Forbes recently analyzed data from both Careerbuilder and O*Net (the Nation’s online database of occupations and necessary skills) in order to identify which jobs/occupations will be highly in-demand in 2013. This week they went a step further and analyzed they key skills necessary for success in those roles. The top 3 skills should be no surprise at all.
1) Critical Thinking
2) Complex Problem Solving
3) Judgment and Decision Making
Each of these skills were listed as critically important for 9 out of 10 of the Top Jobs in 2013.
Why does this matter? If you’re currently looking for a job, this is the time to differentiate yourself as a candidate. How can you highlight your critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making skills in an interview? Your resume is likely full of technical jargon and lists of accomplishments, but do you mention any complex problems you’ve solved or major decisions you’ve made?
As Rich Milgrim, CEO of Beyond, says: “I don’t know that many employers are sitting in an interview checking off boxes on ‘critical thinking’ or ‘active listening’ in candidates, but they absolutely are looking for those qualities.”
Many employers, however, are testing candidates critical thinking skills using assessments like the Watson-Glaser™ II Critical Thinking Appraisal assessment. In fact, nearly half of the Fortune 500 use this, or a similar selection assessment when evaluating candidates. This should come as no surprise considering that the Watson-Glaser, in addition to evaluating critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making skills also predicts overall occupational attainment and overall job performance.
The Forbes article supports years of research that has shown critical thinking is a skill of increasing importance. And yet, while critical thinking, decision making, and problem solving are key skills for Top Jobs in 2013, there is a major skills gap that employers must address. Research conducted by SHRM and WSJ.com noted that employers rated only 28% of recent College graduates as having excellent critical thinking skills. Even more disturbing is the fact that 0% of High School graduates were rated as excellent critical thinkers.
Because recent high school and college graduates are entering the workforce lacking these key skills, it will be the responsibility of their employers to train and coach more effective thinking.
How are you building the critical thinking skills of your employees?
Why is critical thinking is the #1 workplace skill? Find out. Download 
An increasing number of IT executives say they plan to hire, yet when asked in the Forecast 2013 survey about their companies’ business priorities, attracting new talent came in dead last !!
While there is no doubt that those are important skills and that they are placed highly on the priority list I don’t think very many companies effectively evaluate that before hiring, nor are those skills emphasized and developed after the position is filled.
I think Barbra raised a very important point. So many are aware of the importance these skills have in our life, but invest so little in fostering them.
While it takes a professional to interview and access properly a candidate, it is a skill on its own to demonstrate certain skills during the interview. A canny candidate knows that in the interview it is up to him to complement what a resume cannot provide and show insight into his critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making skills.