Let’s talk about what skills need to be cultivated, nurtured, or practiced to make sure you remain relevant and competitive in the job searching world.

Firstly let’s get to know different types of skills:

Soft Skills, otherwise known as transferrable skills, are skills that can be adapted in different areas regardless of the job type.

Hard Skills, otherwise known as technical skills, are trained skills that need to be are earned from either at an educational level or in the work environment through training programs or online learning platforms. 

Depending on where you are in your career path, it is important to revisit what skills you need to work on or add value into to keep climbing up that ladder to success.

As a Jobseeker looking for a job, it is essential to make sure that you work on your soft skills (transferable skills) first. Here are some key skills to look into sharpening:

- Are you ADAPTABLE?

Can you fit into any environment that you are placed in? Being adaptable in this atmosphere is an essential skill to build. At some level of our growth, we have the power to control our environment, but in the early stages, it is important to build an adaptive behavior. This enables you e to shape your resume as well as build on your experience.

- Are you COLLABORATIVE? 

In this era that we are in, many establishments are looking for people who can work well in teams. Cultivating a team player spirit is very important.  As you work in groups, remember to collaborate with others well and build your team player spirit.

- Can you PROBLEM SOLVE? 

A problem-solving mindset has so many benefits to the initial stages of a career as well as the later stages, when there are more leadership-centered roles. Looking for ways to solve problems by using outside-the-box thinking is very beneficial. Whether it's through support or cost-effective strategies, this would be an extra push to get noticed by the employer.

- Can you COMMUNICATE?

Communication is the basis of a work environment. How to communicate among peers, with subordinates, and with management needs to be efficient and effective. Communication needs practice daily to ensure proper outcomes while at work. In most cases, only oral communication gets more attention, however, it is good to practice your writing skills and make sure you can articulate yourself both verbally and in writing. 

Hard skills (technical skills) are built to center the career path that you are in or looking to join. Different jobs require different skills when it comes to working in a certain company, field, or industry. 

Specific Software Skills: 

Software are so commonly adapted into the workspace and are skills that can be acquired on the job in accordance to an employer’s environment and industry or, in some cases, at school. Some good software to learn are Microsoft Packages, Auto CAD, Adobe Packages, Accounting packages like Tally, SEO/SEM software for marketing analysis, and different forecasting software. Knowing different software keeps you one step ahead.

Learning:

For the more seasoned job seekers, certain skills can be earned through certifications. There are so many opportunities that are available to continue growing different career-centered skills based on your specific area of concentration. Platforms like LinkedIn, edX and Coursera are available, among many others, to keep building career-based skills like People Management, Networking, Customer Service, Sales, Brand Management, and Project Management.

Competitiveness in the Job Market keeps growing. Continue working on your skills to keep yourself up-to-date with the current environment. Remember that your career goals go hand-in-hand with growth so give your skills a workout.