Overview

As we are at the end of 2021, many organizations predict the most in-demand skills for work in 2022 and beyond, across all job categories. 

As a result of technology developments, we see a shift in how we work. People will have to constantly adapt to new cutting-edge technologies, work with vast volumes of data, and be more flexible in their work styles as technology allows them to do almost anything from anywhere. 

This article will cover the top ten soft skills you will need in 2022. Take a look at these essential skills that go beyond technical knowledge to Elevate your career in the coming year.

1. Effective Communication (One of the most valuable skills for 2022)

Effective communication skills are critical in any job, and those looking for entry-level positions must demonstrate their ability in this area. The good news is that you can demonstrate this right from the start, from how you contact the recruiter via email to actively listening and responding intelligently in an interview and remaining fully engaged throughout.

As a result of the Covid lockdown, many of you have been accustomed to live video conversations and the comfort of communicating using a live camera. You should communicate clearly via video call, email, WhatsApp, or a simple voice call.

You are also being monitored on social media communication platforms, whether Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or WhatsApp. These are the platforms on which your brand is being built. Hiring managers will also look over your social media pages to better understand who you are and what you stand for so be sure to practice your communication skills to impress potential recruiters.

2. Paying attention to the details

When it comes to accomplishing tasks, attention to detail denotes a high level of precision and accuracy. Many employers make this skill a requirement for new hires since it is crucial for long-term productivity and efficiency. For example, a single coding error can cause an entire program to fail or misconfigure a server. Being detail-oriented can help you avoid these issues.

This is a skill you should learn to improve your accuracy and productivity at work. When applying for a job, highlighting your ability to focus on details will help you increase your chances of being hired.

3. Ability to learn new technologies

Candidates must be adaptable to change and ready to learn and adapt new technologies in the dynamic emerging technological landscape. Those who do not embrace emerging technologies like IoT or AI in their profession, for example, will almost certainly be replaced by those who do.  

As many industries are focused on technology, accepting new technology is a critical component of modern-day progress. This shows that you are aware of industry changes and how they affect the workplace. This is especially true for those looking for work in the IT industry. 

Technology-focused job seekers can benefit from taking extra courses and certifications to gain hands-on experience with the technology in addition to reading about it. This demonstrates to employers that you are willing and able to learn about the technology needed.

4. Innovation

Most organizations thrive on innovation. Employers prefer candidates who contribute new ideas to help the organization expand over those who simply follow orders. Companies believe that they need innovation from all departments and teams to scale up and expand.

Innovative thinking abilities and strategies are essential in the workplace and everyday life, allowing you to grow and develop in new situations and think about how to adapt to change more quickly.

With practice, you can all improve your ability to innovate. Consider a project you worked on in your college to demonstrate your innovative ideas and creative thinking abilities.

5. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence is a soft skill that employers will be looking for in a candidate. The pandemic has caused a change in working conditions necessitating emotional intelligence —empathy for others, knowing when and what to say, accepting different points of view, dealing with difficult situations, ability to react appropriately when faced with challenges. 

Emotional intelligence can be demonstrated by being mindful of the language you use, being service-oriented, 

If you are emotionally intelligent, you can manage your health and well-being at any stage of life. You will also demonstrate resilience, a rare quality in these challenging times. 

6. Complex Problem-solving skills

Problem-solving is an essential soft skill that allows you to identify the root cause of the problem and arrive at the best solution. Complex problems are challenging to describe or are too large for us to handle independently. Complex problem solvers who come up with novel solutions are experts in their industry. They can also work with others, share their ideas, and develop solutions to complex challenges. Many companies want people with similar skills.

For example, clients expect timely, high-quality service in today's fast-paced corporate world. IT employees working on a help desk or resolving a client complaint must fix problems quickly before they escalate into a bigger problem for the company on social media or elsewhere.

Think of an example when your ability to solve complicated problems may have been demonstrated during a graduation group project.

7. Decision-Making Skills

Different employers search for different things, but decision-making abilities are required by almost every company. Every day, all employees face big and minor decisions in the workplace. 

You can demonstrate to potential employers that you can efficiently assess information to reach a wise decision. When applying for a job, highlight examples of how you have made decisions during your education and the beneficial impact those actions had. It demonstrates to potential employers that you are willing to take calculated risks. 

Candidates who can demonstrate that they are good at decision-making skills have an advantage over those who cannot.

8. The Ability to Work Under Pressure

Workplaces can be stressful, especially when tight deadlines and multiple projects are going on at the same time.

Working under pressure necessitates dealing with constraints that are frequently beyond your control, such as resource or time constraints, task complexity or a lack of knowledge required to execute the task, or unforeseen changes or problems. Even if you are the most organized and prepared person, unexpected developments and events can happen. 

Employers look for candidates who can work well under pressure. In order to know how you deal with pressure, prospective employers will frequently ask you about your ability to handle pressure. You will need to show that you can maintain your composure and be prepared for anything. Think of instances of how you handled challenging situations well.

9. Teamwork & Collaboration Skills

Teamwork refers to your ability to collaborate effectively with others to accomplish a common goal. From entry-level staff to senior executives, everyone in a company needs to work together. A team player will always put the team's goals ahead of their own. 

When interviewing for a job, avoid using "I" language and instead focus on the results by sharing examples of how you have collaborated with others to complete a project.

Teamwork is one of the most in-demand skills in almost every field. It is a skill that can be honed with consistent practice. 

10. Leadership Skills

Many candidates feel that leadership abilities are solely applicable to senior-level employees, but this is not true. A team of people who can motivate and inspire one another, mentor one another, and share ideas is a valuable asset to any organization. Hence, employers will be on the lookout for candidates with leadership skills for their organization.

You can hone your leadership abilities by taking on a project and overseeing it from start to end.

Final thoughts

Employers have been placing a greater emphasis on soft skills and technical skills. In addition to the ones mentioned above, there are other skills, such as time management, being proactive, taking the initiative, etc. Whatever natural skills you have, if you can develop and put them to good use in the coming year, you will stay on top of the career game.

These skills are worth practicing and highlighting in job applications to help you stand out from your competitors.

Begin preparing for your job by honing the above skills that companies seek.