The skills employers want most during the pandemic

Skills are one of the factors that recruiters and hiring managers will consider when deciding whether or not to offer you a job. The most desirable skills among employers change from time to time with technology, norms and circumstances. Since the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has changed most parts of everyday life, it may also influence the skills employers are looking for in job candidates.

To find out which skills you should highlight to potential employers during this difficult and uncertain time, I reached out to the LinkedIn community to hear their thoughts on the matter. You can see the full discussion by clicking here.

Be flexible and adaptable

As someone who lives and works in New York City, the first several weeks of the pandemic were filled with uncertainty. I left my office each day not knowing whether I’d be able to go back the next. Flexibility and adaptability were key in the early days of the global health crisis. They’ll likely be desirable moving forward, too. After all, we don’t know what it will look like when people return to offices and what daily life will morph into over the coming months.

“Whatever skill you focus on try giving clear evidence of that skill in action,” wrote Rob K., a career strategist in higher education. “Many soft skills are difficult to write and convey in this manner. But if I am an employer, and I don't know you, I am not going to believe that you are a ‘flexible.’”

He suggests that you tell employers what you mean when you use the word “flexible.” You should also provide proof of your skill through a story or experience that you can include on your resume, cover letter or while you’re networking.

Critical thinking and problem solving

Day-to-day tasks have changed due to the pandemic. Work is not immune from those changes. Simple processes may be made more complicated. Seeking out support and help with technology likely takes longer in most cases, for example. People are likely more desirable to employers if they can showcase the ability to think critically about challenges and come up with inventive and effective solutions to keep operations running smoothly.

“It’s critical that job seekers define the results they have achieved — showing very specific measurable accomplishments — related to the job they are applying to,” wrote Todd B., who is a staffing executive. “It’s also critical to show problem solving ability with specifics. Don’t miss the opportunity to show the employer how they can be flexible during challenges that the employer might be facing right now.”

Employer-specific skills are still important

While problem-solving skills, resilience and flexibility are good to showcase during this difficult time, you can’t forget about the actual skills employers need from you to get the job done.

“In my opinion, start with the job description — it always was and will continue to be your best friend,” wrote Crystal B., who is a job search and career expert. “Employers are telling you exactly who and what they are looking for. Hard and soft skills? They are in there.”

How do you find those skills in a job description? “Find two or three recent postings for jobs anywhere in your country,” wrote Jay C., who is a career coach. “See what they emphasize. Look at the LinkedIn profiles of a few people one to two levels above you in your field. They will emphasize the communication and management skills more than you most likely will. Incorporate that language into your resume and LinkedIn.”

You should then think beyond the job post and description, added Crystal B. “Look for employer pain points,” she wrote. “Ask employers what their challenges are and attempt to solve their problem. Read articles about what they are currently experiencing,. Be brave and pitch your relevant skill set. Show how you have maybe solved the same or a similar need in your previous work history.”

How are you pitching your skills to employers during the pandemic? Join the conversation.

? Want even more #GetHired?

I broadcast each week on #LinkedInLive to discuss job search strategies during this hectic and uncertain time. Follow my profile by clicking here if you’d like to get a notification when we go live on Fridays at 1 p.m. ET. I most recently chatted with J.T. O’Donnell, who is the CEO of WorkItDaily.com. You can watch the broadcast below or by clicking here.

? Brazil gets hired!

My colleagues at LinkedIn News continue to reevaluate and invent new ways to help all of you on your journey to find a new job and grow in your career. Part of that work is to bring you localized information whenever possible. So, I’m excited to welcome #AVagaéSua to the #GetHired family. Claudia Gasparini, who is my LinkedIn News colleague in Brazil, published her first newsletter this morning. The topic? She discusses how the pandemic changed the hiring process and how you can adapt to the new normal. Subscribe by clicking here!

? The follow-up

With so many job seekers looking for work due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, recruiters and hiring managers are on the receiving end of a lot of calls and emails about open positions. We discussed the best practices of reaching out to potential employers in the last edition of #GetHired. Recruiters told me that they can’t always respond to every message they receive. So, it’s important to make yours stand out and count. Additionally, you should move on if you don’t get a response after a few follow-up messages. Here’s what people are saying about the advice.

? Other news to help you #GetHired:

Jobs have dried up among the highest income earners, reports The New York Times. People with titles like vice president and founder are finding themselves with few options in the job market. While some have the financial ability to weather a long job search, others are feeling the pressure to quickly find work due to limited savings and family needs. Additionally, top earners with jobs are finding the path to higher positions blocked due to the lack of work. Here’s what people are saying about the news.

Global hiring may be stabilizing, according to new LinkedIn data. Unfortunately, the stabilization came after it plunged due to the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. hiring rate has been flat for the past two weeks after falling 34% compared to the previous year. Data suggest that Europe is in the early stages of recovery. China’s hiring rate appears flat from a year ago. Here’s what people are saying about the findings.

Here’s who’s hiring right now. As I’ve said before, we’re doing our best to connect you with companies that are still hiring during these troubled economic times. Part of that effort is a regularly updated list of companies we know to be hiring. Some of those include Amazon, Walmart and CVS Health. Click here to see more.

? Up next:

Businesses across the U.S. are opening for business as states and local governments ease social distancing restrictions. We’ll be taking a look in the next edition of #GetHired at hiring and recruiting practices during the early stages of recovery. How are they different than before the pandemic hit? How are they the same? What do you want to know about the application and interview process as businesses look to get people back to work? Let me know in the comments below.

? The #GetHired Job Search Guide:

As I’ve said before, I will do my best to keep you up to date with the latest tools and tips to help you #GetHired. To keep track of those various pieces of information, I created a one-stop-shop where I’m summarizing and linking to a lot of my newsletters. You’ll also find accompanying LinkedIn Learning courses below most of the topics. Click here to check out the guide.

Thanks for reading! Feel free to reach out to me if you have ideas on topics or questions I should address in future editions of #GetHired. You can also email me at GetHired[at]LinkedIn.com.

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