Top Skills for 2025

Hiring Managers Are Looking for These Skills—Do You Have Them?

After the pandemic, the hiring process has changed substantially. Skills that used to be prioritized in job interviews, such as technical expertise, are no longer the only traits employers seek.

Managers today are focused on identifying foundational skills that enable employees to continuously learn, adapt, and grow. These behavioral skills form the backbone of a successful career, allowing professionals to acquire new competencies and evolve with changing business needs.

The best way to assess yourself from a skills perspective is to consider the things you’re naturally good at and the tasks that energize you. These two components will help you identify strengths that can propel your career forward. Here are the key skills that hiring managers are looking for in today’s workplace.

Curiosity

Do you naturally ask questions, investigate the world around you, and seek to expand your horizons? If so, curiosity is one of your strengths. Curious professionals thrive in new situations because they see them as opportunities to learn, solve problems, and discover more efficient ways of doing things.

When interviewing, be ready to share an example of how your curiosity led to a breakthrough—whether that was improving a process, solving a complex problem, or helping your team achieve better results.

Learning Agility

Are you quick to absorb new information, pivot to different challenges, and apply knowledge across a variety of situations? Learning agility is an invaluable skill, especially in today’s fast-changing work environment. Employers value candidates who can rapidly acquire and apply new skills without extensive training.

Be prepared to share a time when you had to quickly learn something new and how that ability helped you succeed.

Growth Mindset

A growth mindset is the belief that you can develop your abilities through effort and persistence. People with a growth mindset embrace challenges, viewing them as opportunities rather than obstacles. They are willing to take on unfamiliar projects because they see them as a chance to learn and improve.

To demonstrate this skill, highlight a time when you took on a challenging project, faced setbacks, and ultimately succeeded through perseverance.

Critical Analysis

Strong critical thinkers evaluate situations from multiple angles, consult different perspectives, and make informed decisions based on data and logic. This skill is particularly important in roles that require problem-solving, strategic planning, and risk assessment.

Employers want to see that you can break down complex challenges, identify patterns, and make sound decisions. When interviewing, be ready to discuss a time when your ability to analyze information and think critically led to a positive outcome.

Collaboration

Collaboration is more than just working well with others—it’s about actively contributing to shared goals, adapting communication styles to different team members, and fostering an environment of trust and productivity.

If you thrive in team settings, be sure to highlight how your collaboration skills have helped drive results, whether in-person or in virtual environments.

Business-Tech Crossover Skills

The clear lines between business and technology are disappearing. Companies no longer operate with distinct technical and business silos—every department relies on technology, and IT professionals must understand business priorities.

For technologists, this means developing business acumen—understanding market dynamics, financial performance, and customer needs to align technical solutions with strategic goals. IT professionals who can communicate the value of technology in business terms will be invaluable assets to any organization.

For business professionals, this means developing technical acumen—understanding the capabilities of modern technology, from data analytics to automation, to make informed decisions and drive innovation. Leaders who can work closely with IT teams to leverage technology for business success will stand out in the competitive job market.

Employers are looking for candidates who can bridge the gap between technology and business. Showcasing your ability to navigate both worlds will set you apart in today’s workforce.

The Skills That Drive Long-Term Success

Think of these skills as accelerators that will help you develop and grow throughout your career. Highlighting them to hiring managers demonstrates your ability to evolve, take on leadership roles, and contribute to an organization’s success.

More importantly, these skills will shape your personal and professional development. They help you understand yourself, leverage information effectively, tackle challenges with confidence, and collaborate with others to create meaningful impact.

By honing these foundational skills, you position yourself not only for your next job but for a dynamic, resilient, and fulfilling career.

About the Author

Saadiqa Amatul is a Business Analyst & Microsoft Dynamics Consultant at Ascent Innovations LLC. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, she is passionate about leveraging technology to drive business efficiency and innovation. In addition to her work in digital transformation, Saadiqa volunteers her time helping children with neurodevelopmental disorders develop behavioral skills. She is dedicated to continuous learning and helping organizations bridge the gap between technology and business strategy.

Saadiqa Amatul

Business Analyst & Microsoft Dynamics Consultant

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