50% of recruiters are looking for analytical skills when hiring, while 50 per cent are looking for technical/domain-specific skills. About 40 per cent would hire candidates who have collaborative skills and can work in a team. Interpersonal skills come next, with 34 per cent recruiters looking for these in candidates. Thirty-one per cent recruiters seek strategy and leadership skills, while 16 per cent seek out data and AI skills in potential hires. Do the HR people and members of Gen Z agree on anything when it comes to the in-demand skills? Yes, they do. They both feel the ability to work with people is more important than learning to work with technology!
Unstop’s survey reveals that Gen Z is quite clear that soft skills cannot be eliminated altogether just because artificial intelligence is here to stay. That is one belief that the HR community shares with Gen Z. Most members of Gen Z feel it is necessary to focus on the ability to work with people—even more necessary than working with or using technology.
They believe that every time a new technology emerges, it is necessary to master that. They also realise that artificial intelligence (AI) is just another technology or tool. Bugs in technology can be fixed but people cannot be fixed the same way. People require people skills to make them feel better and perform better.
Gen Z’s argument is that AI was developed by people/humans. Therefore, the need for human intervention will always be there. Even AI/ technology cannot function without proper instructions. Both people and technology require humans to explain the work to them so that they can function/perform better. While humans can be taught by humans to work with technology, it is not possible for technology to teach soft skills to people. These have to be developed with the help of humans. Hence, the need and necessity for soft skills.
The survey by Unstop has revealed some skills that Gen Zers believe will never go out of style—coding in technical skills, prompt engineering in Data and AI, and overall communication. These skills will always be in high demand.
‘What skills do you think you require to land your dream job/role?’ This was the question posed to members of Gen Z. While 64 per cent thought technical/domain-specific skills are most required, 54 per cent believed that data and AI skills are essential for dream roles. About 38 per cent said analytical skills are a must, while 36 per cent said team work and collaboration are necessary for dream roles. Only 35 per cent believed that strategy and leadership skills are essential for dream roles. A whopping 54 per cent thought data and AI skills are the most essential skills to land a dream job. Surprisingly, only 16 per cent of the HR people thought data and AI were in-demand skills. Considering that these findings are based on the responses from 6,900 members of Gen Z and 610 members of the HR fraternity, there arises a doubt—Are HR personnel in India really aware of the skills of the future?