Transferable skills are those capabilities
that are relevant across multiple industries and various job roles. Candidates
with these widely-applicable skills are more flexible, something which is paramount
in an ever-changing job market. The Swiss
Skills Shortage Index 2019 reveals engineering, pharmaceuticals, technology
and law to be some of the most in-demand job areas but what core abilities are
most sought after in today’s recruitment scene? Here are four transferable skills
that will ensure you succeed in the new world.
Adaptability
Adaptability was listed in LinkedIn’s top
five soft skills for 2019 and 2020 has seen this skill jump right the top
for many organisations. The pandemic has presented a make or break situation
for businesses, but fast-thinking decisions have kept many afloat and have even
unlocked new opportunities in uncharted markets. This ability to respond to
changes by adjusting priorities and applying new approaches is what makes a
team agile and a business resilient. The new world signals an era where
adaptability is critical for success in all markets, making it a must-have
transferable skill.
Digital
Prowess
Coronavirus
has put a rocket under digitalisation and companies are embracing the
transformation.
The working from home model went from a
growing trend to an absolute necessity for businesses to continue providing
their products and services. As such, collaboration software – including Slack,
Asana and Google Sheets – became essential tools for keeping the wheels of the
workforce spinning, magnifying the need for employees with a certain level of
digital prowess. The quickening digital transformation will push companies in
every industry to ramp up their search for the top tech talent and ensure
they’re future-proofing their workforce.
Honing in on the technology job market,
hiring managers are directing their attention towards candidates with software
and automation skills. But there’s just as much a shortage of IT skills within
this job sector as the wider workforce and the European commission has reported
756,000
vacant ICT jobs across Europe. While the IT skills gap is alarming for hiring
managers there’s an opportunity for candidates to set themselves apart in the
recruitment process, making digital prowess an invaluable transferable skill.
Emotional
Intelligence
Emotional
intelligence (EI) ‘forms the juncture at which cognition and emotion meet’
and an individual’s level of EI determines many other factors, such as how well
they communicate, their ability to empathise and their internal motivation. Not
only that, 7
in 10 people who present a high emotional quotient (EQ) actually score
better on intelligence tests than those with a high IQ.
With companies now embracing a flexible
working pattern, relying on their team to collaborate virtually and remain
productive whilst away from the office, employers are recognising how
essential it is to have a cohort of emotionally intelligent workers. This soft
skill enables employees to read social situations, engage in active listening
and willingly accept constructive criticism, all of which makes for a great
team player who is indispensable to a company.
Data
Analytics
Analytical reasoning was another skill
listed by LinkedIn as a must-have for 2019 and as with adaptability, the
lasting impacts of coronavirus have magnified the need for this hard skill.
Data analytics cannot be confined to a few industries - instead it’s become a
fundamental process for all businesses striving to stay ahead of the
competition. Therefore, to be literate in data has become as important as traditional
literacy skills.
Before the outbreak, the US Bureau of Labor
Statistics estimated a 30% increase
in jobs within big data in just 10 years. Now with more data being produced
than ever before, businesses need to harness this information and use it to
predict future changes in their market. Hiring managers in all sectors are
pursuing employees who have a proven track record of analytical reasoning, who
can draw insights from data and can make informed decisions. Those without
experience in data analytics should not be discouraged bur rather take the
opportunity to upskill
and diversify their skillset.
Swisslinx
is here to help you navigate the job market
At Swisslinx, we offer a tailored service
for each of our candidates, taking the time to understand your skillset and
career aspirations so we can find the job opportunity that’s perfect for you. Get in touch to hear more about
our recruitment process. Or if you’re ready to start applying take a look at jobs in financial
services or healthcare
and life sciences jobs.
