Quite obviously, one of the things employers look for when it comes to job opportunities is the skills the job seeker has. Most job seekers find it relatively easy to fill in the soft skills area on a job application – but when it comes to hard skills, you simply cannot make anything up. If you haven’t learned them, you cannot pretend you have. So, while your quest for a new job goes on, why don’t you take time to know what hard skills employers are looking for which can be (honestly) added to your resume?
What Are Hard Skills?
Hard skills are skills that are quantifiable, specific, and allow a person to handle specific and specialized duties. For example, if someone is required to build a website, that person will require a hard skill like programming. Hard skills are usually taught in classrooms or by engaging in some special training programs. Once they are learned, they can be demonstrated in very specific ways.
What Are Some Top Hard Skills In 2020?
The kind of hard skills that employers are currently looking for is based, to a large extent, on how technological advancement has influenced a change in the labor market. These include the following:
Digital Marketing Skills
With the rapid growth in the number of people that have access to computers or smartphones across the world, digital marketing skills are in hot demand. This has also been aided by the availability of various kinds of social media platforms. Digital marketing skills require the ability to make use of search engine optimization tools, you can visit this website to find out more. Other skills in this area include content writing, social media marketing, Google analytics, and so on.
Computer Skills
PC skills include the ability to fully use Microsoft Office tools like Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. It also requires skills in Spreadsheet usage, the ability to conduct research using the web, etc.
Project Management Skills
These skills are required to simply get the job done, and done within time and budget. Employers can hardly overlook any jobseeker with project management skills. Project management skills include strategic planning, project scheduling, forecasting, budgeting, to name a few.
Design Skills
It’s all around you, isn’t it? From social media to websites and advertising campaigns, design skills are being exhibited all around us. Skilled designers and illustrators are in hot demand by employers. Design skills include the ability to use softwares such as Corel Draw, Photoshop, Acrobat, etc.
Presentation Skills
Most people mistakenly refer to presentation skills as a soft skill. Granted, you need some level of confidence, eloquence, and adaptability to give good presentations. However, to be able to master the ‘craft,’ you need to also master hard skills such as graphic design, visual communication, research, data analysis, persuasion, reporting, and so on.
Technical Skills
Specialized fields such as science, IT, and engineering require people with technical skills with the ability to use specialized equipment and software. Some examples of technical skills include troubleshooting, research, CRM platforms, payment processing, STEM skills, workflow development, linear regression, CAD, etc.