Whatever field or industry you’re in, digital is taking over.
Whatever field or industry you’re in, digital is taking over. Because of this, coming to a new role equipped with tech-savvy skills can really help you stand out.
But, being tech savvy goes beyond having basic tech skills like Microsoft Office and Google Suite and knowing how to use video communication and collaboration like Zoom and Teams.
The modern technology skills many Australian employers are now looking for spill over into areas that were once the realm of specialists. Do you tick the tech boxes?
According to research by Tableau and Forrester, 82% of decision-makers expect basic data literacy from employees in every department.
Data literacy means being able to read, analyse and communicate with data—something we’re being increasingly bombarded with.
Can you read and interpret data in tables, charts and graphs? Are you familiar with data tools such as Excel, Python and R? Can you apply critical thinking to assess data? Are you able to story tell with data?
These skills can help you ask the right questions, share the right information and make better data-driven decisions, making you a better employee!
You’re no doubt familiar with the cloud, but is your knowledge sky-high?
Some cloud computing skills employees seek today include understanding on-demand availability and scalability and proficiency using cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox and collaboration tools like Slack.
They’d also be pretty happy to see cloud-based project management tools like Asana, Trello and Jira on your resume.
Digital marketing helps companies grow by promoting their brand to connect with potential customers online.
While many businesses have a dedicated marketing specialist or team, many don’t. This means they’re always looking for potential candidates for other roles to multi-task into this area.
Some key digital marketing skills employers like include copywriting, SEO, design (Canva, Adobe Creative Suite), social media, video, email, marketing automation (tools like HubSpot), and analytics.
Whatever field or role you’re in, project management is often part of it.
PM is crucial for creating a tidy framework for planning, executing, and completing projects efficiently—when done right!
As well as allocating people and resources, managing budgets and assessing risk, can you use productivity tools like Basecamp and ClickUp and project management tools such as Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) and Gantt charts? If so, you’re one step ahead.
According to recent data, one in five Australian businesses were impacted by cyberattacks from 2021-2022. Because of this risk, being cybersecurity tech savvy definitely pushes you up the talent pool.
As well as having a basic understanding of the threats, desirable skills include creating and managing strong passwords, using antivirus and malware software, knowing how to encrypt sensitive information, and using multi-factor authentication.
If you can code with programming languages to protect networks and systems, even better!
While you don’t need to be a professional UX experience designer, having a basic understanding of UX principles and the technical skills to apply them can benefit many roles and industries.
This means understanding the importance of UX design and keeping the end user in mind, especially if you’re looking for customer service, marketing or sales roles.
In terms of tech, being able to design in software like Canva and Adobe Spark, being familiar with prompt tools such as Figma, understanding basic HTML and CSS, and knowing how to use a content management system such as WordPress to update web content are all big pluses.
According to Microsoft, 82% of leaders globally believe employees will need new skills in an AI-powered future. In addition, The Australian recently reported that those with AI skills can be expected to be paid up to 20% more than their peers!
So, what types of basic skills are they looking for?
One is an understanding of the basics of AI and machine learning. Another is generative AI skills, aka using prompts to get better responses from AI tools, such as ChatGPT.
To complement an AI future, employers are also looking for people who bring the creativity, emotional intelligence and judgement that robots can’t.
In today’s digital age, tech proficiency isn’t just a bonus—it’s a must!
With these technology-savvy skills on your resume, you’ll impress potential employers and secure your spot in tomorrow’s job market. Is it time you upskilled in these new technologies?
Related: How to craft a 10-year plan to supercharge your career goals,
Access the latest on hiring trends, people + culture and putting your best foot forward.
