What is one trending skill that job seekers must have in the post-pandemic?
To help you with skills you must have as a job seeker in the post-pandemic, we asked career coaches and people managers this question for their best advice. From digital prowess to mastering LinkedIn to time management, there are several skills that are considered pertinent for success in finding jobs in the post-pandemic.
Here are 14 must-have skills for job seekers in the post-pandemic:
Dan Reed, Career Coach at Top Prospect Careers says that whether you want to call it computer literacy, technological know-how, or digital engagement, being familiar with technology is crucial in the post-pandemic economy. COVID-19 forced companies to adapt with software like Zoom, Loom, Teams, etc. (arguably would have been adapted in the future, but the pandemic streamlined it). And employees who could not keep up were often left behind. With a growing remote workforce and the Fourth Industrial Revolution looming, being proficient in new technologies will be a crucial skill for job seekers.
A trending skill that job seekers must have in the post-pandemic is what I call “stickwithitness” says Jacqueline Ross, Career Coach at Jacqueline C Ross LLC. She thinks it is critical, especially during our constantly changing times. For her, “Stickwithitness” is the ability to stay with it and pivot all at the same time. The ability to demonstrate the ability to make quick moves without getting rattled and shaken, and keep the ball in front of them will bode well.
Tonjala Eaton, Career Coach and Consultant at Global Career Advisors tells that jobseekers must develop the skills of self-assessment and personal branding. It is imperative that jobseekers be keenly aware of their gifts, skills and talents. Having this level of insight will position jobseekers to create effective personal branding campaigns that will catch the eye of decision-makers and recruiters. Lastly, jobseekers must use social media, specifically LinkedIn, to market themselves.
If we learned anything during the pandemic, it's that being able to adapt to a shifting landscape in the workplace is essential to career success. Today's professional must be agile enough to quickly adapt to unexpected change says Jerome Imhoff, Career Coach at The Résumé Shop, "INK". He also comments that from learning a new software application to enable working from home to taking on additional duties to address a shrinking workforce, those employees with the flexibility to meet changes head-on will be the ones to thrive in a world where change is the new normal. More than ever before, employers are looking for candidates who have demonstrated an ability to adapt when priorities change, service models are amended, new processes are implemented, policies are updated, and corporate cultures are transformed to meet new demands.
According to Melissa Beaudet, Director of Career Services at The Jonus Group, the one trending skill that job seekers must have in the post-pandemic is to excel in sales! It's imperative that a job seeker develops strong sales skills because it's one of the largest growth sectors in new job creation for 2022. Companies are relying on their sales teams to help them recover lost revenue that they incurred as a result of the pandemic. Also, you need the ability to sell yourself during the interview to prove to the hiring manager that you know how to differentiate yourself or the product/service you will be selling from the competition.
One top job-seeking skill is resilience. Beth Ravech, Career Coach at Randstad Risesmart believes that being able to get comfortable with rejection and staying positive and resilient throughout the job search. Don't get frustrated or discouraged, it takes a lot of work to land your next role. Keeping a positive outlook is important and will serve well.
For Shay H., CEO and Content Developer of Principal Fulfillment, Change Management Skills are in high demand. Many companies are undergoing infrastructure changes within areas of sustainability, mergers, acquisitions, and client retention reorganization. Knowing how to manage teams through transition and the ability to identify areas for improvement is essential for the survival of many organizations that suffered losses during the pandemic. Post-pandemic, many companies will be or have already lost many of their most knowledgeable employees. Leaving a void in the area that needs the most concentration during change.
Now would be a good time to gain Agile or Scrum Certification to get ahead of your competitors for this trending skill set.
