Now that we’ve just entered 2018, it’s time for active job-seekers to start shaking off those post-celebratory revelries and begin putting their nose to the grind again.

We are going to shed some light on the kinds of work skills that can make job hunters more marketable to employers in this new year.

The first thing you need to know, if you’re actively looking for employment, is that nothing is forever – and this especially extends to the workforce, because the job skills that employers look for when it comes to new hires change from year to year. We realize this may be uncomfortable for some of you to hear, but change is inevitable, as it’s one of the best ways for companies to remain competitive and ahead of that never-ending curve.

This means that evolving with change is neccessary to improve your skills while also developing new ones. If you’re seeking a better job this year it’s time to begin asking yourself, “How can I make my skill set more attractive to employers?”  But don’t fret: AimHire is here to outlay the top job skills in 2018 employers will be looking for so you have more than a good chance to gain that edge in the uber-competitive job market.

1. Technical Skills

To begin with, it’s vital to understand and, at this point, accept, that technology is constantly changing at a rapid rate, and that we exist in a technology-driven market…no ifs, ands or buts about it. That being said, it’s important to have a solid working knowledge of the latest Microsoft programs at the very least, while also possessing the ability to learn a new ERP system (which can advance your technical skills to the point you’ll be able to navigate other systems in the future). Strong technical skills are transferrable to any work environment and industry. 

2. Longevity/Stability

Here’s a somewhat frightening realization of the modern working world: The millennial demographic has created a new reference of longevity in the workplace given the average amount of years they remain at a job, which is three. Despite this trend, employers are still looking for stability in an employee; if you are the type of worker who has not exuded much success in the stability/longevity area, make some improvements before hitting that 2018 job search.

3. Can-Do/Positive Attitude

A positive attitude and open mind tend to go a long way, and this is something we have a bit of personal experience in, as we see both a lot and little of it when we interview folks and talk to employers. When you are experiencing positive emotions such as joy, contentment and love, you tend to visualize more possibilities in your life; this is also referred to as the “broaden and build” theory based on the fact that positive emotions broaden your sense of possibilities and open your mind, which in turn allows you to build new skills and resources that can also yield value in other areas of life.

4. Data Analytics

Because we’re moving into even more of a data-driven world, more employers are searching for job candidates who can understand and utilize this data. In fact, this is an important skill for everyone to learn, not just current job-seekers in 2018 looking for traditional data jobs – but if you’re unfamiliar with the “data thing,” you can easily gain or improve your data analytics skills by taking an online course on the subject.

5. Resiliency

In other words, the ability to recover from setbacks and learn from challenges. Simply put, employers want to see that prospective employees can thrive in challenging situations, and that’s why resiliency is one of the most coveted “soft skills” in today’s market. 

6. Emotional Intelligence

By now, you’ve heard the rumors regarding how a robot could be sitting at your workplace desk by as early as the end of this year. While this may be true for a number of low-skilled, repetitive tasks, human interaction remains just as, if not more important within the work world. To this end, “emotional intelligence” refers to the ability to understand the emotions of others while being mindful and regulatory of your own, and this concept will become even more essential to companies that wish to automate some of their services amidst the maintenance of strong human relationships between customers and colleagues. 

7. Willingness to Learn

While some in our industry do not consider this a bonafide “skill,” the process of willingness to learn new skills is one of the most compelling characteristics job-seekers can possess moving into 2018. Whether it’s through certification classes, industry conferences, online courses or “meetup groups,” you should always be taking steps to improve and gain new skills.

Ready to take on the job market in 2018? AimHire is ready to assist you with the most seasoned and professional of services.