It is true that our world has been disrupted, if not turned upside down, by the new Coronavirus pandemic, especially work as we knew it. Many lost their jobs as businesses shut down or struggled to stay afloat as sales declined and as organisations restructured or made staff redundant. Only those with relevant skills were retained either because of what they bring to the table or because the skills they possess are a necessity. As we transition into the new normal, coming to terms with the fact that Covid-19 will forever be with us for the longest foreseeable future, Rwandans, like many people in other parts of the world, will need to be more innovative and creative to remain relevant in the post Covid-19 world. Emily Poague, the Vice President in charge of Marketing at the employment-oriented online service LinkedIn Learning, says that graduating alone is no longer enough for anyone to secure a job. One has to have the right soft skills and personal attributes that make you standout, not only to secure a job, but also ensure that you are not rendered redundant as workforces continue to shrink as employers continue to see that some positions were not necessary after all. Moise Ngabonziza, an employee of a local company, survived being laid off when the company he works for moved all the services online, simply because he had taken an online course on digital marketing. “When the company moved all services online, 80 percent of the staff were rendered redundant but the company needed at least two people with skills to maximise online sales and I was automatically retained,” Ngabonziza says. Below are some skills that will keep you relevant in the post Covid-19 world. Adaptability The Covid-19 pandemic shook up the world and changed everything as we knew it. For many, the changes were overwhelming and only the flexible ones kept going. From working from home to resorting to digital means of work, we are all required to be adaptable to the new normal of work. You need a flexible and open mind-set as an employee to keep evolving and adapting to the new normal (which also keeps evolving). Lack of adaptability can easily be spotted by employees by looking at the outputs. Don’t be the one to be considered excess. Take online courses: With chances of physical learning or travel limited, online courses remain your best bet to improve your skills. Over the past two years, many people took refresher courses on Coursera, an online platform with key vital courses. By enrolling for online courses, you will constantly upgrade your skills and stay relevant on your job and in the job market. Acquire digital skills: Like online courses, digital skills have become a necessity as companies and organisations have shifted many of their services online. Skills such as web development, social media skills, digital marketing, data analysis and artificial intelligences are the most sought-after skills. Tech savvy employees with a positive attitude towards acquiring digital skills will keep themselves relevant as long as they have the right tools needed by employers. Be creative and innovative: Beyond digital skills and online courses, creativity and innovation are key to stay relevant. Digital technologies have been extremely important since the new Coronavirus outbreak, but how creative and innovative you are with them makes you stand out. If you bring innovative solutions and ideas to the table, every employer will want to retain you. Think outside the box, look beyond the obvious and you will be hot cake. Be a leader In the post Covid-19 world, employers are looking for people who are not just desk staff but rather leaders who take responsibility at every stage. You don’t have to be a manager or leader. Whichever position and responsibility you have, take the lead. Do not wait for others to get things done. Be positive: Positive employees, always looking for solutions and ways to get things done stand a chance of remaining relevant compared to those lamenting about the impact of the virus. Positive people saw opportunities in the pandemic while people with a negative attitude continued to count losses. Maintaining a positive attitude will not only keep you relevant, it makes you the right choice for any task or responsibility.
