What are the top skills hiring managers will look for in 2026? If this is a question that has played on your mind, then we have some borrowed predictions for what the most in-demand skills could be next year.
A new year brings new opportunities, but to take hold of them, it’s important to have the right set of skills. Both soft skills and hard skills have a role to play in determining an individual’s employability, but depending on the organization and the general industry-wide trends, some skills often take precedence over others. In 2026, the job skills in demand are expected to emerge from both soft and hard skills equally, but a handful from each category will be important to prioritize. Understanding what hiring teams are looking for can give you a leg up in your job search, simultaneously opening up new avenues of training that you can invest in to better your standing in your industry.
Hard skills and soft skills are expected to hold equal value in 2026, and as a result, software knowledge and communication skills come out on top. (Image: Freepik)
What are the Top Skills to Prioritize in 2026? Hiring Managers Shine a Light on What to Expect
A new survey from ResumeTemplate asked an assortment of hiring managers what the most needed skills will be in 2026, and they delivered with a list of options. To begin with, 62% of them said that hard skills and soft skills will be equally valuable in the coming year. Additionally, around 24% believed that soft skills would take the lead, while the remaining 14% put their money on hard skills. For the large majority of hiring managers, both sets of qualities appear to hold equal weight, which means that workers should expect to do the same.
As for the top three hard skills for 2026, software expertise, data analysis, and cybersecurity came out on top. On the other end of the spectrum, for the most in-demand soft skills, the predictions suggested that communication, professionalism, and time management would take the lead. For those who want a longer list, here are the top 10 skills to prioritize in both categories in 2026.
Top Hard Skills for 2026
Hard skills refer to the technical, fixed abilities that are acquired through education and training and often come with degrees. These skills are hard to develop independently and rely on organized systems of learning to achieve proficiency. From the survey, the most in-demand hard skills in 2026 include:
- Software: A familiarity with software tools and technology
- Data analysis: Expertise in interpreting data and drawing insightful conclusions
- Cybersecurity: Knowledge of security and the threats that exist in the tech space
- Project management: An ability to organize work and time proficiently
- Quality assurance and testing: An attention to detail and ability to parse out flaws in any process or project
- Automation and workflow optimization: Knowledge on how to optimize and improve processes
- Product management: A comprehensive understanding of a product and all the cross-functional aspects to consider in relation to it
- Technical writing and documentation: Ability to clearly structure technical information
- Data visualization: Understand data and communicate it in a way that’s clear and concise
- AI Tools: An understanding of, and familiarity with, generative AI is now a baseline expectation
Top Soft Skills for 2026
Soft skills refer to the interpersonal and intrapersonal qualities an individual may possess, evident in their interactions with others. While hard skills may be industry-specific, soft skills are generally useful across roles and industries and even in one’s day-to-day interactions with the world at large. While soft skills can also be developed through courses and training, these tend to grow with personal experience and exploration. According to hiring managers, the best soft skills for 2026 include:
- Communication: Ability to communicate ideas, thoughts, and experiences with clarity
- Professionalism: A formal, composed, mature demeanor
- Time management: Managing deadlines and sticking to schedules to ensure smooth operations
- Accountability: Taking ownership of one’s work and assigned responsibilities
- Resilience: Standing firm in the face of change is essential, considering the fast-paced evolution of the workplace
- Critical thinking: An ability to carefully evaluate issues and rely on logic and reasoning
- Attention to detail: Care and consideration towards minute aspects that improve the overall quality of the work
- Collaboration: Working in harmony with teams to get a job done
- Adaptability: Being quick to learn and keep up with new tech and processes
Ready to Master These In-Demand Skills in 2026?
The list of the most desired skills makes one thing apparent: most of the skills that employees have to work on mastering have always been relevant to the workplace. These top skills are not new and should not intimidate workers. Aspects like excellent communication and familiarity with emerging technology are baseline expectations that workers are already geared towards mastering, but with the list in place, there should now be increased enthusiasm towards discovering just how to develop them.
The mention of AI skills is surprisingly low on the list, considering its relevance to the modern workplace, but it does show that it isn’t the ultimate qualification just yet. Employers are still on the hunt for efficient, perceptive employees who can keep up with the organization. The high position of professionalism also makes it clear that workplaces are evolving towards more traditional, rigid means of operations that employees, and Gen Z in particular, may need to come to terms with.
Regardless of how well-prepared you may feel about stepping into the job market, it is important to keep working on developing these qualities to ensure you put your best foot forward. The workplace remains familiar, but it is also evolving in many ways, making it all the more important to stay on top of these qualifications and skills in 2026.
What do you think about the top skills listed for 2026? Which of these qualities are a top priority for you? Share your opinions with us in the comments. Subscribe to The HR Digest for more insights on workplace trends, layoffs, and what to expect with the advent of AI.