In the Philippines, hiring managers are now looking for very different things than they were just 10 years ago. New developments in people’s relationships with technology have forced local businesses to rethink the type of employees that should be working for them. If you’re looking to change careers, here are a few important skills you may want to develop to get that next job.
8 Important Skills You’ll Need In Your Next Job
1) Remote meeting management
Already crucial remote meeting apps such as Skype and Zoom have become more important in the 2020s. With remote teams and work from home arrangements now more commonplace than ever before, it’s clear that not everyone has adjusted to the current state of affairs. Given that initial interviews for most positions are now likely to be conducted through a video call, it’s important early on to demonstrate proper remote meeting etiquette, as well as a grasp of how to make such meetings productive.
2) Independent learning
It’s getting less and less likely that employees will be promoted to a higher position from within their organization. Employers these days are generally not focusing as much as they used to on employee development, which partially explains the trend of external hiring for positions higher than management in many Filipino companies. Candidates who are seen as “self-starters” in their professional development tend to be seen as better investments, compared to those who may seem to have stagnated.
3) Independent problem solving
For better or worse, typical Filipino workplace culture is quite social. While this often results in better consensus building, it also tends to quash creativity and independent thought. Unfortunately, creative solutions are often required in a fast-paced world. Job candidates that show initiative in problem-solving are far more likely to be considered useful, especially now that organizations are heavily leaning towards a telecommuting and leaner workforces.
4) “Digital citizenship” skills
Digital citizenship refers to the conscientious and responsible use of technology when interacting with others. The behavior of many Filipinos on social media, in particular, has shown that not everyone is particularly suited to handle the responsibilities of owning a personal social media account, let alone one that is associated with a major brand.
Even if an employee’s responsibilities have nothing to do with a business’s online presence, their behavior online can still reflect on the organization, one way or another. Hiring managers are always keener to hire those that seem less of a risk to the business’s reputation. Showing conscientious and responsible behavior online can do much to demonstrate that a candidate is less of a risk and a better fit for the business.
5) Digital literacy
Demonstrating a good grasp of technology goes beyond simply knowing how to use a word processor and spreadsheets. While Filipinos have widely adopted mobile devices, social media, and other important technologies, our application, and understanding of these is relatively limited. While not necessarily a problem in most contexts, the lack of digital literacy can lead to blind spots when seeking solutions to common problems that are likely to be faced in a workplace setting. A practical understanding of data analytics, current online best practices, and other things that define our digital age is something you should demonstrate to the hiring manager at your next job hunt.
6) Resilience and adaptability
More than ever, those in charge of hiring in the Philippines are interested in workers that are adaptable and capable of meeting new challenges.
While we thought we knew what fast-paced change was in the previous decades, the 2020s so far has taught us what rapid change really is. With some markets collapsing and others presenting new opportunities at the drop of a hat, the idea of having adaptable employees within a business can be a matter of survival.
7) Prioritization
Departments and teams within most businesses have become smaller over the past few generations. Today, it’s not unusual for a project team to consist of just two or three people where it may have been more common just a few decades ago to have more than five.
In practical terms, this often means that employees are in positions where they have to take more leadership and responsibility. The key to this is effective prioritization. Businesses that operate lean teams, as well as new startups, are likely to gravitate towards candidates that understand how to prioritize. Start demonstrating your prioritization skills by handing in a well-constructed resumé.
8) Open-mindedness
One common thing that ties the most innovative organizations is the fear of stagnation. More than ever, the drive for innovation is starting to become more of a part of many Filipino businesses. For this reason, being able to show open-mindedness can be a big factor in deciding between applicants competing for a position.
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These are just some of the job skills and qualities Filipino hiring managers and business owners are now looking out for. If you’re able to deliver on just half of these, you’ll already be in a better position than many other applicants out there. Good luck with your job hunt!
What other skills have you found to be in demand? We’d love to read your comments.
