The Coronavirus pandemic changed the face of the business we know of. The skills companies now look for in candidates are different from what they required a year ago. In 2021, companies need to adapt fast to the New Normal. The workplace has become more tech-savvy and online-centric. Employers are now looking for flexible and savvy candidates that easily fit into the new work model. In this article, we discuss the high-demand skills employers are looking for in 2021.
- Multilingualism and Communication Skills
Effective communication is the core of every business, irrespective of its size. It impacts conversations with customers, coworkers, partners, and suppliers.
For companies operating internationally and hiring remote staff, internal communication is multilingual. Employees in global companies can operate in different languages and have more productive interactions.
Apart from enabling clear communication, language learning is also about celebrating diverse cultures and appreciating international coworkers. That is the opportunity for them to strengthen employee satisfaction and build a diverse company culture.
Therefore, the ability to communicate across different cultures and languages in the workplace is not obligatory anymore. In the era of cloud communication technologies, when targeting international talent is easier than ever, multilingualism is obligatory.
Statistics back me up on that. According to the CBI/Pearson research study, almost two-thirds of companies say employees’ foreign language skills are important.
To secure your dream job, consider learning a foreign language. With a wide range of online learning platforms and programs, perfecting your language skills has never been easier. Keep in mind that language is for speaking, not just reading.
Therefore, choose your foreign language course strategically. If you want to learn French online, pick courses delivered by licensed French native teachers. The programs should be taught in the language you are learning and have strict curricula.
- Thriving in the Digital EcosystemSince the outbreak of the Coronavirus crisis, many businesses have shifted to remote work. Consequently, the world is moving into the cloud even faster than we could expect a few years ago.
That has changed employers’ requirements and expectations. They need tech-savvy people who understand cloud environments and can stay productive in the virtual workplace.
Even if you are not a software developer, having a solid understanding of the cloud can keep you ahead of the game. If you have already worked in different cloud environments, highlight that in your resume. You could include skills like collaborating across teams, leveraging cloud communication tools, offering impeccable responsibilities, and promoting company culture and success via internal and external communication channels.
Remember that, with the rise of remote work, cybersecurity risks have reached their all-time high. Therefore, knowing the basics of cloud security, such as creating strong passwords, performing regular data backups, and incident reporting, may also win the hearts of hiring managers.
On the other hand, if you lack cloud knowledge, investing in an online course is the investment in the long run. Evaluate different curricula and pick the one that can benefit your career and responsibilities the most.
- The Growth Mindset
The business landscape is constantly changing. Unsurprisingly, employees need to embrace change. With the advent of new technologies, such as AI and automation, many professions are dying out.
On the other hand, tech advancements open the door to new skills and professional challenges. To take advantage of them, professionals need to develop and nurture a growth mindset.
Moreover, with the growth mindset, you are eager to continuously learn new skills and improve existing ones to adapt to the changing industry needs.
People with a growth mindset also embrace failure easier and learn from it. They see mistakes as an opportunity to succeed rather than a detriment.
Savvy employers would hire inexperienced candidates eager to learn rather than highly skilled professionals who lack curiosity.
Now, to nurture your growth mindset, you should:
- Ask coworkers and managers for feedback to help you grow personally and professionally.
- Push yourself beyond your limits to contribute to the company.
- Step out of your comfort zone. If your career seems too safe and stagnant, seek new professional challenges that will motivate you.
- Lifelong Learning
Continual learning, constant learning, lifelong learning – whatever you call it, continuous learning is an essential aspect of your career growth. It refers to your ability to keep building and honing new skills. It allows you to better adapt to the rapidly evolving workplace.
Given that, it is not surprising that many employers prioritize candidates’ desire for lifelong learning. By hiring employees who are continuously expanding their knowledge and acquiring new skills, companies can build a better work culture, boost employee collaboration, and reduce employee turnover.
Sure, continuous learning is most effective when the individual has the growth mindset and desire to grow personally and professionally. Therefore, to increase the adoption and success of their lifelong learning programs, employers look for candidates who are enthusiastic about learning and ready to absorb new information.
- Critical Thinking
Employees who can engage in critical thinking are rational, independent, and highly reflective. They logically connect ideas, evaluate arguments, and detect inconsistencies in their own and coworkers’ work. Critical thinkers can predict outcomes and are better at problem-solving.
As such, critical thinking is an essential skill in the workplace. It is often defined as a soft skill, meaning you can develop it over time. For starters, avoid jumping to conclusions. Ask a lot of questions, evaluate the information before accepting it, and form logical and factual opinions.
If you are a critical thinker and you want to include these skills in your resume, consider using the terms like observation skills, evaluation, communication, and problem solving.
Over to You
The business landscape is changing faster than ever. To stay competitive in the post-COVID world, companies need to adapt fast. Therefore, the skills they are looking for in potential employees have changed. I hope these insights will help you understand how to tailor your skills and abilities to employers’ requirements in 2021.
Have you updated your resume since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic? Which skills have you acquired so far and added to your CV? Please, share your thoughts with us!