Top 7 Skills to Get Hired and Stand Out in Any Job Market (2025)

It’s tough to get hired these days. People with all kinds of skills, backgrounds, experience and education are reporting they struggle to land interviews, and they regularly get ghosted by employers.

But you can set yourself apart by highlighting key skills and capabilities that are most in-demand--and that organizations say they can’t find. Because when you offer something that others don’t, it will help you shine.

The Skills Gap

Many companies—87% in fact--report they have a skills gap, according to a report from McKinsey. In addition, HR leaders say they are having a difficult time finding people with the skills they’re seeking, according to a survey by Gartner.

Key Skills to Get Hired

A new study by Hult International Business School and Workplace Intelligence suggests that there are a few primary skills that are not only important to employers, but that they are struggling to find in candidates.

1. Communication and Self Awareness

98% of employers say they need strong communication skills in those they hire, and 92% say collaboration is critically important.

Stand out with these skills by communicating effectively in the application and selection process. During your interview, share examples of how you speak and present effectively as well as how you ask questions and listen well. Talk about how you have worked through a tough situation using your communication skills.

Tell stories about your work with team members and how you collaborate effectively with others to solve problems and deliver results. Also demonstrate emotional intelligence—being aware of how you’re feeling, how you’re coming across and how you’re interacting with others.

When you’re strong with teamwork, you have a great opportunity for the spotlight, because only 46% of HR leaders say that candidates have this skill. Set yourself apart with self-awareness and strong communication skills.

2. Curiosity, Learning and Growth Mindset

Change is intense and constant, so 93% of employers say that it’s important that people are curious and willing to learn. They want to hire people who can develop, adapt and demonstrate flexibility.

Share examples of how you’ve shown resilience in getting through a difficult challenge, or how you adjusted course when a situation changed. Articulate what you’re passionate about and interested in—and what you’re curious to explore and experience.

All of this is closely related to a growth mindset which focuses on how you can improve all the time. And only 51% of employers say that candidates display this trait.

You can show that you will deliver this capability by talking about examples of how you saw opportunities for improvement and built your skills—or how you were able to develop your capabilities and get results.

3. Creativity

Another key skill is creativity. In fact, 90% of employers say this skill is very important to them. When you’re seeking a job, you’ll get hiring managers’ attention by talking about your creativity.

Give examples of how you’ve used your creative thinking in the ways that are relevant to kind of job you’re looking for. Perhaps you found a new way to solve a problem or an innovative way to meet a customer’s demands.

Go beyond thinking about creativity just in terms of artistic pursuits. Instead, consider it more broadly in all the ways you were able to think differently and bring a fresh perspective to your work.

4. Critical Thinking

Another way to stand out is with critical thinking. In fact, 87% of employers said this was important to them—so when you show up with this skill, you’ll be a hit as a candidate.

Here, you’ll want to talk about how you are able to take a second look at conditions and work through issues. Share examples of how you question and analyze as well as how you make sound decisions, considering all the angles.

You’ll want to strike the right balance—and avoid inadvertently sending the message that you’re a negative person. Instead, share times when you’ve brought a critical eye and new ideas in a constructive and positive way to move things forward.

5. Ethics

Another place to set yourself apart is in your ethical approach. In fact, only 49% of employers believe that candidates have a strong understanding of ethics.

You’ll want to behave with strong ethics throughout the selection process, and also share examples of when you’ve demonstrated ethics. You can talk about the values that guide you as well as your attitude and positive response to all kinds of situations.

Poor work ethics to avoid include things like showing up late, having a bad attitude or failing to be a team player. Instead, when you demonstrate ethics, you’re showing responsibility, discipline, teamwork, quality work and integrity.

6. Entrepreneurial Thinking

Employers are also looking for entrepreneurial thinking, but only 44% of HR leaders report they find this characteristic in candidates—so again, it’s a place to shine.

Talk about how you take initiative, see opportunities and make plans to achieve something new. Share examples about how you are able to take action with little direction, or how you have lots of ideas for doing things that are new or untested—and blazing new trails.

You’ll want to be careful that you don’t unintentionally communicate that you’re a loose cannon or disrespectful of existing systems, but rather show how you work effectively within an organization to bring fresh approaches and work constructively to do so.

7. Global Perspective

Finally, employers believe that global perspectives are lacking in candidates—with only 41% who say they see a global perspective in their potential hires.

You can show that you have a global perspective by reflecting your understanding of the world as a whole, rather than just your particular area or experience. You can also share examples of how you appreciate your interconnectedness—and how your choices have broad impact.

Stand Out and Get Hired

There are plenty of skills that you’ll want to demonstrate to hiring managers—but those that they consider important and that they’re having a hard time finding in other candidates will really set you apart.

Be intentional about sharing stories and demonstrating experiences that highlight the most important skills to get hired, and you’ll certainly stand out, get a terrific job and pave the way to a bright future.