We are living in a digital age powered by new daily technological advancements. As technology progresses, the skills required by individuals to advance within this sector are also rapidly evolving.
There are very few roles within the technology market that don't require digital skills, but soft skills like strategic vision or emotional intelligence and other technical abilities are also increasingly on the rise in terms of popularity. The reason why is down to a simple economic model of supply and demand – as more people are learning to code from an early age, more digital-savvy talents will enter the market and demand will rise for skills that aren't tech-based.
So for those already working in technology, the challenge will be upskilling or reskilling to compete with the increasing availability of quality digitally savvy talents. While embarking on personal growth may be daunting, the need for it has never been greater. To help you start your upskilling and reskilling journey in the tech market, here are a few areas of focus that you should consider:
Soft skills like self-awareness
No matter the industry, one of the best skills you can have is self-awareness. In today's growing landscape, having the ability to benchmark your strengths against your peers is hugely beneficial. From helping you spot emerging trends and gaps, providing clarity and even to offering an analytical viewpoint in various situations and scenarios. Given its benefits, learning to be more self-aware is the first step towards upskilling and reskilling yourself.
Start by assessing your surroundings and listing the areas of strength or weaknesses. Observe your working environment, practices and performance. Where do you see yourself in five years? What role interests you the most? What training or skills will you need to help you progress on that career path? Learn to adopt an analytical approach when reviewing all these aspects and assess as honestly as possible.
Flexibility is key
Remaining agile in a work environment is vital if you want longevity. Being flexible and adaptable is hugely advantageous in the job market – especially in an ever-evolving landscape like technology. For clarity, flexibility here refers to the willingness or ability to change with business requirements, goals or challenges.
When it comes to your personal development, it is essential to know that no long-term career comes without continuous growth. And in the pursuit of personal advancement, a shift in mindset and approach is the key to success. Answer this:
- Is the company you're working for innovative and inspiring?
- Do they help you develop?
- Can you spot industry trends or gaps?
If you've answered yes, then congratulations as you've already started on the path of developing yourself further. The truth is, by observing trends and gaps in your job, you're analysing your skills and making improvements along the way. Just be mindful to not fall into the trap of thinking that only technical abilities equal progression as personal growth is just as valuable! Stepping up the career ladder often means communicating, managing and engaging with people, so you'll need to address all aspects of growth.
Upskilling is the way to stay ahead
Change is coming thick and fast due to the pace of development across multiples sectors in technology. Examining the speed of which progress is running in the industry is another angle that can:
a) support your decision for upskilling or reskilling
b) continually asses your areas for development
For those already in work, you're in luck. Chances are, learning resources and development training may already be in place to support you on your journey to reskill or upskill. In this scenario, all you'll have to do is be proactive, analyse and choose an area in technology you'd like to focus on and head into the training with a positive mindset.
Meanwhile, contractors and freelancers can attend online courses that cover a myriad of topics and subjects. The flexibility of studying online will allow you to learn in your own time and at your own pace with little to no distractions. The only challenge here is fostering a self-motivated approach as development and progress will only come with persistence. No one is ever alone in the journey of personal development, so don't be afraid to ask your colleagues or peers for support.
Conclusion
Adopting a proactive approach to your personal development keeps you marketable and up-to-date with the pace of change in the technology sector. The velocity of innovation with Autonomous Systems, Augmented Reality and Robotics mean that the demand for both technological and strategic skillsets will only continue to grow exponentially. And while the additional requirements for innovative engineers and strategists will drive an influx of candidates from external markets, skilled workers currently in the field will continue to be favoured. Improving soft or technical skills will only offer you an upper hand as the tech sector continues to evolve rapidly.
Upskilling will be the primary strategy to stay ahead of the acute mismatch and skills shortage in the coming future in technology; utilising your ability to be self-aware to review, adapt, and problem solve creatively in a future cross-disciplinary market will allow you to identify skills or trend gaps currently in your niche. Remember: consider your progression path within technology, highlight areas of development that you hadn't contemplated previously and identify your potential for growth to further your career.
Jobs are changing, and workers must focus on personal improvement to meet the promise of the new age in technology. Take charge of your career now! Don't forget; you can speak to our consultants in the Amsterdam, Cologne, Manchester or Singapore office to explore new opportunities.
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