Smart Skills to Learn for Your First Job (and Every Job After)

Top Skills to Learn

Starting your first job, or any new job, can be scary, with new people to meet, skills to learn, management and communication styles to adjust to, and procedures and lingo to figure out. All in all, it’s an intimidating transition! But don’t worry, we’ve all been there. One way to ease through the learning period? By developing good skills to have for work before stressing out because you need and don’t have them.

These days, it feels like the world of work is constantly changing: AI is sweeping its way into nearly every industry, we’ve seen the rise of remote and hybrid work (and push-back against it), and for many, job stability feels like a thing of the past. So what are the best skills to learn for the future? 

If you want to be a strong candidate, you’ll need to identify the most relevant skills to learn for your desired field. However, there are also plenty of soft skills to learn — like written and verbal communication and time management — that are just as valuable as more technical ones. This article will focus on foundational job skills to learn for any job, including the top 10 skills to learn for the future, and how to start practicing those important career skills before you even graduate from high school.

The future of work

Technology, automation, and remote work are transforming today’s workforce, so the skills employers want in employees are changing, too. Digital literacy is quickly becoming one of the most important skills to learn in today’s technology-driven world. With companies across industries using AI tools to streamline their workflows, knowing how to leverage AI chatbots or AI-driven platforms like monday.com or Zoho Projects is a key component of any modern skills list. 

With over 20% of Americans working remotely, digital communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively online remain essential, too. From managing group projects in shared workspaces to communicating clearly over email or video calls, feeling comfortable in digital environments is a crucial part of being workplace-ready.

The rise of the gig economy is also changing the way we work. Over 7% of the U.S. workforce identifies as independent workers (with millions more using independent work to supplement their main income). For those forgoing W-2 roles to work freelance, the future of work involves juggling different gigs and multiple streams of income. For anyone interested in freelancing, self-promotion, networking, project management, and client communication are all good skills to have.

With the job landscape constantly changing, one of the most valuable skills to learn is actually how to learn. When you’re new to a role, your ability to quickly acquire new skills and adapt to different workflows is key to making a great first impression and successfully integrating into the team. As you build a core set of skills, the ability to learn new skills quickly, stay flexible, and adapt to new technologies and ways of working will serve you well.

What career skills do employers really look for?

Many companies now offer skills training programs to help employees learn new skills on the job. However, these opportunities often focus on tech skills or field-specific skills training. Other abilities — particularly soft skills — are the kinds of job skills employers expect you to have when you walk in the door.

Multitasking and staying calm under pressure are good skills to have in fast-paced jobs like hospitality or healthcare. Creative thinking is especially valuable in fields like marketing, design, and entrepreneurship, where innovative ideas drive success. Leadership and decision-making are key skills to learn for anyone aiming for management roles.

Let’s cross-reference a few skills lists and see what career skills employers commonly seek, regardless of industry:

• The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report reports analytical thinking, resilience, flexibility, and agility, and leadership and social influence as top skills to learn.
• The National Association of Colleges and Employers' recent Job Outlook survey highlights problem-solving, the ability to work in a team, written communication skills, initiative, and a strong work ethic.
• Indeed’s Top 11 Skills Employers Look For identifies communication, leadership, teamwork, interpersonal, and learning/adaptability skills among the top skills to learn today.

These skills lists overlap significantly, because while every role has its own specific set of skills to learn, some skills — like critical thinking and leadership — are universally important. And don’t underestimate interpersonal skills like empathy and active listening when building your skills list. Emotional intelligence and the ability to work well in a team are good skills to have, no matter your role.

Soft skills vs. hard skills

We’ve discussed hard vs. soft skills, so let’s clarify with a little more detail. Hard skills are specific, teachable abilities typically gained through education or training. Hard skills include tech skills like coding, web development, data analytics, and network management. Skills training courses, such as those for Excel, cybersecurity, or project management, can help you build expertise and provide credentials that employers easily recognize.

