But how can you know what employers actually want — and how can you stay ahead of their constantly evolving expectations?

Let’s break it down.

Think like a hiring manager, not just a job seeker

According to Deloitte, the largest professional services company in the world, more and more employers are shifting from role-based hiring to skill-based hiring. That means they care less about where you went to school or what your last job title was and more about whether you can bring the right skills to the table.

For you, that’s a huge opportunity.

Skill-based hiring puts the control back in your hands. It allows you to build your own career path based on what you can do — not just what’s written on your resume. It also gives you a blueprint for professional development that’s actually aligned with the real world.

Whether you’re aiming for a leadership role or breaking into a new field, your next move should start with a question: What skills are employers hiring for right now? What can you learn today to shape the role you want tomorrow?

Knowing what to do is important. So is knowing how to do it.

The U.S. Department of Labor highlights soft skills as essential traits that help individuals navigate the workplace and succeed professionally. These include things like communication, enthusiasm, teamwork, and problem-solving — all critical skills for being effective in nearly any role. In other words, soft skills are what make you a strong collaborator, leader, and decision-maker, no matter the job title.

Employers also consistently rank these as essential. Why? Because technical know-how is useless if you can’t work effectively with others, respond to change, or take initiative.

At Nexford, we integrate soft-skill development into every course. You’ll practice skills like:

  • Critical thinking

  • Emotional intelligence

  • Time and team management

  • Conflict resolution

  • Decision-making under pressure

It’s this combination of technical and interpersonal fluency that gives our learners an edge — in interviews, on the job, and throughout their careers.

Map the gap between where you are and where you want to be

So, how do you actually figure out which skills matter most in your target industry? Here are some proven methods:

  • Check Job Listings: Look for trends across multiple job descriptions. What tools, systems, and certifications keep showing up?

  • Follow Industry Reports: Publications from McKinsey, the World Economic Forum, or LinkedIn’s Skills Report can reveal where demand is heading.

  • Talk to Employers: If you’re already working, ask leadership what skills the company needs most right now. If not, reach out to people on LinkedIn who are working in your target roles.

  • Use Career Tools: The U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop and O*NET databases are packed with job and skill-matching resources.

  • Choose a Curriculum Built Around Market Demand: Nexford’s programs are designed in collaboration with global employers — meaning everything you learn is something various employers have told us they actually need and want.

Certify what you can do, not just what you know

At Nexford, we believe skills shouldn’t be trapped inside a transcript. That’s why our learners earn digital badges and alternative credentials as they progress — concrete proof of what you know, and how you can apply it.

We also offer specializations in future-focused fields like:

  • Artificial Intelligence

  • Business Analytics

  • Digital Marketing

  • Entrepreneurship

  • People Operations

  • Finance

These aren’t abstract academic majors — they’re industry-aligned tracks packed with real-world projects, practical tools, and career-relevant outcomes.

Whether you’re leading teams, launching a startup, or supporting digital transformation at your company, Nexford helps you prove your value — one skill at a time.

Tomorrow’s roles need today’s skills. Start building them now.

It’s clear that we’re living in an increasingly skills-first economy. That’s not a threat; If you know how to develop your skills, it’s a huge advantage. At Nexford, we help you connect the dots between your ambition and what the market needs. That means fewer guessing games, more clarity, and a direct line between your studies and your future success.

Explore our bachelor’s or master’s degree programs and start building a skill set that works as hard as you do.