Build In-Demand Skills, Stay Competitive in the Tech Job Market—Here's How

Four hundred twenty-four tech companies laid off more than 120,000 people in the first three months of 2023. The dipping economy, worsening inflation, increased interest rates, overhiring, and COVID-19 pandemic job correction are said to be reasons contributing to the series of significant job cuts.

While this is obviously distressing for people who have lost their jobs, it is also a chance for hopefuls to focus on improving their skill sets in order to remain competitive in the promising tech industry.

A recent Wired report details all that is expected from job seekers aiming to join the industry this year. From skills to experience, the report removes from the cobs the important details you should know.

Strong Tech Skills

To be successful in the tech sector, job seekers must maintain strong tech skills, even if some talents are really not traditionally deemed "techy."

Companies typically prefer employees with a breadth of knowledge throughout their disciplines as well as a depth of expertise in one field, making them more valuable to firms that are constantly adjusting their workforces.

If you are curious about what these skills are, LinkedIn has released its 2023 Most In-Demand Skills list, which includes the top skills desired by employers in today's job market - have a look!

Individuals and teams need in-demand abilities to be competitive and achieve their career goals in 2023, even in harsh macro environments.

The wired report highlights that automation, AI, digital marketing, and cybersecurity will be among the most in-demand skills in the following months and years.

These skills are of considerable interest and can help job seekers stand out in a competitive employment market. By learning these talents, job seekers may position themselves as significant additions to any firm.

When it comes to hiring, employers have changed to a skills-first approach, valuing a candidate's skills and abilities just as much as a degree or experience.

Adopting a skills-first strategy might give job searchers the confidence to negotiate the job market, especially during tumultuous times for the industry.

Build Your Skills

Low-cost, low-pressure, self-paced options like those offered on Udemy, LinkedIn Learning, edX, and Coursera are one way to gain tech skills swiftly. These platforms include various courses that can assist job seekers in developing the skills needed to thrive in the tech sector.

For Starters, Coursera, which offers 5,500 free courses, presented several popular tech courses in 2022, such as Foundations of User Experience (UX) Design (free and supplied by Google), Programming for Everybody (Getting Started with Python) (free from the University of Michigan), and Algorithms, Part I. (free from Princeton University).

However, it is essential to understand that merely taking a course is not sufficient. To properly grasp the skills they learn, job seekers must find opportunities to practice them. Students should also seek programs through major university extension programs and big tech firms.

For Freelancers

Lastly, the Wired piece says having a comprehensive toolkit involves having a diverse set of high-quality skills. Investing in developing a diverse skill set may lead to new opportunities and help freelancers stay competitive in an ever-changing work environment.

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