Soft skills are less tangible and immediately demonstrable, but they’re still incredibly good skills to have. These skills refer to personal and interpersonal skills such as problem-solving, communication, adaptability, creativity, and leadership. Because they’re challenging to define and measure, soft skills are often more difficult to teach and harder skills to learn.

To see how both skills work together, let’s consider what it takes to be a successful hair stylist. Key skills to learn for this role include:

• Hard skills: Cutting, coloring, blow drying, and styling hair, safely handling and applying bleach and other chemicals
• Soft skills: Customer service and hospitality, self-promotion, time management and scheduling, conflict resolution, patience and active listening

As this skills list demonstrates, a hair stylist’s success relies on their ability to both manage their own professionalism and develop the technical skills and knowledge to deliver a needed service.

10 skills to learn for the future

The best skills to learn are those aligned with your interests and career goals. However, certain skills hold their value regardless. Here are 10 of the most important skills to learn for success in any career:

1. Communication

Written and verbal communication skills are more than just good skills to have — they’re the glue that holds everything together. Strong communication skills are what keep everyone on the same page. Imagine a team where no one really listens or explains things well — projects would falter, customers could become confused, and stress would accumulate fast. Good communication via a quick email or by leading a meeting keeps everything running smoothly.

2. Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking includes knowing how to ask the right questions and diagnose an issue before it balloons into a crisis. At work, problems pop up regularly, and knowing how to break them down, look for solutions, and make decisions is key to resolving them quickly and effectively. Whether you’re dealing with a safety issue or a frustrated client, critical thinking and problem-solving skills help you stay calm and keep moving forward.

3. Collaboration and teamwork

Even if you spend most of your workday working solo, your employer also expects you to work well with others. Part of teamwork means completing your share of the project. The other part? Sharing ideas, listening to different perspectives, and stepping up to assume extra responsibilities when needed. Whether you’re part of a sports team, working on a group project, or collaborating with coworkers, strong teamwork helps you achieve more together.

4. Technological literacy

Even if you aren’t planning a career in “tech,” one of the most valuable skills to learn is how to use both new and existing technologies. Tech skills can include navigating workplace software and communication platforms or using data tools, scheduling systems, or design programs. As more jobs rely on digital tools for efficiency and connectivity, being tech-savvy has become less of a “nice to have” and more of a basic requirement.

5. Adaptability and flexibility

Even the best laid plans can go a little wonky at work sometimes. Having an adaptable mindset means you can roll with changes, pick up new skills, and keep going even when things get tricky. Whether a project shifts direction or you need to wrap your head around a new software system, flexibility prepares you for whatever comes next.

6. Leadership and management

Leadership is the ability to guide a group and unite everyone toward a shared objective, not just being the person in charge. Good leaders listen, organize, and motivate. And you don’t need a fancy title to lead; leadership means taking initiative, helping others succeed, and getting things done.

7. Emotional intelligence

Understanding your own emotions and the feelings of those around you can inform how you interact with your colleagues. Emotional intelligence helps you handle conflicts, support teammates, stay calm when things get stressful, and build trust and respect in the workplace.

8. Creative thinking

Creativity extends beyond art or music; it involves generating with new ideas and discovering better approaches. Creative thinking helps you solve problems, whether you’re brainstorming solutions or approaching a challenge from a new angle, keeping work more interesting and fresh.

9. Professionalism

Professionalism encompasses reliability, politeness, and responsibility.  It’s defined by your ability to be prepared, treat others respectfully, perform your duties effectively, and remain composed — especially when things don’t go your way. Acting professionally builds reliability, cultivates trust with your colleagues, and leads to more opportunities. 

10. Self-management

At its core, self-management is about setting clear goals and holding yourself accountable, even when it’s hard. It means taking responsibility for your own growth and skills, which includes knowing when to ask for help and being proactive about figuring things out on your own. Self-management hinges on self-awareness — knowing your strengths and weaknesses to make better decisions.

Highlighting these essential skills on your resume will help you stand out and catch potential employers’ attention. A caveat: it’s always better to be honest about your skills than to list things just to sound impressive. Resist the temptation to embellish your skills list with things you wouldn’t feel confident performing.

