No matter what industry you belong to right now, there is uncertainty in the air. You aren’t sure well-invested your company is in your talents and skills. You aren’t even sure how long the company can last with the meager profits it makes right now. Even though things are picking up on the pandemic-front (lower cases and vaccine program), it will still take months before realizing the impact of the past year on the economy. In the meantime, we should hone our skills and learn new ones that will make us indispensable to the companies we belong to.
It might seem like your diploma is enough to convince your present employers or hiring managers that you are the right person for the job. However, remember that millions of college graduates are having a hard time finding jobs, even in the fields that they specialize in. The competition in the job market has never been more challenging, partly because of industries’ digitalization and partly because job candidates are generally smarter and savvier.
Continuous Learning
Whether it’s soft skills or challenging skills, you should tell employers that you are moving the arrow; you’re improving the trajectory of your skills and talents. With far too many people offering the same thing as you, put yourself above them by showing your willingness to learn. Even those who are in higher positions in a company should embrace learning. You can study online to maximize your time.
Time Management
If you are going to seek new knowledge, you should also learn how to manage your time. Juggling work and school is never an easy thing. It is often overwhelming. But those who know time management can do so much more than what’s expected from them. They contribute more to their companies, which means they are more cost-efficient to keep on the payroll. Every single second that employees become unproductive equates to dollars to their employees.
IT and Cybersecurity
The biggest threat to the rapid digitalization of industries is the security of these lines. With remote work and virtual events taking over businesses since last year, it’s only a matter of time before cybercriminals find a way into these systems. Throughout the pandemic, there was an 83% increase in phishing attacks. The attacks pushed more than 35% of companies to invest more in cybersecurity.
The pandemic also highlighted the glaring mismatch between companies’ IT demands and the skills their employees have to handle these demands. Remote workers are having a hard time keeping up with new tools and software. As a result, the company’s revenue is suffering. It’s time to brush up on your IT skills.
Video and Audio Production
Admit it. You can’t get enough of those TikTok videos, too. Even The Washington Post has an account on TikTok to deliver news in an engaging, entertaining, but still informative manner. One of the most in-demand skills in the job market right now is the ability to produce videos. How important is this skill? More than 54% of consumers want to see more video content from the brands that they support. The average person also spends at least an hour every day watching various video content on the internet.
Communication Skills and Foreign Language
You have to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Business writing, in fact, is an emerging in-demand skill. This goes for email writing as well. The ability to communicate well with others is one that will separate you from other candidates. And if you think writing is an ordinary skill, you’re wrong. So, brush up on those verbal and written communication skills.
You might also want to check out learning a foreign language such as English, Chinese, Spanish, and French. These are the most in-demand languages right now. Speaking a second language can, in fact, add 10% to 15% to your salary. As a global market, it’s time to learn how to speak with clients who want to converse in their native tongue. Many companies have reported failing to close a deal because their staff cannot meet the translation needed.
This year is going to be challenging for many companies and their employees. It’s the year of new beginnings. As companies try to survive in the pandemic and thrive within the parameters of these new challenges, it is up to their employees to try to remain relevant and productive. Unless you’re living under a rock, you should realize how everything has been changing these past years, even before the pandemic shook the world.
