In today’s evolving world, the digital age has transformed the way we live, work and communicate. Nowadays, people are following the trends and using advancements in technology such as computerised systems, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms is becoming an integral part of industries and organisations where you can clearly see the shift from traditional means to modern technology. Therefore, employers are looking for employees who have a set of skills and competencies that will allow them to adapt with new technologies.

In this blog we will be looking at the skills that are becoming increasingly valuable in the digital era, and how individuals can tick the box of employers’ demands and thrive in this new era.

Technical Skills

Technical skills can be defined as specialised knowledge and expertise that people require to perform some tasks. This is done by using special tools such as programs, software that definitely requires users to be IT literate, and it is an acquired quality which means if you have a small knowledge on this topic, as time goes on and you start to perform more and more tasks related to IT this skill will develop. 

  • Programming

Employers are looking for employers who have knowledge of programming languages such as Java, Script, and HTML among others. This skill set is no longer limited to software engineers as a business brings new technologies in a business understanding the basics of programming will definitely give a competitive edge to any potential candidate, of course following short courses whether it’s online or given by someone in your area, might prove to be helpful. 

  • Data Analysis and Interpretation

The ability to read, analyse, and be able to interpret data to make decisions is an essential skill in business. This will allow businesses to get insights on trends, customer’s taste and preferences. This can help businesses in planning new marketing strategies, and provide customers with new experiences and innovative products based on the data collected thus, giving a competitive edge to a company as well as the opportunity to increase their sales.

  • Cybersecurity

Since Cybersecurity is a big issue that may cause harm to a company, employers are looking for professionals who can take measures in case a cyber attack happens as protecting and keeping customers data and records are a top priority for a business. 

Digital Literacy

Employers are also looking for candidates who can make good use of software, systems and digital platforms such as: Project Management software, Customer-relationship Management, and social media.

Since employees will be expected to handle email, and sometimes participate in virtual meetings on platforms such as zoom, knowing how to use these new tools will prove to be helpful for them, those who are digitally literate clearly have a huge advantage. They can adapt and work with new tools and technologies making them valuable employees who can easily navigate through different software and complete tasks rapidly and effectively. Another positive point of being digitally literate is that you can work both in a team or in collaboration with external stakeholders with the means of communication.

Digital literacy is far more than just being able to use a laptop, it’s about using the right technology to achieve both the long-term and short-term goal of an organisation and solve problems. As industries will continue to grow with the digital age, individuals who possess these skills will find opportunities in this growing market.

Soft Skills 

While technical skills have proved to be an essential skill in today’s market we cannot neglect soft skills as it plays a crucial role. Soft skills enable individuals to communicate, collaborate and adapt to the dynamic market environment. Below we will be taking a look at some soft skills that employers are looking:

  • Emotional Intelligence

Employers are looking for employees who will be able to deal with their own emotions and other people around themselves as this can help in fostering a good environment one where colleagues will feel valued which will definitely improve the workforce too since a positive vibe will be spread around the area, therefore both the business and customers will benefit from this situation. 

  • Creativity and Innovation

In the digital age AI and other software are taking off routine work, but having employees that can come up with great, unique,and innovative ideas is better too. Because this will showcase the uniqueness of a business and attract the attention of customers, employers are looking for employees that are able to think outside the box. The ability to generate fresh ideas to create new products or services will definitely give a business a competitive edge. 

  • Collaboration and Teamwork

In a workplace where digital technologies are at the centre it is important that employees collaborate and work as a team to achieve the goals of the company, department or project’s goals. As remote work is becoming more common and people working in various settings employees should be able to use tools such as Zoom and Microsoft teams to communicate and collaborate effectively with their colleagues.

Conclusion

As you can see, having a diversified skills set ranging from technical skills to soft ones with a mix of digital technology is what employers are seeking in candidates. The ability to make use of new programs, tools, software and putting their own personal touch is the added value that employers are looking for in future / potential employees.