There's no way around it: Professionals who want to stay employed for the years to come must keep up with the constant changes in the workforce. This means continually investing time and resources into upskilling with in-demand skills.
It can be hard to decide which direction to take when it feels like there's something new to learn every day, especially in technology. Should you learn to code? Take an artificial intelligence (AI) certification? Or maybe the future is in cybersecurity?
We have a list that might help. LinkedIn just released its ranking of skills on the rise for 2025, highlighting the emerging areas companies are looking for and professionals should consider prioritizing. (Some skills on the list might not be directly relevant to your field, so use your discretion to decide where to focus.)
The 15 most in-demand skills in 2025
If you guessed AI would be at the top of this list, you're right. But there are also several skills that aren’t directly related to AI—or even to technology in general.
1. AI literacy
From finance to retail, AI is transforming industries across the board. Professionals from all areas—even those who don't work in tech—should develop some basic AI skills. This could mean getting familiar with AI-powered tools and learning how they could optimize your work.
How to build this skill:
Explore AI tools available, from the most generalistic like Google Gemini and ChatGPT to more industry-specific like Tableau. Read tutorials and communities to learn everything they have to offer, how they operate, and discover new functionalities.
Read this next: 11 Online AI Courses That Can Help You Stay Ahead
2. Conflict mitigation
Hybrid teams working from home and at the office, Gen Z and Gen X collaborating, a client demanding a last-minute change in a big project—the list of potential workplace conflicts is endless. That's why employers are looking more and more for professionals with strong conflict mitigation skills to make the work flow as smooth and efficiently as possible.
How to build this skill:
Get an online certification in reputable platforms like LinkedIn Learning and Coursera and practice at work. You can also check if your company provides any training in that area.
3. Adaptability
With the work landscape constantly changing, employers want employees who can easily adapt to new circumstances. This could mean a new way of interacting with clients and customers, new tools, or AI being implemented in your department. What matters is your ability to adjust to change effectively.
How to build this skill:
Keep learning and stay up-to-date with what's new in your field. Try getting out of your comfort zone more often, both at work and in your personal life, and consider working with a career coach.
Read this next: Adaptability Skills Examples—and 10 Tips on How to Improve Yours
4. Process optimization
Optimization is probably one of the most used words in business right now—especially when it comes to AI utilization. That's why process optimization is one of the most in-demand leadership skills today.
Companies are seeking high efficiency at lower costs, which, in some cases, might include reducing budget costs, shifting suppliers, replacing workers with machines, or making them work together.
Professionals, specifically those in managerial or C-level positions, must be capable of finding and implementing strategies that provide cost-effective operational efficiency for a stable and sustainable business growth.
How to build this skill:
Besides traditional learning platforms like Coursera or LinkedIn, you can find process optimization certifications and training at universities like Stanford and University of Minnesota.
5. Innovative thinking
Innovation and creativity aren't exclusive to creative professionals anymore. Nowadays, professionals from most industries are expected to think outside the box and find innovative solutions for daily work challenges. That doesn't mean you have to be the next Bill Gates, but you should be able to use your knowledge and imagination to help the business achieve a goal or resolve an issue.
How to build this skill:
There are multiple ways to become more creative—for example, reading more, listening to podcasts, engaging in industry-related conversations on LinkedIn, or consuming content that challenges your views. There are also courses and certifications available on platforms such as Harvard Online, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Edex.
Read this next: What Is Creative Thinking? Definition, Examples, and How to Showcase It During Your Job Search
6. Public speaking
There are many tasks AI can perform as well as a human, but public speaking is not one of them—at least, not yet. Employers want professionals who can communicate clearly and confidently to convey ideas and engage the audience, whether at a business conference or in a presentation for clients.
How to build this skill:
Find public speaking and presentation skills courses in online platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and Ginger Leadership Communication. If you struggle with nervousness or shyness, a career coach or/and a therapist can help.
