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5 Transferable Skills You Need to Secure Your Future
The job market is constantly shifting. What will the future of jobs look like? Many factors, including technology and evolving work practices, are shaping the future of jobs, including those that will be made redundant. One of the best ways to adapt, survive, and thrive is through transferable skills – skills that are valuable in every job and industry and, importantly, will be necessary throughout time.
Advances in technology are, no doubt, shaping the future. Business experts predict you will be seeing more jobs available in fields like robotics and computer programming. Consequently, as you progress into the digital age, there may be less room for roles in the office and administrative sectors.
There are changes in the way you work as well. Project-style and contract work are gaining more and more favour in the job market, says Craig Rispin, an expert in emerging businesses and people and technology trends. Also, the typical setup of a 9-to-5 at the office may gain less popularity in the years to come. You are seeing traces of this already as companies move towards online and work-from-home arrangements. All of this points to new opportunities for the workforce, coupled with a need to hone skills for the jobs of the future.
The key then to finding success in this evolving landscape, according to Rispin, is to strengthen skills that can withstand the test of time and are sought after in every role and industry. These skills are called transferable skills.
Leadership skills
Leadership, or the ability to lead a group of people to accomplish a common goal, will always remain valuable to employers. Knowing how to be a good leader becomes even more essential as you take on more responsibility in your career as well.
There are many ways to grow your leadership skills. Notice the qualities you admire in your superiors, read sources such as books and articles, and do not be afraid to practice. Take the lead role in more projects at work. It is through experience that you learn and become better.
Interpersonal skills
No matter the job, knowing how to effectively interact and communicate with other people is crucial. Every day you talk to your managers, colleagues, and clients. How well you do so can affect the advancement of our career.
Social and emotional intelligence is just as crucial as job proficiency. Being difficult to work with, even if your technical skills are up to par, can hinder your growth. Remember to take conscious efforts to be a better communicator, team player, and to empathise alongside excelling in the technical aspects of your chosen career.
Problem solving
You will encounter obstacles and setbacks in anything worth pursuing. Every job has its own set of challenges and your ability to effectively problem-solve can be the deciding factor of whether you succeed or fail a task.
Meet challenges at work with a productive and positive mindset. A willingness to do research, openness to innovation and a good amount of grit are good assets to have alongside your problem-solving skills.
Time Management
Time management affects productivity. It is knowing how to maximise the amount of time allotted for a given number of tasks. Time management is important for a wide range of careers including those with regular work schedules like office employees and those in project-based jobs with a strict deadline on deliverables.
Effective time management makes sure you are at your most productive, and to do so will require organisation and self-discipline. Evaluate your work habits by tracking how and where you spend your time to pinpoint areas for improvement.
Creativity
You may think your job does not require the use of your creative muscles, but it does. Creativity is being able to think outside the box. This includes finding solutions others may not have thought of and figuring out better ways of doing things. In a technology-driven world where quick adaptation and innovation are highly valued, creativity may just be the skill you need to land your next dream job.
Now that you know which skills are sought after by companies, remember to update your resume to reflect them. A good way to do this is to highlight past work experiences where your transferable skills played a crucial role. And, if you are immediately available for employment, add the hashtag #WorkNow to your profile, so hirers with urgent recruitment needs will be able to find you quickly.
Transferable skills are skills that can always be expanded and honed. There will always be more things to learn about becoming a better leader, enhancing one’s social skills, problem-solving, effective time management, and expanding creativity. It is never too late to start!
As a steadfast partner to employers and candidates, JobStreet has launched the campaign #TogetherAhead, with a specially set up COVID-19 Jobs and Resources Hub to offer guidance to both businesses and individuals through this crucial time.
#TogetherAhead, we rise above our challenges.
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About SEEK Limited
SEEK is a diverse group of companies, comprised of a strong portfolio of online employment, educational, commercial and volunteer businesses. SEEK has a global presence (including Australia, New Zealand, China, Hong Kong, South-East Asia, Brazil and Mexico), with exposure to over 2.9 billion people and approximately 27 per cent of global GDP. SEEK makes a positive contribution to people’s lives on a global scale. SEEK is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, where it is a top 100 company and has been listed in the Top 20 Most Innovative Companies by Forbes.
