First things first, what are hard skills, and how do they differ from soft skills?
According to Robert Half, the world’s first specialized talent solutions firm, employers are looking for employees with both hard skills and soft skills.
Hard skills are specific and require certifications. They are more about your expertise in a certain field, namely technical knowledge and abilities to apply certain tools or methodologies. Soft skills include communication, adaptability, and problem-solving, for example. Once the employer understands that you can do the work, they narrow down the list of candidates by checking out their soft skills. Perhaps they are searching for somebody who can work under pressure or go the extra mile to solve a problem.
Now that you see the difference between soft and hard skills, here is the list of hard skills that will get your foot in the door:
1. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
AI/ML might sound confusing to some, but these are two trending technologies. People often use tools like GPT4 without actually understanding their pitfalls and limitations. Making AI/ML your hard skill can add a lot to your resume as well as help you use these technologies in the workplace. To start your AI/ML journey, we recommend three options:
- reading the book Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach, where you will understand the difference between AI and ML;
- taking a four-week course Google: Google AI for Anyone, which is an ABC guide to being fluent in AI and ML matter;
- enrolling in the course AI for Everyone. Its main focus is to teach everyone how to discuss AI, work with AI, and even build an AI strategy in your company.
2. Data and analytical skills
If you put data analyst skills on your resume, you can be sure to get a lucrative position. These skills are fundamental to analytical skills, which means you are able to work with data, see certain patterns and trends, and analyze them. Of course, as with any hard skill, it requires training and learning certain tools. Familiarize yourself with this topic more with:
- Data and Analytics Skills for Your Career Security by Richard G. Lamb, an expert in data analytics. It will help you learn what you need to know about data and analytical skills and nothing more;
- Introduction to Data Analytics course with a flexible schedule and an opportunity to hear advice to start a career from different experts in this field
3. Programming skills/languages
Learning Python, Javascript, C++, etc., can benefit anyone willing to forget about dead-end jobs. Where do you start from? We recommend reading The Pragmatic Programmer by Andrew Hunt and David Thomas. It’s a programming classic that can teach you to create flexible and easy-to-use codes. Once you are ready, here are two courses you can look into:
- Programming Languages, Part A by University of Washington professor Dan Grossman. We will let the review speak for this course: “This is one of the best courses I've taken — not only in terms of structure and content but also in terms of quizzes, programming assignments and exams (practice and final);”
- Programming Languages, Part B is the second part of the course above and often refers to Part A. The main focus here isn’t theory or practice, it’s rather how to use programming language effectively and design beautiful programs.
4. Cloud Computing
Mastering Google cloud computing can feel beyond your reach, but remember that jobs in this field are pretty well-paid. So don’t put off acquiring new skills, and we’ve got something for you to start with:
- overview of cloud computing with the book Cloud Computing with Security: Concepts and Practices;
- take a month-long course AWS Fundamentals Specialization. Here, you will learn more about Amazon Web Services, their features, capabilities, and benefits;
- receive professional training from Google Cloud in the Google Cloud Data Analytics Professional Certificate course.
Don’t be afraid to pursue what you’re interested in!
5. Hard communication skills
Excellent communication skills can easily end up on your resume as a soft skill. But if they require a knowledge base, we can no longer call them soft skills. The examples may include grants, proposals, or content writing. Take a step in learning hard communication skills with this book suggestion:
On Writing Well by William Zinsser is your personal guide to writing both for your pleasure and for work-related issues. By the way, we can offer you a summary of this book so you can understand the main ideas and make sure you would like to read it.
6. Project management
How can we know the project’s scope, its deliverables, and possible risks? That’s what project management skills are for. This hard skill includes planning, organizing, and executing tasks to complete a project successfully. Jira can be your personal assistant in issue tracking and project management. You will also bring in changes into your workplace by:
- reading Project Management Body of Knowledge. It will make a world of difference in your understanding of development approaches and tailoring them to your industry;
- visiting the Project Management Institute website, where you’ll be offered project management courses suitable for your experience and knowledge. As they say, “A career in project management means being dedicated to lifelong learning.” So, it’s time to take up something new to study.
7. Presentation skills
People use presentation skills in many situations, such as making toasts, explaining projects, or giving speeches. Yet, to master these skills, you need to do more than just talk a lot. It’s about how you organize the information and the materials you use. Want to add these skills as hard ones on your resume? We can offer you a few ways to improve your presentation skills in no time.
Perhaps you’ve heard of Ted Talks and even seen a few videos. Our Talk Like Ted summary could give you some pointers to boost your presentation skills. Finally, don’t pass by IBM course Present with Purpose: Create/Deliver Effective Presentations, as it features not only effective techniques to enhance your presentations but also helps manage your nerves and deal with problems that may pop up during public speaking.
8. Content management systems
Your skill set list will definitely benefit from having content management skills on it. To stand out, combine content management expertise with writing, design, or data analysis. Stop thinking that you are cut out just for one job. The world is your oyster, so make the most out of it! And, of course, we know what can help you learn content management and its systems:
- Web Content Management: Systems, Features, and Best Practices by Deane Barker is a great book to get acquainted with CMS (Content Management Systems). It offers clear explanations of terminology, platforms, and implementations;
- Once you understand CMS better, it’s time to choose the system that you want to adopt. For creating video content — opt for Freestone, for starting an online course — go for Tovuti. Want to make some content for training employees and improving their input in your company? Then, Next Thought will be of great use.
9. Design
Have you ever wanted to create a website? Coding is not everything, though. All things, from clothing and furniture to buildings and websites, are created through design. Designers should follow a structured methodology and focus on users’ needs and resource efficiency. Awaken the artist within you by reading The Creative Act by Rick Rubin or our summary of this book. “What’s next?” you might ask. Here are some opportunities you might grasp:
- a 15-hour course, Innovation Through Design: Think, Make, Break, Repeat, from the University of Sydney proves that design is a way of thinking that you surely need “to deal with uncertainty, complexity, and failure;”
- The Language of Design: Form and Meaning course will teach you to talk about design and criticize it. But be careful because this course will be useful only if you practice, study, or teach design.
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10. User Experience Design (UX)
Having offered you some design learning opportunities, we won’t also forget about UX design. It’s a pretty dynamic and rewarding field, so constant learning is a must here. Begin with a course from Google called Google UX Design Professional Certificate. As you can see from the name, you will earn a career certificate after completing the course. But what’s even more important is that you will understand UX design better, learn how to apply foundational UX concepts, and create or expand your UX portfolio.
The constant flux on the job market makes us adapt and learn something new. As the default one well-mastered hard skill isn’t enough anymore. But we really hope that you’ve found something to your liking in this list, and it’ll give you more opportunities to land the job of your dreams.
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