A new study has found that companies are now placing a greater emphasis on not only the hard skills, such as technical expertise, of job seekers during recruitment but also on certain soft skills, such as reliability, discipline, and care for their work.
According to a recent study by the US automated data processing company, ADP, “strong work ethic” is the top skill companies are seeking in recruitment, but it is also one of the most challenging skills to find.
As part of the study, ADP surveyed over 1,500 business owners, senior leaders, and hiring managers from large, medium, and small enterprises to understand their recruitment plans and priorities for the year 2024.
Despite the prevalent discussion around employees’ technical skills, the respondents seem to prioritize certain soft skills, also known as behavioral skills.
“Strong work ethic” is a somewhat ambiguous term. However, according to ADP’s research, individuals who demonstrate this work ethic are usually punctual, organized, efficient with their time, and most importantly, willing to go the extra mile to get the job done.
Employers also value other soft skills in employees, including problem-solving abilities, time management, and communication skills.
Managers surveyed by ADP noted that these in-demand skills are the most challenging to find in job applicants, highlighting that strong work ethic and time management skills are particularly scarce.
Tina Wang, Vice President of Human Resources at ADP, mentioned in an interview with CNBC’s “Make It” segment that if new employees possess these skills, their potential and opportunities are boundless.
“You can teach specific technical skills required for a job, but if a new employee already has some of these behavioral skills on their first day, teaching those technical skills becomes easier, more effective, and fruitful,” Ms. Wang added.
She also pointed out that if employees can effectively solve problems and have a strong work ethic, companies are more likely to establish a deeper, broader, and stronger talent pipeline, highlighting why these soft skills are so highly sought after.
According to a recent survey by The Harris Poll of over 17,000 respondents from 17 countries, as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly integrated into the workforce, soft skills or interpersonal skills have become a valuable asset for professionals.
Other studies echo the same sentiment: in February this year, the professional social media platform LinkedIn announced that communication skills are the most sought-after skill in 2024, encompassing both hard and soft skills.
(Credit to CNBC Make It for reference in this article)