5 Tech Skills Every Job Seeker Needs
In today's job market, it's not only IT job applicants who need tech skills. With technology quickly and constantly changing, employers everywhere are looking for tech-savvy job candidates for nontech related positions. This means that administrative, creative, sales, marketing and other non-IT job seekers are required to have relatively strong tech backgrounds and skill sets to stay competitive.
"Tech skills like basic software development, fundamental graphic design and elaborate Web publishing are no longer restricted to tech-heavy positions," said Christopher Justice, chief marketing officer at content management system (CMS) provider Magnolia. "They are now expected in a much wider range of roles."
This can be seen in all types of positions, Justice said. For instance, with the massive growth of online publishing, journalists today are required to do more than write stories — they must also be able to produce them online using coding skills, he explained. Similarly, marketing teams also have to be able to juggle design tools, use HTML and create digital campaigns with their CMS, he added. [5 Interview Skills That Will Get You Hired]
"The underlying trend here — and the common denominator in all of these positions — is the ability to work in exceptionally agile environments," Justice said. "It means that to stay competitive, candidates need to be able to adapt to new tools and trends — such as the cloud, mobile development and Big Data — before these become must-haves."
Moreover, given the rapid pace at which technology is advancing, job candidates are also expected to evolve along with it.
"Candidates have to be able to learn fast, creatively think outside the box, and be ready for new tools that might traditionally not be a part of their job description," Justice said.
If you're looking for a job, here are five of the most sought-after tech skills employers are looking for.
1. Social media
"Generally speaking, no matter the role, it's valuable for people to be social media savvy. Online communities are important places to share and access information, and to engage with customers and prospects." — Xari Chartrand, human resources business partner at Halogen Software
2. Microsoft Excel
"Having well-developed technical skills is no longer just a nice little add-on for job applicants. Many employers now expect candidates to demonstrate proficiency in a variety of technical areas. Currently, [one of the] most sought-after tech skills is competency with Microsoft Excel, including the ability to construct and use pivot tables." — Bob Myhal, CEO of NextHire
3. Mobile development
"Finding professionals with iOS, Android, Windows and Web-based app development experience has become an industry race as companies expand their mobile capabilities to help streamline processes. Candidates specializing in mobile development can be expected to be hired within days, thanks to their in-demand skill set." — David Morgan, president of IT for Addison Group
4. Ability to troubleshoot
"My must-have tech skill when hiring someone really involves being able to troubleshoot your own technical issues. It also shows that you're not afraid to think critically, do some research and take initiative to find a solution on your own. And if you're not able to, at least you can tell the IT folks what you've already tried so they aren't starting from scratch. So many companies expect you to be able to work from anywhere, whether you're at the office, at a coffee shop, at home or on a business trip in Vegas. It's really important to have the ability to troubleshoot technical problems on your work equipment. Being able to problem-solve minor technical issues on your own, rather than having to burden the IT department with simple requests, is a huge plus in my eyes. Especially in small businesses and startups where there may only be one IT person, it's critical to be able to rule out common problems before escalating them. — Sara Sutton Fell, CEO and founder of FlexJobs
5. Up-to-date with the latest technologies
"The skills employers demand today often depend on the size of the company, and sometimes the industry. Startups tend to be on the cutting edge of what's either very popular now or what's on the rise. Great candidates show they are staying relevant, current on new trends and always learning." — Mason Blake, chief technology officer and co-founder of UpCounsel
Originally published on Business News Daily.
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