No matter the industry, employers are looking for certain tech skills on every job candidate's resume. Companies in the technology industry are especially choosy when it comes to this. As technology advances at lightning speed and new trends come and go, it is crucial to have a core set of tech skills that allow you to stay sharp and knowledgeable.
Mobile Development
A June 2014 comScore report showed that 60 percent of digital media time was spent on handheld devices such as smartphones and tablets. Gone are the days of sitting in one place on the computer, so businesses have to keep up. Companies are looking for talented candidates who have the tech skills to take their current web presence and optimize it across multiple mobile platforms.
Social Media Expertise
Plenty of job seekers have experience with social media from the user side, but this isn't enough to impress employers, says Amanda Augustine, job search expert for TheLadders. Instead of listing "social media" as a generic tech skill, get specific and list any systems you may have used to actually manage social media channels for an employer, such as TweetDeck or Hootsuite. This is especially helpful if you're gunning for positions in marketing or mobile product development.
Coding
Developers aren't the only ones who need to understand a website's code. More and more, it is necessary for every team member to have a basic understanding of coding, says Matt Ehrlichman, CEO and co-founder of Porch. Sometimes it may be that extra something that differentiates you from another job candidate. Sites such as codecademy.com offer free online courses that help you cultivate a basic knowledge over a few weeks.
Java
Although more than 20 years old, Java is still one of the most common programming languages used. It allows developers to write just once, and then run the applications anywhere on any platform. It is also widely used in building web applications for client-servers. Java has stood the test of time for good reason, so knowing it is essential, regardless of other programming languages that may come and go.
Technical Writing
It's one thing to understand how certain technologies work, but can you explain key technology concepts in a simple way that anyone can understand? This is one tech skill that companies consider especially valuable. Someone has to write all the emails, press releases, articles, user manuals and Web pages that get distributed among vendors, manufacturers and end users. Someone who not only understands technological concepts but can also explain them in layman's terms is an incredible asset to any company.
Staying on top of technology trends is crucial to remaining competitive in today's job market. Continue to acquire new tech skills while honing your existing ones to stay ahead of the pack and secure your future. Do this by looking for classes, seminars, training and other resources for the tech skills relevant to your desired job and industry.
Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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