These changes are also changing the skills needed to remain competitive as a professional in the job market. While basic skills such as leadership and project management remain relevant, there are some additional critical skills you need to have to stand out in today’s digital age.
Independent Learning
Take a closer look at the education landscape today and you will notice the increasing popularity of online degrees almost immediately. Top universities such as Norwich University are making their distance learning programs available online. There are more degrees to choose from too; you can now take an AACSB online MBA course while working a full-time job.
Aside from convenience and flexibility, the main drive behind this trend is the growing need for independent learners. Companies need their employees to grow with the business, making the ability to learn independently an important skill to have
Businesses encourage their team members to pursue a higher degree and acquire new skills as a way to prepare themselves for mid-and top-level management positions. The presence of an online MBA program simply makes the process of learning independently much easier for future students.
Personal Branding
Another skill that is now very important is the ability to do personal branding. Even as a professional working for a company, you need to start thinking about your online presence, your online brand, or simply the way others see you. A brochure, banner, signboard, business card, labeling, and digital display screen are good for offline branding and marketing.
Many successful individuals today are those with a strong online presence. They invest in developing an image as industry experts in certain fields. Social networking sites and the World Wide Web are making personal branding both easier and more challenging at the same time.
A strong personal brand is also beneficial in one other way: you can connect with top industry leaders more easily. People with a strong online presence, especially those who share knowledge regularly, are connecting with each other on many platforms and expanding their professional network because they share interests in a particular field.
Networking
The need for stronger personal branding brings us to the third critical skill, which is networking. Having the ability to establish and maintain an effective professional network is a huge plus. The best opportunities are opportunities you get from your professional network, which makes having and maintaining one even more important.
Of course, the many social networking sites we have today make expanding your professional network easier. LinkedIn, for example, is shaped to be a social networking site for professionals. It presents plenty of opportunities to meet and communicate with key figures in your industry.
These aren’t the only skills you need to succeed in the digital age, but they are essential skills to have if you want to remain competitive. Here’s the good news: these are skills you can develop and master.