The Skills in Demand in a Post-COVID World
While the COVID-19 pandemic has changed pretty much everything in our world in these past three or four months, one thing that remains the same – in many ways – are the skills employers will be looking for now and for the foreseeable future.
One would think that since so much has changed, so would desired job skills. But that’s not really the case. What’s more, most don’t even require learning new skills; you probably already possess one or more them. (And what a relief that is!)
A few in-demand skills include:
- Creativity, out-of-the-box thinking, an innovative mind-set.
No schooling needed for this in-demand skill! Companies that were able to adapt to the new business reality have survived with relative ease compared to their competitors.
For example, restaurants that saw the opportunity in take-out/delivery services now certainly have a leg up as the economy reopens than do their competitors who completely shuttered.
If you’re the type of person who sees opportunity in a challenge, who likes solving problems in new ways, and if you can show this trait to employers, you’ll be a stand-out compared to other candidates.
- Emotional intelligence.
Most of us are, well, not ourselves right now. Anxiety. Worry about our own and loved ones’ health. Fear about finding a good job. SO MUCH STRESS!
Candidates who have the ability to “read” others’ emotions and deal with them in caring ways are always in demand, yet especially so now.
- Leadership.
This actually is related to emotional intelligence in that the best leaders usually possess it in spades. And if ever employers needed workers with leadership mindsets, it’s now. And you don’t have to be in management to let your leadership skills shine. Instead, anyone who can inspire co-workers, lead teammates in a collaboration project, etc. is going to be highly desirable to employers.
- Digital skills, including coding.
Digital skills have become even more critical during the pandemic as many people have started working remotely, on computers.
Coding, in fact, is a highly desirable skill set, one that pays very well (high five figures is common).
If you don’t yet have digital skills, you can get them via credentialing online certification programs, many of which are offered by California colleges and universities. UC Berkeley has an online extension program in coding, for example, open to anyone anywhere in the world. Some coding experience is helpful but not necessary.
Put your current leadership, emotional intelligence and creative thinking skills to work now by taking a look at Helpmates’ current job opportunities. If one or more of them look interesting to you, follow the posting’s application instructions or contact the Helpmates branch nearest you for more information.