Jenn Tardy, Founder and CEO of Jennifer Tardy Consulting comments that Lived Experience Intelligence (LEI) recognizes that lived experience affords every individual a distinctive set of skills and abilities, crystallized from life events and occurrences, which enhance insight and perspective. She still says that while we all have LEI, lived experience varies greatly. It is profoundly shaped by how one identifies, as well as how one is seen by others, which in turn affect one’s ease of access to people, places, or things. Once you learn how to identify your lived experience intelligence, the next best thing you must learn is how to leverage it on your resume and during interviews to position yourself as the most competitive person for the role to which you are applying.
Curious about curiosity, which I believe is an ever-trending skill for job seekers, a quick Google search revealed the origins of “Curiosity killed the cat”: It’s an old proverb warning about “the dangers of unnecessary investigation or experimentation.” Curiosity is a critical element of job searching – at least if you want to optimize your results.
A good job search starts with research – answering these questions: For what organizations might I want to work and why – and how do I even figure that out? Who in my network of friends and family can advise me – or introduce me to those who can advise me? What will job and career satisfaction look like for me? What do I need to learn about the organizations and the people I’m meeting with – before, during, and after informational and actual interviews? What other questions should I be seeking answers to? Am I nuts or does job search pretty much yield a never-ending list of questions?
Linda Gutin, Career & Job Search Coach
According to Roseanne Donohue, VP Talent Management at Critical Start, one trending skill that job seekers must have post-pandemic is the ability to efficiently work remotely. Greater flexibility will be required from employees. Job seekers will need to have an open mindset, be able to work well under pressure, adjust to new and unexpected deadlines, prioritize tasks and, in some cases, take on additional responsibilities. Employees will need to become more accepting of change. Those who are willing to adapt and take on new challenges will be in demand.
Being able to confidently communicate your professional narrative and value will be especially important post-pandemic. As a former recruiter, I have seen a lack of this ability crater a candidate’s chances for securing a new role. In a highly competitive, post-pandemic market, this skill will enable the job seeker to show that they understand how their cumulative experiences and accomplishments map to the organization’s needs; can communicate clearly and succinctly; and have the confidence to continue to deliver results once they are hired.
Domain specific skills are important and “table stakes” for a job seeker; being able to communicate how your experience adds value to the organization and targeted role will set you apart from your competition. Dig deep, get introspective, examine your career, and craft a compelling narrative to effectively market yourself – this will make sure you don’t get left behind in your post-pandemic job search.
Ben Wiant, Career Transition Consultant at The 3 Doors Job Search
For Betty Nelson, Career Coach at 1st GenCareers LinkedIn is a skill. She tells that If the pandemic has taught us anything is that we no longer need to be in person to conduct business, interview or network. Companies have shifted to a digital environment of working from home and the interview process, job application process is no different. Which platform offers the ability to apply, interview and network for new jobs aligned with a purpose? LinkedIn.
There are a reported 830 million users on LinkedIn. Within this number, job seekers can find a mentor, have access to an industry leader, a career coach and other professionals who specialize in finding job seekers a job. Mastering LinkedIn is an essential tool when advancing one’s career and finding work. Post-pandemic, we live in a digital world where there is more intention on finding the right job that offers work-life balance and long-term benefits. LinkedIn offers all three categories most important to find a job.
The trend that is sweeping the nation and will soon take over the world is Data Science. Jane Kallinger, Editor at Sewing From Home says It is a recent and emerging field that focuses on analyzing data, extracting insights, and then building actionable intelligence in the form of insights for companies to make better business decisions. It covers many areas like Statistics and Machine Learning among others. As the world is moving towards a more data-driven environment, this skill will become a necessity for job seekers as well as companies.
Loribeth Pierson, Resume and LinkedIn Writer/Coach comments that one trending skill that job seekers must-have in the post-pandemic is time management. It’s easy to say you will get something done, but if you don’t have a plan, you will never accomplish anything. We are all given 1440 minutes in a day, what you do with that time is important for you and your job search. Time management is a skill that leads to success in business and your personal life when mastered correctly. Check out Tomato Timer for the desktop or the app store and give yourself 25-minute time tasks, it really works!