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In today’s saturated and competitive job market, it can be harder than ever to stick out. This list breaks down the skills that every employer is looking for, as well as 10 foolproof ways to master them!
1. Data Analysis
In today’s era of information, data is all around us, and interpreting it is key to identifying trends and garnering insights. With that in mind, learning tools like Excel and SQL are ideal for analyzing data and apply to a variety of high-end analyst and product manager jobs.
2. Artificial Intelligence
It’s clear to see that artificial intelligence is engrained with our future, so learning skills relevant to engineering and researching machine learning models is more valuable than ever. Understanding algorithms and training models is vital to improving upon these fields.
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3. Cloud Computing
Cloud computing refers to managing and deploying applications on cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure as well as Google Cloud. To succeed in this skill, you’ll want to understand pipelines and master cloud security. With that in mind, this skill will help you thrive as a Cloud Engineer or a Solutions Architect.
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4. Cybersecurity
More and more companies are relying on digital infrastructure rather than brick-and-mortar storefronts. With both private and consumer data online, it’s vital to protect these networks and prevent hackers from creating breaches.
5. Digital Marketing
In today’s online era, marketing has shifted from paper to digital. This means skills in email marketing, social media management, and SEO keywords are more important than ever to promote brands and products online.
6. Software Development
Writing code and building applications is crucial to supporting big businesses, and learning languages like Python and C# will help you thrive in these careers. In fact, software skills directly apply to work as a developer and engineer.
7. Communication
Communication skills have been emphasized for ages, and they continue to be more important than ever. Essentially, employers want people with dynamic communication skills capable of resolving conflict and handling public speaking to handle teams and customer interactions alike.
8. Project Management
A little less technical than the other skills on this list, project management is all about planning, leading, and accomplishing projects across teams. These skills more specifically involve learning task management, agile methodologies, and tools like Jira and Asana.
9. Critical Thinking
Critical thinking remains one of the most in-demand skills in the market, and it’s all about analyzing complex problems and making decisions based on the evidence. Careers ranging from consultants to analysts to engineers require critical thinking to succeed in their work.
10. UX/UI Design
UX and UI refer to user experience and user interface and are all about creating accessible and appealing designs for a variety of applications like websites and mobile apps. Learning how to use tools like Figma and Adobe XD is helpful in improving design and is relevant to careers as a front-end developer and designer.
Now that we have talked about some of the most in-demand skills in the job market, here are 10 ways to learn and master them!
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1. Online Courses
You don’t have to go to school and get a degree to learn a skill. In fact, today it’s very normal to take structured courses on reputable online platforms instead. For instance, Coursera is a very popular means of taking online courses.
2. Creating Projects
Sometimes a great way to learn a skill is by tackling a project that involves it. For instance, to learn machine learning, attempt a project that involves creating your own model. By building real or simulated projects, you’ll also have a piece for your portfolio. For instance, you can create a website or even run a mock digital marketing campaign.
3. Research
Doing your own research is a great way to garner practical knowledge and can be helpful when it comes to actually applying it. For instance, read books on the skills you want to learn, search up blogs to answer arising questions, and consult research papers for expert opinions.
4. Online Certifications
Rather than relying on high-end degrees or diplomas, you can also show off your skills and mastery by earning certifications. This not only adds to your qualifications, but can be garnered from online courses and prove your capabilities to a broader audience.
5. Use Tools
Lots of pros simplify their jobs by leveraging cutting-edge tools in the field. So instead of just watching the professionals use these tools, start messing with them yourself. For instance, play around with GitHub for coding, Google Analytics for marketing, or even Figma for UX design.
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6. Join Communities
Another great way to learn a skill is to join a dedicated community. For instance, forums like Reddit and Discord have groups for learning programming or data science hacks, which can be a great supplemental learning tool.
7. Consult Experts
If you know someone in the field you want to enter, don’t be afraid to ask for feedback. Show them the projects you’re working on, and ask them for tips to get better and better. Most industry experts are happy to flex their own skills and help out.
8. Practice Makes Perfect
Despite having theoretical knowledge and practical projects to apply it to, you’ll also want to work on practice. For instance, if you’re learning coding, engage with coding challenges online or hacking games to get better and better.
9. Freelance
Since many jobs will want you to have proven experience in a skill before hiring you on, you should consider freelancing or volunteering. This is a great way to garner some experience and can also contribute to your portfolio. Consider helping out on open-source projects on GitHub or marketing your services on Fiverr.
10. YouTube
YouTube has proven itself as one of the most reliable domains for learning new skills. If you have any question about a skill or aren’t sure where to begin, you can bet there’s a YouTube walkthrough explaining the very point you’re stuck on.
