By Chad Brooks, Business News Daily Senior Writer
If you have technical expertise, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding work: Computer programming and designing skills dominate the list of the skills employers are looking for most in employees, according to three separate recently released rankings from LinkedIn, Upwork and Opportunity.
The most in-demand skill for the second year in a row, according to LinkedIn’s data, is cloud and distributed computing. “These skills are in such high demand because they’re at the cutting edge of technology,” LinkedIn wrote on its blog. “Employers need employees with cloud and distributed computing, statistical analysis, and data-mining skills to stay competitive.”
To develop the rankings, analysts examined all of the hiring and recruiting activity that happened on LinkedIn in the past year and identified the skill categories that belonged to members who were more likely to start new jobs and receive interest from recruiters.
UpWork’s data show that machine learning is the hottest skill in 2016. The researchers said that with businesses harvesting enormous amounts of data, the demand for machine-learning specialists who can build adaptive algorithms and extract the value of this new data is increasing.
UpWork’s rankings are based on the growth rates of the jobs freelancers are being hired for on the UpWork platform.
“The freelance workforce is the best indicator of new skill trends,” Stephane Kasriel, CEO of Upwork, said in a statement.
“Businesses are turning to freelancers to complete projects requiring skills that aren’t available locally.” Those who are not technically savvy shouldn’t fret that they lack the skills employers are looking for these days. Social media management, Facebook marketing and content writing were all among UpWork’s top skills, too. In addition, a number of sales-related aptitudes ranked highly on this year’s most sought-after skills from Opportunity.
Bill Jula, co-founder of Opportunity, said direct sales tops his organization’s list because companies are expanding and seizing a chance to grow their businesses in an improved economy.
“I also believe the skill ‘direct sales’ means much more than in years past (i.e., door to door/cold calling),” Jula told Business News Daily.
“So much of direct selling is interwoven into e-commerce, customer support, etc.” Opportunity’s rankings were compiled from the skills being hired for among its network of more than 1 million business professionals.
Overall, the 39 most in-demand skills according to the three reports from LinkedIn, UpWork and Opportunity are:
Cloud and distributed computing
Statistical analysis and data mining
Mobile development
Storage systems and management
User interface design
Network and information security
Middleware and integration software
Web architecture and development framework
Algorithm design
Java development
Machine learning
Tableau software
User experience design
C++ programming
MySQL programming
Pardot marketing
Social media management
Project management professional (PMP)
Swift development
Chat support
Android development
Unity 3D game development
Shopify development
Video editing
AutoCAD
Facebook marketing
API development
Content writing
.NET framework
WordPress development
Direct sales
Sales management
Business development
Customer service
Account management
Accounting
Salesforce
Sales operations
See more at Business News Daily
Chad Brooks
Chad Brooks is a Chicago-based freelance writer who has nearly 15 years experience in the media business. A graduate of Indiana University, he spent nearly a decade as a staff reporter for the Daily Herald in suburban Chicago, covering a wide array of topics including, local and state government, crime, the legal system and education. Following his years at the newspaper Chad worked in public relations, helping promote small businesses throughout the U.S. Follow him on Twitter.
