Mid-Year Update: The Most In-Demand Skills of 2025

What Employers Need, What Candidates Should Know

As we reach the midpoint of 2025, the hiring landscape continues to evolve in response to rapid innovation, economic shifts, and the widespread adoption of AI and automation. At Market Street Talent, we've kept a close eye on the data and the conversations shaping the tech and digital recruitment space.

Here's what we're seeing: Certain skills are experiencing a sharp rise in demand, and businesses that understand the hiring market will be better positioned to attract and retain top talent. For job seekers, knowing where the market is headed helps you stay ahead, upskill intentionally, and land roles that align with your strengths and ambitions.

Whether you're hiring or job hunting, here's what you need to know.

Top Skills Employers Are Competing For

AI Integration & Implementation Experience
The post-hype era of AI has officially arrived. Companies are no longer just experimenting—they're integrating AI into daily workflows, customer experiences, and core products. However, while many vendors offer AI tools, few professionals know how to effectively implement them within existing systems.

Pro-tip for employers: Candidates with cross-functional experience—tech plus change management—are unicorns right now. Move quickly if you find one.

Cybersecurity Expertise
The increase in remote work and cloud adoption has led to an all-time high in security concerns. Businesses require experts who can secure hybrid infrastructures, educate teams on emerging threats, and ensure compliance across diverse geographies.

Data Fluency and DataOps
From executive dashboards to predictive analytics, companies depend on clean, accurate, and timely data. It's not just about engineers anymore—analysts, marketers, and even sales teams are expected to be data-literate.

Soft Skills in High-Tech Environments
Regardless of the industry, roles that combine communication, leadership, adaptability, and technical expertise are in high demand.

Think: people who can bridge the gap between technical teams and business stakeholders.

For Clients: How to Stay Competitive in Today's Market

• Move fast. Top candidates are receiving multiple offers. Streamline your hiring process wherever possible.
• Be transparent. Salary ranges, remote or hybrid work expectations, and clear growth opportunities attract serious candidates.
• Hire for trajectory. In some cases, finding someone with 80% of the skills and a hunger to learn can be preferable to holding out for a "perfect" fit.

For Candidates: What to Do Now

• Audit your skills. Look at recent job postings in your desired field. Where are your gaps?
• Invest in upskilling. Online courses, certifications, or even contributing to open-source projects can keep you sharp.
• Show results. Whether you're in design, data, or dev, employers want to see what impact you've made—so quantify where you can.

Conclusion

The second half of 2025 will be defined by those who can not only use technology but also translate, implement, and connect it to tangible business outcomes. For companies, that means rethinking hiring strategies. For candidates, it's about learning fast, staying curious, and leading with value.

Do you have questions about hiring, market trends, or how your current team compares? Let's talk.