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Navigating the UK job market in 2026 requires a clear understanding of which skills employers value most. From emerging technical abilities to evergreen soft skills, staying ahead means not just having the right skills but knowing how to present them effectively on your applicant tracking system (ATS)-friendly CV.
Whether you're a student, changing careers, or refining your professional path, by the end of this article, you'll know the most in-demand skills, practical ways to acquire and demonstrate them, and how UK-specific factors like migration, artificial intelligence, and an increasing skill shortage are shaping skill demand.
In this guide, we cover:
The importance of skills on a CV
How to choose the right skills for your CV
Role-specific examples of skills employers look for
New in-demand skills for 2026.
Why do employers care about skills?
UK employers increasingly hire based on real, demonstrable skills, not just degrees. However, a skill gap among UK job candidates persists – about 66% of big UK companies are having trouble finding employees with the right expertise.
Large employers report difficulty finding people with the right technical skills, pointing to shortages in engineering, digital tech, construction, health, and AI-related roles.
Employers now emphasise hands-on skills and practical readiness, from digital literacy and problem-solving to leadership and communication.
In short, showing you have the right skills (and evidence to back them up) is one of the strongest ways to stand out.
How do you choose the right skills?
Choosing which skills to prioritise should be strategic. For 2026, the UK’s shift towards skills-based hiring offers a roadmap.
First, take the time to identify the skills most relevant to your career goals.
Consider the industry you're in or aspiring to enter, the specific job roles you're interested in, and the skills currently in high demand.
Even listing basic computer skills on a CV can help you stand out.
Types of skills
Soft skills are personal traits that define your relationships with other.
Hard skills are tangible abilities accumulated through experience.
4 tips on how to begin:
Assess your industry: Look at trends shaping your profession. Tech? Marketing? Health? Understand where the biggest skill demands lie.
Analyse job descriptions: Scan postings on Indeed, LinkedIn, and Gov.uk. Recurring skills (e.g., “data analysis,” “AI tools,” “stakeholder management”) reveal what employers consistently require.
Check market insights: Use resources such as LinkedIn or government reports to identify the top UK skill needs.
Align with your goals: The most effective CVs strike a balance between relevance and uniqueness. Pick skills that match your target role but also differentiate you from similar applicants.
Pro tip
Once you've pinpointed these skills, the next step is to invest in your personal and professional development. For example, you could enrol in training programs, take online courses, or attain certifications aligned with your chosen job target. Continuous learning is essential and an investment that can pay off in the long run.
Refer to the courses and certificates in a CV article for more inspiration.
What are the most in-demand soft skills?
While the fundamentals (communication, teamwork, leadership) remain essential, employer focus in 2026 has shifted to soft skills that support adaptation, cross-functional collaboration, and digital transformation.
| Top soft skills for 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Communication | Convey ideas clearly and effectively, whether verbally or in writing. |
| Critical and analytical thinking | Analyse problems and find practical solutions. |
| Teamwork | Thrive in collaborative environments by working well with others. |
| Leadership | Take initiative and inspire peers to achieve goals. |
| Adaptability | Handle workplace challenges and changes with resilience. |
| Creativity | Designing new solutions and approaches in AI-enhanced workflows. |
| Project management | Organise and complete tasks on time and within scope. |
| Learning agility | Rapidly acquiring new skills, increasingly sought after due to fast tech shifts. |
Trend for 2026
Skills England identifies “cross-cutting skills” such as numeracy, literacy, digital literacy, and creativity as essential across all industries, even traditionally non-digital sectors.
Learn more about how to showcase interpersonal skills on your CV.
What are the most in-demand hard skills?
