Val Leveson
If you’re looking for a new job but not having any luck, it could be your communication, adaptability or digital proficiency that’s letting you down, according to a survey of 951 employers by recruiting specialist Hays.
The research shows that further down the list are emotional intelligence, technical skills, self-learning, data-based decision making and coding. It’s important to future-proof your work so you’re not being left behind in what’s being called the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or digital revolution.
Jason Walker, Hays managing director for New Zealand, says there’s one thing you can guarantee — that the workforce is going to change. And it’s changing at a faster pace than ever before. “A lot of that is down to automation, artificial intelligence and other technology. It’s changing how we do things, how we work with information, and it’s providing employers with a lot of opportunity to reduce their workforce in certain areas and sectors.”
He says this is especially around areas of data retrieval or data management. Where there were previously a lot of people employed in those roles, now there’s a lot of tech- nology replacing those people.
“If you look at the recruitment world, a lot of what’s done around screening applicants, and checks will at some time be outsourced using technology. If the workplace is going to move more to technology taking certain roles, we’re going to need a workforce that can adapt and change relatively quickly or be left behind.”
Walker’s advice is: “Don’t be like a rock, because you’ll be left behind. Be a river rather than a rock — flow through it.”
He says if you’re not being properly upskilled by your workplace, you should consider the value of investing in yourself and keep on learning.
“A lot of courses on the internet don’t take a lot of money. Sometimes it’s just time commitment that’s needed. Pay yourself first in terms of time. This will help you create the future you may desire. Find out what tools are available from others — there’s plenty to find — even Pinterest can be a place of learning.”