WHY BEHAVIOURAL SKILLS ARE BECOMING THE REAL DEAL IN LONDON’S JOB MARKET?

In today’s London job market, technical know-how alone no longer guarantees a foot in the door. Employers are increasingly looking for behavioural skills, those softer, human-centred abilities such as teamwork, adaptability and communication, as the deciding factor when choosing between candidates with similar qualifications.

In London’s fast-paced workplaces, behavioural skills such as teamwork and adaptability are just as vital as technical expertise. (Alex Kotliarskyi/unsplash)

This shift is not just anecdotal. The Employer Skills Survey 2024 paints a clear picture: nearly 38% of all vacancies in London are deemed hard-to-fill, and more than a third of those are linked directly to gaps in behavioural skills.

It shows that while credentials still matter, the ability to work well with others, manage change and show resilience can make or break one’s chances.

Why Employers Value Behavioural Skills?

Employers across the capital consistently point to issues such as poor communication, lack of self-management and limited problem-solving. In fact, the survey suggests that over half of London employers have encountered applicants who lack core behavioural skills.

At the end of the day, businesses don’t just need workers who can “do the job”; they need people who can navigate real-world pressures, respond to clients, and collaborate across diverse teams.

Closing the Gap: Training and Development

The good news is that many organisations are taking matters into their own hands. The ESS 2024 shows that 59% of UK employers funded or arranged training in the past year, with London leading the way.

Investment remains significant: £53.0 billion spent nationally on training in 2024, even though it dipped slightly from 2022’s £59.0 billion.

In London, training participation is particularly high, with 67% of staff receiving some form of training, higher than the UK average.

This suggests that whilst universities and schools must adapt, employers are equally responsible for shaping behavioural competencies in the workplace.

What It Means for Jobseekers in London

For graduates and jobseekers, the message is clear:

“Qualifications open doors, but behavioural skills help you stay in the room.”

Employers are watching how candidates present themselves, work in teams and respond under pressure. In practice, this could mean highlighting examples of teamwork on a CV, sharing stories of adaptability in interviews, or demonstrating resilience during a probation period.

The Bottom Line

London’s workforce is facing a skills challenge, but not the one many might assume. The shortage is less about coding or data analysis and more about the everyday human qualities that enable people to thrive at work.

With behavioural skills in the spotlight, the most employable candidates will be those who can combine technical expertise with the right mindset. And that, as many employers now admit, is the real deal.

At Sidestream, we support organisations in London and across the UK to strengthen behavioural skills through tailored training and development. Discover how our programmes can help your teams grow and succeed.