7 Transferrable Skills That Will Help You Land Your Next Tech Job
7 Transferrable Skills That Will Help You Land Your Next Tech Job
Unemployment rates in the US have reached pre-pandemic lows of 3.5%, giving economic turbulence something to lean on as a recession looms. However, large tech companies like Twitter, Amazon, Facebook, and Salesforce all announced massive layoffs in late 2022 or early 2023, shaking up the once-coveted tech jobs market. Despite these layoffs, employees in the tech space are still in high demand, but it might take a while for the hiring market to stabilize.
As tech companies reconfigure their talent pools, build new hiring strategies, and allocate resources differently, candidates who are looking for jobs need to stay competitive. There are many transferrable skills in the tech industry that go far beyond coding or data modeling; technical skills are needed, of course, but softer skills like communication and leadership will help set talent apart from their peers. By focusing on the mastery of 7 transferrable skills, you will be able to land your dream tech job, no matter what the hiring market looks like.
Why are Transferrable Skills Important?
Being adaptable is critical as a tech professional, and this is no different. Armed with a number of important skills that can be applied in any role will help you keep your options open while offering endless value to your potential employers. When candidates think about how to get tech jobs, they often resort to programming classes or understanding the newest machine learning technology.
While staying up-to-date in your industry is always a good idea, technical skills can be taught, but many transferrable skills need to be prioritized by each individual person, making them a great focal point as the hiring market gets more competitive for candidates.
Are Tech Jobs Drying Up?
There is a lot of fear around tech jobs and the potential redundancy caused by technology itself, in short, many tech professionals are asking, “will tech jobs be automated?” This fear is valid; as the people closest to the development of new technologies and streamlined processes, it can often feel like you’re working yourself out of a job, but the reality isn’t that simple.
Tech jobs are here to stay. There will always be new developments in technology -- new applications and use cases pop up every day – that require expertise only humans can offer. Automation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence will automate many processes, but they’ll never eradicate the need for technical skills and tech professionals across a variety of industries.
7 Transferrable Skills You’ll Need
Instead of learning a new programming language, consider challenging yourself to focus on these transferrable skills. Take on new projects in your current role, get involved in organizations outside of work, or even partner with a professional coach to amplify your capabilities surrounding communication or team collaboration.
Creativity
Innovation and creativity go hand-in-hand; to contribute to one of the most cutting-edge industries, get inside your creative brain! Work on art projects, think of out-of-the-box solutions, and look at real-world case studies to enhance your creativity.
Problem-Solving
Think of how many technical products were built to solve simple problems. Are there problems in your life, at home or at work, that you can solve with technology? This is the framework that will help you stand apart from others in the industry.
Communication
Bridging the gap between technical and non-technical communicators is an incredibly sought-after skill that not everyone has mastered. If you can communicate projects with business stakeholders or even end-users, you’re going to play a critical role in any tech job.
Collaboration
Nothing happens in a silo. Being able to collaborate with your team members and your customers to bring a vision to life will take you far. Collaboration is a MUST if you’re considering a position within the tech industry.
Time Management
No matter the role you take on, time management will help you meet deadlines, manage expectations, and prioritize tasks in fast-paced environments. Tech is always fast-paced; get ready.
Leadership
Leadership skills are difficult to teach. Being able to guide a team through complex challenges, make thoughtful decisions, and meet organizational goals are all part of leadership in today’s landscape.
· Research Skills
Finding critical thinkers and resourceful employees is a challenge for hiring teams. Many people struggle to navigate uncharted waters, even when they have plenty of information at their fingertips. If you can take the resources around you and turn them into an action plan, you’ll make an impact in your organization.
Don’t Forget to Market Yourself
As you’re honing in on these transferrable skills and bolstering your technical skills, don’t forget to market yourself. You are a product, and the hiring managers are buyers; what can you offer them? By networking with people both inside and outside of your organization, you can start marketing your skills and capabilities, illustrating what you can offer an organization. For those looking at breaking into the market and wondering how to get tech jobs or those who have worked in tech their entire careers, these transferrable skills are a great way to differentiate yourself from other potential candidates.
Did any of the skills mentioned above resonate with you? What transferrable skills do you have that you can apply to a position within the Tech Industry? Are there any on this list (or not on the list) that would really help a candidate stand out to a potential recruiter?
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