Why Tech Skills Don't Rule The Market

There is no professional career without tech skills and knowledge. Whether you find yourself applying for an entry job in an office or an experienced engineer position on site, it’s fair to say that tech know-how will be part of your employer’s expectations. However, they may not always be part of the job specs. Indeed, employers nowadays assume that their staff should be familiar with everyday technological solutions, from using office computers to knowing how to access data online. As a result, skills such as online result or word processor knowledge have no place on the modern resume.

Additionally, as more and more everyday interactions rely on our use of technology, from entering a building using biometrics recognition to organizing a phone conference, it becomes essential to evaluate the real impact of tech skills in your job hunt. At an age when most recruiters recommend boosting tech knowledge to their applicants, it’s time to ask whether your technical know-how is going to make a big difference in the future.

Tech knowledge and competence are integral today

In 2016, almost one-third of the top jobs consisted of tech position. Needless to say, the ratio continues to favorize the IT industry, encouraging many so far less technological professionals to reevaluate their IT involvement. Marketers are the first in line to need to learn tech skills, such as coding as HTML and javascript manipulations have become a crucial factor in the success of digital campaigns. Coding offers a significant competitive edge in the current job market. Indeed, in a world built around software tools, it seems inconceivable to move one’s career without the necessary technical knowledge and experience. However, as more and more tasks are becoming tech-centered, innovative solutions appear to enable experts with fewer tech skills to manage their projects. Marketers can now use Google Tag Manager, for instance, to manage their marketing campaigns without needing to interfere with the code. Many automated software solutions offer tech shortcuts, meaning that tech knowledge may not be as essential for your career as you are made to believe. Indeed, the industry knows how to replace technical skills. Instead, you need to focus on skills that can’t be automated; soft skills are vital.

Mediation skills are a winner in any industry

We live in a world of conflicts. Whether you and your business partner are struggling to agree on a project or your employees are unsatisfied with your management style, disputes are a natural part of our everyday interactions. Not everyone can resolve disagreements without avoiding dramatic backlash, but someone with mediation skills such as Judge Diane Ritchie can provide factual management of the situation. Ultimately, mediation skills are common among judges and lawyers because they rely on the facts and regulation in place to determine the best way forward. By removing the emotions from the equation, a mediator can help businesses to find a reasonable solution that works for everyone.

Nobody cares about your IQ, show me your EQ

Emotional intelligence, or EQ for short, has long surpassed the role of intelligence in the digital future of the workplace. Indeed, EQ is perceived as one of the top 10 skills employers expect from their team. But what does EQ consist of? Emotional intelligence is the ability of understanding feelings and managing them accordingly. Unlike a mediator who needs to put emotions aside, someone with a high emotional quotient focuses on feelings to create a positive atmosphere and understand other people’s motivations.

The art of being kind

Kindness is never overrated, especially when it happens in the workplace. In a space that is typically hectic and stressful, random acts of kindness can significantly transform someone’s day. Something as simple as preparing a cup of coffee for a colleague who needs a pick-me-up or bringing a few treats on a Monday to make the day more enjoyable can go a long way. Kindness may not make you more efficient or productive, but it helps to lift the mood in the office. Making someone feel better about themselves is precisely what keeps your team united.

Creativity is the skill of tomorrow

Technology offers a solution to a known problem. Creativity, on the other hand, enables someone to connect different ideas and create something new. In an era where technology has replaced over 80% of the traditional office jobs, creativity is a human feature to cherish and cultivate. A creative mindset can build a dream and create a new vision for a business.

In conclusion, while tech skills are high in demand, job seekers need to rediscover the importance of the soft skills that enhance the workplace. From being able to mediate conflicts to delivering a brand-new vision for the industry, soft skills are and will always be at the heart of your professional success. They are, unlike technical knowledge, irreplaceable.