COVID-19 altered the workplace, and we’re still dealing with the fallout. The epidemic resulted in a job shortage and a slew of other disruptions in our life. It’s critical to prepare yourself to be a strong candidate as job possibilities emerge. Today, we’ll talk about 6 most important skills or abilities to have on your CV in a post-lockdown period.

Let’s get going!

 

We’ll talk about:

1. Adaptability and flexibility
2. Cloud skills
3. Knowledge of SQL and databases
4. Ability to communicate
5. Various types of Programming languages of several types
6. A client service mindset
7. Conclusion

 

1) Adaptability and flexibility

Things are continuously changing at work, and events aren’t always going as expected. The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on our lives, causing several upheavals and a great deal of uncertainty. While it was never easy, we all found methods to adjust as best we could to the situation.

Adjustment times are difficult, and nothing is ever flawless, but we will continue to face unforeseen conditions in the workplace. The ability to adjust to these changes and be flexible in our approach is a necessary talent. Furthermore, it’s likely that remote work will continue to exist in some form, necessitating a high level of adaptability and flexibility on our part, as well as that of our firms, organizations, and teams.

Flexibility and adaptability are critical qualities for a developer. Programming languages ebb and flow, as do trends, new technology, and emerging patterns. You must have a growth attitude to be a flexible developer. It’s critical to realize that you’ll be most effective if you’re always learning new things and exploring new languages, technologies, features, and so on.

The way we run business is evolving all the time. The COVID-19 pandemic was difficult, but it served as an excellent example of this. Employers will be searching for candidates who are flexible and versatile now more than ever.

Being adaptable and flexible in work entails the ability to:

• ▪ When under pressure, do well.
• ▪ When facing unexpected situations, necessitate adjusting and reacting.
• ▪ Prioritize your tasks carefully.
• ▪ Keep an open mind.
• ▪ Accept and embrace change.

 

You may improve your flexibility and adaptability by engaging in activities such as:

• ▪ Taking up new obligations in order to fulfil changing needs
• ▪ Including new information in your work and drawing conclusions from it
• ▪ Changing your working approach to match changing requirements
• ▪ Looking for fresh ways to do things
• ▪ Developing novel approaches to achieving objectives

Pro Tip: Keep in mind that this is something you can emphasize on your resume. Employers will be on the lookout!

 

2) Cloud skills

Cloud skills were already in high demand before the pandemic, but the pandemic has expedited cloud adoption, making cloud skills even more crucial now. If they haven’t already, a growing number of businesses are turning to cloud computing.

Many businesses used the cloud to ensure their survival and expansion during the pandemic. Businesses can use the cloud to cut costs, provide new services to users, react to client needs, and secure a productive remote working environment. The cloud’s reliance isn’t going away; it’s simply growing.

Because the world of cloud computing is always evolving, you must keep up with the latest trends, advances, and technologies.

Consider the following cloud computing skills:

• ▪ Machine learning (ML) is yet another in-demand skill. You will be a very desirable candidate if you combine cloud and machine learning skills.
• ▪ The nature of the cloud necessitates an emphasis on security. Most firms place a high importance on security, and the demand for cybersecurity capabilities is increasing every day, particularly in the cloud.
• ▪ DevOps: DevOps is a highly important development in the field of cloud computing because it attempts to optimize your workflow throughout the whole software development life cycle.
• ▪ Because of the vastness of the field, becoming involved with the cloud can be daunting. If you don’t have much experience, don’t worry. Let’s look at a few ways you may start honing your cloud talents so you can brag about them on your resume!

 

Cloud certification

Obtaining a cloud certification shows potential employers that you have a thorough understanding of cloud computing basics. Cloud certifications are said to make applicants more appealing by more than 80% of hiring managers. Certifications can also help you advance your career and lead to major salary raises.

AWS, Azure, and GCP are the most popular cloud certifications right now. Whatever certification you choose, keep in mind that multi-cloud abilities are in high demand, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities.

 

Projects for your portfolio

Using projects, you can create a great portfolio. It’s critical to create projects that are focused on practical applications. Employers want to see that you can tackle real-world difficulties.

 

3) Knowledge of SQL and databases

SQL is utilized almost everywhere, and it’s in high demand. SQL is used by almost every major IT company. Many people regard SQL as the “gold standard” language for data manipulation. SQL, or Structured Query Language, was created to make working with databases easier.

SQL databases are commonplace, and the language is the cornerstone for many database management systems. If you’re looking for a job in data, you’ll almost certainly need SQL expertise. SQL is one of the most in-demand abilities in the United States, with over 115,000 job listings mentioning it.

