Since the labor market is evolving quickly, the essential competencies that employers will need in 2027 will also change. Professionals must focus on the skills necessary to stay up to date with the digital advances that will be implemented in the upcoming years and will transform the way people operate.
But in practice, what does this mean for professionals? First of all, it is important to understand how this scenario has changed, and how new skills have become necessary as a result.
This is because it is not just about technical knowledge, but also skills in the cognitive and emotional fields. The ability to work in a team, for example, has always been important and desired.
Why are skills important?
However, nowadays this is taken into even more consideration because the work carried out by each employee is more complex, the teams’ actions are more interconnected and formats such as the hybrid work model mean that people need to develop good group dynamics.
Furthermore, the way people communicate and even their relationship with leadership has changed and emotional well-being has become a priority to ensure that professionals perform well.
On a more technical level, it is not enough to be familiar with social networks, but even the sectors of the company that do not deal directly with communication need to be aware of the role they play in building the brand, promoting products or the ability to compete in the market.
It is not new that an up-to-date and always well-informed professional can stand out in their career, but these new skills may not have been a priority, or in some cases did not even exist, years ago.
And today, these characteristics are essential to meet the transformations that are taking place and will continue to take place until 2027. The date is not random, but rather a prediction made by the World Economic Forum through the report “Future of Jobs” , published in 2023.
The report examines how macro trends, as well as the adoption of technology, could reconfigure labor markets and shape demand for jobs and skills in the period 2023 to 2027. The survey was conducted with 803 companies around the world.
What skills will companies be looking for by 2027?
New technologies, such as generative AI , have sparked heated debates about the role of humans and whether machines will replace human action. While there is no evidence that human action will become obsolete, it is clear that these solutions do affect work and have an impact on jobs.
According to the report, around 23% of jobs are expected to change by 2027. In other words, certain positions will no longer exist, but others will likely emerge with new demands. This is why professionals need to pay attention to skills that are in demand, as this is what will guarantee stability and new opportunities when these changes eventually occur in companies.
See the 10 skills that companies will be looking for by 2027:
1 – Analytical thinking
A person’s intuition is always useful, whether in their personal life or at work, since it is formed by a series of experiences and previous knowledge. But when it comes to decision-making, this cannot be the strategy, simply because it has no analytical basis, that is, data, references and information that corroborate such a decision.
This means that when receiving information or being confronted with a certain opinion, a person must be able to question and evaluate the situation based on concrete data. When we talk about “data”, however, we are not just talking about numbers, although they are part of it.
Analytical thinking is actually the ability to use information, including numbers, but also experiences you have had in your career, tried and tested or failed methods, information about trends and knowledge about market behavior.
How to develop? Reading and constantly seeking new information helps professionals to have a more complete repertoire that will help them make this assessment. In addition, it is important to think about the future, that is, about the possible and desirable consequences of a certain activity or project.
2 – Creative thinking
In one way or another, people are analytical, but they do not always pay attention to the analysis process itself, and the same can happen with creativity. Contrary to what many people think, creativity is not a gift, but rather a habit that must be practiced.
It is very common to have an “explosion” of creativity in childhood, when fantasy is common and even encouraged. However, as people grow up, this is curtailed, which diminishes their ability to create, whether out of shame or fear of judgment.
How to develop? Start by not being afraid to express your ideas, and take advantage of opportunities such as meetings or one-on-one conversations with managers to present solutions. Different sources of information, such as films, series or books that are not part of what you are used to, also help you discover new perspectives on things.
3 – AI and Big Data
As we have said, the skills of the future include technical knowledge and emotional skills. In the technical sphere, technology-related issues tend to transform all sectors.
It is common for people to understand that digital transformations affect those who work directly with it, in positions related to information technology, for example. But the reality is that it is not just about knowing how to code Artificial Intelligence or develop a Big Data tool, but also how to use it in different areas.
