The coronavirus pandemic has had an enormous impact on businesses around the world. As we begin to make our way into an uncertain future, it’s hard to tell which parts of work-life will return to normal and which ones will be altered. In times like these, people need to be able to adapt to these changes in order to survive and remain ahead of their competitors.
Business professionals and workers will need to ensure that they have the skills not only to succeed now but also in the future. Investing in these skills can improve your job opportunities in a post-COVID world. Here’s a list of some of the skills that will be in high demand over the next few years:
Leadership Skills
One of the main changes we’ve seen in the world over the last few months where social distancing and home learning are likely to continue for the foreseeable future is that more leaders will be needed within organizations to lead others. Individuals who have good leadership skills and know-how to inspire others and bring the best out of them will be in high demand.
Employees Who Want to Continue Learning
In a world that’s constantly evolving and changing there’s only one way to remain relevant, and that’s to commit to a lifetime of learning new things. When faced with a tight job market, people who show that they are constantly willing to learn are much more likely to be in demand than those who don’t. The good news is that it has never been easier to improve your skills. Today, you don’t have to attend land-based college courses or spend years working in a company, there are lots of amazing courses online that will help you improve your skills. An MBA is a brilliant option for people wanting to develop the skills employers will need in the future. Click here to find out what you should look for when choosing an MBA program.
Data Literacy
Data is one of the most important assets of any organization. With the right type of data, businesses are able to predict how their business will be impacted in the future. Not only that, but they’re also able to serve their customers better with the right type of product or service at the right time.
However, data collected by businesses is useless unless you understand what it’s telling you. People who have data literacy skills are not only able to understand data, but they’re also able to use it to help companies make better decisions. Over the next few years, more and more people will be needed with this skill.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is linked to leadership skills. Emotional intelligence is the ability to express, be aware of, and take charge of our emotions. People with this skill are also aware of other people’s feelings. This skill is even more important at the moment, thanks to the pandemic.
Having this skill allows you to connect with others on a more personal or emotional level. Businesses all around the world need individuals who can offer support and advice to others at the moment.
Cognitive Flexibility
This skill allows you to think about more than one concept at a time. A person who has high cognitive flexibility should be able to shift their thinking from one situation to another easily. Being able to adapt to new situations can have an impact on a person’s resilience to stress. People who have high cognitive flexibility will be in high demand once the pandemic is over.
Coding Skills and Digital Skills
Thanks to the coronavirus, the digital transformation of businesses has been given a boost. This has led to a huge increase in demand for professionals who have digital skills like web development, coding, and digital marketing. And we expect the demand for these skills to continue to increase over the next few years.
Individuals who have the skills to keep digital businesses running during pandemics or economic downturns that make in-person business less efficient or impossible are at the top of the must-hire list. Not only that, but almost all businesses are now digitally based in some way, so the opportunities to put your skills to work are countless.
Ability to Encourage and Motivate Others
Like most other skills, the ability to motivate and encourage others can be learned and developed. This skill has to be one of the most important skills needed at the moment and it will continue to be needed over the next few years. While you may think of this as more of a personal trait than a skill set, it’s still extremely important and highly sought-after.
Ability to Manage Stress
Lots of us have struggled with our mental health and stress during the pandemic. Stress can have both a physical and emotional effect on an employee that can be negative or positive. Businesses will be looking to hire employees who cope well under pressure, are able to manage their stress levels, and can support their colleagues should they need it.
Critical Thinking and Complex Problem-Solving Skills
Once the coronavirus pandemic is under control, there’s a good chance we’ll see an increase in the number of job opportunities for people who can think critically and solve complex problems easily. Critical thinkers use reasoning and logic to probe problems and come up with solutions. They are also able to talk about the pros and cons of each solution. While this may sound straightforward, finding people who have these skills is not always easy.
There’s a lot we don’t know about how the world will change once the pandemic is under control, but it’s fairly unlikely that things will go back to the way they were before it began. Businesses around the world are likely to change the way in which they operate, and with it, the skills they require from their employers will also change too. Having the correct skills will help you to improve your employment opportunities in the future.