Trying to Get Hired? Here Are the Most In-Demand Job Skills Right Now

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Career Advice Share Share Close Mail Page URL https://money.com/job-skills-in-demand-linkedin/ Link copied! Trying to Get Hired? Here Are the Most In-Demand Job Skills Right Now By: Liliana Hall Liliana Hall Reporter | Joined March 2025 Liliana Hall joined Money in 2025. She is an Austin-based reporter for Money, where she covers a range of topics, including financial news, policy, banking, investing, passive income, financial planning and student loan debt. Has also written: Trying to Get Hired in 2026?

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The Great Resignation Breaks Records as 4.5 Million People Quit Their Jobs in a Single Month See full bio Published: Mar 3, 2026 10:21 a.m. EST 7 min read Money; Getty Images Updating your resume can feel like throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks. Do hiring managers expect automation skills now? Is Excel too basic? And which skills are companies actually looking for? There’s data on that. LinkedIn’s newly published Skills on the Rise report tracks the fastest-growing talents among U.S. professionals by looking at two things: the skills people are adding to their LinkedIn profiles and the skills listed by those who landed new jobs over the past year. Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdExpand your network and your career with the help of a Job Search SiteJob Search Sites allow you to put your resume out there for tons of companies and potential employers to see. Click your state to begin networking today!HawaiiAlaskaFloridaSouth CarolinaGeorgiaAlabamaNorth CarolinaTennesseeRIRhode IslandCTConnecticutMAMassachusettsMaineNHNew HampshireVTVermontNew YorkNJNew JerseyDEDelawareMDMarylandWest VirginiaOhioMichiganArizonaNevadaUtahColoradoNew MexicoSouth DakotaIowaIndianaIllinoisMinnesotaWisconsinMissouriLouisianaVirginiaDCWashington DCIdahoCaliforniaNorth DakotaWashingtonOregonMontanaWyomingNebraskaKansasOklahomaPennsylvaniaKentuckyMississippiArkansasTexasGet Started "Why does this matter? The skills are how people get hired," Dan Roth, LinkedIn’s editor-in-chief, said on the Today show. "[Companies] are seeing what you’re capable of doing, not what your last title was or where you went to school." Whether you’re refreshing your resume, thinking about a career pivot or just looking at future job prospects, this year’s list is a roadmap to the what employers are actually looking for — from AI and automation to communication and leadership chops. The in-demand skills fall into a few key categories: 1. AI engineering and implementation AI skills aren't just for engineers anymore — they’re becoming a must-have across industries. A 2025 McKinsey survey found that roughly 88% of organizations have already embedded AI into at least one business function. On the technical side, skills like prompt engineering, model training, APIs and data annotation show you can work directly with AI tools to build, train or optimize systems. But employers are also looking for new hires who have mastered strategy around how to use AI to make workflows more efficient, improve decision-making or solve real problems. The key for your resume is to show both what you can do and how you apply it in real life. Highlight specific platforms or projects, and whenever possible, explain outcomes. The more clearly you demonstrate how you’ve applied these AI skills, the better. 2. Operational efficiency Employers value candidates who don't only get things done but also make teams run more smoothly. Skills like workflow automation, process optimization and data analysis show that you can reduce repetitive work, streamline operations and free up time for higher-value projects. On your resume, this means highlighting ways you've made a tangible impact on efficiency. If you're going to discuss how you automated an essential process for a team you worked on, throw in some data: How many hours did you save per week? This shows you have both the technical know-how and the practical problem-solving skill employers want. 3. AI business strategy Organizations want professionals who can decide where and how AI adds the most value — folks who actually move the business forward. That means thinking strategically: identifying projects with the biggest impact, making sure initiatives meet ethical and regulatory standards and turning new tech into measurable results. The common denominator among roles on this list from LinkedIn is showing real impact from idea to execution. On your resume, highlight accomplishments that demonstrate strategic leadership, emphasizing both the tools you used and the results you delivered. 4. Executive and stakeholder communications Even in a tech-heavy world, being able to communicate clearly can set you apart. That's especially true in a workplace where engagement is lagging. According to a Gallup report, only 21% of employees globally report being engaged at work — and leadership communication plays a role in driving that number higher. Fast-growing skills in this category include cross-functional coordination, leadership communication, stakeholder management and public speaking. It's not enough in 2026 to say you're a "team player." According to LinkedIn's report, professionals who can communicate effectively with decision-makers and align teams across functions are increasingly in demand. 5. Financial operations and reporting In today's volatile economy, companies are looking for folks who can make sense of complex financial data and turn it into actionable insights. Skills in this area include capital and expense budget management, financial data analysis and report reconciliation. When you're highlighting skills in this category on your resume, focus on how your financial analysis or reporting experience contributed to better budgeting or more informed business decisions. 6. Leadership and people management Strong leadership involves developing strong teams and helping them perform at their best. Important skills in this category include cross-functional team management, performance optimization, talent development and team management. So you managed a team at your previous gig. How did your leadership improve performance or help navigate change? What were some ways you served as a mentor and fostered collaboration? 7. Business and revenue growth With competition increasing and growth a top priority for most businesses, the ability to identify new business opportunities, adapt strategies to changing costumer needs and convert demand into revenue is highly valuable. If you want to stand out, show that you have skills around account development, marketing plan development, sales negotiation and new market expansion. If this is your area of expertise, it's important to highlight accomplishments that show how you drove growth, expanded markets or improved marketing performance, to name a few. 8. Risk and compliance management Companies need people who can spot potential problems before they become a full-blown crisis. That means understanding regulations, keeping operations safe and reliable and making sure policies are followed. If your experience includes policy compliance, quality assurance and control, safety monitoring or federal and state regulatory compliance, make sure your resume shows how you prevented issues, improved processes or kept teams on track. The takeaway? The most in-demand skills aren't just technical — they're practical, measurable and transferable. Make sure your resume showcases both your experiences and the impact you've made. Ads by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdDon't overpay for Car Insurance. Compare rates today!Save up to $793 a yearGet Started More from Money: New Year, New Job?

Career Experts Share Their Top 5 Tips for Getting Hired Trying to Get Hired in 2026?

This Free Resume Template Is Tailored for AI AI Can Help You Write a Better Cover Letter (If You Use It Right) SHOWHIDEAds by Money. We may be compensated if you click this ad.AdFind a great job match with ZipRecruiterGet Started