Five essential skills needed for post-coronavirus economy

Personal development and upgrading of skill sets is essential for employees to survive in the post-covid-19 economy. Getty Images

From spending my time going from one online meeting to another, moving our work events online and managing our workflow, one thing has become abundantly clear: things will not go back to the past routines even when the Covid-19 crisis is behind us.

I usually dedicate my summers to evaluate the year and start strategising for the following year. One of my favourite parts of the process is going over our hiring plans. While we have certain criteria in mind when it comes to bringing new members of the team on board, there are certain skill sets that are likely to be in high demand across different industries in the post-covid-19 economy. Let’s take a look:

Digital literacy

The pandemic has demonstrated how important digital skill sets are. Technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality will help businesses become more immune, should a crisis, similar to the Covid-19 outbreak, hits us in the future. Skills such as programming and coding have always been important and with many businesses shifting online, they will be more in demand. The good thing is that you could enhance your digital competence from home. Websites such as Udemy, iversity and Coursera offer various workshops and virtual classes at competitive prices. The more background you have in different programmes, the more appealing you would be to employers. Over the years, I have educated myself to learn different design, video editing and audio production programmes. Not only has it enabled me to quickly produce content if I needed to, it has helped me in better understanding and connecting with my team and my clients.

Learning and development

This means continuous personal development. With technological advancements happening at such a fast pace, so much of what you have learned in university may already have become obsolete or will be in the near future. It is especially true if you come from a design or technology background. For instance, some of the things I learned in a design class during my first year at university are almost inapplicable to my work now.

The software has changed, and so have the trends. The only guaranteed way to always be in the know, is to make learning a part of your everyday routine. You could simply start by updating yourself on the latest in technology and business trends through websites or publications. Try to learn one new skill, even if it is a soft one, every month. Also, do not limit yourself to workshops and classes within your field only. I often find inspiration and new ideas in fields that are unrelated to my line of work.

Creativity

Creativity is a skill not limited to the field of arts. It also means finding unconventional solutions to unexpected problems. In a crisis such as the one we are facing, creativity is crucial, especially when trying to solve problems that have brought your business to a halt. For instance, an acquaintance of mine manages a tour operating business. It had been months since he had generated a single dollar from his business. He had to creatively think of other solutions that he could offer, and started a consultancy arms that would help educate future business owners on how to effectively operate entertainment and travel businesses. Given his vast experience in the field, he was able to organise some workshops and make a living during these tough times.

Adaptability

I believe one of the most important skill sets one should have is adaptability. In situations like the current crisis, you need to be flexible and be ready to adapt to new situations. You should also keep in mind that things could change in an instant. You could lose everything you worked so hard for. For many businesses, time is of an essence and they need team members who would not hold them down.

Leadership

With remote-working becoming a norm for employees across different sectors, you need to equip yourself with the leadership skills required to manage remote teams. Potential employees who can manage and execute projects remotely will certainly be appealing to employers.

Covid-19 has impacted everything from the way we work to skills we look for in potential employees. Utilise the extra time you may have and the knowledge available online to further develop your skills.

Manar Al Hinai is an award-winning Emirati journalist and entrepreneur, who manages her marketing and communications company in Abu Dhabi