As a job seeker, it’s harder than ever to find a job. Not only do you have to beat your competition, but you also have to convince businesses you’re productive and digitally literate enough to warrant a place. Job security is now based on being digitally savvy and having IT skills. Companies compete for the best and brightest: those who don’t have the proficiency to navigate this competitive labour market might be heading for a layoff. If you’re not digitally savvy, the choice is plain and simple: become digitally savvy or risk losing your job to someone who can do what you do and is digitally savvy. Knowing where to source the latest digital tools, keeping up with trends and successfully spinning your knowledge makes it very hard for anyone to be replaced by a machine. But it’s not the AI revolution we need to fear – it’s the imminent loss of job security for those who fail to embrace new ways of working and using technology.

Jobs are being lost because of a lack of digital skills. People are struggling to acquire these skills without spending years at university or hundreds of hours on online courses. The real job security now lies with those who master technology better than their peers. Standing still means being left behind. You have to keep up with the speed of your competition. To keep up, you should learn how to do this. Of course, that depends on the willingness to learn new things. But it’s not as difficult as you might think.

Areas that require you to be digitally savvy in the workplace:

1. Digital communication

Even phone calls are becoming less widespread, so those still sending letters are virtually unable to compete with digital savvy potential employees that understand the power of digital communication. Digital communication, like emails, is something that is at the heart of almost every business. Knowing how to use emails effectively on a basic level, as well as the best way to write for a particular industry, are all critical elements when it comes to digital communication.

2. Social media management

Management of social media isn’t just for marketing professionals anymore. Among all employees, there’s one universal principle: how you use social media can affect the company you work for. Even if you don’t have a social media account, you must understand what is and isn’t appropriate when it comes to the world of work, since many employers and recruiters investigate these accounts. You’ll also be able to prove that you are tech-savvy by keeping your social media accounts clean and friendly.

3. Research and development

A second must-have savvy skill that many employers demand is the ability to utilize the internet effectively. After all, every business uses the internet every day. Learning and developing is another way you can prove you’re digitally proficient, whether you’re researching information and ideas online and collecting information, or even using videos and tutorials to learn how to perform a new or improved task. Your ability to adapt and master your digital skills will be a huge asset to potential employers and interviewers, demonstrating your eagerness to learn and grow.

4. Online collaboration

Collaboration through services such as Dropbox and Google Drive, whether your colleagues are next door or across the country, means using collaborative programs and management. These tools are frequently used in many workplaces to facilitate multi-person collaborations. The ability to use Microsoft Office can carry over to these types of platforms, and future employers may seek out candidates with skills in more collaborative and complex projects in addition to basic word processing. Your ability to do all this in the digital world makes you a futureproof choice for companies looking for digitally savvy employees.

It is difficult to thrive in a technologically driven society without these competencies:

  • Communicate, collaborate, and solve problems using digital tools
  • Find, evaluate and use online resources
  • Produce and effectively share knowledge
  • Produce online content, not just consume it
  • Collect and evaluate data and information

Nowadays, technological advances have proven that being tech-literate is not enough. Automation, Cloud computing, 5G, and Machine Learning are the latest advances in technology and solutions that enable the New Normal to advance productivity, speed, innovation, convenience, and efficiency. This is why it’s important to not be left behind or risk losing out.

These digital skills can help you land a job:

  1. Social Media skills
  2. Analytics
  3. Understanding collaboration and project management tools – Google Drive, Asana, Trello
  4. Content Marketing – blog posts, videos, podcasts, infographics, social media status updates
  5. Strategy and Planning
  6. Emails, Google Calendar
  7. Fluency in choosing the right device and software
  8. Awareness of digital trends

It is essential to understand how employee experience and technology are now integrated. It’s not like employees are being forced into the digital world. It is something they want to experience. To power our fast-evolving digital enterprises, business leaders must learn how to upskill employees. In fact, workers expect some form of digital leadership from their employers

The following traits are required for digital leaders today and in the future:

  • Engage people and keep them connected.
  • Commitment to driving a culture of innovation, learning, and continuous improvement.
  • Their successful use of digital tools is characterized by their agility and digital proficiency.
  • They possess exceptional knowledge and skillset in collaboration and teambuilding.
  • They are risk-takers.

Having the ability to use digital technology is an inevitable aspect of living in modern times when participation in the economy is fundamental to your success. Stay ahead of the competition by digitally evolving your organisation and yourself to become more digitally savvy with DigiRev. We offer the solutions and platforms to ensure your position in the market is always technologically ahead. Click here to get in touch!