Tools like ChatGPT have made it easier for anyone to use AI, and today the tool can contribute to planning, content, proposals and other day-to-day activities.
Big Data involves a vast amount of information collected on the internet that may be relevant to a business.
How to develop? Familiarizing yourself with the concepts is the first step. Do some research online and find content that explains each concept in more detail, with examples of applications. In the case of AI, there are several free tools, so access them and learn how to use them.
This, however, provides basic knowledge on the subject, so it is important to seek more in-depth information through courses and books, understanding how these technological solutions affect your area of activity.
4 – Leadership and social influence
Being a boss no longer means the same thing it did 10 years ago. The profile that still exists in the imagination of an authoritarian person, who inspires fear and leaves people feeling cornered, is no longer suitable for leading companies, simply because this behavior only demotivates and negatively affects people’s performance.
Today’s leader must be able to communicate with the team in order to motivate and encourage them. In addition, he is an influencer, and the group tends to behave based on the way he behaves.
Of course, this also implies being able to point out areas for improvement and even manage conflicts, but a leader’s purpose should be to have a united team focused on results, capable of collaborating and using other skills, such as analytical thinking and creativity, to solve problems and innovate.
How to develop? Evaluate your own manager, including what you like and dislike about his/her performance, as well as observing professionals you admire. Ask HR or even the company’s leaders what qualities they believe are most relevant to the position.
Additionally, continue developing behavioral skills related to good communication.
5 – Resilience, flexibility and agility
When we say that the market is changing rapidly, there is a macro and a mini perspective, since in everyday life, it is also necessary to understand the changes and act quickly so as not to lose timing.
Furthermore, it is necessary to understand that these transformations are inevitable and being able to adapt is a differential that will make you more valuable and respected in the market.
How to develop? Start by accepting these changes and be proactive. Instead of waiting for your boss or company to ask for something different, understand the market trends and propose certain innovations.
6 – Curiosity and continuous learning
Speaking of proactivity, it is an ally of curiosity that allows professionals to always be informed and in search of new knowledge. Did you hear an expression in a meeting that you didn’t know or discover that a colleague from another company uses a new software? Don’t wait until more information reaches you, and look for ways to learn.
How to develop it? Curiosity is also a habit that should be practiced. Search for more information on the internet, read the literature available on the subject or attend lectures and workshops. In addition, invest in specializations that will provide in-depth information on such subjects.
7 – Technological literacy
Coming across a term, social network, system or digital concept that you are not yet familiar with is common. But it is important to familiarize yourself with these issues, precisely because they can affect the way you work.
Even if you don’t want to be on social media, for example, you need to understand basic aspects about each one, as it can directly influence decisions made in the company.
How to develop? As we said, curiosity allows you to research better and try to understand certain solutions that you are not familiar with, as well as test new tools. In addition, seek to learn more by taking courses and using these tools in a practical way in your daily life.
8 – Design and user experience
Serving customers efficiently involves knowing their behavior and finding ways to reach them where they are: the social network they use most, the platform they access most, etc.
All of this fits into a growing area of technology that involves creating specific experiences to ensure user satisfaction.
How to develop? The area of user experience design, also called UX, involves a variety of specific knowledge and requires professionals to seek appropriate training, such as courses or specializations.
9 – Motivation and self-awareness
We’ve talked about the importance of leaders who support and motivate employees, but self-awareness is also an important tool for professional development. Knowing how to see yourself and understand your strengths and weaknesses helps professionals direct their efforts to continue growing in their careers.
How to develop? Start by being honest with yourself, because even a skill you already master can be improved. Understand which characteristics are most difficult to develop, ask for help from colleagues or even managers, and seek new knowledge.
10 – Empathy and active listening
Still in the behavioral field, the best way to have a united and collaborative team is through empathy. In addition to allowing more inclusion in companies, it offers employees a deeper perspective on their colleagues, which will help them understand each other and collaborate.