Is critical thinking needed in today’s jobs?

Critical thinking is needed in both a professional and private capacity. It is something most of us do on a daily basis, weighing up the pros and cons of any situation.
The world is constantly changing - what's popular today is "gone" tomorrow. Having the ability to assess a situation or interpret information, viewing all the different angles and outcomes in a fast changing world has to be of benefit both to oneself and to the people with whom one works. The saying "less haste, more speed," i.e., if you do things too quickly, it may take you longer in the end, has always seemed like good advice to me. Take your time. Study the information you have and don't be afraid to ask for more if needed. Get as complete an overview of any situation as you can before making a decision. And, even if your decision is ultimately proved to be wrong, at least you can say that you gave it due consideration as opposed to simply having a knee-jerk reaction to whatever you have been asked to do.