“The good news is many professionals may already have these skills without even realising it,” says LinkedIn career expert Zara Easton. “Skills like adaptability, communication and relationship building are often developed in everyday life – whether in previous jobs, personal projects or day-to-day interactions – and they can be a game-changer when it comes to career progression.”

While AI tools are becoming more embedded in all kinds of workplaces, it would seem they’re not replacing human interaction, but rather enabling it. Almost a third of executives believe that AI will free up more time for relationship-building, giving professionals an opportunity to be more productive and sharpen the skills that employers are prioritising.

In fact, the ability to build good, solid working relationships is so desired in 2025 that relationship building is the number one skill employers are looking for right now. Strategic thinking took the second spot, followed by AI literacy and then communication. This shows us that an understanding of AI is highly desired, but combining that technical know-how with super impressive soft skills is what will really set you apart from the crowd.

Taking the time to hone these ‘uniquely human’ soft skills – and, crucially, remembering to include them on your job applications – could be your key to staying competitive and unlocking new opportunities in your career progression.

These are the most desired ‘soft’ skills employers are looking for in 2025, according to LinkedIn