Find out the soft skills that are in demand for IT professionals to be successful in today’s digital business environment.
The IT sector is undoubtedly very technically-demanding for professionals who work in it. With technology in a state of constant shift and evolution, those with a career in IT have to maintain an awareness of the changes in the industry so they can maintain relevant and high-level expertise.
However, new research has revealed that some of the most in-demand skills for IT professionals are non-technical, so people looking to advance their career will want to pursue these soft skills in order to be more employable.
IT is no longer just about the technical
In today’s digitally enabled business environment, many companies do not just have an IT department, but they weave their business strategy with the technological advancements available to them. As such, the line between IT jobs and other positions in a business has blurred, and employees are expected to be well-rounded rather than just technically proficient.
According to LinkedIn regional Managing Director Clifford Rosenberg, digital disruption in many different Australian industries is causing a shift in skills.
“It is imperative that businesses train their employees with both tech skills and soft skills required for the digital economy,” he said.
Research by LinkedIn reveals that many of the skills that are required for the current business landscape are related to technology.
“Our data also shows that eight of the top 20 skills demanded by employers hiring new technology workers are broader than core technical skills such as relationship management, customer service, strategic planning and contract negotiation,” said Mr Rosenberg.
What kinds of soft skills should you have?
Because IT is now so integrated into the day-to-day running of a company, it is essential that professionals are able to demonstrate soft skills. These will enable them to collaborate with the team and help technology to be employed as an inherent business application. In addition, CIO says that technology workers who have a well developed set of soft skills are more adaptable to changes in the ever-evolving market.
However, soft skills can be hard to find, as they are more difficult to learn that technical competencies are.
Business Insider suggest several soft skills that professionals should seek to cultivate, including teamwork and communication, the ability to present things to groups of people, problem-solving skills, and an affinity for customer service.
By cultivating these abilities, IT specialists will be better equipped to capitalise on skill gaps and take advantage of the available job opportunities in IT&T.