These days, resumes are not just a piece of paper that showcases your strengths; they are much more of a window into your personality and passions. With the saturation of capable individuals in the workforce, you need to look for skills that will be your assets in the long run as well as differentiate you from the herd.
While the amount of experience you have and the organisations you have worked for cannot be changed overnight. You can still shine among other applicants at recruitment by learning extra skills that can support or complement your main prowess.
1. Digital Literacy
Nowadays, most occupations rely heavily on technology. Especially after getting hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, most organisations shifted their years-old systems to digital online platforms. This resulted in a new ecosystem for many big players to be put in place, where employees are not only expected but also required to know the basics of tinkering with technology.
It is in your best interest if you get acquainted with the numerous digital tools that help an employee function at the corporate level. If the thought of learning tech sounds overwhelming, you can start easy by learning simple shortcuts on a keyboard and getting acquainted with other digital tools like Excel or spreadsheets, then venture into more advanced aids such as Google suite.
2. Basic Coding
Now, if you are already a pro at digital tools and are digitally literate, chances are you can learn to code easily as well. Most are aware that coding really is a hot commodity. Not only do professional coders get paid very well, but anybody who is well-versed in the skill is automatically revered.
So, learning coding skills can significantly help you stand out from the crowd. You can search for boot camps and beginner classes on numerous online platforms that offer educational opportunities. Sites like Udemy, Alison, or EDX are good picks for a first-timer. If you are looking for free courses, you can check out the following sites: Career Foundry, free. Code, Camp, Harvard’s CS50X, MongoDB University, or MIT Open Courseware.
3. Written Communication
Even if your writing is not central to your occupation of choice, almost no one can escape writing while working at an established company. Whether it’s writing e-mails or charting project reports, almost every official requires a command of the language.
Employees who want to climb the corporate ladder and eventually sit on the throne in a managerial position must learn to communicate effectively. As the head of a department, a person is expected to not only be capable of communicating with the team but also have effective ways to motivate others. Therefore, having a tight grip on your communication right from the beginning can help you pave a smoother road for yourself.
4. Public Speaking
We have all seen the numerous viral TED Talks that mesmerise their viewers. Most speakers who take the stage in this manner are incredibly impressive and confident, or so we’re led to believe. If you believe that public speaking is something you will never be able to do, it is all the more reason to begin planning for the big day.
While working, there are bound to be days when you are expected to speak among a bunch of team members. Whether it is a simple introduction or a full-fledged speech, knowing how to carry yourself and your words at a time like this would be a valuable asset for any employee.
5. Project Management
Project management skills are highly desirable in any organisation. It is a skill that allows you to have the expertise to know how to put in place a set of processes and guidelines in order to streamline all your projects. The skill can be useful not only in personal management but also when you are in charge of a large company plan.
Accomplishing project management can allow you to see the full scope of a project and manage it from start to finish. You can use tools like Proof Hub, Score, Work zone, File Stage, etc. These tools allow you to apply new methodologies and technology to make communication much easier between team members while working on the same project.
6. Web Development
If coding is giving you a hard time, then it might be time to switch gears and park your car at the web development station. It is generally easier to get into if you are a total newbie to this side of the tech world. In case you are confused about how web development is any different than coding, web development is an umbrella term, unlike coding, which is a specialty like programming.
Starting with web development is probably a better game plan than barging in head-first into a coding class where you are completely clueless about what is going on. The skill can also help you communicate specifics with other departments in your organisation. For instance, imagine that you are working as HR in a company where your official website needs fixing to better accommodate your new hires. Understanding web development at this point can help you effectively communicate the issue to the IT department and receive the changes they propose immediately.
7. Design
Even if your line of work does not require you to design, learning the basic principles of design can be helpful. From designing better presentations to making interesting notices for the team, learning design can come in handy.
These days, when everything has made space for social interaction online, it is possible that you might end up needing these design skills to whip up an Instagram post someday. You can start with learning easy applications like Canvas and move up to more complicated software like Photoshop. If you really end up having a knack for design, then you can level up and even learn animation.
8. Data Analysis And Statistics
Excelling at this skill can help you draw logical conclusions from a swarm of information at work. Generally, data analysis and statistical tools are used to determine product changes or direct products into specific markets. It can aid in quality communication with higher-ups and help you draw logical conclusions that are backed by data.
Data analysis can not only help you make your own job decisions much more easily but can also help you build a dependable reputation for yourself at your job. On the other hand, while statistics can be a great tool to help you make sense of the world, they can also be used to manipulate you if you are not in the know. Therefore, understanding statistics is key.
9. Basic Digital Media Production
With the world trying to shrink all its knowledge into a 6-second reel, media production has somehow wriggled its way into all of our lives. If you want to portray yourself as an invaluable asset during your next job interview, then showcasing that you are in tune with today’s world is essential.
Today’s world barely exists on the outside while all the fun goes on inside a tiny box we all have at our disposal at all times. This dependence has obviously bled into an obsessive need to showcase your life on the internet. Thus, social media now has power. To harness this power, learning the basics of media production is crucial. From lighting to camera angles, digital media production can be learned on just your phone without much investment in equipment.
10. Social Media And Digital Marketing
In the 21st century, if you are going about without much knowledge of social media or digital marketing, things might get stiff for you. Although most people think that social media marketing is an easier skill to master, it is rather a hard field to navigate if you are a complete newbie at the job.
Learning digital marketing skills will not only help you navigate project ideas, but it will also allow you to branch out of your current position if you become a pro at it.
