5 Tips for Advancing Your Career in 2024

More and more businesses are continuing to switch to skills-based hiring. In large part, this is because it is often a better predictor of effective job performance. In fact, according to a recent study in the American Psychological Association’s Psychological Bulletin, “Hiring for skills is five times more predictive of job performance than hiring for education and more than two times more predictive than hiring for work experience.” U.S. companies in particular are leaning into this trend and, in 2022, LinkedIn saw 40% of hirers use skills data when hiring through their platform. Yet, according to an Amazon and Workplace Intelligence study, a full 78% of U.S. employees surveyed were concerned they did not have the necessary skills to advance their career.

Buzzwords like “upskilling” and “reskilling” illustrate the increased focus companies are putting on the significant and measurable results that come with investing in training their employees, which means that now is an important time to think strategically about where you’re headed and what your career goals are. Although mass layoffs and hiring freezes are likely to continue in 2024, according to Gallup, it’s in a company’s best interests to retain its top talent as the expense of replacing a salaried employee can be up to two times the employee’s annual salary.

So how can you leverage these trends to your benefit? Here are our top predictions for skills to make you indispensable in 2024 and to help propel your career to new heights.

Top Skills to Take Your Career to the Next Level in 2024

1. Data Analysis

Analytical thinking and innovation are valued more now than ever before. By definition, data science is the refining of data to make it useful. Valuable in every job sector, not just tech, the need for data scientists shows no signs of slowing down in 2024, with some of the top data science skills hiring managers will be looking for, including:

• Ability to Use Automated Analytics Tools
• Cloud Computing
• Data Visualization
• Expertise in AI/ML

Data visualization, or the ability to present data visually in graphs or images, is also incredibly valuable. In fact, learners who are provided with illustrations perform 323% better than those who follow text-only directions. Even simple graphs improve perceptions of accuracy and truthfulness to 97%. The augmented and virtual reality (VR) tech sector alone is expected to reach USD 88.4 billion by 2026! Particularly with increasingly standard hybrid working environments, the need for accessible, impactful data leads to an increased demand for data visualization skills. The top characteristics of data visualization skills are:

• Visual appeal
• Scaleable
• Gives the user the right information
• Accessible
• Allows for rapid development and deployment

2. AI/Machine Learning

The meteoric rise and incredible effect of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning on the global workforce almost can’t be overstated. New AI-powered tools and programs are being developed for every industry and the need for AI and machine learning skills continues to grow exponentially. In fact, the World Economic Forum released a report that states that the demand for AI and machine learning experts will exceed the supply by 2025.

That’s why 2024 is a critical time to make yourself indispensable in this area. When done effectively and with care, AI has the ability to help organizations be more efficient and effective, to make data-driven decisions, and to advance organizational goals (and individual career goals!) far beyond previous benchmarks.

3. Cybersecurity

With the powerful growth of AI and machine learning comes a need for even greater vigilance when it comes to cybersecurity. The ever-increasing digitization of our data and technological advancements like AI-generated code that can breach standard defenses mean an increase in the danger – and probability – of experiencing cybersecurity challenges. Businesses have to be proactive when it comes to protecting their data and the data of their customers and clients.

In 2024, effective cybersecurity training, particularly when it comes to bad actors who exploit human weaknesses, will be more critical than ever. Courses like Vector’s online training catalog, featuring topics with up-to-date lessons for browser, email, and password security, can greatly improve cybersecurity awareness amongst employees and mitigate risks to your agency’s corporate and personal information.

4. Active Learning Strategies & Applications

As experts in workforce training and development, we aren’t surprised to see this one here! Many companies have not evolved their learning and training programs over time. In remote or hybrid workforce environments, employers must provide employees with continuous learning opportunities and the ability to practice those skills. We’ll see a continued rise in self-paced learning, microlearning, social learning, and gamification as well as peer-to-peer learning.

Incorporating VR, gamification, video, and mobile learning means that there are hard skills that will be needed and valued in this category in 2024 as they aid in great knowledge retention and adoption in the corporate environment.

5. Last But Not Least: EI and Other Soft Skills

There are some things that machines just can’t do as well as humans. With up to 30% of our working time being automated by 2030, truly human services will be more valuable and in-demand than ever. While they may sound basic, these soft skills can be improved with focused attention and can help candidates stand out to hiring managers in 2024:

• Communication
• Empathy
• Critical thinking
• Emotional intelligence
• Complex problem-solving
• Negotiating
• Reasoning
• Time management
• Resilience
• Leadership and social influence

The Future Is Bright for Those Who Upskill

The time to invest in your professional development is now. The half-life of a skill is estimated at just five years, and with massive change and growth happening, not just in tech, but across all industries, there is no time like the present to ensure you’re competitive in today’s workplace and the workplace of tomorrow.

Learn more about how we help critical industries deliver dynamic, results-driven learning and training opportunities to their workforce.