The future of work is digital. The Covid-19 pandemic has forced many businesses to start engaging in remote work. As a result, we are likely to see companies continue work from home methods in the future. While many of us have struggled with the transition to remote work, there are many advantages to working from home. Transportation costs are cut, and companies can recruit talent from all over the world. In addition, machines have been taking on an increasing number of tasks since long before the pandemic. If you’re a student wondering what your job will be like when you graduate, we’re here to tell you that you’re likely to be using a lot of technology. Machines will probably be completing many tasks, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be work for you. With some creativity, persistence, and the ability to navigate the digital world, you’re sure to find employment. These are the skills you need to land a job in the marketplace of the digital future.
Digital Literacy Skills
Not everyone is going to become a programmer or engineer, but being able to use a variety of computer programs will help you find a job. Which ones you should learn depends on the industry you’re in. If you’re trying to find a job as an administrative assistant, being able to use Microsoft Suite, Google Apps, and accounting software is an asset. If you’re going into marketing, learn how to do SEO research, use Google Analytics, and familiarize yourself with social media. Those who want to go into a creative industry should learn to take good photos, shoot videos, and use Adobe Creative Cloud. Whatever your field is, make sure to keep yourself up to date! Software is being updated constantly. Make sure to learn how to use new features when they are released.
Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Skills
Having enterprise and entrepreneurial skills means being able to take on challenges, being willing to take risks, and navigating complex situations. Being able to convince potential employers that you’re a valuable asset is likely to remain the mainstay of job interviews. Employers love optimistic candidates who are likely to take initiative and innovate. Enterprising and entrepreneurial candidates are self starters who are always looking for something new to do. Convince your interviewer’s that’s you. Be confident and self assured. Tell them about your accomplishments and how you will help their company grow. Candidates with enterprise and entrepreneurial skills are the ones that will help companies increase productivity and outperform their competitors.
Flexibility
Being flexible is one of the most important skills to have. The digital workplace is evolving rapidly. New technologies are constantly being developed, and old ones are always being updated. Being able to rapidly adjust to changes in the workplace is a valuable skill. Those who can quickly pick up new methods of learning are likely to succeed in the digital future. In addition to adapting to change, being flexible with your time is important. Working remotely allows companies to recruit talent from all over the globe. Meetings can be hard to schedule across time zones! Furthermore, working from home is likely to allow you to have more control over when you do things. There’s a good chance working hours won’t be 9 to 5 anymore. Learn how to be flexible with your schedule while still having time for your family, hobbies, and other priorities. It’ll help you be successful and reduce stress.
Teamwork and Leadership
Teamwork and leadership skills are especially important for conducting remote work. Even if you’re working from the comfort of your own home, you’re still likely to be collaborating with coworkers. Collaborating can be a bit harder while working from home. Make sure you’re committed to being a good team member. Pay attention and don’t multitask during meetings. Make sure to reply to messages within a reasonable amount of time, especially if others are depending on your answer. Likewise, being able to lead teams, even if they’re online, is an important skill. Being organized and knowing how to use communication systems like Slack is helpful. Online teams can be harder to keep track of. Know when and how to check in with team members to see how they’re doing.
Creativity
Although more and more tasks are being performed by machines, humans still have the upper hand when it comes to creativity. Even with new technologies like deep machine learning, computers still only know what humans tell them. Machines are only good at following rules. Humans need to follow rules too, but there’s room in many workplace for them to be innovative. Being able to come up with new ideas, products, and methods will make you a valuable employee. One particularly important aspect of being creative is having problem solving skills. You’re sure to land a job if you make it clear that you can troubleshoot and come up with solutions at a moment’s notice. As we mentioned earlier, machines are only good at following rules. Businesses need creative humans to step in when machines fail.
Communication Skills
Communication skills are going to be relevant for a long time. Having manners, being able to take phone calls, and write emails are still essential skills. No matter how much work moves online or is performed by computers, you’re not going to be able to land a job without people skills. As work moves online, email and business messaging platforms like Chatwork or Slack are being used more often. This means that written communication skills are especially important.
Cross cultural communication skills are also crucial. Software might replace translators and interpreters someday, but it takes a human to understand the nuances of cross cultural communication. From dress codes to etiquette, learning the workplace norms of another country is hard. Being able to do business in different cultural contexts will make you an asset to any company that caters to a global market. Even if you aren’t doing business abroad, cross cultural communication skills can be helpful when working in multicultural countries like Canada or Australia.
