5 Ways to Boost Your Employability By Going Digital
We live in a fast paced digital world. We hear of new tech developments changing the paradigm of work everyday from an increased productivity to smaller concentration spans. In the new millennium, technology has enabled communication, connectivity, and systems management like never before. In such a changing world scenario, the new age employees need to have their eyes set on being a part of the digital revolution and taking it in stride.
Digital Literacy and Its Relevance in Today’s Workplace
Consider the following statistics. According to a recent survey,:
• More than 80% of employers regard digital skills to be an important requirement.
• More than 90% of these employers want employees to be fully conversant with emails, word processing, and spreadsheets.
• Around 70% of them also expect social media knowledge.
According to what we read on the australian web development company‘s website, on a very basic level, digital literacy means the ability and competence in using computers, smart phones, electronic tablets, and other web-accessible devices. However, that is just textbook knowledge. On a real platform, digital literacy entails the ability to judge the quality of information received digitally, ability to synthesize, evaluate, and disseminate this information for maximum reach and output.
The current generation is born digitally savvy. They study, work, write, and interact with each other mostly through electronic media. They read blogs rather than newspapers and meet their friends online.
The internet permeates through our lives, connecting our daily affairs through digital enablers. Social media is the place to meet friends. Ecommerce is the new marketplace. Forums and webinars are the latest ‘go-to’ events. ‘Cloud’ services from high class cloud computing specialists ensure that you are accessible and you have access to all your digitally stored property. Emails and text messaging are the more prevalent ways to communicate.
The Far Reaches of Digital Literacy
Digital literacy also opens the door to digital education. Online courses, MOOCs, study groups, and study materials, are changing the world of education. The four walls of a classroom are not necessarily a physical place. Digital technologies have enabled us to learn anywhere, anytime, and as fast or slowly as one wants. Educators also embrace a progressive educational model so that learning, adopting and adapting technological practices can meet learners where they are.
Your Digital Presence Matters
- How you appear online might have a significant impact on your career. For instance, if you want to pursue a career in writing, or want to be considered an industry expert, a blog can be a great way to position yourself as an eligible candidate.
- The ability to understand and utilize social media effectively is a core skill every professional should have. Social media can help you boost your employability if used well in a professional way. The question that you need to ask is – how do I want to be known? What do I want a future employer to see in me that will make them want to give me the job?
- Though you may not need to know the nitty-gritties of search engine marketing, it is a good idea to be aware of how search works. This will help employers achieve the tough task of being ‘visible’ on the wide network, and not getting lost in the crowd.
- 4. These days, employers expect technological expertise even for junior level positions. Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, cloud computing, and other such are a given. Ability to communicate via emails, texts have become a necessity.
- 5. If you have not been digitally suave, it may be a good idea to invest in a course, to learn important skills. Keep an open mind to learning how to communicate, as this would need you to put in some amount of effort.
