Top skills report 2026: Make this the year for your career

No matter where you are in your career, honing your skillset is a continuous process that helps you stay relevant and keep progressing. But what skills should you be developing to get ahead in 2026?

Using insights from the Salary & Recruiting Trends 2026 guide, based on our research of over 5,100 professionals and employers, we’ve collated the top skills that organisations are looking for this year. Read on to find out what you can do to develop them, and how to showcase your skills when applying for new jobs.
 

Key insights from our 2026 guide:

• 93% of employers have faced skills shortages over the last year 
• 77% of employers plan to hire staff in the year ahead 
• 47% of employers are having trouble accessing the right skills to make the best use of AI  
• 72% of employers say they’re likely to hire a professional who does not have all the required skills, with the intention of upskilling them 
• 74% of employers say an individual’s willingness to learn is more important than their existing skillset  

Access the full findings for more key insights to inform your career progression, along with comprehensive salaries for thousands of roles across 15 industries and sectors.

Top 5 soft skills for 2026

Soft skills can be thought of as mindsets or behaviours that help you excel in your career. With technology moving at such a fast pace, technical skillsets are more likely to become obsolete quicker than ever. Employers are therefore increasingly interested in professionals with transferable skills that can be applied to new challenges and business requirements and provide a human touch to evolving digital processes. Here are the top five soft skills to future-proof your career, and how to develop them.

1. Adaptability

As organisations navigate rising costs, talent shortages, and economic uncertainty, professionals who can pivot quickly, embrace new ways of working, and thrive in changing environments will be highly sought after. This is especially true in a hybrid and AI era, requiring employees at all levels to adjust to new tools, workflows, and expectations. Adaptability becomes even more valued for senior professionals expected to lead through change, as well as contractors who must quickly adjust to new teams and environments.

How to develop it:

• Move out of your comfort zone: shadow a colleague or swap one task for a week to see a different approach
• Try one small change each month, whether it’s testing a new tool or way of working on a low‑risk task
• Ask “what did we learn?” after experiencing or implementing changes: keep a short list of lessons to use next time

2. Ability to learn

With 56% of employers focusing on upskilling to bridge skills gaps, those who proactively seek knowledge and demonstrate a growth mindset will immediately show value to an employer. For contractors and temporary professionals, the ability to quickly master new systems and sector requirements is a key differentiator, enabling you to add value to a project from day one.

How to develop it:

• Build a personal learning system using micro‑courses, spaced practice, and clear notes
• Apply new skills immediately by volunteering for new projects or responsibilities
• Share one thing you learned with your team each month to reinforce the habit

3. Communication

Clear, persuasive communication remains foundational. Whether you’re a new manager aligning teams and influencing stakeholders, or a contractor building trust and clarifying expectations in unfamiliar settings, the ability to articulate ideas, listen actively, and build relationships is essential for career progression at every level.

How to develop it:

• Get into the habit of defining your goals and audience’s context so you can tailor your message accordingly
• Listen actively to others and summarise to confirm understanding before responding
• Practise public speaking and presenting to improve your confidence and clarity

4. Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence (EI) is the ability to recognise and manage your own emotions, understand others, and use this awareness to guide interactions. In hybrid settings and fast-changing environments, EI helps you build trust quickly, navigate conflict, and stay resilient. It’s critical for people managers leading through uncertainty and for contractors who need to integrate rapidly into new teams.

How to develop it:

• Build self-awareness by noticing patterns in your behaviour, and pausing before responding
• Practise empathy by asking open questions and repeat back the main point to show your understanding
• Strengthen self-regulation with techniques like STOP (stop, take a breath, observe, proceed) to help control your emotions and handle difficult conversations

5. Problem solving

Employers need professionals who can analyse complex challenges, make sound decisions, and deliver innovative solutions – especially as automation and AI take over routine tasks and leave greater room for higher thinking. Managers are often tasked with navigating ambiguity and driving strategic outcomes, while contractors are valued for their ability to deliver rapid, practical solutions in challenging environments.

How to develop it:

• Clarify the problem, outcome, constraints, and success measures before you start a new task or project
• Use established structures – such as the Five Whys, brainstorming tools, or hypothesis trees – to organise your thought processes and workflows
• Reflect on your results to help you understand what went well and what didn’t

Top 5 specialist skills for 2026

Unlike soft skills, specialist skills are more applicable to certain roles or industries. However, some specialist skills are more common and transferable than others, and often complemented by soft skills like those highlighted above. Our salary guide revealed that industry-specific or technical trades skills (51%) are set to be the most in-demand for 2026, followed closely by technical and digital skills (50%).

If you have any of the below skillsets, be sure to emphasise them on job applications, or take the time to develop them to give your CV the edge.

