Good communication skills are the most in demand when it comes to job applications in 2023, new analysis has revealed.
For those of us on the lookout for a new job this year, it's likely you'll have been wondering what skills are the most in-demand for when it comes to interviews.
And no matter the job you're applying for, there are certain attributes that are always very attractive to potential employers.
It's 'soft, transferrable' skills that are being championed by bosses all over the UK for this year, which include communications, organisation and innovation.
In a recent study, 13.3% of businesses surveyed by the ONS reported experiencing a shortage of workers.
Since then, to improve the situation, companies have had to re-think the skills that they prioritise from applicants to ensure positions are being filled by the best candidates.
People in the UK are also looking for more help that ever before when it comes to their CVs, with Google searches for 'CV tips' spiking by 89 percent in the last month.
Early career website RateMyPlacement analysed internal data from 2017 to March 2023 to reveal the most commonly cited skills required within jobs on their website. The result revealed:
communication skills as the most important, required for 45% of job adverts.
This was followed by organisational skills at 36%
and innovation in third place at 29%.
Other skills employers found valuable included analysis skills, good initiative, confidence and problem-solving skills.
Career expert and RateMyPlacement co-founder, Oliver Sidwell, has shared his tips on improving transferable skills and how to put these skills on your CV.
He said: "Making an effort to consolidate your soft skills is becoming more and more incremental to future career prospects as we become a more remote, digital workforce and as industries become more people-orientated. It’s also these traits that are transferable from industries, positions and roles, making individuals more well-rounded and much more attractive to employers.
“If you really want to set yourself out from the crowd you should focus your CV on those skills that employers are hunting for but may struggle to find. Skills like the ability to deal with conflict, manage up and negotiate are those proverbial needles in the haystack that employers are searching for.
"The best way to develop transferable skills is to get yourself some work experience, part-time work, or volunteer in the industry you most want to work in in the future so you can provide real-world examples on your CV.
"By doing this you’ll be appealing to the majority of employers who believe graduates with work experience under their belts have the required soft skills to be successful."
Top in-demand skills for employees 2023
| Skill | No. of mentions | % of job adverts |
| Communication | 4,244 | 45% |
| Organisational skills | 3,373 | 36% |
| Being innovative | 2,702 | 29% |
| Analysis skills | 2,271 | 24% |
| Good initiative | 2,004 | 21% |
| Confidence | 1,115 | 12% |
| Problem solving | 966 | 10% |
| Leadership skills | 958 | 10% |
| Creativity | 863 | 9% |
| Motivation | 610 | 6% |
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