According to Randstad’s global Workmonitor report released in 2024, more than two in five (42%) professionals in Singapore said that they would switch jobs in 2024 if they didn’t receive enough career development opportunities.
In the current job market, employers are not just seeking workers who can fulfill job descriptions; they are looking for talent that can shape their company’s future.
Future-proofing your skills is critical to meeting your current job requirements, anticipating evolving business needs, and securing your career. Here are five crucial ones to note.
1. Being digitally literate
Digital literacy extends beyond mere technical prowess. In the next five years, the World Economic Forum estimates that nearly one in four (23%) global jobs will be transformed by artificial intelligence (AI) and other technologies.
Today, digital literacy encompasses a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation to changing online tools and technologies. Navigating spreadsheets, understanding algorithms, and coding are now competencies as essential as fluency in any spoken tongue.
The digitally literate employee is expected to use data and the latest platforms to communicate valuable insights, such as patterns in consumer behaviour, market trends, and organizational performance, that can lead to positive business outcomes.
In workplaces permeated by technology, organisations seek individuals who are not just competent, but enthusiastic explorers eager to master new digital ecosystems to drive and maintain high productivity levels.
2. Communication matters
In the professional world, effective communication is the glue that holds projects, ambitions, and organisations together. It is the ability to articulate one’s thoughts with clarity, empathy and considerable persuasiveness. It isn’t enough to have the answer to a problem; you must convey it in a way that your peers and stakeholders not only understand but get behind.
Mastering effective communication means more than crafting eloquent emails and presentations. It’s about active listening, fostering a two-way dialogue and ultimately, being a team player who can lead by influence. Jobseekers who command this skill enhance their employability threefold, as every organisation values a torchbearer who can communicate their vision and mitigate miscommunication.
3. Be able to think critically
In a world where shifts are as sudden as they are frequent, the demand for critical thinking has become an imperative. Critical thinking is the art of reasoning through problems and analysing data to create effective solutions that are aligned with long-term business goals.
From developing multiple strategies to operating smoothly in an unprecedented challenge; visualising data to make effective data-based decisions to resolving workplace conflicts, there are myriad applications for critical thinking at the workplace.
In the age of the Internet, nothing is new any longer – in the sense that information is universally accessible online. Success now hinges on having strong critical thinking skills and the ability to pull information from different sources, map potential outcomes and make smart and influential decisions, even with limited data.
Finding talented individuals with strong critical thinking abilities is difficult for employers because past accomplishments may have been the result of teamwork.
To identify critical thinkers, employers will use behavioural interview questions or personality assessments to evaluate their characteristics and how well they work with others.
4. Being in tune with culture
Having cultural intelligence is a prerequisite for anyone looking to work in the modern global economy, which is incredibly diverse.
Cultural intelligence equips employees with the skills to navigate conflicts constructively, address cultural biases and stereotypes, and find mutually acceptable solutions that accommodate diverse perspectives.
Beyond equipping individuals with the sensitivity and know-how to work with a diverse array of colleagues, a culturally intelligent workplace is now an important factor in helping people determine where to work.
Randstad’s report revealed that nearly four in 10 people (39%) in Singapore wouldn’t work for an organisation if it wasn’t making a proactive effort to improve its diversity and equity.
When employers prioritise cultural awareness at the workplace, they can create inclusive work environments where employees feel like they belong and focus on building their skills and careers.
5. EQ is as important as IQ
The workplace is as much about relationships as it is about deliverables. Emotional intelligence (EQ), the ability to empathise and understand the emotions of oneself and others, is a silent but powerful currency that enriches workplace experiences.
Cultivating emotional intelligence isn’t easy; it involves introspection, the will to change, and, sometimes, the humility to admit to faults. It’s the difference between a colleague whom you value, trust, and respect and one with whom you may avoid connecting because of just a single negative experience.
A healthy workplace that values emotional intelligence is a must-have, as a toxic work environment can take a heavy toll on your mental health. Having a safe and nurturing workplace is more than just feeling like things are tolerable. It’s knowing that your beliefs are respected and that you can bring your authentic self to work to perform at your best.
As much as employers are looking for talent with mature emotional intelligence to join their teams, you should also look for organisations that provide you with a supportive and driven environment in which to thrive.
This article is contributed by Randstad Singapore.