1. AI literacy

AI adoption is accelerating: 34% of employees now use AI tool regularly at work – up from 24% last year. However, demand is outpacing supply, and nearly half of employers (47%) face AI skills shortages. Professionals who can leverage AI tools, automate processes, and support digital transformation projects will gain an edge. For those with leadership responsibilities, this includes having the technical knowledge required to champion digital adoption and upskill teams. And for temporary professionals and contractors, AI skills and digital fluency will help you quickly adapt to client systems and add value across a range of projects.

How to develop it:

• Learn effective prompt design and AI ethics for efficient and responsible use
• Complete a course through a verified vendor (for example, Microsoft Copilot or Azure AI) and apply your learnings on a live task
• Pick one workflow or project to augment with AI each month; measure time saved and any quality improvements

2. Data analysis and stewardship

Data is driving the AI revolution, and knowing how to keep an organisation's data both accessible and protected will be imperative for a variety of roles. This includes ensuring that data is easy for machines to analyse, but also secure, accurate, and free from biases that could undermine trust or cause harm.

How to develop it:

• Challenge yourself to question assumptions and consider opposing viewpoints, developing your critical thinking skills
• Become familiar applying data analysis through Excel, leveraging AI tools to help you understand formula and extract key insights
• Once you have a foundation of data concepts, try building a basic dashboard for one team metric and log decisions made from it

3. People management

Organisations require individuals who can motivate teams, support development, and foster a positive culture – factors that directly impact job satisfaction and retention, both critical concerns for employers this year. Strong people management skills are therefore desirable, and a necessity for those looking to seek greater responsibility. Contractors shouldn’t discount strong people management either; those who can support – or even lead – project teams will stand out and be more likely to secure repeat assignments.

How to develop it:

• Set clear and realistic goals for yourself and team members, considering SMART criteria (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound).
• Get used to giving and receiving feedback, running weekly one‑to‑ones with short action logs
• Use practical coaching tools – such as the GROW model (goal, reality, options, will) – to build skills and confidence

4. Strategic thinking

Strategic thinking is the habit of turning insight into clear choices and actions. It helps you spot patterns, weigh trade‑offs, and position people and resources to achieve outcomes in changing conditions. Possessing strategic foresight is essential for senior professionals shaping direction, and regarded by the C-suite as one of the most important leadership capabilities for the next two to three years. It’s equally valuable for contractors scoping complex projects, and can help support stronger day-rate positioning.

How to develop it:

• Start asking strategic questions to sharpen your planning skills and help identify opportunities
• Write a one-page plan for big tasks: why it matters, the outcomes, risks, and how you’ll measure progress
• Review regularly: each month ask, “what changed?” then decide what to start, stop, or continue

5. Digital collaboration

With hybrid working still commonplace, effective use of digital collaboration platforms, performance management systems, and remote team tools is increasingly important. Professionals who can leverage these technologies to lead, motivate, and support teams will stand out in 2026 and beyond. Contractors who are adept at using these tools can integrate seamlessly into new teams and deliver results, no matter where they’re working from.

How to develop it:

• Become comfortable not only using, but also evaluating, project management tools that support your teams and business goals
• Understand how to define roles and team norms, including which channels to use, response times, and naming conventions
• Be sure to set clear boundaries for yourself and team members, knowing when to prioritise self-care and encouraging a healthy work-life balance

How to showcase your skills

Employers are placing higher value on an applicant’s demonstrable skills rather than just their education or background. Here’s how to make your in-demand skills stand out:

• Include a dedicated skills section on your CV: highlight your most relevant soft and technical skills in a clear, easy-to-find section. For managers and other senior professionals, consider drawing greater attention to skills that support your leadership and project delivery. Depending on the project, contractors may also wish to emphasise their adaptability and digital collaboration.
• Tailor your skills to each application: Don’t just list every skill you have. Carefully review the job description and prioritise the skills that are most in demand for that specific role or contract. Use the language from the advert to mirror what the employer is seeking.
• Showcase transferable skills: If you’re moving between sectors, roles, or contract types, highlight skills such as project management, communication, and adaptability that are valuable across different environments.
• Back up your skills with evidence: Wherever possible, provide examples of how you’ve used your skills to deliver results. For managers, this might mean outlining how you led a team through change or delivered a key project. Contractors and temporary profresisonals can reference successful assignments or positive client feedback.
• Highlight your commitment to learning: With employers being increasingly open to hiring for potential, not just experience, be sure to cite any recent training, certifications, or upskilling – especially in areas like AI, digital tools, or leadership development.

Start investing in your future today

Taking a proactive approach to showcasing your skills can significantly enhance your employability and open doors to new opportunities. By tailoring your CV, evidencing your achievements, and committing to ongoing learning, you’ll position yourself as a valuable candidate ready to thrive in a changing job market.

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