Latest news with #skills
Forbes
18 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
7 Skills You Must Build To Propel Your Career Forward In 2025
7 Skills You Must Build To Propel Your Career Forward In 2025 getty The landscape is changing. Professionals who build the right skills will simply go further than those who don't. Here's a list of seven skills you must start building today. There's a huge shift happening in the world of work. Jobs requiring a college degree are on the decline while the trend towards skills-based hiring and promotion is on the rise. And, while a college degree can still give you a competitive edge, you don't want to sleep on the fact that many employers are prioritizing skills over college degrees to fill some of their most in-demand jobs. In order for you to stay relevant and compete in the 2025 job market and beyond, you'll want to beef up your skill development starting with some of the fastest-growing skills in the workplace. LinkedIn has published its list of the 15 fastest-growing skills that professionals need to invest in and develop. Feel free to explore LinkedIn's full listing. I'm highlighting seven (7) skills from the list that I often hear about in my work with hiring managers, supervisors and executives. AI Literacy Conflict Mitigation Adaptability Process Optimization Innovative Thinking Solution-Based Selling Budget & Resource Management There is a huge skills gap between what AI can do and what most employees think it can do. Getting employees up to speed with AI—its capabilities and business value—is a challenge that many organizations are experiencing. The University of Maryland is one institution that has stepped up to fill the AI skills gap. Notably, the college offers a completely free online course in artificial intelligence (AI) and career empowerment for mid-career professionals. The certificate program is for building AI skills. It is self-paced learning and specifically tailored to professionals seeking to transition into the private sector or those seeking a career shift. Conflict is a normal and healthy part of human interactions and dynamics. But a discomfort with it and a lack of skill for how to address and mitigate it undermines—or sabotages—communication, team performance and leadership success. Employees, leaders and managers with highly developed conflict mitigation skills are better equipped to respond in disharmonious environments. These professionals are better equipped to advance organizational strategic priorities because they lean into—rather than run away from—difficult conversations, divergent perspectives and healthy debate. They create high-performing teams who understand that conflict is normal as opposed to being intrinsically bad. 3. Adaptability Adapt or die. Many of us have heard this old adage referring to the importance of remaining agile and open to change. Adjusting as necessary to changing circumstances is a critical leadership skill. For organizations to not only survive but thrive in an uncertain and rapidly changing world, adaptability is key. 4. Process Optimization Leaders who improve processes trump those who simply solve problems because the big things that executives and leaders need to accomplish involve creating, improving or managing systems and processes—not just solving isolated problems. Process optimization is a skill that moves you beyond doing things to assessing and evaluating how you do the things you do. When you are optimizing processes, you will ask questions like: Are we doing the right things in the right way? What is our process, who owns it, and how can it be improved? Have we clearly mapped our processes and communicated this mapping with others with a need to know? With process optimization, there is a strong focus on being proactive and seeking out opportunities to improve operations, affect change and influence strategic outcomes. The inclination of those operating from this skillset is to evaluate the interrelationships and interconnections within and between steps, processes, systems and people. 5. Innovative Thinking Today's high-performing organizations are those that recruit and retain strategists, creative thinkers and innovators who embrace the eight essentials of innovation as defined by McKinsey & Company. Those with innovative thinking skills are primed to promote a culture of diverse thinking where new and different ideas are elicited. These leaders will get the best out of their employees and teams because instead of stifle new ideas and different perspectives, they invite them. 6. Solution-Based Selling Too many run away from the word selling, but we're all selling something to someone at some point. It doesn't matter whether you are specifically identified as a 'salesperson.' If you have a role within the organization, you have a responsibility to be solution oriented, and this often involves persuading or convincing someone to do something different. You have a responsibility to deliver customized value and define solutions that solve specific problems for internal and external customers and stakeholders. This requires skill, and the best leaders use this skill to create and deliver value. To do this well, you must understand your customers and stakeholders—value them, listen to them, and