Most Hunted Skill Sets

By Barigye Doreen 

I have watched our parents` generation largely work the same job till retirement. The idea of a job for life was a thing that our fathers and grandfathers did without questioning. It was the norm of their time. However, this is a story that the current generation can only listen to. Recently, it has become increasingly accepted that an individual will work in multiple work places in their lifetime.

The IR Global report (2018), maps out the salient issues affecting the current job landscape where disruptive technology and gig economy top the argument. With these the notion about a `career` can no longer be attributed to a job for life. Individuals have found themselves whether by choice or survival pushed to operate independently, in activities where they contract their skills for a piece of payment instead of a monthly salary.

Gig economy

This refers to the free market system where organizations and independent workers engage in short-term work engagements (Duszynski, 2020). The term ‘gig’ alone refers to a job that is transient in nature and may have an `uncertain future`. A few examples of the gig economy include freelancers, consultants and Independent contractors and professionals. For further categorizations please check here. 

A report carried out by a financial services company Payoneer including 21,000 freelancers from 170 countries showed that Africa alone holds 10.1% of the freelance population. Many African companies are continuing to accept this type of employment. Therefore the above percentage is bound to keep increasing. In America, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2017 suggested that the US gig economy had 55 million (36% of workers) people.  In Japan, according to Murata Hitomi`s article published by Nippon.com on May, 8<sup>th</sup>  2020, the `gig economy` that was previously considered a Western thing is slowly catching up with Japan. For example in the West, the ride sharing services comprise a large percentage of gig economy which isn’t the case in Japan where The Road Transportation Act impeded companies like Uber and Lyft requiring taxi license before they can carry passengers. However, lifting the prohibition on working multiple jobs could fuel the gig economy growth in Japan.

Disruptive technology

With the advent of LinkedIn and other social media platforms, individuals can apply for multiple jobs. This has increased the online labor markets; the so-called `Human Cloud`. Advances in technology basically are the power fuelling in the growth of gig economy. Job contracting has become borderless. It no longer matters the physical distance between the employers and employees but with Internet one can apply for a job and deliver results remotely. For example Web designers and programmers are selling their skills and services online. Human Resource Managers are using total talent management concept where there is integration of full time workers as well as contingent workers that a company works with.

Having said that and looking back at July`s article about ‘Preparation for your Career in the rapidly changing World’, I wish that you will get tuned into the trend and see opportunity rather than challenge. Preparation is key but also deliberate preparation for specific foreseen opportunities is more key.

Let`s take a hack at the most hunted skill sets;

 

• Versatility in technology

With the onset of Information Communications and Technology, most job slots call for applicants that are computer knowledgeable or know how to maneuver different machinery and office equipment. One is required to be own secretary implying you must be able to man paper work demands, drafting, printing, use of software and internet all by yourself. As if that`s not enough, the online labor market (Human Cloud), literary depends on this ability; being extremely multifaceted.  

 

• Research skills

People looking for jobs ought to possess the ability to delve into pleasing researchable concepts not because they wanted to grab a job in a research firm but in order to do simple searches on the information needed by a particular task. So, how easily do you throw your brain on plausible stuff?

 

• Proficiency in communication

Candidates that are able to land a good career are mostly those who are skillful in speaking and scripting. Employers employ people who are capable of expressing their view competently through spoken and written communications.

 

• Organizational skills

A person who is disorganized, who would want to hire them? Organization is enormously key to sustain a harmonious functioning relationship in the company. Hence, the majority employers find people who know how to put together scheme and methods that would maintain the orderliness in the company.

 

• Logical thinker

Most employers will require candidates that are able to bring into being effective solutions and to construct rational keys regarding a scheme or a feasible activity.

 

• Ability to relate

This is as well called “interpersonal skills.” The working environment consists of an assortment of personalities; it is necessary, therefore, to get hold of the ability to communicate to people from every walk of life.

 

• Professional growth

Recruiters take on people who are competent to craft a plan that will produce personal career growth. This means that the person is willing to advance him or herself resourcefully by acquiring knowledge on new things he or she still does not know.

 

Employers are much more interested in finding people who can put in values to the growth of the company and not just boost its productivity. In fact, the majority employers will stick to looking for people who are capable with the most sought-after job skills in order to match the outlook and necessities of the organization while the employees package themselves to sell their skills and talents.

 

So, these hacks entail just some of the most sought-after job dexterity by most headhunters. It is imperative for the job seekers to take memo of these assets in order to be victorious in every attempt they make.

 

 

Leave your thought in the comment section.