Digital transformation is changing the way we work at high speed. Only 10 years ago non-tech job requirements included a basic understanding of computer operating systems, MS Office, email manager, and the ability to use the Internet.
Nowadays, it’s hard to imagine modern workers who don’t use technology in their day-to-day operations. A Future Learn survey conducted in 2021 revealed that modern workers use 4 to 5 digital tools daily. Those tools include sophisticated management software, online communication tools, cloud space, visualization software, and more. 43 % of respondents of the Future Learn survey marked their current jobs as ‘tech-heavy’ and 40% said it was somewhat heavy.
The truth is that most of the tech skills people learn while working because the new technology emerges fast. Many people don’t have the background and are forced to adapt to a new work environment. However, it shouldn’t be that way.
In this article, you’ll find out the top tech skills you should obtain to keep up with the stream and stay competitive in the job market.
7 Most In-Demand IT Skills For Non-Tech Jobs
Here are 7 IT skills that modern employers look for in candidates. Discover where you can reach your potential and get a dream job.
Digital Literacy
Digital literacy implies that the person should be able to use digital tools to work, learn and manage everyday tasks. You should feel confident in using any software, device, and application, know how to install and set up the software and be open to learning new features, tools, etc. You should also be flexible about using different tools simultaneously and switch to another when it’s needed.
Coding Basics
Basic programming skills are in high demand in almost every specialty that involves working through the Internet. Designers, copywriters, marketers, website managers, social media specialists, and project managers need to know HTML/CSS to perform their jobs at a high level. For example, designers should understand the markup rules to create website or app mockups to avoid misunderstandings with programmers and reduce the mistakes and inconsistencies in UX/UI. Copywriters and website managers usually are responsible for publishing the articles in content management systems so they need to know HTML tags and attributes.
Security
Data integrity and security are one of the top concerns for modern businesses. With the popularity of remote work, the task to protect data from corruption became even more urgent. According to a Positive Technologies study, in 93% of cases cybercriminals can access the local resources of the company and 71% of cases happen due to credential compromise. So, the modern workforce should know the basics of cyber hygiene, how to use multi-factor authentication, install and use firewalls and antivirus software.
Data Literacy
For many modern companies data is a core asset for decision-making so the companies will expect employees to know how to interpret it and extract valuable information from data. Data literacy implies being confident in accessing and analyzing data and applying the results for the company’s purposes. Data literacy may include such IT skills as:
- data analysis,
- data interpretation,
- communicating the insights,
- data visualization,
- data validation, etc.
User Experience
User experience (UX) is a journey the user goes when interacting with a digital product (software, website, application, etc). Understanding user experience is essential IT skill for the specialists who are involved in developing, implementing, and putting it on the market. As the job opportunities in the digital industry continue to rise, learning UX basics can be fruitful for your career.
Customer Management Software
Customer management software (CMS) or customer relationship management (CRM) system is software that helps sales managers keep on track of all the leads and communications and build long-lasting relationships with them. Customer demand for excellent services is only rising, so businesses use CMS to learn more about their target audience, customer experience, and satisfaction.
CMS adoption is now 91%, according to Grand View Research research. That’s why more and more job descriptions for sales managers and marketers require CMS skills.
Automation
Automation can improve the performance of employees, reduce operating costs and increase business outcomes. McKinsey Institute estimated that bringing automation to the workplace can increase productivity by 1.4% annually. So, modern businesses appreciate employees whose mindset leans towards automating workflows. To do that, you should be able to define repetitive tasks in your everyday work and suggest solutions that can help you increase your productivity.
Conclusion
The job market is fierce nowadays, so if you want to stay competitive, you should keep an eye on career trends and the most in-demand IT skills. Let’s wrap it up and look at IT skills to boost your career:
- digital literacy,
- coding basics,
- security,
- data literacy,
- user experience,
- customer management software,
- automation.