In the ever-changing 21st century it can be tough to keep up with everything in the workspace. And combined with the Covid pandemic, it is easy to become overwhelmed and feel like our skills are not enough anymore. According to the World Economic Forum, at least 54% of all employees will need reskilling and upskilling by 2022 to respond to changing work requirements.
Improve your employability with these tips:
1. Get into an entrepreneurial mindset
Companies today are looking for creative and disruptive thinkers. These thinkers should be able to reimagine business models, processes, service offerings, and client engagements with a digital-first approach. Candidates with entrepreneurial experience or a knack for transforming challenges into opportunities are going to have an edge above others. Entrepreneurialism becomes the key to companies’ growth strategy.
2. Use online networking to stay visible in a virtual world
With technology and working remotely becoming the new norm, employers are going to be looking for individuals who can thrive in a virtual environment. Make sure that you stay updated and active on business networking sites like LinkedIn. Keep an employer-friendly social media profile and join professional interest and industry online groups. This way you will be able to interact with similar professionals and expand your network and grow your profile.
3. Never stop expanding your skills set
A sure way to improve your employability is by improving your skills. Nowadays there is a variety of online courses available to be completed in your own time. Online certifications, skill-specific courses and professional development training can all be done online. Furthering your education by completing short courses or online certificates are a great way to sharpen your skills. It is also a great way to learn new skills and to prepare for this rapidly evolving work environment.
4. Broaden your skills by learning a foreign language
As the business world is increasingly moving towards more international and digitalized aspects, there is a significant interest in hiring multilingual employees. Companies are looking for these individuals to bridge the gaps in understanding and communication between different countries and cultures. Being able to speak multiple languages will definitely make you more competitive in the job market.
5. Keep your outside interests and hobbies alive
Pursuing a hobby can have many personal benefits, such as improved physical and mental health, for example. But it is also proved that hobbies can supercharge our ability to learn and grow. This will help us be better professionals in our daily work life. Apart from helping you gain new perspectives, hobbies can also introduce you the new people, thus broadening your network.
6. Keep your emotional intelligence in check
Emotional intelligence is thought to be the “secret ingredient” for career success. This can be what sets you apart from a competing candidate. Even though everyone possesses an innate level of emotional intelligence, it is important to take a step back and consider whether you need to improve your EQ (emotional quotient). A great and easy way to improve your EQ is by engaging with people from a variety of backgrounds.
7. Utilise the “VUCA” leadership tool
Volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity (VUCA) describes the current state of the business environment we are in, creating unprecedented challenges and demands for leadership. A certain skill set is required to deal with these challenges and VUCA can then be put into other terms: Vision, Understanding, Clarity, and Agility. Examples of these skills are the ability to adapt to change, which demonstrates flexibility. It is important to have a winning attitude, resilience and the foresight to deal with the unexpected.
