COVID-19 has had a major influence on professionals; global economies and nations, including India, have gone into recession, millions of people have lost their jobs, businesses have gone bankrupt, and those who have survived are barely scraping by. As we make our way through these uncertain times, it’s still unclear which aspects of work life will return to normal and which will be altered in some manner. People who can adapt and adjust to this new reality will survive and rise to the top in the long term at times like these.

Employees are expected to adapt to the changing environment and accept creative ideas by their employers. Agility and a good attitude are two qualities that recruiters look for in a prospect when making a hiring decision. A prospective employee who is enthusiastic about his or her work and goes out of his or her way to learn new techniques to achieve targets and goals is a valuable asset to the firm.

All candidates must enhance their abilities to include strong communication skills, technical skills, high emotional intelligence, and a good attitude in order to be considered for future positions. Candidates should invest in talents that will be in high demand in the future, since this will pay off handsomely in a post-COVID job.

Let’s take a look at some of the most sought-after abilities in the post-pandemic age.

Emotional Intelligence

Even the most advanced robots cannot compete with humans in terms of emotional intelligence (EI). Future jobs will necessitate new ways of thinking, and EI will undoubtedly be the torchbearer. Emotional Intelligence is defined as the ability to be aware of, express, control, and be aware of the emotions of others (EI). A person with a high EI demonstrates empathy, integrity, and collaborates effectively with others. Individuals with high EQ are likewise in high demand by businesses of all sizes and sectors.

The current circumstance (the Covid-19 pandemic) has highlighted the importance of managers establishing emotional connections with their employees. Emotional intelligence is necessary to effectively manage teams inside enterprises, and it will lead to a successful recovery.

People Management

Effective communication and leadership abilities, as well as the capacity to manage, inspire, and provide timely performance feedback, are all examples of people management talents. Employees who work from home and those who work in an office will coexist in the future. Future managers will face a difficult task in managing a diverse workforce, and personnel with great leadership and management abilities who know how to bring out the best in people and encourage them to fulfill deadlines and achieve business goals will be in high demand.

Technology Skills

Nowadays, technical skills are at the heart of everything, and being prepared for the future is essential. The ability to learn, understand, and apply technology platforms and applications is referred to as digital or technological skills. Companies have permitted employees to work remotely throughout the pandemic and are quite likely to do so in the future, whether partially or entirely. This demonstrates the importance of employees who are comfortable using technology for their own and the company’s benefit.

Artificial intelligence, big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), virtual and augmented reality, and robotics will be of considerable interest to organizations wanting to future-proof their operations. Developing expertise in these areas will undoubtedly be beneficial.

Creativity 

During this pandemic, one may easily see examples of creativity. Most fashion firms and clothing companies have begun creating masks, and many eateries and food delivery apps have begun delivering groceries to homes and accepting digital payments.

Recruiters don’t hesitate to hire a creative individual since they need someone who can design, compute, and challenge the new normal, as well as invent segments and new ways of doing things.

Soft Skills

Speaking, writing, and presenting skills, as well as the capacity to express thoughts, opinions, and suggestions as simply and professionally as possible, are all examples of soft skills. Among the organization’s recruiters, a person with outstanding communication skills is always a favorite.

So, if you haven’t stressed the value of soft skills in your profession, now is the time to do so, brush up on your soft skills training, and push your career to the next level of perfection. Your capacity to communicate effectively and professionally has an impact on your boss’s efficiency, effectiveness, and trustworthiness.

Learning Agility

Recruiters increasingly place a greater emphasis on a candidate’s learning agility than on intelligence, because we must be nimble, adaptable, and open to new ideas to succeed in today’s multi-dimensional segment business scene. The global business environment has become more dynamic and turbulent as a result of the present pandemic scenario. Organizations can no longer rely on techniques that have worked in the past, or even those that are currently functioning.

A workforce with high learning agility may learn from negative outcomes and apply what they’ve learned in the next situation.

By the end of 2025, the digital economy could have created 60 million to 65 million jobs. With the pandemic causing havoc on continents and rendering the entire populace completely reliant on technology, whether in FMCG, banking, IT, Finance, or healthcare, it is inevitable that more employment will be digitized in the future. As a result, it will not only be about credentials and degrees in areas related to information technology and software, but many skills that sit somewhere between technical and soft skills will be in demand by future employers.

Britts Imperial University College

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