The skills employers will be looking for in 2025.
The UK job market is always evolving as technologies change, industries adapt, and priorities of both workers and employers alternate. In 2025, employers are increasingly looking for professionals who bring versatile, transferable skills to the table - qualities that not only make them adaptable to change but also enable them to thrive across industries.
Whether you’re in hospitality, industrial work, logistics, or office roles, sharpening these skills can open new doors and set you apart from the competition. Let’s explore the key skills employers will value most in 2025.
Communication skills
Good communication skills include good speaking, email and report writing, and customer service with both customers and clients, and can all offer a great advantage in various job roles. As hybrid work models continue into 2025, the ability to communicate well across digital platforms is also included.
Clear and effective communication can tell employers a lot about a person and wider skills that they may have; collaboration and leadership for example, and the first glimpse of these skills can often be in the interview.
Top Tip #1:
For face to face communcation such as interviews and customer interactions, practice your public speaking so you feel confident in communicating with different people. For digital communication, you can learn and upskill with online short courses and by speaking to your recruitment agency; they'll be able to support you and offer advice.
People skills
Having people skills, or interpersonal skills, involves the ability to connect with others effectively, whether through empathy, collaboration, or conflict resolution. These skills can be especially useful in customer service roles or roles that require teamwork to perform correctly, and are being prioritised by employers.
Interpersonal skills can also relate to being mindful of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), which is valued by a lot of employers lately as part of workplace culture initiatives. Learn more about why businesses are prioritising EDI from the employer’s perspective in our blog ‘Why Diversity Matters’.
Top Tip #2:
Practice active listening during conversations; avoid interrupting and ask follow-up questions to show genuine interest.
Adaptability and Resilience
Being an adaptable person, especially for those choosing to work on a temporary basis, is a sought after quality for many employers. Adaptability ensures you can handle change, while resilience means you handle challenges at work, while maintaining productivity and morale.
In 2025, rapid technological advances, environmental shifts, and evolving workplace norms will demand employees who can pivot effortlessly and recover quickly from setbacks.
Top Tip #3:
Start small by reflecting on past challenges and identifying how you adapted - this awareness will help reinforce you resilience, and give you more examples to refer to during an interview. Make sure to also practice mindfulness techniques to help with stress management and upskill your adaptability and resilience.
Green skills
As sustainability becomes a priority for many companies, green skills are a relatively new essential for many employers, with the hiring rate for green talent at 72% higher than the overall hiring rate.
For those in office and hospitality roles, green skills can relate to understanding green practices and contributing to environmentally conscious initiatives, while for workers in industrial and construction roles, as well as professional drivers, these skills can be more relative to practical experience and expertise.
Top Tip #4: Learn more about sustainable practices relevant to your industry and consider certifications that could support your job search and career. Getting involved in sustainable practices at your workplace are also a great way to learn more and add to your experience.
Technological proficiency
With ongoing automation and digital transformation across various industries, employees who can offer proficiency or at the very least a basic understanding of technologies is a sought after skill for many employers.
Technological proficiency will help you to hit the ground running with existing back-end systems, and an understanding of software and industry-specific tools will show you offer efficiency. This can help you across different industries from office and administrative to industrial warehouse roles.
Top Tip #5:
There are many free platforms that offer beginner-friendly courses in programs like Excel, CRM systems, or cloud-based software. Set aside time to upskill your digital knowledge, this will also help you feel more comfortable in your abilities for the interview.
At Berry Recruitment, we are here to support you in your career journey, and as we prepare for the new year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on career goals and explore ways to make yourself more marketable in the evolving job market. Our consultants are trained to work with you to find a role that is perfectly suited to your unique circumstance.
