasing competition and growth becoming increasingly important to many businesses, the ability to identify new business opportunities, adapt strategies to changing consumer needs and turn demand into revenue is critical. If you want to stand out, show that you have skills in account development, marketing plan development, sales negotiations and new market expansion.
If this is your area of expertise, it’s important to highlight accomplishments that show how you’ve driven growth, expanded markets or improved marketing performance, to name a few.
8. Risk management and compliance
Companies need people who can spot potential problems before they become a full blown problem. That means understanding regulations, keeping operations safe and reliable and making sure policies are followed.
If your experience includes policy compliance, quality assurance and control, security monitoring or compliance with federal and state regulations, make sure your resume shows how you avoided problems, improved processes or kept teams on track.
The takeaway? The skills that are most in demand are not just technical – they are practical, measurable and transferable. Make sure your resume reflects both your experience and the impact you’ve made.
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