drill down on their perspectives to understand how they experience your services, products, representatives, etc. 7. Budget & Resource Management People with budget and resource management skills can climb higher on the career ladder. Finance management is a leadership imperative just like making effective decisions, creating great work environments and demonstrating strategic thinking. If you ever want to progress up the career ladder within your organization to where you are the one trusted to lead large projects, manage dynamic teams, make critical resource allocation decisions or have a meaningful say in strategy, you need to develop this skill. An Example of an Employer Prioritizing Skills Again, we're in a skills-based economy, and many employers are prioritizing skills over college degrees. How do you plan to develop these skills so that you can remain competitive? I recently wrote about how to get hired at Deloitte and explored insider tips from the company's chief talent officer, David Rizzo, about what skills he looks for in employees. Of the many things Rizzo looks for in employees, he emphasized the following: The right kind of technical and behavioral skills—use skills to communicate what you do and how effectively you deliver organizational and team results. How you communicate your experiences—use skills to demonstrate your ability to adapt to a changing environment, solve complex challenges and deliver results. A good fit between the job candidate and the company culture, team and values—use skills to demonstrate intellectual and organizational curiosity and channel it in a team and purpose-driven manner. Take Action Now to Build Your Skills and Stay Relevant After spending decades working with employees at all levels and after recruiting, supervising and leading employees and teams, it's clear to me what skills set one employee apart from another. The best performers and leaders demonstrate a variety of skills that go far beyond box-checking this credential or that credential. They demonstrate the seven (7) skills listed above, and they do it consistently and effectively. Do you have the what you need to compete for the best jobs? Are you up to speed with in-demand skills for 2025 and beyond? Check out platforms such as Coursera, edX, LinkedIn Learning and Skillshare to begin or continue your skills-development journey. Recommended reading: Free AI Skills Certificate: University Of Maryland's Online Program Deloitte Is Hiring Job Seekers Who Don't Have A College Degree Nail The Interview: Answer 'Why Should We Hire You' Like A Pro 5 Remote Jobs Hiring At $200,000+ With No College Degree Required
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
The Next Casualty Of AI: The Lost Art Of Brainstorming
Latin American woman making a business presentation in a meeting at a creative office and pointing ... More to her team her business plan AI will not only kill jobs. It will kill critical functions, too. In 2024, I wrote about the first unintended consequence of AI: fundamental communication skills, the ones, when developed, become part of the foundation of great companies. In essence, AI is now doing what our new employees should be doing. Once the window for that has passed, it doesn't return. This, by the way, holds true for entry-level jobs in computer science like programming and coding; legal services like paralegals and assistants; and graphic arts like animation, preproduction, and post-production. Where has all the brainstorming gone? Serious enough, but so far, it's been about skills. Now, though, AI has shown it also kills - or at least has the power to kill – critical functions in the process. For instance, when was the last time you were part of a brainstorming session or long-term program? That question is rhetorical. We already know the answer. The reason for this is simple and obvious. Brainstorming is hard work (at least in the beginning) and AI is more than easy; brainstorming requires patience and AI is instant gratification; in brainstorming, the truth that there could always be more than one good answer is evident and in AI we tend to accept what shows up. There's an old saying – Never let a conclusion be where you got tired of thinking – and that just about sums it up. Bring back brainstorming – And Make It Succeed As it's been a while since you've brainstormed (don't BS me; yes, it has), here's a guide – and a most basic one – to help bring it all back home. Let this be where we start . The Five Commandments of Brainstorming 1. Make it cultural. It's not an event; it's an ingrained process to be done in frequent intervals. Sometimes a surprise brainstorming get together is highly productive. No one is a spectator – young and old, senior and junior, new or long-term, admin and executive. All in the same meeting. Diversity is a strength. Jack Welch used to say, 'Listen to the new guy.' 2. Brainstorming shoud be short. Short time spans – no more than 45 minutes – and small groups of people – 6-8, optimally. Let it get personal when necessary. Pizza lunches or bagel breakfasts are brainstorming hot houses. 3. No judgment. Ever. Encourage everyone's contribution. You never know where the next great idea will come from. There's no such thing as a bad idea, just ideas that may not work right now. Allow no negative reactions as ideas are generated. This is a time for dimension building. 4. Build on the ideas of others. This is a real source of power. Creativity doesn't exist in a vacuum. Whenever the word 'but' is used, replace it with 'and.' Watch the enormous effect of that change. 5. Do not discard any ideas. Ever. Record and post all ideas as they're offered. Reduce list to a small number of key ideas. This is where you find the diamonds. Refer to your archives from time to time. More diamonds. Brainstorming Sum and Substance We must not let brainstorming recede into the dust of history. If we do, then we're next.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
