Upskilling Can Help You Take Charge Of Your Career

Employment sector is a dynamic and ever-evolving ecosystem, where change is the only constant. The winds of change blow unpredictably, and impact every section and layer of this system in different ways. For young professionals entering the job market, these tides of change can be overwhelming.

The career paths that once seemed clear and well-defined are now uncharted territories. Job roles are evolving faster than ever, and the skills required to excel in these roles are constantly evolving too. However, by embracing adaptability and committing to consistent learning, young professionals can successfully navigate these uncertain waters and chart successful career trajectories.

According to LinkedIn, the skill sets needed for jobs in India have changed by 30 per cent on average since 2015 and are expected to change anywhere between 46 to 50 per cent by 2025. With the right mindset and approach, young professionals can keep up with this change to build the right skills for their chosen career path.

All career paths require transferable skills: The past three years in particular have proven that no career paths are no longer linear. For the young and spirited Gen Z, the need to explore multiple professional pathways is a top priority. A generation, a workforce, that is willing to juggle multiple roles at once, as long as they are learning and growing.

If you’re just beginning to take your first professional footsteps, learning the right soft skills can help you thrive in today’s job market. The upside? These skills are also transferable across roles, and regardless of career path. Soft skills such as effective communication skills, leadership, management, and analytical thinking are essential to thrive in any role or industry. Employers are increasingly valuing these business-critical abilities that allow professionals to work collaboratively, adapt to changing environments, and drive results. Those joining the workforce should not overlook the importance of honing your soft skills, which can be critical tools to building a successful career.

Soft skills are also key to making those transitions swift and easy, allowing professionals to adapt and thrive in any new role they take on. Think of transferable skills as your universal language — once you have them, you can communicate your value to any employer, regardless of the industry.

Recruiters sound the alarm: Skills-based hiring takes centre stage in the job market Our Future of Recruiting 2023 report showed us interesting signs of progress on the skills-first front, which can also serve as a tip to early-career professionals — nearly 9 out of 10 recruiters believe skills-based hiring, upskilling, and reskilling will have a significant impact on recruiting over the next five years. That means, whether you’re fresh out of college or a mid-career professional, upskilling is no longer just a nice-to- have, it’s a must-have.

Recruiters in India also feel that finding candidates with the desired skills is one of their greatest challenges today. On LinkedIn, as many as 50 per cent of recruiters in India are explicitly using skills to hire candidates. This takes us a long way in terms of democratising access to opportunities for all by moving away from traditional hiring benchmarks like degrees and past experience to focus on the skills of the candidate. This is a promising and reassuring incentive for young professionals to equip themselves with the capabilities that recruiters are looking for.

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Many professionals are already realising the importance of keeping their skill sets up to date. We’re witnessing this increased focus on skilling first-hand on our platform. With professionals spending a whopping 4.6 million hours learning on LinkedIn alone in 2022, the competition is getting fierce. So, if you want to stay ahead of the curve, it's time to invest in the right courses and learning opportunities. And most importantly, keep a close watch on how the job market is evolving, which is often a great way to understand what skills you need to develop in order to future proof your career.

AI skills are the hottest trend in career development: In today’s rapidly changing job market, staying ahead of the curve requires keeping up with in-demand skills. In particular, we’ve seen a growing demand for AI skills. Our recent data reveals that 60 per cent of professionals believe that gaining AI skills will help them progress in their careers, underscoring the need for these skills in the modern workplace. From software development and SQL to Java and AI, the demand for tech skills is only increasing, and those who possess these skills will be well-positioned to succeed in the years to come.

With the right mindset and strategic steps, you can leverage your unique story to build a successful career

As AI continues to transform industries across the board, the ability to develop and implement AI solutions has become increasingly important. Whether you work in healthcare, finance, or any other field,

AI is poised to play a major role in shaping the future of your industry. By learning the skills needed to work with AI and leverage its power to drive innovation and growth, professionals can stay ahead of the curve and lead the charge in their field. In short, developing AI skills is not just important for career advancement – it’s essential for staying relevant and competitive in today’s ever-changing job market.

To sum up — your story is your strength. With the right mindset and strategic steps, you can leverage your unique story to build a successful career. Invest in AI and transferable skills, stay updated with industry trends, optimise your profile, explore in-demand roles, and prepare for interviews. In fact, you’re three times more likely to score a job if someone you know recommends you. So, form connections, have conversations, and spend time networking with people who can add value to your learning curve. The future is yours to shape.

Author is senior director, Talent and Learning Solutions, LinkedIn India,