Technology is advancing at a fast pace, and failure to equip yourself with the latest tech skills makes you redundant, and eventually out of the job market. It’s like how accountants who failed to embrace computers were replaced by those who embraced them. As a tech expert who has observed trends for years, I have compiled for you a list of the essential tech skills for future job seekers, regardless of the industry.
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What Are the Essential Tech Skills for Future Job Seekers?
Days are gone when IT was an independent career, and professionals in other industries never needed it. IT is now integrated into almost all industries and is virtually impossible to work without some tech skills. From health practitioners and lawyers to security personnel and content creators, you need tech skills to enter data, send it, and analyze reports.
However, it doesn’t mean all these industries use technology the same. For example, the tech skills you need working as a bank manager are not the same as those you need when working as a comedian or content creator. So, in this guide, I will outline the tech skills needed for future job seekers in various industries.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the latest trend. But, unlike other technology advances, AI is impacting all industries, from medicine to marketing. It’s a strong wave that sweeps everyone trying to stand in its way. In fact, it’s expected that the AI market size will grow from $86.9 in 2022 to $407 by 2027. AI growth means one thing: disrupting the traditional way of doing things.
Think about the effect of generating AI on the writing industry. That is just the tip of the iceberg. There is an image generating AI, AI creating and editing videos, AI designing avatars, and AI helping in medicine research. There is so much. The interesting news is that companies are still investing more and more money in AI development, with the aim of increasing productivity.
For instance, IBM says 30% of IT professionals globally are using automated software and AI to save time in their operations. So, what does this data mean for the future? It means AI skills such as prompt engineering will increase in demand. Companies will look for workers that can harvest the full potential of AI to increase productivity.
Data Analysis
Data has become an integral part of business success. Data analysis is about examining the datasets and coming up with valid forecasts and trends. For example, it takes data analysis to know the performance of a website, YouTube channel, or Facebook page. That way, companies are able to adjust operations and maximize profits. Let me give you an example.
If data shows there is a 5% impact on an advert run on TV and an 85% impact on the same advert run on a YouTube channel, the company can channel the budget from the TV ad to the YouTube ad to increase efficiency. Remember that data cuts across all industries. So, in the future, companies will give priority to job seekers with data analysis skills.
That might involve the ability to use data analysis tools such as Google Sheets, Microsoft Excel, SAS, R, Power BI, Tableau, Python, and SQL. The good thing is that you can enroll for a data analyst course on a platform such as Coursera and get a professional certificate.
Cybersecurity
Almost all organizations nowadays use computers and systems interconnected together through the company network. However, due to the high risks of data loss in case of a disaster such as fire or theft, most companies use cloud storage. That means the company network is connected to the global internet to allow data synchronization.
This exposes the network, computers, and systems to the threat of cyber attacks. An attack results in service disruption, data loss, espionage, and sometimes demand for a ransom to release the stolen data. For example, on March 30, 2024, there was a cyber attack on the Hoya eyeglass lens manufacturer in Japan that resulted in operation disruptions.
Hoya aside! Can you imagine you’re a chemical engineer working in a missile production company, and then there is espionage? Or you’re a bank worker, and all the data is stolen and encrypted? It can be disastrous! So, what is the future? Companies will prioritize job seekers with cybersecurity skills.
They will want to hire someone who can not only do the duties assigned but also does things securely such as setting strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, and browsing safely. It’s therefore advisable to enroll in a cybersecurity course.
Digital Marketing
The Internet has connected companies and organizations across the globe, and competition is at an all-time high. For example, a software company in Manchester is competing with another in Tokyo, another in Florida, and so on. The result? Companies are fighting to rank #1 on the Google search page.
Companies are looking for people with digital marketing skills such as email marketing, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), and Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Companies will look for people who can create marketing graphics and write content that converts.
Compliance
The concept of compliance sounds simple, but it’s not. With the advancement of technology and the AI revolution, governments and administrative bodies are coming up with new regulations and adjustments to the previous regulations. Most older-generation company managers aren’t able to understand these new regulation trends.
For example, the state of Illinois requires employers to disclose the use of AI tools for remote interview analysis. On the other hand, New York regulates how employers use automated employment decision tools in hiring and promotions. Another example is the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard regulation that regulates the access, network security, and data encryption of credit card information.
As a result, companies are hiring compliance teams that stay up-to-date on the ever-changing web of laws, regulations, and industry standards that apply to their company. So, it’s expected that companies will give priority to job seekers with compliance skills.
Final Thoughts
As technology advances, new skills are required, from the ability to use artificial intelligence and automation, data analysis, and cybersecurity, to digital marketing and compliance. The best way to beat your competitors and remain marketable in the future is to enroll in short courses in the above skills.
