If you are an IT professional, you cannot simply rely on a degree or a coding language or two to build a successful career.
The industry is competitive, and resting on your laurels can cause stagnation for you. Unless you extend your skillset over time, professional growth may stop at some point. You will have to understand the value of upskilling down the line and take the right measures too. Whether you specialize in hardware, software, networking, or cybersecurity, technical education is not enough to keep your career on the growth route.
The industry is dynamic, and you have to upgrade to keep pace with the competitors and stay relevant. Additional skills are even more vital in post-pandemic times as a lot has changed due to the hybrid shift. These extra skills will provide job security today and ensure growth prospects in the long run.
Employers will expect more from employees in the future, and extra skills can shine on your resume. But everything boils down to picking the right ones. Here are the top skills IT professionals should add to their resumes to boost employability in 2021 and beyond.
Project management
Software developers have to follow project-based routines to complete tasks and milestones and deliver quality solutions on time. Managing projects becomes tricky when teams work remotely, so acquiring these skills can give you an advantage.
Moreover, working on multiple projects at a time is even more challenging as you have to switch between them. You can work as a project manager and drive the team with clarity, accountability, and a sense of direction. The skill makes you a desirable asset for any organization working in the IT field.
Communication skills
Another skill that can take you ahead in the IT industry is strong communication. This capability becomes crucial in the remote work era when you interact with team members working from diverse locations. If you are in a tech domain, you can expect to work remotely for the long haul, and good communication skills become non-negotiable.
The best thing about communication skills is that you can develop them on your own, without investing in training and development. Even as it costs nothing, it makes you a professional any company will want to hire.
While it is true that you can develop these skills independently, working with a communication coach can help you accelerate your growth and become a more effective communicator in a shorter period. Click here for more information on how a communication coach can help your business enhance team communication skills, boost employee productivity, improve client relationships, and achieve organizational success.
Organization
Being organized at work makes you efficient, and you need the capability even more if you are into IT. It enables you to stay on schedule and complete projects on time. Good organization also affects the quality of work, even if you have to manage more than you can handle. IT employees often have to work on several projects, deliver in tight timelines, and keep track of diverse client specifications. If you are organized, you can deliver on all these fronts and ace with productivity as well. Any organization will see you as a valuable asset.
Lean Six Sigma
Even as Six Sigma has been around for decades, it has witnessed a surge in popularity in the last couple of years. Every company wants to achieve more with less, eliminate wastes, and enhance productivity today. Lean Sigma Skills make you capable of delivering these benefits to your employer. You can explore https://www.6sigma.us/ to learn more about the certification and expertise levels.
Once you gain the skill, you can get offers from top brands and expect high salary packages as well. The skill is relevant for software developers and IT employees as it aligns with the nature of your work.
Analytical abilities
IT professionals can expect to work on projects that require analysis of database activity. You may also have to work on applications that require an in-depth understanding of data analytics.
Likewise, troubleshooting something not working properly needs critical thinking and analysis. They enable you to reach the root cause of problems and address them for good. It makes sense to ramp up your analytical ability so that you can get better at your job. Employers will expect it and see the ability as a plus point.
Creativity
Surprisingly, creativity can make you a bankable asset for any organization, even if you do not see this skill anywhere in job requirements. Although IT professionals consider technical skills to be a priority, creativity is a talent that can lead you a step closer to success. Creative abilities enable you to bring revolutionary ideas and groundbreaking products as you develop software and troubleshoot issues. It makes you a strong team member as you can help your organization with innovative solutions to the most challenging tech problems.
Perseverance
Most employees need some level of perseverance to achieve success, but IT professionals need it even more than others. Problems may come up one after the other. You may even expect the ones resolved to crop up again. It is easy to lose your cool with coding and troubleshooting.
But perseverance can help you overcome the issue. It makes you capable of working on complex and challenging projects that require patience along with strong technical capabilities. Companies in the IT sector see perseverance as an essential skill, and they are happy to onboard people who have it.
A successful IT professional needs to think beyond coding languages, tools, and methodologies. They must have a mix of technical and soft skills, and both are as crucial as the other. It is the right time to upskill yourself and enhance your future prospects. Follow this list and build a future-ready career!!