Hard skills continue to evolve as UK businesses invest in digital transformation, AI integration, and technical innovation. These skills represent specific knowledge needed for nearly any job. Don't mix them up with IT skills, which involve the software and tools required for a specific job.
| Top hard skills for 2026 | |
|---|---|
| Data analysis | Leverage information to drive decisions. |
| Digital marketing | From SEO to social media, market effectively in a digital world. |
| Artificial intelligence (AI) | Develop or apply intelligent systems in product creation or operations. |
| Cybersecurity | Protect organisations from increasing cyber threats. |
| Programming | Create and improve software solutions in various languages (Python, JavaScript, SQL). |
| Cloud computing | Master new IT systems like AWS, optimising operations. |
| Machine learning fundamentals | Understanding predictive modelling and automation. |
| Engineering & digital infrastructure | Skills England highlights sustained shortages across digital-tech infrastructure, software engineering, and systems architecture. |
| Green and sustainability skills | Growing demand in energy, utilities, construction, and environmental roles. |
Trend for 2026
Hybrid skill profiles are most in demand, combining technical (AI, data, digital) skills with industry-specific expertise.
Top AI skills employers look for in the UK
AI continues to reshape job roles. In 2026, UK employers increasingly want professionals who can use, integrate, and optimise AI tools, not just build them.
Most valuable AI-related skills:
AI literacy: Understanding how to use and evaluate AI tools responsibly.
Machine learning fundamentals: Even non-technical roles benefit from basic ML concepts.
NLP (natural language processing): Useful for content, automation, analytics, and product development.
AI tools & frameworks: TensorFlow, PyTorch, LangChain, plus workplace AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini).
Prompt engineering: Crafting prompts that produce accurate, reliable outputs.
AI workflow integration: Automating tasks, creating AI-assisted reports, or designing improved processes.
Trend for 2026
UK employers increasingly treat “AI competence” as a baseline digital skill, not a specialist-only domain.
Learn more about how to effectively showcase AI skills on a CV.
5 computer skills employers look for
Digital literacy is becoming a baseline expectation across all UK industries. By 2026, employers will look for candidates who can confidently use a range of workplace tools and apply technology to improve efficiency and decision-making.
Microsoft proficiency: Excel, Word formatting, Teams collaboration.
Data skills: Ability to read, analyse and present data; Power BI, Tableau, Google Data Studio.
CRM & business platforms: Salesforce, HubSpot, CMS platforms, marketing automation.
Communication tools: Teams, Slack, Google Workspace, digital project management.
Cyber awareness: Safe data handling, password management, phishing recognition.
Top 10 management skills
Effective managers or supervisors play a pivotal role in an organisation’s success. Choosing the best leadership skills is more crucial than ever, as companies regularly face challenges.
Most valuable management skills for 2026
Top skills examples per job
Business Analyst top skills
| Soft skills | Hard skills |
|---|---|
| Communication | Data Analysis |
| Analytical Thinking | Business Process Modelling |
| Problem-solving | Wireframing & Prototyping |
| Negotiation | SQL |
| Collaboration | Data Visualisation |
Refer to the business analyst CV article for more information.
Footballer top skills
| Soft skills | Hard skills |
|---|---|
| Teamwork | Precise Dribbling |
| Communication | Accurate Passing |
| Fast learner | High Shooting Accuracy |
| Leadership | Ball Control |
| Adaptability | Tactical Awareness |
If you need additional information, see the footballer CV article.
Project Manager top skills
| Soft skills | Hard skills |
|---|---|
| Leadership | Agile Methodologies |
| Conflict Management | Budgeting and Financial Analysis |
| Problem-solving | Risk Management |
| Time Management | Strategic Stakeholder Management |
| Negotiation | Project Documentation |
Explore the project manager CV article for more insights.
Skills employers look for in retail
Retail in 2026 will rely heavily on digitally supported service, with employers looking for staff who can offer excellent customer experiences while confidently working with retail technology.
Customer service: Personalised service, conflict resolution, strong product knowledge.
Digital retail tools: POS systems, stock management software, handheld devices, mobile apps.
E-commerce support: Order processing, click-and-collect handling, basic online merchandising.
