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What are In-Demand Skills?
If you’re working towards a new job or promotion, you may be wondering which skills are in greatest demand across different industries. Look no further as we’ve compiled the top 3 ranking skills that companies want when either hiring or training professionals.
As the name suggests, in-demand skills are specific competencies that organisations look for in professionals. These competencies can range from core, i.e. soft skills to more technical knowledge such as software development or digital marketing.
Taking the time to understand these skills and how they could apply to your role will place you in a better position to negotiate salaries, pursue professional training, and advance your career. More importantly, as innovations like AI continuously shift industry standards and subsequent demand for certain skills, knowing which areas to learn (or hone) will help you stay competitive in the global market.
Top 3 Skills in Demand for 2025
AI
This will come as no surprise as more organisations adopt and embed artificial intelligence into their daily operations. Companies at the frontier of artificial intelligence, i.e. Alphabet, Apple, Microsoft, and OpenAI, are constantly updating their systems and are in need of talented engineers, developers, and data scientists to stay ahead. Associated skills for AI include:
- Software engineering
- Software development
- Data science
- Cybersecurity
Additionally, AI has shifted how companies detect fraud, security threats, and potential future breaches which has led to more demand for professionals with cybersecurity skills. As such, cybersecurity is now more applicable than ever with the rise of online shopping, data storage, and remote work.
With the daily development of technology and its advances, this unfortunately means more advances in cyberattacks. For this reason, more companies outside of finance and technology are seeking cybersecurity professionals to protect personal data; as the new saying goes, “personal data is the new gold.”
With so much data floating around, it’s imperative to keep the hackers away and prevent cybercriminals from breaking into digital details. Knowing how to protect your customers’ privacy and information will help establish trust and credibility, but that can be made more difficult without an advanced understanding of cybersecurity and how AI borrows data.
Digital Marketing
Many organisations are spending more resources on creating a digital footprint. With the next generation chronically online, having a strong digital presence ultimately helps with branding and establishing an organisation’s uniqueness. This is where digital marketing comes in. Digital marketing is not to be underestimated since this helps businesses engage with the right audience based on their interests, behaviors, and location.
As a skill, this involves online advertisements that use different formats such as email subscriptions, social media, phone apps, as well as data analytics tools.
When companies promote their products via social media, they will also seek professionals who have video editing skills as shortform videos like those found on TikTok typically generate strong engagement. However, digital marketing is not limited to push notifications and social media.
If the website is slow, difficult to navigate, or poorly formatted, people will quickly leave. In today’s digital landscape, web development is the new handshake – it gives a strong first impression. Because digital marketing is about presence, engagement, and building brand loyalty, it’s important to have a clean public-facing website.
To properly track how well a website performs or how often push notifications convert to revenue, consider learning more about data processing tools such as:
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and improving visibility in AI-generated content
- Relational databases like Structured Query Language (SQL)
- Programming language like Python
Digital marketing allows for in-depth technical learning as well as limitless creative freedom. So, whether you prefer the data side of marketing or the creative side, understanding what it takes to have a strong online presence will not only help the organisation grow, but your career as well.
Project Management
Project managers create clear timelines, manage resources, and help prevent projects from spiraling out of control which is why this skill is consistently in demand. Organisations love their project managers. After all, they help save resources and improve project turnaround. Several skills related to project management include:
- Financial literacy to better understand forecasting and budgets
- Communication (especially in remote work settings)
- Creative problem-solving
For those fully invested in the project management space, you’ve likely encountered Agile terminology and ways to stay flexible amid multiple moving parts. For this reason, having a strong foundation of core skills like leadership, emotional intelligence (EQ), and communication will set you apart as a project manager.
Having a color-coded excel template isn’t enough in 2025, especially with the rise of AI. To truly excel in project management, companies look for creative and collaborative individuals who can actively exceed goals and expectations.
