LinkedIn's Top Skills of 2020 & How You Can Learn Them

LinkedIn's Top 10 Skills of 2020

According to LinkedIn Learning trends, the most in-demand hard skills of 2020 were transformative technologies and analytical capabilities that continue to shape today's job market. Here's what dominated the landscape:

1. Blockchain

Making its debut on LinkedIn's list, blockchain emerged as cryptocurrency gained mainstream acceptance. This distributed ledger technology revolutionized not just finance, but supply chain management, healthcare records, and digital identity verification. Learn more about blockchain here.

2. Cloud Computing

As organizations accelerated their digital transformation—particularly during the pandemic—cloud expertise became mission-critical. Companies needed architects, engineers, and administrators who could design scalable infrastructures, migrate legacy systems, and optimize cloud costs across platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. See What is Cloud Computing? to learn more.

3. Analytical Reasoning

The explosion of data generation created an urgent need for professionals who could transform raw information into strategic insights. This skill encompasses statistical analysis, critical thinking, and the ability to identify patterns that drive competitive advantage in increasingly complex markets.

4. Artificial Intelligence

AI and machine learning evolved from experimental tools to business imperatives, enabling predictive analytics, automation, and personalized customer experiences at scale. Organizations sought professionals who could implement AI solutions, train models, and navigate the ethical implications of algorithmic decision-making. Learn more about machine learning at MIT Technology Review.

5. UX Design

As digital interfaces became the primary touchpoint between businesses and customers, user experience design emerged as a critical differentiator. UX designers create intuitive, accessible, and emotionally resonant experiences that drive user engagement and business outcomes. Read more in What is UX Design?

6. Business Analysis

This skill's dramatic rise reflected organizations' need for professionals who could bridge technical capabilities with business strategy. Business analysts translate stakeholder requirements into actionable insights, ensuring that data-driven initiatives align with organizational goals and deliver measurable value.

7. Affiliate Marketing

The creator economy's rapid expansion drove demand for performance-based marketing expertise. As brands shifted budgets toward influencer partnerships and affiliate programs, professionals who could navigate these relationship-driven marketing channels became increasingly valuable for driving authentic customer acquisition.

8. Sales

Despite technological disruption, human connection remained paramount in driving revenue. Modern sales professionals needed to master consultative selling, digital tools, and relationship management in an increasingly competitive landscape. Learn more from Glassdoor about getting a job in sales.

9. Scientific Computing

This interdisciplinary skill set combined computational methods, statistical modeling, and domain expertise to solve complex problems. Professionals with scientific computing backgrounds became essential for research and development, financial modeling, and advanced analytics across industries.

10. Video Production

As video content consumption skyrocketed across all platforms, organizations needed creators who could produce compelling visual narratives. From TikTok marketing to corporate communications, video production skills became essential for engaging modern audiences. Read more on Why Video Editing is Your Next Move.

While these 2020 trends laid important groundwork, the skills landscape has continued evolving. Let's examine how these capabilities cluster into strategic career paths and explore practical ways to develop expertise in each area.

Business & Data Analytics

Data literacy has become the new digital literacy, with analytical skills representing perhaps the most universally valuable competency across industries. The convergence of analytical reasoning, business analysis, and scientific computing on LinkedIn's list underscores a fundamental shift: organizations now compete primarily on their ability to harness information effectively.

Modern data analytics encompasses both foundational tools—Excel for financial modeling, SQL for database querying, Tableau for visualization—and advanced methodologies including statistical analysis, machine learning, and predictive modeling. Data scientists build on these analytical foundations, using programming languages like Python and R to create algorithms that anticipate market trends, customer behavior, and operational challenges.

Our Data Analytics Bootcamp tackles the most critical analytics tools including Excel, SQL, and Tableau. You'll learn to analyze large sets of data, drive valuable insights, and create powerful data visualizations. Our Data Science Certificate will teach you the data science skills you need to become a data science including Python programming, SQL, and machine learning so you can create predictive models.

UX Design

User experience design has matured from a nice-to-have specialty into a core business competency. As organizations recognize that customer experience directly impacts retention and revenue, UX professionals have become strategic partners in product development and business transformation.

Modern UX design integrates psychology, technology, and business strategy to create experiences that feel effortless yet drive specific outcomes. The discipline has expanded beyond traditional web and mobile interfaces to encompass voice interfaces, augmented reality, and emerging technologies that will define the next decade of human-computer interaction.

In our UX & UI Design Certificate, you'll learn the UX and UI design principles you'll need as well as tools like Sketch, Photoshop, and Illustrator. With our hands-on approach, you'll work on UX & UI projects to develop your skills and your portfolio to get you started as a UX & UI designer.

Digital Marketing

Digital marketing has evolved into a sophisticated discipline that combines creativity, analytics, and technology to drive measurable business growth. Today's digital marketers must navigate an increasingly complex ecosystem of platforms, algorithms, and consumer touchpoints while maintaining authentic brand connections.

The integration of AI tools, advanced attribution modeling, and privacy-first marketing strategies has transformed how professionals approach customer acquisition and retention. Success requires both technical proficiency—understanding SEO algorithms, programmatic advertising, marketing automation—and strategic thinking about customer journey design and brand positioning in crowded digital spaces.

In our Digital Marketing Certificate, you'll learn the skills to succeed in digital marketing, including SEO, Google Ads, Google Analytics, social media, email marketing, and more from top digital marketing experts. You'll work hands-on in the tools and walk away with skills to dominate the search engines, optimize your site, grow your business with social media, and more.

Video Editing

Video content has become the dominant medium for communication, education, and entertainment across all industries. The rise of short-form content, live streaming, and interactive video experiences has created unprecedented demand for creators who can produce compelling visual narratives efficiently and effectively.

Modern video production requires both technical mastery and creative storytelling ability. Professionals must understand color theory, audio design, and motion graphics while staying current with platform-specific requirements and audience preferences that evolve rapidly across social media channels and professional environments.

Work on video and motion projects to bring your work to life and develop your portfolio for prospective employers or clients. In our Motion Graphics Certificate, you'll create video projects with Premiere Pro, animate with After Effects, and build your portfolio in the Portfolio Development class. For those looking to focus only on video editing, check out our comprehensive Premiere Pro Bootcamp.

Recap

The skills that dominated LinkedIn's 2020 rankings have proven remarkably prescient, forming the foundation for today's most dynamic career opportunities. While specific technologies continue evolving, the underlying competencies—analytical thinking, user-centered design, digital communication, and technical problem-solving—remain essential for professional success in an increasingly digital world.

Whether you're launching a new career, pivoting industries, or expanding your current skill set, these capabilities offer pathways to meaningful, well-compensated work. The key is choosing the area that aligns with your interests and aptitudes, then committing to deep, practical learning that builds both competency and confidence. We're here to support your journey with comprehensive training programs designed to deliver real-world skills and career outcomes.