The covid pandemic is still a reality for many countries across the world. Given what we have witnessed with the DELTA variant and now with the MU variant, it seems like the workplace isn’t impervious to an all-out global pandemic. We have seen a drastic change in our day to day lives since the outbreak, and this shift is no more apparent than in the job market.

A record number of people were let go from their jobs to save companies from bankruptcy. Add to this the economic decline observed post-covid such as the rising costs of food and services, and it quickly becomes apparent that most of us are not well equipped to handle a pandemic scenario.

Now that we are slowly recovering and trying to get back to everyday life, we must wonder what a post-covid workplace would look like. Companies, too, have been on the receiving end of the pandemic, and indeed their recruitment philosophy has changed to reflect the changing paradigm.

But what would companies seek in an applicant once things do get back to normal?

Following are 5 skills that I think are instrumental for anyone looking to thrive in the post-covid job market.

1) The Ability to Change and Adapt

I can tell you for sure that employers will favour those who demonstrate adaptability and flexibility. We are not living in the 60’s anymore, and very few jobs can be labelled “for life”. Most people aren’t going to land a job that will keep them secure for decades.

The truth is that economies, businesses and companies are ever-evolving to keep up with the changing landscape. If you want to excel in your professional life, you need to have multiple skill sets spread over different areas. Try to stand out amongst the thousands of other applicants applying for the same field by diversifying your skills.

The more value you bring to the table, the more likely you will keep your job and climb the corporate ladder. In other words, don’t put all your eggs in a single basket, Instead, learn new skills in keeping with the changing world. Research what skills are in high demand in your field and pursue them by either self-learning or taking online courses.

2) Technical Proficiency

We cannot deny or overlook the significance of the digital world. It’s right in front of our eyes, and I will even argue that the internet has been one of the most influential inventions of our entire history. Just look at how nearly everything has to do with the internet or computers in some way. People don’t read newspapers anymore because they can find all their favourite publications online. We don’t even buy physical discs for personal entertainment because every song, movie and videogame can be accessed online.

In short, the numbers speak for themselves, and anyone concerned about their career needs to get with the program.

So what kind of technologies are the most sought after?

Things like:

• artificial intelligence,
• big data,
• virtual and augmented reality and
• robotics

We all saw how quickly companies moved to online alternatives amidst the pandemic. The technologies I mentioned make businesses more resilient to future pandemics, and anyone with the relevant skills will indeed thrive in future industries.

3) Stronger Problem Solving Skills

If you thought problem-solving was a must-have skill pre-covid, it is even more critical now. Just observe how the businesses that survived the pandemic acclimated to the barriers caused by it. From healthcare to grocery shopping and everything in between, all of them found a way to keep providing their services online.

This is the sort of thing that employers will seek in the future. They need to know that you can cope with a sudden catastrophe and navigate around tough terrain. No business owner wants to see their life’s work reduce to nothing due to reasons outside of their control. It is only natural, then, to seek out people who can demonstrate excellent problem-solving skills as well as creativity and innovation.

If you are someone who can keep a company afloat during a storm, you will likely have a stable career with plenty of promotion prospects.

4) Expertise in Data Analysis

In the world of social media and online marketing, data is the new gold. Billions of people log in every day to their Facebook accounts, watch youtube, shop online and chat with their loved one. As a result, companies that run these enormous services have to continuously interpret large swaths of raw data to derive meaningful insights to improve their business models, engagement and profits.

This is only possible thanks to people who know how to evaluate large data sets and look for beneficial insights that will help improve the business side of things.

Data science is easily one of the most highly sought degrees due to its vast job market. Graduates earn as much as $100,000 a year shortly after graduation due to the high demand, which will only rise in the coming years.

Hence, if you are serious about the changing landscape of the job market, developing data-related skills will be one of the best things you can do. Moreover, you don’t even have to enrol in a formal institute, as many credible online courses offer certificates and diplomas upon completion.

5) Mastery in Critical Thinking

You must have witnessed the absolute chaos caused by ill-informed people amidst the pandemic on social media. From conspiracy theories to straight-out delusional mongering, rational and critical people are quickly becoming a valuable resource.

Businesses value those who don’t accept things at face value but instead apply scrutiny to the information they receive. The last thing an employer wants is for you to make decisions based on delusions and lunacy, which will inevitably affect the company’s bottomline.

Hence, as evident as it may seem to some people, critical thinking skills are highly valued, and you should strive to think logically and research things before concluding.

Becoming a critical thinker isn’t something you can do overnight. It is a process that takes years, but the important thing is to start now. Begin by becoming self-aware and reading about current events from multiple sources. Always ask questions and when you don’t get a satisfying answer, carry out your research. Moreover, try to listen attentively and develop foresight which is something that employers highly value.

Lastly, as with anything else in life, there is always a course for it on the internet. So if you think you aren’t well-equipped in critical thinking, check out online courses that will take you on a step-by-step journey towards becoming a critical thinker.

Conclusion

The global pandemic that emerged early last year has had a significant impact on employment. As a result, we have seen drastic changes in how we live our day to day lives, and these changes are also shifting over to the job market.

• To thrive in the post-covid job market, you must possess the ability to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of the professional world. Learn multiple skills to bring more excellent value to your employer, and don’t rely on skills that are already abundant. Instead, learn new things and keep improving to have a secure career.
• Since companies rely more and more on technology, it is essential to keep up with this change. More than ever, it is necessary to be tech-savvy and explore areas such as AI, Virtual reality, augmented reality, and data analytics, all in high demand.
• The rise of irrational and delusional narratives that turn into conspiracy theories is a real problem in our world. Critical thinking skills quickly become a resource for employers as they want people with good decision-making skills and research capabilities.
• Companies rely on experts who can interpret large data sets and derive meaningful insights to improve their businesses. Data analytics skills are in high demand as more and more companies begin to prioritize data.
• Employers will seek out those who can navigate around tumultuous circumstances and develop solutions to bring back normalcy. Hence, problem-solving skills and creativity and innovation are going to be in high demand in the post-covid world.