We’ve gone from an education-based working world to skill-based.
Modern organisations are realising that degrees, certifications and designations can be homogenous.
Instead, the emphasis now when hiring candidates, is “What high-demand skills do they bring to my company”?
These critical, in-demand competencies also include both hard and soft skills.
Most in-demand skills in 2020
The year 2020 saw the increase of remote learning, collaborating and working due to global pandemics. Many in-demand skills involve adapting to this new business model.
Top Hard Skills in 2020
Cloud Computing
Modern firms now thrive on data, from social media analytics, sales forecasts, financial statements and customer feedback. Many contemporary firms require cloud computing skills to develop cloud system architecture, ensure data is easily secured, managed and retrievable. This skill therefore is invaluable as it secures confidential information and prevents loss, theft or damage to sensitive knowledge.
Data Analytics
Data is useless to modern firms without the proper evaluation techniques. Resource allocation, investment opportunities, risk assessment, budget expenditure and rate of investment (ROI) require data analysts to examine relevant information to make smart business decisions.
UX Design
In 2020 and beyond, there is less emphasis on customer service and greater on creating customer experiences. User Experience (UX) designers design customer experiences around products. From the point of entering a store, to purchasing and using the products, UX designers create procedures and systems for customers to experience, pay and use a product. ,
Social Media Management
The digital world requires and thrives on content. Whether it’s written blogs, images, animations, videos or a combination of all, companies more than ever are using social media to market and grow. Digital and content creating skills therefore, continue to be high in-demand.
Sales
Every organisation, large or small, requires qualified, knowledgeable and highly-motivated people with excellent communication, customer service, persuasive and negotiation skills to sell.
Programming/Coding/software engineering
With smartphones, tablets and other devices already a part of 21st century life, the greater need for websites, apps, software, language programming skills as well as artificial intelligence capabilities are soaring as the world advances.
Top soft skills in 2020
Leadership
Leaders change the world. Whether they be presidents, activists, academics, CEOs or parents, leaders shape the world for their current and succeeding generations. In organisations, this skill is invaluable, particularly in 2020 and beyond as strong, capable leaders are required to lead remote teams and maintain a high standard of productivity.
Marketing
Organisations require marketing professionals, who can penetrate new and existing markets to safeguard their revenues, but continue their growth as well, despite global pandemics and recessions. Marketing skills such as copywriting, graphic design, internet & email marketing are seen by modern firms as the way to create brand awareness going forward.
Teamwork/collaboration
These skills are essential in these times, as it can be a challenge to maintain team spirit and effective collaboration when separated by distance, time zones or geographical boundaries.
Stress Management
This skill in 2020 and beyond, involves not only identifying and managing stress triggers, but also the ability to be flexible and adapt. Employers need team members who can adjust to uncertain or uncomfortable situations, maintain their productivity and contribution to the team.
Difference between hard skills & soft skills
Even though both skill categories are essential, there is a clear distinction between what constitutes a hard or a soft skill. Hard skills are those that are easy to quantify. They usually develop over time through extensive training, study, coaching or practice. These types of skills are usually taught at tertiary-level institutions where they are represented as ‘majors’ or ‘minors’ on a degree certificate. Examples of hard skills include:
- Engineering
- Accounting
- Data Analysis/Statistics/Data Configuration
- Technological capability
- Programming
- Handiwork – carpentry, masonry, welding etc.
Hard skills are also represented by tangible accomplishments – what a person has built, produced or created. Soft skills on the other hand are subjective in nature. They relate more to people-oriented skills. Whereas hard skills are developed through extensive training or specialised knowledge, soft skills are developed through character and one’s personality. They are not the focus of tertiary-level degree programs, but may be taught through short courses, seminars and personal development. Examples of soft skills include:
- Empathy
- Communication
- Leadership
- Time Management
- Self-awareness
- Teamwork
Soft skills are represented through intangible accomplishments such as the way we make people feel about us, how we influence their decisions and how we impact their lives.
How to identify your best skills?
To establish a successful career, it is critical to identify the competencies that you can do well, that can provide a livelihood and generate employment in the job market.
Common ways of evaluating your best job skills include:
- Reviewing your past work accomplishments and identifying what you did really well
- What are your hobbies and interests? Usually the things that we enjoy are what we’re good at and our natural strengths shine.
- What do people in your personal and professional life usually compliment you for?
- Psychometric tests & career assessments
How do I list skills on my resume?
On your resume, it is important not only to list your skills, but also demonstrate clearly how they were used to create some positive contribution for your previous employer. You can have a designated section on your resume with the heading ‘Skills’. Under that heading you list all relevant skills for the position you’re applying for under there.
Under your ‘Work Experience’ section, you illustrate how your skills were utilised and to what effect? How did you communicate to achieve a specific goal? What programs did you help write or code? What sort of sales figures were you able to generate from your selling skills? How many projects and team members did you lead at previous positions? Demonstrate your skills in action by showing tangible results you were able to achieve.
Examples of skills on your resume
The skills listed in the job description is what employers require. Therefore, your resume skills should match those, in order to increase your chances of securing an interview.
You can also list other skills, however, they must be relevant to the position. For example, for a leadership role, you can list training in public speaking. If you’re applying for a job in technology, you can highlight experience in customer service or project management. Ensure that the skills you list on your resume are appropriate and speak directly to the employer as to why you’re their best candidate.
