Best job skills

How can you stand out in the job market? How can you differentiate yourself from other professionals? Take note, because we reveal the job skills most valued by recruitment experts.

Human resources professionals have evolved over time in terms of what they value most in a candidate, and which details are important when pre-selecting through a CV or even in job interviews. Over the years, they have understood that the focus must be both on technical knowledge and on soft skills—so-called “soft skills”—which reveal important qualities that can be essential for performing a given role effectively. We are referring to job skills and how they greatly influence a candidate’s ability to stand out from the crowd.

These personality-related traits of a potential employee are revealed in several ways: through the CV, by analyzing professional experience; during job interviews; and through selection tests, where important factors such as problem-solving ability, stress management, and teamwork skills can be observed—sometimes even unconsciously. These are just some examples of the job skills we refer to in this article.

There are different types of job skills to consider. If you are looking for your first job or want to change companies, it is useful to know which are considered the best job skills from recruiters’ perspective. This can guide you when preparing your CV and during interviews.

Types of job skills

First, it is useful to consider the definition of “skill” given by the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE): “Ability to perform competently in a specific activity”; “Ability and willingness for the proper performance of a business, industry, or art”; “Suitability or competence to obtain and perform a job.” In the labor market, this refers to the abilities that provide a person with the tools needed to perform a specific function.

• Technical skills: As the name suggests, these are the technical knowledge required for a specific job. They are acquired through specialized training, courses, etc. Examples include:

1. Digital marketing knowledge.
2. Software development skills.
3. Pediatric dentistry expertise.

As can be seen, technical skills are professional abilities acquired through formal education or training programs.

• Soft skills: Increasingly discussed and highly valued by HR professionals. These are transversal personal qualities that can be developed over time. Unlike technical skills, they are not learned from books. Examples include:

1. Leadership ability.
2. Adaptability.
3. Creativity and innovation.
4. Critical thinking.
5. Proactivity.
6. Teamwork.
7. Problem-solving ability.

Both types represent key job skills in today’s socio-economic and professional context. But which are most valued? Below we outline the profile of a good professional’s skills according to talent management experts.

Skills of a good professional

The most important skills for getting a job depend largely on the position. There are no universal skills for every recruitment process, but there are trends in HR that highlight some key professional skills.

• Technical knowledge: Essential for any role; candidates must have relevant education and experience in the field.
• Soft skills: Especially important according to HR experts. Key skills include:

1. Communication.
2. Willingness to learn.
3. Teamwork.
4. Enthusiasm and optimism.
5. Conflict resolution.
6. Work flexibility.

Most valued professional skills

Recruitment studies highlight the importance of soft skills. While technical skills are screened first through CVs, the next phase focuses on behavioral and interpersonal abilities.

Reports such as ManpowerGroup’s “Soft Skills 4 Talent” emphasize:

• Problem-solving and resilience.
• Goal orientation.
• Collaboration mindset.

Examples of professional skills

These skills are essential in daily business operations and contribute to organizational success:

• Problem-solving ability: handling unexpected issues in projects.
• Teamwork: essential in remote and in-person environments.
• Goal orientation: focusing efforts on achieving defined objectives.

As mentioned, recruitment professionals must stay up to date with hiring trends. EAE Barcelona offers a Master’s in Human Resources that helps students develop expertise in talent management and recruitment.

This program is valuable both for current HR professionals and those looking to specialize in recruitment, where job skills are increasingly important.