It is evident that technology has dominated the world over the centuries. From iron to bronze, Microsoft to Tesla, each new technology has an impact in our personal and business lives. These advances in technology manifest in all kinds of ways and often require a new set of skills, which are sometimes difficult to gain.
As technology evolves, so do our jobs and therefore our job descriptions. Let’s look at an example; the introduction of AI (artificial intelligence) has been a major game changer over the last few years. Whilst AI is highly unlikely to usurp the human being (well, probably not in our lifetime!), it has changed the remit of many jobs.
Those working in marketing, communications and PR roles are now using AI-based tools within their daily activity; sometimes without even realising it. If you’re fresh out of school, college or university, you are probably already ‘au fait’ with today’s enormous pool of digital resources. But if you’re re-entering the workplace or want to advance your career, there’s a need to plug your skills gap to put you in a better, more marketable and employable position
Taking a changed approach
To put yourself in a better position means taking the initiative, whether it’s under your own steam or with the support of your boss/HR, to update your digital skills. But where and how to start? Well, the first step is not to rely on someone else identifying your skill gaps and booking you on to a training course. Taking a changed approach to your personal and career development comes from you.
The problem is that if you don’t update your skillset, the exponential advances in digital technology may well leave you behind. Now, that could be closing the door on career advancement or leave you without a job altogether. Taking a more proactive approach to developing your digital skills to enable you to keep up with the demands of your job could make a big difference.
Learn to advance your skills
It is clear that since Lockdowns, the professional opportunities available and the overall widening skills gap in the workplace has grown. However, it can be said that even before this, many people were missing vital key skills across multiple sectors.
Indeed, The Department of Education stated that over 84% of skill shortage vacancies were at least partially caused by a lack of technical or practical skills. Employers have been forced to adapt to digitalisation, opening up a chasm between the skill sets their employees currently have, and what they need to stay competitive in their marketplace.
In addition, more and more employers are finding it harder to source the right people who are skilled enough to fulfil a demanding digital role. Counter that with the situation where many people are realising that they don’t have the skills required for a job role, despite the opportunities available… it just takes a little bit of imagination and some time to join the dots and work out that something needs to change.
Adding a skill under your own steam, in your own time, gives you more than just a new skill and a qualification. It also demonstrates to your employer, or potential employer, that you are proactive, forward thinking, can show initiative and are open to new opportunities. It will also give you a competitive edge over other applicants.
Recent data from the 2023 Marketing Week Career and Salary Survey reveals that 34.4% of the more than 3,000 marketers surveyed say data and analytical skills is the key gap within their team. It is definitely a digital world now and such a skill in your sector will transform your chances of moving up, or across, the career ladder.
It’s a recruitment oasis!
Right now the Office for National Statistics (ONS) recently reported that official vacancies in the UK were at an almost record high of 1.16m. With over 600,000 choosing not to return to work after lockdowns, perhaps it’s time to look at your personal choices and create a career development plan to take advantage. If that means spending some of your own time and money in retraining or upskilling, the sacrifice could well be worth it in the long run. This will also open up the chances of a new role within a different organisation which offers you better opportunities for personal and professional growth.
At Auxato, we understand that a vast number of employers are seeking the best and skilled talent to join their organisation within this technological evolution. As a leading UK executive search and recruitment consultancy within Communications, Marketing and Public Relations, Auxato can take the pressure off and help you find your next job/employee with skills and experience that you require.