Did you know that a 2020 LinkedIn survey found 80% of professionals reporting a growing demand for digital skills in their hiring processes? For job seekers and career changers alike, the question isn’t whether to learn one, it’s how to choose a digital skill that aligns with your goals and the market demand.
Yes! This highlights that choosing the right digital skill is just as crucial as learning it.
Choosing the right digital skill can be overwhelming, especially with the advanced changes in technology. Here’s a 6-step, stress-free guide to help you maneuver through the numerous options available.
Step 1: Understand Your Career Goals
Before diving into any digital skill, it’s essential to know where you want to go professionally. Are you looking to land a remote job, switch careers, or enhance your current role? Defining your career goals will make it easier to identify the skills that align with your path.
Just think about where you want to be in the next five years. Do you want to be an expert in data analysis or a creative force in digital marketing? Your long-term vision will guide your learning journey.
Speaking of long-term vision, you could also explore some digital skills that do not take a long time to learn just to get a feel before you make a decision.
Once your goals are clear, you can now go ahead to explore your interests and strengths. You wouldn’t want to be doing something you have zero interest.
Step 2: Assess Your Interests and Strengths
Before you choose the right digital skill, you need to look inward. What do you enjoy doing? If you enjoy it, you’re likely to stick with it through the challenges.
Here are some things to look out for when assessing your arsenal of strengths and interests:
Identify Your Passions and Hobbies
Identify activities you enjoy outside of work, such as taking photos, designing graphics, or writing.
These hobbies can often translate into a digital career. For example, if you love photography, learning graphic design, or starting a social media management business could be perfect for you.
The same goes for if you’re a writer: content writing, or copywriting could be a natural fit.
Evaluate Your Existing Skills
Take a moment to reflect on the skills you already have. These could even be transferable skills from your past jobs or personal experiences.
Identifying these skills , such as project management, communication, or organizational skills are likely to serve as valuable skills in the digital field.
The next thing after assessing your strength is to understand the learning requirements of each skill.
Step 3: Research About In-Demand Digital Skills
Now it’s time to look at the digital skills that are in demand. Knowing what skills are hot in the job market is crucial.
There’s a wide range of digital skills, but some fields are seeing faster growth than others.
For example, the demand for data science jobs is expected to grow by 30% or more over the next few years. That’s a huge opportunity!
Sites like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor can show you what skills employers are actively looking for. You can even check out industry reports to get an overview of trends. After getting one, you can now go ahead to explore their salary allocations.
Step 4. Investigate Salary Expectations
One of the practical aspects of choosing the right digital skills is knowing how much money you can make out of it.
Different digital careers come with different salary ranges, so it’s essential to know what meets your expectations before diving in.
Do some research on salary expectations for the digital roles you’re interested in. Websites like Glassdoor or Payscale can give you an estimate of the average salaries for various digital careers. This will help you align your career goals with your financial aspirations.
Reaching this stage means you are already 70% of the way to selecting the right digital skills.
However, it’s important to remember to focus on building your connections and portfolio to secure both training and job opportunities.”
Step 5. Start With Basic Skills If Necessary
If you’re just starting out with digital technology, it’s important to begin somewhere. Learning foundational skills such as computer literacy, navigating the internet, and using essential software like Microsoft Office is crucial for building a strong foundation before advancing into the skill you’ve chosen.
For example, mastering basics like crafting professional documents in Word, browsing the internet effectively, or even managing emails can help you stand out even before diving into your chosen specialized skill.
Who knows? Your chosen skill might even require these foundational skills. Think of it as building a house, you need a sturdy foundation before adding the walls and roof.
Take your time mastering the essentials; they’ll serve as stepping stones toward achieving your goals after you’ve made your decision.
You’re now to explore that skill, but remember to continuously test and refine your skills as you grow.
Step 6: Test and Refine Your Chosen Skill
Start by applying your knowledge in practical settings, and don’t be afraid to take on challenging tasks that push your limits. And as you progress, seek feedback to ensure continuous growth.
By seeking advice from more experienced professionals through networking events or professional platforms like LinkedIn you gradually gain valuable insights and constructive criticism to help you identify blind spots and refine your skills.
Additionally, consider finding a mentor who can provide guidance and help you avoid common mistakes, fast-track your progress, and boost your confidence.
Conclusion
Remember that building digital skills is not a one-time effort but an ongoing journey of learning and adaptation.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different skills until you find your niche. The key is to take consistent, practical steps toward mastering your chosen field.
Surround yourself with a supportive community, seek feedback, and never stop learning.
Whichever path you choose, just make sure you choose the right digital skills.
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