Whether you’re a college student working towards a degree, a new hire looking to impress in your first job interview or an employee seeking to advance their career, skills development is an important part of growing professionally. But with so many different skills to develop, knowing what to prioritize can be challenging. This is why it’s helpful to break down what skills are essential in the workplace and how you can best develop those skills.
Upskilling and reskilling are common ways to improve employee performance and boost company productivity. These methods involve modifying existing job duties or training employees for a different role. They can be done in a number of ways, including providing courses, implementing a learning management system (LMS) and allowing employees to select their own training through self-paced modules and quizzes.
The ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced work environment is an essential skill for employees. This is especially true for employees in industries that are prone to rapid changes, such as technology or healthcare. Developing these skills can help employees remain productive during change, increase their overall job satisfaction and decrease the likelihood that they will seek out other employment opportunities.
Soft skills, also known as interpersonal skills, are those that enable people to interact effectively with others and work together on projects. These include communication, emotional intelligence and teamwork. Having strong communication skills allows employees to relay information clearly and concisely, reducing miscommunication that can lead to errors or delays. Emotional intelligence, on the other hand, enables employees to manage their own emotions and those of others, which can reduce stress and anxiety. Developing these skills can help employees become stronger leaders and create a more cohesive workplace environment.
Adding to the list of soft skills is networking, which involves building professional relationships and utilising social media to expand your professional horizons. It’s an important skill for any employee, as it allows you to connect with potential mentors and employers and expand your network of contacts in your field of expertise.
Another crucial soft skill is resilience, which refers to the ability to bounce back from setbacks and maintain positive mental health in the face of adversity. Resilience can be developed through a variety of ways, including training and coaching programs, stress-management techniques and mentoring. It’s a key component of emotional intelligence and is vital for both personal and professional success.
You can further develop your soft skills by participating in a variety of training programs and taking online assessments with TestGorilla. This is a great way to gauge your progress without having to rely on others and can give you an in-depth report with specific areas of improvement. Additionally, you can find remote jobs that align with your skill set on our jobs board.
