After the pandemic, there has been a drastic change in the marketplace which has called for a change in the workplace. The skills required earlier might still be required but are no longer a priority. Employers keeping up with the time now seek something different than the usual which happens to be the right thing to tackle the situations an employee might face in the changing marketplace as a part of the workplace.
Malavika is one such employer who always keeps herself updated with the times. She did a detailed study of the marketplace after the pandemic and figured out what kind of skills an employee can make her organization successful and productive. Let's look at the list of skills prepared by Malavika which she believes to be the skillset of an efficient employee in contemporary times.
Technological Skills: As the offline functions were completely shut down the shift to digitalizing operations was the last resort the world could think of to keep the institutions and organizations functioning. During the process, it was discovered that several employees faced great difficulty with this shift which was understandable however it was also observed that employees had difficulties with basic technological operations. Such cases take up a lot of time and effort for employees to learn the basics and then carry out their operations. In order to avoid such occurrences in the future, Malavika believes that employees should not be technologically challenged and should have at least beginner-level experience with technology.
Leadership and Initiative: As times get difficult and challenging employers are now looking for employees who can step up to take on charge and endure pressure. Leadership and taking initiative even when things are difficult are two prominent skills employers expect employees to have or develop overtime to deal with circumstances even in the absence of a superior. Other than being able to lead your colleagues, employers also expect employees to take initiative in terms of new projects and tasks being assigned. Employees who voluntarily engage and be proactive are the ones which are more likely to be preferred for promotions too.
Adaptability: This is another skill that is in demand post the pandemic in order to make sure that employees are flexible enough to work in different situations and give similar or better results. Being able to adapt to different situations without letting your work be affected is another skill that makes employees potentially valuable. Employees who were able to swiftly adapt to the online operations were considered skillful and much more significant to the organization's operations.
Curiosity and willingness to learn: Another skill employers expect an idol employee to have is a willingness to learn. People who are open to possibilities and curious about different projects aren't considered nosy rather valuable in an organization. On the other hand, people not willing to take on additional responsibility or step out of their comfort zone are looked down upon because of their sternness afterall it is universally believed that learning never really ends.
Emotional Intelligence: Difficult times like these require employees to not just be all about work rather also be more considerate and empathetic towards their own self and others around them. Understanding the needs of your colleagues and putting yourself in their shoes to get a better understanding of their perspective only makes an employee much more significant to the organization. A person unable to do so can often be resented in the workplace. Emotional intelligence is about awareness and action, therefore, is a skill that can always be developed.
Adding on to the skills which are in demand now and makes an employee much more valuable or a candidate likely to become an employee we have :
Teamwork: Every employer realizes the need and significance of an employee who can extend their strength and utilize the strengths of others around them for the benefit of everyone. Every role in an organization is unique in its way and together all the roles work towards the progress and success of the organization. An employee who is patient with others along with being approachable is the true essence of a team and an individual's effort can only take an organization so far but the true feats can be accomplished with the combined efforts of a team. Employees who don't engage with others and work on their own can not always be considered efficient especially if their attitude and lack of effort bring the team down.
Decision making: Considering the hectic setting of business decision-making is one of the crucial and also one of the most difficult tasks. The difficulty and significance of this skill are the ones that make it highly valuable. Being able to make tough decisions by thinking on your feet which happen to be reliable is a rare and excellent quality which also advances to the sphere of leadership. Employers are always looking out for such individuals who promise scope for the development of such a skill.
Problem-solving: Marketplace is a dynamic setting and has problems that arise now and then. Different problems require different solutions. Companies are always looking for creative problem solvers who can bring solutions to different problems with their quick thinking while look for potential problems in a plan or idea that someone in the company may have so that can be tackled beforehand. If you are skilled with thinking on your feet and not new to problem-solving you might want to hone your skill and get yourself a job.
Communication: Being able to speak your mind without any hesitation is an important skill companies nowadays look for. Employers are looking for individuals who without fearing authority can offer constructive criticism which ensures the success of the organization is it in terms of ideas exchanged during a meeting or towards the services offered by an organization. Such a person with their interpersonal skills is able to speak their mind, extend valuable feedback and inspire the others around them. A person who is hostile and not at all communicative is less likely to be promoted or hired in the first place. Companies prefer individuals who can easily communicate information and ideas instead of the ones who are hesitant and reserved considering the cutthroat competition in business.
Time Management: Everyone appreciates a person who has high regard for time. An employee is as good as their functions and skills they bring to a company. Compartmentalizing work, prioritizing assigned work, and meeting deadlines is the basic skill that every employee is expected to have. A proactive employee is the one who meets these deadlines by being productive instead of doing their work in a rush with unreliable results. Somebody unable to manage time is known to have no respect for others' time. If you want to up your game when it comes to cooperation make sure this is the basic skill you march with.
These are the skills Malavika believes to be on-demand and we can't help but agree because who wouldn't like to work with someone who has such qualities? This is your sign to use your time and start working on advancing and inculcating these skills to be the employee everyone seeks.
#skillsindemand #pmcpl
Image Credit: Unsplash
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An avid reader, researcher, and versatile content writer who is still learning and enjoys the company of animals and books on a peaceful Sunday evening.
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