JOBSEEKERS who want to land their dream jobs this year must possess qualities that are applicable to the evolving work environment and growing hybrid work setup.
JobStreet by SEEK predicts 2023 as an “interesting year for the job market” as employers transition to their most optimal work arrangement thus requiring upgrades in skills for their new and existing employees.
“The world is so unpredictable. We learned that very well with the recent global pandemic that took us all by surprise. As industries evolve, it matters not who is the most skilled in the field, but more so, who can adapt quickly,” said JobStreet Philippines country manager Philip Gioca, in a statement. “Since trends and demands from different careers change over time, candidates who are in for the challenge and can pivot immediately have a great advantage.”
Digital literacy is now a key requirement among jobseekers these days and gaining essential digital skills opens a lot of opportunities. JobStreet suggests jobseekers improve their digital skill set by taking free digital courses, increasing their online presence, learning emerging digital platforms, and staying updated on tech trends, among others.
Adaptability is another requirement. According to JobStreet, companies value candidates who can adapt to changes in processes and operations, modify plans, when necessary, learn new tools and technologies, and welcome new roles and responsibilities.
Jobseekers are also encouraged to strengthen their interpersonal skills to contribute to creating a healthy working environment. It advises candidates to start by embracing team assignments or projects, being active listeners with seniors and colleagues, and having empathy and showing support.
Enhancing skills like multi-tasking is also plus point. JobStreet said performing several tasks simultaneously and successfully is a valuable skill sought by companies. It suggests jobseekers to list down the tasks, identify the most urgent items, and focus on what’s most important at a time while keeping track of other tasks.
Time management is also a major skill that contributes to productivity and is desired by many employers.
For a hybrid setup, companies are looking for candidates who can efficiently manage their tasks and deliver quality work according to timelines.
“With hybrid working becoming normalized, we are expecting more hirers to look for talents who already have and are open to learning both hard and soft skills that are relevant to their industry. We hope to inspire more candidates to seek better opportunities by also acquiring new knowledge and improving their skill set,” said Gioca.