LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional networking platform, has unveiled its ‘Skills on the Rise’ ranking, identifying the top 15 skills professionals need to stay competitive in the evolving job market in 2025. In India, the fastest-growing skills include creativity and innovation, code review, problem-solving, pre-screening, and strategic thinking.
With 64% of job-related skills expected to change by 2030, LinkedIn research highlights that 25% of professionals are concerned about their future skills, 60% are open to shifting industries, and 39% plan to acquire new skills. Moreover, 69% of recruiters report a gap between candidate skills and business requirements.
AI literacy is emerging as an essential competency across industries. Malai Lakshmanan, head of India engineering at LinkedIn, emphasised, “AI literacy is becoming essential, with our latest data showing a growing demand for skills like large language models (LLMs) and prompt engineering for tech roles in India. At the same time, foundational engineering strengths, such as software design and code review, remain critical for building high-quality, scalable solutions.”
He mentioned that we are at a pivotal moment where mastery of core technology skills like design and coding is just as important as new-age AI capabilities for engineers. Professionals who combine these strengths will be best prepared to thrive in the agentic AI future that lies ahead.
As AI automates routine tasks, human-centric skills like creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and strategic thinking are becoming increasingly valuable, not just in marketing and design but also in business development and education. Communication, once primarily linked to sales and HR, is now considered critical in IT, consulting, and finance.
AI skills are transitioning from an advantage to a baseline expectation, with 95% of Indian C-suite leaders prioritising AI proficiency over traditional experience. Skills like LLMs, AI literacy, and prompt engineering are now in high demand across industries beyond tech, including education and marketing.
Meanwhile, businesses are placing a stronger focus on customer engagement, a skill that has gained importance in sales, business development, and marketing, as companies seek to strengthen brand loyalty and foster lasting customer relationships.
Nirajita Banerjee, LinkedIn’s senior managing editor for India, advises professionals to assess their existing skillsets, highlight soft skills prominently on their LinkedIn profiles, and actively pursue learning opportunities through online courses, stretch assignments, or volunteer work. Data suggests that members who list five or more skills on their profiles receive significantly higher profile views and recruiter engagement.
LinkedIn’s List of Emerging Jobs for 2025
LinkedIn recently released a list of jobs that have gained prominence due to AI redefining hiring practices in 2025. This highlights the need for individuals to upskill and embrace new opportunities to remain competitive in the job market.
Among the most sought-after roles is the AI engineer, who is responsible for designing and training AI models and algorithms to address complex problems and enhance system performance.
