According to a Future Work Skills report, six trends will dominate the ever-changing job market over the next 10 years. To be prepared for this, employees need to learn 10 key skills. These skills needed to survive the job market are over and above any specific qualifications and requirements for any specific job.
Even with the advent of Artificial Intelligence, humans can do what computers can’t: demonstrate judgement, reasoned analyses and critical thinking skills.
This generally implies teamwork. This means you understand and adapt to other people’s language and behaviour, working together to achieve a goal.
Spontaneous thinking when something unexpected occurs, on all levels: professional, technical or lower-skill roles. You need entrepreneurial skills to help decision making.
This means knowing how to work with groups of other generations, cultures, and even other ways of working. You demonstrate curiosity and regularly expose yourself to the outside world, stepping away from your comfort zone.
You can demonstrate that you use strategies that aid virtual teamwork such as providing immediate feedback to colleagues and participating in team challenges.
With today’s continuing increased use of computers more and more data is processed. This means employees need to be able to comprehend and use it.
You need to be proficient in communicating not just with text, but also with audio or video devices, over the internet or an intranet.
This means cognitive thinking and identifying and using the correct tools needed to overcome and filter out needed/unneeded data when there is too much.
Working longer or in more than one job needs understanding in various fields as well as an in depth knowledge of just one. Studying or working abroad and volunteering broadens experience and contacts.
On an ergonomic and personal level, you know you perform better when working in certain environments. Surroundings affect mood. You need to have the ability to plan your work environment or adapt to it.
So, what should today’s job seekers do?
The main thing is to have the attitude that you can never learn too much. Broaden your reading repertoire. Learn new skills and widen your field of knowledge, especially with today’s fast-paced technological era.