4 Things That Don't Appear On Your Resume But Get You Hired
A strong resume helps. But it's not the whole picture. By now, you might already know that you shouldn't include a career objective or a lovely headshot when drafting your resume. Instead, you'll want to highlight your professional qualifications and relevant skills directly to be shortlisted and hopefully get the job. Although you can only put limited information in your resume, what doesn't make the cut can be just as important. Here are four things that employers don't usually find on your resume but get you hired. Proactiveness According to StandOut CV, it takes 27 applications to get one interview and 162 job applications to secure a job. So, spontaneously sending hundreds of applications to companies and simply waiting for them to contact you isn't a strategy that works. Staying proactive, from your job search to the interview and even afterward, will make all the difference. Take time to modify your resume based on the role and company you're applying for. By reading the job description thoroughly, you can insert the right keywords in your resume so the applicant tracking system (ATS) can easily find you. Look beyond job postings as well. Some companies don't advertise their job openings, so ask around. If you have a specific company in mind, don't stop simply because there are no career opportunities available. You can send an email to show your interest. They might remember you and reach out should there be an opening. While you're in job-hunting mode, learn new skills to be more ready when the right opportunity comes. After every job interview, make sure to follow up and send a thank-you note. Proactiveness as a work ethic can lead to long-term growth in your career. Your Network Apart from your skills and work experience, you'll need a solid network to increase your chances of getting hired. Start with your family, friends, and even neighbors. Stay in touch with your high school or college classmates, colleagues, and former bosses. Even if they can't recommend a job for you, they might know someone who can. According to a CNBC report, 80% of jobs are filled through personal and professional connections. So, maximize your time by attending networking events. For example, if you're pursuing a career in tech, don't miss tech conferences, workshops, and even local meetups. Join tech communities and contribute to the discussions. As you expand your network and gain valuable insights, you'll also be closer to scoring a promising job. Creativity Your resume might not be able to fully capture how creative or how much of an asset you are to a company. But this will reflect throughout your application. For example, in your resume, you can say, 'Revamped new hires' training materials by providing simplified maps and interactive quizzes, increasing retention and team productivity.' During the interview, you can expand on how you identified previous pain points and the things your team achieved with your solution. You can also showcase your creativity through your portfolio. If you're a graphic designer or a digital marketing manager, choose pieces that highlight your versatility, expertise in different platforms, and experience with various industries. You can include numbers and real results, such as in engagements and conversions. This way, the company gets a glimpse of the value you bring and why they should hire you. LinkedIn Profile Nearly 70 million companies are on LinkedIn, and every year, over three million get hired on the platform. And an optimized LinkedIn profile is a huge factor in securing a role. That's why I often emphasize the need for a direct and killer headline. In fact, it can lead to a 43% increase in profile views. Remember this formula: Current Title / Key Skills and Industry Keywords / Big Career Win If you're a social media manager, you can format your headline this way: Social Media Manager | Creating Viral Content and Driving Brand Growth | Increased Engagement on TikTok and Instagram by 300% Your summary section should also provide an overview of your professional journey, highlighting your expertise, passion, and ability to deliver measurable results. And go add in your email address so recruiters can reach out! You may not be able to present everything on your resume to secure a position, but each stage of your job hunt and even beyond that is just as crucial. Be proactive and creative, build connections, and don't forget to update your LinkedIn profile. By going the extra mile and staying visible, you'll land the role you deserve. Rooting for you!
