10 Skills You Need To Stay Relevant In 2025 & 10 Outdated Ones You Can Delete Off Your Resume
10 Skills You Need To Stay Relevant In 2025 & 10 Outdated Ones You Can Delete Off Your Resume
How Future-Proof Is Your Skillset?
The job market in 2025 is evolving faster than ever, and the skills that once made you stand out can now make your resume look outdated. Don't let basic Microsoft Office proficiency take up valuable space on your CV. Employers expect more advanced capabilities that set you apart and keep you relevant for years to come. Here are 10 skills you need to stay relevant in 2025 and 10 obsolete ones you can go ahead and take off your resume.
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1. AI Proficiency
AI is increasingly being used, so if you're familiar with AI tools, it's a huge asset. Beyond knowing how to use them, begin to understand how they work and how to optimize them.
2. Cloud Computing
Instead of using physical servers and local storage, nearly everything is done on the cloud these days. That's why cloud computing has become one of the most important skills in recent years.
3. SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) determines how easily your content, products, or services can be reached online. As almost everything relies on the web these days, SEO is a crucial skill not only for content creators but for developers, designers, and marketing professionals as well.
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4. UX/UI Design
UX/UI design is one of the most in-demand skills in 2025 because it determines how users interact with web pages, apps, and other content. It's important for building trust and boosting engagement.
5. Data Analytics
Data analytics is a crucial skill because it's what informs businesses in their strategic decisions. It's not just about collecting numbers; it's about knowing how to read them and use them effectively to gain a competitive edge.
6. Software Development & Coding
Coding remains a crucial skill because it forms the foundation of nearly every digital system and product. Knowing how to code opens doors to working with the most cutting-edge technology, like AI and cloud computing.
7. Social Media Literacy
Social media is used to promote countless products and build brands. It's how customers connect with corporations, so knowing how to leverage it is a skill that many companies look for.
8. Analytical Thinking & Problem Solving
In a world where AI is taking many repetitive jobs, analytical thinking and complex problem-solving continue to be relevant. These skills allow you to look at the bigger picture, think outside the box, and look at issues systematically.
9. Digital Marketing
Digital Marketing is a must-have skill in 2025 because pretty much every business relies on online channels to connect and engage with customers. Leveraging digital platforms effectively helps you stay competitive and drive measurable results.
10. Creativity
Because creative thinking is what powers innovation, it will always be a sought-after skill. It allows you to look at challenges from different angles and find creative solutions.
Now that we've discussed the skills you need to stay relevant in 2025, let's talk about obsolete ones you can go ahead and delete from your resume.
1. Typing Speed
Back in the 1970s, the speed at which one typed was an important asset. However, in 2025, integrated automation like predictive typing and voice-to-text software has made speed-based skills like this largely irrelevant.
2. Traditional Data Entry
Traditional data entry was one of the first skills to become obsolete with the introduction of AI. The world is increasingly data-driven, but what's more important than data entry is analysis.
3. Email Management
In 2025, everyone from your grandparents to your grandchildren knows how to use email. Basic competency with things like Outlook or Gmail is a given, not a skill that belongs on your resume.
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4. Microsoft Word
Proficiency in Microsoft Word isn't a skill that's going to set you apart because it's far too basic and assumed. Employers have also shifted more towards collaborative platforms like Google Workspace.
5. Basic PowerPoint
Don't let basic PowerPoint skills take up valuable real estate on your resume. While companies still utilize slide shows for presentations, tools like Prezi or Figma are more commonly used, but more so than the program, employers would like to see that you can persuade audiences and simplify complex data.
6. Outdated Programming Languages
The tech industry evolves fast. If you have outdated programming languages on your resume, it indicates that you're stuck in the past. Instead of languages like COBOL or Pascal, invest in cloud-friendly Python or JavaScript.
7. Faxing
It should go without saying that faxing has no place on a resume in 2025. It has long been replaced by email and instant messaging in most industries.
8. Basic Excel
Excel is still widely used in many industries; however, basic Excel skills, like data entry and making simple tables, aren't valued because anyone can do it. More advanced skills like XLOOKUP and pivot tables may be more interesting to employers.
9. Shorthand
Once a valuable skill, shorthand is now rarely used in most industries. It's been replaced by voice-to-text software and digital recorders.
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10. Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash is another skill that indicates you're not keeping up in the ever-changing tech world. Flash has long been replaced by HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and WebGL, and now has zero industry demand.
