Dive Brief:
- Cloud computing skills are the top skill set employers want for 2019, according to LinkedIn data.
- Skills in artificial intelligence and analytical reasoning secured the second and third spot, respectively, for most desired skills.
- People management, user experience and mobile application development were also among leading skill sets. User experience and application development work hand-in-hand as companies quickly approach a mobile-first experience for employees and customers.
Dive Insight:
As companies increase their digital presence, digitally savvy employees are a must. IT-related jobs already have a growth rate eight times faster than any other job.
Having experience and skills in people management comes as the professional world is evolving away from the traditional "command-and-control" way of managing, according to LinkedIn.
This is partially influenced by the majority of senior leaders, 57%, who value soft skills more than hard skills, according to LinkedIn. Creativity, persuasion and collaboration are some of the skills employers look for in candidates.
As technology injects itself into every aspect of business, CIOs and IT have to make themselves a more prominent force in a company. CIOs need a healthy combination of leadership and technical skills to make an impact because IT no longer exists in a silo.
More than three-quarters of CIOs already say the increasing complexity of tech is making it impossible to manage digital performance. The "always on" mantra of companies today has the added pressure of equipping their CIOs and nontechnical departments with employees well-versed in digital.