Data-driven decisions: Understanding customer feedback, sales trends, and store performance metrics.
Communication: Clear, friendly and professional customer interaction.
Reliability and teamwork: Punctuality, dependability, flexible working, cooperation under pressure.
Key skills employers look for in graduates
Graduates entering the workforce in 2026 will need a mix of soft skills, digital understanding and commercial awareness. Employers are prioritising individuals who can learn quickly, think critically and adapt to rapid workplace changes.
Critical thinking: Ability to analyse problems, interpret information and propose solutions.
Communication: Strong writing, presenting, digital communication and active listening.
Teamwork & collaboration: Effective group work, conflict resolution, cross-department interaction.
Adaptability: Comfort with change, resilience, and willingness to learn new tools quickly.
Data literacy: Ability to understand and use data, even in non-technical roles.
Commercial awareness: Understanding how businesses operate, market trends and customer needs.
Sustainability awareness: Basic understanding of ESG principles and responsible decision-making.
Essentials for the most sought-after skills
The UK is experiencing a sustained skills shortage, especially in digital, engineering, AI, and technical roles.
Hybrid skill sets (domain expertise + digital/AI capability) have become the new standard.
Employers now expect at least basic AI literacy, even in non-technical jobs.
Soft skills, especially adaptability, creativity, collaboration, and learning agility, are more valuable than ever.
Non-traditional training routes (bootcamps, micro-credentials, apprenticeships) are becoming more recognised due to the rise of skills-based hiring.
Identify your career goals
Invest in professional development
Gain digital, data, and AI-related skills
Tailor your CV and cover letter to each role
Show evidence of real-world skill application
Rely solely on formal education
Ignore emerging technologies
Rush skill development
Use generic CVs
Overlook industry events or employer insights
Next steps?
Our team can help you create a CV and a good cover letter for a specific job through our professional CV Writing Service if you have the skills but don't know where to start. To get help, check out our cover letter templates or follow our step-by-step guide on writing a good CV and how to use AI to prepare for an interview.
FAQs
How do you change top skills on LinkedIn?
Updating your top skills on LinkedIn is a straightforward process:
Access your LinkedIn profile.
Navigate to the "Skills" section.
Select the "Add a new skill" option.
Type in the skill you wish to add and choose it from the provided drop-down menu.
To arrange your top skills in the desired order, drag and drop them to your preferred positions.
Keep your LinkedIn profile updated with your skills to impress employers and connections.
Should skills be at the top of a CV?
The top of your CV should feature your contact information and a personal profile. Following these, you can place either your work experience or a dedicated skills section, whichever is more relevant to the specific job you're applying for.
Regardless of the order, ensure your key skills are visible on the first page, so recruiters can see them at a glance.
To structure this effectively:
Create a separate section for your hard skills and list them using bullet points. This makes them easy to scan.
Weave your soft skills into your personal profile and work experience descriptions. This provides context and shows how you've applied these skills in real-world situations.
Refer to the article on how to write a CV with no experience for more tips.
What are the top high-income skills for 2026?
The most in-demand skills for higher income include data science, software development, digital marketing, cybersecurity, medical, and project management. Honing these skills can be used across many sectors, leading to the highest-paying job opportunities.
What are my top 3 skills?
Identifying your top skills depends on your unique strengths and experiences. We encourage you to focus on skills such as communication, problem-solving, and adaptability, as employers universally value them. Consider seeking feedback from colleagues, mentors, or supervisors to help you pinpoint your top three skills. Additionally, self-assessment and reflection can provide insights into your key competencies.
What are the top 10 employability skills?
Employers across various industries value these skills, as they contribute to workplace success and productivity. Additionally, ensure the use of transferable skills beyond technical proficiencies and qualifications.
Communication
Team collaboration
Problem-solving
Adaptability
Time management
Critical thinking
Creativity and innovation
Leadership
Collaboration
Creativity.
