The Top Skills Employers are Looking for on LinkedIn
For job seekers, having an impressive and up-to-date LinkedIn profile can give them the competitive edge they need to stand out in a crowded job market. But with so many skills available to mention on your profile, how do you know which skills employers are looking for on LinkedIn? Here are the strongest and most sought-after skills employers are looking for when searching LinkedIn for potential candidates.
- Communication Skills
Communication skills are key for any job position, so it’s important to mention them on your LinkedIn profile. Whether you have a background in public speaking, business writing, or teaching, employers are sure to take note of this skill when evaluating potential candidates.
Effective communication is essential for success in any profession, so be sure to mention the evidence that can back up your ability to communicate.
- Negotiation Skills
Negotiation skills are a must-have for any professional—especially those who are entering a tense job market. Negotiation skills are something that employers are always looking for on LinkedIn, as they indicate an individual’s ability to be persuasive and drive positive outcomes.
When displaying your negotiation skills, be sure to provide all the details of the experience. Talk about the types of negotiations you’ve been involved in, what strategies you adopted, and most importantly, how the outcome was a positive one.
- Leadership Skills
Leadership skills are another key attribute that employers look for on LinkedIn. As a leader, you have the ability to make decisions, communicate goals clearly and motivate others to perform better.
When stating your leadership skills on your profile, it’s important to outline any managerial positions you’ve held in the past, any successful projects you’ve managed and any ways in which you’ve impacted an organization.
- Technical Skills
With a technically-driven world, employers are always looking for applicants with technical skills. To highlight these skills, be sure to state the technical knowledge that you have in the field you are applying for.
When it comes to technical skills, there are many different types such as programming, system design, coding, hardware/software, and web development. By displaying the technical abilities you have, employers can gauge how you could fit into a particular role they have available.
- Self-Motivation
Self-motivation is one of the most important skills an employer looks for when evaluating candidates. Employers want individuals that are proactive and are able to complete tasks without being micromanaged.
When mentioning this skill, be sure to state how you are able to stay motivated on your own and what strategies you use to stay positive and productive.
- Problem-Solving
Problem-solving is another skill that employers find desirable when looking for potential candidates. By displaying your ability to think critically and creatively, employers are sure to take notice of your skillset.
When mentioning problem-solving on your profile, be sure to explain all the ways you have solved a problem in the past. Also, explain which strategy you adopted and how the result was a positive one.
- Analytical and Research Skills
Analytical and research skills are invaluable in any role. Whether you’re looking for a job in finance, engineering, or marketing, analytical and research skills are something employers look for when reviewing candidate profiles.
If you’re able to demonstrate your ability to think independently and use critical thinking to draw logical conclusions, employers will be sure to recognize you as a strong candidate.
- Time Management
Time management is another skill employers are sure to take note of. By displaying your ability to manage your time both efficiently and effectively, employers can assess how you can fit into their role.
When mentioning your time management skills on your profile, be sure to state the most recent projects you’ve undertaken and how you were able to manage both your own time and that of your team.
- Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal skills are essential for any professionals up for a managerial or executive role. To demonstrate these skills, it’s important to display evidence of your ability to connect with customers, colleagues, and stakeholders.
When stating this skill, be sure to provide references that can back up your communication and relationship-building skills.
- Strategic Thinking
Strategic thinking is something that employers are looking for when it comes to a managerial position. Strategic thinking means being able to plan for the long-term and having the vision to understand how an organization can reach its desired goals.
When presenting your strategic thinking skills on your profile, mention how you’ve been able to come up with innovative plans and positively impacted a company’s performance.
The Need-to-Know on Skills Employers are Looking for on LinkedIn
When searching for potential candidates on LinkedIn, employers have a lot to consider. Having a professional portfolio has always been important for any job search, but social media has revolutionized the job market and now employers are able to assess an individual’s skills and qualifications without even meeting them in person.
Although having a strong portfolio can be a great help in job searching, it is important to stress the need to highlight the most desired skills that employers are seeking on LinkedIn. By emphasizing skills such as communication, negotiation, leadership, technical knowledge, self-motivation, problem-solving, analytical and research abilities, time management, interpersonal skills, and strategic thinking, employers will be sure to take notice of your profile and give you the competitive edge you need in the job market.