Top Three Important Job Skills Needed . . .

Top Three Important Job Skills Needed in the Pandemic Era

If there is one thing that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us over the past year, it is that adaptation is the key to survival. With employment rates fluctuating and lifestyles shifting dramatically to accommodate the virus, it is more important now than ever that employees are willing to be flexible.

In the workplace, what does flexibility look like? While it can manifest in several ways, the changing job climate has revealed a few standout skills. Here are the top three important job skills most needed in the post-pandemic workplace.

RESILIENCE

Our ability to bounce back after enduring tough times is known as resiliency. When we encounter stressful situations at work, how do we respond? Do we hide from challenges? Or do we learn and grow from them?

Developing a “thick skin” is essential in the post-pandemic workplace. If you are currently seeking a job, consider ways to demonstrate this to the recruiting manager. For example, take a scenario at a former place of work that may have caused you stress and use it to your advantage. Practice articulating the incident and describe how you were able to work through it successfully. Employers appreciate knowing that the people they hire will be able to tackle stressful environments, solve workplace conflicts, and assist their team with any issues that may arise.

PROBLEM SOLVING

When we are faced with problems at work, whether they be interpersonal or logistical, having the capacity to find a solution is a major skill that employers look for when hiring. Understanding how to break down an issue to its roots and inventing creative ways of fixing it may be complex, but this skill can give an edge to job seekers.

One core value is the ability to be innovative. Often, this means thinking outside the box to engineer new tools to help people worldwide. Being innovative also applies to day-to-day challenges in the office. When you encounter an issue, be willing to work creatively and logically to resolve it.

KNOWLEDGE SEEKING

As job markets have changed, so too have workplace requirements. With many offices moving online, skills such as digital literacy and technology proficiency are more important than ever. Employers may now require computer-related skillsets that they did not before the pandemic.

Part of being flexible means being willing to learn new skills. Having an open mind when it comes to adjusting to new technology can impress a hiring manager. This can look like listing relevant classes or certifications on your resume or discussing your tech-related skills during an interview. Show that you are open to (and excited about) learning new tasks. Your enthusiasm can go a long way.

Originally Published by Rick Portrey, MBA  Merit Medical Systems, Inc. 2021