Skills You Need For Employment in 2021

2020 was a year of incredible change and challenge in both people’s personal and professional lives. The powerful impact on how we work and play, has demanded from us new skills and abilities in order to be able to manage and be productive.

So, what kind of skills, both hard and soft, do you need to find or be successful in the workplace in 2021?

Soft Skills:

1. Adaptability - The world and the workplace has changed very rapidly and the way we engage and connect is constantly evolving. Being flexible in your mindset, and being receptive to learning and implementing new ideas, processes, and procedures, is critical to working well amidst the continually shifting workplace. Reading books about adapting to change and developing a growth mindset is helpful to reinforce and inspire you to not only adapt to, but also to embrace change.

2. Time Management - Working remotely has presented a challenge for many. It is often difficult to prioritize a load of laundry (which only takes a minute to throw in) vs the work project which is due in two weeks. Mastering the skill of time-management is helpful both with job seeking, so that you are maximizing your time to find suitable employment, as well as in the workplace itself. Practical solutions, such as creating blocks of time for “deep work” and setting up a quiet space to work from, as well as shutting off personal notifications from social media and friends, can be helpful in acquiring this skill.

3. Collaboration - Even though you are not necessarily working from the office, being a team player is crucial in being more effective and productive. Remote options shouldn’t scare you off from sharing and discussing information, and can actually be quite effective at maintaining a high level of productivity, as well as camaraderie. Reaching out via a DM or scheduling a phone call or video conference allows for interaction in real-time and reinforces your role as being an integral part of the team.

4. Continuous Learning - Pursuing new information through continued education is something which not only enhances your ability to integrate new and useful skills in your job, but also your resume. There are many useful resources to choose from, which are free or very affordable, such as Udemy or LinkedIn Learning.

5. Coaching Mindset - In 2021, developing a coaching mindset can be an invaluable asset to you in the workplace. By asking questions, seeing potential, letting others discover answers from within, and digging deep, you become an empowering and trusted member of the team. Becoming more proficient in this mindset is helpful not only for others, but allows you to connect and collaborate in deeper and more effective ways. You can check out the many books and online resources which can help you acquire this mindset and help you put it into practice.

Hard Skills:

1. Basic Computer Skills - If you are not computer savvy, now is the time to brush up on those skills. Basic computer skills and familiarity with managing computer files, word processing, using Excel or Google Sheets and utilizing spreadsheets and databases is essential. Furthermore, being able to create presentations, find information and communicate via email or online platforms , as well internet familiarity and usage are also essential. We can add Zoom (and any other video conferencing platform) here, as well! There are courses and tutorials, both online and live, which can assist you in learning or improving in these areas.

2. Knowledge of New Social and Digital Media - Move over Facebook and Twitter, there are many new sheriffs in town! Social and digital media are platforms which are constantly evolving both in their audience, and algorithms. Familiarity with new forms allows you to promote and connect professionally in powerful and far-reaching ways. There are classes (online) to learn about the platforms and how they work and engage, but you can also just ask a college-age kid, as they are usually even more familiar with not only what is out now, but what the new up and coming platform will be.

3. Project Management - Working from home makes it more difficult for managers to oversee both progress and process. Becoming more proficient in project management skills, you allow managers to feel confident in your ability to execute and complete projects and work competently and efficiently.

4. Analytical Skills - Having good analytical skills adds value to relevance in the workplace. Being proficient in researching, forecasting, problem-solving, data, reporting, and organization, benefits companies and businesses in impressive ways. Honing in on even a few of these areas, can make you a real asset to the team!

5. High IT Skills - No, not everyone is looking to enter into the high-tech world, but every business appreciates someone who has this knowledge and is “In-House”. Learning some of the fundamentals can be beneficial to many different businesses in different industries, and is useful in practical ways, as well. Again, online courses such as Udemy, can be an affordable and flexible way to gain these skills and knowledge.

Although 2020 was a game changer in so many ways, we have learned to adjust and adapt, and if we take this attitude and apply it to our professional life, we can become a very desirable hire, as well as a compelling and powerful voice in the workplace!