How good are the job prospects in the Asia Pacific?

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Professional networking platform LinkedIn released its LinkedIn Opportunity Index in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region for the first time, noting that career advancement, entrepreneurship and learning opportunities are vital for professionals in the area.

The index is about confidence in the opportunities they get from work and professional activities. Indonesia and India take the top two spots on the survey, driven by confidence in growth potential and job market access. The Chinese mainland comes the third despite concerns over white-collar purchasing power, economic slowdown and trade war.

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But advanced markets such as the Hong Kong region, Japan and Australia trailed the index as professionals there don't feel confident about the economy or career development opportunities.

Meanwhile, networking is vital in the current volatile global economy. Based on people surveyed, one of the top barriers they felt blocking the access to better opportunities is lack of a strong network and connections.

Are employers thinking the same as candidates? LinkedIn's Senior Director of Brand Marketing & Communications in APAC, Roger Pua, suggested that soft skills such as communication and leadership are the qualifications that recruiters value a lot.

Roger Pua, LinkedIn's Senior Director of Brand Marketing & Communications in APAC, talks in a skype interview with Global Business. /CGTN Photo

“Soft skills are very much on demand,” he said, adding that “recruiter companies are really looking for people with soft skills, which includes communication skills and leadership skills, and professions like sales, marketing and managerial role.”

While most people surveyed believe hardworking or knowing the right people is the most important factor to get ahead, Pua advised job seekers that “focusing on communication skills, [or] all soft skills, is the way to go.”