This is especially true for project managers who are looking for leadership positions. Not only will you need to be adaptable, but you will also need to recognize opportunities to innovate, streamline processes, and collaborate across teams or functions.
It’s one thing to plan a project, but when things go wrong, how well can you adapt, communicate the change, and still find a way to optimise, if not improve the outcome?
Though separate from project management, many professionals find themselves pursuing change management, otherwise known as ‘the human side of PM.’ As briefly described above, this discipline focuses on how smoothly and efficiently teams can transition and adapt.
While project management aims to deliver on time and on budget, change management aims to ensure adoption and implementation. Together, these two disciplines ensure that organisations deliver value efficiently and consistently.
How Will These Skills Advance My Career?
The answer to this question largely depends on your industry, career goals, and the overall evolving job market. However, there are some broadly applicable skills that are in high demand across many sectors - while others are more industry-specific and can help you stand out in your field.
Building on the three main skills above, we’ve compiled a list of related competencies.
Broadly Applicable Skills
Data Analysis and Interpretation: The ability to analyse and interpret data to make business decisions is essential across industries like finance, marketing, healthcare, and more.
Cloud Computing: Expertise in cloud platforms like AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud is highly sought after as more companies move their operations to the cloud.
Cybersecurity: With increasing digital threats, skills in information security, ethical hacking, and data protection are in great demand.
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning: Understanding AI/ML applications, algorithms, and tools is valuable for tech roles, research, or automation-focused positions.
Data Visualization: Skills like Tableau or Power BI to create clear, impactful visual representations of data trends help communicate insights effectively.
Strategic Thinking: Long-term planning and decision-making that align with company goals can fast-track you to leadership positions.
Team Leadership: Developing emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and motivational strategies can position you as an effective manager or team leader.
Communication Skills: Effective verbal and written communication skills are crucial in virtually any job for collaboration, presentations, and client relations.
Emotional Intelligence (EQ): The ability to understand, manage, and influence emotions is important for leadership roles, teamwork, and customer relations.
Adaptability and Flexibility: The ability to quickly adapt to new technologies, changes in the market, and evolving job roles is crucial for long-term career success.
Financial Literacy: Understanding financial statements, budgeting, and forecasting is crucial for managers, entrepreneurs, and professionals looking to move into leadership roles.
Business Development: Knowledge of sales, partnerships, and market expansion can help you move into higher-level business development roles.
Industry-Specific Skills
Healthcare: Skills in medical coding, telemedicine, and healthcare IT systems are highly sought after in the rapidly evolving healthcare industry.
Finance: Knowledge of financial technologies (FinTech), blockchain, and skills in risk management or investment analysis can boost your career.
Engineering: Skills in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and proficiency in CAD (Computer-Aided Design) are essential for modern engineering roles.
Learning Agility: The willingness and ability to learn new skills quickly and continuously improve are increasingly important in a world where industries and technologies are constantly evolving.
Certifications and Courses: Earning certifications relevant to your field (e.g., Agility, Project Management, IT Service Management, Sustainability, Six Sigma etc.) can demonstrate expertise and help you stay ahead of industry trends.
How Can I Develop In-Demand Skills?
You can reach out to APMGs training community and APMG’s YouTube platform to access a wide range of resources.
In addition, you should join professional groups and attend conferences to stay updated on the latest trends. Joining groups or attending webinars allows you to network with like-minded professionals who may have a similar career path as you. Networking is a valuable skill within itself and by knowing how to link with the right people, you’ll be able to boost and leverage your professional life and be even more successful than you were before.
Seek guidance from professionals in your field who can help you understand which skills are most valuable for your career path. It’s not uncommon to find a mentor or coach within your own organisation to help your professional development but you can also consider external coaching and consulting for unbiased assistance.
While it can be difficult to shift careers or receive that long-awaited promotion, staying up to date on desirable skills will increase your options. Mastering multiple skills boosts your chances of being hired, promoted, or being recognized and retaining your job.
