The world has shaken upside down with this greatest ever disaster hitting mankind with an incomprehensible virus attack. Almost all the sectors like apparel, automotive, travel, etc., are seriously affected and are under a major metamorphosis. Jobs and career space is majorly affected, leaving everyone with only one question in mind- what are the new skills to learn during quarantine to survive any possible job loss or advance in career? Many of us are wondering how to reinvent ourselves and learn new skills. And what are the best skills to learn for the future to survive any possible eventuality.
The mayhem caused by the pandemic is imminent. It has left many of us asking us what will the future of our work will be? Will I get my salary at the end of the month? And how about the next month? How am I going to pay salaries to my employees? How will my business survive post lockdown? Questions are many, but the answer is only one- to reinvent yourself and learn new skills. But what are the best skills to learn for the future? And what are the new skills to learn during lockdown? Let us find out.
With people seriously worried about their survival, not only during lockdown but also post lockdown, the next big question is how to choose the new skills to learn and reinvent ourselves for the future to survive the job virus and challenges posed by it? Amidst the uncertainty, the virus has certainly accelerated digitisation. And we need to successfully survive this catch 22 situation as complaining and whining will lead us nowhere. As they say, change is the only constant thing in life. And by the time the COVID crisis will subside, many of us will reinvent ourselves to survive by mastering the new skills.
How to reinvent yourself & Learn new skills -New skills to learn during quarantine
1. Shield and secure your current Job & then focus on new skills to learn
It is the best strategy for survival considering the current economic crisis. Accept the current crisis, and take whatever is presented to you. You are lucky if your employer is offering you a full salary. Many of us are subjected to pay cuts or no increments. And others are put on leaves without pay. But now is the most precious thing, so secure your job foremost, and rest will follow. Meanwhile, prepare yourself for some new skills to learn to make your future-ready
2. Ask for additional work
Ask for additional work or new work. It could be job enrichment or job loading, or even job rotation. Justify your employment. Companies are also facing a grim situation and observing austerity. Job Cuts will be the first line of defence for organizations. Justifying your work during such times will definitely compel companies to prefer you over others.
3. Look for internal opportunities with your job
Look for internal opportunities within your organization or within your work and develop upon the same. For example, carry out technology searches, data mining, or new business development for internal opportunities. Come out with out of the box thinking or stretched thinking and float the same in your team. Learn new skills within your area of operation.
4. Be more sincere and productive while working from home
If you are working from home, be more productive and motivated. Make your employer feel secure about your deliverables. Make your employer trust you. Make them believe that out of sight and out of mind is not a source of concern. But at the same time make sure to avoid the feeling of isolation and burnout while working from home to be more effective and productive.
5. Add on value to your resume by Re-skilling and Up-skilling as you learn new skills
Up-skilling and Re-skilling will be absolutely necessary to remain employable and attractive in the current market scenario. Do whatever work is given to you and invest in up-skilling and re-skilling yourself while staying relevant. Learn a new skill while focusing on the best skills to learn for the future.
Organisations are also offering training and re-training in fields that are in high demand like digital marketing (paid marketing, performance marketing, social media marketing, web analytics, etc.), data sciences, and business intelligence. Undergoing such training and re-training programmes will definitely help you stay relevant for the future.
Recommended Read: 10 Simple ways to make money online at the comfort of your home.
New certifications
Take on new certification and accreditations which may aid your current and future employability. You may also enrol yourself for Distance Learning or Online Management courses, for example, online MBA, PMP courses, CISCO Certifications, etc.
Learn new technologies
Learn new technologies and leverage upon the same as “technology is the future”. For example, learning new technologies like AI solutions for your vertical or domain, augmented reality or virtual reality, 3D printing, Hyper personalization, digital psychometrics in eCommerce and digital marketing, etc.
Be a part of new digital initiatives
With ‘New Normal’ already in place, companies are changing in ways, they have never experienced before- especially in technological space. You may leverage this opportunity by being a part of such a technological initiative or digital initiative for your department by facilitating the process of setting up new systems for e-trainings, e-reporting, remote working, web conferencing, etc. You can also help in designing and developing SOPs for regional, remote, and satellite offices, and teams, for example.
6. Leverage on new opportunities presented
We all know that China is losing its credibility not only in India but also internationally. And as it has lost its hold on various sectors like medicine, health care and food processing, some new opportunities are presented. People have now a preference for locally sourced and manufactured goods. India is also pushing for the ‘make in India initiative’ and a new slogan of ‘Vocal for Local’. It all presents new opportunities to encash upon. Look proactively for opportunities presented in the COVID crisis like the ever-growing demand for essentials, food, and beverages, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, etc. Getting new expertise and getting trained will open up new vistas of opportunities for jobs and entrepreneurship. Gaining skills in these areas do not demand special qualifications or experience. Look for evergreen sectors, that have gained momentum in the ‘new normal’ and gain new expertise and skills in these sectors.
7. Consulting and mentoring opportunities
You may leverage your domain knowledge and experience in the field of consulting and mentoring especially in the MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) sector, and for startups, who are bearing the brunt of the corona crisis and want to cool off their heels. They are either struggling to continue their operations or restart altogether and might be looking for specialized skilled consultants to help them come over this. Likewise, numerous businesses will require support to beat the downturn. With imports being affected, India will be the rational choice.
8. Look for skills which will in high demand like
COVID-19 has completely changed the way companies work and operate. More and more companies are using digital platforms to operate and conduct their businesses. There is certainly be a boom in these job roles, sectors, and skills. The new skills to learn should focus on hybrid skills which involves both digital skills and soft skills:
Digital Skills
- Tech Savviness and Digital literacy
- Data Mining, data literacy & data science
- Digital and Coding Skills
- Digital Marketing Capabilities like SEO, Google Analytics
- Business Intelligence
Soft Skills
- Leadership Skills
- Emotional Intelligence
- Lifetime Learning Skills
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Creativity & Innovation
- Collaborations
10. Revive Your Network & Relationships
Reconnect with your contacts from the previous workplaces, colleagues, college friends, and other social engagements and get information or advice on new work skills, new openings, or work projects that might interest you.
We need to embrace the change and change ourselves accordingly while understanding that change is the only constant thing in life. The new ‘Job Virus’ has posed new threats no doubts, but it is also an opportunity for us to learn and gain a competitive advantage during this transition. Reinventing yourself is only the only way forward ahead.
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