Dive Brief:

• A newly released report from the World Economic Forum called “The Future of Jobs,” a survey of 350 employers representing the top 9 industries in 15 of the world’s largest economies, revealed that 36% of all job types will require complex problem-solving skills by the year 2020.

• Mark McCormack, a Business Development Manager with Creativedge Training & Development Ltd., who also writes for HR Zone, advises that candidates can leverage this skillset by learning methods to be proactive with problem-solving now. He shares several tips to help people approach problem-solving in new ways.

• McCormack says, “Doing some of these things early on can really help you solve the problem faster and with less struggle and pain.” He adds that this approach can increase, “your appeal as a great problem-solver and potential new recruit for a prospective employer.” 

Dive Insight:

There’s a lot of speculation about what employers will demand from up-and-coming generations of workers, but make no mistake: technology shifts in every industry will dictate the most desirable skills in the future job market. The World Economic Forum’s report highlights the top skills, including cognitive flexibility and negotiation skills, but they take a backseat to problem-solving and resourcefulness.

Why are more employers focusing on candidates who have the ability to solve problems effectively? The answer is revealed in McCormack’s last tip for dealing with problems – breaking down problems into smaller, more manageable pieces. It’s not just solving problems that matters; it’s the ability to manage problems efficiently and act as a project manager when faced with complex tasks.