The way we do business has changed considerably over recent months and looks set to continue to evolve. With more organisations switching to remote working, the skills they are looking for in a candidate have changed. Where you previously would have been an ideal candidate, you may now be required to show skills that fit in with a new business model in order to be successful.
Similarly, existing members of staff may be required to acquire a new set of skills in order to continue to stay relevant and successful in their current roles.
Here we share the top skills we believe will be essential for 2021 and in the future.
Being adaptable is a hugely important skill to acquire in the current climate. In an ever-changing working environment, organisations are having to continue to adjust and react in order to survive. They will be looking for people who are open to change and can adapt at short notice.
You should also be open to things going wrong. Organisations are no doubt in a position where a lot of their current activity is trial and error. Having a positive attitude during these challenging times will show your employer that you are unfazed by change.
When applying for jobs, being able to show examples of how you have changed the way you work without it having a detrimental impact on the business will set you apart from the competition.
Many employers are having to switch to remote working, some of which, for the first time. Navigating this logistical change can be difficult, but ensuring that it does not impact productivity will be a focus for employers. Where previously timekeeping was usually monitored in terms of attendance and punctuality to the office, it will now be measured on your ability to commit to deadlines.
Employers are putting a great deal of trust in their employees to ensure that the work they are assigned is being completed to the best of their ability and in a timely fashion. Ensure you set clear and realistic deadlines with your manager when you are assigned work and report back to them when complete. Most employers are sympathetic to the challenges we are all facing, so discuss any concerns with deadlines and projects with your manager.
If you are applying for a job, it is important to mention if you have previous experience of working remotely or independently working towards deadlines.
With most employees working away from the office, employers will need their staff to have effective communication skills to keep informed of their activity, successes, ideas, and development areas. Whilst this can be achieved through scheduled meetings, employers will be looking for a more proactive approach to communication in the future, expecting employees to volunteer information to support their own development and that of the organisation. As this way of working may be new to a lot of employers, it will benefit you and them to share ideas and make suggestions on how you can improve productivity.
When applying for a job, you may be asked questions on what ideas you have had previously and how you have communicated them to get a positive outcome. It is always a good idea to have an example ready for this!
In an office environment, it is much easier for managers to identify areas of development needed for their employees. When working remotely, although still possible, it is much harder to understand exactly what skills an employee may need support with. This means that you will be expected to be more self-sufficient with regards to training opportunities. You will need to be skilled in identifying where you need support and ensure that is communicated back to your manager so they can provide the necessary training for you.
Many organisations are still learning how to adapt to a new working environment themselves, so candidates who are willing to seek out their own development opportunities will be sought after. Use any spare time you may have to upskill yourself. You may want to attend an online seminar or training module, for example.
TPP provides our education and social care candidates training courses on several topics through Virtual College.
These are just a few examples of skills that employers will be looking for in the coming months. However, with the situation changing so frequently, this may change, so it is always a good idea to keep up to date with the current job market. TPP consultants are available to provide information and advice on jobs, applications, CVs, and the market. You can contact them at 020 7198 6000 or info@tpp.co.uk.
