Today’s job market might lean towards more candidate-driven, but that doesn’t mean standing out as the top candidate is easy. In fact, most people applying for a position have similar hard skills and qualifications needed to do the job. If that’s the case, how can you make yourself more marketable in today’s hiring landscape? According to recent surveys, it’s your “soft skills” that can put you at the top of the list. That said, there are a few hard skills that can up your chances as well.
Make 2020 even better than 2019 by improving these job skills that hiring managers are looking for at the start of the new decade.
Time Management
Time management has always been am important skill, but in 2020 we’re seeing more jobs moving towards part-time or allowing for full-time remote work. That means your hiring managers must trust that you’re able to manage your time and get work done without anyone physically checking in with you.
Tip: Stay on target by mapping out and prioritizing your tasks each day. Tackle the largest tasks first, if you can. Want extended training? This course can help transform your productivity.
Creativity & Innovation
This is a skill that’s slightly harder to quantify, but extremely important in 2020. In a world that’s constantly changing, employers are increasingly looking for people that stay ahead of the curve. This doesn’t mean you need to be creative in a literal sense but be forward-thinking and able to come up with new solutions to problems. Hiring managers are looking for people that posses qualities that are directly impacting work culture, business practices, and returns on investment.
Tip: Feeling stuck? There are simple things you can do to boost your creativity.
Leadership & People Management
Leadership skills are not only important for those at the top of a traditional corporate structure, but for those at any level. Whether you are trying to be a manager, leading a specific project, or just want to bring positivity to the team, leadership skills will always come in handy. Understanding how to bring out the best in every individual can be tough and requires strong leadership. Those that posses it will inevitably rise to the top.
Tip: If you’re looking to sharpen your leadership skills, there are plenty of online resources. Check out this helpful course on team leadership or this online MasterClass taught by Howard Schultz.
Business Writing
Not all jobs require heavy business writing, but nearly every job requires some sort of writing expertise. Even if you won’t be writing in your day-to-day role, the ability to express yourself clearly with written word is a quality that can get you noticed during the interview process. If you do land a desk role, strong business writing skills will help you perform more effectively in the office.
Tip: Looking to improve your business writing skills? This course can help.
Collaboration with Others
You may feel like you work best on your own, and that’s okay sometimes, but the reality is today’s working environments tend to bundle multiple technologies, skillsets, and expertise into a single project and it’s nearly impossible to complete alone. Hiring managers are looking for people who can interact well with others and help drive the company forward collectively.
Tip: Spend some time learning cross-functionality. You may not be able to do everything but learning how and why other departments do things will help you collaborate better on any project.
Emotional Intelligence (EI)
The ability to stay in-tune with your emotions, and the emotions of those around you, is more valuable than ever in 2020. This means acknowledging your own emotions and having empathy for your co-workers and clients. This doesn’t mean you need to pry into personal business, but just staying aware will help with your collaboration efforts and keep projects from stalling.
Tip: Similar to creativity, this skill is hard to quantify. You could start by taking one of the many online quizzes. Then, asses the areas you might be lacking try and make small changes and increase your EI.