That is why we have compiled this guide to help you identify what prospective employers are looking for and help you
with your job seeking process.
The Big Skill Shift
COVID-19 has brought about major shifts in the way businesses work. As more companies advertise for employees who can
work from home, the demand for the skills they need to have has also changed. But this doesn’t mean you need to go
back to university to succeed. In fact, transferable and soft skills that are expected to remain in high demand -
which is great news for those looking to change careers, as you can take these skills with you even when starting
out in a whole new industry.
As new trends and technologies emerge, job roles will continue to change, and the skillsets required by employers
will keep evolving too. Having a proactive mindset and being willing to learn new skills and adapt will help you
stay ahead of the game when it comes to taking the next step in your career.
In a world where the future of work is uncertain, it can be a good idea to learn what employers are looking for in
their ideal candidate and develop the skills you need to succeed. We take a look at five job skills that employers
will be looking for, post-COVID-19.
1. Adaptability and Resilience
You might be wondering what adaptability or resilience mean in the context of the workplace? Adaptability is highly
sought after now as employers look to balance operational management with staffing levels and cost. It means that
flexible working hours have become increasingly popular as well as making sure that employees can cope with changing
work environments and duties.
While employers are currently doing all they can to get staff back into the office or workplace, it might be that
this changes once more in the future. Businesses all over the country are facing tough decisions, and many are
struggling to stay operational from one week to the next. This means that employers are looking for team players
that can contribute in challenging circumstances and work independently when needed.
Likewise, resilience and the ability to cope with changes as they happen and maintain the same work ethic is also
highly desirable. Job seekers demonstrating these two qualities will unquestionably be preferred in the current job
market.
Examples of words to use on your CV or application are:
- Adaptable
- Resilient
- Flexible
- Co-operative
2. Digital Skills
It’s no secret that the workplace is rapidly becoming more tech focused, and we are now well and truly progressing to
a fully realised digital age. Of course, this means that computer skills are not only the norm now, but also skills
that are much more technical are required. Coding, website administration, programming and database management are
now highly desirable, while basic computer skills are simply expected by employers.
If you can, you should look to brush up on your computer skills while undertaking your job search. With plenty of
‘how to’ and ‘learn to’ guides online and on YouTube, this could be the perfect opportunity to add a valuable skill
to your overall skillset without spending money. All you need to do, in most instances, is invest your time and
dedicate yourself to learning your chosen skill.
Performance is increasingly being monitored by computers and having digital skills on your CV will stand out in most
job sectors. Learning new skills now will also help ensure that your job is a bit more future-proof, and as
automation becomes more common, you will still be ahead of the technological curve. In terms of overall long-term
job security, you can’t go wrong with adding a technical computer skill to your skillset.
3. Data Skills
The world is all about data now, and many businesses are continually looking for new ways to leverage the data they
collect to improve their offerings and predict trends. Companies need skilled professionals who can review and
analyse this data so that the company can make the right decisions.
This makes candidates with good data analysis skills highly appealing to employers, and even a fundamental
understanding of how to read data can help you stand out from other candidates. There are plenty of free online
courses and tutorials to help you get started and brush up on your data skills.
4. Leadership Skills
It’s not just ‘new’ skillsets though, and sometimes the traditional skills are equally as important as the modern
ones. Take our last two examples for instance: leadership and emotional intelligence. One of the primary drivers
that an employer has when employing someone is how passionate they are about the company vision.
Leadership, in this respect, doesn’t necessarily mean the general manager or the department head. Instead, employers
are looking for individuals that will create a sense of community within the team, lead by example, and work towards
the common company goal. One of the single-best things you can do when applying to a company is attach a cover
letter about why you’re enthusiastic to work for them.
That little bit of additional effort can easily demonstrate that you will be an important employee, and willing to go
the extra mile for the company that you want to work for. Employers will hire that individual over other applicants
in most situations because ultimately, they are concerned about results.
5. Emotional Intelligence
Have you ever worked in a team where everyone clicked regardless of their differences? If you have, this is likely
because the team demonstrated a high level of emotional intelligence. Like leadership, this is a mind-set skill or
‘soft skill’ that doesn’t need a qualification or even a proven track record.
You should aim to demonstrate that you are professional, courteous, polite, and conscientious when going about your
work duties. One of the key considerations an employer will make during the hiring process is where you will fit
into the current team and how well you will integrate.
It is your job to convince them that you are going to make the workplace happy and stress free, including that you
can work well with others. While leadership is about highlighting situations where you have helped lead a team, or
even worked independently to drive a company forward, emotional intelligence is about showing that you can work well
in the background without the need for credit.
Emotional intelligence is sometimes confused with being able to show emotions openly, instead it is more about the
wisdom of knowing when to show emotions and when it isn’t appropriate.
Looking for Work After COVID-19?
The truth is, COVID-19 might still be with us for the next year (or even years to come) so looking for work now is
not going to be an easy endeavour, unless you have a highly prized skillset. That shouldn’t deter you though as
there are many industries that are going to be provided with a lot of governmental support over the next year and
they will undoubtedly need to hire more people.
Take this opportunity to update your CV, evaluate your skillset against the needs of employers and then position
yourself to be the candidate that they need.
If you need help doing this or you would like to see what great job opportunities we have available, contact your
local Adecco branch and speak to one of our specialists today!
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