Read this next: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Better Public Speaker Fast
7. Solution-based selling
If you work in sales or marketing, you probably already know what we're about to say: Every market—whether beauty, entertainment, or others—is now heavily crowded, and customers are becoming increasingly demanding. So, companies need professionals who can use data to create highly customized products, services, and sales strategies that show potential clients or customers they can solve their problems.
How to build this skill:
Sales and marketing platforms like Salesforce and Hubspot offer in-depth breakdowns of the concept of solution-based selling, tips on applying it to your sales strategy, and other related resources, such as book recommendations.
8. Customer engagement and support
One of the most in-demand skills in marketing and sales, customer engagement and support is all about cultivating authentic relationships with customers. The main goal is to make them see you as more than just another business—it's about becoming a brand they can relate to and trust.
What’s considered authentic varies according to the business. For Ryanair, for example, their humorous (and sometimes self-deprecating) TikTok videos about their limitations as a low-cost airline do the trick. But this strategy probably wound’t work for luxurious airlines like Emirates or Lufthansa.
How to build this skill:
Because of the trial-and-error nature of customer engagement and support strategies, the best way to learn is by getting involved in projects. General customer service and branding certifications might also help.
9. Stakeholder management
Stakeholder engagement is one of the most important aspects of business. Companies want to ensure they're identifying and effectively engaging with the right stakeholders to achieve their business goals—whether it's securing a donation or obtaining a permit to host a street fair.
How to build this skill:
Project management platforms, like the Project Management Institute (PMI) and Simply Stakeholders, provide resources and free learning trails to professionals.
10. Large language model (LLM) development and application
Back to high-demand skills in AI, LLM development and application are “it” right now because many companies aren't satisfied with simply implementing existing AI in their business—they want to build their own. Professionals skilled in LLM—which is, in simple terms, a system that processes a huge amount of data to understand and generate natural language—can help them do that.
How to build this skill:
Big tech companies and tech schools like DataCamp, Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and IBM have resources and LLM courses. You can also find bootcamps, workshops, and even YouTube videos from tech professionals teaching how to do it. However, you might need familiarity and experience with coding languages to be able to understand it.
11. Budget and resource management
Companies are always looking for ways to reduce costs and maximize profits—even the big ones like Walmart, Amazon, and Microsoft, which already make a lot of money. In times of economic crisis and uncertainty, the cost-effective and strategic use of resources becomes even more critical.
How to build this skill:
Business schools from traditional universities, like Cornell, often offer open courses and certifications. However, these can be pricey. If you're on a budget, consider platforms like Coursera and Udemy.
12. Go-to-market (GTM) strategy
Almost as important as creating a product or service is introducing it to the world. A bad launch strategy can prevent the business from reaching its target audience and tank sales—especially in an era where customers and clients are bombarded with new things every two seconds on social media.
How to build this skill:
You can find resources like courses and eBooks on project management-focused platforms such as The Digital Project Manager, as well as popular learning platforms.
13. Regulatory compliance
Carbon emissions, data privacy laws, discrimination… These are a few examples of regulatory standards companies have to adhere to (and rightfully so). For this reason, the demand for regulatory compliance experts is currently increasing.
How to build this skill:
The International Compliance Association has multiple certifications, from beginner to advanced.
14. Growth strategy
Remember what we said about companies wanting to do more and profit more for less? This also creates a demand for growth strategy specialists. However, growth strategy isn't just about making more money now; it's about ensuring financial stability in the long term.
How to build this skill:
Browse for business or project management related courses and certifications.
15. Risk assessment
The title says it all: Risk assessment is about identifying potential drawbacks, consequences, and their likelihood of happening. Due to increasing competition and fast-paced technological and economic changes, companies want to prepare for anything that may jeopardize their business.
How to build this skill:
You can get a certification in online platforms like Coursera and Skill Cast.
Keep learning
Pick the skills that really match your career goals and the direction your industry is heading. Focus on the ones that’ll have the biggest impact on your growth and help you stay adaptable in the changing job market. Remember, it’s not about mastering everything—it’s about strategically choosing what will set you up for long-term success.