Don’t worry if you’re new to SQL. It is never too late to begin. The best way to learn this language is to take it slowly at first. Before moving on to more difficult and complex topics, make sure you have a firm grasp on the fundamentals. There are a plethora of free lessons available online to help you with your studies.

Hands-on practice is essential while learning something new. Because SQL is a free and open-source database, you can use it right now. If you’re interested, you should also look into obtaining a certification. This will make you stand out to employers and exhibit your SQL knowledge.

Note: We talked about how in-demand cloud skills are, but combining SQL expertise with cloud abilities is even more in-demand. Cloud databases like Azure SQL Database and Google Cloud SQL are becoming more popular, so learning about them can put you ahead of the game.

 

4) Ability to communicate

In the tech sector, demonstrating your soft skills is becoming increasingly important, especially in the aftermath of the epidemic. Communication abilities are essential. Many of us adopted new ways to communicate with our coworkers as a result of COVID-19’s expanding remote work alternatives.

In the developer industry, excellent communication skills are required on a regular basis. We communicate every day, whether it’s drafting documentation, sending messages, meeting with your boss one-on-one, or presenting a new project or product you’ve been working on. It’s critical that you pay attention to how you communicate with others.

Beyond verbal communication, communication abilities include nonverbal communication. Make an effort to use appropriate “digital body language.” This implies you’re sending emails and messages to your staff that are thoughtful, respectful, and purposeful. It also means that you’re professional, straightforward, and caring while you’re online interviewing, presenting, or sitting in on a meeting.

While you can’t study communication skills the same way you can learn SQL, there are some techniques to improve your communication abilities:

• ▪ Learn to pay attention: Have you ever zoned out when a coworker was speaking to you? How many times have you become sidetracked while listening to someone? Concentrate on genuinely listening what other people are saying. This will let you communicate with them more successfully.
• ▪ Empathy: Having empathy for your coworkers will benefit you at work on a daily basis. Consider how you’d like someone to speak to you if you were in their shoes.
• ▪ Prioritize clarity: It’s easy to ramble, but in most cases, good professional communication is clear and concise. Let’s put this into practice with coding. It’s critical to make sure that your code is readable by others. Someone who appears plain or obvious to you may not appear so to others.
• ▪ Accept mistakes: It’s fine to make mistakes as long as you learn from them. It’s critical to have a growth mentality and a willingness to learn and grow.
• ▪ Practice, practice, practice: Clear and effective communication abilities require a lot of practice. When you have the opportunity, find ways to practice if you can.

 

5) Various types of Programming languages

Having familiarity with multiple programming languages will put you ahead of the competition and help you stand out. There are hundreds of programming languages, and most businesses use two or more of them. Demonstrating your proficiency in a variety of programming languages demonstrates that you are a self-motivated developer who can tackle challenges in a variety of ways. It also displays that you have a growth attitude, which is something that many employers look for in new employees.

Employers want candidates to master their new tools, technologies, and procedures as a result of the pandemic, which has caused many organizations to change their dynamics. Different programming languages are usually used in these situations.

Here are some of the most popular coding languages now in demand by employers:

• ▪ Java
• ▪ Python
• ▪ JavaScript
• ▪ C and C++
• ▪ Golang
• ▪ R
• ▪ Etc.

 

While the list goes on and on, you can try your best to make the most of it. Find out what languages are used by the companies you want to work for. Under the job title you’re interested in, look for job descriptions. Figure out what more you can learn to set yourself up for success if you’re looking to explore new possibilities within your existing workplace.

 

6) A client service mindset

Caring for your customers will boost the quality of your work significantly. Take a deep breath and consider the big picture. As programmers, we frequently work on challenges that are far larger than ourselves. We work on technology, tools, and products that are utilized by thousands, if not millions, of people. While you may not always interact directly with clients, it’s vital to keep them in mind as you solve problems and go about your work.

We want to show our clients that we value them, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic. It’s not just about assisting consumers with their problems when you have a customer service mindset. It’s also about devoting time, effort, and thought to producing a pleasant experience that will help you earn their trust and loyalty. Showing that you’re committed to providing added value to your clients will not only help you succeed personally, but will also help your company succeed.

 

Conclusion

As the number of job openings increases, it’s critical to position yourself as a viable applicant. We want to assist you in learning new skills, preparing for technical interviews, and levelling up. For developers like you, Hong Kong Coding Club provides interactive courses and learning routes to help  you fill in the gaps in your knowledge. React development, Modern CSS, Comp Negotiation, and many more topics are covered in our courses.

Enjoy your learning journey!