3 skills companies are looking for in a post-pandemic world

The way we work has changed since the pandemic. Some companies embraced remote working and will keep it full-time, while others hope to get back to working in person as soon as they can. However, the shift to remote work taught everyone lessons about what it takes to make a great employee in the new normal.

Here are the 3 top skills employers are looking for right now, and how you can develop them.

Skill 1: Self-starting

Being self-starting means that you use your own initiative and independence to get tasks done. This is incredibly valuable to employers as it means you can get jobs done without a lot of supervision, working through problems and finding solutions without much hand-holding.

If you're working from home on your own, or the team isn't based in the same place or time zone, being able to work independently is hugely attractive to an employer.

How can I build my self-starting skills?

You can be a self-starter at any point in your career, whether you've been in an industry for 5 months or 5 years. Building these skills will help you improve productivity and get you noticed.

• Start by setting (and achieving) goals. Consistently setting and meeting goals or helping others achieve their goals will help to build this skill. Taking steps to increase your efficiency will help you to develop this further.
• Approach challenges with motivation and confidence. Know that there's always a solution to whatever task you're set.
• Curb procrastination. It's normal not to be 100% motivated all the time, but if you can spot when you're procrastinating and do something about it e.g give yourself a 20-minute break then come back refreshed, then this will help you long-term.
• Get out of your comfort zone. When you're asked to do something that you're not sure of, you have two choices: Shy away, or step up to the challenge. A self-starter will step up to the challenge, even if it's a bit scary. The more of these challenges you take on the more you'll build up the skill of getting outside of your comfort zone.

How can I show an employer I'm self-starting?

• Provide real examples of when you've used your initiative on something. Did you put in a new system that helped everyone? Did you figure out how to complete something you didn't previously know how to do? Did you teach yourself a new skill?
• Show what you're doing outside of work to help build your skillset e.g. are you taking a course or learning a new language?
• Let them know how you work independently and provide examples.

Skill 2: Communication

Being a good communicator in a post-pandemic world is extremely important. With many teams working remotely or part-remote, being able to communicate effectively is key for getting work done quickly, and to help build relationships within your team.

Communication is both about listening and expressing yourself effectively. It requires both verbal and non-verbal cues, especially in a work environment.

How can I build my communication skills?

• Simplify: Think about how you can simplify your language. Are there any sentences that can be removed so that your message is clear and to the point? If someone is not understanding you, ask them how you could be clearer - and listen to the answer.
• Listening skills: Actively listening to others will help them to feel heard, and make it easier for you to take in the information. Help others to feel heard and considered by asking follow up questions.
• Work on your non-verbal skills: Remember that body language and the tone of your voice are also used when communicating. Pay attention to your facial expressions and eye contact.
• Practice public speaking: This may sound daunting, but speaking in front of a group will push you to get out of your comfort zone and further develop your skills.

How can I show an employer I'm good at communicating?

• Think about times when you've delegated tasks effectively, or worked as a team thanks to your communication skills.
• You can even relay times when you were not an effective communicator and how this impacted your work or the project. In this case be sure to say how you learnt from it and what you did differently next time.

Skill 3: Digital skills

Digital skills are related to our ability to use technology. With so much work being online, it's imperative to be digitally savvy in a 21st-century career. If you're working in a small team it's also often expected to be confident in this area so that you can help with other areas of the business, like social media or design.

How can I build my digital skills?

• Take a course: There are lots of free and paid courses like Google Garage and Future Learn so you can work towards learning more about any areas that you don't understand.
• Use the internet as a tool: YouTube has so many how-to videos. You can learn practically any digital skills you need there, such as how to use Google Analytics, how to use Photoshop or InDesign, or how to manage social media.
• Find a mentor: See if you can find someone working in the area you'd like to develop and ask them to show you the ropes, or if they can point you in the direction of any resources.
• Increase your online presence: Developing your social media presence on Instagram and LinkedIn can help you to learn a lot about social media for yourself.

How can I show an employer I'm digital savvy?

• Even if digital skills aren't in your current job, be sure to include any evidence of digital skills in your CV. This could be under additional skills, or within your current experience.
• Provide a link to your personal social media pages (if appropriate) or to your own personal website.
• Follow tech trends through sites like digitaltrends.com, lifewire.com and thewirecutter.com.