Irish Times
24-06-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Eight things that help make a successful leader
What makes a good leader? Do some people make better 'followers'? Can you develop leadership skills, and how important are they? 1 Know when to take a back seat First of all, a good leader isn't constantly trying to dominate and prove what a great leader they are. Imagine if everyone decided they had to lead every project. Indeed, we've probably all met a person like this – they are, at best, boring and, at worst, insufferable. A good leader knows when to take a back seat and focus on what they can bring to a team and a project. 2 Respect Sinéad Brady , career psychologist and author of Total Reset: Quit Living to Work and Start Working to Live, says our gut feeling comes into play here. 'Look at leaders and managers and see if they model behaviour that you respect. Is this how you would behave if you were more senior?' If you decide it's not, it may be a warning sign that you should have an exit strategy from this organisation. 3 Gain the skills Dr Mary Collins, a chartered psychologist and senior executive development specialist at RCSI , says leadership skills need to be developed. 'So while you may be starting as a graduate and, perhaps, doing pretty mundane work, your local GAA team may need a coach,' she says. 'This is a role that would allow you to gain important skills and make you a more well-rounded person, with skills inside and outside the workplace.' READ MORE 4 Traits Brady says successful leaders don't necessarily have key 'traits'. 'Research around 'trait' was done in labs and primarily with men, especially relatively privileged men,' she says. 'It has been proven now that there aren't key traits. This makes sense, as we all know people who have reached the top of their career who are kind, empathetic and supportive bosses; we also know some who are thoroughly impossible, manipulative bullies.' 5 Empathy That said, empathy and self-awareness cannot be understated. We're all human, and we all have off-days where we might not be our best selves, but a good leader can step back, reflect and, if warranted, apologise. And nobody likes a boss or colleague who lacks kindness or flexibility: remember, leaders shouldn't have to drag people with them; instead, they should inspire, and their employees or team should naturally want to follow and deliver. Dr Linda Yang is the programme director and creator of the intercultural development programme at the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School . 'Successful leaders can appear on the surface to be less empathetic, and more driven by an alpha male culture,' she says. 'But research shows that people who do well in the long run have empathy and a willingness to understand other people's emotions. This is particularly important with diverse teams, where not everyone will share the same views or approaches.' 6 Constant development A good leader doesn't just decide they are a good leader, or that they have learned all that they need to know. Instead, they are constantly developing these skills, through a mix of education, workplace experience and, simply, life. 7 Perseverance 'The leaders that I see around me, in both business and higher education, are entrepreneurs who started with an idea and, despite obstacles, did not give up,' says Yang. 'They kept going.' 8 Trust Leadership means letting go of control and trusting others. At RCSI, students on the MSc in Leadership and Innovation in Healthcare learn about change management, healthcare innovation and strategic leadership. Students on the course say that part of leadership is empowering your staff and giving them responsibility, whereas the worst leaders don't trust their colleagues and are prone to micromanagement.
The Sun
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
‘World's most beautiful footballer' strips down to bikini for beach keepie-uppies leaving fans in awe
ANA MARIA MARKOVIC has shown off her football skills with some beach keepie-uppies. Markovic, 25, has been dubbed "the world's most beautiful footballer" and made sure to remind everyone just how impressive her football ability is with an Instagram video. 12 12 The Croatian forward shared the video with her THREE MILLION adoring followers, telling them that she "needs nothing else" but a football and the beach to be happy. Markovic is currently on the books at Portuguese top flight side Damaiense, who she joined after terminating her contract with Braga earlier this year. She has insisted that she has been able to "develop" as a player before mutually agreeing to end her contract with the club. On social media Markovic announced her exit from Braga mid-way through the season. She wrote: "Sometimes things don't go as planned. After just half a season, I decided to leave SC Braga. "It was a short but intense journey with ups and downs, but one in which I was able to grow and develop a lot as a footballer. "The best part? Definitely my teammates. 12 12 "A big thank you to the club for their professionalism throughout my time here and to the fans, for the support. "The journey continues and I'm excited for what's next!" Markovic played just four games for Braga before calling an end to her time with the club. Away from club football she has represented the Croatian national team 20 times. While she has become a sensation on social media, with huge followings across a range of different platforms. Her online presence has helped to open the door to incredible opportunities, including working with Cristiano Ronaldo for a cryptocurrency advertisement last year. 12 12 12