How to learn a new skill

Adding skills to your personal skills list doesn’t happen in the short term. Whether you buy into Malcom Gladwell’s 10,000-hour rule for becoming a master or John Kaufman’s 20-hour method for gaining proficiency, there really aren’t shortcuts for how to learn new skills. Growing and honing your skills takes hours of dedicated practice and years of personal development.

Start with the basics

To learn new skills, start with the basics. Do your research and break down your top skills to learn into their most basic elements. If you want to learn how to play the piano, you’re not going to jump right into Beethoven or Bach. First, you need to learn how to read music and identify the keys on a piano, then you might work on limbering your fingers and teaching them muscle memory (and how your hands can play independently from each other) with scales and exercises. After a few weeks or months of practice, then you could start with a simple Bach invention.

Determining your learning style

Learning a new skill can be challenging and deeply frustrating initially. If you want to start moving skills from your “skills to learn” list to your resume without pulling your hair out, find an approach that works for you. Instead of working against your natural tendencies, use strategies that play into your strengths.

Honing your ability to learn new skills starts by understanding how you learn. For example, are you more of a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner? Do you learn better alone or by talking things out with others? Think about your high school classes — what were the easiest skills to learn? The hardest? What do you (or your teachers) do to get certain skills or subjects to “click?” 

Next, think about what keeps you motivated. How much structure do you need to stick with it? Can you rely on yourself to set aside dedicated practice time and create monthly goals, or do you need a weekly class with set assignments and deadlines to keep you on track?

Skills to learn at home vs. in the world

Online courses have made it easier than ever to learn new skills from home, but not all skills are easy to learn on your own. For example, it’s hard to learn new skills like active listening or leadership in isolation.

Hard skills — like knitting, playing an instrument, coding, cooking, or learning a new language — are absolutely learnable at home, especially with the help of structured courses, video tutorials, and lots of practice. These skills rely on repetition, precision, and individual progress — perfect for self-paced learning.

You’ll have better luck learning soft skills like teamwork, conflict resolution, time management, and communication through experience. Group settings, real-world challenges, and face-to-face interaction give you the practice and feedback to polish them. A job, internship, volunteer position, or club is one of the best ways to acquire and hone these skills. You’ll gain practice reading social cues, managing different personalities, and adapting in real time — skills you can’t practice through a screen.

Tips for practicing career skills in high school

Creating your own personal skills list can help you identify areas for growth and guide your personal and professional development. Think of your skills list as your toolkit — what tools might a specific job or project need? Identify which you’re missing (or need more practice with) and that you’d most like to learn.

For example, if your palms get sweaty when it’s your turn to speak in class or you avoid raising your hand during discussions, public speaking might be one of your top skills to learn. Constantly running late to class, practice, or dinner? Add time management and personal responsibility to your skills list. Looking for a skill to cultivate at home? Arts and crafts, like crocheting, drawing, painting, and embroidery, can help you unwind while tapping into your creative side. 

If you’re unsure of your career path, the best skills to learn are ones that will be useful in any job, such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. One of the easiest ways to gain these skills? Getting involved in extracurriculars, as you’ll naturally develop them in group settings. For example, you could:

• Join a club
• Try out for a sports team
• Run for student government
• Volunteer
• Get an internship
• Work a part-time job
• Enroll in a pre-college summer program

You can also develop your soft skills during everyday interactions with your peers and teachers at school and family at home. Group projects in class or dinner table conversations offer great opportunities to practice empathy and strengthen your communication skills.

To develop your technical skills, consider enrolling in a class at the local community college. If you prefer to learn at your own pace from home, check out free or low-cost resources online, like beginner-friendly YouTube tutorials or MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) in subjects that interest you.

A word of advice

Challenging yourself to learn new skills can build confidence and open up new possibilities, but no one gets everything right on the first try. Whether you’re learning to speak up, play a new sport, cook for yourself, or explore something completely outside your comfort zone, messing up is part of the journey. Keep a growth mindset, remind yourself that progress takes time, and don’t be afraid to fail — it’s how you get better.